• Zumba shoes support and cushion the feet and have just the right amount of grip so you can get the most out of working out to pulsating music.
• The lightweight and flexible Ryka Influence provides support, stability, and swivel-action for busting out Zumba moves.

Do your hips start swiveling when you hear a beat? If so, try Zumba, a dance-inspired exercise program born from ingenuity. Developed in the 1990s, the popular exercise program uses soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, and hip-hop music to get people moving.

Zumba provices a full-body aerobic-cardio workout that burns 369 calories in a 39-minute class. Zumba not only strengthens your legs and core, but also increases your agility and flexibility. You don't need to be a dancer to enjoy this high-impact activity — all you need are two feet (even two left ones!) and a love of rocking to music with a strong beat.

In order to get the most out of your Zumba workout, you'll want to wear high-quality, comfortable shoes designed to handle diverse movements like turns, lunges, hops, weight shifts, kicks, squats, rapid direction changes, and more. A good pair of shoes help you maintain proper form for maximum benefits and minimum injury.

When considering a pair of shoes for Zumba, look for the following features:

• Flexibility: Look for bendable uppers and soles.
• Fit: Some models run narrow and some run wide — as do people's feet. Obviously, you want your feet to be comfortable. Avoid excess room, which could lead to pain from tight spots and pressure points or sliding.
• Weight: The lighter, the better.
• Cushioning in the insoles, midsoles, and outer soles: Although you may want thicker soles for greater shock absorbency, remember that the thicker the sole, the heavier the shoe and the less your foot feels the floor.
• Support: Look for support across the sole (front to back, side to side), under the arch, at the heel (a heel cup securely holds the back and sides of a dancer's heel), and around the ankle (with high-top models).
• Grip: Seehow the sole "grips" the floor.Because dancers pivot, slide, and frequently change direction, they need shoes that don't stick to the floor, which could result in twisted ankles, knees, hips, backs, etc. Avoid running and tennis shoes, which are designed to grip surfaces.
• Sole construction: You'll find two types of soles: full (one solid piece that runs along the entire shoe bottom) and split (composed of two sections, the heel pad and the toe pad) which offers more flexibility but no arch support.
• Pivot point: This isa circular patch of rubber on the shoe's sole — usually located under the ball of the foot and/or under the heel — on which a dancer can twist, turn, and spin with ease. Some but not all models have pivot points.

In our research, we read opinions by trained Zumba instructors as well as reviews by Zumba students — from beginners to veterans — to narrow the field down to these five models.

Here are our top picks for the best Zumba shoes in 2019:

• Best Zumba shoes overall: Ryka Influence
• Best budget Zumba shoes: Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 
• Best high-top Zumba shoes: Ryka Tenacity
• Best split-sole Zumba shoes: Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker
• Best Zumba shoes for men: Nike Men's Free 5.0+

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.

The best overall

The Ryka Influence is not just stylish and sporty, it's also lightweight, flexible, and sturdy, offers support and cushioning, and has a low-grip sole and pivot point.

Designed for high-impact exercise, theRyka Influence has a lightweight and flexible construction that's great for kicks and jumps and provides ample support for side-to-side movements. 

The Ryka Influence has a trademarked a "Comfort Fit Precise-Return" insole for shock absorption. It also has an attractive synthetic mesh upper for breathability as well as a padded tongue and collar for comfort. Another great feature is the pivot-point under the ball of the foot, which makes turning, twisting, and pirouetting easy and safe. The sole's grip provides "decent traction," according to Sportsly, yet still to moves easily across the floor. In fact, many Amazonreviewers note that they wear these shoes while dancing on carpet. Only a few feel the sole has too much grip.

Ryka makes shoes specifically for women, so the Influence has a narrow heel, a high instep, a secure insole, and a roomy forefoot. SomeAmazon reviewers like the narrow heel box while others find the toe box too narrow. ZumbaHQ points out that this model may be a bit narrow and uncomfortable for people with wide feet. In terms of overall sizing, theRyka Influence runs true to size for some users but feels a half or whole size too small for others.

Named "Best of the Best" on BestReviews and "Best Cross Trainer for Zumba" on Shrewd Fitness, the Ryka Influence is also the top pick for women's Zumba shoes on Sportsly, BestWomensWorkouts, RunnerClick, and BestExerciseShoes. ZumbaHQ, WalkJogRun, 5 Min To Health, and Zumba instructor Allen Lizzie of Zumba Center rate this model as one of the best Zumba shoes. Of the more than 2,100 Amazon customers, 77% rated it 4 or 5 stars.

Pros: Lightweight, flexible, supportive, and great for turning with pivot point

Cons: A little narrow for some and lacks ankle support as a low-profile shoe

Buy Ryka Influence on Amazon for $45.89 to $89.99 (price varies based on size and color)

Buy Ryka Influence on Zappos for $80.00

The best budget shoe

Lightweight and flexible, the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 with gel cushioning is quite comfortable for Zumba class.

The Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 seems to be built for Zumba. It has a breathable mesh upper for air ventilation, a "Rearfoot GEL" cushioning system that absorbs shock from the impacts of jumps, a midsole with a crisscross pattern for multidirectional bendability, and a rubber sole with the right amount of grip. People also like its stylish yet understated appearance in a selection of appealing (and "not wild) solid colors.

According to Sportsly, which rates the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 as its third best model, the shoe's flexibility "promotes extreme articulation during Zumba dance classes." This flexibility also provides freedom of movement in non-Zumba activities like walking and light cross training.  

WalkJogRun ranks the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3within its top ten picks and says the "lightweight design [is] great for lateral motions." Add the Mono-Sock design (an elastic internal sleeve that replaces a traditional tongue, making the shoe easy to slip on and slip off), and you have a sneaker that fits comfortably like, well, a sock — in fact, some people skip wearing actual socks. This construction feels secure and snug but not too tight.

The trade-off of the lightweight and flexibleAsics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 is a need for more support, particularly in the arch and the sides. Although Amazon reviewers describe wearing the shoes as "walking on baby clouds" and some feel they provide adequate support and cushioning, several say otherwise.

The Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 is ranked second highest on BestWomensWorkouts,third on Shrewd Fitness, and within the top ten picks on RunnerClick. Among more than 180Amazon reviewers, this shoe has 4.1 stars out of 5.

Pros: Lightweight, flexible, comfortable

Cons: Needs more arch and side support

Buy the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 on Amazon for $34.97 to $139.99 (price varies based on size and color)

The best high-top

The high-top Ryka Tenacity offers strong ankle and heel support along with stability and cushioning thanks to a springy insole.

Great for low-impact Zumba classes (like Zumba Gold, a low-intensity version designed for dancers who want routines that are easier on the joints), the Ryka Tenacity provides ample ankle support as well as comfort and security. Zumba Gold instructors recommend this model to students.BestWalkingFeet praises its heel support and describes "a molded, rigid heel reinforcement unit which keeps you from pronating too much to either side as you dance."

The Ryka Tenacityhas a breathable synthetic mesh upper that adjusts with a lace-up front and Velcro strap across the midfoot for customizing a secure fit. The manufacturer boasts both a RE-ZORB footbed (which BestWalkingFeetdescribes as "bounc[ing] back and return[ing] the energy of each downward motion back up to your legs") that reenergizes dancers and a dual foam midsole engineering design to provide extra cushioning at forefoot pressure points.

What the Ryka Tenacitydoesn't have is strong arch support. You can insert custom insoles with arch support, but some users dislike the extra expense and inconvenience. Nonetheless, the shoe's rubber outsole has a pivot point under the ball of the foot and the right amount of grip for dancing.

The Ryka Tenacityseems to run fairly true to size, although a few Amazon reviewers recommend sizing up by a half whileBestWalkingFeetsuggests sizing down a little bit. We recommend trying these on before you use it, or purchase from an online retailer with a good return policy like Zappos.

Of the more than 430 Amazon customers, 62% gave the Ryka Tenacity 5 stars. This model is the second-highest ranked Zumba shoe onRunnerClick, the fourth on Sportslyand BestWomensWorkouts, and sixth on BestWalkingFeet.

Pros: Comfortable, great ankle support, secure fit

Cons: Weak support for the arch (can add own insole, which isn't always convenient) and lateral movement

Buy Ryka Tenacity on Amazon for $29.95 to $84.95 (price varies based on size and color)

Buy Ryka Tenacity on Zappos for $85.00

The best split-sole

For women and men who demand bona fide dancewear, the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker provides maximum flexibility for Zumba movements and foot extensions in a well-constructed studio shoe.

Famous dancewear manufacturer Capezio makes the unisex Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker, which is perfect for Zumba enthusiasts, dance teachers, hip-hoppers, etc. Users love this well-padded yet lightweight and flexible shoe. Its sturdy upper is made of polyurethane nubuck, imitation suede, and mesh. This model also has a ventilated arch for breathability as well as a padded collar, tongue, and Achilles notch above the heel for comfort. The removable footbed, made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate, a man-made material often used running and hiking shoes), provides ample cushioning.

What's really special about the Capezio Rockit Dancesneakeris that it's designed specifically for dancing. Zumba instructors state that it facilitates easy turning and pivoting without sacrificing stability. Excellent for changing direction, rotating, and executing lateral movements, this shoe has a non-marking, polyurethane sole split sole for maximum foot articulation and toe pointing; flex points and a spin spot under the ball of the foot for pirouettes; and a flat, boxed toe for executing toe stands.

