Stocks fell on Monday lower amid fears of a COVID-19 resurgence and the publication of an investigative report on large banks.
Major indexes pared losses in late trading. The Dow Jones industrial average slid 510 points after plummeting as much as 942 points earlier in the session.
Healthcare stocks were among the biggest decliners following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Investors are sizing up the impact it could have on the Affordable Care Act.
Heightened political uncertainty has raised doubts about another round of stimulus before the November presidential election.
US stocks tumbled on Monday as investors grappled with a range of headwinds including rising COVID-19 cases, a possible "mini lockdown" in the UK, and allegations of money laundering at big-name banks.
Major indexes pared losses in late trading. The Dow Jones industrial average slid 510 points after plummeting as much as 942 points earlier in the day.
Political uncertainty continues to be front and center for investors ahead of the presidential election in November and is heightened following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Friday.
Here's where US indexes stood at the 4 p.m. ET market close on Monday:
Reports from the UK suggested that another lockdown there due to rising COVID-19 cases is not out of the question as Prime Minister Boris Johnson considers it as a "circuit breaker" for the virus.
Healthcare stocks also sold off on Monday as investors weighed the potential that a conservative-leaning Supreme Court could strike down the Affordable Care Act. UBS provided insight into what the healthcare sector could face in the wake of Ginsburg's death.
The roller-coaster ride in Nikola continued on Monday as shares plummeted following an announcement that Trevor Milton stepped down as executive chairman.
ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, is seeking a valuation of its popular social-media app of as much as $60 billion, according to Bloomberg.
The IPO market remains open following the trading debuts of tech names like Snowflake and JFrog last week. Jack Ma's Ant Group will seek to raise $35 billion in its initial public offering, which would make it the largest ever, according to Bloomberg.
Gold fell as much as 3.5%, to $1,882.51 per ounce, falling below the range of $1,900 to $2,000 where it had been for weeks. Treasury yields traded mostly flat, while the US dollar gained ground.
Oil prices slid as investors continued to weigh reports of a supply glut and lower demand heading into the fall. West Texas Intermediate crude fell as much as 6%, to $38.66 per barrel. Brent crude, oil's international benchmark, decreased 5.1%, to $40.96 per barrel, at intraday lows.
It's a simple but effective dog bowl that compartmentalizes food with sturdy BPA-free plastic ridges to prevent a dog from scarfing it down too quickly.
It comes in five different patterns and colors and stays looking new for years.
The first time I was over at Buster's dinnertime, I watched wide-eyed and horrified as my boyfriend's dog scarfed down a bowl of kibble in 10 seconds flat. There were no other dogs around, and we humans were a good 20 feet away from his meal. "He's always eaten like this," my boyfriend shrugged.
A couple days later I showed up with a solution, an Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl. In my day job as a certified professional dog trainer, one of my most universal recommendations is to feed dogs out of mentally stimulating puzzle toys, but Buster already got a couple of those a day filled with tasty snacks. I knew my boyfriend preferred to keep mealtimes simple.
When dinner rolled around, we poured Buster's dinner into the labyrinth of ridges contained within the teal dog dish. When it was time, Buster descended on his meal, ready to hoover it up the way he had done for years. All those ridges, though, prevented the big Great Dane-pit mix from accessing more than a couple of pieces at once. The meal was a two-minute-long success.
The bowl is simple but effective. Made of heavy BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free plastic, the flat dish comes in either a spiral or criss-cross pattern of high ridges. There are several designs to choose from — Buster's teal bowl was a spiral design — but in each case, those ridges are close enough together that the dog can't get their snout all the way to the bowl's basin. Compartmentalizing the meal forces the dog to slow down as they eat.
The Fun Feeder Bowl comes in a "mini" size that holds 2 cups of food and a "regular" size that holds 4 cups. Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, the nonslip bowl works like a charm for any kind of diet, from store-bought kibble to homemade.
While I have only tried the teal, purple, and orange versions of Outward Hound's five different Fun Feeder designs, some are better than others. The unbroken spiral in the orange bowl, for example, is so narrow in places that it's nearly impossible for a dog to get enough traction to pick up their food.
When I gave Ripley, a long-legged Chihuahua mix, the chance to test it out, I noticed she had to push some of the pieces of food all the way around the spiral before she could get it in her mouth. For some dogs that might be good additional mental gymnastics, but for others, it is likely to cause frustration and discontent.
There are some cognitive benefits to slowing a dog down at mealtime. While the Fun Feeder may not be as effective at providing mental stimulation as puzzle toys, these bowls help to tap into a dog's scavenging instincts. By working for their food, a dog gets more out of the meal than nutrition alone.
