• It should come as no surprise that many up-and-coming online clothing startups are based in the fashion capital of New York City. 
• While influenced by its rich history of fashion, these 16 startups are also challenging the traditional ways we think about and shop for clothing. 
• You can learn more about each of the NYC-based startups below. Then, read up on the 11 San Francisco-based clothing startups that prove the Big Apple isn't the only place where fashion thrives. 

Depending on your level of exposure to the most populous city in the US, New York City conjures a variety of associations: a major hub for finance and media, the stage where theatre and fine dining comes to blossom (or die), or simply that one nightmarish place people cram into on New Year's Eve to see a shiny ball drop. 

New York City is all these things, but you also can't forget its place as a fashion capital. The city is every shopper's paradise, with fashionable people and stylish shops on every block. Luxury fashion brands and legacy department stores line Fifth Avenue, while quaint boutiques thrive in SoHo — but it's a new crowd of fashion disruptors that's making some of the most memorable debuts in the NYC clothing world.  

These clothing and accessories startups were founded and based in New York, where the city's influence — its cramped quarters, culture of aesthetes who are never caught in a bad outfit, and busy, fast-paced rhythm — has clearly permeated into their business models and products. 

These 16 startups, while influenced by NYC, are also challenging its fashion traditions by not overcharging for things and trading in excess for simplicity and sustainability. New York City will always be a place for fashion — the following retail startups just approach it in a different way. 

Learn more about the 16 New  York City-based clothing startups that are changing the fashion industry:

Bonobos

Shop clothing at Bonobos here: Bonobos, Nordstrom

Launched officially in 2007, menswear brand Bonobos is one of the earliest examples of the potential of direct-to-consumer selling. Beginning with pants that are neither boxy nor tight (which were sold out of the founders' cars at one point), it now sells a full array of men's clothing, from vacationwear and casual tees to black tie suits. Bonobos continues to be a hit among shoppers because of its superior fit, fun prints, and reasonable price point. 

Warby Parker

Shop glasses at Warby Parker here

New York is home to another early D2C wunderkind, Warby Parker. It makes stylish designer-quality eyeglasses and sunglasses for an affordable price, and you can try out your favorite five styles for free at home before you make your final decision. In partnership with nonprofits like VisionSpring, Warby Parker distributes a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold.

Rent the Runway

Rent clothing at Rent the Runway here

In a city filled with well-dressed people, it's easy to feel the pressure to stay on top of trends and never repeat an outfit. Rent the Runway gives you an infinitely rotating closet of designer clothing that you can wear for special occasions, everyday life, and anything in between, without the commitment. For consistent refreshes, it offers two different membership plans, starting at $89 per month, or you can rent out singular pieces whenever you need them. 

Tommy John

Shop underwear and basics at Tommy John here: Tommy John, Nordstrom

New Yorkers are used to overpaying for things, but can you really justify paying $20 to $30 for a single pair of underwear? For Tommy John's smooth, soft, and incredibly comfortable underwear, yes, you certainly should. Its men's and women's underwear are the best we've ever worn: breathable, resistant to bunching, rolling, and riding up, and just as durable after the 50th wash as after the first. 

Rebag

Shop and sell bags at Rebag here

If you love pairing your outfits with a new pieces of arm candy, but are steadily draining your wallet in the process of buying these luxury handbags, you'll want to shop at Rebag. Here, you'll find authentic, second-hand designer bags for less, and you can also sell back the ones you don't love anymore. With its Infinity program, you can buy a bag from its site, wear it for up to six months, then exchange it for credit (at least 70% of its purchase price) to put towards your next bag. 

Bombfell

Start a personal styling subscription at Bombfell here

When the founders of Bombfell found themselves living the NYC post-grad life with outdated wardrobes, they set out to create a better way to shop for clothing. Bombfell combines algorithms and the personal touch of human stylists to deliver a box of clothing choices you'll love. As Insider Picks reporter Amir points out in his review, it's especially great for detail-oriented guys who are particular about their style. 

MM.LaFleur

Shop clothing at MM.LaFleur here

You don't want to waste time in the morning sifting through a closet of "just okay" professional wardrobe staples like dresses, blazers, and pants. Every style from women's clothing brand MM.LaFleur is a hit that you know will be stylish and comfortable, leaving more room in your head to attack the work day with zeal. Don't know where to start? Try the Bento Box, a collection of hand-selected brand favorites. 

Lively

Shop bras and swimwear at Lively here: Lively, Nordstrom

If you don't want to spend more than $35 for a good bra, look no further than Lively, which was founded by a Victoria's Secret alum. It can be hard to feel confident in your skin if your bra is uncomfortable, but Lively nails the comfort factor (even for much-maligned strapless bras) without sacrificing style. We also love its stylish and functional swimwear. 

AUrate

Shop jewelry at AUrate here

Fine jewelry startup AUrate is one of many making dainty, sustainable, and beautiful jewelry a little more accessible. The materials for its pieces — gold, diamonds, and pearls — are sourced ethically and all the pieces are made right in New York City. Its engraved styles make great gifts, while the Curate home try-on box lets you see the pieces for yourself. You can also visit its retail shops in Williamsburg and the Upper East Side. 

Dagne Dover

Shop bags at Dagne Dover here: Dagne Dover, Nordstrom

We see the neoprene backpacks from this startup on our morning commutes all the time. Dagne Dover handles all your bag needs, from work tote and laptop bag totravel or gym bag with the same poise and sophistication you hope to approach your busy schedule with. We're continually impressed not only by the distinctive styles but also by their smart interior-compartment organization.

State Bags

Shop bags at State Bags here

This bag company founded in 2013 doesn't just make cool backpacks for the sake of doing so. With each purchase, it donates a backpack filled with school supplies to a student in need. The founders created the brand after seeing kids carrying their things in ripped trash bags to their prior venture, a non-profit summer camp. Now, they help you carry your essentials in sleek leather, canvas, and nylon styles while supporting underprivileged kids and raising conversations around social issues.

Greats

Shop sneakers at Greats here

Another brand proud to be born in Brooklyn is Greats, a luxury sneaker company selling a simple selection of men's and women's styles for just $99 or $179. But whether you wear them in a bustling metropolis like New York City or your sleepy hometown suburb, you'll attract nothing less than compliments. The classic sneakers look and feel great because they're made from premium leather (both inside and out) by meticulous crafters in Italy. 

Universal Standard

Shop clothing at Universal Standard here

When Universal Standard first launched in 2015, it brought contemporary essentials to women sizes 10 through 28. Since then, it has followed through on its mission of making fashion for all women by launching collections of clothing for sizes 00 through 40. Universal Standard's revolutionary approach to size-inclusive fashion starts at the design and wear-testing level, which helps ensure that every piece fits a size 34 as well as it does a size 4. 

ADAY

Shop clothing at ADAY here

With its timeless and versatile pieces, ADAY eschews the seasonal cycles followed by traditional fashion, opting instead for beautiful essentials made from long-lasting, technical fabrics and sustainable materials like recycled plastic. It's hard to pigeonhole its clothing into one category, but based on our experience with its comfortable yet sleek pieces, we call it our favorite athleisure startup. 

Basic Outfitters

Shop underwear and basics at Basic Outfitters here

Basics like undershirts, boxers, and socks are probably the least exciting clothing items to shop for. They're simultaneously the most important to get right since they form the foundational layer of your outfits. Inspired by the founders' move to NYC and their subsequent realization that poor-quality basics were taking up valuable space, Basic Outfitters makes it quick, easy, and affordable to refresh your entire drawer with great basics. 

Koio

Shop sneakers at Koio here

These luxury sneakers are made in the same factories as high-end brands like Chanel and Hermes, but cost a more palatable $180 to $370 per pair. You can shop low tops, high tops, and chunky sneakers that are functional (comfortable, supportive, and easy to clean) and eye-catching (buttery soft leather, hand-painted edges, a variety of color options). 

• If you want to switch to navigation gestures on a Samsung Galaxy S10, you can turn them on in a few quick steps via the Display section of the Settings app.
• You can use navigation gestures on a Galaxy S10 in place of the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen, though gesture navigation is turned off by default.
• Once turned on, the Galaxy S10's navigation buttons disappear, but you swipe up from the bottom in the same relative position to navigate. To go to the Home screen, for example, swipe up from the bottom center.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With your Samsung Galaxy S10, you have the option of using gestures for navigation instead of the traditional buttons at the bottom of the screen — but this capability isn't turned on by default.

That's because when you enable gesture navigation, the icons for Back, Home, and App switcher disappear, and that's probably a bit confusing for new users. But using these gestures is easy.

How to switch to navigation gestures on a Samsung Galaxy S10

1. Start the Settings app.

2. Tap "Display," and then tap "Navigation bar."

3. On the Navigation bar page, tap "Full screen gestures."

4. Make sure the button order is configured to your liking — by default, the Galaxy S10 uses the second option, which is Back, Home, and App switcher.

How to use navigation gestures on a Galaxy S10

Once you've turned on gesture navigation, the traditional navigation icons disappear from the bottom of the screen and are replaced by three bars. Just remember that while the buttons are gone, you should make your gestures in the same location where each button used to be.

Here's what you need to know:

• Back. To go to the previous screen, instead of tapping the Back button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen where the Back button used to be, on the left.
• Home. To go to the Home screen, you can no longer tap on the Home button. Instead, swipe up from the middle at the bottom of the screen.
• App switcher. To open the app switcher, swipe up from the bottom right of the screen.
• Google Home. To open Google Home, you used to tap and hold the Home button. Now, swipe up from the bottom center of the screen, then pause (leaving your finger on the screen) a short distance up. This gesture works no matter how far up the screen you swipe before pausing – a short distance or all the way up to the top.
• Switch among open apps. There's one other gesture you can use to flip among all the apps that are open. Swipe from the middle bar to the bar on the right. This might take a little practice; you need to position your finger directly over the middle bar and swipe to the bar on the right. If you swipe above the bar, it won't work.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to do split-screen multitasking on a Samsung Galaxy S10, using two apps side by side

• How to take a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy S10 in 5 different ways

• How to customize the Bixby button on a Samsung Galaxy S10, and assign commands or specific apps to it

• How to set up fingerprint scanning for unlocking a Samsung Galaxy S10, and add additional fingerprint patterns

SEE ALSO: The best wireless chargers you can buy

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 23 useful iPhone tricks and hidden features to make your life easier

• Natasha Case is CEO and cofounder of Coolhaus, an ice cream brand available in 7,500 stores.
• She started her business in 2009 by converting an old mail truck into a food truck and driving it to Coachella, where she and her partner, Freya Estreller, sold handcrafted ice cream sandwiches to festival-goers.
• Now, 10 years later, the brand is a success, and Case is reflecting on some hard-fought lessons she learned along the way.
• For instance, it takes years to understand who you are, especially as a leader — and having the right people by your side is incredibly important.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
  
  

If you had told me 10 years ago that I'd be running an ice cream brand that now sells to over 7,500 stores nationwide, I never would have believed you. At the time, I was an architecture student with a budding interest in making ice cream sandwiches.

On a whim, in 2009 my partner and cofounder, Freya Estreller, and I decided to convert an old postal truck into a food truck and drive out to a desert music festival outside of Los Angeles. Our handcrafted ice cream sandwiches were an instant hit among festival-goers, and we knew we had to continue selling them after the event ended. It's been a whirlwind since that weekend — even when we were both working multiple jobs and things got chaotic, we felt consumed by our passion, and driven to continue growing our business.

Now, over a decade later, I wanted to share the five biggest learnings I've taken away from the whole experience — not only in business, but in life.

SEE ALSO: A liberal Silicon Valley engineer got so tired of his peers constantly bashing Trump that he found the most conservative town in America and moved there.

1. Get scrappy

When we were first getting started, our beaten down food trucks often struggled to get from point A to point B. After we decided that we'd make our debut at the music festival, we had to convince our friends to come work with us in exchange for festival tickets. Whether you're running your own business or not, success in any capacity requires a bit of scrappiness. Being willing to roll up your sleeves, problem solve on your own, and ask for help are all necessary attributes to get anywhere in life.

2. Find the right partners to have by your side

Running a successful business is all about surrounding yourself with the right people. It's important to build a team that motivates and inspires you on a daily basis, and to work with partners that support your journey from day one.

As small business owners with little entrepreneurial background, we sought out resources that made the process simpler. We worked with LegalZoom, which was affordable and easy-to-use, to officially set up our business as an LLC. When it came time to find investors, we partnered with those who were willing to let us push boundaries — milkshake and fries ice cream, anyone? In life, too, I've learned how important it is to have a supportive network and think about who's in your corner.

3. Know that life is meant to be unbalanced

In the early years of Coolhaus, the business fully ran my days — I devoted 100% of my time and energy to my business to make it as wonderful as I knew it could be. Luckily, I was romantically involved with my cofounder (my now wife!), so it made it possible to be together and keep the business going. Eventually, Freya decided to move on from the day-to-day of Coolhaus — and although that was challenging, it was the biggest and best step for our relationship and the company.

I always say (if you decide to work with your romantic partner, friend or family member) the business has to be bigger than a relationship and the relationship has to be bigger than the business. Now, I feel like I've gotten to a place of really great creative and business focus and balance with my personal life. I have an excellent team around me, so I've been able to start our family (we have a 2-year-old son and are working on kid number two!) and just enjoy the things I love outside of my love for leading Coolhaus. Although you may come across a few chaotic moments, you have to learn to accept that life is not about a "perfect" equilibrium, but rather how you define your own happiness — and you just have to enjoy the ride.