The Dancerholic blog notes that the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker is "great for those with knee problems as they have built-in flexible points and a spin spot so you can move side-to-side without putting pressure on your knees." Several Amazon reviewers report switching to this shoe in order to avoid and/or eliminate aches and pain. Some users like the sole's grip (even for dancing on carpeting) while others find it a bit slippery for lunges, squats, and on non-carpeted floors.

People (especially those with wide feet) find the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker a bit narrow and that runs small. The manufacturer recommends women order one size up from their street-shoe size and men order two sizes up.

The Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker is one of the top picks on Dancerholic, RunnerClick, BestExerciseShoes, Shrewd Fitness, BodyTechReview, and ZumbaHQ. On Amazon, 52% of more than 600 reviewers gave it 5 stars.

Pros: Split sole allows full foot articulation and rotations, lightweight and flexible

Cons: Run a little narrow and small, can be slippery on wooden floors

Buy the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker on Amazon for $55.86 to $138.15 (price varies based on size)

Buy the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker on Zappos for $68.50

The best for men

The Nike Men's Free 5.0+ is lightweight, breathable, and flexible, and provides cushion for men starting out in Zumba.

Finding Zumba shoes for men is a bit like playing "Where's Waldo?" because unless shoe models are labeled as unisex or for men, you can assume they're likely for made for women. Nonetheless, there are good Zumba shoes for men out there, like the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker described earlier and others by Capezio and dance brands like Bloch and Sansha. The best "mainstream" shoe we found after an exhaustive search is the Nike Men's Free 5.0+. It accommodates the male foot shape well and has features that make it appropriate for Zumba.

Fitness enthusiast and BodyTechReview founder Mark Brennan likes the Nike Men's Free 5.0+for men trying Zumba because it's lightweight, flexible, and comfortable. The shoe's upper is made out of breathable mesh for releasing heat and evaporating sweat during an intense Zumba workout. The shoe also has a molded, cushioned footbed and arch support that adjusts to your foot and absorbs shock.

Its sleek look may appeal to men. Although marketed as a running shoe (which normally you shouldn't wear for Zumba), the Nike Men's Free 5.0+has "decent" but not overly strong grip according toAmazon reviewers. Instead of heavy, deeply grooved treads often found on running shoes, this model features hexagonal flexible grooves on its minimal rubber sole, so it isn't too "grippy," which is important in executing twists, turns, and other Zumba moves.

The Nike Men's Free 5.0+ runs a bit small and wearers recommend ordering up a size.

One Amazon reviewer wrote that his pair of Nike Men's Free 5.0+ is "the absolute best Zumba shoes I have ever owned!" This model has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars among more than 1,400 Amazon reviewers.

Pros: Lightweight, flexible, not too "grippy," sleek and masculine appearance

Cons: Pricey, no pivot point, runs a bit small

Buy the Nike Men's Free 5.0+ on Amazon for $130

Business Insider may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network if you apply for a credit card, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• With the US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature Card, you can earn 2x points per dollar in your top spending category between gas stations, grocery stores, and airlines.
• Plus, you'll get 2x points per dollar on your cell phone bill and charitable donations.
• Redeeming points for travel is easy, with extensive booking options and no blackout dates.

Saving up rewards points for travel can unlock flights, hotel nights, and more at fun and exciting destinations around the world.

The US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards credit card offers up to 2x points per dollar spent, which can go a long way towards free travel. To decide if you should add this card to your wallet, it's important to look at the rewards, benefits, and costs. Read on to learn more.

The US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa has a somewhat unique rewards structure

The US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature card offers an interesting combination of benefits and rewards. It isn't the very best rewards card out there, but it may be worth considering depending on your spending habits and travel preferences — and your desire to stick with US Bank. This card is also good for people who are averse to high annual fees, as it offers an especially valuable rewards program in relation to the cost.

The card earns 2x points per dollar on purchases with cell phone providers, plus charitable donations. It also potentially earns 2x points per dollar at gas stations, grocery stores, or airlines — but only on one of those categories. Whichever of those categories gets the most of your spending each monthly billing cycle will earn 2x points — the other categories, and all other purchases, get 1x point per dollar.

Points are worth 1.5¢ each when redeemed for travel. That means you earn an equivalent of 3% on the best purchases and 1.5% on others. 

The card currently offers a 25,000 point bonus worth $375 toward travel purchases after spending $2,000 in the first four months. It charges a $49 annual fee.

Considering the annual fee, you would break even spending just $3,267 per year on "everything else" purchases. But there is potentially even more value from the card's benefits that make it worth consideration.

The FlexPerks Travel Rewards card has plenty of useful benefits

The card charges no foreign transaction fees, something useful and expected with this type of card. But it has one unique feature that is very cool and potentially very valuable.

For each flight you book with the card using your points, you get up to $25 in reimbursements for baggage fees or in-flight purchases. If you book two award flights per year and take full advantage of the $25 allowance, you made up the cost of the annual fee right there.

Another benefit the card offers is the Visa Signature Concierge. This service can research and purchase things like flights, hotels, rental cars, activities while traveling, or even online orders like flowers for a special someone.

There are also a handful of travel and shopping protections, including auto rental collision damage waiver and some extended warranty protections. It also offers travel accident insurance and gets you preferred rates at three popular rental agencies.

If you are into chatting about travel, you can take advantage of a Hideaway Report membership — an exclusive travel industry community — valued at $250 per year (digital membership cost).

In addition to travel, the card offers a few other redemption options such as cash back, gift cards, and merchandise rewards. However, these redemption options give you a lower value per point than travel, so you should generally avoid those redemption methods unless you really need the statement credit to help you pay off your balance.

Should you get the FlexPerks Travel Rewards card?

This card clearly offers enough value to pay for the costs. The signup bonus is worth as much as seven and a half years of annual fees. You only have to spend a few hundred dollars on the card per month to break even. If you do all of your regular spending on this card, it's easy to see how the rewards would stack up and turn into free travel.

The card would be more exciting if it offered an ability to transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners. The 2x rewards on charity and mobile phones is useful. The bonus on a category you spend most is also great, but some competing cards offer better bonuses and more valuable rewards. However, you'll have to pay a higher annual fee to get them.

If you are willing to pay more than $49 per year or want cash back rewards instead of travel, you can find more exciting cards elsewhere. However, if you are a big fan of US Bank and want to keep all of your financial accounts under one roof, or just find the combination of rewards and benefits enticing, this card is easy to justify.

Click here to learn more about the US Bank FlexPerks Travel card from Business Insider's partner, The Points Guy.

READ MORE: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and benefits of 2019

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• AirPods are typically reliable accessories that pair easily and connect automatically.
• If you're having trouble getting your AirPods to connect, make sure your AirPods are charged, Bluetooth is turned on for the device you want to connect, and reset the device before trying again.
• If none of those steps work, you should un pair your AirPods from your device, reset the AirPods, and try to reconnect them.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Few things are more frustrating than when something that's supposed to "just work" … doesn't work. Your Apple AirPods are designed to seamlessly and effortlessly connect to your phone, iPad, and other devices, so it's unusual (and annoying) when things go awry.

If you've already followed all the steps to try to connect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, here's what you can do to try to get them working.

Make sure you're running the right version of iOS

If you've never connected these AirPods to your iPhone or iPad before, make sure that the devices meet the minimum system requirements. If you have first generation AirPods, your iOS device must be running iOS 10 or later; for the second generation AirPods, you need at least iOS 12.2.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Tap General, and then tap Software Update.

3. On the Software Update page check which version of iOS you're running, and install an update if needed.

Troubleshoot your AirPod connection

There are a few simple steps you can try that will get your AirPods working properly most of the time.

• Make sure your AirPods are charged; to be sure, place the AirPods in their case and connect it to a USB power source for 1-2 hours.
• On the iPhone or iPad you want to connect to, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. You can open the Control Panel by swiping down from the upper right corner of the screen or up from the bottom, and make sure the Bluetooth icon is turned on (it should be blue). You can also check from the Bluetooth menu in your Settings app.

• Restart the iPhone or iPad you are trying to connect it to. Often, just restarting the device can resolve a problem like this.

Reset your AirPods

If none of those steps worked, you might need to reset your AirPods and pair them with your iPhone or iPad again.

1. Start by unpairing the AirPods from the iPhone or iPad. On your iPhone or iPad, start the Settings app and tap "Bluetooth." Next to the entry for AirPods, tap the "i" and then tap "Forget this Device."

2. Put the AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait about 30 seconds. Open the lid.

3. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber a few times, followed by continuously flashing white.

4. You should now be able to reconnect your AirPods using the procedure described in the article, "How to use AirPods and pair them with almost any phone or device."

If your AirPods won't connect with your Mac

If you're having trouble getting your AirPods to connect to a Mac, the troubleshooting steps are basically the same as for the iPhone and iPad. Start by making sure that your computer is running the right version of the operating system.

Original AirPods need to have macOS Sierra or later, and second generation AirPods require macOS 10.14.4 or later. To check on your version of the macOS, choose System Preferences from the Apple menu, and then click "Software Update." If there are any updates available, click "Update Now."

If the operating system is okay, follow the steps listed above for the iPhone and iPad.

If none of those steps help, then you may need to reset your AirPods.

1. On your Mac, unpair the AirPods. To do this, hold the Alt key while you click on the Bluetooth icon in the Mac's menu bar.

2. In the Devices section, click on the AirPods and then click "Remove." Click "Remove" again to confirm.

3. Put the AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait about 30 seconds. Open the lid.

4. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber a few times, followed by continuously flashing white.

5. You should now be able to reconnect your AirPods using the procedure described in the article, "How to use AirPods and pair them with almost any phone or device."