Equally as important are the potential health benefits a Fun Feeder bowl can provide. The faster a dog eats, the more thoughtless the activity becomes, making it easier for them to choke, vomit, or experience gastrointestinal distress.
And then there's bloat. When a dog eats too fast, they swallow air along with their food, a potentially deadly condition called aerophagia. As the stomach fills with air, its blood vessels compress, leading to hypovolemic shock or even twisting of the stomach. By slowing down a dog's consumption, these bowls can decrease the likelihood of bloat.
What this dog bowl can't do
What the bowl doesn't tell you is why your dog is eating is so fast. While hunger could be what's driving some dogs to hoover their meals, Dr. Carlo Siracusa, DVM, associate professor of clinical animal behavior and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, says that it's important to look at the whole picture.
"There might be many reasons. One might be that you have more dogs in the house and they are not fed separately, and even if they are, there's not a physical barrier and they are afraid the other dog might come," Dr. Siracusa says. If you do select a slow feeder like the Outward Hound, he recommends watching your dog's body language to be sure they are enjoying the challenge the bowl presents.
The bottom line
For Buster, the teal Outward Hound Fun Feeder was a hit. The dish held every meal he ate for the next two years, and when he passed away unexpectedly at the age of 10, it still looked brand new — not one chip or ding or stain. If you've ruled out other possible behavioral triggers, these bowls are a great way to slow down a dog who eats too quickly.
Pros: Slows down a dog that eats too fast, decreases likelihood of bloat, choking and GI distress, free of BPA and other chemicals, sturdy and well-made, comes in five designs and colors
Cons: May be too frustrating for some dogs, won't solve behavioral problems associated with eating too fast, the ridges on the orange bowl are very narrow
Of surveyed banks, tech companies, and consultancies, 89% said they were planning on hiring these applicants in 2021.
REUTERS
Many banks and consultancies that held off on hiring business school graduates this year say they'll resume pre-pandemic recruiting efforts next year.
As reported by the Financial Times, a September survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council, commonly called the GMAC, surveyed 712 consultancies, banks, and tech companies between February and March 2020, and 232 companies in June to July 2020 on their hiring plans for business school grads next year.
Before late March, 92% of recruiters said they plan to hire MBA graduates in 2020. But as of July, 77% of recruiters said they planned to hire MBA graduates this year, representing a slight dip in 2020 hiring.
Despite the decline this year, projected hiring in 2021 was closer to normal: 89% of surveyed firms said they were planning on hiring applicants in 2021, slightly more than the 86% of companies that hired MBA graduates in 2019.
Starting salaries may decrease slightly, recruiters say, and 36% of large firms delayed start dates for 2020 hires.
The rebound in demand for business school grads suggests hiring might be picking back up in high-paying employment sectors after declining in March.
According to a new study by market research firm C+R Research, 85% of shoppers are paying more for groceries during the coronavirus pandemic.
The price of meat increased the most, according to those surveyed.
Higher meat prices were caused by supply chain issues early on in the pandemic, but have since dropped as production has ramped up again.
Survey respondents also expressed a high level of pessimism for the future, with 87% worried about the effect of a second wave of coronavirus cases on the availability of groceries.
A new study by C+R Research confirms what most Americans already knew: shoppers are paying more at the grocery store during the pandemic.
The market research firm found that 85% of 2,040 Americans surveyed have been shelling out more for groceries in recent months. And while prices for food have increased across the board — including for milk, eggs, fruit, and fish — the cost of meat has soared above the rest.
Nearly 70% of survey respondents said they are currently paying more for meat compared to before the pandemic. Of the different kinds of meats, beef has witnessed the greatest price increase, at 10.3%. Early on in the pandemic, a major meat production breakdown caused by coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants resulted in a supply shortage at grocery stores and restaurants alike.
At one point, Costco, Kroger, and other grocers limited the amount of fresh meat shoppers could purchase.
Undoubtedly the biggest winner in all of the grocery supply chaos has been plant-based meat producer Impossible Foods, which expanded its grocery presence 77-fold in the last six months as beef suppliers struggled to meet demand. Meat production has since increased, resulting in a steep drop in meat prices.
For some consumers, however, shortages on select items are still a reality. About 83% of survey respondents said they "still have difficulty finding grocery items they normally purchase." And to save money, 43% have been eating less meat. Shoppers are also seeking more discounts and buying in bulk.
Consumers remain overwhelmingly pessimistic about the future. About 87% of those surveyed are worried that a second wave of COVID-19 cases would lead to further grocery shortages, and 86% are worried it would lead to higher prices.