4. It takes years to understand who you are, especially as a leader

As an entrepreneur, being the face of a brand can feel intimidating, especially when you're growing over the years. As a leader, discovering your management style takes years, too. In the beginning, it really was a case of faking it until I made it. Confidence is everything — even if you don't always know what you're doing, being bold and self-assured will help you become the type of leader you aspire to be. That's not to say that you'll always get it right. Leaning in to obstacles and uncomfortable moments are excellent opportunities to learn and evolve. And having the humility to admit and learn from your mistakes will get you a long way.

5. Bumps in the road are inevitable

The main thing I've taken away from this journey is to expect roadblocks, no matter how well you plan. The nature of running a startup is that you're going to have obstacles, whether it's a broken-down truck or getting turned down by investors. By embracing challenges and taking setbacks in stride, you'll realize just how capable you are — whether in the workplace or outside of it.

At the end of the day, if your side hustle or passion keeps you up at night, if you have a compelling story, and if others believe in what you're doing, it's worth pursuing. Whatever you're doing in life, trust your gut — there will always be discouraging people you come across, but with a little grit, self-confidence and the right team, you can succeed.

• A "wellness house" in San Francisco called Residence 2646 by Troon Pacific Inc has been completed.
• The home comes with sustainable and wellness-oriented features including a fitness studio, massage room, spa, and yoga studio — and a $34 million price tag. 
• High-tech features in the home include an elevator, a lighting control system, a Tesla Power Wall and car charger, and Smart Home automation system.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Wellness-mania is upon us, and now, if you have $34 million, you can even purchase a "wellness house."

Residence 2646 by Troon Pacific Inc. is a five-level, four-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom home in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

The residence comes with amenities like a fitness studio, massage room, and spa with a glass-enclosed sauna and steam shower.

Sustainable features throughout the home include a hospital-grade air filtration system that replaces all the air in the house every two hours, as well as a water filtration system.

Read more: 2 private islands 30 minutes from Manhattan just hit the market for $13 million

The residence also includes high-tech features like an elevator, a lighting control system, a Tesla Powerwall and car charger, and a Savant Smart Home automation system.

Keep reading for a look inside the home.

SEE ALSO: Here's the salary you'll need if you want to afford a mortgage in 17 major US cities

SEE ALSO: A former NYC drug cop who bought his first property for $22,000 now has a $400 million real-estate portfolio, and he says he doesn't even track the value of it

Residence 2646 by Troon Pacific Inc. is a wellness-focused home in the San Francisco Bay area.

Source: Google Maps

The home is within walking distance of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Source: Residence 2646

The five-level, four-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom home will be listed for $34 million. It includes an indoor/outdoor garden room with a full-service wet bar, a media room, a humidity-controlled wine room, an au-pair suite, and a guest suite.

Source: Residence 2646

The home is sustainable, energy-efficient, and pre-certified LEED. The glass-enclosed staircase featured in the back of the photo was designed to spread natural light and air through each floor.

Source: Residence 2646

A HousePure water filtration system filters water throughout the home while a hospital-grade MERV 13 air filtration system changes the air in the home every two to three hours.

Source: Residence 2646

Shielded cables were installed in all the bedrooms to decrease the risk of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF).

Source: Residence 2646

The sliding glass pocket doors on the fifth floor, also known as the penthouse, are completely hidden within the walls.

Source: Residence 2646

The kitchen features 10-foot ceilings and a 30-foot sliding glass wall that opens to a terrace.

Source: Residence 2646

An open floor plan connects the living area with the dining area.

Source: Residence 2646

And then there are the wellness amenities. The garden level of the home features a wellness area that includes a fitness studio, massage room, and spa with a glass-enclosed sauna and steam shower. Adjacent to the wellness center is a hardwood deck that doubles as an outdoor yoga studio.

Source: Residence 2646

The wellness concept applies to furry friends as well. Included in the multi-purpose garage, which boasts enough space for three cars, is a pet spa.

Source: Residence 2646

The staircase on the fifth floor leads to a rooftop that overlooks the San Francisco Bay.

Source: Residence 2646

The outdoor area comes with a sunken living room area, a fire pit, and a built-in barbecue area.

Source: Residence 2646

Gregory Malin, CEO & founder of Troon Pacific told Business Insider that he envisions a family living in the home.

The $34 million price tag of Residence 2646 is well above the average price of a home in San Francisco— $1 million — but it does seem clearly and obviously designed to cater to a growing interest among the luxury sector: wellness.

Wellness amenities are becoming a staple in luxury buildings. And features like fitness centers and spas are increasingly popular in the luxury market as the status of luxury becomes more clearly defined by experience rather than by brands and logos.

As Business Insider's Lina Batarags previously reported, the real-estate record in San Francisco is held by 2712 Broadway on San Francisco's Gold Coast, which was listed for $42 million and sold for $38 million. And the $34 million price tag still falls short of 950 Lombard Street, which hit the market for $45 million in October and stands to set a new city record if it goes at asking price.

• The Galaxy Buds are Samsung's answer to Apple AirPods, and you can pair a Samsung Galaxy S10 with Galaxy Buds easily.
• To pair Galaxy Buds with a Galaxy S10, just open the charging case near your phone and tap "Connect" on your phone's screen.
• If you have a problem pairing the Buds— or you want to pair other brands of Bluetooth headphones — you can do that from the Bluetooth page in the Settings app.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There was definitely a time in technology history when connecting devices — even ones advertised as "plug and play" — was convoluted, time-consuming, and frustrating. Thankfully, those days are pretty much over, at least for the newest generation of mobile gadgets.

Connecting Galaxy Buds to your Galaxy S10 is a seamlessly simple experience. And if you want to connect other wireless earbuds to your phone, you can also do that easily.

How to pair a Samsung Galaxy S10 with Galaxy Buds

1. Make sure the Galaxy Buds are in their charging case and that the earbuds are at least partially charged.

2. Place the case near your Galaxy S10 and open it.

3. After a few moments, your Galaxy S10 will display the Galaxy Buds screen, asking if you want to connect to this device.

4. Tap "Connect."

How to pair a Galaxy S10 with other wireless earbuds

You can pair your Galaxy S10 with other wireless earbuds, including Apple AirPods, though the process is slightly less automated.

1. Start the pairing process by putting the wireless earbuds in pairing mode. For Apple AirPods, for example, press and hold the pairing button on the back of the AirPod charging case until the status light begins flashing.

2. On the Galaxy S10, start the Settings app.

3. Tap "Connections" and then tap "Bluetooth."

4. Tap the entry for the wireless earbuds. After a moment, the earbuds should pair and you may begin to use them.

How to pair Galaxy Buds that won't pair automatically

If you have trouble getting your Galaxy Buds to pair using the automatic process, you can still pair them by following the steps for other wireless earbuds.

1. Make sure the Buds aren't currently paired with another nearby phone. If they are, unpair the earbuds from that phone or turn off that phone's Bluetooth.

2. Try the automatic method again.

3. If it still doesn't work, manually enter pairing mode by tapping and holding the touchpad on the Galaxy Bud.

4. On the Galaxy S10, start the Settings app.

5. Tap "Connections" and then tap "Bluetooth."

6. When it appears, tap the entry for the Galaxy Buds.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to hide the camera notch on a Samsung Galaxy S10, by adjusting your screen or downloading a custom wallpaper

• How to take a screenshot on a Samsung Galaxy S10 in 5 different ways

• How to change the default keyboard on a Samsung Galaxy S10 by installing a new one

• How to use 'Wireless PowerShare' on a Samsung Galaxy S10, turning the phone into a wireless-charging pad for other devices

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Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Watch Apple's 2019 WWDC event in 11 minutes

• Logitech's Harmony line of universal remotes is stacked with some of the best options out there.
• The newest device in the Harmony line is the Logitech Harmony Express, which is voice-operated via Alexa.
• It's simpler and more streamlined than Logitech's other remotes, but if you're not into the idea of using voice commands, you're better off with a different version like the Harmony Elite.
• The Harmony Express is pricey at $250, but it's worth the upgrade if you have a lot of devices to control in your living room or home theater and don't like to be inundated with too many buttons.

Logitech's Harmony universal remotes are arguably the best out there for controlling all aspects of your home theater, including your smart devices.

The most recent launch in the series — the Harmony Express— is Logitech's most advanced universal remote yet. The Express aims to streamline control over your home theater by integrating Amazon's Alexa and simplifying the remote face, differentiating itself from the previous Logitech Harmony Elite, which offers users control over every tiny detail in the room with a lot of buttons.

But just how smart is it? And does the Alexa integration succeed in making it easier to watch, play, and listen in the living room? I've been using it for a few weeks to find out.

The design of the Logitech Harmony Express

The first thing you'll notice about the Logitech Harmony Express is its sleek design. The Harmony Express is made up of two components — including the "Harmony Blaster," which is a puck-shaped brain that lives on the TV stand, and a remote, which is how you'll control everything.

The Harmony Blaster is small and easily hidden, though it should be placed in a relatively central location on the TV stand, as it will use infrared signaling to communicate with at least some of your devices. On the back of it, there's a MicroUSB port to power the device. There's also a mini blaster that can be connected to the main blaster and placed somewhere else on the TV stand, in case the main blaster isn't able to reach certain devices with its infrared signal.

The remote is very simple, too. At the top, there's a big round button that you'll use as a directional pad, and to activate Alexa. Talking to Alexa is easy — just hold down the button and say what you need, and Alexa should answer back.

You'll also see buttons to control volume and playback, as well as to control the software of whatever device you're using, whether it be an Apple TV or a smart TV with software built in.

Last but not least is the design of the Harmony Express app, and it's beautifully simple. Those coming from the Harmony Elite may miss some of the more in-depth features in the Harmony Express app, but for most, the app will be easy to navigate thanks to its big buttons, colorful look, and clear labels.

Generally speaking, I love the simplistic look of the Harmony Express— and it feels especially right given the fact that the device is built to simplify in the first place.

The set-up process 

Setting up the Logitech Harmony Express is a relatively simple process, though you will need to set aside a good 15 minutes or so to get everything up and running. You'll also want to know the model numbers of each of your devices you want included in the setup. That includes TVs, set-top boxes, streaming devices, receivers, soundbars, gaming consoles, and so on. In my set-up process, I included a TV, A/V receiver connected to speakers, Apple TV, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. 

During set-up, you'll download the app, then follow the on-screen instructions, which include adding each device and telling the app exactly how everything is connected, noting which inputs each device is connected to. For most, this should be a relatively simple process, though some will find that they'll need to follow the HDMI cables from each device to double-check which inputs everything is connected to. You'll also need to log in to your Amazon account, which is how the device gets set up for use with Alexa. 

Once you've completed the set-up process in the app and made sure everything switches on when needed, you should be good to go — and you'll be able to use Alexa to control your devices. 

The features that make the Logitech Harmony Express stand out

The big difference between the Logitech Harmony Express and other universal remotes is the fact that the Harmony Express is mostly used through Alexa. In fact, while the remote has physical buttons for volume and playback, it notably doesn't have any buttons for turning on and off your devices — so you'll have to get used to using Alexa if you aren't already. Through Alexa, you can ask to "turn on the TV," which will include turning on any streaming devices you use to watch TV. The nice thing about this device is that it knows which devices you need to use and when. When I ask it to "turn on the PS4," it doesn't just turn on the actual console — it also turns on the TV and the A/V receiver, plus it sets the receiver to the right input. The same is true for the Nintendo Switch, or the Apple TV.

You can get a little more granular than that, too. Instead of simply asking Alexa to "turn on the TV," you could ask it to "Go to Netflix," and it'll know to turn on the Apple TV, TV, and receiver, then switch to the Netflix app. If you have a cable box, you can tell it to turn to specific channels, and you can switch by channel number or by the name of the channels.

Of course, considering the device has the full capabilities of Alexa built in, you're not limited to home theater control. If you have smart home devices set up through Alexa, you can use the remote to control those devices. You can also ask it for information about the weather, from the web, and so on — just like you would be able to do with an Amazon Echo.

Possible pitfalls of the Logitech Harmony Express

The Logitech Harmony Express is versatile and simple, but there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to the commands to use with Alexa. For example, you can't ask Alexa to "Turn on Netflix" — you have to ask it to "Go to Netflix." On the flip side, you have to ask Alexa to "Turn on the TV" if you don't have a specific app or channel you want to go to. 

That said, you'll get used to the process within a few days, and once you do, you won't make too many mistakes. 

While this wasn't an issue for me, some reviewers argue that the device should support more than one mini blaster. This would come in handy for seriously large setups, but one should be more than enough for most. We didn't even have to use the one mini blaster — the normal blaster was good enough.

The specs and dimensions

• Blaster: 3.5 x 0.8 inches
• Remote: 5.18 x 1.8 x 0.52 inches
• Supports (and requires use with) Amazon Alexa
• App supports iOS 10 or later, or Android 5.0 or later

The bottom line

The Logitech Harmony Express is an excellent universal remote option for those that feel comfortable using their voice with Alexa to control living-room devices. The Express flawlessly ties together all the devices in your living room or home theater, doing away with the need for multiple remotes for different components of your setup, and simplifying it into a process even your grandparents could understand. Sure, it's not as feature-packed as the Harmony Elite, but the fact is that most don't need those features, or the complication that comes with them — and for that reason, we think that the Logitech Harmony Express is a great buy for the vast majority of users. 

Pros: Very simple to use, clean design, voice-controlled, Alexa is powerful, supports massive range of devices

Cons: Commands take some getting used to, can be overly specific

Buy the Logitech Harmony Express on Amazon for $249.99 

Buy the Logitech Harmony Express on Logitech for $249.99

Join the conversation about this story »

• The Volkswagen Beetle, created in the late 1930s as the "People's Car" and later a huge success in postwar America, has been retired. The Final Edition model is rolling out of the VW factory in Mexico.
• I drove a $26,890 Final Edition VW Beetle and got one last chance to explore its virtues.
• The VW Beetle is still a great car at a good price. I'll really, really miss it.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Well, it's over. Volkswagen has decided to discontinue the iconic Beetle, which, depending on how you count the years, has been around since 1938.