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to check the battery life of your AirPods on various Apple devices, including your AirPods case

• How to use AirPods and pair them with almost any phone or device

• How to reset your AirPods and save yourself a trip to the Genius bar

• How to make your AirPods louder if they aren't loud enough, or fix any other volume-related issue

SEE ALSO: The best wireless headphones you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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The International Houston Airport is home to Q, a Texas BBQ joint that smokes meat and uses an all-natural wood grill — all inside the terminal itself. Here's how they cook up over 3,800 pounds of meat every week. 

This post was created by Insider Studios with Elijah Craig. 

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• Playing YouTube videos in the background while using your iPhone just isn't as easy as doing the same on your computer.
• Not being able to play YouTube videos in the background has been a long frustration for iPhone owners who frequently use YouTube and want to do so while doing other tasks.
• Signing up for a YouTube Premium subscription is currently the only reliable way to play YouTube videos in the background on an iPhone. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Say you're riding shotgun in your friend's car. It's Friday night, and you're playing music from your favorite YouTube playlist. Then, someone asks you to look up directions. Since your iPhone is already connected to the car's stereo, once you leave YouTube, the music stops and everyone in the car collectively sighs.

YouTube lovers have long expressed dismay over this inconvenience. There used to be a way to get around this by navigating to YouTube using Safari instead of the YouTube app and playing music from there, but that trick has since been patched out.

That means that, unfortunately, the only way to play music from YouTube in the background is to sign up for  YouTube's paid subscription service, YouTube Premium.

YouTube Premium costs $11.99 a month for a single account ($6.99 a month if you're a student), or $17.99 a month for six accounts in a "Family Plan." Signing up will get rid of all ads on YouTube videos, allow you to download videos to watch offline, and give you access to both "YouTube Original" videos and YouTube Music, the site's music streaming service. And, of course, you'll receive the ability to listen to audio from YouTube videos in the background, even while using other apps.

Here's how to sign up for YouTube Premium, and start listening to YouTube whenever you want in the background.

How to play YouTube in the background using YouTube Premium

First, you need to sign up for YouTube Premium.

1. Navigate to the YouTube Premium homepage, which can be found here.

2. Click the blue button that says "TRY IT FREE," which will open a window for you to enter your payment information.

3. Enter your payment information and zip code. YouTube Premium offers a one-month free trial, so if this is your first time signing up, you won't be charged the $11.99 fee until a month has passed. YouTube may, however, charge you a $1 fee at first to make sure that the payment information you've given them is valid — this dollar should be refunded within a few days.

4. The YouTube account you used to sign up for Premium will be immediately granted access to all the new features of Premium.

Now, here's how to play songs in the background.

5. Open the YouTube app.

6. Navigate to the video that you want to listen to in the background.

7. Once it starts playing, feel free to return to your phone's Home screen, and open other apps. You can pause and play the video's audio from the iPhone's Control Center, by opening it and holding your finger down on the music tab for a moment.

As long as you're subscribed to YouTube Premium, you'll be able to listen to YouTube videos without having the app open.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to lock your iPhone with a passcode and make it 'virtually impenetrable' to strangers — from your phone or remotely, if it's lost or stolen

• How to restore your iPhone from a backup after taking the 'nuclear option' of a factory reset

• How to backup an iPhone to iCloud, your computer, or an external hard drive

• 'Why won't my iPhone turn on?': 3 ways to troubleshoot an iPhone that won't restart

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

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Insider Pickswrites about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Sorel released a sneaker that promises to keep your feet completely dry during temperamental weather, and we tried it out.
• The Out 'N About Plus sneaker ($95) is crafted with wear-resistant rubber and waterproof suede that wicks away moisture while providing traction on slick surfaces. 
• Though they lack a bit in arch support, they lived up to the promise of keeping our feet dry, even during unsuspected downpours. 

I count on my cell phone apps for everything from grocery shopping to falling asleep at night, but my weather app is one that continuously throws me for a loop. Despite checking it every morning, it's rare that the forecast is actually accurate — leaving me dressed in chunky rain boots without a drop in the sky, or a parka when the temperature barely dips into the mid-60s. 

But thanks to the waterproof Out 'N About sneaker from Sorel — the company behind the trusted snow boots you see all winter— it's not a big deal if I end up getting caught in the rain on a day that was supposed to be crystal clear.

There are plenty of "weatherproof" shoes on the market, but lots of them will still leave you with soggy feet after falling victim to an unexpected puddle, not to mention that they mostly look like they're designed for rain, so you wouldn't be caught in them on any regular day. That's what makes this pair different. When I asked my coworkers to test the shoes out, the consensus was that they delivered on their promise to keep our feet dry, and they look good enough to wear even when there's no rain in sight. 

Find our thoughts on the Sorel Out 'N About sneaker, below. 

Out 'N About Plus sneaker in Black ($95)

I found these Sorel sneakers to be exactly the pair I want for a rainy commute into the office, but not the pair I prefer to wear for the rest of the day once I get in to work. They're cute, comfy, stable, and they kept my feet completely dry during a recent downpour, but they do feel a little too "athleisurely" for my work wardrobe. I love them with leggings and a sweatshirt on the weekend, though! They've pretty much taken the place of my rain boots for warmer days, and I like the colors they come in (I chose black, but they grey, tan, sage green, orange, and blush colors are nice departures from the norm).

It's worth noting that my arches aren't particularly high, but the insole of these felt a little flat to me. That hasn't kept me from wearing them for days out and about running errands or strolling around my neighborhood, but I probably wouldn't wear them on a hike or an intense day of walking or museum touring. -Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

When I opened the box, the biggest difference I noticed about this shoe versus what I'm used to wearing was that the outer sole was crafted with vulcanized rubber, which is super strong and resists wear and tear. The bottom also has added traction for slippery conditions — much appreciated when running to catch a train in NYC.

I put them to the test on a day with a 70% chance of rain — one that would typically call for a pair of rain boots just to be safe. They were shockingly light when I put them on even though they seemed heavy when I initially held them in my hands. They definitely lack arch support, but I appreciated the snug feeling and the fact that my foot didn't shift around when I took a step.

It started raining for a good 20 minutes when I went outside, but despite the bottom of my leggings getting wet, my feet stayed completely dry. Now, I'm not the type to meander through gross weather for no reason, so the shoes only experienced moderate rain and a couple small puddles — but for the time it took me to walk home, I was surprised at how well they held up.

One thing I noticed was that the fit was more rigid than other sneakers, so I likely wouldn't wear the Out 'N About sneakers while working out at the gym. With that being said, they were perfect for walking around the city and I appreciated the added security of knowing that I would arrive at home with dry socks after a rain storm. -Megan Foster, Insider Picks intern

Out 'N About Plus sneaker in Dove ($95)

I tried the Women's Out N' About Plus Sneaker in Dove because I needed a comfortable walking shoe that was appropriate for work. With the seasons changing, I found that my rain boots were too heavy to wear in the warmer weather, and that they didn't provide enough support.

The Out N' About sneaker was light and breathable and provided enough cushioning that I was able to comfortably commute to work and not be in pain by the end of the day. When it rained, my feet stayed dry as a bone and I felt steady when walking thanks to the traction on the shoe's underside. I think the insoles could have a little more arch support, but I do have high arches myself.

The shoes had a sense of style about them so I didn't feel like I was wearing clunky sneakers in an office setting. Overall, I think they are a great spring sneaker that's light and airy, fashionable, and sturdy in inclement weather. -Francesca Rea, Insider Picks content producer

Shop the Out 'N About Plus sneaker for $95 at Sorel

Shop the Out 'N About Plus sneaker for $99.95 at Zappos

Join the conversation about this story »

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• A plain white T-shirt is the ultimate wardrobe staple.
• As a team of discerning shoppers and product viewers, the women of Insider Picks have tried a lot of plain white tees in our time and have strong opinions about the ones we like best. 
• Whether you already have a favorite or are still on the hunt for the perfect piece, check out our list of plain white T-shirts that are worth adding to your wardrobe now.

There are a few staples everyone should have in their closet. A great pair of jeans you can wear all day. A nice blazer that makes you feel like your best self. A plain white T-shirt. 

The plain white tee is a closet staple for good reason. You can dress it up or down, wear it alone or with layers; its simple color and design make it the perfect canvas for trying out funky accessories, bottoms, and jackets. 

With an abundance of options out there, you'd think it would be easy to pick one. Yet, the sheer variety of brands and styles can make that choice seem daunting. Should you go with a V-neck or a crew? Do you want a slouchy or tight fit? 

Well, we can't tell you which plain white T-shirt you'll like best, but we can tell you which ones we love — and hopefully that can inspire you on your hunt for perfection.

Keep reading for the seven plain white T-shirts that we turn to day in and day out.

Everlane Box-Cut Pocket Tee

Everlane Box-Cut Pocket Tee, $18

The very first article I ever wrote for Business Insider was about this perfect, slightly boxy, slightly cropped white T-shirt. That was over a year ago, back when it only cost $16. Everlane has since raised the price by $2, but I keep buying them regardless because a) they're not that expensive even still, and b) they fit like a dream!

