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The 15 US cities where it's hardest to get a mortgage, ranked

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san jose

LendingTree released an analysis ranking the US cities where applicants are most likely to be denied a mortgage. 

Of the top 15 cities where it's hardest to get a mortgage, four are in Florida. Cities in California, Texas, and Michigan also made the list.

LendingTree analyzed data from more than 10 million mortgage applications using Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data for 2018, the most recent available year.

The most common reason for an applicant to be denied was their debt-to-income ratio, followed by credit history, the study found. The analysis also found evidence of racial discrepancies: African-American borrowers had the highest mortgage denial rates at 17.4%, while non-Hispanic whites had the lowest at 7.9%.

Overall, mortgage denials are at their lowest rate since at least 2004, according to LendingTree. At the national level, 9.8% of loan applications were denied in 2018 — nearly 1 in 10 would-be borrowers.

Here are the 15 American cities where applicants are most likely to be denied a mortgage, ranked.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 states where America's wealthiest millennials live, ranked

DON'T MISS: The 10 most expensive NYC neighborhoods to live in right now, ranked

15. Louisville, Kentucky

Overall denial rate: 7.7%

Top denial reason: Credit history



14. New Orleans, Louisiana

Overall denial rate: 7.8%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



13. Riverside, California

Overall denial rate: 8.0%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



12. Atlanta, Georgia

Overall denial rate: 8.2%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



11. Los Angeles, California

Overall denial rate: 8.3%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



10. San Antonio, Texas

Overall denial rate: 8.4%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



9. New York, New York

Overall denial rate: 8.5%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



T8. San Jose, California

Overall denial rate: 8.7%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



T8. Houston, Texas

Overall denial rate: 8.7%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



6. Birmingham, Alabama

Overall denial rate: 8.8%

Top denial reason: Credit history



5. Detroit, Michigan

Overall denial rate: 9.4%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



T4. Jacksonville, Florida

Overall denial rate: 9.5%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



T4. Tampa, Florida

Overall denial rate: 9.5%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



2. Orlando, Florida

Overall denial rate: 10.9%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio



1. Miami, Florida

Overall denial rate: 11.6%

Top denial reason: Debt-to-income ratio




The woman who founded Maven explains how her first career taught her 2 key skills that helped her raise $42 million at the digital-health startup

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Kate Ryder Maven Clinic

  • Kate Ryder is the CEO and founder of Maven Clinic, a digital-health startup that helps women and families get access to healthcare.
  • Maven offers tools for companies to support working parents, such as online doctor visits and a concierge who can help women and families make appointments. It has raised $42 million from investors.
  • Ryder attributes her success to her previous career in journalism, she said on a recent episode of the podcast "A Healthy Dose."
  • Ryder began her career working for publications like The Economist and The New Yorker. 
  • She said she learned two important skills from being a journalist that have helped in her success as a CEO: Always ask for the best expert opinion when making decisions and be a storyteller.
  • Click here for more BI Prime stories.

Kate Ryder credits her success as a CEO to her early beginnings as a journalist.  

Ryder is the CEO of Maven Clinic, a digital-health startup that helps women get access to healthcare and ensures that women in the workforce are supported by their companies. Maven, which has raised about $42 million, offers tools for companies to support working parents, such as online doctor visits and a concierge who can help women and families make appointments.

Ryder founded Maven in 2014 after working as a journalist for The Economist and The New Yorker. In between her journalism career and starting Maven, she was an early-stage investor at Index Ventures.

Ryder last week discussed her time working as a journalist and how it influences her decisions as the CEO at Maven on the podcast "A Healthy Dose." The podcast, led by the healthcare investors Steve Kraus and Trevor Price, focuses on discussions with professionals in US healthcare. Price's firm Oxeon Partners has helped Maven find executives, according to its website.

When asked if journalism helped her business career, Ryder responded: "100%."

As Kraus and Price point out in the episode, Ryder managed to score funding from two venture-capital giants, Sequoia and Oak HC/FT, which led a Series B funding round of $27 million last year. The company was valued at $87 million in that round, according to PitchBook. Maven said the PitchBook valuation wasn't accurate.

Never miss out on healthcare news. Subscribe to Dispensed, our weekly newsletter on pharma, biotech, and healthcare.

Ryder attributes her success in part to her early career as a journalist, which led her to gain skills that have directly translated to her role as CEO.

Asking for expert opinion  

For one, she said she's not afraid to ask questions and makes it a habit to find experts and get their advice.

"When I have to make a decision, I'm not afraid to ask someone who's much more of an expert than me in any given area to weigh in," Ryder said on the podcast.

The desire to learn from the best is an important trait for a CEO, Ryder said. In the case of Maven, Ryder must constantly provide answers to questions outside her expertise, whether that's in the legal or medical domain.

"I have a very smart group of executives at Maven advising me," she said. 

Being a storyteller helps to sell your product 

Ryder also said that being a storyteller is an important skill for a CEO. A company could have an amazing product, but if it can't tell the story of the product, the company falls short, she said.

"As a startup founder, storytelling is so important," Ryder said. " Whether you're raising money, selling a business, selling a product, hiring someone, it's just all storytelling." 

Read more: Meet the 8 companies changing how doctors get paid and building the future of medicine

The storytelling aspect is a skill that's also important when it comes to crafting a pitch deck to use with investors, she said.

In the pitch deck, it's important for a company to be clear and concise. Ryder said each slide should have a headline that clearly says what the slide is about. Someone should be able to read the headlines of a fundraising deck alone and understand what the presentation is about, she said.

"A simple story is the most powerful story," she said.

Ryder also said storytelling is a good skill to have at conferences, where buyers often hear pitch after pitch, which can be monotonous. Having a story can make the company stand out to investors and buyers, she said.

Click here to listen to more episodes of "A Healthy Dose."

Join the conversation about this story »

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Elon Musk, who claims he's low on cash, recently sold his LA mansion for nearly $4 million — and that was just one of several properties he owns in the area. Take a look inside his real-estate portfolio.

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tech moguls linked to epstein 2x1

Filings by the lawyer for the plaintiff in a recent defamation lawsuit against Elon Musk say Musk testified that he's "financially illiquid," despite the Tesla CEO's multi-billionaire status, Business Insider's Mark Matousek reported.

Incidentally, Business Insider's Graham Rapier previously reported that Musk sold a home he owned in late August — and that was just one of several properties he reportedly owns in southern California, per Variety.

Read more: Elon Musk says he's low on cash. He could be right — and it shows how complicated CEO compensation has become.

At one point, Musk owned at least four properties worth over $70 million across the larger Los Angeles area, Business Insider previously reported. And like many ultra-wealthy Americans, he's recently put some property up for sale, too — like the four-bedroom, three-bath home overlooking LA he bought in 2013 for his now ex-wife Talulah Riley.

Keep reading to take a look inside Musk's real-estate portfolio.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk is worth about $22 billion and has never taken a paycheck from Tesla — here's how the notorious workaholic and father of 5 makes and spends his fortune

DON'T MISS: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are collectively worth over half a billion dollars. Here's a look inside the couple's real-estate portfolio, from their sprawling Wyoming ranch to their $60 million Hidden Hills mansion.

At one point, Elon Musk owned several properties collectively worth over $70 million across the greater Los Angeles area, Business Insider previously reported.

Source: Business Insider



Musk bought his first piece of Bel-Air real estate in late 2012.

Source: Los Angeles Times



The Tesla CEO started off by renting the house in 2010; he lived there with his five sons.

Source: Business Insider



He later purchased the mansion for $17 million.

Source: Variety



The house has 20,248 square feet of space divided into different wings, with a total of seven bedrooms.

Source: Variety



The kitchen features a brick ceiling.

Source: Business Insider

Read more: Take A Tour Of Elon Musk's $17 Million Bel Air Mansion



The backyard has a pool ...

Source: Business Insider



... a tennis court ...

Source: Business Insider



... and a view of the exclusive Bel-Air Country Club. The house also has a gym and a wine cellar.

Source: Business Insider



Musk bought the ranch house across the street from the mansion for $6.75 million in October 2013.

Source: Business Insider



Beloved actor Gene Wilder lived there for over 30 years until 2007.

Source: Business Insider

 



Musk uses the house as a private school for his children, per Variety. And in a 2015 interview with Vogue, the billionaire CEO described it as "like a little schoolhouse on the prairie, except in Bel-Air on a golf course.”

Source: Variety, Vogue



The tech mogul also previously owned this "boomerang-shaped house" in Brentwood, California, about 15 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. He paid just under $3.7 million for it in 2014, per the Variety-owned real-estate site Dirt.

Source: Business Insider, Dirt

Read more: Elon Musk has sold his mansion overlooking Los Angeles for nearly $4 million. Here's a look inside.



That house is surrounded by privacy hedges for security ...

Source: Business Insider



... but has floor-to-ceiling windows throughout to let the light in.

Source: Business Insider



He sold the house for $4 million in late August 2019, Business Insider previously reported.

Source: Business Insider



Musk bought another Bel-Air mansion while it was still under construction for $24.25 million in 2016, Variety reported that year.

Source: Variety



Notably, Musk doesn't appear to own a house near the Tesla factory in Fremont, California. He has previously said that he slept on a couch or the floor of a conference room during busy production periods.

Source: Business Insider



How to connect your Mac to a projector, for giving presentations or creating your own home theater

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macbook on tv

Connecting your Mac to a projector, be it a desktop, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, is generally a cinch, provided you have the right adapters and connectors.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299.99 at Best Buy)

LC-dolida USB-C to HDMI Adapter (From $19.54 at Amazon)

How to find the right adapter to connect your Mac to a projector 

For better or worse, Apple is a company that likes to frequently update its ports and connections on its devices. This has made them both a trendsetting company — remember when they were the first to get rid of internal CD drives? — and a frustrating one — remember how they decided to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone?

The ports that connect your computer to a projector are no different, and if you own a Macbook Pro, Air, or desktop made in the past decade, there are no fewer than four different connectors you might use. Thus, finding the correct one off the bat, as well as the right adapter for your projector, is essential for saving both time and a headache. 

Check out this Apple support page to help identify which ports you have on your Mac. 

For newer Macs, you're most likely going to need a Thunderbolt/USB-C adapter that outputs to HDMI or VGA, the most common input types for home theater and business projectors, respectively.

How to connect your Mac to a projector

Once you have the correct adapter, connecting your Mac is easy. 

1. Plug your cord into the display output port on your Mac (Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, HDMI, or Mini DisplayPort).

2. Connect the other end of the cord to either your projector directly or an adapter that converts the signal from your Mac to the correct input for the projector.

3. Power your projector on. 

4. Your Mac should automatically detect the display and project the image of your desktop on the projector.

How to modify your display settings on a Mac

Now that you're connected, you might need to make a few tweaks to get your projector working the way you'd like. To modify your display settings:

1. Open up System Preferences from your Dock or by clicking the Apple icon in the top menu and selecting "System Preferences..." from the dropdown menu.

2. Select "Displays."

How to connect Mac to projector

3. Click "Arrangement" to change whether you want to use your projector as a second screen or select "Mirror Displays" to display exactly what's on your Mac desktop. 

How to connect Mac to projector

Alternate route: The wireless streaming option

If you don't want adapters and the tangles of a wired connection, streaming sticks are a reasonable option.

If you're planning to stream specific media, like Netflix or share your desktop or a presentation, a streaming stick like Google's Chromecast (Amazon's Fire Stick doesn't support screen mirroring on macOS) replicates much of the functionality of a wired setup, but only needs to be plugged into the back of your projector or entertainment system. 

Although, you will need a Wi-Fi connection for it to work.

Read more:How to Chromecast from a Mac computer, for streaming media or sharing your screen on a TV or larger display

 

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

SEE ALSO: The best MacBooks you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

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The best bras of 2019

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  • The right bra can make a world of difference in comfort, support, and confidence. 
  • Our guide features bras that performed well in our tests, emphasize comfort, and have a good range of options across sizes, support levels, and styles.
  • ThirdLove is our top pick because of its intelligent fit finder quiz, half sizes, and carefully designed bras that are as sexy as they are comfortable.
  • You can also check out our guide to the best women's underwear you can buy.

Ladies, we've gotta take care of our ladies. Like us, they deserve the utmost respect and support, like us, they should never settle for second best. To that end, buying a bra that does your breasts proud is just about the best thing that you can do for yourself.

Alright, fine — That's probably something of an overstatement, but the sentiment rings true. Buying bras may not be the most fun experience, but that doesn't make it any less important. Luckily, there are a handful of companies that are looking to make the bra-purchasing process less of a hassle. But more importantly, the results are everything that you've ever wanted for your chest.

Your primary consideration when purchasing a bra should be comfort. After all, unless you're letting the girls run free all the livelong day (which is fine!), you're likely going to be wearing your bra for at least the eight-hour workday. That means that your underwire can't be digging into your rib cage, that your straps can be tangling uncomfortably against your shoulder, and that your clasp can't be scratching your back.

Then, you should also consider what style of bra you'd like. Are you looking to make an impression by pushing the ladies up, or are you looking to be a bit more inconspicuous with a classic t-shirt bra? There's no wrong answer, of course, but there are certainly different bras for different occasions.

Perhaps most importantly, you'll want to keep fit in mind. After all, an ill-fitting bra will be neither comfortable nor stylish (regardless of what you're trying to achieve), but sometimes, figuring out exactly what bra size you are can be a bit difficult. This is especially the case when you're doing your shopping online. Luckily, that's not the case with a number of our favorite bra purveyors, who have gone to great lengths to ensure that you and your bra get along.

Regardless of which of these bras you choose, we're confident that you (and the ladies) will be well satisfied.

Here the best bras you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/19 by Mara Leighton: Updated prices and formatting. Added a few related links. 

SEE ALSO: The best women's underwear you can buy

The best bra overall

At ThirdLove, it's all about the fit, and oh, how these bras fit, thanks to the intelligent Fit Finder quiz and optional half sizes (starting at $68).

Face it — Today's standard cup sizes aren't always exactly what your body needs. And luckily, at ThirdLove, no one is expecting you (or your breasts) to fit into a predetermined mold. In just 60 seconds, Thirdlove will help you find a bra that feels as though it was actually tailored to your body, all without your ever having to leave the couch.

It all starts with ThirdLove's Fit Finder tool, which as the name suggests, helps you find your actual right size. You'll input the cup size and band measurements you normally abide by, as well as the company from which you've historically purchased your bra. But then you'll also talk about where the shortcomings are — how much of a gap there is, how well the band actually sits against your back, and to what extent you find yourself adjusting the straps.

Most importantly, you'll tell ThirdLove about the shape of your breasts, because yes, that will impact what bra is ultimately recommended.

Once you're done with the full questionnaire, you'll input your email address, and you'll be shown what your bra size should be (it may be different than you previously imagined based on your answers), as well as a recommended bra. And best of all, if your bra size comes in a half cup (because yes, that's a thing), ThirdLove can send you a bra that comes in a half size.

While you may not think that a web-based survey could actually take you to a better fitting bra, think again. As soon as I put on my ThirdLove Classic T-Shirt Bra, I knew that I'd been wrong with just about every other bra I'd ever worn. This is easily one of the most comfortable and truly supportive pieces of lingerie I've ever worn, and whereas other bras seem to work only with certain outfits, I've managed to wear this particular bra under cocktail dresses and sweats alike.

Although the T-Shirt Bra is the classic choice, ThirdLove has plenty of other fantastic options for you to choose from as well, including a racerback, a lace racerback with a front closure (which is beautiful, by the way), and another personal favorite, the lace balconette (for special occasions).

Several other women on the Insider Picks team have tried ThirdLove's bras and love them. Since we're all a range of sizes and shapes, it's impressive that we all love these bras.

Reviewers at People called ThirdLove bras "the most comfortable...that [have] ever been on my body," while nearly 22,500 customers have given the Classic T-Shirt Bra a 4.5 out of 5 stars on the company's website.

Pros: Careful sizing guide, great fit, and comfortable material that doesn't irritate the skin even after a long day of wear

Cons: The Classic T-Shirt Bra isn't the sexiest bra in the world, but there are other options for that, too



The best budget bra

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good bra, and Hanes is here to prove it (starting at $11).

High prices don't always correlate with high quality, and similarly, budget buys don't mean budget quality. No one knows this better than Hanes, the classic underwear brand that makes one of the best wire-free bras on the market.

Whether you want to call it a bralette or a wireless bra, you'll certainly call it supremely comfortable. The Comfort Wire-Free bra line by Hanes is one of the sturdier bras you can buy. Sure, it's not made of sexy lace, but as a result, it can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear. It doesn't lose its shape or stretch out in unattractive ways after several cycles in the washing machine, and because it doesn't have an underwire, it's incredibly lightweight and flexible.

But don't think that a lack of wire means a lack of support or structure. As folks over at Good Housekeeping noted, "I liked that this bra did not have an underwire, yet I felt fully supported. It was soft and comfortable…I almost forgot I was wearing a bra."

Because the Wire-Free bras are fully adjustable, they also stay put quite well. Over 2,000 folks on Amazon have given the Hanes bra 4.4 out of 5 stars. Reviewers note that the bra "holds everything where it needs to be without wires and without binding or squishing or pushing things higher than they need to go." 

Pros: Extremely affordable, wide range of colors, good support, and straps that stay in place

Cons: There are a limited selection of cup and band sizes, so chestier women may not be able to find a good fit  



The best bra for atypical breast shapes

If you're a fan of deep V-necks, the Natori Plunge Bra will keep you supported while staying out of sight (starting at $40).

There are few outfits for which the Natori Plunge isn't the perfect fit, and that makes this bra a staple in just about any wardrobe. As the name suggests, this bra takes a dramatic plunge down the middle, so if you're a fan of daring cuts and plunging necklines, this is certainly the bra for you.

Flirty and fun, Natori's signature Feathers lace adds the right touch of femininity to this pretty piece of lingerie. While aesthetics and functionality don't always go hand in hand when it comes to your underthings, Natori is certainly the exception to that rule. The comfortable T-shirt design is also plenty supportive.

Best of all, perhaps, is that the Plunge bra seems to be particularly useful for women with atypical bra sizes or breast shapes. As one happy customer noted on the Natori website, This is the first time I've worn a bra without padding and my boobs have never looked better!" Another reviewer echoed these sentiments, writing, "This bra is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. It fits my barely-A, wide-set bust perfectly."

New York Magazine calls the Natori Plunge the "unicorn of undergarments," and the bra boasts a nearly five-star review from over 500 buyers on Amazon. The bra features a molded mesh outer cover with lace trim, as well as adjustable stretch straps that become wider as you size up. The Plunge is constructed of 84% nylon and 16% lycra and lace.

Pros: Great for plunging necklines, comfortable, flirty, and well-fitting for women with atypical bra sizes  

Cons: Cup size runs small, so be sure to order accordingly



The best convertible bra

If you need one bra to serve the purpose of two (or more) bras, then you'll want the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra (starting at $68).

Strapless bras in and of themselves are always a bit of a struggle, what with constant slippage and the seemingly never-ending need to adjust and readjust their fit. But with the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra, you can bid your fidgeting days adieu.

Part of the secret of this great bra is that it's not just strapless — it's actually convertible. The removable straps can help keep you supported, but so too can the gripper strips inside the top and bottom edges that make sure that the bra stays adhered to your chest, and doesn't begin wandering down. The back and side boning also helps the bra maintain its shape, while the mesh back keeps you comfortable.

Although most strapless bras don't do much for actually helping to shape your chest, the Wacoal is a different story, thanks to light foam padding, you'll enjoy "full figure natural shaping, support," and most importantly, no show-through. Because the straps are fully removable, you can choose how to wear them, whether that's halter style, crossed in the back, or traditional.

Folks at New York Magazine note that "this bra stays put no matter what," and more than 800 people on Nordstrom's website have given the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra a resounding 4.7 out of 5-star seal of approval. Good Housekeeping also pointed out that the bra washed well without shrinkage, and that it was comfortable, supportive, and easy to put on.

Pros: Great for larger chested women, convertible, stays in place, comfortable  

Cons: Some customers have noted issues with fit



The best bra for sizes E (DD) to J

If you need a seriously supportive bra that won't dig into your shoulders or sides throughout the day, you need to try Trusst Lingerie's D to J bras.

If your cup size is over a D, you already know the difficulty of finding a bra that fits. Since many brick and mortar stores don't carry larger sizes, shopping online becomes a bit of a gamble where you often have to buy two bras of similar sizing at once just to see which one works best. But not so with Trusst, which offers a simple two-step sizing tool that allows you to find your fit without ever leaving home.

Grab a measuring tape to get the size of your bust and band, and then input the number of inches for each to determine what your bra size should be. Sizes range from a 32 to 46-inch band size with cups ranging from D to J in certain styles. But if the size shown isn't anywhere near your normal size, you can email your measurements, the size and style of the bra you measured yourself in, and the company's fit specialists will help to ensure a secure fit for you.

As if its focus sizing wasn't enough, Trusst's support is unlike anything I've tried before. In lieu of the annoying underwire that can dig into your sides or armpits and pop out at surprising moments, Trusst's bras come equipped with a 3D-printed bra core called Breast Advanced Support Technology (BAST) sewn right into the molded contour cup itself to redistribute breast weight and offer support without the poke.

Based on the engineering principles of a bridge truss, it uses the core of your body to really lift the breast and padded shoulder straps that reduce shoulder and back strain even after hours of wear. In fact, while I typically take off my bra as soon as I get home, I felt comfortable enough in the bra to keep it on until bedtime.

But if your cups tend to runneth over in a demi, the brand offers an array of sultry styles that might be better suited for you, including a t-shirt bra, a sexy, lacy plunge option, and a soft, full-coverage bra that's built for the daily grind. Plus, there are three underwear styles you can pair with your particular bra of choice for a full set.

Reviewers at The Lingerie Addict praised the brand for its unique construction as well as the accuracy of its sizing system. And the Suzanne has become one of the brand's best-sellers. — Valis Vicenty

Pros: Easy but accurate sizing, fabulous fit, and surprisingly comfortable support without the stab of an underwire. 

Cons: Some styles can run a little small, but they're indicated on the page so you can adjust your sizing before you add to cart



The best bralettes and wire-free bras

Lively's bras and bralettes only cost $35, but they offer the quality, support, and style of much more expensive ones.

If you're sick of spending $50 to $100 on each bra you buy, take a look at Lively. All of the startup's bras and bralettes cost just $35 a piece. You can choose from a wide range of styles, including numerous bralettes and a handful of different bra styles with and without underwire.

I've tried several Lively bras and each one has impressed me in a different way. The underwire push-up bra and the push-up bra without underwire are both incredibly comfortable. The padding is subtle and not excessive like the push-up bras from Victoria Secret and other brands. You get a slight lift without feeling like you're going to fall out of your bra.

The no-underwire version is surprisingly supportive, too. When I first laid eyes on it, I thought I'd need to return it immediately, but it's turned out to be one of my favorites. The wide band gives the support I need and the lack of wires make it super comfortable for all-day wear.

The All You Busty Bralette is very comfortable for lounging around home with its wide, thick straps, and super soft material. I'm not a bralette person for going out and about (having a DD cup will do that to you), but it's perfect for days when you have nowhere to go beyond the grocery store. As someone with a larger cup size, I really liked that there's a DD+ section with all the bras and bralettes that are made for larger busts.

Women with smaller busts will love the wide range of bralettes and how cute they look. Many of them are stylish enough to show off, too.

The only real downsides here are that Lively doesn't have sizes above DDD and the bras may not be as long-lasting as more expensive ones. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Wide range of styles, true to size, cute designs, comfortable, affordable

Cons: May not be as long-lasting as others, sizes max out at DDD



The best running shoes for men

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  • The pair of running shoes you choose can either make or break your running experience. 
  • Luckily, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 is a versatile pair of shoes that delivers, and they're perfect for runners of every level, too with their lightweight feel, comfortable fit, and smooth ride.

Whether you're an average guy just starting your running journey to shed a few pounds, or you're deep in the running game training for your next marathon, the importance of finding a good pair of running shoes remains the same. Every runner is different, and there are a number of factors to consider before making your final decision.

While the choices may seem endless, we've done the research for you so you can hit the road with a new pair of kicks in no time. We've combed the reviews to find what we think are the 5 best men's running shoes based on a variety of running needs. Before we get into our picks, here are some things you need to consider.

Where will your running take you?

The type of running you're planning to tackle and where you're doing most of your training can help you hone in on the style of running shoe you'll need. If you plan to be logging most of your miles on sidewalks and pavement, a good pair of road running shoes will do the trick. However, if adventure calls you off the roads and into the woods, you'll want to consider finding yourself a good pair of trail shoes that can handle rough terrain.

What's your comfort zone?

If you enjoy competition and going for speed, you may want to consider a lightweight running shoe that won't weigh you down for training. A good lightweight shoe can also do double duty as a racer, giving you fast feet on race day. Are you in it for the long run when it comes to miles logged and time spent on the road? If so, a cushioned shoe will provide the comfortable ride you'll need to reduce the impact on your body and give you stamina even the energizer bunny would envy.

Will you need some extra support?

While we may like to think of ourselves as superheroes, we can't all be invincible. The best runners can be susceptible to overpronation or underpronation, and even if you've been lucky enough to be gifted with a nearly perfect running gait, that doesn't mean you'll escape injury. In order to reduce your chances of injury, it's important to find running shoes that will provide you with the right amount of stability and support. If you overpronate, meaning your foot tends to roll too far inward as you run, you'll want a more supportive motion-control shoe. Underpronation is just the opposite, meaning that your foot doesn't roll in far enough as you run. For this, you'll want a neutral-cushioned shoe that encourages natural foot motion.

After much research, we've found that these are the best men's running shoes you can buy, whether you're hitting the track or the trails.

Here are the best running shoes you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Amir Ismael: Added two new picks and updated formatting and prices.

SEE ALSO: The best GPS watches for running

The best men's running shoes overall

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 are versatile shoes that will give you a smooth ride thanks to the full-length air unit in the sole, and they're just as effective for casual jogs as they are for fast-paced race training.

A true jack-of-all-trades running shoe, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 is designed to handle it all. Whether you're going out for an easy recovery jog, incorporating some speed work into your run, or going all out and training for the marathon that's been on your bucket list for ages, this is a neutral running shoe that won't let you down.