The modern iteration goes back to the late 1990s, updated in the 2000s. Now the automaker is offering a "Final Edition" of the so-called "A5" version, as it did for the preceding "New Beetle" that captured the public's imagination 20 years ago.

"Style cars" such as the Beetle are victims of the consumer rush to somewhat cookie-cutter crossover SUVs. That's the problem with nostalgia: because it already is old, it can get old fast even after it's revived. 

For a long time, I didn't think much of the revived Beetle, but once I drove it, I developed a crush on the adorable two-door hatch. The rear-engined Beetle of the 1970s that I encountered a fair amount growing up had been succeeded by a modern, front-engined machine that delivered decent power and fair comfort. 

Even since, whenever I think about a new car, I think Beetle.

Oh well, now I'll have to think used. But in the meantime, I took a crack at the VW Beetle Final Edition SEL, tipping the price scales at $26,890 (and that just added a $900 destination charge to the sticker). Here's how it went:

Behold the 2019 VW Beetle "Final Edition" SEL, in a handsome "Platinum Gray Metallic" paint job.

It's the end of the road for the iconic Beetle, which has been in production in this renewed form since the late 1990s, and in this model since the early 2000s. No more Bugs will roll out of the factory in Mexico.

Over 21 million of the famous Beetle were manufactured, beginning in the late 1930s. The Bug really took off when it landed in the US in the late 1950s, and it's long been associated with the 1960s counterculture.

A few years ago, I sampled an off-road-ready Dune Beetle and sort of fell in love with the unusual set of wheels.

Read the review »

Yep, the Beetle has a distinctive look: that curved front, those bug eyes.

The Beetle is of course unmistakable in profile. A utilitarian design has become an international icon. The proportions, you'll note, are actually perfect.

The 18-inch white alloy wheels were a little weird initially, but I grew to like them.

Likewise the rear spoiler. I'm not sure it's all that useful aerodynamically, although the Beetle isn't slow, just not blisteringly fast: the 0-60mph dash happens in less than eight seconds.

The Beetle badging in chrome is unique to the Final Edition.

The headlights Bi-Xenon ...

... And the running lights are LEDs.

And to be sure the VW badge is front and center.

Opening the hatch reveals the 15-cubic-foot cargo area. It sounds good on paper ...

... But in practice it's a tad awkward. I had to squeeze stuff in at angles. A subwoofer for the audio system consumes some of the space.

Let's step inside! The "Pepper Beige and Black" leather interior was roomy and comfortable in the front.

The dual-glovebox has the dashboard throwback to Beetles of old. It's call "Kaferfach," meaning "bug box" in German.

A large knob in the ceiling console ...

... Operates the large moonroof.

The back isn't very roomy. The VW is a four-seater, and the rears can handle small children — and adults for short jaunts.

The diamond-stitched details are special to the Final Edition Beetle.

Over the week I tested the VW, I ferried around as many as four people and surprisingly got no complaints.

The leather-wrapped, multifunction steering wheel has a nice, thin feel to it — another throwback feature. The Instrument cluster is a straightforward analog affair.

The VW Beetle Final Edition is powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that makes 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

The power is routed to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission that has both a Sport and a manual mode.

The stick-shift-like setup is actually one of my favorites, and the VW Beetle was one of the few cars that I've enjoyed driving in manual mode.

The 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is sort of antiquated, but navigation, media, and Bluetooth pairing all performed flawlessly in my testing, as did the voice recognition program.

The Fender premium audio system is one of my favorites. It sounds great, especially when you're playing mostly garage rock!

We usually save this part for the verdict. But this time around I'm just sad the Beetle is going away.

I have a soft spot for the Beetle and have often thought about buying one as a backup car. I like that it's fairly rudimentary compared to more modern cars (although the Final Edition SEL came with a nice camera system plus park assist and blind-spot monitoring). I also like that it's small, yet not too small: it's easy to maneuver in the city but also big enough to handle the suburbs and not get pushed around on the freeway.

It would be the ideal vehicle for my retired self, puttering around the New Jersey 'burbs with jaunts to Manhattan and maybe the odd weekend road trip. Fuel economy is fixed-income friendly: 29 mpg city/33 highway/26 combined.

The VW Beetle wouldn't work as a main family car outside of an urban context, but compared with other style-mobiles, such as the MINI Cooper and the Fiat 500, it's a worthwhile option to explore for singles and couples. The design annoys some, but there's no doubting its Bug-ness, so the car isn't trying to hide its lineage.

It's also pretty fun to drive. With less than 200 horsepower, you can get into everything the Beetle has to offer. The steering isn't terribly crisp, and the braking is sort of loose, but the suspension is sharp and once you get to tossing the thing into some corners, you want to toss it into more.

I struggled a bit with turbo-lag from the 2.0-liter motor. It was easy to overcome by tipping the throttle in before asking for power, and even easier in manual mode, but more than few times I wondered where the juice had gone. Overall, this didn't bother me too much, as I didn't see the Beetle as a high-performance, small-engine ride (its siblings, the GTI and Golf, are a different story). 

VW sold a little over 14,000 Beetles in the US last year. Not bad, but not enough to keep the vehicle around. Consumers want four-door crossover SUVs these days, disadvantaging the awkward aspects of two-door hatches. 

So, so long, Beetle. It's not like we hardly knew ya, after six decades. But I always shed a salty tear when a model drives off to that great garage in the sky, and in this case, we really are sending off one of the most incredible auto designs in human history. (Fortunately, VW built enough Beetles to keep us in used Bugs for a while).

So good night, sweet Beet! I'm glad I got a Final Edition ride.

• Whether you're looking to set the mood or freshen up the scent of a room, a candle can do the job. And, it makes a great gift.
• If you think candles are old-fashioned, our favorite candle brands are sure to show you otherwise.
• Read on to learn more about our favorite candles and where to buy them online.

When Forrest Gump said that life is like a box of chocolates, perhaps what he really meant was that life is like a collection of candles. Sweet at times, acrid at others, but certainly always worth trying. Really, there isn't an occasion that couldn't be made better by the addition of a candle or two. Whether it's the mood lighting or the fresh scents it provides, candles are worthwhile additions to any home.

Of course, not all candles are created equal. As it turns out, Yankee Candle is not the only candle purveyor in the world, and not all candles have to be the size of your head and smell sickeningly like a pumpkin spice latte. Rather, if you're looking for an elegant, classic candle that can elevate rather than overwhelm the senses, you'll want to keep a few things in mind.

First and foremost, what kind of scent are you after? Our favorite candles tend to smell a bit earthier and somewhat floral, without any artificial additives that result in a cloying sweetness. Sandalwood is often a pleasant scent, as are jasmine or gardenia.

Second, in what situations are you most likely to burn a candle? If you're looking for something to complement dinner, you'll probably be looking for a different candle than the one that performs best in the bathroom.

You'll also want to consider the amount of light you want your candles to emit. Whereas some candles have only one wick, others have two, three, or more, which can offer a warmer glow in the evening.

Finally, you'll want to keep the packaging in mind. Some candles are (almost) too pretty to burn, which could be useful if you're looking to display candles as decor.

Candles can feel like a dime-a-dozen, but as someone who has tried many brands, I can tell you that not all candles are the same. I've narrowed down our list to the best candles, ones that offer something unique. Diptyque makes our favorite candles, but you should also check out Le Labo, LuDela, Otherland, Voluspa, and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day for reasons outlined below.

Here are our top picks for the best candles in 2019, and where to buy them:

• Best overall: Diptyque
• Best affordable candle: Voluspa
• Best candle for men: Le Labo
• Best seasonal candle: Otherland
• Best natural air-freshening candle: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Scented Soy Candles
• Best candle that isn't actually a candle: LuDela

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.

The best candle overall

Diptyque candles are not only pleasant to smell, but they're also beautiful to look at, making them the absolute perfect candle.

My colleague Sally Kaplan described Diptyque as the "Cristal of the candle world," and I couldn't agree more.

What truly separates a Diptyque from other candles are the unique scents. You could opt for the best-selling Baies (French for berries), which combines blackcurrant leaves and rose petals for a fragrance that is warm, welcoming, and sophisticated. Or, you could opt for the newer Lys scent, which is floral without the sickly sweetness that generally comes from candles. Diptyque describes Lys as being akin to "a huge bouquet of fresh-cut lilies, like a shower of white petals," and while these descriptions are over the top, this is surprisingly fitting.

And as lovely as the Diptyque scents are, what makes the candles popular is the attractive trademark packaging — it's classy yet understated, discrete enough to fit in with any decor. While many of these candles come in clear glassware, some other options come in opaque black or white containers that are equally elegant. As for sizing, the Diptyque candles come in quite a range, from small, single-wick to double- or even triple-wick candles.

Pros: Pleasant scents, elegant packaging, wide array of sizes

Cons: Expensive, limited variety of scents (though for good reason)

The best affordable candle

Fancy candles don't have to be expensive to be worth your money, and Voluspa proves that.

Looking for a candle company that offers a wide range of scents, sizes, and containers, but doesn't come close to breaking the bank? Enter Voluspa.

Voluspa offers not only classic scents that are available year-round (like my favorite, the Bergamot Rose, which smells exactly as it ought to), but also sells holiday-specific fragrances. Unlike many of our other top picks, these candles come in different sizes, so you can actually choose how many wicks or how much wax you want to work with. If you're particularly fond of a particular scent, you may want to choose a larger size and make it last a bit longer.

Similarly, you can also customize the packaging of certain candles by choosing different containers and colors. Sure, that might result in a bit of paradox of choice for some, but if you're one who prefers more optionality to less, then this is certainly the way to shop for a classic candle.

Voluspa's candles can also be purchased in sets of miniatures, which makes them ideal for gifting.

Pros: Affordable, wide range of sizes, wide range of scents

Cons: Packaging may be a bit too flashy for some

Buy Voluspa candles from Nordstrom starting at $10

The best gender-neutral candle

Le Labo will convince you that candles need not be effeminate, and can indeed be perfect for a so-called "masculine" household.  

Not only does Le Labo make the soaps and lotions of my dreams, but they also make some of the best candles. And while my boyfriend generally makes his own candles (seriously, with pine sap), the only other scents he allows into his home are ones from Le Labo.

Le Labo's scents tend to veer toward woodier notes. While that's not manly, it is more gender neutral than, say, a bouquet of fresh flowers. For example, Le Labo's trademark Santal 26 scent offers a smoky, leathery fragrance, and doesn't bear any cloying sweetness or lingering artifice. Instead, it's a pure, simple smell that would work just as well in a kitchen as it would in a bathroom. So not only are these scents gender-neutral, they're location-neutral as well.

I've also noticed that you don't have to burn a Le Labo candle for the fragrance to become noticeable. That isn't to say that it's overpowering, but simply that its scents are noteworthy and quickly dispersed throughout a room.

One of my very favorite Le Labo candles is undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a gift for a special occasion that will last for months on end (and realistically, years, if you don't light it much), I would definitely spring for the concrete candle. This incredibly unique offering is actually poured into a concrete pot and is enormous (and also enormously expensive). But for a candle that doubles as a conversation piece, this is the way to go.

If you're looking for something a bit less imposing, the majority of Le Labo candles are packaged in a chic glass cup with a wide base and slightly tapered top. Once you've burned out the candle, these little containers are absolutely beautiful as vases or as a home for your succulents.

Pros: Gender-neutral scents, quick-dispersing, beautiful packaging

Cons: Like Diptyque, these Le Labo candles are very expensive

Buy Le Labo candles from Nordstrom starting at $65

The best seasonal candle

For candles that reflect the changing times of the year, you have to go with Otherland.

If you're always in search of the freshest new scent or scouring the candle market for the fragrance that no one else has, then your journey must begin and end with Otherland.

This candle purveyor not only makes some of the most wonderful-smelling scents I've ever encountered, but it also does so on a purely seasonal basis, which means that you're almost certainly assured a unique scent. Of course, that comes with its downsides — if you fall in love with a particular fragrance, you may have to buy in bulk; you never know when you might encounter that particular candle again.

These candles induce rather unique sensory experiences. One of my favorites currently being offered is the Kindling candle, which has notes of wood, clove, and smoke. And while a heavier hand could result in the verge of acridity, the Kindling suffers from no such problem. Instead, it's a rich scent that is unlike most other candles and is interesting enough to keep you coming back for more.

Equally interesting is Chandelier, which evokes champagne, saffron, and leather notes. While those certainly aren't scents that I would ever put together, something about the combination is extremely beguiling, and I certainly wouldn't mind burning this candle for hours on end.

Otherland candles can be purchased either individually or as a three-pack, and the packaging is as colorful and whimsical as its fragrances.

Read more about Otherland in our Insider Picks review and learn why it makes a great gift.

Pros: Wide range of scents, creative packaging, frequent new offerings

Cons: Limited edition scents go quickly

Buy Otherland candles starting at $36

The best natural air-freshening candle

If you care more about scent than looks, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Scented Soy Candles are affordable, all-natural air-freshening solutions that are easy to find.

Admittedly, most of the candles on this list are a bit flashy, and we know most people don't want to spend $50 or more for something that won't last forever. But if you're looking for a no-nonsense candle that smells terrific and easy to find, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Scented Soy Candles are our favorite.

Mrs. Meyer's is known for making household products that use natural ingredients and are cruelty-free. The wax in its candles are derived from soy, cottonseed, and vegetables, so you don't have to worry about toxic ingredients (there's no lead and the wick is made from cotton). They come in basic glass jars, however, they look more country-home utilitarian than decorative penthouse apartment. These candles are all about making a room smell nice, not necessarily looking nice.