I prefer the style with a pocket, but they offer plain pocket-less versions too. The best part is that they're just cropped enough to achieve a perfect front-tuck, which is how I wear my white tees most of the time, and the 100% cotton construction holds up well in the wash. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor

Richer Poorer Scoop V-Neck

Richer Poorer Women's Scoop V Tee, $34

I've tried a few of Richer Poorer's tanks and tees, and they're all consistently soft, durable, and comfortable. This tee has a gentle scoop neck that doesn't gape and lets me show a bit of skin and a pretty necklace, with sleeves that hit at the middle of my upper arms. Get it in your usual size and it should fit your shoulders and chest snugly while draping down the rest of your torso with a relaxed fit. — Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Universal Standard Tee Rex

Universal Standard Tee Rex, $50

Universal Standard is known for their size-inclusive jeans, but their Tee Rex white T-shirt is a star in itself. There isn't anything particularly fancy about this T-shirt, but the simplicity of the loose fit is perfect for everyday wear. It's made from Peruvian cotton which actually gets softer with every wash — although I found it was extremely comfortable from the beginning. The white is super versatile (and my personal favorite) but it comes in six other colors for every style and preference. — Megan Foster, Insider Picks intern

Madewell Whisper V-Neck

Madewell Whisper Cotton V Neck Pocket Tee, $19.50

I've had this shirt in about five different colors over the years and I'm already on number two for the plain white iteration. It's ideal for so many reasons — lightweight fabric, a heathered white that's not too stark against my pale skin, a comfy slouchy fit, a length that's just long enough to tuck in but not too long to leave hanging out, and a wallet-friendly price of $19.50. This T-shirt has become the foundation for too many outfits to count. Whether it's tucked into a silk skirt, thrown on with a pair of denim cutoffs, or layered under a chunky sweater, this T-shirt is one of my go-to staples for every season. — Remi Rosmarin, Insider Picks reporter

Uniqlo U Relax Fit Crew Neck

Uniqlo U Relax Fit Crew Neck, $14.90

I size down to a small in this T-shirt for a closer, snug fit. Combine this fit with a silhouette that falls straight down (rather than slightly flaring out) and you have a versatile blank canvas that's perfect for tucking into skirts or jeans. It's made from a smooth, slightly thick cotton material that almost feels similar to workout attire. The neckline hits above the collarbone and has a ribbed collar, but doesn't feel like it's restricting or choking me. — Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter

Spanx Slub Neck V-Neck Tee

Spanx Slub Neck V-Neck Tee, $58

$58 is a lot to spend on a single T-shirt, but I have a well-documented love of Spanx tights and workout leggings, and thus wanted to give the Slub V-Neck Tee a try when Spanx first introduced it to its website. I wasn't disappointed. This, indeed, looks and feels like a $58 T-shirt. It's made of a lightweight and slightly textured Pima cotton that feels almost silk-like on my skin and has held up well in the wash. The V-neckline shows off a nice, but modest amount of skin; and it's just fitted enough to hug my curves, but not so fitted that it highlights any areas I'm not looking to draw attention to, like my lower stomach. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks commerce director

Everlane Cotton V-Neck

Everlane Cotton V-Neck, $18

There's rarely a day you won't find me wearing at least one article of clothing from Everlane. Everything the company makes, from its $115 Day Glove flats, to its $68 Authentic Stretch skinny jeans, to the $18 Cotton V-Neck, is responsibly made, reasonably priced, and great quality. This tee (and most of the other tees Everlane makes — they're all great!) has a relaxed fit and is made of soft and lightweight cotton; I usually size down one size in Everlane tees since the relaxed fit means they tend to run large. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks commerce director

• JD Power released its 2019 North America Airline Satisfaction Study on Wednesday. The 15th edition of the study found consumer satisfaction to be at an all-time high.
• Airlines continue to struggle with in-flight entertainment, connectivity, and dining.
• Southwest and JetBlue tied with the highest score overall and among low-cost airlines.
• Alaska Airlines once again finished with the highest score for a traditional airline.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

JD Power released its 2019 North America Airline Satisfaction Study on Wednesday. The 15th edition of the study found consumer satisfaction to be at an all-time high.

Over the past year, airlines in the US and Canada scored an average of 773 points on a 1,000-point scale, beating last year's record-setting score by 11 points.

According to JD Power, the increase in customer satisfaction has been driven by airlines' investments in reservation and check-in technology along with an infusion of new aircraft.

"Airlines continue to deliver on the operational side of air travel," Michael Taylor, the travel intelligence lead at JD Power, said in a statement. "New technology investments have dramatically improved the reservation and check-in process. Fleets are newer and travelers generally feel that they are getting great value for their money."

Read more: The 20 biggest airlines in the world, ranked

Seatback entertainment, food service, and WiFi remain the lowest-ranked parts of the flying experience.

"The one area where both traditional and low-cost carriers can still improve, however, is in in-flight services," Taylor said. "It continues to be the lowest-ranked factor in the study, as many airlines still struggle with in-flight entertainment, connectivity, in-seat power, and food service."

For the third consecutive year, Southwest was the highest scoring airline in the study and among low-cost airlines. This year, it tied with its fellow low-cost carrier JetBlue with 817 points.

With 801 points, Alaska Airlines once again earned the highest score for a traditional airline. It has now earned that distinction in 12 straight years.

Airlines in the study are judged on performance in seven categories. In order of importance, they are cost and fees; in-flight services; aircraft; boarding, deplaning, and baggage; flight crew; check-in; and reservations.

The JD Power study is based on data gathered from 5,966 business and leisure passengers who flew on major US and Canadian airlines from April 2018 through March 2019. Several notable airlines such as Hawaiian, Allegiant, and Air Transat were not included in the study.

Here is a closer look at how the US airlines performed on the JD Power 2019 North America Airlines Satisfaction Study.

SEE ALSO: American Airlines CEO reveals when he would feel safe flying on the Boeing 737 Max again

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8. Frontier Airlines: 702 points

7. Spirit Airlines: 711 points

6. United Airlines: 723 points

5. American Airlines: 764 points

4. Delta Air Lines: 788 points

3. Alaska Airlines: 801 points

1. Southwest Airlines: 817 points (tie)

1. JetBlue: 817 points (tie)

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

We rounded up the eight best sales and deals happening online today, with savings on KitchenAid stand mixers, Sony noise-canceling headphones, and Instant Pots. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons

1. Save $200 on a KitchenAid 4 stand mixer at Best Buy

For casual home bakers and pro-level chefs alike, KitchenAid's stand mixers make it easier to mix, whip, and knead with barely any effort. For a limited time, you can save 50% on the KitchenAid KSM85PBER tilt-head stand mixer at Best Buy. With a 4.5-quart bowl and 10-speed motor, it has the size and power needed to make large batches. The mixer is available in Empire Red and Silver Metallic, so you can choose whichever color best fits your kitchen. For more deals and savings at Best Buy, visit Business Insider Coupons here. 

KitchenAid KSM85PBER Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $199.99 (Originally $399.99) [You save $200]

2. Save $80 on the best overall noise-canceling headphones we've reviewed

Ranked as the best overall noise-canceling headphones we've reviewed, the Sony WH1000xM3 headphones have top-notch sound quality, a comfortable fit, and unbeatable noise-cancellation technology. If the nearly $350 price is out of your range, you can save $80 by going with an Amazon Renewed pair. All Amazon Renewed items are in like-new condition and have been tested to operate like new as well. It also comes with the original box and a 90-day warranty.

Sony WH1000XM3 Noise-Canceling Headphones Renewed Condition, $267.99 (Originally $348) [You save $80.01]

3.Save $40 on the Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart Cooker

As the best-selling cooker in the Instant Pot family, the Duo Plus is a useful addition to any kitchen. The multi-purpose cooker can be used as (get ready for this mouthful:) a standard slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, warmer, sautée pan, cake maker, egg cooker, and sterilizer. Its six-quart design is ideal for feeding families of four to six people. Today, you can save $40 by purchasing it on Amazon.

Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart Cooker, $89.99 (Originally $129.95)[You save $39.96]

4. Save an extra 40% on sale styles at Cole Haan

Cole Haan celebrated Memorial Day Weekend with a huge sale on clearance items — but it's coming to an end soon. Now until May 30 at 6 a.m. ET, you can save an extra 40% on sale styles by using the promo code "EXTRA40" at checkout. Chances are you won't be up online shopping before 6 a.m., so pick out your favorite items and check out before the day is over. For more deals and savings at Cole Haan, visit Business Insider Coupons here. 

Shop the Cole Haan sale now. 

5. Save 10% on men's underwear packs at Tommy John

If you're stumped on finding a gift that's actually useful for dads this Father's Day, Tommy John is here to the rescue. The brand has redesigned menswear staples like underwear and undershirts to have a better fit. They're pricey, but worth it. For a limited time, you can save 10% on men's underwear packs automatically. I tested countless underwear brands and Tommy John is by far my favorite in terms of comfort, fit, durability, and overall value.

Shop the Tommy John sale now. 

6. Save up to 50% at Lacoste

The polo shirt should be a part of every person's summer wardrobe, and Lacoste, a brand that's largely responsible for the tennis-inspired shirt's popularity, is having its semi-annual sale. Right now, you can save 30%-50% on select styles for men and women. In addition to polos, you'll find other great items like T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, blazers, belts, backpacks, sneakers, and bathing suits.

Shop the Lacoste semi-annual sale now. 

7. Save 65% on prescription glasses at GlassesUSA.com

Rather than emptying your wallet at a traditional glasses retailer, GlassesUSA.com has all of your favorite brands for less. Right now, you can save 65% and get free shipping on all orders. The sale includes prescription glasses and sunglasses, so you'll find great deals on whatever you need. And with the site's "Virtual Mirror" you can actually get a sense of what the glasses will look like on your face before ordering them. To potentially save more at GlassesUSA.com, visit Business Insider Coupons. 

Shop the GlassesUSA.com sale now.