The Pegasus line of running shoes has been a Nike staple for decades, and while the 35 does have some big changes compared to previous versions, the design risks paid off in this case. The result is a shoe that still feels like a Pegasus to long-time fans of the model, with a new full-length air unit for an even smoother heel-to-toe transition, and a redesigned upper for an even better fit.

The Pegasus 36 is available for a reasonable price, too, giving you a great value for the cost. The fact that you can wear this shoe for so many different types of training, and as a runner of any level, also makes it a great buy. The shoe comes in narrow, regular, wide, and extra wide so you can find your perfect fit with a spectrum of colors available. As with so many Nike brand shoes, aesthetic appeal isn't forgotten here. These could double as stylish footwear even when you aren't running.

Looks aside, the specs don't disappoint, either. The 10mm toe drop is on the higher side, but still manages to feel natural while giving you that extra "pop" when you want to go full throttle on the speed. The natural feel is aided by the full-length air zoom unit that gives the shoe its ultra-smooth ride. The tread pattern on the sole of the shoe provides extra grip, which is ideal on wet roads.

The overall sole unit seems to be designed to propel you forward no matter what kind of run you're tackling. A redesigned seamless upper streamlines the shoe, giving it a lightweight feel, though this isn't a heavy shoe to begin with, weighing in at 8.9 ounces — slightly lighter than the 9.3-ounce Pegasus 35.

Reviewers across the board consistently praise the curved collar of the Pegasus 36 which holds the heel securely in place while arching away from the Achilles tendon to prevent any irritation.

A Running Shoes Guru reviewer put the Pegasus 36 through the paces saying, "I think this is a good shoe due to the simple upper, comfortable sole, and decent material + construction." They do point out that the mid-sole started showing some compression around 250 miles, so if you are covering large distances during your training runs, this is something to take into consideration.

Overall though, reviews were overwhelmingly positive. This Runners World tester sums it up nicely: "Nike's Air Zoom Pegasus 36 is just as great as its predecessors — with a tweaked upper all for the better."

Pros: Can handle different types of training and distances, full-length Air unit in the sole allows for a smooth ride, lightweight design, seamless upper and curved collar for a secure and comfortable fit, reasonably priced

Cons: Some reviewers questioned the durability of the midsole



The best men's running shoes for stability

The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 live up to their title as a "go-to shoe" with a fast feel that doesn't fade on long runs, and the shoes provide the motion control support overpronators need.

Brooks is one of the few shoe companies that is focused solely on the sport of running, and that dedication shows when it comes to the quality of its running shoes. If you're tired of wearing running shoes that make you feel like you're wading through quicksand and leave you wishing you had the winged feet of Hermes, the Adrenaline GTS 19 may be the answer you're looking for.

We can't promise they'll turn you into a running god, but there is a reason that the "GTS" in Adrenaline GTS 19 stands for "go to shoe."

The Adrenaline line is known for maintaining a fast feel and a smooth ride. The latest version keeps that base, with a few tweaks like a redesigned upper and a stretchy material in the arch for added comfort, without sacrificing the stability that is so important for overpronators. The diagonal roll bar is still present to help encourage a more natural running motion, correcting missteps even as you increase your speed.

The streamlined upper uses less material, which helps the shoe feel even lighter. While it isn't necessarily a lightweight shoe, the GTS 19 won't be weighing you down. The men's version weighs in at 11 ounces, which is slightly heavier than the previous 10-ounce GTS 18. The added weight can be attributed to added cushioning and support.

These shoes will provide a fast feel that doesn't fade, making them ideal for half marathon and marathon training. The GTS 18 does have a higher heel to toe drop of 10.2mm, which makes these shoes a little less ideal for intense speed work or race day wear.

A tester from Running Shoes Guru says, "I couldn't go especially fast in them, but my easy to moderate days were a breeze. Once I put them in a rotation with my other shoes, I grew to appreciate them even more."

While these may not have as much responsiveness as a truly lightweight shoe, they make up for that with a smooth and comfortable ride that will help prevent fatigue even on long runs. The outsole of the shoe provides great grip which makes it possible to take this shoe from the road to some light trails if you're looking to change up the scenery to get through those long runs.

Most praise the Adrenaline GTS 19 as a successful update to the GTS 18. This Runner's World Wear Tester says, "the cushioning in the Adrenaline complimented my high arch, yet the weight did not feel heavy. I liked that the shoe continued to absorb the hard road surface and maintained its comfort. It felt similar running on a treadmill surface."

Pros: Superior stability for overpronation, fast feeling ride, comfortability that doesn't fade on long runs, streamlined upper for added comfortability and a lightweight feel

Cons: Ride lacks some responsiveness, higher heel to toe drop may not be ideal for speed work or race day wear



The best men's shoes for trail running

The Saucony Peregrine 7 is a dynamic trail shoe that has a fast feel and is able to handle almost any type of terrain at any speed.

The versatility of the Saucony Peregrine 7 will deliver, whether you have an adventurous spirit that loves mountain races and ultra-running, or you're simply looking for a way to lose the suit and tie and unwind with a run on the trails. The Peregrine is a fast and nimble neutral running shoe, but it has the ruggedness and durability to conquer almost any type of terrain while protecting your feet. It comes as no surprise that versions 4 and 6 claimed the

It comes as no surprise that versions 4 and 6 claimed the Runner's World Editor's Choice Award, and the 7 claimed this year's Best Buy award for holding a steady price even with new updates.

Building on this foundation of success, the Peregrine 7 features a redesigned upper that allows for more room in the toe box, as well as a full-length Everun topsole that allows for a more cushioned feel throughout the shoe. The Peregrine line of shoes typically takes some time to break-in, but the updated topsole helps reduce break-in time. These shoes weigh in at 9.8 ounces and have a fast and responsive feel that make them an ideal shoe for trail racing, but their durability makes them a great daily trail shoe as well.

This durability extends to the rugged outsole, featuring aggressive lugs that make these shoes able to handle loose terrain including mud and snow. Road Trail Run gave these shoes an excellent review after testing, noting that they do especially well on steep gradients and rough trails with their versatile outsole. The rockplate in the outsole was also appreciated when running over rough terrain.

The TPU exoskeleton of the redesigned upper wraps around the entire forefoot, providing a better fit and holding the forefoot in place. This exoskeleton extends to the toe bumper, which is one downside as it offers very little stub protection. The insole can also have a tendency to slide when it gets wet, but testers from I Run Far recommend gluing this down if it does become an annoyance. Luckily, Saucony doesn't shy away from making updates where needed, so this could very well be remedied in the next version of the Peregrine.

While some runners found that the Peregrine 7 ran slightly small, once they sized up, they were able to find their perfect fit and praised the comfort and lightweight feel of the shoe. This Amazon reviewer likes the good grip they provide on trails. Another reviewer, who previously owned the Peregrine 6, praises the newest version for its comfort and durability. If you're looking for a high-quality, versatile trail shoe to help you up your level of adventure look no further.

If you're looking for a high-quality, versatile trail shoe to help you up your level of adventure look no further.

Pros: Fast and responsive feel, widened toe box, light enough to be used for trail racing, full-length Everun midsole for increased comfort, durable outsole that can handle a wide range of terrains

Cons: The toe bumper could be more protective,insole can be prone to sliding when wet, some runners report needing to go up a half size



The best lightweight men's running shoes

The Saucony Freedom ISO 2 keep the same lightweight, energetic feel of the previous version with an even smoother ride.

Saucony makes our list again with a neutral shoe called the Freedom ISO 2, an upgraded version of the revolutionary Freedom ISO. A few small changes were made to the original version, resulting in a more comfortable and natural feeling ride. The added comfort makes this shoe even more ideal for everyday runs than its predecessor. It can handle both speed work and long runs with ease.

The midsole of the Freedom ISO 2 is made entirely out of the bouncy material known as Everun. Saucony has been using this thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in other shoe models, including the Saucony Peregrine 7, but this is one of the first running shoes to use it for the full length of the midsole.

The Freedom ISO 2 has some similarities to the lightweight Saucony Kinvara, but the addition of the full-length Everun midsole is what gives the shoe a bouncier, more energetic feel that not only makes it effective for speed work, but also keeps you feeling fast on those longer runs.

While the Everun midsole creates a slightly heavier platform, but any weight it adds is offset by the sleek, stripped-down design of the upper. The ISO 2 features an upper made from a Saucony material called ISOKnit for even more breathability and comfort — a nice addition to the ISOFIT technology which is designed to give runners a comfortable fit.

They are slightly heavier than the Freedom ISO, but the men's model still weighs in at 9.1 ounces, keeping them well within the lightweight range. The stack height of the ISO 2 has been raised by 3mm because of the increase of Everun in the sole, but this is what makes for the more comfortable ride. The outsole features a grooved crystal rubber, a transparent and durable rubber that masterfully handles the abrasion of road and track alike.

While some feel that the Freedom ISO 2 sacrifices a little of the snappy response for the added comfort, most didn't notice a difference between the two. This reviewer from Running Shoes Guru who says, "to be frank, on my first run if I was not told that the shoe on my foot was a different version of the Freedom, I'm not sure I would have noticed the difference."

The best kind of running shoe update is one you don't notice at all, or if you do it's because of the benefits — not any drawbacks. In this sense, the Freedom ISO 2 is a successful update to a successful original. This amazon reviewer says, "If you liked the first edition of Freedoms, you'll like these. Sizing is truer and there is more padding on the upper ISO."

If you want to make a statement on the road, these shoes will deliver with fun colors and a two-toned outsole. It has a fun design, but even more importantly this shoe is also fun to wear. It has a responsiveness that begs you to push the tempo, and the versatility to handle speed work as well as longer runs.

You can even pretend you're Usain Bolt as you're flying around the track. We won't tell anyone.

Pros: Full Everun sole for an energetic feel, ISOFIT Technology and an ISOKnit upper for added comfort and breathability, durable outsole, versatility to handle different types of training, fun design

Cons: Higher price compared to some competitors, some feel that the increased amount of Everun in the sole of the ISO 2 sacrificed some of the snappy response found in the first version



The best men's cushioned running shoes

The Hoka One One Bondi 5 is a maximum-cushioning shoe that will provide you with a smooth ride and a soft feel to take the sting out of long runs.

While it may look like the ugly duckling of the bunch at first, this shoe delivers when it comes to comfort. The Bondi 5 is Hoka One One's most cushioned neutral road shoe. While it keeps the soft platform and rounded sole of previous versions, the newest version now has a roomier toe box for added comfort. The redesigned upper features engineered mesh and seamless construction for more breathability and a better fit.

The Bondi 5 has a 37mm stack height, but rest assured you won't feel like you're walking around in platform heels. As the tester from Running Shoes Guru describes, your foot sits down in the cushioning quite a bit, and much of it wraps up and around giving these shoes a pillow-like feel. Despite the higher stack height, the heel to toe drop is at a slight 4mm and even with all the cushioning the Bondi 5 only weighs in at 10 ounces. The rounded rocker design of the sole provides a smooth heel to toe transition, making these a very enjoyable shoe to run in.

In a review by The Active Guy, this smooth transition, along with the comfort of the engineered mesh upper and widened toe box, were all appreciated. However, the tongue did lead to some discomfort because it felt too long. He ended up cutting the tongue down, while the tester from Running Shoes Guru used a different lacing technique for added comfort. Overall, most Amazon reviewers love the fit of the Bondi 5, finding it true to size. This reviewer calls his experience with the Bondi 5 "love at first fit" and praises the larger toe box and cushioned feel.

The Bondi 5 is easily the type of shoe you could walk around all day in, but it really shines on long runs and recovery runs. While not a contact sport, running still has a high impact on your body and can leave you feeling like you've been wiped up and down the field by J. J. Watt. This can be avoided if you train smart and give your feet the support they need. Cushioned shoes like the Bondi 5 give your joints and muscles a nice respite from the impact of the road as you grind out the miles.

Pros: Soft cushioning, smooth ride, lightweight and responsive feel, true sizing with width options

Cons: Some reviewers felt the tongue was too long and rigid, limited color availability



The best air purifiers you can buy

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  • Fresh, clean air. You need it, but the environment doesn't always provide it.
  • If you've suffered long enough with sinus problems, allergies, or headaches due to pollutants in the air, it's time for an air purifier. Our top pick is the Coway Airmega 200M.

You can go up to three weeks without eating. You'll survive three to four days, on average, without fluids. But it only takes six minutes without air to damage your delicate brain, and survival beyond that is unlikely. The air you breathe is the most pressing life necessity, so why not take as many breaths as possible of pure, clean air?

To accomplish that, you'll likely need an air purifier. Far too many of us live in areas with polluted outdoor air, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside our homes can be even dirtier.

Common pollutants inside your home can include molds and fungi spores, bacteria and viruses, pollen, cigarette smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs emitted from carpeting, paint, and other construction materials), dust and pet dander, and fumes from air fresheners and other cleaning supplies.

Air purifiers remove some or most of those pollutants from your indoor air. They work by drawing room air in and through a filter or combination of filters, then blowing out fresh, clean air.

A good air purifier removes allergens, dust, gases, and other pollutants from the room air, leaving behind clean air for your lung's benefit. There are a lot of air purifiers on the market, though, and that's why we did the hard work for you. We've done our research, and gathered up the eight air purifiers we think do the best job of cleaning your air.

Here are the best air purifiers you can buy in 2019:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Remi Rosmarin: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best humidifiers you can buy

The best air purifier overall

Highly effective against indoor air pollution and reasonably attractive to boot, the Coway Airmega 200M knows when your air is in serious need of cleaning.

We thought it couldn't get any better than the original Coway Mighty Air Purifier (AP1512HH), but as it turns out, the best can still be beat — and by its younger sibling, no less. The new air purifier is smaller and more powerful than the earlier version. The Coway Airmega 200M has a four-stage filtration system that's capable of capturing 99.97% of particles in the air.

The purifier has a pre-filter, an odor filter, a true HEPA filter, and a bipolar ionizer inside that work in tandem to rid your surroundings of allergens and reduce odors. The air purifier comes with an air quality indicator that does more than tell you how your machine is doing. Rather, this feature continually monitors the air quality of your home, and automatically adjusts the fan speed and operation as necessary to help you make the most out of your purifier.

When no indoor air pollution has been detected for 30 minutes, the Coway Airmega 200M will just turn itself off to save energy. Of course, if you'd rather control the fans manually, that's fine as well. The purifier includes three fan speeds to help you adjust air output based on your own needs and preferences. You can also set a timer to schedule one, four, or eight hours of continuous operation.

To ensure that you're always getting the most out of this system, the 200 has a filter indicator that alerts you when you need filter changes. The Coway Airmega 200M is well-suited for pet owners, who have to contend with pet dander and odors in their homes, but it's also great for smokers looking to reduce the amount of second-hand smoke in their indoor environments.

Whereas the original Coway Mighty Air Purifier was good for rooms up to 350 square feet, this new version is a bit more powerful and is capable of cleaning spaces up to 361 square feet. While that's not a huge difference in and of itself, the new Coway Airmega 200M has the added benefit of being smaller than older options, which means it's less intrusive and even better suited for compact spaces. — Lulu Chang

The Wirecutter named the previous version as the best air purifier, praising not only its superior performance but also its reasonable price both at initial purchase and over the years as filters need replacement. It is also a model we also like, but we think the new Airmega 200M is even better, despite the higher price.

Pros: Compact, highly effective, automatic detection and power saving, four types of filtration

Cons: Slightly more expensive than the last version



The best air purifier for allergies

With the smarts to analyze your air before it gets to work, the Dyson Pure Cool can significantly improve your indoor allergies. 

If allergy season has you living your worst life, then fear not: Dyson's Pure Cool Air Purifier is here to save the day. It's capable of actually calculating the amount of pollutants in your home, and then automatically adjusting itself to filter them out. Because let's be honest — you literally can't do that yourself.

While other air purifiers try to capture most allergens and pollutants, the Dyson Pure Cool ups the ante by removing up to 99.97% of the stuff that's making you sneeze and your eyes water. As a result, you'll likely notice considerably fewer symptoms after letting this purifier do its job for awhile — I certainly did, and so did my colleague Mara Leighton.

Thanks to the 350-degree oscillation of the Pure Cool, purified air won't be relegated to a single corner of your room. Rather, you'll get practically comprehensive filtration, which likely contributes to its 99.97% cleansing rate. For easier control, the purifier connects to both the Dyson Link app as well as Amazon Alexa, so you can tell the machine what to do either with the tap of an app or with the sound of your voice.

When it's time for you to go to sleep, the night-time mode ensures that the purifier is quieter, and its LCD screen is dimmed.

Not only is the Pure Cool particularly effective, but it's also extremely well-designed. This is certainly one air purifier that you won't be inclined to hide from your guests. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Automatically adjusts to the level of pollutants in your home, great design, 10 fan speeds for variable volume

Cons: At $450, it's quite expensive



The best air purifier for large rooms

If you need an air purifier for a large room (up to 540 square feet), the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier can't be beat.

Suitable for rooms up to 540 square feet, the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier is all about performance. It draws air in from every side for quick and efficient turnover of room air. The process happens five times per hour. It's super energy-efficient, as well, using no more electricity than a lightbulb.

An activated carbon filter removes dust, odors, VOCs, gases, and other lung irritants, while the particle filter captures just about anything likely to cause allergy or asthma symptoms. Plus, you get two washable pre-filters that slip over the entire outside of the device while adding a bit of style. You can choose from a blue or dark gray color; both are in the box. The pre-filter captures larger particles, such as pet hair and larger airborne particles.

Consumer Reports gives the Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier its highest rating, citing its excellent performance at removing dust, smoke, and pollen from room air. Owners of the device mostly praise its effective and quiet performance, although a few outliers say it's noisy.

Pros: Particularly suited for allergy or asthma sufferers, good for large rooms, just one button to control the three speeds

Cons: A few owners complained it is noisy even on the low setting



The best non-electric air purifier

The Morihata International Chikuno Cube can purify and deodorize rooms measuring up to 17 square feet without the use of any electrical connection.

Activated charcoal is having its moment. From use in tooth-whitening pastes to water filters and air purification, this versatile, natural material is everywhere these days, and with good reason: It works. And it's perfectly safe.

When it comes to air purification, charcoal made from bamboo is effective because it is so amazingly absorbent. It captures moisture and contaminants right out of the air. All a passing bit of dander, pollen, spores, or smoke has to do is touch a bit of the charcoal and it will be trapped among countless little cavities.

The Morihata International Chikuno Cube makes brilliant use of the high absorbance ability of activated charcoal by creating maximum surface area using a honeycomb pattern of dozens of narrow tubes. Constructed out of natural clay infused with bamboo charcoal, a two-inch Chikuno Cube boasts enough surface area to effectively treat the air of rooms as large as 17 square feet.

That makes this compact, passive device perfect for bathrooms, closets, cars, or even for use in the fridge. As it requires no electrical connection, you can set up a Chikuno Cube just about anywhere. It's small enough to be tucked out of sight, but has an elegant simplicity that might make you want to position it more prominently.

A single Chikuno Cube can provide about a year of effective air purification. All you need to do is expose the cube to about six hours of direct sunlight once a month. This process releases the trapped impurities and allows the charcoal to perform at full potential once again.

One Amazon reviewer praised the Morihata Chikuno Cube, saying it "does what it says it will" and worked well for removing "musty closed in smells" in a large closet. And a writer from Domino called the purifier "stylish" and an effective way to "remove impurities from the air." — Steven John

Pros: No electricity required, compact and stylish design, refreshed with brief sunlight exposure

Cons: Only lasts for a year



The best advanced air purifier

Rather than merely trapping indoor air pollutants, the Molekule air purifier uses its proprietary Photo Electrochemical Oxidation to destroy them.

If it weren't for the hefty price tag, the Molekule air purifier would by all means be the top pick on this list. But at about $800 per unit, you could buy many of the lower priced options on our list many times over and spread them around the house. However, multiple cheap air purifiers couldn't match the performance of this one impressive piece of technology.

Most air purifiers use a filtration system to trap impurities. Molekule, on the other hand, eradicates indoor air pollutants entirely. It does this by drawing air in through a 360-degree air intake around the base of the cylindrical unit and then initially passing it though a mechanical filter. Then the air passes through a chamber where it is exposed to Photo Electrochemical Oxidization, AKA PECO, a process the company developed over the course of some 20 years.

The PECO process destroys pollutants such as virus cells, spores, dander, and all the other stuff other purifiers can only trap. So the air that comes wafting out of the top of the Molekule is not simply filtered and purified, it's genuinely pure. For some comparison, the PECO air purifying approach eradicates air pollutants that are as small as 0.1 nanometers in size, compared to the 300 nanometer limit of most HEPA filter-based units.

So if you're serious about clean indoor air, whether for specific medical purposes, a general commitment to health, or because you just really like clean air, consider spending big bucks for amazing results.

A writer from The Gadgeteer was "immediately impressed" with the Molekule and reported a marked reduction in allergy symptoms during its use. — Steven John

Pros: Eradicates pollutants down to nanoscopic level, multiple operation modes, stylish design

Cons: Very expensive, app is fraught with bug issues



The best heating air purifier

We didn't even know you could have an air purifier that doubled as a space heater until Dyson showed us the error of our ways with its new Pure Hot+Cool.

While it's always important to have purified air circulating in your home, it's especially critical in the cold winter months ahead. After all, when your home is sealed against the weather and the wind, it's also sealed from anysemblance of fresh air. Luckily, you don't have to resign yourself to breathing endlessly recycled air while trapped inside with naught but a blazing fire to keep you company.

Rather, Dyson has come to the rescue once again with its latest air purifier — meet the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool, a new air purifier that will not only clean your home environment but also heat an entire room. And better still, when it's no longer so cold outside, you can take advantage of the cooling effects of this air purifier too by turning it onto its fan mode.

The Dyson purifier automatically detects airborne particles and gases and will alert you to the presence of these pollutants by way of a bright LCD screen and the companion Dyson Link app. Beyond detecting these particles, Dyson also gets rid of them by way of a taller and deeper HEPA filter than those used by other air purifiers.

Promising 60% more HEPA media when compared to competitors, this air purifier purports to capture 99.97% of particle pollution as small as 0.3 microns, which includes potential allergens like bacteria, pollen, and mold spores.

But what really sets this air purifier apart is its Air Multiplier technology and its 350-degree oscillation. This not only allows air from around the entire room to be purified but also helps Dyson project heated or cooled air throughout your home.

Thanks to the purifier's thermostat heat control, you can use this machine as a standalone temperature check — use the companion app to keep the room at the target temperature, and once Dyson has helped you achieve the ideal setting, the heating function will switch to standby mode.

Of course, if you'd rather use this purifier purely as a purifier (with no heating or cooling function to speak of), you can turn to backward airflow mode, which moves the baffle to block the front aperture, pushing air through the back of the machine and creating a more diffused airflow. Not only does this eliminate any temperature fluctuations, but it also uses less energy, generates less noise, and maintains purification. — Lulu Chang

Pros: Both heating and cooling functions alongside air purification, sleek design, quiet

Cons: This isn't the cheapest air purifier on the market



What you need to know about air purifier filters

Here are the different types of filters air purifiers use:

  • HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate arresting) are the most common, and the most effective. These super-filters remove 99% or more of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air. That includes most common allergens such as pet dander, mold spores, and pollen, along with many bacteria. HEPA filters don't combat VOCs and other gases, however, nor can they trap viruses, which are much smaller than 0.3 microns. HEPA filters can be pricey, however, and you'll need to replace the filter at least annually — more often if your home is especially dusty or smoky.
  • Activated carbon filters are best for capturing odors, smoke, VOCs, and other potentially harmful gases. They don't do a great job of removing dust and other allergens, though. Because of this, it's very common for an air purifier to have both types of filters. Activated carbon filters are much less expensive than HEPA filters, but generally, need more frequent replacement.
  • Electrostatic filters use an electric charge to attract large particles, some gases, dust, and most allergens. These types of air purifiers can be pricey, but you won't have to change the filter, just wipe it off periodically.
  • Ionizing air purifiers create a cloud of negatively charged atoms, which causes large particles to clump together. This makes it easier for the air purifier's filters to capture the pollutants. There is a concern, however, that some ionizers create excessive ozone, which is a known respiratory irritant. Typically, air purifiers have an ionizing function along with other types of filters.


The best carry-on bags you can buy

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  • Sometimes you just don't want to check your luggage, so you need a reliable carry-on bag that you can bring onboard the plane.
  • Of all the carry-on bags we've researched and tested, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Commuter Expandable Upright is the best with its sturdy wheels, smart compression technology, and lifetime warranty.

As the popularity of air travel has increased, the associated sense of luxury and ease has decreased. Even though overhead bins are shrinking and regulations are tightening, travelers still want to be able to love their gear. You need to be able to rely on your luggage no matter where your travels take you and feel secure that your carry-on is going to fit in the compartment without starting an international incident or a viral video scandal.

Many airlines these days have their own unique regulations for carry-on luggage size, but we searched the web for the best options that should get you where you're going without a headache. In addition to size, we also took into consideration, weight, mobility, internal and external packing features, price, and more to come up with a list of the best carry-on luggage options available.

There are lots of different reasons people fly these days, and as many ways to approach perfect packing as there ways to approach travel more generally. If you're a business traveler with a laptop and other tech devices in your carry-on, you may be looking for features that make passing security checkpoints a little smoother. If you're tired of your suitcase's wheels spinning the wrong way or tripping up en route, it's time to upgrade with some eight-wheeled magnetic technology. Or if you're looking to skip the wheels completely, we've got an elegant option for the backpacker in you. No matter your needs, we've got the carry-on luggage for you in our guide.

Here are our top picks for the best carry-on bags:

Updated on 10/21/19 by Connie Chen: Updated links and prices.

The best carry-on bag overall

The Briggs & Riley Baseline Commuter Expandable Upright bag expands and compresses so you can pack in more than meets the eye, and mesh garment panels keep your clothes fresh for arrival.

The Briggs & Riley Baseline Commuter Expandable Upright looks like an ordinary carry-on bag from the outside, but it's really the internal components that make it our number one choice. Briggs & Riley's compression and expansion technology allows you to expand the bag while packing so you can cram in that extra pair of shoes, and then compresses everything inside back to normal size once you've zippered the bag closed. The interior is lined with mesh garment panels that strap down to hold clothes in place without shifting or wrinkling.