Available in small and large, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Scented Soy Candles cost less than $10. In our experience, the candle does a good joy staying lit (the company states a 35-hour burn time). When the wax melts into liquid, the candle's scent increases, naturally. Of the scents available, we find Lemon Verbena to be the most pleasant and strongest, but ultimately, scents are subjective. If citrus isn't your thing, there's Basil, Geranium, Honeysuckle, and Lavender.

Best of all, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Scented Soy Candles are sold at most big-box stores and supermarkets, like Target, Walmart, and Safeway, as well as Amazon.

Pros: Affordable, made with natural ingredients, widely available, great scents

Cons: Not decorative, may not last long if burned continuously

Buy 7.2-ounce Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Scented Lemon Verbena Soy Candle from Walmart for $7.16

The best faux candle

Not all candles have to burn, and the LuDela Remote Control Real-Flame Candle offers many of the same benefits as the traditional thing, but without any of the danger.

If there's one downside to a candle, it's that there's always a lingering fear that you (or someone else in your home) may knock it over. If you're looking for a candle that offers peace of mind, what you want is something nontraditional: a LuDela Remote Control Real-Flame Candle.

This is not some cheesy fake candle you see at party stores. Offering all the same benefits as a traditional candle (complete with pleasant scents and melting rings), the LuDela candle does away with any and all danger because it's actually entirely electric. This "smart" candle can either be operated via a remote and can be programmed to work on a schedule.

You can turn this candle on and off like you would a regular light switch (using the remote control), but it looks a lot like a natural flame than a man-made gadget. With LuDela's Scent of Demand, you can also add fragrances to the candle for an even more authentic experience. For added security, the LuDela will actually extinguish itself if it's ever knocked over.

Pros: Safe to use, real candle-like glow, traditional design fits any decor, programmable

Cons: If you love real candles, Ludela won't do the trick

Get a LuDela Remote Control Real-Flame Candle Starter Set from Amazon for $99

• Weighted blankets create deeper, more restful sleep and reduce anxiety and stress by using deep-touch therapy— similar to the comfort created by swaddling babies.
• Gravity Blankets makes one of the most popular options, and the company recently released a version of its blanket specifically designed to have a cooling effect.
• I've been sleeping under the New Cooling Blanket ($259), and it's definitely the most breathable and best-looking of any weighted blanket I've tested. It's also one of the most compact.
• It comes with a steep price tag, but if you're looking for the best — and can comfortably afford it — this is a solid option. Find my full review below.

There are few purchases in my adult life that I would say have been truly life-changing — and most of them have incidentally wound up been sleep-related. Two fantastic pillows, a mattress pad that inspires me to actually rush home for bed, and, above all else, weighted blankets.

I truly didn't know how much better my quality of sleep could get until I started sleeping under a 15-pound weight. And an improvement to sleep impacts pretty much every area of your life; with deeper, more restful shut-eye, I was finding I had more energy during the day and actively looked forward to getting to bed earlier at night.

If you're in the early stages of research to find the right one for yourself, you've probably already run into the name Gravity Blankets. It's a Kickstarter-alum that now sells one of the most popular — and luxurious — options on the market. We ranked their original Gravity Blanket ($249) the best overall weighted blanket you can buy. However, sleeping under an inherently dense, adult-sized weight isn't always appealing for those who sleep hot, or who hate the idea of blasting the AC and running up the energy bill over the summer. For them, Gravity just released a new Cooling Blanket ($259). To see if it could actually hold up on a swampy summer night, I tried it in my small NYC apartment that suffers from a greenhouse effect with its heat. 

How do weighted blankets work?

Weighted blankets work through deep pressure touch simulation therapy (or DPTS) that's similar to the effect achieved by swaddling babies or putting dogs in "thunder jackets." While light touches can alert the nervous system, deep pressure (such as a good massage or tight and heavy blanket) has a relaxing, calming effect on the body. That's essentially why weighted blankets are used for therapeutic treatment of sensory disorders, anxiety, depression, autism, insomnia, and more. They're a relatively inexpensive, effective, and medication-free way to encourage calmness and relaxation. According to a Mayo Clinic Minute interview with Dr. Adam Perlman, it's kind of like what happens in the body when you get a hug.

More specifically for sleep, deep pressure relaxes the nervous system, reduces the stress hormone cortisol, and encourages serotonin and dopamine production, which promote relaxation and regulate our moods. Then, serotonin converts to melatonin, and that makes you sleepy. The tangential feelings of calm, safety, relief, and comfort only aid in your body's natural processes. There are also studies that demonstrate how grounding the human body during sleep measurably reduces or eliminates pain and stress. 

If you're looking into giving one a shot, aim for a weight that's about 10% of your own body weight. My 15-pound blanket is a little more than 10% of my body weight, but it still feels perfect. If you feel like something heavier might make it harder to roll over or give you a feeling of being trapped, err on the lighter side. 

What makes the New Cooling Blanket different?

The New Cooling Blanket ($259) is the company's redesigned version of its original, the Gravity Blanket ($249). Per the name, the New Cooling Blanket has been designed specifically to be a cooler, more breathable variation. It still uses glass beads instead of plastic polypellets for a better experience (glass beads are smaller, denser and make the blanket noticeably less bulky), but the duvet cover is made with a "faux tencel" material that encourages airflow and keeps you from overheating. Like its predecessors, it too has Gravity's gridded stitching to keep the internal glass beads from dispersing unevenly during sleep. 

You can find in understated white, grey, and navy colors. 

My review of Gravity's New Cooling Blanket

The New Cooling Blanket is still a weighted blanket, so I was skeptical of how much an updated duvet cover could do. In person, though, it did seem to keep me unnaturally well-regulated throughout the night. If you're imagining it feeling like the cold side of the pillow all the time, that's not the case. But it does feel cool, silky, and breathable at first touch and when readjusting — it's just not a persistent phenomenon. The cooling is more subtle, though nonetheless effective, than that. In this, it reminded me of workout gear: Good performance materials let me get through a yoga class without cursing whoever makes my leggings, but rarely do I notice the work being done to wick away moisture and dissipate heat while it's happening.

I slept with the New Cooling Blanket ($259) as my main blanket with temperatures in the mid-80s with 75% humidity without AC or a breeze and never woke up uncomfortable. I was impressed with how well it managed to regulate my temperature. It won't be as airy as a linen top sheet — but it would be unrealistic to expect it to be. If you're looking for a way to make a heavy, 15-pound blanket more breathable, this may be your best option.

Another thing worth mentioning if you're going to drop $200+ on a blanket is that it's by far the most aesthetically pleasing weighted blanket I've ever used. If you care about the overall aesthetic of your room, and the rest of it sounds justifiable to you, this is the one that will be the most undetectable. It looks fresh and crisp — like any other quilt.

The bottom line

The New Cooling Blanket is worth it if you want to experience the benefits of a weighted blanket but don't want to risk overheating at or having to blast your AC all night.

If that doesn't describe you, it's worth looking into some alternatives before giving up the dream of owning a weighted blanket: There are under-$100 options on Amazon — like this $60 version I also own and love — though you'll probably need to throw on the AC in the summer if you plan to use it then (and once you start it's hard to stop, so I'd plan for that). Your budget and needs will determine what's the best value deal for you, but, regardless of which one you ultimately choose, I couldn't recommend trying a weighted blanket highly enough. 

Shop the New Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket, available at Gravity Blankets, $259

Join the conversation about this story »

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• Tyler "Ninja" Blevins, the world's most well-known competitive gamer, is releasing three books this year.
• The first, titled "Ninja: Get Good," is an illustrated guide to help fellow players become competitive gamers. It will be accompanied by "Ninja Notebook," a journal designed to encourage players on their quest to up their game.
• The third book, "Ninja: The Most Dangeous Game" is a graphic novel about Blevins being held captive in a new video game and fighting his way out.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The world's most popular video game streamer will soon be a published author, thanks to a three-book deal from Penguin Random House. Tyler "Ninja" Blevins has become a global superstar in the past year after building a reputation as one of the best "Fortnite" players in the world.

Ninja boasts more than 22 million subscribers on YouTube, along with 14 million followers on both Instagram and Twitch, Amazon's video game streaming service. He saw his popularity skyrocket after playing "Fortnite" with Drake last year, and was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2018.

Now Blevins is sharing some of his gaming expertise in a new book called "Ninja: Get Good, My Ultimate Guide to Gaming." The book is designed for players ages 10 and up, and covers a wide range of topics. Readers can expect to learn how to build a gaming PC, how to practice and improve in their favorite games, how to build a competitive team, and how to form an online community.

Read more: Ninja wants to be more than just 'the Fortnite Guy,' but the world's most popular gamer is headed into uncharted territory

"Ninja: Get Good" will be released on August 20, alongside "Ninja's Notebook," a journal with stickers, writing prompts, and blank pages for players to document their foray into the world of competitive gaming.

Ninja will also co-author and star in a graphic novel called "Ninja: The Most Dangerous Game." In the story written for young adults, Ninja is trapped in a new video game and must find a way to survive and make his way home. The book is being co-authored by Justin Jordan, who has worked on DC's "Green Lantern" franchise and helped create "The Strange Talent of Luthor Strode;" artist Felipe Magaña will provide illustrations. "Ninja: The Most Dangerous Game" is due out on December 3rd.

In a recent interview with "Los Angeles Times," Ninja said he wants to be known for more than just "Fortnite," and his new book deal could be an important step in expanding his repertoire.

SEE ALSO: This 27-year-old makes $500,000 every month playing 'Fortnite' in his bedroom — here's how he does it

DON'T MISS: Electronic Arts took a huge gamble by paying the world's most popular gamer $1 million to play its new game for a day. Here's why it was worth every penny

Join the conversation about this story »

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• It's common for people to be drawn to products for the pretty packaging, but it's the efficacy and value that keeps them coming back for more. 
• Saturday Skin is a Korean skin-care line that boasts packaging of social media envy, but most importantly, its scientific formulations yield serious results.
• I tried the Bright Potion Serum ($51), Pretty Pop Whipped Cream ($57), and Cotton Cloud Mask ($6) and was impressed with how well they worked on my sensitive skin. 

Sleeping in on Saturday morning is one of life's simple pleasures — and it shows. Eyes look brighter, cheeks look pinker, and smiles look wider. Your skin is fresh with the sort of glow you only get from knowing your calendar is free for two full days of doing whatever you please. You're left with a radiance that money just can't buy.

Except it can. 

Saturday Skin thinks your skin deserves that weekend glow on any old Tuesday. The self-proclaimed "weekend in a bottle" is just that — a skin-care line full of products with formulas developed to mimic the way your skin looks when you wake up feeling refreshed: clear, dewy, and supple. Coming to the market at a time when K-beauty is all the rage, you've probably scrolled by this South Korean skin-care line on your Instagram feed before. Pretty pink and shiny bottles stand out on a shelf and on your feed, enticing potential customers with cool packaging. 

Saturday Skin is more than just fodder for your feed, though. Behind the Millennial pink and holographic bottles is skincare that seriously works. Formulas are developed by scientists at Chaum, an iconic wellness center in Seoul known for it's effective and innovative skin-care treatments. From cleansers to serums and creams, the Saturday Skin collection has everything you need for an effortless glow. The secret that sets Saturday Skin apart is the Cha-7 es complex™, a patented peptide formula engineered to promote skin's natural regeneration. 

The packaging is cute, the science seems to be all there, but does it really work? I got to try three of the brand's products from their new line of probiotic skincare — the Bright Potion Serum ($51), Pretty Pop Whipped Cream ($57), and Cotton Cloud Mask ($6)— and was pleasantly suprised at how nicely they worked on my skin. Keep reading for more about how each product worked. 

My review of Saturday Skin

Cotton Cloud Mask, $6

I'm not the biggest fan of sheet masks. They tend to slide off my face too easily, making them much less effective and much more inconvenient to wear — plus, I find buying masks in tubes or tubs are a more economical move. This Saturday Skin iteration may make me a convert, though. After flying two red eyes in one week, my skin was as jet-lagged as I was. I decided to open the Cotton Cloud Mask (which has the cutest packaging, including some adorable smiley cloud stickers) and give it a try.

The mask itself is made with natural microfibers, which adhered to my skin better than any sheet mask I've ever tried before. The sheet is packed with prebiotics and probiotics, along with vitamin E and polyphenols to add hydration and boost vitality.

It was easy to leave this mask on for twenty minutes as it didn't slip off once. After the time was up, I rubbed the rest of the serum into my skin to help everything absorb and I have to say, it looked great. This mask is super moisturizing, and the powerful ingredients leave your face with a radiant flush — you couldn't even tell I'd just taken a transatlantic flight. At $6, I would definitely buy this again when I feel like my skin needs an extra boost. 

Pretty Pop Probiotic Power Whipped Cream, $57

When they say probiotic power, they mean it — this moisturizer has four types of probiotics, and two prebiotics to make those even more effective. What stood out to me most, though, is the texture. It's a velvety smooth consistency that melts into your skin. You can actually see the little encapsulated probiotics in the lotion (they look almost like mini microbeads), which is a nice reminder that they're really there. The lightweight consistency is moisturizing without being heavy, so it works well all-year round for all skin types. 

There a few key ingredients here that work together to give you that weekend glow. Hibiscus extract smooths skin and diminishes the appearance of fine lines, vitamin-rich moringa seed extract enhances skin's natural glow, and Niacinamide protects and tones skin. At $57, this is more than I usually spend on a moisturizer, but I see the appeal. My skin looked more supple after hydrating with this cream, and a little goes a long way so I could see this tub lasting a while. 