8. Save up to $200 on Helix Sleep Mattresses and get two free pillows

Unlike mattresses that are supposed to be comfortable for most people, Helix Sleep makes mattresses that are guaranteed to be comfortable specifically for you. The brand uses a short quiz based on your sleep and comfort preferences to create custom mattresses. During the final hours of the brand's Memorial Day sale, you can save $100 on any order with the promo code "MDW100," $150 on orders of $1,250 or more with " MDW150," and $200 on orders of $1,750 or more with "MDW200" at checkout. Additionally, you'll get two free pillows automatically added to your cart.

Shop the Helix Sleep sale now.

Join the conversation about this story »

• Apple released its Live Listen feature in 2014 to allow iOS devices to act as a microphone for people using MFI-compatible hearing aids.
• You can now use Live Listen with your AirPods, if you have iOS 12 or later on your iPhone or iPad.
• As well as assisting people with hearing aids, Live Listen can allow your iOS device and AirPods to be used as a mobile baby monitor.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

In 2014, Apple launched Live Listen, a feature that allows your iOS device (iPhone or iPad) to act as a remote microphone to help hearing-impaired individuals using MFI-compatible hearing aids hear.

A few years later, in September 2018, they furthered the technology by enabling AirPods to use the software to act as a substitute hearing aid. But hearing impaired or not, you can use your iOS device as a directional microphone and listen to the audio through your AirPods (or even one AirPod on its own).

Although the feature was originally developed to help those who are hearing impaired, it can also be used to help separate voices from intense background noise or as a makeshift baby monitor.

It's a perfect portable monitor for parents on vacation. Simply place your iPhone or iPad near the baby's crib and point the bottom end in the baby's direction. Now, wear a single AirPod and you'll be able to listen in on your precious little one from any room in the house.

Ready to give it a try? Read on to start the simple setup.

How to set up Live Listen on your iOS device

Now that you know a little bit about Live Listen, you can follow the steps below to enable the feature on your iOS device by adding it to your "Control Center." Here's how it works:

1. On the iOS device you want to use as the microphone (iPhone or iPad), open the "Settings" app (it looks like a grey gear).

2. Scroll down and click on "Control Center."

3. Open "Customize Controls."

4. Scroll down to the "Other Controls" section and click the green "+" button next to the "Hearing" option. It will now appear in the "Include" section. You can change the display order by tapping the option on the three horizontal lines and dragging it into place.

How to use Live Listen on your iOS device with AirPods

Now that you have the feature enabled on your iPhone or iPad, you can start using Live Listen with your AirPods:

1. Put on your AirPods and make sure they're connected to your iOS device. If you prefer, you can just wear one AirPod.

2. Launch your "Control Center." Depending on what device you have this can be achieved by following one of these methods:

• On an iPad with a home button or an iPhone 8 or older: swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
• On a new iPad Pro (with no home button), or an iPhone R/X/XS/XS Max: swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen.

3. Tap the "Hearing" button – it looks like an ear with a hearing aid.

4. Under "Live Listen" it will say "Off." Tap there to turn it "On."

5. Place your paired iPhone or iPad near the person you want to hear. If possible, it's best to place it directly in front of them, with the bottom of the device (where the charging port is) pointed at them.

6. Use your iOS device volume buttons to control the audio level.

If you see the message "Unavailable for current route," restart your iOS device and select "forget this device," then reconnect your AirPods in the Bluetooth menu. If you still get this message, make sure that your AirPods aren't connected to multiple devices. You'll also see this message if you try to use Live Listen with any headphones other than AirPods.

SEE ALSO: The best wireless Bluetooth headphones you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This London handbag company has recycled 175 tons of fire hoses into fashion accessories

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• This Father's Day, celebrate your partner's role as a great dad with a gift that he'll actually want to keep around. 
• Get more Father's Day 2019 gift ideas here, including personalized gifts and gifts under $100. 

Father's Day isn't only for kids to celebrate their dads. Everyone, can show appreciation for the dads in their lives on Father's Day, especially when that dad is also your husband.

From sweet treats to gifts that will get him a better's night rest, these 23 gifts tell your partner he's doing a great job as a dad. And some even benefit the whole family, so don't feel guilty about treating him to a present this Father's Day. 

Looking for more Father's Day gift ideas? Find them all here.

• 9 Father's Day experience gifts that you and Dad can enjoy together — from concert tickets to cooking classes
• 19 unique gifts your foodie dad will love for Father's Day
• 25 funny but useful Father's Day gifts that'll give your dad a good laugh
• 31 fun and meaningful Father's Day gifts that new dads will love
• 25 unique and interesting Father's Day gifts from Etsy that Dad is sure to love
• 31 clever and cool Father's Day gifts you can buy at Nordstrom
• 23 personalized Father's Day gifts that aren't cheesy or overdone

A convenient way for him to discover new products

Gift a Birchbox Grooming 3-Month Subscription, $30

If he doesn't have the time and energy to hunt down a skin-care or haircare product different from the one he's been using for years, just hand him over to Birchbox. Every month, the service will send him five samples catered to his hair, skin, and personal style. 

Breathable, supportive golf socks

Gift the Bombas Performance Golf Ankle Sock 3-Pack, $48

Little details, like the mesh under-toe ventilation zone, will make him appreciate these performance socks specially designed to up his golf game. Would it be extreme to attribute his birdie to Bombas? 

A vinyl record subscription

Gift a VNYL subscription, from $39.99

VNYL's curators look at his music tastes, member profile, and Spotify playlists to send three records he'll want to dive into immediately. The included handwritten note explaining the suggestions makes the experience feel more like he's stepped into a record store. 

A smart home light starter kit

Gift the Google Smart Light Starter Kit, $55

He can dim, brighten, turn on, and turn off the light on his side of the room without ever getting out of bed, plus ask the Google Home Mini for the weather and news, to play music, and a variety of other tasks. 

A mini cast iron skillet

Gift the Field #4 Cast Iron Skillet, $75

The smallest version of Field Company's lightweight and smooth vintage-style cast iron is the perfect size for cooking small dinner sides. 

Matching underwear in a fun print

Gift a set of MeUndies Matching Underwear, price varies

Choose your favorite underwear cuts (five options for men and four options for women), then go on to the fun part, choosing the print. MeUndies offers solid colors, but we love the adventurous, cartoon-splashed prints more. The actual underwear is very comfortable and soft.

Cookies that look like him

Gift the MKSweetsCo Custom Face Cookies, from $96

To have his likeness recreated on these delicious vanilla-almond sugar cookies is a gift he'll never forget. Make sure to take a side-by-side photo before he eats them all. 

Wireless earbuds with a 14-hour battery life

Gift the Jaybird Tarah Wireless Sport Headphones, $159.99

I wear these earphones all the time— at the gym, during my commute, in the office — because they sound great (you can customize the EQ through the app), never slip out of my ears, and have a long battery life. He'll want to do the same once he experiences their quality and convenience. 

Leather sneakers made using less waste and energy

Gift the Everlane Tread Trainer, $98

The versatile leather sneakers come in seven different colors and can be worn everywhere from a casual office to the park. Even better, their production is carbon neutral and they're 94.2% free of virgin plastic.  

Gear to cheer on his favorite sports team

Gift a Fanchest Sports Box, $95

Fanchest boxes, available for NHL, NFL, and college teams, include premium, officially licensed merch like fleece throws, caps, and even neck pillows. 

A service that takes care of an annoying kitchen chore

Gift a Knifey 1-Year Subscription, from $125

Most of us can't or don't want to take the time to sharpen our kitchen knives. Knifey does it for him: it sends a fresh set of sharp knives to him, then when he's ready, he sends back the dull ones in exchange for a new set. 

Vitamin-infused body wash

Gift the Necessaire Body Wash, $25

New gender-neutral personal care brand Necessaire treats the body with clean, sustainable ingredients and vitamins. He'll love using the Eucalyptus or Sandalwood body washes to nourish his skin without stripping it of moisture. 

A curated cocktail kit

Gift a SaloonBox Cocktail Kit Box, $54.99

Inside he'll find all the top shelf spirits and ingredients he needs to bring two creative cocktail recipes to life. Rather than regret all the money spent on ingredients he'll only use once, he can refocus his energy to enjoying his cold, boozy creation. 

'Sleep' glasses to reduce eye fatigue

Gift a pair of Felix Gray Sleep Glasses, from $95

The blue light that comes off our screens affects sleep, so rather than deny him access entirely from his phone or laptop before bed, gift him these blue light-blocking glasses. His eyes won't feel as tired or dry, and he might have an easier time drifting off to sleep. 

Creatively sentimental cufflinks

Gift the Love Letter Cufflinks, $80

The tiny envelopes open up to reveal a small and thoughtful reminder. You can replace it and surprise him with your own sweet message, too.

A framed photo

Gift the Minted Best Dad Ever Frame, from $94.50

You can never go wrong with a photo of the family framed by handcrafted wood or metal. The metallic foil gives it a special touch. 

Dress clothes that fit him perfectly

Gift a Spier & MacKay Gift Card, from $25

He can get custom-fit suits for surprisingly affordable prices from Canadian startup Spier & Mackay. Insider Picks reporter Amir Ismael calls it the best choice "if you're having a treat-yourself moment or you need a shirt for a special occasion" — Father's Day is just the special occasion to fit the bill. 

A 15-pound weighted blanket

Gift the Quility 15 lb Weighted Blanket, $104.70

This heavy weighted blanket will knock him out after a long day within a couple minutes under its comforting seven-layer embrace. Unless you want to be under it too, though, it may be hard to hold him close. You win some, you lose some. 