Because the bag uses an outsider handle system that tucks the rails on the bag's exterior, there aren't any awkward or uneven ridges at the bottom of the bag. Pack everything flat and make better, more efficient use of the space when you're packing for a longer trip or for multiple climates. With ballistic nylon as the bag's outer material, there's room for a little give without being vulnerable to the dents and nicks of frequent travel.

Briggs & Riley enjoys a good reputation: Outdoor Gear Labs loves it, and a small but enthusiastic group of Amazon reviewers gave it 4.3/5 stars.

Since some airlines enforce smaller dimensions for acceptable carry-on luggage, this Commuter option is smaller than others in the Briggs & Riley line of products at 25 x 8 x 11 inches, not to mention oversized carry-on bags from other companies. The best offering that comes with the Briggs & Riley Baseline Commuter Expandable Upright is its lifetime warranty, which is a no-questions-asked policy and even covers airline damage.

Pros: Once you've packed in 33 percent more of your clothes, internal mesh garment panels make sure you'll arrive at your destination wrinkle-free

Cons: Even with the lifetime warranty to back up the purchase, this bag does cost more than $400 which will certainly be too steep a price for some



The best carry-on bag for when you're in a rush

The Travelpro Platinum Magna Express Spinner Suiter solves all those pesky directional problems with four dual wheels and magnets that align them no matter which way you're going.

When rollaboards were popularized with just two wheels on bags so you could tip your bag and go, mobility may have been limited, but at least it was straightforward. Travelpro's Platinum Magna Express Spinner Suiter carry-on bag with four wheels allows you to push and pull your bag in any direction without tipping it behind you.

The company's own "MagnaTrac" technology uses a system of magnets to keep all four of the suitcase's dual wheels tracking in the same direction and rolling in a straight line. Although MagnaTrac is really the standout feature of this Travelpro bag, there are plenty of other reasons it's a great carry-on option.

The bag itself is lightweight and features plenty of zippered mesh compartments on the inside for smaller accessories, dirty laundry, or even wet bathing suits. It comes with a garment bag, a piece for which Travelpro has also been praised widely by business travelers.

A contoured handle is designed to be more ergonomic and easy on the arm and shoulder, and it stops at three different heights for easy navigation. The expandable main compartment adds another two inches to the bag's interior if you're planning to do some shopping while abroad.

The bag measures 21 x 14 x 9 inches, which should suit most but not all airline regulations for carry-ons these days. A ballistic nylon exterior protects the suitcase from wear and tear, and the bag is covered by Travelpro's standard worry-free warranty.

Reviews on Amazon (4.2/5 stars based on 185 reviews) are encouraging: "I would give this suitcase TEN stars, if I could." Writes one pleased customer, and purported frequent flyer. "As someone who travels about three weeks out of four, I went from American Tourister to Samsonite to Tumi. I have paid a lot more for a suitcase but NONE have come anywhere close to this to this one, both in design and quality." Wirecutter is sold on the Travelpro Platinum Magna 2, too.

Pros: Magnets align all four dual wheels to roll in the same direction, so no more topsy-turvy paths down the airport hallways with this one

Cons: Limited color options for more style-focused travelers and carry-on dimensions may be too big for certain airlines



The best carry-on bag for versatility

The Timbuk2 Quest Rolling Duffel can be a backpack, a rolling suitcase, or a duffel bag to suit your needs.

If you're the kind of traveler who looks for versatility in a carry-on bag, look no further than the Timbuk2 Quest Rolling Duffel. It looks like a normal roller bag at first glance, but with its many handles, you can carry it as a duffel bag or wear it as a backpack, too.

The bag's versatility is perfect for those moments when you have to carry your bag upstairs instead of wheeling it around or you feel like it's a pain to navigate through a crowded airport with it rolling along behind you.

Conversely, if the Quest starts getting too heavy to carry as a backpack or duffel, it's super easy to unzip the special pocket that hides the telescoping handle. At first, it may be a bit hard to get the handle to extend all the way. I had some trouble with it initially, but it loosened up after a while. The two wheels are great — they spin like rollerblade wheels and they won't break easily.

Since it has a duffel bag shape, the Quest is very spacious inside. You can fit enough clothes and gear for a long weekend trip and still have space for an extra pair of shoes. The bag is very well made and the material on the outside is super strong. You won't rip this bag easily, even if you do end up checking it on an overcrowded flight.

Timbuk2 also has a lifetime warranty on its products, so if something should go awry, you're covered. However, given how sturdy this bag is, I doubt it will. This bag is my new go-to carry-on for long weekend trips.

The bag comes in two sizes, and the medium one is a perfect carry-on bag that'll fit most airlines' specifications. It measures 22.8 by 22 by 9.8 inches and weighs 5.5 pounds. You can get it in black or gray.

Carryology loves this bag, and Forbes went so far as to call it "stylish" (though the reviewed the version sans wheels). Only four Amazon customers reviewed the bag, but they all gave it 5 stars. - Malarie Gokey

Pros: Carry-on size, versatile design, sturdy wheels, lots of compartments

Cons: May not fit all airlines carry-on standards



The best carry-on for travelers with a laptop

For business travelers or anyone flying with a laptop, the Incase Eo Travel Hardshell Roller makes passing security checkpoints a breeze with its easy-to-access briefcase section.

The polycarbonate exterior of the Incase Eo Travel Hardshell Roller does more than protect whatever is packed inside your bag. It's also an easy-to-access laptop sleeve that allows you to pass through TSA checkpoints without using separate plastic bins for your tech gadgets and devices. Just unzip the polycarbonate sleeve layer, lay it in the bin that goes through the x-ray belt, and TSA has access to everything they need and nothing they don't.

Along with the large laptop sleeve and one designed for tablets, the easy-access tech section of the Eo Travel Hardshell Roller features a bunch of small accessories pockets to keep track of business tools like charging cords, adapters, and even file folders, notebooks, and pens.

Only one of the suitcase's internal sides has a hard molded structure, so the cotton-and-polyester-blend fabric allows for a little extra give while you're cramming your belongings into your carry-on. The main compartment does expand if you need a checked luggage option on one leg of your trip or both.

While we've been singing the praises of four-wheeled (and eight-wheeled) roller carry-ons so far, there are also plenty of reasons to love a two-wheeled carry-on instead. Personally, I know I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of rolling my perfectly upright bag alongside me like I'm walking a dog — but that's only because I've traveled with my two-wheel roller for as long as I can remember.

If you're a two-wheel loving business traveler, the Incase Eo Travel Hardshell Roller is a great option. And at 8.7 x 20.7 x 13.8 inches, it fits in with most airlines' carry-on dimensions rules.

New York Magazine is also a fan, and so is Men's Journal, while a limited number of Amazon reviewers left largely positive notes and ratings.

Pros: Easily accessible laptop sleeve to ease up on the hassle of security checkpoints, and two-wheeled rolling system, if you're into that

Cons: Hardshell polycarbonate material scratches easily, and two-wheeled rolling system, if you're not into that



The best carry-on bag that can charge your phone

The Away Carry-on has a battery to charge your phone and it comes in lots of fun colors.

If you've ever been at the airport frantically searching for an outlet to charge your phone, you should get the Away Carry-on. This smart suitcase has a built-in 37 watt-hour lithium-ion battery inside that can charge an iPhone five times and an iPad more than once.

You simply plug your charging cable into the USB port near the handle and juice up. To charge the suitcase's battery, you just plug it into the wall with the included charging cord. The battery is TSA, FAA, and DOT approved, so you can fly with it in the luggage so long as you carry it onboard the plane.

If you need to check your bag for whatever reason, you can remove the battery with the included kit and carry the battery on the plane with you. Even though it has a battery inside, this hardshell suitcase isn't too heavy at just seven pounds. It measures 21.7 by 13.7 by 9 inches, so it works as a carry-on bag in most planes. It has spinner wheels, too, so it's easy to roll along with you.

Away sells the bag in 13 fun colors to suit any style and has a lifetime warranty in case you have problems with it. However, we don't think you will. We tried the Away Carry-on and loved it. So did New York Magazine (though they reviewed the Away Bigger Carry-On), The Points Guy, and WIRED.

Pros: Fun colors, charges your phone, solid luggage

Cons: Expensive



The best carry-on for organizer packers

The Timbuk2 Copilot Luggage Roller unzips into a butterfly style interior that lets you pack in zippered units on both sides of the case, instead of stacking everything from top to bottom in a single garment compartment.

Packing all your clothes in solid stacks or rolling them into bundles doesn't make for easy dressing or garment selection once you've arrived at your destination. The Timbuk2 Copilot suitcase features two separate clamshell compartments that meet in the middle, so you can separate clean from dirty, clothes from shoes, or even jeans and t-shirts from sweaters and jackets. The possibilities are endless, but the convenience of easy access compartments of varying sizes is seriously appealing.

The bag's front-facing pocket is the perfect size for a laptop, and a top quick-access pocket is great for the things you know you'll need during your flight. If you don't have room to open the full clamshell interior, beneath the laptop pocket is a zip pocket that reaches directly into the suitcase's main compartment.

Skateboard wheels are the most unique feature of the Timbuk2 Copilot Luggage Roller. At first, I thought featuring skateboard wheels was a questionable marketing angle, but if you think about how skateboard wheels are designed to function over uneven roads or bumpy sidewalk terrain, it starts to make sense. It also makes the wheels easily replaceable or even customizable if you wanted to show a little flair alongside the various color options that Timbuk2 offers.

The bag is backed by Timbuk2's lifetime warranty as well, so repairs and replacements are easy.

Around the web, reviews are good: Carryology sang the Co-Pilot's praise, and Momentum Magazine called it "sleek, lightweight, and robust."

Pros: Clamshell design with deep easy-access pockets means no more digging around for that one shirt at the bottom of your suitcase when you get to your destination

Cons: User reviews seem to agree that the zippers can get a little sticky, and two-wheeled suitcases aren't for everyone



The best affordable carry-on bag

The American Tourister Ilite Max Softside Spinner 21's good wheel mobility, zipper extensions, and fun color choices make this budget-friendly carry-on bag a great choice.

The American Tourister Ilite Max is a back-to-basics rollaboard carry-on that stays affordable by focusing on key functionality instead of splurging on extras. The soft polyester exterior features two outside pockets for easy access while on the road, and the zipper closure opens into one main interior compartment.

Instead of a butterfly interior with multiple internal compartments, the American Tourister Ilite Max offers discreet internal zipper pockets for smaller accessories, wires and cords, or papers and folders. With four multi-directional spinner wheels, the American Tourister Ilite Max Softside case makes moving through airports easy no matter what direction you're going, and upright rolling saves your arms and shoulders from added weight to drag behind you.

The 21 x 14.5 x 8-inch suitcase weighs in at about nine pounds, so it's neither the lightest nor the heaviest option on the market for its size. Keeping the case compact means it should fit in the overhead bins on most major airlines without any hassle.

The lack of a warranty on this case means it probably won't last a lifetime with heavy use, but with a price under $50 when it's on sale, that's not a huge disaster. In addition to classic black, the American Tourister Ilite Max Softside Spinner 21 comes in a variety of fun color choices, including pink, purple, and bright red.

She Knows made the bag a top pick, and 134 Amazon reviews resulted in a 4.2-out-of-5-star review.

Pros: Available in five colors and for less than $50, this carry-on pleases the wallet, the eye, and the needs of a frequent traveler

Cons: No warranty means whatever you save on this budget option may not last forever



The best stylish carry-on bag

The Delsey Chatelet Hard Carry On is designed with sophisticated contrast coloring that will stand out from the sea of regular black rollaboards.

Sometimes another black rollaboard carry-on just won't cut it. The 100% virgin polycarbonate exterior of the Delsey Chatelet Hard Carry On comes in two fresh contrast colors: white with brown detailing or darker brown with light brown detailing. Both options feature faux leather accent details, and even the interior is stylish with a chic bright red lining. 

The Makrolon polycarbonate case is designed to withstand extreme temperatures and resist impact, but a lighter white surface on a hardshell carry-on is more likely to show scrapes and scratches. If you're worried, get the dark brown version. The interior packing space opens into two generous compartments with zippered pockets, dividers, and tie-down straps to keep your clothes in place and unwrinkled.

On top of the style component, the best element of the Delsey Chatelet Hard Carry On are the Japanese Hinomoto double spinner wheels. Four-wheel directionality is the main option, but the system also includes a Stop And Go braking function so you can lock the two front wheels. Locked into place, your bag won't roll away, but you can still run to catch the final boarding call by dragging the case two-wheel style along the unlocked back wheels.

On the security side, the Delsey Chatelet Hard Carry On includes a built-in recessed lock that satisfies TSA regulations and keeps your belongings safe from unauthorized prying eyes. Delsey's ten-year international warranty protects your carry-on bag from any damage or harm that may come to it.

Points and Travel raves about the Delsey Chatelet, and 115 Amazon reviews averaged out to an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Pros: Sophisticated design wrapped around a reliable, well-built carry-on suitcase with a built-in wheel braking system

Cons: Stylish as it looks, light-colored suitcases tend to scuff and stain while bumping around in transit



Check out our other travel buying guides

The best checked luggage you can buy

Traveling doesn't have to be a hassle. Having a great suitcase can be the difference between an amazing trip and a bad one. After much research and testing, we found that the Travelpro Maxlite 4 Expandable Rollaboard is the best piece of checked luggage you can buy for long trips.

Here are our picks:


The best packing cubes you can buy

Packing cubes are a great solution for messy packers. Not only do they help you store your things in an orderly manner, they also help you fit more things, which is always of interest. Most packing cubes are also made of durable materials meant to withstand wear and tear from rough travel and some even compress down to save space.

We've rounded up the top expert-approved packing cubes that will make your life so much easier on your next out of town journey.

Here are our picks:


The best travel backpacks you can buy

Backpacks are perfect for when you don't need a full suitcase, but you want more than a regular daypack or messenger bag. Based on our research and real-world testing, the best overall travel backpack is the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible.

Here are our picks:


The best luggage tags you can buy

If you usually rely on the flimsy cardboard luggage tag the airline provides, it's time to get a tougher tag that also makes it easier to spot your bag in the endless sea of bags at the airport. The Tile x Away luggage tag is our top pick because it not only looks smart, but it can also tell you where your bag is, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity.

Here are our picks:


The best travel pillow you can buy

Trying to fall asleep on a plane is incredibly difficult, but having the right travel pillow can help you get some shut-eye during your epic flight across oceans and continents. The Trtl Pillow is our top pick — even though it's not a pillow per se — because it is comfortable, very portable, and affordable.

Here are our picks: 


The best travel clothes for women

You can travel in style and comfort with excellent travel clothes that look as great as they feel. We tested lots of travel-friendly clothes to find the best of everything for women to wear en route to the ultimate vacation.

Here are our picks:




The best cat food you can buy

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  • Cats need lots of protein and fat in their diets to be healthy, so it's important that you feed them the best cat food.
  • Whether you're shopping for wet cat food or dry cat food, we've researched many cat food brands to give you high-quality options.
  • Packed with premium ingredients that are ethically farmed and locally sourced, Ziwi Peak is our top pick. It sets a new standard for quality when it comes to nutrient-rich cat food. 

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they have a biological need for meat. Your cat may be able to digest certain plant products in limited amounts, but protein should be the focus of his diet and it needs to come from premium animal sources. A high-quality cat food will always list a source of animal protein as the first ingredient with plenty of healthy animal fats and limited carbohydrates. Never purchase cat food that is made with corn, wheat, or soy ingredients, or one that uses artificial additives like colors, flavors, and artificial preservatives.

Shopping for cat food can be a challenge because there are so many options to choose from. Unless you have a thorough understanding of your cat's nutritional needs and knowledge of how to read a pet food label, you might find the task a bit overwhelming. You'll be glad to know, then, that we've done the hard work for you. We've scoured the reviews and taken a deeper look into the best pet food brands on the market to bring you our top five picks for high-quality cat food brands.

Here are the best cat foods you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Lisa Sabatini: Updated prices, added links to Chewy and Petco, and updated formatting.

The best cat food overall

Ziwi Peak is setting a new standard for cat food with its moisture-rich canned foods and nutrient-dense kibble.

A premium pet food company will not only use high-quality ingredients, but its manufacturing processes will be safe as well. Ziwi Peak is our top choice for cat food brands because it is a trustworthy company that makes every effort to produce the best cat food products on the market.

The company's formulas are made with 95% fresh meat, organs, bone, and seafood ingredients that are 100% sourced from New Zealand using ethical farming practices. Furthermore, Ziwi Peak's products are all-natural, grain-free, and made without fillers and artificial additives.

The Ziwi Peak brand makes it onto the top 10 cat food lists for Reviews.com and Heavy. It also receives excellent ratings from independent pet food review sites. Although this company may be based in New Zealand, all of its ingredients are of the highest quality for both its wet and dry food. Its kibble is air-dried to retain the maximum nutritional quality while still offering pet owners the convenience of dry food. Ziwi Peak canned foods are moisture-rich, packed with protein, and full of natural flavor.

The Conscious Cat describes Ziwi Peak cat food as, "the equivalent of a wild prey diet," which is exactly why this brand is our top choice. Not only is Ziwi Peak cat food made with more than 95% raw meat and organs, but it is carbohydrate limited and free from grains, by-products, fillers, and artificial additives. This brand offers excellent digestibility as well as complete and balanced nutrition without the need for a long list of synthetic supplements. Simply put, Ziwi Peak cat food contains all of the healthy nutrients your cat needs with nothing he doesn't.

Not only is the quality of the Ziwi Peak brand undeniable, but its products are made with novel proteins like venison, mackerel, and lamb to minimize the risk for triggering food allergies or sensitivities. Every recipe is naturally grain-free and the air-dried recipes are so nutrient-dense that you can actually feed your cat less without compromising his nutrition.

Pros: Air-dried recipes are similar in nutritional quality to raw food, many recipes feature novel proteins, all formulas are grain-free and carbohydrate-limited, recipes are made with at least 95% meat ingredients, formulas are designed to mimic a wild prey diet for cats, no carrageenan in canned foods

Cons: Limited selection of product choices, very expensive, not readily available in all locations, some cats may not like the air-dried texture



The best dry cat food

Protein-rich and limited in carbohydrates, Acana dry cat food features lots of real meat ingredients in formulas designed to mimic the natural evolutionary diet of wild cats. 

Some cat food brands offer a wide variety of products for every need, which can make it difficult to choose. The Acana brand of cat food offers just four dry cat food recipes, but all of them are made with fresh, regional ingredients and formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats in all life stages. If you're in the market for a premium dry cat food product that is loaded with real meat ingredients and limited in carbohydrates to mimic your cat's natural diet, we recommend Acana.

The Acana brand creates what they call "biologically appropriate diets" for dogs and cats. These are protein-rich formulas made with high inclusions of fresh meat, including nutrient-rich organ meats, designed to nourish your cat's body through the use of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Acana doesn't rely on synthetic supplements as heavily as many cat food manufacturers, though every recipe contains probiotics to support your cat's healthy digestion.

Named among their top 10 best dry cat food brands, The Cat Digest makes note of Acana's use of high-quality ingredients which include premium animal proteins and digestible grain-free carbohydrates. This brand also topped the list of dry cat food brands as rated by Heavyreviews mention the brand's excellent reputation for quality as well as their focus on real meat ingredients. They also comment on the fact that the brand is made entirely in the US using regional ingredients. The brand also receives the approval of The Pet Health & Nutrition Center.

Choose from four dry cat food recipes in the Acana Regionals line of products — Meadowland, Wild Atlantic, Grasslands, and Appalachian Ranch. These recipes feature premium proteins like free-run chicken, nest-laid eggs, and wild-caught fish.

Pros: All recipes are protein-rich and carbohydrate-limited, ingredients are sourced regionally from trusted suppliers, all products made in company-owned kitchens in the United States, recipes designed to mimic the natural evolutionary diet of wild cats, all formulas supplemented with probiotics

Cons: Costs around $5 per pound, only four recipes to choose from, no kitten-specific formulas available, no canned food options for cats, some recipes contain common proteins that may trigger food allergies in some cats (like chicken and fish)



The best wet cat food

Made with 95% meat ingredients, Nature's Variety Instinct Grain-Free Wet Food offers the nutritional benefits of a raw food diet with the convenience of more traditional wet cat food. 

Wet cat food is moisture-rich to keep your cat hydrated. It also tends to be lower in carbohydrates than dry food and richer in flavor. The texture may also be more appealing to finicky eaters. If you're looking for a premium brand of wet cat food that uses only the highest quality ingredients, we recommend Nature's Variety, specifically the Instinct line of products. A privately-held, natural pet food company, Nature's Variety has mastered the art of crafting nutritious and delicious wet foods for cats.

The Instinct line of products from Nature's Variety is designed to provide the nutritional benefits of raw food with the convenience of traditional cat food. This brand seeks to make each recipe as pure and simple as possible, using only real meats, digestible carbohydrates, and healthy supplements to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. Every recipe is also packed with natural flavor to satisfy your cat's cravings for meat.

Nature's Variety is listed among the top 10 wet food brands by The Cat Digest. Reviews for this brand speak to the simplicity of each recipe as well as the use of high-quality ingredients including real animal proteins, grain-free carbohydrates, and healthy supplements. A favorable review from Kitty Catter also notes that Nature's Variety canned foods offer similar nutritional quality to a raw food diet but with the convenience of canned food.

When it comes to wet cat food, Nature's Variety offers selections in three product lines — Instinct Originals, Instinct Ultimate Protein, and Instinct Limited Ingredient Diets. The Ultimate Protein line includes one formula made with 95% chicken and the Originals line features three 95% protein options — chicken, duck, and lamb. The Limited Ingredient Diets line includes three protein options as well and all of Nature's Variety's canned foods are grain-free.

Pros: Made with premium ingredients to mimic the quality of raw food, recipes made with 95% meat ingredients, recipes are complete and balanced for all life stages, all formulas are grain-free for digestibility, plenty of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, high moisture levels

Cons: Limited number of protein options to choose from, some recipes contain common proteins that may trigger food allergies in some cats (like chicken and fish), expensive compared to other brands



The best grain-free cat food

Naturally grain-free and packed with premium proteins, the Wellness CORE line of products is our top pick for grain-free cat food. 

Though some cats can tolerate grains, the ideal diet for cats is one that is rich in animal proteins, limited in carbohydrates, and grain-free. Grain-free carbohydrates offer better digestibility for cats while still meeting their needs for energy and dietary fiber. If you are looking for a reputable cat food brand that offers a variety of grain-free options for both dry food and wet food, we recommend the CORE line of products produced by Wellness.

The Wellness brand is one of several made by WellPet, LLC, though all of its products are designed to follow a holistic and natural approach to pet nutrition. Wellness cat foods are formulated by animal nutritionists and veterinarians to provide the ideal balance of carefully selected, high-quality ingredients to nourish your cat's body for health and longevity. The CORE line of products is specifically designed without the use of grains and every recipe is focused on premium proteins like chicken, turkey, duck, salmon, venison, and lamb.

Expert reviews for the Wellness brand from Heavy and Love to Know speak to the fact that this brand doesn't use any artificial additives or by-products and every recipe is supplemented with probiotics for improved digestion and essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Some pet owners note that even their most finicky eaters enjoy Wellness CORE grain-free foods. The Cat Digest names Wellness as one of the top 10 brands, as do many other pet food review sites.

The CORE line of grain-free cat foods by Wellness includes a large selection of dry food and wet food products. Choose from four dry food recipes for kittens, adults, and indoor cats as well as one original recipe formulated for all life stages. There are five product lines for wet food including patés, shredded entrees, chunky recipes, and dual-meat duos.

Pros: All recipes are naturally grain-free, formulas made with premium proteins including novel proteins like venison and duck, recipes are supplemented with probiotics for healthy digestion, decent selection of products to choose from, no artificial additives or by-products, rich in nutrition and natural flavor

Cons: Fairly expensive (dry food costs upwards of $3 per pound), some recipes contain common proteins that may trigger food allergies in some cats (like chicken and fish), some dry foods contain plant proteins (like pea protein)



The best organic cat food brand

For premium-quality, organic dry and wet food for cats, you can't beat Castor & Pollux's handcrafted recipes.

Even some of the top pet food brands on the market don't use organic ingredients, but if you want to feed your cat the best of the best, an organic cat food brand may be the way to go. Our top pick for organic cat food is Castor & Pollux, a company that was founded more than twenty years ago but still remains a leader in the organic and natural pet food industry. In fact, Castor & Pollux was the first company to offer a complete line of organic pet foods.

Handcrafted in small batches to ensure nutritional quality and integrity, Castor & Pollux's organic cat foods are made with real chicken, lamb, or salmon as the first ingredient. Every recipe offers uncompromised quality for 100% complete and balanced nutrition. This brand supplements each formula with organic flaxseed to provide omega fatty acids for skin and coat health as well as fiber to support your cat's digestion and plenty of protein for lean muscle mass.

The Organic Authority names Castor & Pollux among its top choices for organic pet food. A review by Natural News mentions that certified organic, free-range chicken is the first ingredient in every one of this brand's dry foods, which remains true, except for the new Healthy Kitten recipe, which features organic turkey as the main protein.

Not only does Castor & Pollux offer organic cat food, but it offers a wide variety of products including dry food and wet food options. In fact, this brand offers two complete product lines— Organix and Organix Grain-Free. Both are made with the same premium-quality animal proteins and other organic ingredients, though the grain-free line features alternative carbohydrates like potatoes and tapioca.

Pros: Made with premium-quality certified-organic ingredients, both original and grain-free recipes available, recipes for adults as well as kittens and seniors, non-GMO ingredients, produced in certified organic kitchens, no low-quality fillers or by-products, high in protein

Cons: Kibbles at the bottom of the bag may break up, limited selection of products, some recipes contain common proteins that may trigger food allergies in some cats (like chicken and fish)



Check out our other great cat gear guides

The best cat feeders to help your cat lose weight

Cats who gulp down their meals often deal with other problems, including obesity and post-meal vomiting.

We've rounded up the best cat feeders that are designed to slow your cat's food intake for a healthier and more satisfying meal. They may also help overweight cats shed a few pounds.

Here are the best cat feeders to help your cat lose weight:


The best lint roller for pet hair

You love your pet, but you probably don't love how much he sheds. Even if you brush him on a daily basis, you're still going to find his hair all over the house. It clings to the furniture, covers your clothes, and somehow makes its way into your food no matter how careful you are.