Unfortunately, those worries may be justified. In April, experts told Business Insider they expected to see grocery shortages last for over a year. Carolyn Dimitri, associate professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University, also told Business Insider in July that the effect of coronavirus outbreaks on the food supply chain is unpredictable.
Though a bottle of wine or flowers will do the trick, the gifts that truly stand out are unique and practical — and hundreds of them can be found on Amazon's Handmade page.
We rounded up 32 picks from Amazon Handmade that make for original, thoughtful housewarming gifts.
If you've just been invited to a housewarming party for a friend who recently moved, you're probably trying to figure out something original and thoughtful to gift them.
Wine and flowers are a typical go-to, but there are more creative options, like those on Amazon's Handmade page, that are both unique and useful.
Amazon features tons of one-of-a-kind gifts, decor, clothing, and accessories on their handmade page — all of which add a personal touch to any gifting occasion. Typically, shipping can be more of a lengthy process when purchasing from independent crafters, but hundreds of Amazon Handmade products are Prime-eligible for a seamless shopping experience.
The pandemic has ushered in an era of mass retail bankruptcies, and not even chain restaurants are immune.
Chain restaurants have combined to close more than 1,500 locations since the pandemic began.
We pulled together a list of nine restaurant companies that have filed for bankruptcy this year because of the coronavirus. And while some remain open, others have closed all or most locations.
It's been a tough year for the restaurant industry and food lovers alike.
The retail apocalypse is in full swing, and not even the most beloved restaurant chains have been spared. The pandemic has so far been the downfall of many American eateries, including Chuck E. Cheese and California Pizza Kitchen.
Chain restaurants combined have permanently closed more than 1,500 locations since the pandemic began.
We pulled together a list of restaurant chains that have filed for bankruptcy in the wake of the coronavirus. Some of them are gone for good, while others might make a comeback.
Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes
Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
In a devastating blow to fans, all 97 locations of Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes closed permanently in May when its parent company, Garden Fresh, filed for bankruptcy.
Former Garden Fresh CEO John Haywood told Restaurant Business he did not "see a viable way to reopen."
Brio Italian Mediterranean and Bravo Fresh Italian
Maria A. / Yelp
FoodFirst Global Restaurants, the former parent company of the Italian chains Brio Italian Grille and Bravo Italian Kitchen, filed for bankruptcy in April. The brands were later bought by Earl Enterprises, which plans to keep both businesses alive.
"We're very excited about adding these restaurants to our group and look forward to not only investing in the future of Brio and Bravo, but also the employees who are the backbone of these two restaurants," Robert Earl, the chairman of Earl Enterprises, said in a press release.
Le Pain Quotidien, US
Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
The Belgian bakery chain filed for bankruptcy in late May and sold all 98 of its US stores to Aurify. Aurify told Nation's Restaurant News it planned to reopen 35 of those locations.
CEC Entertainment
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
The beloved children's dinnertainment company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late June after months of speculation over its looming demise.
The months before the chain's bankruptcy filing were rife with controversy. It doled out millions of dollars in bonuses to executives in early June, Restaurant Business reported, citing a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. In May, the chain was also the subject of internet uproar when it was discovered it was selling pizza on delivery apps under the name "Pasqually's Pizza."
CEC Entertainment told Business Insider that Pasqually's Pizza is a distinct brand that operates out of Chuck E. Cheese's kitchens.
California Pizza Kitchen
Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images
The casual-dining pizza chain filed for bankruptcy at the end of July. The chain plans to close an unspecified number of its 200 restaurants to cut back on its debt load, Restaurant Business reported.
"No restaurateur in the world ... has been unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic," CEO Jim Hyatt said in the filing. "For many restaurants, the COVID-19 pandemic will be the greatest challenge they will ever face."
Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill
Daniel L/Yelp.com
The Mediterranean-style fast-casual chain filed for bankruptcy in mid-August. The Colorado-based brand had already been struggling with debt before the pandemic hit, Restaurant Business reported, citing a filing. No closures have been announced.
CEO James Park told the Denver Business Journal that all restaurants remained open, and the chain plans to open six new ones through 2021.
TooJay's
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The Florida-based deli chain TooJay's filed for bankruptcy in late April and was bought on September 10 by Monroe Capital LLC. Most of the chain's stores have remained open, though several others have closed.
Maison Kayser
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP via Getty Images
The French bakery chain Maison Kayser filed for bankruptcy on September 11 and was bought by Aurify Brands, the same company that bought Le Pain Quotidien's US locations.
Some locations remain closed, and it is unclear how many Aurify plans to reopen.
Sizzler
Richard Hartog/Getty Images
The US branch of the steak and seafood chain filed for bankruptcy on Monday, and said in a statement that the filing was "a direct result of the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the casual dining sector ."