Bright Potion Probiotic Power Serum, $51

This serum contains the same prebiotic and probiotic capsules as the accompanying moisturizer. It also boasts Niacinamide to improve tone and texture, as well as seabuckthorn extract to deeply nourish, and Irish moss extract to soothe and hydrate. 

One fluid ounce is $51, but since this is a serum, you really only need a drop. Saturday Skin suggests you warm the product between fingers, then tap into skin. I like that this serum isn't too liquidy — it has a smooth jelly-like consistency that makes application a breeze. After dabbing it onto clean skin and letting it sink in, my skin looked noticeably brighter and it gave my face a healthy flush, which is uncommon after a night of not-enough sleep. While pricey, I would definitely buy this again — it's potent, easy to use, and is the kind of product that yields results right away, making it perfect for the morning. 

Bottom Line

Ultimately, I was impressed with how well Saturday Skin's products worked. If you're looking to revamp your whole skincare regimen, you can try a sample set filled with some of the company's most popular products. If you want to treat yourself to a hydration boost before a special event, you can't go wrong with the Cotton Cloud Mask. I loved the delicate cream and lightweight serum, but they are both relatively expensive. If you are deciding which to splurge on, I'd go for the Bright Potion Serum. Serums are generally more potent and penetrate the skin more deeply than moisturizers, so you'll really get your money's worth.

When it comes down to it, these products work — the pretty packaging is just an added bonus.

Shop all Saturday Skin products at Sephora

Get the Bright Potion Serum, $51 

Get the Pretty Pop Whipped Cream, $57

Get the Cotton Cloud Mask, $6

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There are few things as delicious as Olive Garden breadsticks, Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream, and a Sicilian slice from L&B Spumoni Gardens. 

But as someone who's about to walk down the aisle in less than two months, I've been eating my weight in vegetables and lean protein rather than carbs and sugar. 

Most of my meal prepping on weekends has my fiancé and I slicing and dicing $200 worth of vegetables — and let me tell you — it gets old fast. So to make us feel less like line cooks in a restaurant and more just like normal people trying to eat healthier, we've been using different kitchen gadgets and seasonings. 

Here are 6 things that help make prepping vegetables feel less like a chore:

SEE ALSO: I haven't gone to a grocery store in months or a drugstore in years — I use Instacart and Amazon Subscribe & Save instead

A sheet pan for roasting

USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan, available at Amazon, $19.99

Roasting veggies in a sheet pan is as easy as it gets. Just slice everything, toss with oil and seasoning, dump them on a tray like this, and fire your oven up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Just make sure not to overcrowd them on the tray, otherwise they'll just soften up instead of crisping.

A concentrated vegetable essence for umami

Yondu Vegetable Essence, available at Amazon, $8.99

Seasoning with salt and pepper is fine for a week or so, but after a while, everything just tastes bland, no matter how much you trick yourself into thinking you're Salt Bae.

This is a concentrated soybean base with onion, white radish, leek, cabbage, carrot, shiitake mushroom, ginger, and garlic extracts for layers of flavors that I wouldn't get from basic seasoning. It also gives off a slightly umami flavor because of the mushroom, which definitely makes eating vegetables much more enjoyable. 

It's organic, vegan, and gluten free — none of which I practice for health reasons, but just generally makes me feel better about what I put into my body. 

The essence is a high in sodium, but I do use it sparingly (a splash or two at a time), so I don't find it overly salty or feel bloated after incorporating it into my dishes. 

A mandolin slicer for easy uniform cuts

Kyocera Ceramic Adjustable Mandolin Vegetable Slicer, available at Amazon, $18.69

For quick and uniform cuts, there's really nothing better than a mandolin slicer. You can easily slice zucchini, onions, carrots, cucumbers, and more with a few passes. I find that using a mandolin slicer also helps veggies cook faster and more evenly than if I had cut them with a knife.

This one from Kyocera is nice because it has a slim profile that you can place over a bowl or counter, and a guard for your hands so you don't slice yourself. The adjustable dial increases or decreases the thickness of the slices without you needing to switch out blades to accommodate different vegetables, which I find immensely helpful during prep. 

Word to the wise though — I've nicked my fingers and knuckles, so definitely go slow, do not try to force the vegetable over the blade, and do not try to get down to the itty-bitty nub before changing the vegetable. You're much better off chopping the nub with a good ol' knife. 

A slow cooker for satisfying ratatouille and stuffed peppers

Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook and Carry Slow Cooker, available at Amazon, $49.99

When I'm tired of roasting and sautéing veggies, I'll slice layer them in a slow cooker underneath a hearty tomato sauce and pretend I'm Remi in Ratatouille, or I'll stuff peppers with meat, cheese, and more veggies, and let it bake through. Both somehow always tastes much more satisfying than veggies on their own, and almost resets my palette.

I have an older, more basic slow cooker without the digital display or programmable cook times like this one, but they all work the same way. I'll wait until mine is tired of making ratatouille before upgrading to this. 

Glass storage containers to keep food from spoiling

 Oxo Good Grips 16-Piece Smart Seal Leakproof Glass Food Storage Container Set, available at Amazon, $57

If I'm going to spend so much time prepping my meals, they better not spoil before I can eat them. This set of glass containers keeps all the air out of the food, and the lids have little locking flaps keep everything secure and prevents leaks. I've carried a ton of meals in these containers and none have spilled. 

Spicy honey for a little kick

Mike's Hot Honey, 12-Ounce Honey With a Kick, available at Amazon, $8.06

I try to avoid processed and natural sugar, but I still drizzle a bit of this spicy honey when roasting things like Brussels sprouts or carrots. It. is. so. darn. good. 

The combo of sweet and spicy is perfectly balanced, and helps give more depth than basic salt and pepper alone. You can also use this honey on top of pizza, fried foods, and as a glaze for BBQ meats. 

• Greenland can be cold and expensive, but a voyage aboard the Arctic Umiaq Line is a comfortable and affordable way to have an unforgettable experience.
• The only ship in operation is the M/S Sarfaq Ittuk, which connects settlements throughout western Greenland.
• The ferry has many of the same conveniences as a cruise ship, like an onboard cafeteria and cinema.
• I recently sailed north on the ship to meet locals and see a side of Greenland I wouldn't have seen had I flown in an airplane, which is often more expensive anyway.
• As much snow and ice as there was, it was troubling to hear locals say there was much less than usual for the time of year.

The Mother of the Sea is in a caring mood.

"The sea is really quite gentle today – it's just like being rocked to sleep like a baby!" says Lars, the friendly man at the Sarfaq Ittuk's information booth on deck three.

He's not wrong. The slow rolling – up and down and up again – is pleasantly relaxing, all the more relief for someone who's never been on a passenger ferry at sea before.

Admittedly, visiting in Greenland is not for everyone. While global warming is causing a worrying (and increasingly rapid) melting of the vast island's icecaps, it's still too cold for many people's comfort almost year-round. There are no large cities. Because of its remoteness high up in the North Atlantic, Greenland also has a reputation for being incredibly expensive. Almost everything has to be imported; a single loaf of bread in the capital Nuuk (by far the largest city) can cost more than $3 at a supermarket.

Read more:These photos of sled-dogs trekking through meltwater in Greenland are a stark reminder of vanishing Arctic sea ice

Yet there are ways to have the experience of a lifetime without breaking the bank. One of the best ways: sailing up the coast on the Arctic Umiaq Line's M/S Sarfaq Ittuk, like I did earlier this year for less than $400.

Sailing up and down the more populated western side of Greenland, the ship plays an important role in connecting coastal communities that otherwise are only accessible by plane or helicopter – which can be even more expensive. Not only that, but a journey aboard is a great way to meet locals outside of a package tour or cruise.

Here's how to see Greenland in a much more intimate way for much less than what international cruise companies charge while supporting the local economy:

The Arctic Umiaq Line is a Greenlandic institution.

Tracing its roots back to the 18th century, its name comes from the Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic) word for the traditional Inuit open skin boat, the umiak (or umiaq). Today, it is a lifeline for connecting communities big and small along the coast of western Greenland.

My journey began in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland and by far the largest city. I had never seen so many fireworks as I did on New Year’s Eve there.

Not only is Nuuk the most populous city, it is also home to essential services like Greenland's largest hospital. Many fellow passengers on the ferry were returning home after visiting family for New Year's. On New Year's Eve, I had never seen so many fireworks. Setting the sky ablaze, the lights turned the snow into a rainbow of reds, greens, purples and blues.

At first, I thought nearly $400 for a few days at sea was a bit much. But flights can sometimes cost $1,000 or more, and there are cheaper options that don’t include a private cabin.

I usually go for the least expensive class no matter how I travel, but I thought with a journey of several days and no idea what else there would be to do on the ship, it might be a good idea to get a private cabin. It was easy to book a cabin through the Arctic Umiaq Line's website.

The cabin, not far from the cafeteria on deck three, was far more luxurious than I was expecting: with three fold-down beds, one big blue couch and a desk in middle, there was also a dresser, TV with several channels and movies, and a private bathroom with shower that, thankfully, had hot water. There were three black coat hangers, and an extra cushioned blue chair for guests.

They even left towels, a coffee maker, enough packets of instant coffee to wake an army, and three little liquorice and toffee-flavored hard candies with the Arctic Umiaq Line logo on them. It was like a hotel room at sea.

I had never been on a ferry at sea before, so I was concerned about seasickness. Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about.

"Get some rest and eat some food – not too sweet, something with good energy like cereal or bread," recommended Lars, the information officer who manned a small booth on deck three, in perfect English and with a big smile. "And don't forget to drink enough water."

I followed his advice to the letter – and come morning, felt as strong as an ox. I don't know if I've ever slept so soundly.

The first order of business was to explore the ship. It was not large, but there was a lot more to do than I was expecting.

With five decks and capacity for fewer than 300 passengers, the Sarfaq Ittuk is much smaller than most cruise ships. Yet it still had an onboard cinema where people could watch movies for free (some that played during my journey included a 2016 Oliver Stone film about Edward Snowden, the 2017 Emma Watson, John Boyega and Tom Hanks-starring techno-thriller "The Circle," and a 2016 movie about the beginnings of McDonald's called "The Founder"; all were shown in English), a carpeted cafeteria, and a small gift shop.

My favorite place, though, was the passenger lounge on deck four.

The cozy area at the back of the ship, with blue couches and wide windows for viewing the sea and dramatic snow-covered coastline, reminded me of my favorite restaurant when I was growing up near the Northern Oregon Coast. It was a great spot to read and write while looking out for whales and other wildlife.

It was late afternoon when we left Nuuk, but because it was winter and we were so far north it had already been dark for a few hours.

While there's plenty of daylight in Greenland in summer (Gunnbjørn Fjeld, Greenland's highest mountain, is said to receive more hours of light than almost any place on earth), in winter it can be dark for almost the entire day – and the further north you go, the more darkness there is. But there were a few hours of twilight around midday each day we were at sea – it was easily the best time for watching the natural scenery and taking pictures.

Added on to the ticket I bought were three meals a day at the on-board cafeteria, Café Sarfaq. The food was as good as any restaurant.

Since nearly everything must be imported, food in Greenland can be stomach-churningly expensive. So, I thought paying a few dollars extra for three meals a day as an add-on to the price of my cabin was a good value. The set meals were far more diverse than I expected, and included things like fresh juices, fruit, and vegetables that would have probably been prohibitively expensive on their own. Everything tasted reasonably fresh. One evening we even had steak with gravy, potatoes and steamed vegetables that tasted as delicious as any you'd get at a steakhouse.

As we travelled, it was obvious Greenland was a place unlike any other.

As we bobbed up and down with the swells of the Davis Strait (which separates Greenland and the Canadian territory of Nunavut), the inky blue darkness of the water was dotted all around with the white caps of waves – like sprinkles on a blueberry-glazed cake (which I read about in the magazine called Suluk – the Kalaallisut word for "Wing" – left in my cabin).

Outside, the scent of salt air filled the nostrils as spray flew all around – a real high seas adventure! No wonder so many children were running around pretending to be pirates.

There’s no other way to put it: it was brutally cold.

It's one thing to say a place is very cold – it's a whole other thing to really experience it. Even wearing no fewer than seven layers of long-sleeved sweaters and jackets that made it hard to even move my arms like something from a comedy film, I could only be outside for a few minutes before I would lose all feeling in my extremities and need to come inside. The constant wind did not help. It was so cold, it literally burned the skin and made touching things painful. No wonder so few people were outside.

Amid such freezing temperatures, taking decent photos up on the top deck that weren't blurry was all but impossible.

Still, it was disturbing to hear locals say there was much less snow and ice than usual for the time of year – and for the sea to be almost completely ice-free.

It's one thing to hear about global warming – it's a far more powerful experience to suddenly see the changes firsthand. For almost the entire journey, the sea – even next to the shore and hundreds of miles north of the Arctic Circle in the middle of winter – was ice-free. Even as recently as last year, the Sarfaq Ittuk could get stuck in ice for days at a time.

On day two, we visited Kangaamiut. Beautiful as it was, it felt strangely eerie.

As we approached the settlement, which has fewer than 400 residents, the billowing wind-blown snow obscured the brightly-painted houses like some kind of eerie fog. Amid the winter twilight, it felt like being in a real-life mystery novel.

We were unable to dock in Kangaamiut, so passengers and cargo had to be transported to shore on a small orange motorboat.

Just thinking of being exposed to the biting wind and stinging spray from the freezing sea on the small motorboat, easily visible from the comfort of the well-heated passenger lounge, made me shiver.

Every few hours, we’d stop so passengers could disembark and new ones could come on board. One of the busiest stops was in Sisimiut.