Lint rollers make removing pet hair quick and easy. These rollers come in many shapes and sizes, so take a look at our top picks for the best lint rollers for pet hair to choose the one that works best for you.

Here are the best lint rollers for pet hair you can buy:


The best interactive cat toys you can buy

Cats get bored with ordinary toys fairly quickly, but if you invest in a good interactive cat toy, your furry feline will stay entertained for hours on end.

There are many different types of interactive cat toys out there, but we've tested the most popular toys on the market to bring you our top picks in six different categories.

Here are the best interactive cat toys you can buy:



Hotel review: The V Palm Springs is a design-forward boutique hotel you can book for under $100 a night — even on a holiday

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V Palm Springs 4x3

  • Palm Springs is a desert oasis that's popular year-round, but if you're visiting in high season, the V Palm Springs hotel can regularly be found at an excellent price point.
  • The boutique property provides the same highly-styled design and lively pool scene as many other much more expensive counterparts.
  • Rates start at just $99 even when occupancy rates are high. I stayed over two recent busy weekends and wouldn't hesitate to book again.

With Palm Springs' calendar of world-class festivals and sporting events, the desert oasis' hotel scene has flourished to include an impressive portfolio ranging from sprawling resorts to boutique charmers.

But price points during high-occupancy periods can prove daunting, even prohibitive. Travelers are sometimes forced into the $500 range for an ordinary room at an unmemorable property — and that doesn't even include the resort fee. 

However, there are exceptions. I travel frequently to Palm Springs and the V Palm Springs has emerged as a top boutique property that offers exceptional value year-round. Even during popular periods, the hotel delivers excellent service in a design-forward, comfortable environment. Travelers range from those simply in search of a good deal, to discriminating Instagram influencer types willing to sacrifice neither cachet nor style.

I landed great deals on two recent occasions. I booked a last-minute weekend stay at the V for, of all times, over Coachella weekend last year. I paid a nightly rate of just $250 plus a $37 resort fee for a Pool View Room with Balcony — an almost unimaginable bargain during what is likely the most inflated Palm Springs travel weekend of the year.

And it was no fluke. For Labor Day weekend this year, I paid (wait for it) just $79.20 plus the resort fee for a last-minute Pool View Room with a semiprivate terrace.

I've pulled these moves on other high-occupancy occasions and had good luck with the Saguaro and the Riviera, but, my experiences have not been as consistently positive as at the V Palm Springs.

Whether a planned getaway, last-minute stay, or holiday weekend, the V Palm Springs is my go-to for a desert hotel that's cheap, chic, and clean.

Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by the V Palm Springs.

 

SEE ALSO: Hotel review: This Palm Springs resort is our go-to for an affordable boutique stay in the desert

SEE ALSO: Hotel review: This all-inclusive Conrad luxury resort in the Maldives is like having your own private island — that you can actually afford

SEE ALSO: All Insider Picks Hotel Reviews



Rolling up to the V Palm Springs is a study in understatement: enter a small but stylish one-story lobby, dotted with spare, mod furnishings with a vintage feel.

My check-in experiences were all positive, even on high-occupancy weekends. There was ever only one or two people ahead of me in line, a hint to the fact that the hotel always seemed adequately staffed, even for the price.



The lobby offers a glimpse through huge picture windows at what is perhaps the hotel's most attractive offering, the main pool. Framed by views of the desert's striking San Jacinto Mountains, and backed by the Elixir bar and restaurant, I couldn't wait to claim a lounge chair there.





On my most recent trip for Labor Day Weekend, my booking was for a Pool View Room with King bed. A DJ spun daily during the holiday weekend, and I could glimpse the action from a cute, but small and hardly private, terrace. It had limited seating and really only functioned to step out for a bit of air.

My bed was backed by a chevron-etched mirrored headboard, and the bedside lamp base took the form of snakes. There was plenty of room to spread out; I found my room to be surprisingly spacious and far more generous than I expected for how little I paid.

The bathroom was also particularly impressive. It featured a sprawling space with a graphic Aztec-inspired black-and-white tiled floor for added wow factor. I considered it the highlight of the first-floor room.

Additionally, the sleep quality was good. I didn't hear anyone walking upstairs and the bed was comfortable.



By contrast, the Pool View Room with Private Balcony I booked over Coachella felt more private (and quiet) because it was on the second floor and slightly removed from the pool scene. The balcony came with an Instagram-friendly swinging chair, woven in the style of dream catchers. Aside from that difference, the rooms were quite similar.

During the day, both rooms I stayed in were fairly noisy, with music from the pool DJ. However, the scene quieted down at night, and as the balcony room was higher and farther away, it was somewhat quieter overall.

Compare room prices for the V Palm Springs





The main attraction at the V Palm Springs is certainly the iconic V-shaped pool. There's also a second, quieter pool, which I've enjoyed when I want to get away from the scene and listen to my own music rather than the DJ.

Elixir Pool Bar & Grill nominally focuses on tiki cocktails and Asian-fusion fare, but I've been most impressed by its American-style vegetarian dishes. The $16 Beyond Meat veggie burger was satisfying and delicious, served on a potato bun with matchstick fries.

There is a small gym on-site as well. It's not the most inspiring of all fitness facilities but will do the trick if you want to workout.



The V is close to another popular, and expensive, hotel: the Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Stop by for a drink at the Amigos Room bar, or a meal at its retro restaurant, King's Highway, which was formerly a Denny's.

Also a short walk away is the coffee shop Koffi, which is Starbucks for Palm Springs locals. Or, walk in the opposite direction for an outstanding dinner at Mediterranean-inspired Miro's Restaurant.



Surprisingly, the under-the-radar V Palm Springs has fewer than 300 reviews on TripAdvisor, especially given the fact that it served as the temporary location for Taco Bell's extremely buzzy pop-up resort this summer (for which rooms sold out in two minutes).

Reviews are favorable overall for a score of four out of five stars, however, negative reviews cited issues with cleanliness and suggested spending a few dollars more to stay at the Ace. In my experience, the V is clean and tidy, especially in contrast to some (frankly, almost unspeakable) hygiene complaints I've had elsewhere. And in reality, the Ace will run hundreds — not "a few" — dollars more, and likely attract a rowdier set.



Who stays here: Style-minded travelers with a need for budget accommodations.

We like: The vegetarian fare (don't miss the Beyond Burger at Elixir) and the highly-design rooms.

We love (don't miss this feature!): The picturesque pool and its lively scene, including DJs during events and holidays.

We think you should know: Kids are fine here, but the atmosphere can get boozy — use your judgment.

We'd do this differently next time: I didn't mind the pool noise on a holiday weekend, but I might ask for a room farther away from the pool next time for a more relaxed retreat.



The V Palm Springs strikes the right balance between stylish, clean, and comfortable, without the high price tag commonly associated with other Palm Springs properties. Fortunately for budget-minded travelers, the masses don't seem to know about it yet, so get in while you can for under $100 for this plenty satisfying desert getaway.

Book the V Palm Springs starting at $99 per night



The best mattress protectors you can buy

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  • You probably spent hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars on your mattress, so you should protect it from damage.
  • The Bear mattress protector is our top pick because it is effective, relatively affordable, and well made.

You've searched heaven and Earth for the perfect mattress. Scoured websites, made trips to mattress store after mattress store (seriously, why is there one on every block?), and of course, you checked out our guide to the best mattresses for a good night's rest. Now that you've finally found the perfect bed upon which to rest your pretty head, you're going to want to keep it for as long as humanly possible. A great mattress protector can help protect your investment from spills, bed wetting, sweat stains, and other hazards.

Mattress protectors are often written off as more of a thing that's nice to have than an absolute necessity. However, using a mattress protector is a good way to keep your mattress in prime condition. Whether you're a hot sleeper capable of sweating right through the sheets, have a little one who is prone to bedtime accidents, or are simply safeguarding your mattress from the possibility of creepy, crawly visitors, a mattress protector is key.

You'll want to be sure to buy a cover that doesn't allow liquid to seep through and keeps dust mites, bacteria, and other allergens away. It's also a good idea to get a mattress protector that's breathable. After all, if you end up with a stuffy cover, it won't matter how high-tech and well-ventilated your actual mattress is. A mattress protector should be protective, but also allow air to come in and out for a more comfortable night's sleep.

You'll certainly want a mattress protector that is easily cleaned, too. If accidents do happen, a mattress protector that you can't wash (or is a pain to wash) effectively defeats its own purpose. You want to ensure that you're always sleeping on something clean, so unless you plan on replacing your mattress protector every year or so, be sure that you get one that is easy to maintain.

Finally, be sure to find a mattress protector that isn't difficult to sleep on. There are plenty of bad mattress protectors that tend to move around as you toss and turn, or worse yet, are noisy and frequently sound crinkly. We've researched and tested several mattress protectors to bring you our top picks. 

Here are the best mattress protectors: 

Updated on 10/21/19 by Caitlin Petreycik. Updated prices, links, and formatting.

The best mattress protector overall

The Bear mattress protector not only protects your mattress but also ensures that you have a restful night's sleep with its temperature adjusting capabilities.

The Bear mattress is designed for athletes in need of restful recovery, so it comes as little surprise that the company's mattress protector was made to the same standards. Not only does this protector keep your mattress safe from bacteria, dust, allergens, and liquids, but it also features eiQ Adaptive Technology, which claims to transport moisture and heat away from your body, resulting in a cooler sleep.

While I'm always a touch skeptical of claims involving any heat-wicking properties, I'm happy to report that the Bear protector actually lived up to its claims. The protector itself is quite cool to the touch, and while I often wake up uncomfortably warm in the middle of the night, that was not the case when I slept with the Bear mattress protector.

The mattress protector is also made of a so-called dynamic fabric, which can respond to changes in the room's temperature, thereby helping to maintain a cool and dry climate that is ideal for sleep. Most importantly, the protector features a waterproof layer that will guard against spills and other accidents.

When I poured about half a cup of water atop the Bear protector, I found that none of the liquid was able to seep through to the underlying mattress and that the protector itself dried quite quickly. The folks at Sleepopolis saw the same thing in their tests: "No matter the spill, I am confident that this protector would prevent any 'accidents' from ever reaching the surface of your mattress."

While the Bear protector is capable of fitting mattresses up to 20 inches thick, it works just as well with thinner mattresses, according to a review from Mattress Clarity.

Pros: Sleeps very cool, waterproof layer works well, fits most mattresses

Cons: You may be able to feel the hexagonal pattern of the protector under your sheets



The best mattress protector with padding

The Casper mattress protector offers a snug fit that won't rustle and it has extra padding so it's comfortable to sleep on. 

The Casper Mattress Protector does more than just protect your mattress — It provides some additional padding and comfort as well. The quilted material of the protector allows it to double as a mattress pad, so if you're looking for a two-for-one solution, this is it.

The protector itself is made from waterproof materials that might otherwise be found in premium outdoor gear, and as such, protects against dirt and spills, as well as your normal wear and tear. The Casper protector has a series of small pores that are tiny enough to keep out any leakage or spills but are still large enough to let in air. While these little pores may not seem like enough to keep your mattress safe and sound, they're surprisingly effective.

The folks over atMattress Clarity put the protector to the test by pouring 10 ounces of water onto a Casper protected mattress, and let it sit for "a couple of hours." True to its word, the Casper mattress protector did not allow any moisture or dampness through to the mattress itself, passing the test with flying colors

While I didn't pour any water onto my mattress protector, I can say that I'm very taken by the luxurious feel of the quilted protector, and also had a very easy time taking the protector on and off my queen-sized mattress. Moreover, the protector fit snugly, which meant I wasn't faced with the challenge of constant readjustments, and it didn't make tons of noise every time I laid down to go to sleep.

The mattress protector also comes with a 1-year warranty, so should anything go horribly wrong, you can rest easy knowing that you (and your mattress) are covered.

Pros: Lovely plush feel, great fit, passes the water test

Cons: Casper does not offer a full encasement protector



The best mattress protector for the budget-conscious

The Tuft and Needle mattress protector offers an essentially unbeatable price point and good protection. 

The mattress protector from Tuft and Needle is actually made of the same material as the brand's mattress cover. Not only is it comfortable to sleep on, the Tuft and Needle protector also gets the job done. The protector boasts a polyurethane film that is liquid-proof, and it also protects against dust, bacteria, and other allergens. The rest of the protector is made from a smooth, quiet, and luxurious-feeling fabric.

Then, that protective film is covered with the polyester blend Tuft and Needle uses in its mattress pad. Basically, it'll feel like you're sleeping on nothing but a naked mattress, but with all the added benefit of a protector.

Tuft and Needle demonstrate the waterproofing abilities of the protector on its website, and I can vouch for the validity of the demonstration. While I certainly don't plan on spilling anything on my bed anytime soon, it's certainly a relief to know that even if I did, this protector would prevent any leakage.

Thanks to the protector's soft lining, it doesn't make any noise when you move around on your bed. It's also surprisingly breathable. Best of all, the protector is extremely easy to care for and take on and off. It's designed as a fitted sheet, so putting the protector on is as easy as making your bed. In case an accident does happen, washing and drying the protector is a breeze, too.

Honest Mattress Reviews notes that the protector effectively eliminates bed bugs with its five-side protective film, and if you find that you're not particularly taken with the product, the Tuft and Needle protector comes with a two-year warranty and 100-night sleep trial. 

Pros: Extremely soft and comfortable, totally quiet, very easy to care for and put on your mattress    

Cons: If you have a particularly tall mattress (more than 14 inches), the protector may not fit



The best mattress protector that's low maintenance

The Helix mattress protector is one of the lowest maintenance protectors, so you won't have a struggle keeping it clean.

Helix is known for creating customized mattresses, but its mattress protectors abide by a more one-size-fits-all mentality. Luckily, that one size does indeed fit well. The Helix mattress protector promises to be compatible with any mattress, and I found that the protector fit my mattress just as well as it fit my boyfriend's. In fact, as long as your mattress isn't thicker than 15 inches, you should find that this mattress protector suits your needs perfectly well.

Despite being completely waterproof, the protector is also quite breathable. That's because the protector has two layers. The top knit is extremely absorbent, which makes it great for cleaning up spills and leaks in a flash. The bottom layer, on the other hand, is waterproof and breathable, encouraging the circulation of air while preventing any of the absorbed liquid from actually hitting your mattress.

The protector itself is cozy and extremely flexible. Although some protectors seem to make the underlying mattress feel either softer or firmer, this protector does no such thing. As Mattress Clarity notes, "The Helix mattress protector is soft ... fits well and can hardly be felt underneath."

Not only is the Helix mattress protector machine washable, it's also safe to put through the dryer. If stains do happen, you can also spot treat this particular protector with ease.

The Helix protector comes with a one-year warranty and promises to arrive at your doorstep within two to six business days.

Pros: Easy to care for, snuggly, causes spills to pool rather than spreading and soaking in     

Cons: If your mattress is a bit thinner, the protector may move around a bit



The best thin mattress protector

If you're looking for a thin mattress protector that is just there to protect your mattress, then Purple is the way to go. 

If you're looking for a straightforward mattress protector that gets the job done, then Purple is for you. Purple says its mattress protector is "made to survive a Sasquatch," and while I have no way of verifying this claim, I can say that the protector certainly survived me. That may not be a particularly high bar to set, but hey, it's all you really need.

Made from a unique stretchable material that is quiet and breathable, the Purple protector doesn't promise any heat-wicking properties or healing capabilities, but it does keep your mattress away from liquid, dirt, grime, and anything in between. The protector also formed well to my mattress.

One cool thing to note: The protector is made of the same material on all five sides, which means that your mattress is quite literally fully protected (except on the bottom, but good luck if you manage to dirty that side).

Rather than claiming to be waterproof, the Purple protector promises water resistance, which is still more than sufficient. One satisfied buyer said that she purchased the protector for her little brother who often has nighttime accidents. "Up until now, he had to sleep on an uncomfortable waterproof mattress cover," she noted. "Now with the Purple, he gets more sleep because he gets to enjoy his mattress."

Another buyer said simply, "I mean, it's a mattress protector. That being said, it doesn't feel like it is there at all." With the Purple protector, you won't have to worry about any noisy, crunching sounds if you're a rather restless sleeper.

More than 2,500 buyers have given the Purple mattress protector a 4.5-star review, and with that sort of crowdsourced appreciation, you can bet that this is a reliable protector.

Pros: Thin but still comfortable and protective, relatively easy to care for, stretchable material is unlike others

Cons: May feel plasticky due to the thin nature of the protector



Check out more great buying guides for bedding

The best mattresses

A great mattress can be the difference between a good night's sleep that results in a productive day or a horrible night that makes you feel like you didn't sleep at all. We've tested and researched dozens of mattresses to bring you our top picks. Here are the best mattresses you can buy: 

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The best pillows

A good pillow means a good night's sleep. We reviewed dozens of pillows to narrow down the choices to the ones you'll love best. Here are the best pillows you can buy: 

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The best duvet covers

Your cozy down-filled duvet needs a stylish cover to keep it clean and add some spice to your bedroom's décor. Our favorite is the Classic Duvet Cover from Brooklinen with its reasonable price tag and high-quality fabric. Here are some other picks we stand by: 

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Former billionaire Michael Novogratz says it's 'insanity' that his billionaire friends feel like they're 'victims' of Elizabeth Warren's proposed wealth tax

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Michael Novogratz

Billionaires are "really, really fearful" of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Goldman Sachs partner and hedge fund manager Michael Novogratz told Bloomberg's Amanda L. Gordon in an interview published October 21.

"Ninety-seven percent of the people I know in my world are really, really fearful of her," Novogratz told Bloomberg. "They don't like her, they're worried about her, they think she's anti-rich ... It's a little carried away."

"You're not victims, you're the richest people in the world," Novogratz continued in the Bloomberg interview. "How in God's name do you feel like a victim?"

Read more: The wealth gap took center stage at last night's debate. Here's a side-by-side comparison of how Elizabeth Warren's and Bernie Sanders' wealth tax plans stack up.

Billionaires' hard feelings toward Warren aren't mutual, the senator said at the October 15 presidential debate. "Look, I don't have a beef with billionaires," Warren said, according to Bloomberg. "All I'm saying is, 'You make it to the top, the top 0.1%, then pitch in two cents so every other kid in America has a chance to make it.'"

How Elizabeth Warren's wealth tax would affect the 1%

Warren's "Ultra-Millionaire Tax" calls for a 2% annual tax on households with a net worth between $50 million and $1 billion, and a 3% annual tax on households with a net worth over $1 billion.

The idea of a moderate wealth tax has support from ultra-wealthy and ordinary Americans alike: An Insider poll shows that more than half of Americans support Warren's wealth tax proposal. In June, a group of 18 ultra-wealthy Americans signed an open letter, published in The New York Times, asking presidential candidates to support a moderate wealth tax. And in October, billionaire Marc Benioff, too, published a letter in The Times asking for a higher tax on America's ultra-wealthy.

A wealth tax would dramatically change the look of money in America. If the United States had implemented a moderate wealth tax in 1982, Jeff Bezos' fortune would be half what it was in 2018 and Bill Gates would be $61 billion less rich, Business Insider previously reported.

And, while Warren's wealth tax his stirred up a mix of reactions, the wealth tax proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders is even more aggressive. Both proposals have been hampered by questions over the effectiveness and the constitutionality of such a tax.

Novogratz, 54, built his fortune as a partner at Goldman Sachs and the co-CIO of Fortress Investment Group, but turned to full-time cryptocurrency investing in 2015, according to Forbes. The magazine estimated in 2018 that his cryptocurrency investments alone are worth between $700 million and $1 billion. Forbes listed Novogratz as a billionaire in 2007 and 2008, but he dropped out of the three-comma club after the value of Fortress shares fell 89% in 2008, at the start of the financial crisis.

Read the full report on Bloomberg >>

SEE ALSO: Here's how much money America's 10 wealthiest people would have if the US had a moderate wealth tax

DON'T MISS: Robert F. Smith, the billionaire who promised to pay off student loans for an entire college class, said his $34 million gift was inspired by a small act of philanthropy he saw his mom make

Join the conversation about this story »

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The best hairbrushes you can buy

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  • Good hair days are easy to come by when you have the right hairbrush.
  • Our top pick is the Wet Brush Detangle Shower Brush because it's super affordable and it can get rid of tangles without hurting your scalp.

When it comes to hair tools, your hairbrush is probably the one you've put the least amount of thought into. Since it's generally a cheap purchase, not too much research typically goes into the buying process of a brush compared to a bigger investment like a hair dryer, straightening iron, or styling wand.

But while you may think every brush in the beauty store does the same thing, think again. Finding the right hairbrush for your texture and desired hairstyle can completely transform not only the look of your strands but also your hair's health.

Whether you're looking to give yourself the perfect blowout or add shine and volume to your mane, we've got you covered. We did the research to find the best hairbrushes you can buy whether you want a boar bristle brush or a detangler.

Here are the best hairbrushes you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Remi Rosmarin: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best hair dryers for every hair type and budget

The best hairbrush overall

The affordable Wet Brush Rubberized Wet Detangle Shower Brush will painlessly detangle even the toughest of knots.

If you're looking for a basic brush that gets rid of tangles with no pain, look no further than the Wet Brush Rubberized Wet Detangle Shower Brush. This universal brush is made to detangle wet hair of all types and textures with ease.

Each brush is made with thin, flexible and strong bristles that can painlessly get rid of even the worst knots. The bristles also feature SofTips at the top that massage the scalp and help increase follicle stimulation.

The Wet Brush's patented bristles also help prevent hair breakage and the pain that can sometimes be associated with detangling. While it's known for being the perfect brush for wet hair, it can also be used on dry strands, hair extensions, and wigs.

Reviewers with children have praised the brush and said it has changed their bath time routine, as their kids no longer cry or complain when they get their hair brushed. It comes in a variety of colors including pink, purple, green, blue, and black.

Pros: Affordable, pain-free, works on all hair types, comes in a variety of colors

Cons: Reviewers have commented they need to be replaced after awhile

Buy the Wet Brush Rubberized Wet Detangle Shower Brush on Amazon for $8.50

Buy the Wet Brush Rubberized Wet Detangle Shower Brush from Walmart for $8.98



The best paddle brush for a smooth finish

Aveda's Wooden Paddle Brush will help you achieve a flawlessly smooth and frizz-free blow-dry.

A paddle brush is great for not only detangling but also helping hair become smooth as you blow-dry. The Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush is a professional-grade bush that is popular with salons across the world.

The paddle brush features extended bristles that help reduce stress on hair follicles and your scalp as you style your hair. It's a great tool to use when you want to achieve a frizz-free blowout.

The brush is environmentally friendly as it is made from Carton, which is a 90% post-consumer recycled fiber. Aveda is also a cruelty-free brand, so it never tests its products on animals.

This brush is a best-seller for Aveda, and it has a 4.7 out of 5 stars on the Aveda website. While some commenters mentioned the brush seems pricey, most have added that it is worth the investment as it lasts for years.

Pros: Lightweight, high-quality, cruelty-free, environmentally friendly

Cons: Slightly expensive

Buy the Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush on Amazon for $27.10

Buy the Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush from Walmart for $27.99



The best round brush for volume

The Olivia Garden ceramic round brush heats up to help you achieve the perfect voluminous and silky smooth blowout. 

Looking to pump up the volume on your hairdo? A ceramic round brush will help your hair achieve new heights.

The Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Brush features Tourmaline Ion Technology which helps hydrate the cuticle to add more shine and bounce to your hair. It's ceramic coated barrel heats up to help dry hair faster.

The round shape of the brush will help you achieve more voluminous and silky smooth hairstyles. Many reviewers said that it is the perfect hair tool for 'big bouncy blowouts'. You can even use it to make curls or waves.

Its easy-grip, ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to hold during long styling sessions. And it also has a retractable sectioning pick attached.

Pros: Lightweight, salon-quality, high-tech

Cons: A few reviewers say it can get very hot

Buy the Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Brush on Amazon for $23.75

Buy the Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Brush from Walmart for $24.95



The best boar bristle brush for more shine

The Mason Pearson luxe hairbrush has been one of the most popular brushes for more than 100 years because it gives you healthy, shiny hair.

There's a reason why Mason Pearson brushes are known as the "ultimate grooming tools." The brand has been producing luxe high-quality brushes for more than 100 years.

The Mason Pearson Pocket Bristle Hair Brush is the company's most popular brush, and it has stood the test of time. Made with the finest, premium-grade boar bristles available, the brushes help distribute the natural oils found in your hair while at the same time exfoliating your scalp, leaving you with a healthy shine.

The bristles are super gentle, while the patented pneumatic cushion conforms to the contours of your scalp ensuring detangling will be pain-free. Each brush is hand-made in England and comes with a one-year guarantee.

At $120, it is definitely an investment piece, but Amazon reviewers say it's definitely worth the price. With some even saying it's "the best brush there is."

Pros: Gentle, high-quality, made to last, comes with a one-year guarantee

Cons: Very expensive

Buy the Mason Person Pocket Bristle Brush on Amazon for $140

Buy the Mason Person Pocket Bristle Brush from Walmart for $89.10



The best vented brush for faster blow drys

Cut drying time in half with Conair's vented hairbrushes

If you are in the market for a hairbrush that will help you dry your hair in a jiffy, the Conair Professional Hair Brush is for you. The vented brush is designed to allow air to flow throughout the hair to help achieve a faster drying time.

The ball tipped nylon bristles won't snag or pull on your tresses, while the soft ridged grips offer a comfortable hold. The brush works well on both wet and dry hair and reviewers say the brushes are also great on wigs.

Conair sells the brushes in a set of two with both a mid-size and full-size brush, so you get more bang for your buck. They come in multiple colors including blue, purple, and pink.

The affordable set has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 75% of buyers giving it 5 stars.

Pros: Affordable, two for the price of one, helps with fast drying

Cons: Can't choose which color brushes you get

Buy the Conair Professional Hair Brush Set on Amazon for $5.99 (originally $6.99)



The best cookware sets you can buy to get all your pots and pans at once

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  • Whether you avoid cooking whenever possible or love nothing better than preparing something tasty in your kitchen, you need a sturdy set of cookware.
  • After all, you can't scramble an egg, flip a burger, or whip up a healthy stir-fry without something to cook on. The Tramontina 12-Piece Tri-Clad Cookware Set is the perfect choice to cook just about anything.