A new electric toothbrush

Gift the Quip Electric Couples Toothbrush Set, $75

There's something especially satisfying about seeing your toothbrushes standing side by side in the bathroom. With Quip's sleek metallic styles and the knowledge that you'll always have a fresh brush head on the way via its subscription, it's even more so. 

A cool phone case and phone grip accessory

Gift a Scooch Wingman Phone Case, $39.99

It's a multi-talented force the likes of which the phone accessory world has never seen before — a grip, stand, car mount, and phone case, all in one convenient and sturdy package. 

Silky soft lounge pants that fit like a second skin

Gift a pair of Tommy John Second Skin Lounge Pants, $64

The brand's beloved lounge pants now come in a summer-appropriate lobster print, and are just as delightfully airy, stretchy, and soft as the original iteration. 

A mug to fuel his love for the outdoors

Gift the United by Blue Carabiner Cup, $18

With its functional carabiner handle, this double-walled mug can be clipped to his bag and brought along for all his adventures. Once he's all settled down at the campground, he can reward himself with a hot cup of coffee. 

An opportunity to relax and recharge

Find a spa experience on Groupon here

Send him off to be pampered (or join him for an experience like a couples massage) at a luxe spa in your city. 

• Wealth and status aren't the same because they have different levels of visibility, according to Wharton professor Jonah Berger.
• The difference dates back to the Industrial Revolution, which gave birth to a new social class — the nouveau riche — that was able to build its own fortune and spend its wealth on material goods to display status.
• Today's elite is instead pivoting to discreet wealthhabits, investing in immaterial means like education to propel social mobility and signify cultural capital.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The reason why some people will pay $14,000 for a handbag just might come down to the difference between wealth and status.

"Wealth is often private," wrote Jonah Berger, marketing professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, in his book, "Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces That Shape Behavior." "No one but you (and maybe your spouse) knows how much money you have in your bank account. Status, however, is social. It is attained in the eyes of others. The respect of one's peers."

Wealth isn't visible, but an expensive luxury good is — and you can thank the Industrial Revolution for the rise of such status symbols. 

Until the Industrial Revolution, wealth was static and hereditary, explained Berger. Once the revolution kicked off, however, money became something that could be acquired and a new social class was born: the nouveau riche. 

The nouveau riche were those originally born into a lower social class who later built their own fortunes —  thereby gaining access to the goods and services that were once available to only the elite with inherited wealth.

"But simply buying expensive goods wasn't enough," Berger said. "The nouveau riche didn't just want wealth, they wanted the status that comes with it."

So, they engaged in conspicuous consumption, the concept of using material items to signify social status. Rather than buying expensive items that were private, like dishes or food, they bought consumer goods to symbolize their wealth to others, Berger wrote.

Source: A woman who studied 600 millionaires says there's a misconception about wealth that just won't die

Discreet wealth is replacing visible displays of money as the new status symbol

However, status has taken on a new shape since the Industrial Revolution. Showing off wealth is no longer the preferred way to signify having it. Today's elite are now engaging in discreet wealth, or what Elizabeth Currid-Halkett calls "inconspicuous consumption" in her book "The Sum of Small Things: A Theory of an Aspirational Class."

It's a growing trend among not only millionaires and billionaires, but what Currid-Halkett calls "the aspirational class," a "new elite [that] cements its status through prizing knowledge and building cultural capital, not to mention the spending habits that go with it," she wrote in an article.

Instead of investing in material items, the elite are investing in things like education and health, which helps them gain social mobility and access to what the middle class cannot.

As Currid-Halkett puts it, these choices may not display social status, but they secure it.

SEE ALSO: There's a direct link between the cost of a luxury-goods product and the size of its logo, but it's not what you expect

DON'T MISS: Rich people keep buying things that aren't actually functional to show off their wealth

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: See inside the $2.8 million 'Flintstones' house in California that sparked a viral following and a lawsuit

• Muslims in the workplace will abstain from eating and drinking during the month of Ramadan, which occurs from May 5 to June 4 this year. 
• While many Muslims enjoy talking about Ramadan, try not to mandate coworkers attend lunch meetings and don't expect them to be overly talkative.
• Here are seven things to avoid saying to Muslim coworkers during Ramadan.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Ramadan Mubarak!

Many Muslims have entered into their last week of Ramadan, a holy month which they use to purify their souls and become closer to God. From May 5 to June 4, or the ninth month of the lunar calendar, healthy adult Muslims around the world participated in Ramadan this year. 

Read more:20 things you should never say to your coworkers

During the month, Muslims eat their meals before sunrise and after sunset, and refrain from eating during the day. If you have a Muslim coworker, you may find yourself nervous to eat in front of them or say something to offend them.

But you shouldn't be worried about insulting your coworker, Ibrahim Hooper, the communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Business Insider. Hooper said Muslims enjoy when coworkers take interest in the month.

"It's OK to ask questions. In fact, Muslims like to talk about these things," Hooper said. "It's always appreciated if you recognize a Muslim coworker is fasting during Ramadan."

While most questions are all right, there are a few phrases that you should avoid asking a fasting coworker if possible.

Here are seven things to avoid saying to your Muslim coworkers during Ramadan:

SEE ALSO: 20 things you should never say to your coworkers

Don't insist a coworker eat or come to a lunch meeting.

While most questions regarding Ramadan are OK, insisting a coworker eat or drink can be offensive, Hooper said, though he said this happens rarely.

Similarly, some Muslims may feel uncomfortable joining a mandatory lunch meeting. Inc. suggests asking your coworker what he or she prefers, and Hooper suggests rescheduling the time of work-related lunch meetings.

While wishing a coworker "Happy Ramadan" isn't offensive or inaccurate, most Muslims use the Arabic translation "Ramadan Mubarak" to greet each other.

You can also say "Ramadan Kareem," which means "have a generous Ramadan," according to USA Today.

Asking someone if they "can't even drink water" isn't offensive, but Muslims have likely heard this question many times before. Just remember that Muslims abstain from all food and drink during daytime, and they use predawn and post-dusk time to get their water supply.

If you're a manager, don't assume a coworker wouldn't want accommodations.

Most fasting coworkers don't expect accommodations, but having a conversation with someone observing the holiday can ease the work burden. For instance, you can offer more work-from-home days or let employees who work through lunch leave an hour early.

The writer Nashwa Khan put together a list of tips on other accommodations that you can find here.

Don't ask a fasting coworker if they brushed their teeth this morning.

One negative side effect of fasting for long hours is halitosis, or bad breath that comes from eating infrequently, according to WebMD. Especially as the day goes on, many Muslim coworkers might choose to keep their distance or keep quiet. Adham El Banhawy, a blogger at Medium, says not to take offense.

"If you do happen to come across that smell while you are interacting with them, try not to embarrass them by pointing it out to them or to others behind their backs in a critical way," El Banhawy wrote. 

Don't ask your female coworker why she isn't fasting.

Muslim women don't fast when they are on their periods, and menstrual cycles don't make for the best office chatter. There are also other reasons why Muslims don't fast, including illness and travel. If you notice a coworker who normally fasts but is abstaining, it's best not to nudge them unless they bring it up themselves.

Don't be afraid to ask if you can join them for dinner and observe how Muslims break fast.

The month of Ramadan tends to be a social one. Muslims go to their mosques more often and host dinners called iftars with friends and family to break the fast. At the end of the month, many households partake in celebrations for Eid al-Fitr. 

Offering to come to an iftar dinner can be a great way to observe the holiday. The online human-resources publication HRZone even suggests using an iftar as a way to learn more about your coworker's culture: "Try and use Ramadan as a platform for greater understanding and improving team dynamics," the website says. "Why not throw an iftar one evening and allow people to share a part of their lives with colleagues?"

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Airport security can be one of the most frustrating parts of any trip — especially with the busy summer travel period coming up.
• CLEAR is a service that lets you skip the security line — it uses biometric scans to confirm your identity, and allows you to keep your ID and travel documents tucked away as you bypass the queue.
• Business Insider readers can get two free months of CLEAR by using the code "INSIDER" when applying.

The hassle of getting through security is one of the most stressful things about travel, but it doesn't have to be. Imagine if you knew exactly how long it would take to go through security — about two minutes — and if you could keep your hands free, instead of fumbling with IDs, boarding passes, and your clear plastic bag full of travel-size toiletries?

Thanks to a service called CLEAR, that's actually possible.

Rather than having to wait in line to show an ID and boarding pass to a TSA officer, CLEAR members can head over to a kiosk, where they'll confirm their identity by scanning either their fingerprints or retina. It takes a few seconds, and once confirmed, the passenger can head past the stop-point and go through the X-ray machine — there's no line, no fumbling with documents, and no wait.

CLEAR applies whether or not you also have TSA PreCheck. If you do, you'll skip to the front of the PreCheck line and still not have to bother with your travel documents — as usual, with PreCheck, you can leave your shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave liquids and often laptops in your bag. If you don't have PreCheck, you'll skip to the front of the regular security line and go through the normal process from there.

TSA PreCheck coupled with CLEAR means that in most cases, you can get through the airport security checkpoint in minutes, if not seconds, with virtually no hassle.

The process of applying for PreCheck is fairly easy, but involves an interview that may not be possible to complete before Thanksgiving travel — if you're interested in applying for PreCheck, take a look at this article on how to get a credit to cover the application fee from your credit card.

CLEAR, on the other hand, is quick and easy to apply for, and you can complete the application and scan your biometrics at the airport on your way to a flight — that process can easily be quicker than the regular security line.

While CLEAR isn't available at every airport and terminal yet, its availability is expanding rapidly at major airports — you can see a full list here. 