About 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Nuuk, Sisimiut is Greenland's second-largest city. With a population of more than 5,000, it is also the biggest north of the Arctic Circle. It certainly showed when we were there – the stop was one of the longest of the voyage. Far more people got off than got on. When we departed, the ship felt quite empty.

We usually stayed close to the shore. Still, it was difficult to spot much wildlife.

I'm sure they were out there, but I didn't see any whales surfacing for the air. Aside from a plethora of seabirds like white and black-striped, thick-billed murres, it was hard to glimpse any wildlife. Lars said you could sometimes see whales, but their sensitive underwater hearing meant they usually kept far away from the roar of the ship's engines.

It became even colder, and darker, the further north we went. By day three, I began to spot enormous, building-sized icebergs.

I had never seen an iceberg in person before. The ship was like an ant in comparison. Maybe we'd gone so far north we'd arrived at the doorway to the realm of giants. We couldn't get too close to the icebergs, though, since only a very small portion of an iceberg is visible above the water. It was hard to imagine they could be many times bigger even than the parts that were already visible.

Without Internet access, I was developing a relaxing routine.

Relaxing as spending time in the passenger lounge was, I tried to see as much of the ship as I could. The fewer passengers after we left Sisimiut meant there was plenty of space to move about without accidentally bumping into someone. Even on the water, I only saw another ship once, far in the distance the morning of day three.

Enjoyable as the voyage was, all good things must eventually come to an end. It was mid-afternoon on day three when we approached Ilulissat, the northernmost and last stop on our journey.

About 220 miles (350 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle, Ilulissat (formerly known as Jakobshavn) means "icebergs" in Kalaallisut. It's also next to Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's among Greenland's most popular tourist destinations.

Disembarking was simple. I didn’t have to show ID or anything.

What remaining passengers there were all got off as crewmembers assisted with offloading luggage and cargo. A number of taxis were already waiting.

Arriving almost to the minute on schedule, I was sad it was time to leave.

Within an hour after disembarking, I was already asleep in a warm and comfortable bed at the surprisingly affordable Hotel Icefiord along the seashore. The voyage had tired me out more than I realized.

It was nice to sleep on solid ground again. Yet I dreamed of being back at sea.

The smell of the salt air, the thrill of being up near the very top of the world, the friendliness of everyone on board, the marshmallow-white shore giving way to waves darker than a new pair of denim blue jeans – it had a magical, otherworldly quality.

Overall, it was a journey I’ll never forget – and one I’d recommend anyone else to take, too.

Cheaper than a cruise, more opportunities to meet local people and see local communities, a surprising level of on-board comfort, ample privacy if one desires it, and some of the most dramatic scenery on earth in a place that still makes people do a double-take when you tell them you've been there – why not go aboard for an unforgettable high seas adventure?

• Career experts advise people to mold their soul-crushing jobs into something more meaningful — but sometimes, a job sends clear signals that it's best to get out right away.
• According to experts, there are six breaking points that indicate it's the right time to move on from a job.
• For instance, some roles can cause prolonged, acute stress that puts workers at risk for burnout. Physical signs to watch out for include trouble sleeping, stomach pains, and hair loss.
• Or if you love your side hustle and it's starting to look like a reliable way to earn a living, it might be time to ditch your 9-to-5 to pursue your passion.
• Before you quit, make a list of everything that wasn't working at your last company to help you zero in on a culture that will help you thrive in your future role.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

Dream of quitting your job? Here's some good news: The unemployment rate has hit a 49-year low, giving workers more leverage, and the data indicates that people who switch jobs  end up earning more.

A strong economy isn't the only indicator that it's the right time to move on from a job, though. Sometimes, your current role sends clear signals that it's time to get out — stat.

"Sunday scaries, or a feeling of dread that you have to go into work on Monday, are often the first sign of trouble," said Melody Wilding, LMSW, an executive coach who specializes in helping ambitious professionals thrive at work.

While career experts recommend trying to mold a soul-crushing job into a fulfilling experience, at some point your best option is to throw in the towel. Here are six breaking points that indicate it's the right time to brush up your resume.

Read more:The ultimate guide to creating an impressive LinkedIn resume, according to an expert recruiter, hiring manager, professor, and career coach

Your job is affecting your health

Every job can cause stress from time to time. Some roles, though, cause prolonged, acute stress that puts workers at risk for burnout, an occupation-related syndrome now recognized by the World Health Organization. It can get to the point that the stress is no longer worth the paycheck.

"Physical signs to watch out for include trouble sleeping, stomach pains, and hair loss," said Wilding.

You don't have to take on all of the responsibilities at your company on your own. Delegate tasks to spread work out among your team, and seek out a mental health professional to learn how to manage stress. If things don't improve soon, put in your two-week's notice for the sake of your health.

"No job is worth sacrificing your wellbeing for. If you find yourself in a toxic workplace situation, then it's wise to consider moving elsewhere," said Widling.

Your work feels meaningless

Work should provide a sense of purpose. It might be helping you achieve a financial goal (like paying off debt or saving for a house), or perhaps it's connecting you to something bigger, such as improving your community.

"We all need meaning in our lives, and work is where we spend a whole lot of our time, so having that as one of our sources makes a lot of sense … but it's on us to figure out how to create that for ourselves," said Rebecca Fraser-Thill, a Pivot career coach and the director of faculty engagement and outreach for Bates Center for Purposeful Work, which helps people find employment that aligns with their interests and values.  

Many of us get stuck in roles that lack meaning, though. In fact, 66 percent of American workers surveyed in a recent Gallup poll were not engaged or were actively disengaged with their jobs. This obviously makes the day-to-day difficult for workers to endure, but also leads to overall lower productivity, more accidents and reduced profitability for the organization — a lose-lose scenario.

The moment your job starts to feel meaningless, take action. Think about your values and goals — does your position align with them? Can it? If not, it might mean it's time to find something else to do with your career.

You're bored and there's no room for growth

Have things gotten stagnant at work? A dead-end job can prevent you from reaching your full potential in the long term.

"Humans are driven by a desire to continually learn and grow. If there's a lack of advancement opportunities in your role, you can become discouraged and disengaged," said Wilding.

Before giving up, find a way to challenge yourself. What's missing at your organization? What big-picture ideas do you have brewing that could transform your company? Pick one demanding task and throw your energy into it. A fresh project could breathe new life into a position that's gone stale.

If things still aren't heading in the right direction, pivot away from your current role into a more challenging position somewhere else.

Your relationships at the office have soured beyond repair

The people you work with can turn an average job into a sublime experience — or an amazing position into a soul-destroying endeavor. Feeling friction with the staff? First, explore how you might be contributing to the dynamic and express your concerns, said Wilding. While intimidating, honest and open communication can go a long way to warming up frigid relationships.

But sometimes, a workplace can become so toxic that it's beyond repair and the best thing for you to do is leave. As you begin your search for a new position, make a list of everything that wasn't working at your last company and the key attributes you'd like to have at your next workplace. That will help you zero in on a culture that will help you thrive in your future role.

Read more: I was such a bad micromanager that all my employees quit — and it taught me the one trait all powerful leaders need

Your side hustle has taken off

It's more common than ever for workers to moonlight on passion projects. But let's get real: Working a full-time job and putting in extra hours on your side hustle can leave you sapped for energy. If you love your side hustle and it's starting to look like a reliable way to earn a living, it might be time to ditch your 9-to-5 to pursue your passion.

"Consider making the leap when your side hustle is bringing in consistent income and you have a plan for how you'd scale it," said Wilding. "Be smart about timing. Before quitting, you should evaluate your financial picture. Figure out how much runway you have."

In a survey of 3,560 people conducted by The Hustle, only 51 percent of people said they loved their primary job, whereas more than three quarters of respondents said they loved their side hustle. Those extra hours you've been spending on that gig can pay off in a satisfying career for life.

Your job is invading your personal life

It's human nature to complain about your job from time to time. But when occasionally blowing off steam turns into round-the-clock grumbling, you end up sabotaging the few precious hours you have away from the office and potentially damaging your relationships in the process.

"You know your job is negatively affecting your home life if you find yourself constantly complaining about work or distracted by job priorities in your off time," said Wilding. "You may not be able to be fully present at home, which can lead to arguments."

Don't let job-related misery become a constant state of being. Consider cutting your losses and moving on to greener pastures that make you happy from 9 to 5 — and beyond.

SEE ALSO: One email I wrote brought in 100% of my clients after I started my business — here's the template

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Jay-Z is hip-hop's first billionaire. See how he and Beyoncé make and spend their money.

• Sundance Now is a streaming service that aims to showcase stories told by unique voices, created in the likeness of the Sundance Institute (the non-profit that puts on the Sundance Film Festival program).
• It carries true-crime series, original dramas, thrillers, foreign and independent films, and more — all streaming free of commercials. Some of its notable indie darlings include "Monster," "Memento," and "Short Term 12". 
• You can join free for seven days. After, it's $4.99 per month for an annual membership and $6.99 for a monthly membership. 
• You can stream Sundance Now using the Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Xbox One.
• See all the series available on Sundance Now here, and all the films available here. 

In 2018, 125,000 people congregated in Park City, Utah — a ski town whose population wouldn't top 9,000 in the US Census of the same year — for the largest independent film festival in the United States: Sundance.

Put on by the Sundance Institute, the festival functions as both a showcase and competition of new work from American and international independent filmmakers. Entries range from dramatic and documentary features and short films; series and episodic content; and New Frontier, which the Institute describes as "emerging media in the form of multimedia installations, performances, and films."

But you may be able to skip the flight, crowds, and $300-$4,000 ticket and still get close to the experience.

Sundance Now, founded in 2014, aims to bring Sundance Festival's ethos to the home viewer.

It's a streaming service that carries original and exclusive dramas, comedies, and true-crime series, in addition to award-winning movies from every genre, including foreign-language and documentary features — all streaming commercial-free. Each selection was chosen for its storytelling, unique voice, and/or unexpected global perspective.

It can be streamed using the Apple app store, Google Play, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Xbox One. Monthly, it'll cost you between $5 and $7. 

Apart from using the Sundance Festival's principles as guides, the service also invites filmmakers who have made an impact at the Festival to create watch-lists of their favorite films as guest curators, sometimes with brief text introductions. As of March 2019, the collections include curations from Lisa Gardner, Danny Glover, and David Lowery, among others. 

How to use it:

1. Create an account for a free seven day trial of Sundance Now.  
2. Choose between an annual membership ($4.99 per month, billed once as $59.99), or monthly ($6.99 per month). 
3. If you'd rather not continue with the service, just make sure to cancel before the trial ends. 
4. Start streaming.

To help you navigate, there are the typical streaming service curations: Must-watch series, new arrivals, Oscar-nominated films, true crime, indie hits, and a mix of popular genres you can click on like suspense, comedy, foreign, drama, and documentary. There's also a slew of topically curated categories for Women's History Month like leading ladies, women in history, and female filmmakers. 

There's also a surprising variety for a service that could, at first blush, just sound like a library of cerebral foreign films. While the streaming service offers gritty indie hits like "Monster" and "Memento", the same user could also find "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" or "Friends with Money" with Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, and Frances McDormand. You can use member reviews to help guide your selections, and save titles to your "list" for later viewing. 

If you're looking for a way to watch everything from classic to hard-to-find indie films, and do it on multiple devices — or even a way to discover new ones worth playing at home — Sundance Now may be worth looking into. Either way, you can check out the service for free for a week to see if it has enough to keep you interested. And, if it's worth re-upping, it'll cost you less than a large coffee at Starbucks. 

Start your seven-day trail for free here

Join the conversation about this story »

• June 20 marks World Refugee Day, to shed a light on the millions of people worldwide who have been forced from their homes due to violence and conflict.
• The United States takes in just a tiny fraction of the world's refugees, but it maintains one of the strictest, most rigorous vetting processes — and the rules have gotten much stricter in recent years.
• The Trump administration slashed the "cap" on the number of refugees accepted into the US in fiscal year 2019 to 30,000, and has admitted just 18,051 as of May 31.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Millions of people around the world have been forced from their home countries due to war, genocide, or persecution.

They come from conflict-ridden countries like Syria, Somalia, and Sudan, and they wait for years in refugee camps before they can secure a spot in safe countries.

The United States takes in just a tiny fraction of the world's refugees, but it maintains one of the strictest, most rigorous vetting process — and the rules have gotten much stricter in recent years.

The Trump administration slashed the "cap" on the number of refugees accepted into the US to the lowest since the refugee program was created in 1980. The administration previously took in just 22,491 refugees in the entire 2018 fiscal year.

Here's a look at where the world's refugees come from and what they endure to make it to safety in the United States.

SEE ALSO: 'I don't know how much harder it can get': What it takes to go from refugee to American

The UNHCR estimates that some 68.5 million people around the world have been forced from their homes.

Some of them are refugees within their own countries, some have managed to flee their home countries altogether, and some have no citizenship — and therefore nowhere to go.

As of 2016, the most recent year with data available, just 0.8% of the world's refugees were resettled in safe countries, according to the UNHCR. For 0.4% of refugees, that safe country was the United States.

When refugees flee their home countries, they often have to temporarily seek safety in a "host country," where they typically live in refugee camps until they can permanently be resettled.

Many of Syria's 5.5 million refugees, for example, sought temporary safety in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The United States is one of 37 countries that offer resettlement programs, though refugees don’t get to pick where they’re sent. Instead, the UNHCR assigns them to the US. Then, they undergo a rigorous, years-long screening process by US officials. Here's how that works:

President Donald Trump has dramatically restricted America's refugee intake since he took office. Though he has demanded that "extreme vetting" be implemented for refugees coming from majority-Muslim countries, those closest to the refugee-vetting process say the current system is already as extreme as it gets.

The refugees undergo years of screening filled with intensive interviews, detailed background checks from multiple government agencies, biometric data collection, medical tests, and constant scrutiny from the US officials who vet them.