Whether you're just moving out on your own for the first time and looking to set up your new home or want to upgrade your current cookware set to something better, a kitchen isn't a kitchen without at least a few pots and pans. Having a selection of appropriate cookware to choose from might even inspire you to spend more time preparing healthy, homemade meals.

Before setting out to buy a cookware set, it helps to know the basic types of pots and pans, and which are the most essential. It also helps to know that companies that make cookware sets count lids as a separate piece, meaning a set of two saucepans with lids would sell as a four-piece cookware set.

There are a lot of different types of cookware out there, and making a buying decision can be overwhelming. That's where we step in. We did the research and made your decision easier by gathering up the best six cookware sets for a variety of needs. So whether you're a whiz in the kitchen or just learning the basics, we've got you covered.

Here are our top picks for the best cookware sets you can buy: 

Updated on 10/21/19 by Connie Chen: Updated prices, links, and formatting. 

SEE ALSO: The best hard anodized cookware sets you can buy

SEE ALSO: The best cast iron skillets and pans you can buy

The best cookware set overall

The 12-piece stainless steel Tramontina Tri-Clad Cookware Setincludes all the basics you need and is made from high-quality stainless steel that will last through decades of use.

Fully clad with an aluminum core for even heat and excellent conductivity? Check. Riveted, cast stainless steel handles that won't come loose? Check. Both a 10-inch and a 12-inch skillet? Check. A 12-quart stockpot, which is a rarity in a cookware set? Check. Safe for induction cooktops? Check. But the Tramontina 12-Piece Tri-Clad Cookware Set doesn't stop there.

This excellent stainless steel set also includes 1.5- and 3-quart covered saucepans, a 5-quart covered saucepan, and a 5-quart covered Dutch oven. With a full range of the most-recommended sizes, there's just about nothing this set can't handle, even if you cook for a family of four or more. The set is also safe for gas or electric stove tops and oven-safe up to 500 degrees. 

The Wirecutter praises the set's durability, excellent heat conductivity, large sizes (most cookware sets include smaller skillets and stockpots), and performance in the kitchen. Pleased owners rave that the Tramontina set has the quality of a much more expensive brand at a fraction of the price.

Pros: Excellent heat conductivity and performance, great selection of sizes, sturdy handles and precisely fitted lids, reasonable price for quality cookware

Cons: Like all stainless steel cookware, you might need to scrub a bit to remove tough foods like eggs, and the cookware can discolor slightly after repeated use



The best stainless steel cookware set under $100

If you just want the bare basics at a reasonable price, you'll get them with the Cuisinart Chef's Classic 7-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set.

With a 10-inch skillet, 8-quart covered stockpot, and 1-1/2-quart plus 3-quart covered saucepans, the Cuisinart Chef's Classic 7-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set includes the basics needed to cook for one to three people.

Made of stainless steel with an aluminum-disk base, the set has stay-cool stainless handles that are riveted in place for sturdy, no-wiggle performance. The lids are glass. While you aren't going to get top-of-the-line performance from the set, you can still expect dependable, solid results.

Experts at the Wirecutter consider this an excellent budget buy for people who love to cook. Amazon buyers are enthusiastic about the set, too. It has more than 11,300 reviews and an average of 4.3 stars.

Reviewers regularly mention the set's quality, the size of the components, and the ease of cleanup. On the downside, some owners mention that the glass lids break easily and that the metal discolors after use at high heat. This is a common issue with most stainless steel that is not fully clad with aluminum, however.

Pros: Great price, conducts heat well, sturdy construction, some people prefer glass lids to metal for easy visibility while cooking

Cons: Not induction-cooktop compatible, not fully clad with aluminum, some buyers complained that the glass lids shatter too easily



The best nonstick cookware set

The T-Fal Ultimate Nonstick 17-Piece Cookware Set is nonstick for easy cleanup, hard-anodized for strength and durability, and affordable.

You get a whole lot with the T-Fal Ultimate Nonstick 17-Piece Cookware Set, including 8- and 10-inch open frying pans, a 12-inch frying pan with lid, a 10-inch square griddle pan, 1-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepans with lids a 3.5-quart deep sauté pan with lid, 5-quart Dutch oven with lid, a 3-quart steamer insert with handles, a "One-egg wonder" mini skillet, and a no-scratch spatula and spoon

Made from hard-anodized aluminum, the T-Fal Ultimate Nonstick 17-Piece Cookware Set conducts heat beautifully while resisting stains, scratches, warps, and dents. The inside of the cookware is lined with a hard titanium nonstick coating, so you won't need much elbow grease to get your pots and pans clean after dinner is done.

A unique feature of the T-Fal pans is the ThermoSpot Temperature Indicator, which changes to let you know when your skillet or griddle has reached the perfect preheated temperature. Silicone handles won't burn your hand and are riveted for stability, and the glass lids make it easy to see how your food is cooking.

Pros: Nonstick yet scratch-resistant, includes a griddle, reasonably priced, dependable performance and excellent heat conduction

Cons: Not suitable for induction cooktops, like all nonstick cookware, it's best limited to low-to-medium heat

Read our full guide to the best hard anodized aluminum cookware sets.



The best affordable starter cookware set

If you or someone you know is just starting out in a dorm or first apartment and needs an inexpensive cookware set that gets the job done, it's hard to beat the Vremi 15-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set.

If you want to add a little color to your kitchen, check out the Vremi 15-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set. The 8-inch and 10-inch frying pans, 1-quart, 1.5-quart, and 2-quart saucepans with lids, and the 5-quart Dutch oven each have a different, cheerfully bright color of enamel layered over an aluminum core that conducts heat evenly and effectively.

You also get a five-piece set of non-scratch cooking utensils that includes a masher, slotted spoon, ladle, turner, and pasta server.

Admittedly, you aren't going to get the finest quality for such a bargain price, but this is still a decent set of cookware that performs quite well. The nonstick coating is easy to clean, the glass lids fit well, and the set performs nicely on low-to-medium heat. You can even pop the pots or pans into the oven up to 480 degrees.

Overall, this is a great choice for someone looking to stock their first kitchen, or someone who only cooks occasionally.

Some owners complain the handles come loose too easily and the pots and pans are all small sizes, but those are the only negatives.

Pros: Colorful, bargain price, nonstick and easy to clean, good heat conductivity

Cons: Small pots and pans, some complaints of handles coming loose, some complaints of discoloration after use



The best cast iron cookware set

If you love the ability of cast iron to sear meat to the perfect brown, travel easily from stovetop to oven, and last practically forever, you'll appreciate the Lodge Logic 5-Piece Cast Iron Set.

There's a certain mystique to cooking with cast iron. Yes, it can be a pain to clean and season – although the Lodge Logic 5-Piece Cast Iron Set is pre-seasoned to take care of that chore for you – and yes, it is very heavy, which can be a con for those with arthritis or weak arms. But it's hard to beat cast iron when it comes to searing a steak, baking stovetop cornbread, or scrambling eggs.

While you won't find saucepans or stockpots made of cast iron, you will find skillets and Dutch ovens. And Lodge brings both together in its five-piece set that includes a 5-quart Dutch oven with lid, an 8- and 10-inch skillet, and a 10-inch griddle.

With proper care, you can pass your Lodge cookware set down to your children, and they can pass it on to your grandchildren. But while you're still using the cookware, you'll enjoy the foundry-seasoned, naturally nonstick interiors, the integral handles – no wiggling or loose handles here – and the way the pieces can cook over any type of heat. They can handle induction, gas, electric, oven, grill, and even an open campfire.

Pros: The Dutch oven's lid also fits the larger skillet, incredibly durable, holds heat longer than any other type of cookware, pre-seasoned

Cons: If you don't like the weight or maintenance of cast iron, this isn't the set for you

Raed our full buying guide to the best cast iron skillets and pans.



The best cookware set if you want to splurge

The All-Clad d5 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set is just as much a professional in the kitchen as you are.

All-Clad has a well-deserved reputation for manufacturing some of the finest pots and pans available. Its cookware sets also have a reputation for being quite expensive. But as they say, you get what you pay for, so if you are able and willing to splurge, the All-Clad d5 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set will bring superb quality to your kitchen.

The 10-piece set includes 8- and 10-inch skillets, 2- and 4-quart covered saucepans, a 4-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart covered stockpot. All are made with 5-ply bonded construction that alternates layers of stainless steel and aluminum for the utmost in heat conductivity, meaning the pots and pans heat slowly and evenly to perfectly brown and cook your food.

Says one happy owner on the Williams Sonoma website, "I have never been happier with any other pots, pans, or other cookware that I have ever purchased in my life. They are light and hold heat like nothing else."

The cookware is safe for oven and broiler up to 600 degrees and is also suitable for induction cooking.

Pros: Finest quality stainless steel cookware clad with multiple layers of aluminum for superior heat conductivity, limited lifetime warranty, stick-resistant surface, riveted heat-resistant handles

Cons: Very expensive



Types of pots and pans

  • Skillet: Also called a frying pan, a skillet is a kitchen workhorse used for frying, sautéing, grilling, searing, and browning foods. Skillets have gently sloping, shallow sides, a wide bottom, a long handle, and often, no lid. Frying pans are measured by the size across the top of the pan. The most common sizes are 8-inch, which is perfect for a grilled cheese sandwich or scrambled eggs for one, 10-inch, which is perfect for everyday use if you are only cooking for one or two people, and 12-inch, which is good if you are cooking for a family.
  • Sauté pan: A sauté pan is similar to a skillet, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. A sauté pan has straight sides (skillets have gently sloped sides), a long handle, and sometimes a smaller loop handle on the other side for ease in lifting the pan. Most sauté pans include a lid. Use your sauté pan to sauté, braise, or cook up any large batch of food with a lot of liquid. A 5-quart sauté pan is the most useful size or 3-quart if you only cook for one or two people.
  • Saucepan: The pot you will reach for over and over, saucepans are round, with straight sides, a long handle and a fitted lid. Saucepans are perfect for heating and cooking soups, stews, rice, sauces, or vegetables. Saucepans are measured in quarts. A 2-quart and a 4-quart saucepan will cover your needs nicely.
  • Stockpot: A tall, round pot with a fitted lid, stockpots are perfect for large batches of soups or stews, corn on the cob or pasta. Stockpots are measured in quarts and an 8-quart pot is large enough to handle a family's needs.


Which metal is best for cookware?

  • Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for cookware sets, and for good reason. It doesn't react with foods, works with just about every cooking technique, is very durable and resistant to scratches, dents, and rust, and is safe for the dishwasher (although it's best to wash your cookware by hand). Stainless steel does not conduct heat well, however, so you'll usually find it reinforced with either aluminum or copper. Most stainless steel works with induction cooktops.
  • Aluminum is very soft on its own, so almost all cookware made of this reasonably priced metal is anodized– a process that hardens and strengthens the aluminum, and also reduces its tendency to react with acidic foods like tomatoes. Aluminum is a great conductor of heat and is suitable for most cooking methods. It resists scratches and stains and is easy to care for. Aluminum cookware is usually not compatible with induction cooktops.
  • Nonstick pots and pans are generally anodized aluminum coated with a nonstick material, such as Teflon, that prevents food from sticking. This makes cleanup a breeze, particularly with sticky foods such as cheese. On the downside, the nonstick coating tends to scratch easily and wear away over time. You'll need to be careful while stirring or mixing; use plastic or silicone utensils to avoid scratching the cookware. Nonstick pots and pans are generally not safe for very high heat, and although they are dishwasher safe, doing so can speed up the disintegration of the nonstick coating. Most nonstick cookware is not suitable for induction cooktops.
  • Copper is hard to beat for warm natural beauty, but you'll pay a premium for cookware made from this super-conductive metal. Copper reacts to changes in temperature very quickly, meaning it will heat up and cool down faster than most other cookware metals, thus giving you close control over your favorite dishes. On the downside, because copper is reactive, it usually has to be lined with another metal, such as stainless steel, and it requires polishing to maintain its glow. It's also prone to scratches and discoloration, and it's not compatible with induction cooktops.
  • Carbon steel is something like a hybrid of cast iron and stainless steel, but much more expensive than either of those metals. It's lighter than cast iron, heats up faster and conducts heat better than cast iron, and develops a natural, somewhat nonstick surface just like cast iron. It also requires periodic seasoning, rusts easily, and reacts with some foods – also traits of cast iron. Despite its flaws, many chefs love the tight temperature control carbon steel offers, as it responds quickly to changes in the heat. It's also suitable for use with an induction cooktop.
  • Cast iron cookware sets are rare, but it's a very popular metal for skillets, saucepans, and Dutch ovens. This heavy metal is actually not a good conductor of heat, but once it heats up, it stays hot for a long time. Cast iron is great for searing meats, scrambling eggs, and baking cornbread, and it goes into the oven just as easily as it cooks on top of it. It requires periodic seasoning, however, is very prone to rust and discoloring, and can be a pain to clean, although it does develop a naturally nonstick surface. Enameled cast iron is a little easier to care for, but is very expensive. Cast iron is suitable for induction cooktops.


The best breathalyzers for personal use

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  • The best personal breathalyzers are compact and give fast, accurate blood alcohol content (BAC) readings to within 0.001%.
  • Of all the breathalyzers out there, the BACtrack Trace Professional Breathalyzer is the best because it remembers your previous tests and uses police-grade sensor technology.

Between open-bar work parties and getting through visits with grating family members, it's hard to blame anyone for wanting to throw back a few drinks to take the edge off during the holidays. Unfortunately, we cannot always tell if we are in good enough condition to get behind the wheel of a car. Thankfully, there are a number of top-quality personal breathalyzers available to help you avoid driving under the influence (DUI).

Before we begin talking about our personal breathalyzer picks, it is important to note some limitations. First of all, and most importantly, your ability to drive is completely unrelated to a BAC number. If you feel impaired, you should not drive. Period.

On the other hand, if you feel perfectly okay to drive, you should wait at least half an hour after you last eat or drink anything before testing your BAC because your BAC can increase even after you stop drinking since your body keeps absorbing alcohol. If you still do not feel impaired, then a breathalyzer can provide you an objective measurement of whether you can legally drive or not.

That said, the breathalyzers on the market these days vary wildly in their accuracy and reliability. For the most part, you do get what you pay for. The more expensive models tend to be more accurate. But, as you have heard from countless news stories, even the best devices used by law enforcement officers can register false positives.

We pored over thousands of user and expert reviews and ratings to find the best personal breathalyzers. Our picks were chosen based on their accuracy, track record with reviewers, and ease of use.

Here are the best breathalyzers you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Monica Chin: Updated prices and formatting. 

The best breathalyzer overall

If you are looking for an accurate blood alcohol content reading from a device that fits in your pocket, the BACtrack Trace Professional Breathalyzer is the best.

BACtrack uses its own patented, police-grade "Xtend Fuel Cell Sensor Technology" in most of its new breathalyzers, including our top pick, the Trace Professional Breathalyzer. The tech has a number of benefits including virtually no false positives, longer battery life, faster warmup time, sensitivity for high BAC testing, long-term reliability, and accurate, consistent results.

The Trace offers precise results for BAC levels from 0.000 to 0.400%. It also comes with the two required AAA batteries. To operate the breathalyzer, you press the start button. It then counts down from ten. Once it gets to zero, you blow continuously and steadily until it displays your BAC on the LCD screen. The unit remembers your previous ten BAC readings.

The BACtrack Trace is 4.25 by 1.875 by 0.625 inches and weighs only three ounces. It comes with a one-year warranty. Most importantly, this breathalyzer is approved by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Wirecutter liked the BACtrack Trace because it is about $30 less expensive than the company's high-end S80 Pro, and it is much lighter and smaller. Plus, it offers BAC-range detection similar to the more expensive model. Gazette Review also took a look at this unit and found it was incredibly accurate for its price.

In its review, Busted Wallet gave this breathalyzer a score of 9.3 out of 10 because you get professional quality at a reasonable price, it's simple to use, and the readouts are accurate. However, the reviewer didn't like that you need to calibrate it every 6 to 12 months.

Around 73% of the user reviews of the BACtrack Trace on Amazon are for five stars. A few buyers compared this model to several other devices and found that this is the most accurate option on the market. One of the reviewers was a nurse who relies on the measurements for her job. However, a verified purchaser noted that the device can be a little sensitive in it readings.

Pros: Lightweight, accurate, easy-to-read display

Cons: Requires occasional maintenance



The best high accuracy breathalyzer

The BACtrack S80 Professional Breathalyzer costs a bit more than the other models on our list, but it also provides the most accurate measurements.

Like the other BACtrack devices, the S80 Professional Breathalyzer utilizes the proprietary Xtend Fuel Cell Sensor Technology and comes with a one-year warranty. It also shares many similarities with our top pick, the BACtrack Trace, including a four-digit LCD display, BAC range of 0.000 to 0.400%, DOT and NHTSA approval, and the same one-touch operation.

The main difference is that BACtrack rates this breathalyzer as slightly more accurate. However, the accuracy comes with a more expensive price tag. Plus, this unit is slightly larger than the Trace at 2.3 by 0.8 by 4.8 inches and a weight of 5.6 ounces. Also, it runs on two AA batteries instead of AAA.

Several expert review sites list the BACtrack S80 Pro as the top breathalyzer available. Wirecutter liked how portable, easy to use, and accurate this model is and found that it came the closest to matching the results on police equipment of all of the units they tested.

Wiki.ezvid.com also ranked it as the best breathalyzer because it comes with six mouthpieces (and replacements are affordable), fits in your pocket, and has a fast refresh time. Healthbestreviews listed the S80 at the top of its list of the best portable breathalyzers because of its accuracy, consistent performance, and compact size.

On Amazon, there are 800 five-star reviews of the BACtrack S80 Pro. Users like that it provides long-term accurate readings. There are some cautionary tales, though. The Owner's Manual for the BACtrack S80 Pro states that you should send your unit in every 6-12 months to be recalibrated. This service costs about $25. If you fail to send it in regularly, the readings will be inaccurate, and eventually, you will get a recalibration failure, which basically means it's time to buy a new device.

Pros: Easy to use, portable, the most accurate option according to many sources

Cons: Expensive, requires regular calibration

Buy BACtrack Breathalyzer Mouthpieces (Pack of 50) on Amazon for $29.99



The best breathalyzer you never have to recalibrate

If the idea of having to regularly send your breathalyzer in to get recalibrated sounds unappealing, consider the AlcoMate Premium AL7000 Professional Breathalyzer with PRISM Technology.

Almost every breathalyzer manufacturer has its own special proprietary "technology" that sets its breathalyzers apart. For the AlcoMate Premium AL7000 Professional Breathalyzer, it's "PRISM Technology." AK GlobalTech patented this technology to fix the recalibration problem.

With many models, you have to send your device in every year or so to get it recalibrated. If you don't, it may stop working. With the AlcoMate AL7000, you can replace the sensor module yourself, which costs about the same as recalibration services.

The other features are pretty similar to the models on the previous slides: 4-digit LCD results, one-button operation, a one-year warranty, and DOT approval. The AL7000 requires two AA batteries (included) to operate, and the unit is relatively small at 4 by 2 by 0.8 inches and 3.4 ounces. The device comes in a heavy-duty hard case with a discreet pouch, hand strap, and car adapter (in case your batteries die on you).

TopProducts chose the AlcoMate AL7000 as its top choice because it is approved by the DOT and the Coast Guard. Also, it comes with a car adapter, is easy to use, and the reviewer found it to be quite accurate. However, the reviewer didn't like that the car adapter cord is fairly short and that diabetics have been known to get false positives.

Meanwhile, Wirecutter appreciated that this model came with a user-replaceable module, but it lost points because it wasn't as accurate as the BACtrack S80 Pro.

Of the buyers who reviewed the AlcoMate AL7000 on Amazon, 84% gave it a rating of four or five stars. Reviewers liked how accurate the readings are when compared to other, more-expensive alternatives. They also found it helpful that there is a meter that lets you know how many times you have used it so you know when you will need to replace the sensor.

One buyer recommended that you take a moderately deep breath, hold it, and then breathe slowly into the device to get an accurate sample from your lungs.

Pros: Comes with a car adapter, does not have to be recalibrated by manufacturer

Cons: May not work well for diabetics

Buy the AlcoMate Alcohol Breathalyzer Mouthpieces (100 Count) on Amazon for $33



The best breathalyzer that works with your smartphone

If you already have your smartphone with you, the compact BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer will transform it into a breathalyzer.

Currently, BACtrack is the top name in breathalyzers so it's only fitting that the company would pioneer the subcategory of smartphone breathalyzers with the Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer. Like other products from BACtrack, this model has an Xtend Fuel Cell Sensor and the highest accuracy rating (along with the S80 Pro) that BACtrack offers.

There are several features that set the BACtrack Mobile apart. ZeroLine technology gives you an estimate of when your BAC will be at 0.000%. The device has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that you charge using a mini-USB port. Lastly, it is quite small at 1.8 by 0.6 by 2.8 inches.

All of the top tech websites have reviewed the BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer. CNET gave it a rating of 7 out of 10. They like how compact it is and that it estimates how long of a wait you have before you're sober. But, they really didn't like how much the social media features revealed.

PCMag liked that you can track your drinking, it's easy to use, and estimates your time until sobriety. Again, they didn't like that it is ripe for abuse through social media or elsewhere. Gizmodo's experts enjoyed playing around with the app but didn't like how expensive the device is.

Around 79% of the reviewers of the BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer on Amazon gave it a positive review. Users liked that it has many of the same benefits of breathalyzers in general. It lets you know if you are too drunk to drive to avoid associated legal repercussions. One user was dissatisfied because they could not get the app to download to their newer Android smartphone.

Pros: The most compact option on our list, accurate, estimates time until sober

Cons: May encourage competitive drinking through its social media connectivity

Buy BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer Mouthpieces (Pack of 50) on Amazon for $29.99



The best affordable breathalyzer

If you are living on a tight budget and want to drink responsibly, the AlcoHAWK Ultra Slim Digital Breathalyzer may be your best bet.

To ensure it captures a deep-lung sample, the AlcoHAWK Ultra Slim Digital Breathalyzer has an electronic airflow sensor. It is accurate within +/- 0.01% at 0.02% solution for a BAC range of 0.00 to 0.40%. Unlike the other devices in our guide, this unit only displays two digits on its red LED screen. The AlcoHAWK Slim Digit operates on two AA batteries.

The only expert site we could find that had tested the AlcoHAWK Slim was the Gadgeteer. They performed a thorough review of the device and found that the silver plastic housing was durable and made for a light unit (3.6 ounces.) They also liked that it is easy to get a reading by pressing the front button, waiting 60 seconds for the device to get ready, and blowing for about five seconds.

More than 52 reviewers on Amazon have given the AlcoHAWK Ultra Slim a positive rating. Buyers were impressed with how accurate and reliable it is for the low price. There are several comments about how long it takes to warm up (60 seconds versus 10 seconds for the other models in this guide.) It takes even longer when the batteries are low.

Pros: Inexpensive, lightweight

Cons: Takes a long time to warm up, questionable accuracy




The best car seats for your infant, toddler, or kid

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  • Car seats are one of the most critical pieces of gear parents with young kids need, but they're also one of the most overwhelming items to buy.
  • We've cut through the myriad options to find the best ones for kids of all ages. In choosing the top picks for the best car seats and boosters, we considered both expert tests and reviews as well as parents' actual experiences.
  • Our top pick is the Chicco KeyFit 30, which is reasonably priced, easy to install, and fits babies up to 30 pounds.

All car seats sold in the US have to meet the same federal safety standards, but that's where the similarities end. Some are better than others for taller kids, some are more comfortable for long-haul trips, and some are much easier to install. It's crucial to have the right car seat because a poorly installed seat can compromise your child's safety. Add all that to the fact that many car seats are expensive, and choosing the right one can feel impossible.

Few baby and kid products are subject to as much scrutiny as car seats, so we had plenty of expert tests and reviews to look at while making our picks. Of course, it's also important to consider real-world use from parents who aren't lab testers or child passenger safety technicians. That includes my own experiences — I've been through six car seats and counting between two children.

All of that feedback led to our picks: an ultra-easy-to-install infant seat, a similarly easy-to-use convertible for older toddlers and preschoolers, a harness-to-booster that can keep kids safe before they're completely ready for a booster, and a versatile booster that might be the last car seat your child needs. We also chose alternative car seats in each category that are less expensive for parents on a strict budget. 

Here are our top picks for the best car seats you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Lisa Sabatini: Updated prices and links. Added product showcase. We are currently testing new products, so we'll update this guide soon.

SEE ALSO: The best diaper bags you can buy

The best infant car seat

The Chicco KeyFit 30 is a breeze for nervous new parents to install, it's easy to use, and fits even the tiniest babies well.

Got a tiny baby? A chunker? Either way, no worries: The Chicco KeyFit 30 accommodates babies from 4 to 30 pounds. A plush, full-body newborn insert is included with the seat to fit smaller babies and is recommended for use up to 11 pounds. The height limit is 30 inches or whenever your baby's head is an inch from the top of the seat's shell.

The secret sauce of the KeyFit is extreme ease of use. This is not a car seat you'll have to do battle with during installation, and I can vouch for that, as it installed quickly and simply for both my sons. As CarseatBlog notes, the instructions are very clear whether you're installing the seat using LATCH connectors or a seat belt (choose one or the other — never both). The base is easy to adjust to change the seat angle, and there is a built-in bubble level to tell you when you've got it just right. 

I also loved being able to leave the handle in any locked position, up or down, while driving. Some car seats stipulate that you put the handle down, which is just one more thing for an overloaded mom brain to remember. I never had to fuss with the smooth-to-adjust harness, and the seat cover is extremely easy to wipe down. It can even be detached and thrown in the washer after that inevitable diaper blowout.

One long-standing criticism of the KeyFit that the Baby Gear Lab mentions is that it has a skimpy sun canopy compared with other infant seats. That's true, but it's also easy to rectify the issue by draping a very thin muslin blanket over the handle in bright sunlight. The KeyFit also isn't the lightest car seat at 9.6 pounds, though it is a pretty average, weight-wise, for infant car seats these days. An easy-to-use stroller frame like the Chicco Keyfit Caddy can be an arm-saver if you want to stroll for a while.

Pros: Very easy to install, fits all sizes of babies well, machine-washable cover, padding is plush, harness is easy to adjust, reasonably priced compared with other high-end car seats

Cons: Smaller canopy, heavier than some other infant seats



The best budget infant car seat

The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30 is affordable, lightweight, and has ample padding and a large canopy to ensure your baby's comfort.