Most recently, CLEAR announced that it's arriving at JFK's busy Terminal 4 before Thanksgiving, making now an ideal time to apply if you expect to transit through New York with Delta, Virgin Atlantic, or any of a number of other major carriers.

Best of all, Business Insider readers can get two free months of CLEAR when they apply and use promo code INSIDER. Readers can also choose a $30 discount on their first year, instead — that's $149 for the first year instead of the usual $179 — by using code INSIDER149.

If you're interested in learning more about how CLEAR works, check out our in-depth article here.

Click here to learn more about CLEAR and sign up with our exclusive discounts.

DON'T MISS: 26 packing essentials we never travel without — from a $150 mobile WiFi hotspot to a $6 pack of face wipes

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Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• Allbirds, the company known for its comfortable and sustainable wool and tree fiber sneakers, just released its newest product: a can koozie.
• The Allbirds Koozie is a fun, limited-edition product that's available for $10 on its own, or for free when you buy any pair of Allbirds shoes by June 5.
• While the promotion lasts until that date, it might sell out before then.

Allbirds, the maker of our favorite comfortable merino wool (and tree-fiber) sneaker, is notorious for not offering sales. According to the brand's reps, that's because the $95-$115 shoes are already priced as low as they can be in order to support the brand's ongoing sustainability efforts. 

In place of sales, the brand will occasionally offer special limited editions or freebies, like a set of customized laces, as an extra incentive — not that I, personally, need it, since Allbirds are my go-to travel sneakers. 

Right now, Allbirds is offering one of its most unique extras to date: a limited-edition, merino-wool can koozie.

The Allbirds Koozie, which is available in a natural black hue that matches the same shade of sneaker, is available through June 5 and can be purchased for $10. 

Or, you can get the Koozie for free when you buy any pair of Allbirds sneakers. Just add the Koozie to your cart, and the price will fall off as soon as you add a pair of sneakers.

While the promotion is valid through June 5, the Koozie may sell out sooner than that, so if you've been eyeing a pair of sneakers, now is the time to jump on this offer.

Click here to check out the Allbirds Koozie.

Click here to explore Allbirds' full line of products.

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• An iPhone's speakers can become clogged with dirt, dust, dead skin cells, and more, reducing the quality of playback and making calls harder to hear.
• You can clean iPhone speakers easily with several different household objects.
• Take care to be gentle when cleaning an iPhone speaker, as it is one of the more fragile parts of this overall rugged technology.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Sorry to report this, but your iPhone is probably one of the dirtiest things you own. Most smartphones harbor more bacteria than found on the average toilet seat, in fact — so when possible, make sure you wash your hands after texting and before you eat.

While you can't see the millions of microorganisms likely swarming about on your phone, you probably will be able to see the detritus clogging up your iPhone speaker and reducing the quality of audio the phone produces.

Periodically cleaning iPhone speakers is a good idea even if you aren't experiencing reduced sound quality, as any bits of dust, food, skin cells, or other whatnot that find their way into the small speaker holes at the bottom of the phone or the grill atop its front can get jammed deeply into the speaker and become even harder to remove.

Just remember that if you're experiencing audio issues with an iPhone, the problem is more than likely the software, not the hardware — turn it off and on again and you'll usually be all set.

And note that you should never use liquids (or compressed air) when cleaning any part of an iPhone, especially models older than the 7, which are not water-resistant and have a 3.5 mm headphone jack that practically begs for water to get in there and ruin the phone.

How to properly clean your iPhone's speakers without damaging them

Cleaning iPhone speakers with a soft brush

The best way to remove bits of dirt and dust from the speaker on the front of the iPhone is to use a brush with soft bristles, ideally a small paintbrush. Consider trimming the bristles down to a half-inch length to give yourself better control.

Gently brush across the speaker from bottom to top, moving across the length of the long, thin speaker several times. Don't drag the brush along the axis of the speaker. You can also work soft bristles into the speaker holes at the bottom of the phone.

Cleaning iPhone speakers with a toothpick

If bits of detritus are lodged in the speaker holes at the bottom of your iPhone, you can use the sharp point of a wooden or plastic toothpick to pop them out. Insert the tip with minimal pressure, then slowly tilt the toothpick until it pops out. All force should be directed sideways and then up, not down toward the phone.

Clean iPhone speakers with painter's tape

Decent painter's tape will leave no residue on your phone. Use small bits of it, sticky side down, to lift dirt off the speaker on the front of the phone. Rolled to form a point, you can use painter's tape (a.k.a. masking tape) to lift dust and dirt from the speaker holes on the bottom, too.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech: 

• How to properly clean any iPhone model without damaging your device

• How to play YouTube videos in the background on your iPhone without having to keep the app open

• How to change or customize the alarm sound on your iPhone, and customize the way it vibrates

• How to turn off the camera sound on an iPhone in 2 ways, if you're annoyed by that 'fake shutter' noise

SEE ALSO: How to record audio on an iPhone using the Voice Memos app, and quickly edit or export your recordings

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This London handbag company has recycled 175 tons of fire hoses into fashion accessories

• Amazon has released the latest generation of its smart speaker with a screen, the Echo Show 5.
• The newest iteration has a 5.5-inch display, video-calling capabilities, and a built-in camera cover.
• The Echo Show 5 is priced at $90, making it one of the cheapest Echo devices on the market. It's available for release on June 26.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Amazon has released its latest Echo Device: a smart speaker with video capabilities and a privacy-centric camera for under $100.

The Echo Show 5 is equipped with all the key features of its predecessors — Alexa voice assistant, music and video playing, smart home controls, video-calling — with an added camera shutter intended to provide users with more privacy.

It's the latest iteration of Amazon's Echo Show smart speakers with displays, while also being one of the cheapest in a long line of popular smart home assistants from the retail giant.

Check out all the features of the new Amazon Echo Show 5, and the details about when it will be available:

SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos is one of the few top US billionaires who haven't signed the Giving Pledge. Here's how much the Amazon CEO has given to charity.

This is the Amazon Echo Show 5, although it's the third-generation in a line of smart speakers with video displays. The 5 in the name refers to the smaller touchscreen, at only 5.5 inches.

Source: Amazon

The Echo Show 5's screen is significantly smaller, compared to the second-generation Echo Show's 10.1-inch display.

Source: Amazon

Like its predecessors, the Echo Show 5 is equipped with Amazon Alexa voice assistance and commands, ability to play music and videos, and can be used as a hub to control other smart home devices.

Source: Business Insider, Amazon

The Echo Show 5 also comes with the ability to video chat with other Echo users and friends over Skype.

But the newest feature introduced on the Echo Show 5 is a built-in camera shutter that lets users cover the camera when it's not in use. The feature addresses public concerns about giving camera-equipped devices from big tech companies access inside their homes.

Source: Amazon, Buzzfeed News

The Echo Show 5 comes in charcoal or sandstone, and sells for only $90. That price is significantly lower than the $229 second-generation Echo Show.

Source: Business Insider, Amazon

At $90. the Echo Show 5 costs less that any of its Amazon smart speaker predecessors — the original Echo device, Echo Plus or the Echo Spot. The only Echo device that's cheaper is the $50 Echo Dot, which has significantly less features than the Echo Show 5.

Source: Business Insider

The Echo Show 5 is available to preorder on Amazon, and will be released on June 26.

Source: Amazon

• Adam Sebba is the CEO of Cookson Adventures, an ultra-luxury experiential travel company.
• He says that rather than wait in dangerous lines to summit Mount Everest, travelers interested in an exclusive adventures have many other, better options.
• For instance, north of Bogota, Colombia, in a remote part of the Santander province, lies the 400-foot deep Hoyo el Aire sinkhole, a natural marvel that only 80 or so people have climbed down.
• Guests can also visit Bhutan, a remote kingdom nestled in the Himalayas, and embark on an epic 8-hour hike to Laya, Bhutan's highest settlement that's known as "the hidden land."
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The prospect of standing atop the world on Mount Everest has become such a popular option for the everyday adventurer that the nature of the endeavor is no longer as exclusive as it once was. The internet has been flooded with images this week of climbers queuing from the famous Hillary Step up to the peak. If the prospect of spending any time at all in the so-called "death zone" wasn't bad enough, the problem of heavy traffic atop Everest is becoming so dangerous, with numbers so badly policed, that deaths have risen to double figures so far this season. Experienced mountaineers have described "traffic jams," as anyone with the necessary funds bids to conquer the world's highest peak. 

When asked why climbing Mount Everest was such an aspirational achievement, mountaineering legend George Mallory famously responded, "Because it's there." But does standing at 8,848m still have the appeal it once did, when so many others are doing it? Is it worth the risk? 

Wanted: A life-changing expedition

I'm the CEO of Cookson Adventures, where we specialize in ultra-luxury experiences that push the boundaries of travel. Adventure is in our nature, stemming from our founder, who trekked to the southern pole of inaccessibility (the farthest point on the Antarctic continent, in any direction, from the surrounding seas). A dangerous endeavor? Of course, but not on the scale of the perils experienced by those on Everest. 

Read more:The world's tallest mountains like Mount Everest and K2 have a 'death zone' — here's a first-hand account of what it's like

 The exploration of nature and the untapped Earth is at the heart of everything we do, but safety is important too. It goes without saying that when the world's most successful people are embarking on expeditions that could change their lives and make history, they want to return from them. They want to remember them. They want to tell their friends about them.  

So here are five destinations that are far more exclusive than Everest, which we guarantee you'll be telling your friends about. 