Trump has reduced both the number of refugees the US can admit annually — known as the "cap" or "ceiling" — and the number it actually ends up admitting.

In the last 20 or so years, presidents have generally kept the cap in the 70,000-range.

Though former President Barack Obama raised the 2017 refugee citing to 110,000 admissions, Trump took office mid-way through the fiscal year, and barely allowed half that in the country.

The Trump administration reduced the cap to 45,000 for the 2018 fiscal year but took in fewer than half, according to State Department data.

As of September 30, the end of the fiscal year, the government resettled just 22,491 refugees.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced last month that the administration is slashing that cap even further for the 2019 fiscal year, and will accept a maximum of 30,000 refugees.

In a speech announcing the new cap, Pompeo said the reduction was because the administration is dealing with a backlog of hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers whose immigration cases are still pending. But asylum-seekers are an entirely different category of immigrants and have no bearing on the refugee program.

"The improved refugee policy of this administration serves the national interest of the United States and expands our ability to help those in need all around the world," Pompeo said. "We will continue to assist the world's most vulnerable while never losing sight of our first duty, serving the American people."

The historic drop-off in refugee admissions is particularly noticeable from 2017 data.

Throughout the 2017 fiscal year — which started in October 2016 — refugee resettlement in the US plummeted once Trump took office on January 20, 2017. In August of that year, the Trump administration only resettled 913 refugees.

Resettlement organizations in the US have expressed dismay at the Trump administration's reluctance to admit refugees — particularly when so many countries around the world are mired in crises that displace millions of citizens.

Refugee resettlement groups have warned that the reduction in admission levels would drain their resources and force the shuttering of many programs, making it even harder for the refugees who do arrive in the US to access any assistance they may need.

In the two years since Trump took office, the number of refugees accepted each month has remained low, and roughly stable. In the fiscal year 2019, usually between 1,000 and 3,000 per month have been accepted.

Under the Trump administration, refugees who are permitted to resettle in the US are mostly from African countries, according to 2018 data.

Despite the often dangerous conditions in central American countries, the US accepted only 525 refugees from Latin America in fiscal year 2018. Those who live in countries rife with gang violence, such as Honduras and El Salvador, seek safety in the US by migrating as asylum-seekers.

Instead of being processed by the UNHCR, the migrants attempt the dangerous journey northward to the US-Mexico border and strive to reach US soil, where they can claim asylum.

The Trump administration has also placed further restrictions around the asylum process, and has struggled to process and accommodate the tens of thousands of Central American migrants arriving at the US-Mexico border each month.

Refugees don't get to choose which state they'll be resettled in, either. Though they're free to move around once they arrive, they are generally placed in cities where they either have relatives, or an existing community of immigrants from their home countries.

Some states are more welcoming to refugees than others. Texas, Ohio, California, and New York are well-known for accepting refugees. States such as Hawaii and Wyoming, however, accepted zero refugees in 2018.

• I recently toured two of the most expensive areas for real estate in New York City: Tribeca and Billionaires' Row.
• On glitzy Billionaires' Row, a set of super-tall luxury towers on the southern edge of Central Park, the cheapest condo listed today costs $3.1 million, and the most expensive units are upwards of $60 million.
• In trendy downtown Tribeca, the city's richest ZIP code with an $879,000 average income, the median sale price is $3.8 million and the median rent is $6,195.
• Billionaires' Row is full of super-tall skyscrapers full of empty penthouses owned by rich people who don't actually live there.
• Tribeca, on the other hand, with its industrial, loft-like buildings, offers walkability and easy access to trendy restaurants, bars, and fitness studios.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

New York City is home to millionaires, billionaires, and outrageously expensive real estate.

I recently toured two of the most expensive areas for real estate in the city: Billionaires' Row, a set of super-tall luxury skyscrapers along the southern edge of Central Park where condos start at more than $3 million and can cost upwards of $60 million, and Tribeca, a trendy downtown neighborhood where the median sale price is $3.8 million.

Tribeca, the city's richest zip code, has an average income of $879,000, and has been known to attract celebrities and young people. Billionaires' Row, meanwhile, has seen some record-breaking sales by billionaires. 

After spending time in both parts of the city, it was clear that the two areas represent two different faces of wealth. 

On Billionaires' Row, the ultra-wealthy buy sky-high penthouses they'll rarely set foot in for the prestige of Central Park views.

Billionaires' Row, a set of eight ultra-luxury skyscrapers along the southern end of Central Park in Manhattan, has seen some of New York City's biggest home sales ever. 

In 2014, Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell paid about $100 million for a penthouse in the One57 tower, which was the most expensive home ever sold in New York City at the time. And in January 2019, hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin shattered that record by purchasing a $238 million penthouse in nearby 220 Central Park South.

Yet these record-breaking sales hide the fact that many Billionaires' Rows condos are sitting empty. 

The area's wealthy buyers may rarely even set foot in their pricey apartments there. Dell, for example, lives primarily in Austin, Texas. And Griffin is based in Chicago and has made extravagant real-estate purchases in London and Miami in addition to New York.

The Billionaires' Row towers also currently have a glut of high-end inventory, with more than 40% of condos unsold, Curbed New York recently reported.

And then there's the neighborhood to consider. Billionaires' Row's Midtown Manhattan location is a bustling business, tourism, and retail district. And as two full-time real-estate investors recently told me, the "traffic, noise, hassle, and retail" don't make it an area where most New Yorkers want to live.

I recently toured a $58.5 million condo on Billionaires' Row, and my impression was that those who'd pay that price for such a home are paying mostly for the views and the prestige of being able to say they own a home on New York City's Billionaires' Row — even if they barely actually live there.

Tribeca, on the other hand, is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood that attracts young people with its plethora of trendy nightlife and luxury fitness studios.

In the recent afternoon I spent in Tribeca, I found it to be a vibrant, trendy, and walkable neighborhood full of young people and families.

The residents are affluent, with an average income of $879,000, according to Bloomberg. And many of them are celebrities, drawn in by "paparazzi-proof" buildings on quiet, cobblestoned streets that are within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and luxury fitness studios like Equinox and SoulCycle. 

Millennials, in particular, cite walkability as a key factor when deciding where to live, and the so-called "wellness generation is happy to spend its money on pricey gym memberships, so it's no surprise that Tribeca is a relatively young neighborhood, with 45% of the population aged between 18 and 44.

When it comes to real estate, Tribeca is known for its loft-style low-rises that couldn't be more different from a 1,000-foot-tall Billionaires' Row skyscraper.

While Billionaires' Row seems to rely on the traditional prestige of Central Park views and the purchases of billionaires who may rarely even live there, Tribeca's liveliness and village charm embody the younger tastes of wealth in the city.

SEE ALSO: I spent an afternoon in NYC's richest zip code, where celebs live in a 'paparazzi-proof' building and the average income is $879,000. Here's what the trendy neighborhood looks like.

DON'T MISS: I spent a day on NYC's Billionaires' Row. Here's your ultimate guide to one of the city's glitziest streets, which borders Central Park and is home to the most expensive apartment ever sold in the US.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How $100,000 custom pool tables are made for celebrities like Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift

• A growing number of couples are waiting until later in life to get married, and many live together before they do so. They may not need — or want — the traditional wedding gifts.
• REI just revamped its wedding registry with the objective of making it easier for couples to register for gifts they'll really use over a lifetime together. Find the details below. 
• We also have a comparison of some of the most popular wedding registries here, if you're still looking.

A growing number of people are opting to marry later in life. Many of them have chosen to live together before stepping into a lifetime commitment, and as such, have collected the myriad trappings of a shared life together already: plates, bowls, spoons, a robot vacuum ... the list goes on. 

What that means for wedding registries is pretty simple — it needs to be easier to gift things that match a couple's aspirations, values, and the kind of future they envision having together as partners.

If not every couple needs cookware and appliances to begin a life together because they already own them — or if they're not really the Waterford crystal glasses and silver gravy boat type — it should be just as convenient to gift them a double sleeping bag for their frequent camping trips. Or, in the place of a KitchenAid mixer, a portable burner, or a water purification system, etc. Some couples will want to prioritize gifts that make it easier to spend and enjoy time together outdoors.

For that, REI has revamped its registry to make it easier for couples and the people that love them to share more practical gifts as well as those curated for a shared adventure.

Here are a few of the perks to an REI registry:

1. No membership needed: Couples don't need to be REI members to make a registry, but we'd highly recommend it so you can stack the perks together.
2. Shop anytime, anywhere: Purchase registry gifts online, over the phone, or in person at any REI store. You'll also get expert advice in-store and online if you're unfamiliar with something and want a second opinion or guiding light. 
3. In-store mobile scanning: Scan in-store items using your cell phone to add them directly to your registry. You can also do it online. 
4. Easy shipping: Most orders over $50 ship free — seeing as this is often the benchmark for wedding gifts, most guests won't have to pay at all for shipping.
5. Return policy: In case you wind up with duplicates — or just have a change of heart — REI purchases can be returned within a year. 
6. Alerts on inventory level: You can receive alerts when inventory is low on an item, and when something is back in stock. Guests can also see inventory levels, so they can prioritize what to give. 
7. Extra savings on any un-purchased gifts: After your event, save 10% on any unfulfilled items from your registry.
8. Feel-good gifts: A gift purchase from REI should benefit the long-term health of the outdoors, so you can keep enjoying them for longer. As a member-owned co-op, REI annually gives 70% of its profits back to the outdoor community through dividends to REI members, employee retirement, and investments in nonprofits dedicated to the outdoors.

It also doesn't hurt that REI makes it easier to shop your (and/or their) values. In 2018, REI invested $8.8 million in 400 nonprofits across the country to steward more than 1,000 outdoor spaces. In the same year, the co-op launched a comprehensive set of product sustainability standards that applied to the 1,000 brands they carried, plus a set of preferred sustainability attributes — so shoppers can narrow the REI selection by attributes like "recycled materials" or "organic cotton" to find something that's made with resource-conserving practices.

REI gift registry ideas:

According to the co-op's top sellers, the most popular REI wedding registry gifts are the following: A $25 gift card, Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler ($350), The North Face Dolomite 20 Double Sleeping Bag ($170), the Suunto M-3 D Leader Compass ($44), and the Coleman Triton Series 2-Burner Stove ($80) to name a few of the top 10. You can find more wedding registry ideas here.

Sign up for your REI wedding registry here

SEE ALSO: Hydro Flask water bottles are lightweight, nearly indestructible, and just downright fun

Join the conversation about this story »

• Malcolm Forbes' old townhouse in Greenwich Village just sold for $19.9 million, an $8 million cut from its original asking price.
• The Forbes family sold the townhouse in 2012 for $7.25 million to developers who renovated the property.
• J. Carey Smith, founder of "Big Ass Fans," bought the townhouse in June 2019.
• Greenwich Village is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in New York City.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The former townhouse of the late Forbes magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes has been sold for $19.9 million.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the six-level townhouse, which Forbes bought in the early 1960s, was used to host parties for CEOs and celebrities.

The Forbes family sold the townhouse in 2012 to developers Todd Cohen and Terrence Lowenberg of Icon Realty Management for $7.25 million. After massive renovations, it hit the market in 2018 for $28.5 million. 

In June 2019, the 9,000-square-foot, five-bedroom home on 11 West 12^th Street was finally sold for over $8 million less than the original asking price. 

Read More: The NYC penthouse that Barbra Streisand lived in for nearly 40 years is on the market for $11.25 million

It was purchased by J. Carey Smith, founder of "Big Ass Fans." 

Greenwich Village was ranked No. 8 on Property Shark's 2018 list of the 50 most expensive neighborhoods in New York City. The median sale price for a home in the neighborhood is $1.35 million. 

Keep reading for a look inside the townhouse. 

SEE ALSO: A former NYC drug cop who bought his first property for $22,000 now has a $400 million real-estate portfolio, and he says he doesn't even track the value of it

SEE ALSO: Photo reveal: A $34 million San Francisco mansion billed as a 'wellness home' has a sauna, yoga studio, and filtration system that changes all the air in the house every 2 hours. Take a look inside.

Malcolm Forbes was the publisher of Forbes Magazine. He died at the age of 70 in 1990. In his obituary, The New York Times estimated that his net worth was somewhere between $400 million and $1 billion.

Source: The New York Times

Forbes' former townhouse is located in Greenwich Village at 11 West 12th Street. In a 2018 Property Shark report, the Village was ranked the 8th-most expensive neighborhood in New York City.

Source: Google Maps

The six-level townhouse was originally built in 1847. Malcolm Forbes bought the townhouse in the early 1960s and, according to The Wall Street Journal, he used it "purely" to host parties and visiting celebrities.

Source: Curbed, The Corcoran Group, The Wall Street Journal

After being sold to developers back in 2012, designer Paris Forino was brought in to style the 9,000-square-foot townhouse.

Source: Curbed

In June 2019, it was sold for $19.9 million to J. Carey Smith, founder of "Big Ass Fans."

Source: The Wall Street Journal

The great room boasts 22.5-foot-high ceilings and a gas fireplace.

Source: Curbed

A library overlooks the great room ...

Source: Curbed

... and the home has a spacious living area.

Source: Curbed

The property offers around 2,400 square feet of outdoor space, which can be accessed through a set of glass doors that open up from the kitchen.

Source: Curbed

There are six full bathrooms in the townhouse.

Source: Curbed

The home has five bedrooms, but according to Curbed, two additional rooms in the house could also be used as bedrooms.

Source: Curbed

The home also comes with two roof terraces.

Source: Curbed

The townhouse was originally listed for $28.5 million. After multiple price cuts it was finally sold for over $8 million less than the original asking price.