Like the Chicco KeyFit 30, the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30 can accommodate babies from 4 to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches long. It comes with a newborn head support to keep a small baby's head stable, but not full-body support like the one that comes with the KeyFit. Because of that, CarseatBlog notes that you may need to add rolled washcloths outside the harness to stabilize a very small baby.in the seat.

This Connect 30's biggest strong point: Unlike the KeyFit, it's very lightweight at only 7 pounds (without base), so you won't break your back hauling it from the house to the car. It's also compatible with Graco's large Click Connect line of strollers and many non-Graco strollers, owing to its popularity. The cover is machine-washable, and it has a large sun canopy that offers more coverage than the KeyFit, too.

On the flip side, its downfall is ease of use. It's not a hard seat to install, but it's definitely not as easy to manage as the KeyFit. It has harder-to-use hook-style LATCH rather than push-button connectors. There is no level indicator to tell you when you have the seat at the proper installation angle, so you'll have to eyeball a single line on a seat label instead. However, reviewers say adjusting the harness during day-to-day use is smooth and easy, and this seat also allows the handle to be left in any locked position while driving.

Pros: Inexpensive, very lightweight, compatible with many strollers, large canopy, machine-washable cover, easy-to-adjust harness

Cons: Not as easy to install, skimpy infant insert



The best lightweight infant car seat

The Nuna PIPA Lite LX infant car seat can accommodate babies weighing up to 32 pounds, yet it weighs just 5.7 pounds itself.

Try picking up a ten-pound weight and carrying it around for a few minutes — you'll probably find the task no big deal. Now swap out that weight for a car seat that you have to lean over at an awkward angle to keep level, and then add a couple-dozen pounds of kid and then see how you do. Ten pounds is a pretty average weight for infant car seats and having used one weighing that much with my son, I can tell you that what seems like a tolerable weight at first becomes quite a load as your kid grows.

And for the record, I'm a 6'2" man who weighs 180 pounds, and yes, I still found our old heavy car seat a burden. For our newborn daughter, my wife and I switched to the Nuna PIPA Lite LX infant car seat. We did so partly because it's compatible with our Nuna DEMI Grow stroller, but mostly because the PIPA Lite isn't joking around with its name.

This infant car seat weighs less than 6 pounds, and that's with inserts. Even when our kid passed her two-month mark, I can still lift the thing in and out of a car with one arm extended and with a 45-pound preschooler in my other arm to boot.

The safety stats of the Nuna PIPA Lite LX are stellar. Also, it has a good sun shield, it pops into and out of the base or onto the stroller with ease, and it has an adjustable handle. The light weight is the true selling point here, but there's one more godsend to highlight: On either side of the seat is a little slot into which you can tuck the buckles while settling or retrieving your kid, thus keeping the straps and hardware out of your way. If that seems like a pointless flourish, then you have not spent much time dealing with babies in car seats.

Carseat Blog calls the Pipa Lite LX an "outstanding rear-facing-only seat" in terms of safety and ease of use, and called it "so light you can literally carry it with one finger." — Steven John

Pros: Amazingly lightweight, quick installation, easy to get baby in and out of seat

Cons: Very expensive for category



The best convertible car seat

The Chicco NextFit Zip convertible is one of the easiest-to-install convertibles, and its high height and weight limits mean you can keep your toddler safely rear-facing for a longer time than with other seats.

If you're thinking about skipping the convenience of an infant seat with a base and going straight to a convertible, the Chicco NextFit Zip has you covered.It can be used for babies and young children from 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing, and 22 to 65 pounds forward-facing. It also includes a newborn insert for infants from 5 to 11 pounds.There is a 49-inch height limit. Still, this seat can keep kids rear-facing for a while, and many kids will also be able to stay in it forward-facing until they're ready for a booster, notes CarseatBlog.

Like the Chicco KeyFit 30, the NextFit is almost mind-bogglingly easy to install. It features a "SuperCinch" LATCH system that is simple to tighten, eliminating that annoying side-to-side seat wiggle that means your installation needs work. The NextFit also has nine recline positions that make getting the proper installation angle a sure thing in any vehicle. You can double-check that you've got it right using the convenient bubble level.

The Chicco NextFit Zip has a zippered seat cover that can be removed in a flash. Finally, the harness height can be adjusted from the front of the seat, which is a great feature. It means you won't have to uninstall the seat to tinker with it when your kid grows a foot overnight.

What's not to love about the NextFit? Like many premium convertibles, it's quite heavy at 25 pounds. While you won't be walking around with it like an infant seat, that's still worth considering if you know you'll want to move the seat from car to car. It's definitely too heavy for convenient travel – dragging this seat through the airport will leave you hating life.

Some Amazon reviewers also complain that the seat is bulky, with side-impact protection panels that come up too far, making it too hard to get a growing child in and out. As Car Seats for the Littles notes, the harness can be hard to tighten on smaller babies.

Note: Our original recommendation, the Chicco NextFit, has been discontinued. We have switched our recommendation to the Chicco NextFit Zip, which has a zippered seat cover and it now has a lower price.

Pros: High height and weight limits, also good for young infants, good side-impact protection, very easy to install, machine-washable cover, harness height can be adjusted from front of seat

Cons: Expensive, heavy, bulky, harness can sometimes be hard to tighten



The best budget convertible car seat

The Evenflo Triumph LX is very affordable, but it has many features you'd normally find on a much pricier car seat.

Budget-friendly convertible car seats keep kids just as safe as pricier ones, but they often skimp on comfort and convenience. The Evenflo Triumph LX requires no such compromise, offering a lot of the features of seats twice its price.

Let's get one of the biggest downfalls out of the way early: The Evenflo Triumph LX is not going to last as long as other convertibles when it's rear-facing. While you can use it from 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing and 22 to 65 pounds forward-facing — just like the Chicco NextFit Zip— it has a rear-facing height limit of 37 inches. That means this seat likely won't get a taller kid rear-facing much past the age of two, so keep that in mind if you don't want to turn your child around that early.

That said, there's a lot to like about the Triumph LX. It uses thick, gel-infused padding, uncommon among less expensive seats. CarseatBlog loves the convenient buckle pockets, which mean you don't have to dig around under your child's back and rump for the straps when it's time to buckle up. The reviewer also says the cover is easy to remove, and machine-washable to boot.

Testers with Car Seats for the Littles say installation is simple despite the older, hook-style LATCH. Its reviewers also love the Infinite Slide harness feature that means the straps can be adjusted up or down without moving the seat. Experts give this seat great marks for crash protection, too.

There are potential pitfalls, of course. Baby Bargains notes that the Triumph is wide, so look elsewhere if you're short on space. There are also no strap covers, and the knobs used to adjust strap tension get mixed reviews. Some Amazon buyers love them, but some say they're stiff and can be hard to turn when the seat is rear-facing.

Pros: Good fit for small babies, easy to install, harness height can be adjusted from the front of the seat, thick padding, buckle-keeper pockets, machine-washable cover

Cons: Low rear-facing height limit, wide, no strap covers, knobs that adjust harness tension can be hard to use



The best harness-to-booster seat

With the Britax Frontier ClickTight, you can keep your child in a five-point harness for as long as you want, then convert the seat to a belt-positioning booster when your child is finally ready.

Big kids often move to booster seats before they're mature enough to use a seat belt properly. The Britax Frontier ClickTight has a crazy long lifespan, which is why I chose it for my taller-than-average kids after they were out of their convertibles. In harness mode, it can be used for children from 25 to 90 pounds (yes, 90) and 30 to 58 inches tall. Switch it to a booster, and it's good from 40 to 120 pounds and 45 to 62 inches. It also has souped-up side-impact protection. In other words, this is the seat you want to buy if you hope to keep a bigger kid as safe as possible for as long as possible.

Another boon with the Frontier: It's super easy to install, thanks to the Britax ClickTight system. You open a hidden panel in the seat back, thread the seat belt over the armrests and through the panel, close it, and voila — rock-solid install, no profanity necessary. For a demonstration, check out this video. It really is that simple.

Of course, the Frontier can also be installed using LATCH, but ClickTight actually makes a seat-belt installation easier. More ease-of-use goodness: The fabric is easy to wipe, there are two integrated cup holders, and you can adjust the harness height from the front of the seat without uninstalling it. That's such a nice feature during those inevitable growth spurts. It's also an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety"best bet" in booster mode, and it has gotten very good marks for crash protection in separate expert tests.

The Frontier isn't without its downsides. Obviously, the high price is one. Next is weight: At 25 pounds, it's a tank. The seat cover is not machine-washable, either, and although that's not quite as crucial at this age, it's still something to think about if you have a kid who gets carsick or constantly leaves crushed Goldfish crackers in his wake.

Pros: Very high height and weight limits, good side-impact protection, very easy to install, harness height can be adjusted from the front of the seat, dual cup holders, converts from harnessed seat to booster

Cons: Expensive, heavy, seat cover is hand-wash only



The best budget harness-to-booster seat

The Evenflo Maestro is lighter and slimmer than many bulky harness-to-booster seats. 

No, the Evenflo Maestro can't keep your kid harnessed to 90 pounds like the Britax Frontier ClickTight, but it will still keep most kids harnessed until age 5 or 6, when parents often opt to switch to a belt-positioning booster seat anyway. It can be used in harness mode from 22 to 50 pounds and 28 to 50 inches tall. When switched to booster mode, it can be used from 40 to 110 pounds and 43 to 57 inches.

Other than its low price, its low weight is one of the Maestro's best features, Amazon reviewers say, because it weighs just 12.7 pounds, making it only half the weight of the Frontier. This seat is a candidate for parents who need a seat that's light enough to travel with or one they can frequently switch between cars.

As CarseatBlog points out, it's also a fairly narrow seat that may work for families who have to squeeze three car seats into one row. There are dual cup holders – always a plus – and the seat cover is machine-washable. Like the Frontier, it also earns "best bet" certification from the IIHS for properly positioning kids in booster mode, and receives other experts' nod for crash protection as a harnessed seat, too.

Though buyers might expect a cheaper seat like the Maestro to be a pain to install, reviewers say that's not the case. Instead, one of the seat's main limitations is comfort. The headrest can't be adjusted, for instance, and Amazon reviewers dislike the cover-free straps that can rub a child's neck. The shell of this seat is not that tall, and once the tops of a child's ears are higher than the top of the seat, they're too big to use it – even if they are shorter than the stated 57-inch limit. That means they may yet need another booster after this one.

Despite the downsides, it's still a great car seat for those who need a harness to booster setup.

Pros: Very inexpensive, lightweight, narrow, machine-washable cover, excellent marks for crash protection, converts from harnessed seat to booster

Cons: Lower height and weight limits, child may outgrow booster quickly, headrest can't adjust as child grows, straps aren't comfortable for some kids



The best booster seat

The Graco Affix gives you options, including a high-back version that converts to a backless booster and a backless version that's easy to use and install.

Congratulations: Your kid is old enough for a booster seat. No more fussing with harnesses – just the regular old seat belt, which your child can learn to buckle on his or her own. The Graco Affix can keep your big kid safe from 30 to 100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches in high-back mode, or 40 to 100 pounds and 40 to 57 inches in backless mode. Graco says the seat is suitable for kids as young as 3, but take note — experts at Car Seats for the Littles recommend children stay in a harnessed seat until age 5 at an absolute minimum.

One of the nicest features of the Affix is the LATCH connectors that secure it to the vehicle's seat. That means the booster won't slide around if you're driving without your child belted into the seat. Even better, the connectors can be tightened with one hand from the front of the booster. The Affix also has a cup holder and a nifty slide-in storage compartment ideal for stashing small toys or snacks.

Car Seats for the Littles says the belt guide is wide and easy to use, and belt fit is good on a range of kids. It's also an IIHS "best bet" seat. The headrest is fully adjustable, and the seat is lightweight – even with the back on, it's shy of 11 pounds. Finally, the seat cushion is machine-washable.

Given their simplicity, there usually aren't as many complaints about boosters. The Affix garners only minor criticism. It's not the narrowest booster you can buy, so it might not work for some families who are short on space. And some Amazon reviewers complain that the belt guide doesn't always keep the shoulder belt in place, making it hard for their kids to buckle up independently.

Pros: Available as high-back or backless seat, high-back converts to backless seat, LATCH keeps seat stable when not in use, good belt fit for most children, headrest can adjust as child grows, lightweight, machine-washable cover

Cons: Wider than some boosters, seat belt sometimes slips out of belt guide



The best budget booster seat

The Harmony Youth Booster is just what you need for an older kid who still needs a boost, but who also needs something easy to take along while carpooling to school or soccer practice.

Once your child is officially in big-kid territory, with gangly limbs, real friends, and after-school sports, it's hard to resist the allure of an easy-to-carry, easy-on-the-wallet backless booster like the Harmony Youth Booster. The Harmony can be used for kids from 30 to 100 pounds and 34 to 57 inches tall, though it's worth repeating that experts say kids younger than 5 typically aren't ready for boosters. It also weighs only 2.5 pounds — yes, you read that right — so it's a great option for an on-the-go family.

The Harmony isn't just light, it's also relatively narrow, experts with Car Seats for the Littles say. That's helpful for packed carpooling situations or families who may need to squeeze their big kid in alongside younger siblings in bulkier car seats. It's also an IIHS "best bet" for belt fit and gets good expert marks for crash protection. The seat belt is simple to route under the Harmony's low armrests, and a seatbelt positioning clip is included for situations where the seat belt doesn't fit well enough on its own.

Keep in mind that the Harmony Youth booster is quite basic, so you won't be getting any extras. There are no cup holders, or LATCH connectors to keep the seat in place when it's unoccupied. Padding is somewhat thin, some Walmart reviewers say, so it might not be the most comfortable seat for a long trip.

Pros: Inexpensive, lightweight, narrow, good belt fit for most children

Cons: No LATCH, no cup holder, thin padding



Check out our other great baby gear guides

The best baby swaddles you can buy

While swaddling does come with some controversy, it's hands-down one of the best ways to get a fussy baby to sleep. But like all baby products, swaddles come in all shapes and sizes.

The swaddle you choose will depend on the following: material, ease of use, effectiveness, safety, size, and cost. We used these factors when reviewing baby swaddles. We looked at hundreds of reviews, consulted other moms, and used personal experience to narrow down the list to the best baby swaddles you can buy.

Here are the best baby swaddles:


The best bottle warmers you can buy

You might think a baby bottle warmer is something extra that's not necessary. But when your little one is screaming in the middle of the night for warm milk, having a warmer will save your sanity, and hopefully, some sleep. These gadgets can heat formula and breast milk without hot spots so you don't have to boil water in a pan. 

Here are the best bottle warmers:


The best cloth diapers you can buy

Cloth diapers are easy to use, offer money-savings, and are nothing like the ones your grandma used to use. When you get down to finding the perfect cloth diaper, it comes down to four factors: cost, sustainability, absorbency, and cuteness (your baby has to look good, after all). 

Here are the best cloth diapers:


The best breast pumps you can buy

If you're a nursing mom who plans to spend more than a couple hours away from your baby, pumping is a necessary evil: It keeps your milk supply up and ensures your kiddo has enough to eat.

Here are the best breast pumps:


The best cribs and cradles

A good crib or cradle can buy you some much needed time to yourself while your baby takes a nap or snoozes the night away. Of all the cribs and cradles we've researched, the DaVinci Kalani is our top pick. This crib is attractive, sturdy, versatile, and inexpensive enough to free up your budget for other baby essentials.

You should also consider the Babyletto Hudson, the Stokke Sleepi, the BabyBjorn Cradle, and the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib.


The best diaper bags

It's no secret that babies require a lot of stuff for a successful outing, so a good diaper bag is one of the most important purchases a parent-to-be can make. Based on personal testing and research, the Skip Hop Duo Signature is the best diaper bag for most parents, with a reasonable price tag, loads of pockets, several stylish patterns, and easy-to-wipe fabric that can take a beating.

You should also consider the Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Backpack, the Storksak Elizabeth Leather Bag, and the Skip Hop Grand Central Bag.


The best baby monitors

Keeping tabs on your little one has never been easier. Based on our research and tests by experts, these are the best baby monitors you can buy.


The best nursing pillows

Breastfeeding is natural and amazing for your baby, but that doesn't mean it always comes easy. We've tested and researched many nursing pillows, and the My Brest Friend is the best one for keeping your baby in the right spot during feeding, and it gives you great back and arm support.

You should also consider the Boppy Nursing Pillow, the Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow, and the Twin Z Pillow.



The best slow cookers

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  • Slow cookers are available in a large variety of sizes and price points, so you have a lot of choices, depending on your needs.
  • For an average-sized family looking for a bargain, we like the 6-Quart Programmable Cook-and-Carry Crock-Pot. It works great, it's easy to operate, and it has a surprisingly low price point.

Lots of people like comfort foods, especially during the winter months — even if those comfort foods don't always help out their waistlines. Unfortunately, most comfort foods can be time-consuming to cook and prepare, which means a lot of hassle for someone who spends eight-plus hours at a job. It's tough to feel comforted when you're spending several hours cooking after several hours working.

So you end up ordering a pizza, picking it up on the way home from the office, and eating your comfort food out of the box, which is not ideal.

If you'd prefer your comfort foods to be homemade, a slow cooker is the answer for a busy household. This kitchen appliance allows you to combine the ingredients in the morning before work, set the cooking time and temperature, and return home hours later to a great-tasting, fully-completed meal. Now, that's ideal.

A slow cooker is a simple appliance. Although some models have a series of advanced features, the basic operation of a slow cooker involves setting a cooking temperature and cooking time and then leaving it alone for several hours. 

Slow cookers are available in many different sizes, with the capacity measured in quarts. You can pick models with capacities ranging from 1 to 10 quarts, although sizes of 4 to 6 quarts are the most common capacities. 

Most slow cookers allow you to cook at low, medium, or high-temperature settings. A lot of slow cookers will automatically switch to the warm setting after the cooking time has expired so your food doesn't overcook and disintegrate. Some advanced slow cookers will allow you to set an exact cooking temperature and start-time, while others offer multiple cooking features and double as pressure cookers. 

Here are the best slow cookers you can buy:

Updated on 10/14/2019 by Les Shu: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best Crock-Pots you can buy

The best slow cooker overall

The 6-Quart Programmable Cook-and-Carry Crock-Pot is big enough for a crowd with a lockable lid for easy transport and it has programmable cooking times.

Sometimes, a product is so synonymous with a product category is that its brand name becomes a preferred term used in everyday language. For example, in everyday language, an adhesive bandage becomes a Band-Aid, a facial tissue becomes a Kleenex, and a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam product becomes Styrofoam. (That last one makes some sense, as "closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam" is a mouthful.)

And when it comes to slow cookers, a lot of people use the brand name Crock-Pot to describe all models of slow cookers. It's understandable, as Crock-Pot slow cookers were first on the market and have dominated for a long time. The company continues to offer excellent quality slow cookers, including the Crock-Pot Programmable Cook-and-Carry 

It solves one slow cooker concern: What do you do if you'll be gone for ten hours, but the meal you're preparing only needs to cook for eight? No need to worry if you have this convenient slow cooker. Just set the timer for your desired cooking time before you head out. 

You can set cooking times from 30 minutes to 20 hours and leave your worries behind. The Crock-Pot will cook your dinner to perfection, and then automatically switch itself over to the "Warm" setting once the time is up.

With a 6-quart capacity, this is the perfect Crock-Pot for larger families. You can fit a six-pound roast inside, several pieces of meat along with vegetables, or go ahead and roast a whole chicken in it — you'll still have room for carrots and potatoes.

The Wirecutter likes this Crock-Pot, praising its long timer, modern appearance, handles, and locking lid. That locking lid with its sealing gasket is another fine feature of this Crock-Pot — no more spills when traveling with the cooker to a picnic, potluck, or tailgate party.

Amazon customers are pleased with this slow cooker as well. It has more than 5,000 reviews and an average of 4.2 stars. Buyers like the large capacity, the programmable timer, and the sleek appearance. Several owners complained that the Crock-Pot seemed to run too hot on the "Low" setting, however. Note that both the "Low" and "High" settings of a Crock-Pot reach the same maximum temperature of roughly 210 degrees. It just takes longer to reach the maximum temperature on low.

The locking lid is a hit. One Amazon shopper wrote, "The slow cooker tipped over once in the car while full of sloppy joe meat, and to my surprise when I arrived at my destination, not a drop of the sloppy joe meat (or sauce) leaked out." Michelle Ullman and Kyle Schurman

Pros: Locking lid with gasket, programmable timer, large capacity, stainless steel finish, and modern appearance

Cons: Might cook too hot on low setting



The best high-end slow cooker

The 4-Quart All-Clad Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert looks beautiful on your countertop and cooks everything to perfection without making you do anything.

The 4-Quart All-Clad Slow Cooker with Ceramic Insert is the perfect size for cooking meals for a small family or a full chunk of pork butt for pulled pork. All-Clad is famous for its beautiful high-end stainless steel appliances and cooking utensils, and this slow cooker lives up to the brand's reputation.

Not only does it look gorgeous on any countertop, it also works extremely well. The slow cooker is very easy to operate with just a few buttons and no complicated settings. It has a 26-hour programmable timer and warm, low, and high-temperature settings so your food is cooked to perfection.

The removable black ceramic insert and glass lid are easy to hand wash or pop right in the dishwasher. The lid's handle is made from silicone, so it never gets hot to the touch. You can leave this slow cooker cooking all day without fear of burning the house down and come back to a delicious meal.

I use this slow cooker regularly to make beans, stews, and pulled pork for the meat-eaters in my life. I toss the ingredients in, set the temperature, and let it do it's thing while I'm at work or out on the weekends. It makes meals super easy to prepare with minimal effort.

Buyer reviews are largely positive, though some do complain about the ceramic insert breaking after admitted rough handling. If you treat it the way you treat other ceramics like coffee mugs and plates, it won't break — just be careful with it and don't smash it against anything.

All-Clad guarantees the slow cooker for two years, so contact the company if you run into problems. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Gorgeous, 4-quarts is a good size, decent price, ceramic insert is sturdy, easy to use

Cons: Pricier than some slow cookers



The best high-end slow cooker

It has a really high price, but The Fast Slow Pro 6-Quart from Breville successfully slow cooks and pressure-cooks food in one easy-to-use appliance.

The Fast Slow Pro 6-Quart slow cooker from Breville carries a high price compared to other slow cookers, which means it won't work for some people. But it justifies its big price tag by giving you a multitude of features so you can cook big meals however you want.

The Breville cooker works as both a pressure cooker and a traditional slow cooker, so yu can make just about anything with it. One positive comment users have regards versatility because the Fast Slow Pro can perform the work of multiple appliances, saving storage space in the kitchen cabinet.

The Fast Slow Pro attempts to make slow cooking easy with eight different pre-set programmable cooking modes. There's also a custom time and temperature setting that you can use for your favorite family recipe. Using the various settings is easy because of the large and clear LCD screen on the side of the unit.

As for downsides, Wired found the Breville unit far too complex for what most people will want in a slow cooker, especially considering they'll pay five to 10 times more for The Fast Slow Pro than they will for other slow cookers.

Pros: Offers strong pressure cooker and slow cooker functions, eight different slow cooker pre-set modes, excellent build quality, six quarts of capacity works well for many people, large LCD screen is easy to read

Cons: Extremely high price versus other slow cookers, may be too complex for some people



The best mini slow cooker

If you need a slow cooker that's better suited for preparing meals for one or two people, you'll love the size of the Proctor Silex 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker.

Slow cookers often seem like they're all about cooking big meals for a busy family. But slow cookers don't all discriminate against people who are cooking for one or two. The Proctor Silex 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker is a mini slow cooker that's great for cooking small meals for one or two people.

It's a very simple slow cooker with three temperature settings that you'll control with a knob. The Proctor Silex cooker is also a smaller appliance, so if you don't have much space in your kitchen, it's a good option. As one Amazon buyer pointed out, this cooker is also perfect for use in an RV or on a large boat, where you have limited storage space.

Review Labs said this small slow cooker is a perfect option for cooking appetizers, dips, sauces, or snacks for a party, and it's small enough so you can carry it with you to a friend's house. The rubber seal on the lid and the latch strap also help to prevent spills, which is a great feature for a portable unit.

However, a few Amazon reviewers said the Proctor Silex 1.5-Quart slow cooker doesn't cook as evenly as some larger slow cookers.

Pros: Small slow cooker is perfect for cooking appetizers for a party, small unit works great in kitchens where storage space is limited, has padded lid and latch strap for transportation, nice size for meals for one or two people

Cons: Will be too small for some families, doesn't always cook food evenly



Safety considerations for slow cookers

Some people are understandably nervous about using a slow cooker, as this appliance is designed to run while no one is home. Others may have a sentimental attachment to the slow cooker grandma used, and now that they've inherited the appliance, they want to continue cooking with it.

Before using any slow cooker, though, you need to read through this list of safety measures from NBC News and Compare Slow Cookers.

  • Clean the base: Keep the portion of the slow cooker with the heating element clean. If a previous recipe has spilled onto the heating element, you need to wipe this old food and clean it to keep it from burning when cooking the next meal.
  • Electrical cord: Inspect the slow cooker's power cord carefully. Make sure it hasn't been melted or frayed. Old slow cookers may have a fabric insulation around the electrical cord, which is no longer considered safe.
  • Overcooking: Even on the high setting, slow cookers only reach temperatures of about 250 degrees, so you don't really have the same concerns about overcooking and burning the food as you might when leaving food unattended in an oven, where temperatures of 350 degrees to 450 degrees are more common.
  • Test the temperature: An older slow cooker may no longer be able to reach a high enough temperature to safely cook raw foods. Test it by filling the slow cooker with room temperature water at least two-thirds of the way. "Cook" the water on the low setting for eight hours and then use a thermometer to ensure the water has reached at least a 185-degree temperature.

Happy cooking!



Check out our guides to the best Crock-Pots, Instant Pots, and pressure cookers

The best Crock-Pots you can buy

Busy cooks have been turning out delicious, easy, convenient meals in their Crock-Pots since the early 1970s. We researched the dozens of available Crock-Pot slow cookers on today's market to find the best ones you can buy.

Here are the best Crock-Pots you can buy:


The best instant pots and electric pressure cookers

Electric pressure cookers are so versatile, they can make all kinds of meals and even replace several different appliances.