SEE ALSO: I'm the CEO of a tech company and I permanently gave up my smartphone after my honeymoon 6 months ago. Here's why I haven't looked back

1. Antarctica

Antarctica is fast becoming a popular destination as a new breed of long range, explorer yacht provides the means of navigating the choppy waters of the Southern Ocean. And far from being a desolate, white wilderness, the scope for activities on the ice is incredible. Our guests have been able to take in some of the world's most stunning wildlife, taking to the waters in a private submersible. For the active, there's hiking and skiing on fresh mountain tracks, ice climbing and mountaineering with expert guides. We even arranged for guests to spend an unforgettable night camping on the ice.  

2. Colombia

North of Bogota, in a remote part of the Santander province, lies the 400-foot deep Hoyo el Aire sinkhole, a natural marvel that only 80 or so people – according to locals – have climbed down. (Over 5,000 people have now climbed Everest.) The spectacular crater has its fair share of 'character' too, boasting a fine collection of skulls of those unfortunate enough to have been pushed to their death over the precipice by Spanish conquistadors. Our guests also rode with local Llaneros cowboys and took part in the region's traditions, including herding and corralling cattle.  

3. Baffin Island

We have launched one of the world's most dramatic skiing camps. Based amongst the fjords of Baffin Island, Canada's largest island, it offers easy access to undiscovered skiable wildernesses in the Arctic Cordillera mountain range. The camp, a private collection of luxurious Pacific dome tents, is located near the small Inuit community of Clyde River, meaning clients of Cookson can explore the uncharted slopes of this dramatic landscape via helicopter by day and experience the rich culture of the native Inuit people in their downtime. If it's a 'world first' experience you're looking for, we can guarantee uncharted slopes, immersion into local culture and a real chance to test physical limits, all packed together.

4. Bhutan

Although not quite the altitude of Everest, far more serene and remote is the spiritual kingdom of Bhutan. We'll arrange for guests to embark on an epic eight-hour hike to Laya, Bhutan's highest settlement, where you'll be hosted by the Layap. These indigenous people refer to their homeland as Be-yul - 'the hidden land', which says it all. Experience a local welcome ceremony, dine at a farmhouse, retire to a luxury camp that has been set up for you and take a spectacular helicopter flight back down the valley the next morning.

5. Kamchatka

Lying to the far east of Russia, is the largely undiscovered Kamchatka Peninsula, a mesmerizing landscape with the largest concentration of volcanoes in the world. In a land that retains a prehistoric beauty, with rushing rivers and spurting geysers, Cookson Adventures can help guests feel the timeless power of nature. An experience that takes in both land and sea activities can include heli-touring and skiing from your yacht base, sea kayaking, surfing, kite-surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, ice-fishing, horseback riding and wildlife sightings of brown bears, lynx, elk, reindeers, sea otters and more.

Adam Sebba is the CEO of Cookson Adventures, which crafts travel experiences that mix adventure and luxury for its global client base.

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

• I've been using iPhones for the past seven years, and I currently own the iPhone Xs Max. I used to be of the of the "iPhone or nothing" mentality, until I put the Samsung Galaxy S10+ to the test over the last two months.
• Compared to my iPhone Xs Max, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ has a better camera, an operating system that's more customizable, more storage, and plenty of other features you simply won't find on an iPhone.
• I liked the phone so much that I'm considering making the switch to the latest Galaxy phone when I'm due for an upgrade on my current contract.

I first made to the switch to Apple phones when I got the iPhone 4s in 2012. Its whopping 3.5-inch display, 8-megapixel camera and 32-gigabytes of storage space made it worlds better than the BlackBerry I previously owned — and since then, I've been a devout iPhone fan, getting the latest version every time I was eligible to upgrade. I thought iPhones were, without a doubt, the best smartphones out there, and I was so set on always having one that I hadn't even considered other phones. 

But my perspective on things started to change as years passed and the playing field leveled out. All smartphones had a big screen, a decent camera, and lots of storage — it was the finer details and innovations that made the biggest difference. With Face ID, a technology that was less secure than Touch ID (my identical twin brother can unlock my phone with ease), and the removal of the headphone jack, I felt like Apple wasn't pushing the envelope like it once was.

Even though I was less than thrilled about the newest iPhones, I ended up getting an iPhone Xs Max purely based on familiarity. Next time around, though, I'm not going to settle — and I have the Samsung Galaxy S10+ to thank for showing me the brighter side of smartphones.

The iPhone Xs Max is by no means a bad or unworthy phone, but there are plenty of ways it could be improved — many of which I had never even considered until I began testing the Galaxy S10+. I've been using it daily alongside my personal phone for about two months now, and in plenty of aspects, it's a better phone. Quite frankly, I don't want to give it back to Samsung.

First, let's talk about the basics

My iPhone Xs Max features a 6.5-inch display, two 12-megapixel rear cameras, a 7-megapixel front camera, and 256 gigabytes of storage. It cost me $1,250. For the same amount of money, the Galaxy S10+ features a 6.4-inch display, three rear cameras (two 12-megapixel and one 16-megapixel for wide angles), two 10-megapixel front cameras, and 512 gigabytes of storage with the ability to add more via a memory card. 

Despite being a tenth of an inch smaller, the Galaxy S10+'s screen has a curved-edge design, which actually makes it feel bigger. And with higher resolution cameras and double the storage, it edges the iPhone out on paper, but I was slowly convinced otherwise after using it for a while.

The camera

Camera quality and functions are always huge selling points for smartphones, and after using the Samsung Galaxy S10+ extensively to take pictures, I was sold. The best way to describe the camera is that it's designed to perform for all levels of photographers from the average person who just likes a nice and clean shot, to a professional photographer who wants to manually adjust the ISO, white balance, saturation, and focus, to the 80-year-old grandparent who has been trusted to take a family photo.

While I'm not at the level of a professional photographer, I do have a very good eye if I do say so myself, and I'm very particular about the pictures I take. I found the Samsung Galaxy S10+ camera to be clearer, more vibrant, and more versatile than my iPhone. I utilized other features like the wide-angle camera for capturing shots in tight quarters that are closer to what the natural eye sees, food mode for those all-important pre-meal pictures, and Instagram mode for posting directly to my story.

In addition to the obvious difference in picture quality and the abundance of features, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ camera is easy to use. If you've ever struggled with finding the right angle and framing the perfect proportions, the phone will guide you to get the best shot.

Everyday use

No matter what you use your phone for on a daily basis, one thing that we all have to do is unlock our phones over and over. In addition to the standard number, letter, or pattern passcode, the Galaxy S10+ has facial recognition and a fingerprint scanner built into the glass, making it easier to unlock and also more secure. Considering that Face ID has failed me on many late nights in the dark with no glasses and one eye open, and the fact that my twin brother can unlock my phone with his face, being able to use my fingerprint again makes a huge difference. While I'm not overly concerned with my security being breached, it just proves that newer technology isn't always better technology.

The main feature that impressed me most was Bixby Vision, a new program that uses your phone's camera and virtual reality to seamlessly connect the real world with the internet. You can use it to watch a movie trailer by scanning a poster you saw on the street, to automatically translate signs and menus in foreign languages, to learn how many calories are in certain foods, to shop online for items you come across in your day-to-day life, to virtually try on things like sunglasses or makeup before buying them, and a lot more. I think this is just the beginning of how we'll start to incorporate virtual reality into our everyday lives, but Samsung is definitely ahead of the curve.

Another less impressive, but arguably more important feature is the ability to multitask apps. For example, I can continue watching a Youtube video while texting, using the web browser, or even going on Instagram. I also really appreciated being able to charge the Galaxy S10+ and use the wired headphones at the same time. It's also worth noting that my AirPods worked just fine with the Galaxy S10+.

Why I haven't missed my iPhone

My overall impression of the Samsung Galaxy S10+ is that it's the phone you truly want it to be. Beyond reorganizing the order of your apps and changing your wallpaper, the iPhone stays pretty much the same as when it came out of the box. The Galaxy S10+, on the other hand, is more customizable. It allows you to place widgets on your home screen, it has five battery power modes each optimized for different levels of use, offers a night mode, several keyboard styles, and plenty of other features that you didn't know you needed, but that ultimately come in handy. All the options might seem overbearing or useless during the few minutes you might play with a phone in a store, but you'll come to appreciate it after a few weeks of ownership.

A lot of the things that I thought would ultimately make Apple the winner for me turned out not to be a big deal. With plenty of social media and messaging apps, iPhone-specific features like iMessage and FaceTime were hardly missed. On top of that, some of my favorite accessories were also available for the Galaxy S10+. I reviewed the Scooch Wingman case for my iPhone Xs Max and it was also my preferred case for the Samsung phone. All of my sentiments about the phone case for the Xs Max can be applied to the Samsung Galaxy S10+ version, which is available on Amazon for $49.99.

The bottom line

I'm not running to buy to the Samsung Galaxy S10+ yet since I'm still under contract, but it's hands-down the smartphone that broke me out of the iPhone-or-nothing mindset. After using an iPhone every day for more than the last seven years, I had no issue making the switch — and found most of the differences in the Galaxy S10+ to be more intuitive and enjoyable to use.

It's easy to get stuck in your ways, but if you're due for an upgrade you should consider the Samsung Galaxy S10+ before jumping on the latest iPhone. 

Buy a factory unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10+ on Amazon, starting at $897.11

Learn more about carrier deals on the Samsung Galaxy S10+ with qualified activation at Best Buy now.

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• During a recent trip to Roswell, New Mexico, we visited Whataburger, the Texas-based fast-food chain that you can only find in the southeastern and southwestern United States.
• Whataburger was founded in 1950 as a modest hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. 
• Today, there are more than 800 Whataburger locations nationwide, with over 600 in the Lone Star State. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

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