Source: The Corcoran Group

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

• Whether your home has carpeting or hardwood, you need a good vacuum cleaner to keep the floors tidy.
• Our favorite vacuum overall is the Miele C2 Electro+, which is extremely powerful, long-living, and is well-outfitted with several brushes, crevice attachments, and an easy-to-change filter/bag system.

Vacuums aren't things most of us like to spend too much time doting over. They're loud, often clunky and temperamental. While some of us keep up on our maintenance of this 0h-so-precious yet oft underappreciated appliance, most of us neglect them until it's too late, or they simply start to underperform over time. Maybe your vacuum has begun to leave undesirable matter behind, leaving you with dreams of a newer, more efficient appliance — or, at least, a cleaner floor. Maybe it's time for a new vacuum.

Like most electronics these days, there are more than enough options to drive you mad in your search for the best replacement. There are light-weight cordless vacuums, canister vacuums, upright vacuums that are beholden to wall outlets, handheld dustbusters, and of course, robotic vacuums. So which do you choose?

The best vacuum for your home depends on a number of things, the most important being the size, floor plan, floor material, and the inhabitants of your abode.

How big is your home?

If your home, or the space you're planning to vacuum is anywhere over about 1000 sq. ft, and you don't want to have to clean in shifts between plugging into your charger, then a cordless vacuum may be out of the question. But, if storage is tight, maybe it is worth vacuuming in shifts to save on the closet space a larger vacuum would consume.

What kind(s) of surfaces will you be vacuuming?

The vacuums we recommend are for all surfaces, and some even have settings for particular types of carpet and other flooring, but before you buy a vacuum, make sure its well-suited for at least the predominant flooring in your household.

How often do you vacuum?

If you always like to have your floors squeaky clean — that is, if you vacuum daily, or almost daily — you might want to consider the Miele C2 Electro+, which will stand up to regular use much better than a cordless vacuum with a battery that won't last nearly as long with heavy use.

Do you have pets?

If you have pets, then maybe stay away from vacuum cleaners with bags, which are not only inherently wasteful and potentially costly but can clog your machine when they begin to fill with hair.

You also might want to skip out on the robotic vacuums — sorry, but imagine what might happen when your dog or cat decides to leave you a present and your new Roomba encounters it, only to stage what might appear to be a horrific crime scene.

Here are our picks for the best home vacuums you can buy:

• Best vacuum overall Miele C2 Electro+
• Best cordless vacuum: Dyson Cyclone
• Best robotic vacuum: iRobot Roomba 960
• Best for pet hair: Black & Decker SMARTECH PET Cordless 10.8V Hand Vacuum
• Best vacuum under $300: Shark Navigator Lift-Away

Updated on 06/20/2019 by Les Shu: Updated selections, prices, links, and formatting.

Keep scrolling to read more about our top picks.

The best vacuum overall

The Miele C2 Electro+ has a high-powered sealed motor that creates superior suction and a belt system that's repairable and built to last years longer than cheaper vacuums. 

It may be hard to envision yourself spending more than $500 on a vacuum — it certainly is for me — but judging by the Insider Picks team's own experience, the longevity of the Miele C2 Electro+ is unparalleled among cheaper options. Consider it an investment. After all, you might run through several cheap vacuums before the Miele even starts to think about kicking the bucket.

The bottom line? If you have the extra money and don't plan on moving too far away anytime soon, it's probably worth the expense up front. Even if something does start to go wrong with your Miele, it can be repaired when other cheaper vacuums cannot.

One thing to consider with high-end vacuums like this one is buying a model that takes bags as opposed to a canister. While we hate to advocate for more waste, bagged vacuums seem to last longer. Although cheaper vacuums only tend to last a few years, a high-end vacuum cleaner will last more than a decade if treated well, and bags help prevent grit, hair, and whatever else from collecting within the machine and damaging the motor.

The Miele will also clean much deeper into your carpet than our other picks, and, being a true workhorse, is the best option for meticulously clean souls who feel obliged to run their vacuums daily.

While we've had our own positive experience with the Miele C2 Electro+, praise by experts at Wirecutter and customer reviews on both Bed Bath & Beyond (4.6/5 stars based on 63 reviews) and Amazon (4.3/5 stars based on 153 reviews) only further affirm its worth to us.

Pros: Extremely powerful, long life

Cons: Extremely expensive

The best cordless vacuum

The Dyson Cyclone is a sleek, cordless, easily-stowed vacuum that holds its charge for up to 60 minutes with non-motorized tools.

Cordless, compact, battery-powered "stick" vacuums are ideal for smaller homes and apartments where space is precious and vacuuming doesn't consume large amounts of time. Collectively, the Insider Picks team has tested a host of cordless vacuums, and several of us agree that the Dyson Cyclone has impressed us the best.

There are three models of the Dyson Cyclone to choose from: the Motorhead, the Animal, and the Absolute. All three are good, but the Animal and Absolute come with a miniature motorized tool and a more powerful torque drive as opposed to the Motorhead's direct drive.

That said, the two more powerful options bring the price tag up to the Miele C2 Electro+, though they're not likely to last anywhere near as long, mostly due to the rechargeable battery.

Still, if you want the best vacuum you can get and don't have space for the Miele C2 Electro+, we're convinced that the Dyson Cyclone (whichever model you choose) is the best you can do based on compact size and performance.

Amazon shoppers give the Dyson Cyclone Animal an average of 4.1/5 stars based on more than 1,300 customer reviews, and The Wirecutter calls the Motorhead "the best for most people."

Pros: Lightweight, very powerful for a cordless vacuum, stores almost anywhere

Cons: Hair jams up the direct-drive cleaner head, a lot of money to spend on a rechargeable battery-powered appliance, batteries aren't removable

The best vacuum under $130

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away offers excellent performance, a useful set of tools, and best of all, a reasonable price tag.

A fraction of the price of our other picks, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away is not quite as powerful, but it will most certainly get the job done. We especially like that it works both with and without a cord, providing you with the best of both worlds. You can break from the tethering power cable to get into tight corners and other hard-to-reach spots.

The "Lift-Away" portion of the name refers to the option of lifting the canister and hose right off the base for easy vacuuming of stairs, underneath furniture, tight corners, and those pesky cobwebs dangling from the high reaches of your ceiling. You won't need super-strength to lift the vacuum up to those high corners, either. The whole vacuum weighs just 12.5 pounds or around eight pounds if you're only using the canister and hose portion.

This is a bagless vacuum cleaner, which is fine for vacuums designed to last less than five years. Still, the Lift-Away does use a HEPA filter and what the manufacturer calls "Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology," so you'll be protected from dust, pollen, animal dander, and other nose-provoking allergens. When it's time to empty the vacuum's dirt canister, simply unclip its fasteners, hold the canister over the trash bin, push the button, and watch the dirt and dust tumble into the trash.

The Wirecutter chose this vacuum as its recommended pick, praising it for reliability and durability, which reviewers found to be far superior to other inexpensive vacuum cleaners, and better than many pricier options. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away has quality belts and filters, rather than the cheap ones usually found in low-priced vacuums, so you'll get your money's worth and then some before this vacuum even begins to consider giving up the ghost. 

Of the more than 3,700 Amazon customers that left feedback, 68% gave it 5 stars, with a 4.3-star average.

Buyers love the powerful suction, the ability to detach the canister for easier access to high or tight spaces, the beater that makes short work of removing dirt from carpet but switches off for safe cleaning of hard floors, the low noise level, and the ease of washing filters rather than replacing them. And of course, everyone loves the extremely reasonable price.  

On the downside, owners wish the electrical cord was longer, and some said the vacuum cleaner was a bit top-heavy.

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away comes with a dusting brush, an 8-inch and a 24-inch crevice tool, and a wide pet upholstery tool. — Nicole Price Fasig

Pros: Low price, superior performance, five-year warranty, lift-off canister and hose

Cons: Hose is a bit short at 5 feet; electric cord is relatively short at only 25 feet (but an extension cord will fix that)

The best hand vacuum for pet hair

The Black & Decker SMARTECH PET Cordless 10.8V Hand Vacuum won't take the place of a full-sized vacuum, but it's great for quick tidy-ups and removing hair and lint.

The Black & Decker SMARTECH PET Cordless 10.8V Hand Vacuum is designed for pet hair, so don't get upset if you start crawling around on your hands and knees trying to gather dirt and general debris, or really much of anything other than pet hair or dander. That said, it is perfect for the task it was built to perform, and at under $100, it's a sensible purchase.

Keeping mammal hair at bay is a life's chore for a dog or cat owner, and there's no reason you shouldn't make it a little easier on yourself with a tool fit for the job. Sure, there are other ways to handle pet hair, which tends to gather on any and every surface you have to offer, but probably none quite so simple.

And, while the SMARTECH PET is designed for pet hair, several Amazon reviewers (including one exceptionally enthusiastic car owner) have found it to perform superlatively when serving their Jeep, minivan, kitchen, and stairs, all on a single charge.

The Wirecutter also seems to have an affinity for Black & Decker's handheld vacuums, though they recommend an inexpensive robotic vacuum (the EcoVacs DeeBot N79) to keep pet hair at a minimum around the house, which is more expensive than the dustbuster, but valid if you have the extra money. 

If you want to save money but require a dustbuster and an upright vacuum, the SMARTECH comes in a 2-in-1 package as well, which is by no means the most powerful vacuum, but it will get less demanding jobs done.

Pros: Lightweight, affordable, good suction

Cons: Battery is not removable, so you're stuck if you have to recharge, and when it dies, it can't be replaced

The best robotic vacuum

The $500 iRobot Roomba 960 is best for big homes, but the $300 Roomba 690 is also great — both have programmable features, superior navigation skills, and fall-prevention sensor.

I've dreamt of having robots do many things for me, but somewhere near the top of that long list is vacuuming. If you're anything like me, the incessant, incising drone, along the imagery of tangled cords, toppled machines, and seized motors — especially on the weekend when time would be better enjoyed doing almost anything else — all conjure up Colonel Kurtz' last words in the "Heart of Darkness": "The horror ... the horror ..."

But, lo and behold, enter our knight in shining armor: the iRobot Roomba 960.

In our tests, the 960 left less debris behind and managed to get more pet hair in a single pass than others. It navigated around obstacles fairly well and only got stuck when it ran into a stray power cord we'd left in its path. The vacuum goes back to its charging station as soon as it's done cleaning. You don't need to stop and restart it because it moves from room to room on its own. 

Even though they can't climb to clean upstairs (don't worry, it has a sensor to prevent it from taking a fall that will end it all), and sometimes they might get stuck in certain corners, robotic vacuum cleaners are pretty wonderful things. With the iRobot Roomba's very smart programming, it'll even step up to the job when you're not there.

It also works with Alexa or Google Home, holds a charge while running for up to 75 minutes. When it does finally exhaust its lithium-ion battery, it returns to its charging station where it takes a little nap and recharges itself before finishing orders.

The only caveat we'd make is that if your pet has a habit of leaving you presents, you won't want to try running the vacuum with them on the loose in the house, at least when you're not around.

The iRobot Roomba 960 is a top choice for professional reviewers around the web, including CNET, Good Housekeeping, and Wirecutter, who also found it surprisingly simple to set up. Amazon reviewers seem to leave one thoroughly enthusiastic review after another.

If you're interested in the iRobot 960 but don't want to dish out the dough, have a look at the Roomba 690, our top robot vacuum pick in our buying guide. The EcoVacs Deebot N79 also performed well in our tests, and costs slightly less at $199.99 (originally $299.99).

Pros: Simple configuration, fall prevention sensors

Cons: Small dust bin, pricey

Check out our other vacuum buying guides

The best cordless vacuum

Perhaps the only thing worse for your floors than crumb-dropping kids is hair-shedding pets. But not to worry, the Shark Bagless Navigator Freestyle will restore your floors to furball-free status in minutes. Here are our top picks for the best cordless vacuum cleaners:

• Best cordless vacuum overall: Dyson V6 
• Best cordless vacuum for pet owners: Shark Navigator Freestyle
• Best cordless vacuum for under $75: Bissell Lift-Off
• Best high-end cordless vacuum: Dyson V8 Absolute
• Best cordless vacuum that's a full-size crossover: Hoover Air Lift  
• Best cordless vacuum for small spaces: Hoover Cruise Ultra-Light Stick 

The best vacuums you can buy for less than $300

Some inexpensive vacuum cleaners cost you more in disappointment than they do in dollars. Sure, those ultra-expensive vacuums promise to extract every last speck of grime from your flooring, but do they really deliver results superior enough to justify their price?

We decided to solve this mystery once and for all, and to our surprise, we found that a good vacuum doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, you can buy an excellent vacuum cleaner with nearly as many bells and whistles as the more expensive models for just $300 or less – in some cases, a lot less. Here are our picks for the best vacuums for less than $300:

• Bets overall: Shark Navigator Lift-Away 
• Best for pets: Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Pet Vacuum
• Best canister vacuum: Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum
• Best cordless stick vacuum: Hoover Platinum Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum
• Best hand vacuum: Black & Decker Cordless Lithium Hand Vac
• Best robot vacuum: Eufy RoboVac 11S 

The best robot vacuums you can buy

Vacuuming is a real pain, but robot vacuum cleaners can suck up the dust for you. Of all the robot vacuum cleaners we tried, the iRobot Roomba 690 proved to be the best for most people with its easy-to-use app, smart features, great suction, and affordable price. Here are the best robot vacuums you can buy:

• Best overall: iRobot Roomba 690  
• Best under $250: Eufy RoboVac 11S 
• Best connected vacuum: Neato Botvac Connected 
• Best for big homes: iRobot Roomba 960 
• Best self-navigating vacuum: Electrolux Pure i9
• Best mop: iRobot Braava Jet 240 Robot Mop