We poured over thousands of reviews and ratings from both experts and users, as well as tested several brands, to determine which instant pots do what they say they can do, provide consistent performance over extended use, and offer great value for your money. 

Here are the best pressure cookers and Instant Pots you can buy:



The best sheets you can buy for your bed

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  • Few would deny that at the end of a long, hard day, sliding into a comfortable bed outfitted with soft, smooth sheets that pamper your skin is one of life's greatest pleasures.
  • After reviewing dozens of contenders for the best sheets, our top pick is the 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets from L.L. Bean.
  • Crisp, cool, and comfortable against your skin, these sheets make bedtime a treat.

To get the best sleep possible, we invest in the best mattresses and pillows that our budgets allow. But the journey to dreamland doesn't just stop there: You need quality bed linens too. Because why buy an expensive mattress only to ruin the experience with inferior bedding?

Besides, we spend nearly a third of our lifespan sleeping on our beds, so why wouldn't you want the best sheets possible? Not only do you want something soft and comfortable, but you also want something that's durable and can hold up to washes. So we've made it easy for you: We checked out all the top buying websites, listened to opinions from bed sheet buyers, and tried sheets ourselves to compile our list of the best bed sheet sets you can buy.

Here are the best sheets for your bed in 2019:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated prices, links, and formatting. 

A note on thread count and weave

Thread count: Higher isn't always better

When it's time to buy sheets, many people simply assume that the higher the thread count, the better, and make their choice based on this feature alone. While it's true that thread count (a measurement of how many threads run vertically and horizontally in one square inch of fabric) is important, it turns out that there's another factor that plays a bigger part in sheet comfort: type of fabric.

In fact, according to Consumer Reports, there's no reason to pay extra for sheets with a thread count over 400, but it is worth your while to spend a little more on sheets made from the best kinds of cotton: Pima, Egyptian, or Supima. These long-fiber cotton weave into the softest, most comfortable sheets.

What about weave?

Weave is also important when it comes to choosing sheets you'll love. There are two basic weaves: percale and sateen.

  • Percale sheets have the same number of combed, tightly woven threads running horizontally and vertically. If you prefer sheets with a slightly crisp, cool feel, this is the weave to choose. Percale sheets are durable and strong, standing up to repeated washing even in hot water. Look for a thread count between 200 and 400 for lightweight sheets, 400 to 600 if you prefer more weight.
  • Sateen sheets (not the same as satin, which is a fabric, not a weave) have more threads running vertically than horizontally, creating fabric with a slight sheen and a very soft, silky feel. Sateen sheets are generally more delicate than percale bedding, and more likely to pill or come apart in the wash. Still, if you crave the silkiest feel against your skin, this is the weave for you. Thread counts between 300 and 600 are the sweet spot for softness and strength.


The best sheets overall

L.L. Bean's wonderfully smooth 280-thread-count Pima Cotton Percale Sheets are durable, comfortable, and just the right weight to give you sweet dreams all year round.

Woven from 100% Pima cotton for the smoothest, softest, make-you-want-to-wiggle feel, L.L. Bean struck gold with its highly rated percale sheet set. As with all percale sheets, these have just a bit of a "crisp" finish, which feels nice and cool against your skin. They are the perfect weight for summer, and unless you live in a very cold climate or prefer to switch to heavier winter sheets, they are cozy enough for the colder months with the addition of a heavier blanket or comforter.

When you toss them in your washing machine and dryer, the sheets come out fresh, unwrinkled, and ready to coax you into the land of Nod. Sized to fit over mattresses up to 15 inches thick, these cotton sheets won't slip or slide as you sleep, and they hold firm to the mattress. They are available in seven basic colors, although alas, no brights. There are a few prints, as well.

L.L. Bean shoppers praise these sheets for their refusal to pill, long life, and wrinkle resistance. Quite a few customers commented that they have purchased several sets of the L.L Bean sheets, and a common remark was, "These are the only sheets I'll buy."

Professional reviewers agree. We chose these sheets as our top pick in our guide to the best cotton sheetsIn our testing, these sheets had a soft feel right out of the packaging and they were cool and soft to sleep on.

We're not the only ones who think the sheets are great. The Wirecutter has chosen the L.L. Bean 280-thread-count Percale Sheets as its number one choice six years running, saying these sheets offer a "superior cool feel at a great price." The Wirecutteradded that its experts love L.L. Bean's lifetime guarantee, meaning you can return the sheets at any time for any reason.

Consumer Search is another review website that picked the L.L. Bean sheets as its top pick, saying the sheets are "ideal for lovers of crisp, 'old-school' cotton sheets." The reviewer did comment that some buyers felt the sheets were a bit too rough, however, although they do get softer the more they are washed.

Pros: Smooth, crisp feel, durability, reasonable price

Cons: Only fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick, no bright colors, few prints



The best luxury sheets

If you take your sleep comfort seriously, the pampering touch and good looks of Brooklinen's Luxe Sheets will have you sleeping like a baby.

Started as a Kickstarter project in 2014, Brooklinen has quickly soared to the heights of success, due to its reasonable prices for high-quality bedding. Luxe Sheets start with the best long-fiber cotton, which is woven into single-ply yarn for the finest, yet softest threads. This also means that the finished thread count of 480 is the true number; many other manufacturers weave lower quality, three-ply yarn into their sheets, then use this trick to inflate their thread count.

Brooklinen's Luxe Collection is a sateen weave, with a soft-as-the-clouds feel. Because sateen is woven more tightly than percale, you'll find these sheets cozy and warm, with a soothingly "heavy" feel that many sleepers love. In fact, Ellen Hoffman, the director of content strategy for the Insider Picks team, has been sleeping on these sheets for more than three years, and reports that they are "hands down the best sheets I've ever put on my bed."

She washes her Brooklinen sheets every two weeks and hasn't experienced a degradation in quality; in fact, she says they've softened with time and, thankfully, don't hold on to stains. Her white sheet set has not yellowed after frequent washings either. Overall, Ellen's sheets are in great condition (no rips or tears, no stains, etc.) after years of use, which is comforting to hear given their higher price. 

Brooklinen customers echo our teammate's words, with most saying they loved the softness of the sheets, which increases every time they are washed. As a bonus, the sheets' wrinkle-resistance improves with each wash, as well. And, by the way, you can do that washing in your machine, then either line-dry your bedding or use your dryer on low heat.

The buzz doesn't stop there. Brooklinen has received positive press all over the web, with InStyle saying, "In order to design beautiful, affordable, and ridiculously comfortable sheets, Brooklinen co-founders Rich and Vicki simply focus on quality and manufacturing responsibly." Vogue writes, "the allure of this brand is certainly its technique and use of long-staple Egyptian cotton, which produces sheets and comforters that are softer than most."

Brooklinen currently offers the Luxe Sheets in seven solid colors, along with patterns like stripes and grids. It also frequently releases limited-editor colors and patterns. You can even mix and match colors or patterns within a sheet set, which is definitely a unique perk. The sheets fit mattresses up to 15 inches thick, so be sure to measure before ordering.

Pros: Super soft, high quality, mix-and-match sheet sets

Cons: Expensive, best if line-dried



The best linen sheets

Having tested many linen sheets, we found MagicLinen's to be best because of the wide range of colors and an option for thicker mattresses, and they age beautifully.

If linen is your bedsheet material of choice, the best is from MagicLinen. The Lithuanian company may be a little-known brand, but its sheets rival those from established players in terms of price and quality. That's because linen is the only fabric the company works with.

As a linen sheets aficionado who has tested many, Insider Picks' editor Sally Kaplan swears by MagicLinen. Why linen? It's cozy, cooling, and keeps one from sweating through the night, she said. 

One problem with linen sheets, she said, is that there are few options for deeper mattresses. She found that linen sheets have "constant bunching and corner flipping." But this is something MagicLinen addresses: Besides the many color and pattern options, there's a "deep" option for thicker mattresses.

Brand new, the sheets won't feel as soft as you might expect. However, over time, they will get softer. After many washes, instead of ripping apart, the MagicLinen sheets only "age as gracefully as Meryl Streep," she said. "I'm wary of linen sheets that come to me super silky right out of the bag because that's often a sign that they were treated with chemical conditioners and softeners. MagicLinen is stonewashed — a softening process that's completely natural and nontoxic — and Okeo-tex certified, meaning they're not processed with any harmful chemicals."

Incredibly, the sheets are hand-cut and sewn, yet the company has managed to keep prices competitive. If you end up loving these sheets as much as she does, MagicLinen also makes other products, like curtains and tablecloths. — Les Shu

Read Insider Picks' review of MagicLinen sheets.

Pros: Soft, ages well, comes in many colors and patterns, "deep" option for thick mattresses, natural and non-toxic 

Cons: Not the softest right out of the bag



The best Supima sheets

You don't need to own a Casper mattress to get the benefits of their  Cool Supima Sheet Set and Duvet Cover. Woven from some of the best cotton on the market, these sheets are worth their price.

Supima is considered some of the highest quality of cotton you can find. It's a trademark for US-grown cotton with "extra-long staple fiber that gives the cotton its premium properties: strength, softness, and color retention," according to the organization that licenses that name to companies that use Supima. While the origin of most cotton is difficult to trace, Supima is strictly regulated and represents only 1% of the world's cotton. Which is what makes Casper's Cool Supima Sheets so unique and so comfortable.

Insider Picks reporter Connie Chen tested the Cool Supima sheets and duvet cover, as well as Casper's pillow. "After many nights of great sleep, I can now count (Casper's) bedding products among my favorites." Overall, she thought the sheets were cool and crisp, and the duvet cover had a balanced weight and was well-designed.

The elastic band of the fitted sheet is rubberized, which makes gripping onto the mattress more effective and prevents them from pulling off. The sheet may seem bigger than normal during the first use, but that's to account for a 2% shrink factor — a couple of washes should bring them down in size.

These are "longer-lasting, pilling-resistant, and comfortable sheets that are certainly worth the investment," she said. "The percale weave is what gives the sheets their crisp, cool feel. They're perfect for the summer and warmer climates, or if you tend to overheat in your sleep."

The duvet cover is equally comfortable. Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks' director of content strategy, praised the "superior design details that solve for the annoying inconveniences of typical duvet covers." If the quilt shifts around inside, there are hidden openings that let you easily readjust. It has a good weight, but it's not so heavy that it overwhelms.

In terms of price, the sheets are reasonable. "At $140, its Cool Supima queen-sized sheet set sits between the value-focused Brooklinen and $200-plus options from Parachute, Boll & Branch, and Snowe, so purely based on price, it seemed to strike a good balance," Connie said. — Les Shu

Read Insider Picks' review of Casper Cool Supima sheets and duvet cover.

Pros: Made from high-quality US-grown cotton, cool and crisp, well designed, rubberized elastic

Cons: Does not fit deeper mattresses



The best sheets in fun colors and patterns

Crane & Canopy makes beautiful, silky soft sheets in tons of fun patterns and colors.

Crane & Canopy is a startup that began selling easy-to-use duvet covers in 2012. Since then, the company has branched out into sheets, comforters, pillows, blankets, towels, washcloths, and more. We tried a set of sheets from Crane & Canopy and we loved them. Not only are the sheets silky smooth and soft straight out of the package, they also come in several fun prints and colors.

If you're bored with solid colors and your pile of white sheets, you'll enjoy looking through Crane & Canopy's selection. You can get polka dots, stripes, herringbone, embroidery, and other unique prints that look different from your run of the mill chevron. There are also fun solid colors like coral and lilac as well as more traditional shades like cream, white, gray, and blue.

We tried the gray striped 300-thread count cotton sheet set on our bed, and it felt amazingly soft right out of the package. The fitted sheet is generous in size so you don't feel like you're running out of fabric when it comes time to tuck it in under your mattress. The stripes look classic and cool, especially with a fun bright blanket and pillowcases on the bed for contrast.

Crane & Canopy gives you the option to buy a set with one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases or you can buy each piece on its own. It's nice to have the option because sometimes you just don't need more pillowcases or flat sheets, but you do need a new fitted sheet to fit a new mattress or what have you.

All the sheets are made from long-staple cotton or Belgian linen, and the company's bedding is Oeko-Tex certified, so you know your sheets are free from strange chemicals. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Super soft out of the package, fun colors and prints, can buy as sets or as individual pieces, decent price, long-staple cotton

Cons: Tad pricey for budget buyers



The best flannel sheets

Cozy as a hug and warm as a sweater, the Pinzon Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheets are the perfect accompaniment to your cold-weather Zzz's.

When Old Man Winter starts nipping at your nose, it's time to break out the flannel sheets. The Pinzon Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheets will keep you sleeping cozy, and the great price won't have you waking up in a cold sweat.  

Made from 100% combed cotton, these sheets are crafted in Portugal, and have a double-napped, velvety soft finish. Flannel sheets are not rated in thread count, but rather, in ounces per square yard. The sweet spot for high-quality flannel sheets is 5 to 6 ounces per square yard, and at 5.6 ounces, these are perfect. The weight adds to the coziness, giving you a snug feeling that Amazon buyers loved. They're very soft, as well, and just plain feel good against your skin.

One caution: While the Pinzon sheets are very durable, and resist pilling or ripping, quite a few Amazon buyers did complain that the sheets shed for the first few washes, so you might want to send your set through several washing machine cycles before making up your bed for the first time.

There are eight colors to choose from, but no patterns. The Pinzon sheets fit mattresses up to 18-inches thick but are only available for queen and California king sizes.

Pros: Cozy, soft warmth at a great price

Cons: Some shedding, not available for twin or full mattresses



The best organic cotton sheets

If organic cotton and Fair Trade standards are important to you, the Boll & Branch Signature Soft Solid Hemmed Sheet Sets will help you sleep easy.

Boll & Branch's sateen sheets are made from 300-thread-count long-staple organic cotton, which makes them an unusual find since only 2% of the world's cotton is considered organic. Beyond that, they're both GOTS certified (the whole manufacturing process is considered organic) and Fair Trade certified, which means they hit standards for ethical wages and working conditions.

If that alone doesn't make you feel good about the sheets, the quality of the fabric will convince you. We found them to be super soft and silky to the touch.

Boll & Branch's sheets were also top pick at the Good Housekeeping textile labs, where testers found that the sheets keep their generous sizing even after washing. Although they're more expensive than other sheets, many owners consider the sheets a luxury that's worth it.

The sheets are available in nine tasteful colors and have a 17-inch deep pocket to accommodate taller mattresses. Boll & Branch sells the sheets in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king sizes. These sheets can be returned for a full refund within 30 days. — Ayn-Monique Klahre

Pros: Super-soft, organic, good color range, 17-inch-deep pocket, more size options

Cons: Slightly less soft and breathable than other brands



The best modal bed sheets

If you crave the softness of silk without the diva-level fuss and bother silk demands, you'll love the feel of Pure Beech's Modal Sateen Sheets.

Modal is another fairly new addition to the bed sheet scene, and like bamboo, it's quickly rising in popularity. Also like bamboo, modal is a form of rayon. It starts with beechwood chips, which are dissolved into pulp, dried, and then spun into thread. The resulting material is extremely soft, resists shrinking, fading, or discoloring, and breathes quite well. Modal tends to resist pilling and is very durable.

Pure Beech specializes in modal sheets, and the Modal Sateen Sheets are remarkably soft and breathe well, remaining cool even on hot summer nights.

Bed, Bath and Beyond sells the Pure Beech sheets, and buyers there are quite pleased with them. Reviewers mention that these are the softest, most luxurious sheets they have ever owned, and many also comment that the sheets resist wrinkling and remain cool throughout the night.

On the downside, several buyers mentioned that the sheets did not last as long as they expected, and ripped or shredded after just a year or two of use. The problem may well lie in the sheet's care. Unlike cotton, modal must be washed in cold water and dried on low — not subjected to the high temperatures that cotton tolerates.

The Pure Beech Modal Sateen Sheets are 400 thread count, fit mattresses up to 16 inches thick, and are available in ten colors for twin through California king beds.

Pros: Extremely soft, resist fading or shrinking, don't pill or become scratchy, good selection of colors

Cons: Need to be washed and dried on cool settings, may weaken or tear otherwise



The best microfiber sheets

The Brushed Microfiber Sheets from Brooklyn Bedding offer comfort and durability at an affordable price, so you can have luxuriously soft sheets on a budget.

Brooklyn Bedding made its first appearance in the bedding industry with mattresses crafted in the US and sold directly to shoppers for a more affordable price. This company was one of the first to become a part of the bed-in-a-box industry. Since then, the product line has expanded to include sheets and pillows.

I tested the Brushed Microfiber Sheets, and was immediately impressed with how soft they felt right out of the package. These aren't the type of sheets you'll have to wash multiple times to "break in." I also liked that they didn't feel too thin. These are durable sheets that hold up well in the wash, and I've washed and dried them multiple times with no issues.

They come out of the dryer feeling as soft as they did when I first took them out of the packaging. These aren't as prone to wrinkling as cotton or bamboo-derived sheets tend to be, which is great if you're like me and you tend to procrastinate when it comes to folding your laundry.

The Brooklyn Bedding Brushed Microfiber sheets are made from 100% polyester, constructed with a tight weave that lends to their soft feel. Surprisingly, these sheets do have a lower thread count at 300, but in my experience, this didn't affect the quality at all. Thanks to the material used, I also like that they won't have you sleeping too warm. They have a durable feel, but they don't trap in heat during the night.

These fit our Saatva mattress perfectly, but if you do have a thinner mattress, you may find that they are a little roomier than you'd like, causing them to slip around a bit. If you're unsure, Brooklyn Bedding offers a 30-night trial, so you can return them no questions asked if you find you don't like them.

With the comfort, high-quality feel, and durability these sheets offer, I was especially impressed with their affordable price. Other reviewers are equally pleased with the quality and price of the Brooklyn Bedding Brushed Microfiber sheets.

One Brooklyn Bedding owner wrote, "Lightweight, a perfect fit on my queen bed, great color and soft to the touch. Additionally, the price was unbeatable!" 

When it comes to size and options, there are plenty with these sheets. You can choose from six different solid colors, and they're available in a wide range of sizes, from Twin to California King, so you can find the perfect fit for your bed. — Kylie Joyner

Pros: Soft and comfortable, durable, affordable, color options available, come with a 120-night trial and one year warranty for extra peace of mind

Cons: May be a bit roomy on thinner mattresses



The best budget sheets

The Room Essentials Jersey Sheet Set comes with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and two pillowcases. Made out of a cotton-poly blend, the jersey fabric is so warm, comfortable, and soft, you may not need a blanket.

For less than $50, this Jersey Sheet Set from Room Essentials gives you all the sheets you need. Made of 100% cotton (solid colors) or 50-50 cotton-poly blend, the sheets have that worn-in feel of a nice T-shirt.

These sheets are recommended by Insider Picks' SEO fellow, Shalom Goodman. "I was brought up with rough sheets, but now I don't think I could go back to that," he said. "There's just a cozy feeling about it."

The top sheet is so warm that he has even foregone the use of a comforter. And, he likes the stretchiness of the fabric, which makes the fitted sheet easy to tuck into the mattress. One downside is that they take a while to dry after washing. — Les Shu

Pros: Soft and warm, stretchy fabric easy to put on, top sheet can sub for a blanket, affordable

Cons: Jersey may not appeal to everyone, longer to dry



Check out our other great bedding guides

The best mattresses you can buy

A great mattress can be the difference between a good night's sleep that results in a productive day or a horrible night that makes you feel like you didn't sleep at all. Here are our top picks for the best mattress you can buy:


The best mattresses for side sleepers

Finding the perfect mattress is tough for side sleepers. We've done the research and some testing to find the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Regardless of which one you choose from our favorites, though, we're confident that you'll get a good night's sleep. And if you find that these mattresses don't work for you, rest assured that they come with a sleep trial so you can take these beds for a test run before making a long-term commitment. Here are the best mattresses for side sleepers: 


The best mattresses for back pain

If you've suffered long enough with back pain, it's time to wake up to the advantages of a supportive, quality mattress.

Choosing a new mattress can be a chore, however, there's no doubt about it. There are a lot of brands on the market, and a good mattress can be quite expensive. Luckily, we're here to help. We've done the research for you and rounded up the best mattresses to help relieve back pain. Here are the best ones you can buy: 


The best duvet covers you can buy

Your cozy down-filled duvet needs a stylish cover to keep it clean and add some spice to your bedroom's décor. Here are our favorites:


The best bed frames you can buy

Your bed is not only the highlight of your bedroom, it's the only furniture you spend 33% of your life on. Here are the Insider Picks:

Here are our top picks for the best bed frame:



The best desk lamps you can buy

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  • It's important to have good lighting at your desk so you don't strain your eyes while typing away on your computer or going over documents.
  • There are dozens of different desk lamps to choose from in all kinds of styles, but the Lumiy Lightblade 1500S desk lamp is the best one you can buy to light up your workspace in style.

Society may be moving away from paper toward digital records, but desk lamps continue to have a role in the workplace or in the home even if you're rarely hunched over your desk, staring at a pile of paper these days.

The best desk lamps take full advantage of LED lighting technology, creating lamps that are both stylish and energy efficient. The great quality of light you receive from LED makes these lamps enjoyable to use anytime you need a bit of extra light.

Some people may even prefer a desk style lamp on a nightstand near the bed because they work great as a reading lamp for those times when you prefer a printed book over an iPad. We've researched dozens of desk lamps to find the best ones for different people's needs.

After all, it takes the right type of desk light to help inspire the brightest of ideas! (Feel free to groan aloud; we did as we wrote it.)

Here are our top picks for the best desk lamps:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated prices, links, and formatting.

SEE ALSO: The best standing desks you can buy for your home or office

The best desk lamp overall

The Lumiy Lightblade 1500S desk lamp offers a host of useful features, making it a versatile choice for those who need a lamp that serves many purposes.

We love the versatility in the Lumiy Lightblade 1500S desk lamp, as you can adjust it to meet whatever lighting needs you may have. The Lightblade 1500S has a USB charging port in the base of the lamp, which is an extremely convenient feature you're sure to use regularly, according to the Cosy Offices review.

The 1500S has a pivoting head that lets you swing the light bar into the perfect position over the desk. Additionally, the Lumiy 1500S lamp offers easily adjustable color brightness and color temperature through a touch switch on the lamp's base. You can bring the brightness down from 1,100 lux to 500 lux or adjust the color temperature from 6,600k to 1,800k.

In its review, the Reactual blog says the Lumiy Lightblade desk lamp's LED light bar provides a light quality that's very similar to natural sunlight. That makes it easier on the eyes and better for artists who need neutral lighting that won't skew color hues.

Many Amazon customers love this desk lamp and give it great reviews. One buyer says that the lamp has an excellent build quality and offers a host of desirable features. Most agree that it's a great lamp, but there are some quibbles. Another Amazon customer said the lamp emitted a low noise when it was plugged in and turned off. It seems to be a rare problem, though.

If you need an energy-efficient LED desk lamp that looks a bit modern, provides natural light, and works in a variety of situations, the Lumiy Lightblade 1500S desk lamp is a good choice.

Pros: Great set of helpful features, excellent light quality, USB charging port in the base, head will pivot to fit different sized desks, offers variable brightness and color temperature settings

Cons: Black desk lamp seems to collect fingerprints, price is a little high, modern look isn't for everyone



The best desk lamp for techies

TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp has a fast wireless charger and a USB port built in so it can charge your phone and another device besides.

If you like products that serve multiple purposes, you'll love the TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp with its built-in wireless charger, USB charging port, and many adjustable settings. Since this is a guide for desk lamps, we'll talk about that aspect first.

You turn the lamp on and off with the tap of a finger on the touch-sensitive power button. There's also a ring that regulates the brightness of the lamp and a button that you can tap multiple times to get five different color temperatures for your light. That way, you can decide how bright and how blue you want your light. 

Because I have the TaoTronics lamp next to my bed, I typically have it on the lowest brightness setting and the highest color temperature setting. But when I really need light, I can amp up the brightness with a swipe of my finger. And this lamp gets bright — very bright.

You can also adjust the direction of the light, thanks to the nifty blade-like design of the lamp head. The lamp's head tilts up to 135 degrees and rotates up to 180 degrees, and the arm can be tilted up to 150 degrees and it swivels 90 degrees. It's a very modern design, and it does take up space, but this lamp is incredibly functional. 

The wireless charging pad built into the lamp's base can charge your iPhone X, 8, or 8 Plus with the optimal 7.5 Watts of power. If you have an Android phone, you get 10 Watts of power for quick wireless charging. There's a small rubbery ring on the wireless charger, so your phone won't slide off. I use it to charge my phone every night on my bedside table, and it works like a charm.

TaoTronics also added a USB port in the back of the lamp so you can charge your phone with a cable instead. You could also charge your phone wirelessly and charge another device via a cable at the same time, which is great for multi-device households and tech nerds like me. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Wireless charging, USB-A charging port for another device, varying light color/temperature and brightness, lamp's head is adjustable

Cons: Modern design may not appeal to all, takes up space



The best traditional desk lamp

Desk lamp designs don't get much more traditional than the Torchstar Traditional Banker's Lamp with its emerald green shade and brass-toned base.

If the contemporary style of most modern desk lamps does nothing to inspire you, we have the answer. The Torchstar Traditional Banker's Lamp has the classic style that you see in old-timey movies. It's such a classic look that when you look in the dictionary under the term traditional desk lamp, a picture of this lamp should be included.

The satin brass finish on the base, classic pull chain, and antique-style emerald green lampshade are very retro and old school. You can rotate the lampshade to direct the light where you need it. In its review, The Fab Healthy Life blog points out that the metal base and post are well made and sturdy, too.

The Torchstar desk lamp uses an E26 style light bulb, so you can use replaceable incandescent, fluorescent, or LED light bulbs with it. It's nice to have a choice in which type of bulb you use, though we do recommend you go with a LED bulb for energy efficiency. However, one Amazon customer reported the bulb generated too much heat

Pros: Excellent traditional look, all-metal structure, reasonable price point, can accept any type of E26 bulb, easy to set up and use, 6-foot power cord

Cons: No flexibility in position of bulb, some bulbs could cause excessive heat



The best cordless desk lamp

The Luxe Cordless LED desk lamp's modern cordless design and rechargeable battery make it the most portable desk lamp you can buy.

Want a truly contemporary desk lamp? Not only do you need a non-traditional looking lamp with an LED light bar, you need one that cuts the cord. When fully charged, the Luxe Cordless LED desk lamp can run for about 40 hours, providing continuous light while you work. When you run out of battery life, you simply plug a Micro USB cable in to charge it.

The light bar contains 28 LED lamps that offer 50,000 hours of use, so you won't have to replace this lamp for a very long time. The Luxe desk lamp looks amazingly simple, but it's a long-lasting desk lamp that offers great versatility. One Amazon customer reviewer says the skinny Luxe Cordless lamp is sturdier than it looks.

We wish the lamp had a battery gauge. Instead, the Luxe uses a flashing indicator light that pops up when the battery is nearly exhausted, but otherwise, you don't really know how much juice is left in its battery.

In its review, Lifewire likes the three different light modes and the six levels of brightness within each mode. It's nice that you can adjust the brightness to suit your needs. Although the Luxe Cordless desk lamp looks like a severely bent hockey stick, you can twist and bend the support bar to almost any angle. This versatility allows the Luxe model to work as a desk lamp, a reading lamp, or even a portable work lamp.

Pros: Cordless design gives this desk lamp great flexibility, bendable base for added versatility, sturdy base, available in four accent colors, 18 different total light modes

Cons: Doesn't offer enough brightness for some tasks, no battery gauge



The best inexpensive desk lamp

The TaoTronics LED TT-DL13 desk lamp will light up your work area for much less than the competition with its energy-efficient LEDs.

The TaoTronics LED TT-DL13 desk lamp looks weird — there's no denying that. But its contemporary design starts to look a lot more appealing when you see the extremely low price of this LED desk lamp.

The lamp has a brightness of 410 Lumen, which is adjustable, and a variable color temperature that ranges from 2,700K to 6,000K. Its CRI is 90 and those LEDs should last for 50,000 hours, so you won't have to replace this lamp anytime soon.

The 9to5 Toys review highlights the 25 different light modes the TaoTronics TT-DL13 desk lamp offers, including five different color temperatures and five brightness settings within each color temperature. The lamp has two adjustable elbows, both of which have roughly a 135-degree angle of movement. However, one reviewer mentioned that the plastic and aluminum construction on the joints feels a little loose and flimsy.

One Amazon customer was impressed by TaoTronics LED TT-DL13's ability to light an entire large desk area adequately. Another Amazon customer was disappointed in the quality of the light bar construction and longevity of the desk lamp, but most agree that for the price, it's a very good desk lamp.

Pros: Low price point, two adjustable elbows for directional lighting, provides lots of light, offers five color temperature settings and five brightness settings

Cons: Lamp's elbows feel a little flimsy, longevity of this product is questionable



The best desk lamp for reading

The BenQ e-Reading LED desk lamp is great for reading and it has a really cool contemporary design.

The curved LED light bar on the BenQ e-Reading LED desk lamp definitely grabs your attention, giving this contemporary desk lamp a really cool, industrial design look. But this desk lamp doesn't get by on its looks alone. The BenQ reading lamp has amazing LED light quality and adjustable brightness levels that make it very versatile.

The LED light bar is easily adjustable and it offers a wide light range that will illuminate your whole desk. The light is flicker-free and you can adjust the temperature and brightness to suit your needs. BenQ says it should last 17 years if you have it on for eight hours each day because the LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours.

The Gadgeteer calls it the best desk lamp because of the excellent quality of the elbows. Tech Walls' reviewer calls it the most powerful lamp he has reviewed, saying the brightness of the LED light bar is perfect for reading. However, he also says the e-reader function didn't work as advertised. The BenQ LED light created a glare on the screen of tablets and laptops, no matter what angle he tried to position it in.

One Amazon customer says the light quality of the BenQ LED desk lamp is "world class" and admits that he was hesitant to spend so much on a desk lamp, but the BenQ is worth it. Most customer reviews are positive for this lamp, though some complained that even the lowest brightness setting is too high.

The BenQ e-Reading lamp's heavy base makes it sturdy and ensures that it won't tip over when your cat strolls across your desk or you bump into it accidentally. Although it's expensive, the BenQ lamp is a great desk lamp for people who need good lighting for reading and working.

Pros: Excellent light quality, cool contemporary/industrial design, works great for reading at night, high-quality construction of elbows, heavy base gives the desk lamp a sturdy build quality

Cons: Very high price point, difficult to have success with e-reader feature



The best colorful desk lamp

The Tomons Nature Wood Swing Arm Desk Lamp is colorful and stylish enough to spruce up any desk.

If you want a cute desk lamp that has more style than high-tech features, Tomons Nature Wood Swing Arm Desk Lamp is a great choice. It's also quite affordable, though the price varies based on the color you choose.

The lamp's frame is made of solid, light-colored wood and the shade is made of metal that's painted in your choice of red, white, turquoise, and other fun colors. The lamp is adjustable, so you can angle it to cast light wherever you need it. It doesn't take up too much space, but it gives a good amount of light to work by.

You'll need an E26 light bulb. Tomons recommends you use an LED bulb so the lamp doesn't overheat and you spend less energy. There's a simple on/off switch and a long braided nylon-covered cord.

Amazon customers give this desk lamp good reviews and a high rating. The negative reviews complain of spotty quality control, a difficult assembly process, and defective units. If you run into any problems, Amazon's 30-day return policy should have you covered.

Pros: Cute, colorful, wood accent, easy to adjust, affordable

Cons: You have to replace the bulb



The best antique finish desk lamp

The Malvern 20-inch Desk Lamp has an antique brass finish that complements the look of almost any room with traditional charm.

If you would like more of a traditional look in your desk lamp rather than the newer LED bar light designs, the Malvern 20-inch Desk Lamp is a stylish choice. This lamp looks great almost anywhere you place it, thanks to its distressed antique brass finish and wide shade. The white paint on the interior of the shade really reflects the light well, creating a bright light over the desk.

The Malvern lamp has a wide base with an ornate pedestal. A moveable arm attaches the shade and bulb to the pedestal, completing the sophisticated look. 

The lamp measures 20 inches from the base to the top of the shade. You'll need 21 inches of clearance for the lamp from front to back because of the way the arm angles.

The lamp's socket accepts standard-sized bulbs of 60 watts equivalent, whether they're incandescent, fluorescent, or LED. The lamp features an on/off switch and a 70-inch cord, which is great for reaching far-off electrical outlets.

Pros: Desk lamp looks great with antique brass finish, ornate pedestal provides a sense of style, accepts any type of standard bulb, long power cord, sturdy base ensures desk lamp won't tip easily

Cons: High price point, arm can be difficult to adjust



What to look for in a desk lamp

Before picking a particular desk lamp, think about why you want the lamp. Certain lamps excel at certain tasks, meaning you'll be more pleased with your choice if you match your needs to the lamp's strengths.

  • Brightness: Desk lamps offer a variety of wattages and lux in their lights, which gives you a rough idea of the brightness of the light. Lux measures light brightness and wattage measures the amount of power the light requires to operate. As a general rule, a higher wattage number indicates more brightness. Having the right brightness in your desk lamp means you'll reduce the possibility of eye strain, according to Lightology. The brightness of light bulbs is often measured in lumens. If you want to match the brightness of a 60-watt incandescent bulb, you should find a bulb that's 800 lumens.
  • Color temperature: Whether you like warm or cool light is entirely a matter of preference. Warm yellow light is around 2,700 Kelvin, white light is about 3,000K, bright white light is 3,500K to 4,100K, and bluish white light is 5,000K to 6,500K, according to Consumer Reports
  • Lighting type: The majority of new desk lamps make use of LED lights. These lights offer strong energy efficiency and last significantly longer than an old incandescent or fluorescent light. Additionally, LED lights offer the ability to adjust the color temperature (also called CRI, or color-rendering index), which eases eye strain, as Hooked to Books explains. Finally, LED lights don't heat up as they operate and you don't have to replace them.
  • Location: If you have a particular location where the lamp will reside, make sure any model you pick will fit in that spot. If you're going to be moving the lamp around, perhaps a cordless model that runs on a battery is a smart idea.
  • Reading: A reading lamp should have at least one adjustable elbow, allowing you to change the angle to match the location of the reading materials.
  • Style: Some lamps offer a design that fits in a particular décor of a room. A traditional style of desk lamp looks quite a bit different from a contemporary style of desk lamp, for example.


Check out our other great guides to home office accessories

The best USB desk and portable fans 

Stuck in an office with air conditioning that seems to barely cool the room? Even in a modern skyscraper, the air conditioning can do so much when the bright sun is blasting through the windows. A desk fan can come to the rescue, especially when the summer heat becomes unbearable. And we don't mean those bulky, loud things you have to hunt for an outlet to plug into. What you need is a fan that is powered through USB. Here are the best ones you can buy: 


The best planners for students and professionals 

Self-improvement is a big business. Who doesn't want to be fitter, richer, more successful — or just happier? But to achieve all these things, you've got to get organized. Despite the fact that most of us have some form of electronic calendar on our phones or computers, many people still rely on their paper planning agenda to keep their lives running smoothly. Here are the best planners you can buy: 



The best baby monitors

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best baby monitor buying guide

  • One of the most important and expensive purchases you'll make when you're outfitting your nursery is buying a baby monitor.
  • There are three main types of baby monitors: audio-only monitors, video monitors with dedicated viewers, and Wi-Fi video monitors.
  • Based on our research and testing, the Safety 1st HD WiFi Streaming Baby Monitor is our top pick because it's an easy-to-use HD video monitor that's safe and secure.

Being a new parent is an exciting and occasionally stressful journey into uncharted territory. There are so many things to learn about your baby and all the different products you need to keep your little one happy and healthy. One of the most important and expensive purchases you'll make when you're outfitting your nursery is buying a baby monitor.

Parents are spoiled for choice nowadays, thanks to the rise of the connected home and new technologies like live-streaming video and high-resolution cameras. No matter which type of baby monitor you buy — whether it be an old-school audio-only monitor or a fancy Wi-Fi video monitor — it will have two parts: a monitor in the baby's room and a receiver that you carry around with you to hear and/or view your baby.

There are three main types of baby monitors: audio-only monitors, video monitors with dedicated viewers, and Wi-Fi video monitors that send a live video feed to your tablet, smartphone, or laptop.

The first thing you need to consider is whether you want to have an audio-only baby monitor or one that incorporates video. Some parents choose to use smart home security cameras that send a video feed and alerts to their phones via an internet connection instead. Your choice largely depends on your budget and how high tech you want the baby monitor to be. 

Audio baby monitors are generally cheaper while video and Wi-Fi-based baby monitors can be more expensive.

The most important thing to look for in all kinds of baby monitors is audio quality. Regardless of whether you want a video-based baby monitor or not, you need clear audio so you can hear your baby properly. You'll also want one with sound activation so that you don't have to listen to white noise 90% of the time. With sound activation, you'll only hear the noises from your baby's room when there's something important to hear.

Some audio-only monitors also have LED lights that flash different colors to alert you to changes in your baby's mood or environment. The lights can be helpful if you want the monitor in mute mode or if you're just in a noisy room and the monitor's volume is down.

When it comes to video monitors, you'll want to make sure that the one you're buying offers night vision and a decent resolution. Most baby monitors with a dedicated viewer sadly have low VGA resolutions, which are much worse than the majority of smartphones you can buy these days. A few have a 720p HD resolution, which is decent. We hope more baby monitors go that route in the future.

A Full HD 1080p resolution is ideal but can be pricey, and you'll only get it with Wi-Fi-based video baby monitors that stream video to your smartphone or tablet. Some video baby monitors of tilt, pan, and zoom functions so you can see different parts of the baby's room or zoom right in on smaller details.

If you opt for a Wi-Fi video baby monitor, you'll need a strong internet connection, because if your internet fails, so does your baby monitor. These baby monitors operate like your average smart home security camera from Nest, Canary, or others. You connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network, and then you can access live video anywhere on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Many of these types of cameras offer encryption and other high-tech security features. 

The more old fashioned video monitors are better if your internet isn't reliable because they use a dedicated video monitor instead. You can also choose to pair high-tech Wi-Fi security cameras with cheaper audio-only baby monitors to have the best of both worlds. We've tested a few baby monitors and researched the rest to find the best ones you can buy no matter your preference.

Here are our top picks for the best baby monitors you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Lisa Sabatini: Updated formatting, prices, and links. Replaced out-of-stock LeFun C2 Baby Monitor with an updated model. We are currently testing new products, so we'll update this guide soon.

The best baby monitor overall

The Safety 1st HD WiFi Streaming Baby Monitor allows you to customize and control the way you monitor your child and who else can see your little one.

There are a few things you can demand from a decent HD video baby monitor, like a crystal clear image and good night vision capabilities. And there are things you can expect of a good Wi-Fi-enabled monitor, like easy remote access from a smart device with real-time streaming audio and video. Then there are things you might hope for from a baby monitor, like two-way talk and solid battery life.

Finally, there are features that you probably never even thought of but that you'll get with the new Safety 1st HD WiFi Streaming Baby Monitor, and they're features you will never want to live without once you grow accustomed to them. Trust me — this is the baby monitor I use with my newborn daughter.

Want one example? How about the ability to grant temporary access to your monitor. Using the easy-to-navigate Safety 1st app, you can allow a babysitter, grandparent, or anyone else the ability to access your monitor using their own smart device. You can also rescind this access at any time.

Whether you allow others one-time or occasional access to enjoy a special moment or you establish a schedule during which a regular caregiver can view and listen through the monitor, the process of controlling access is equally easy. Now, what if your baby or toddler just did something super cute when no one else had access? No worries, you can share video clips or stills right over the web.

For serious peace of mind, this monitor allows you to customize both sound and motion alerts. When the monitor detects a level of motion or volume you have deemed noteworthy, it will alert you at once. That way, you don't have to worry about every little noise or wiggle.

On Amazon, one satisfied owner speaks for many when he calls the "picture quality excellent," the night vision "clear" and "so well illuminated," and the sound quality so good that you can "hear everything going on in crisp and clear" detail."

Having used this monitor myself with our kids, I second all that and more.

Pros: Excellent visual quality, temporary access control, pairs with multiple camera units

Cons: Learning curve involved with use

Buy the Safety 1st HD WiFi Streaming Baby Monitor on Amazon for $199



The best affordable baby monitor

The LeFun Wi-Fi Baby Monitor is an affordable and reliable Wi-Fi video baby monitor with night vision and a 720p resolution.

Who says Wi-Fi video baby monitors have to be expensive? LeFun's Wi-Fi Baby Monitor is one of the top-rated monitors on Amazon and at a highly affordable price.

This tiny baby monitor live-streams 720p video from your baby's room to your smartphone, tablet, or computer via Wi-Fi or your data connection. That means you can keep tabs on your baby even when you leave the house. 

There's no dedicated viewer, so you may want to use a secondary device to check on your baby or your phone's battery could run out quickly. It's great that you can see footage on a laptop, too — especially if you work in an office and want to check in on how the new babysitter, nanny, or family member is doing with your baby.

The LeFun baby monitor features automatic zoom, it can tilt or pan, and its IR LED night vision goes up to 30 feet. Reviewers on Amazon applaud the excellent night vision and deem the 720p resolution adequate, though not as great as some 1080p cameras like NestCam

Thanks to two-way audio, you can also talk to your little one when he or she gets fussy. You can also record and save footage on a microSD card to create home videos of your baby being adorable. LeFun's baby monitor offers high-level encryption for extra security, and most parent reviews say the monitor is very reliable.

If you really want to have a dedicated baby monitor for in the house so your phone doesn't run out of battery too quickly, you could supplement the LeFun baby monitor with a cheap, reliable audio baby monitor, like our pick the VTech DM221. That way, you have a backup if your Wi-Fi goes down. Both are certainly cheap enough to pair together.

LeFun also offers a three-year warranty.

Pros: 720p resolution is decent, good night vision, you can watch your baby when you leave the house, video streams to your phone, made for parents and babies, customizable alerts, and it's cheap

Cons: You need to have strong Wi-Fi and there's no dedicated viewer

Buy the LeFun Wi-Fi Video Baby Monitor on Amazon for $37.99

 



The best audio baby monitor

The VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor offers crystal clear audio, two-way talk with your baby, decent range, and a low price tag.

If you aren't interested in having a video baby monitor, the VTech DM221 is the very best audio-only monitor you can buy. You can listen in on your baby or get vibration and light-based alerts when the monitor is in silent mode. The five LED lights indicate the level of sound so you can tell whether your baby is cooing quietly or shrieking for mom and dad.

The audio quality is excellent, thanks to VTech's use of DECT 6.0, so you shouldn't hear any interference, static, or echoing when you listen in on your baby. Since the monitor uses a special frequency to relay the signal from the monitor in your baby's room to the parental unit, everything is encrypted and secure. No one but you will hear your baby.

If your little one gets fussy, you can use the monitor's two-way talk to soothe your baby remotely. Everything you say to the parental unit will relay over to the monitor in your baby's room.

The VTech DM221 has a 150-foot range, which should be more than enough for most homes. Parents just love the clarity of the sound and the reliability of the monitor. Audio-only baby monitors may be more old-fashioned, but you can count on them to let you know when your baby really needs you. 

You can also get the VTech DM221 with two parental units so that both you and your partner can hear the baby if you're in separate parts of the house.

Some parents find that video monitors overwhelming and they check the live feed too often. Audio-only monitors eliminate that compulsive behavior. Sometimes going low-tech and low-cost is the best way to go. 

Another option is to combine a high-end security camera like the NestCam with the VTech DM221, so you have the best of both worlds: a 24/7 video stream that you can take with you and an audio-only monitor you can keep at home. The VTech is cheap enough to buy as a backup or supplemental baby monitor.

Reviews on Lifewire, BabyGearLab, Nanny Cams Reviews, and Best Reviews are all very positive and recommend the DM221 as one of the very best baby monitors you can buy. Parents who reviewed the VTech DM221 on Amazon agree that it's a great buy.

Since this product is shipped from Amazon, you have a 30-day return window. Some baby products also have a 90-day return policy.

Pros: DECT 6.0 provides clear audio, two-way talk lets you chat with your baby, 150-foot indoor range, rechargeable batteries last 18 hours, LED lights and vibration alerts, and a low price

Cons: Audio only and you have to replace or recharge the batteries

Buy the VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor on Amazon for $27.99

Buy the VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor (two parental units) on Amazon for $30.12



The best traditional video baby monitor

The Philips AVENT SCD630/37 Video Baby Monitor is a secure, traditional video monitor that works well.

Traditional video baby monitors don't offer the same high-resolution picture quality we're used to seeing on our smartphones and tablets. If you want high-resolution video of your baby, you'll have to go with a Wi-Fi monitor like the NestCam that streams video to your phone or tablet. The Phillips AVENT SCD630 video monitor may not be high-res, but it's the best of the bunch.

It uses 2.4GHz FHSS technology that offers a private connection between the monitor in your baby's room and the dedicated viewer in your hand. The FHSS connection should minimize interference, and most reviewers say the audio is clear. In BabyGearLab's testing, the reviewer found that the Phillips AVENT had the best audio signal of any of the monitors it tested.

You can also talk to your baby from another room with the monitor or play one of five included lullabies. Phillips added a special feature that puts the monitor on silent until your baby makes a sound that's above a certain level. That way you know when your baby really needs you.

In addition to the great audio, you have video on a dedicated 3.5-inch screen. The AVENT offers 2X zoom and panning so you can scan your baby's room or zoom in on their little toes. Night mode is automatically activated in dark rooms and it has a night light. The monitor will also check for temperature changes so your baby sleeps in comfort.

The batteries are rechargeable, and there's a backup battery option that will last 10 more hours when you're in a pinch.

Parent reviews on Amazon are very positive, and many sites recommend the Phillips AVENT baby monitor, including Lifewire, BabyGearLab, Heavy, and CheekyTummy. Since Amazon fulfills this order, you have a 30-day return window. Amazon says some baby products have a 90-day return window.

Pros: It has a 3.5-inch dedicated viewer, good range, monitors the temperature, two-way audio, LED lights indicate sound level, night vision, and great audio

Cons: Low resolution and it's expensive

Buy the Philips AVENT SCD630/37 Video Baby Monitor on Amazon for $155.47



The best versatile baby monitor

The UrbanHello REMI is a five-function device that starts off as a baby monitor but grows along with your child.

When you're child is still an infant, your family's UrbanHello REMI will serve as an audio baby monitor that helps you keep tabs on the little one. Its softly glowing face also serves as a clock parents and other caregivers can check when in the nursery. When paired with its app, REMI's sleep tracking function will help you establish your child's sleep patterns, noting evident wake-ups and periods of steady rest based on the sounds it detects in the room.

If that's all this multi-function device did, then it would still be worth its price tag. But REMI does more yet. As your child gets older and can begin to manage his or her own sleep schedule, REMI helps the kid out by serving as a sleep trainer. You can program the time that your child is allowed to wake by having REMI wake up at the appointed hour. And to calm and soothe a child, you can use this Bluetooth enabled device as a speaker, playing music or talking to your child via REMI app connection.

Older kids can take over using REMI themselves, using it to listen to music and as an alarm clock. Oh, and also it's a nightlight. UrbanHello calls it a five-function device, but if you add up each of its individual abilities, it's easily twice that, in fact.

One mother left a review raving that REMI is "so much more than a baby monitor," extolling its capabilities as a clock, music player, and sleep trainer. Another parent called it "the best $100 [she] ever spent" as it helped her toddler take reliable naps.

I use this baby monitor with my slightly older kid and he loves it. You can read my full review on Insider Picks.

A writer from Fatherly called REMI a versatile device that served well as a "baby monitor," a "two-way walkie-talkie, [and an] adjustable nightlight," among other functions, noting the fact that kids could make good use of REMI from age zero through age ten. — Steven John

Pros: Multiple functions, helps with sleep training, good sound quality

Cons: Occasional phone connection issues

Buy the UrbanHello REMI 5-in-1 Monitor and Sleep Tracker on Amazon for $99.99



Everything you need to know when choosing a baby monitor

Baby monitors may not seem high-tech (and some of them aren't), but there are a lot of terms you need to know before you buy one. We've broken down the most important terms to know and what to look for in a baby monitor.

  • Security is a mixed bag, especially as baby monitors get more high tech. If tech giants like Apple and Google run into security flaws, high-tech baby monitors are sure to experience similar problems. However, some less high-tech baby monitors aren't secure, either, and many suffer from signal interference. We've checked each company's security policy to find the most secure options for you.
  • Digital vs. Analog: Digital monitors encode signals so that no one else can listen in. Meanwhile, baby monitors that use wireless analog transmission aren't private. Anyone with an RF scanner can intercept the signal and listen. We recommend you look for digital baby monitors only.
  • Frequency: Some baby monitors operate on the same 2.4GHz frequency band as household products like microwaves, cordless phones, wireless speakers, and so on. When the monitor is on the same frequency as a number of other products, you can experience interference and static. You may want to get a monitor that uses a different frequency like 1.9GHz, which the Federal Communications Commission sets aside for audio-only applications. It's called DECT, or Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications.
  • Range of signal: Some baby monitors have better range than others. If you live in a big house with multiple rooms, range will be a key consideration for you. Anyone who lives in a single-story house or a smaller apartment may not need as much range. Many baby monitors have an alert when you get out of range, and the packaging typically gives you an estimate of the range. Bear in mind that range varies widely from home to home. The construction of the walls between you and the baby monitor may even limit the range.
  • Check the return policy: Every family is different, so it can be hard to choose the perfect baby monitor for your needs. For that reason, we recommend you look into each product's return policy. Some companies are very good about letting you return baby monitors, but others are not. You may need to try a few different ones out before you find the winner. Obviously, we hope this guide assists you in making the right choice, but it's always good to have a backup plan. We've noted the return policy for each baby monitor we recommend in this guide.


Check out our other baby gear guides

The best baby swaddles you can buy

While swaddling does come with some controversy, it's hands-down one of the best ways to get a fussy baby to sleep. But like all baby products, swaddles come in all shapes and sizes.

The swaddle you choose will depend on the following: material, ease of use, effectiveness, safety, size, and cost. We used these factors when reviewing baby swaddles. We looked at hundreds of reviews, consulted other moms, and used personal experience to narrow down the list to the best baby swaddles you can buy.

Here are the best baby swaddles:


The best bottle warmers you can buy

You might think a baby bottle warmer is something extra that's not necessary. But when your little one is screaming in the middle of the night for warm milk, having a warmer will save your sanity, and hopefully, some sleep. These gadgets can heat formula and breast milk without hot spots so you don't have to boil water in a pan. 

Here are the best bottle warmers:


The best cloth diapers you can buy

Cloth diapers are easy to use, offer money-savings, and are nothing like the ones your grandma used to use. When you get down to finding the perfect cloth diaper, it comes down to four factors: cost, sustainability, absorbency, and cuteness (your baby has to look good, after all). 

Here are the best cloth diapers:


The best breast pumps you can buy

If you're a nursing mom who plans to spend more than a couple hours away from your baby, pumping is a necessary evil: It keeps your milk supply up and ensures your kiddo has enough to eat.

Here are the best breast pumps:


The best cribs and cradles

A good crib or cradle can buy you some much needed time to yourself while your baby takes a nap or snoozes the night away. Of all the cribs and cradles we've researched, the DaVinci Kalani is our top pick. This crib is attractive, sturdy, versatile, and inexpensive enough to free up your budget for other baby essentials.

You should also consider the Babyletto Hudson, the Stokke Sleepi, the BabyBjorn Cradle, and the Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib.


The best diaper bags

It's no secret that babies require a lot of stuff for a successful outing, so a good diaper bag is one of the most important purchases a parent-to-be can make. Based on personal testing and research, the Skip Hop Duo Signature is the best diaper bag for most parents, with a reasonable price tag, loads of pockets, several stylish patterns, and easy-to-wipe fabric that can take a beating.

You should also consider the Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Backpack, the Storksak Elizabeth Leather Bag, and the Skip Hop Grand Central Bag.


The best nursing pillows

Breastfeeding is natural and amazing for your baby, but that doesn't mean it always comes easy. We've tested and researched many nursing pillows, and the My Brest Friend is the best one for keeping your baby in the right spot during feeding, and it gives you great back and arm support.

You should also consider the Boppy Nursing Pillow, the Blessed Nest Nesting Pillow, and the Twin Z Pillow.



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