The chain, which was purchased by Australian-based investment firm Pacific Equity Partners in 2005, has been in a slow but steady decline over the years, and currently has 107 locations in the US, only 14 of which are company-owned. Sizzler did not say how many of its locations it would close.
iCloud does more than just backup your iPhone and iPad. iCloud can keep your photos in sync across all your devices, for example – iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC. You can set up your devices to automatically place a copy of all photos in iCloud, and you can manually upload photos from your Mac or Windows PC to iCloud as well.
To get started with iCloud Photos, you should ensure that it's turned on and set to upload your mobile photos to the cloud.
1. On your iPhone or iPad device, start the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap "Photos."
3. If it's not already on, turn on iCloud Photos by swiping the button to the right, turning it green.
When turned on, this uploads your mobile photos to iCloud and synchronizes them with the photos on other Apple mobile devices.
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
Repeat for every Apple mobile device device you want to sync with iCloud. All your iPhone and iPad photos should now be automatically uploaded to iCloud. Note: if you want to delete certain photos from your iPhone but not from iCloud, follow our how-to guide to do so.
2. Restart your computer. After it reboots, iCloud might start automatically. If it doesn't, click the Start button and start iCloud from the Start menu.
3. Sign in using your Apple ID.
4. Choose the features you want to back up and synchronize across your devices. Be sure to choose "Photos" and then click "Apply."
Check "Photos" and click "Apply."
Dave Johnson/Business Insider
After installing the iCloud desktop app, you can use it to choose how photos are backed up and synchronized, if you want to share your desktop browser bookmarks with Safari on your iOS device, and more.
How to upload photos from your computer to iCloud
Once you've turned everything on, uploading photos to iCloud is easy:
If you are using Windows, open a File Explorer folder and click "iCloud Photos" in the pane on the left. Drag photos into the iCloud Photos folder. They'll be immediately uploaded to iCloud and copied to your other synced devices.
If you are using a Mac, start the Photos app and drag photos into the app. They'll be immediately uploaded to iCloud and copied to your other synced devices. This method will let you upload specific photos to iCloud, rather than your entire iCloud library, which can be done by accessing your Photos Preferences, as detailed above.
To upload a photo from the Mac or PC, just drag the photos you want to copy to the correct location.
If you're on the receiving end of an inheritance, odds are the money is coming to you out of the deceased's retirement account. And you may be asked — or sometimes told — to set up an Inherited IRA.
Inherited IRAs (investment retirement accounts) are accounts a person sets up with the funds bequeathed to them after an IRA owner dies.
Basically, they're the same tax-deferred vehicles as regular IRAs. But how you, the beneficiary, handles them — well, "It's complicated," says Peter Riefstahl, a CPA at Louis T. Roth & Co., PLLC. "The rules vary depending on your relationship to the deceased, at what age they died, and what type of beneficiary you are."
Understanding those rules is crucial to getting the most out of the inherited IRA — and avoid running afoul of the IRS. Here's an overview of how they work.
What is an Inherited IRA?
Also known as a beneficiary IRA, an Inherited IRA is an account that holds the assets inherited from a deceased person's IRA. Inherited IRAs can be funded from any type of IRA: including traditional, Roth, simple, and SEP-IRAs. It can also be created out of money from the deceased's 401(k) plan.
You can set an Inherited IRA up with most any bank or brokerage. However, the easiest option may be to open your Inherited IRA with the firm that held the deceased's account.
For tax purposes, it's important that the account be named properly — designated as inherited, and with both parties' names. Typically, the title reads something like: [Name of Recipient] Inherited IRA Beneficiary of [Deceased's name].
The person or entity that inherits the IRA can be anyone that the deceased person named as a beneficiary in the IRA paperwork. It's this designation that dictates who inherits the IRA — even if the deceased's will names somebody else.
What to do with an Inherited IRA
All beneficiaries have the option to cash out their inheritance: Take a lump-sum withdrawal from the deceased's IRA and shut it down — though experts usually advise against this strategy since doing so can incur a whopping tax bill.
Different beneficiaries have different options
Beneficiaries fall into two categories: designated (people, like a spouse, relative, or friend) and not-designated (trusts, estates, charities).
Spouses can set up an Inherited IRA. But it's usually more advantageous to treat the deceased's IRA as their own: putting it into their name, or rolling it over into another IRA they already have.
In contrast, non-spouse beneficiaries — everybody else, basically — has to set up a separate Inherited IRA.
Beyond that, your handling of the Inherited IRA depends on your relationship to the deceased.
Yuqing Liu/Business Insider
While the rules are many and varied, there are two big takeaways:
You can't make additional contributions to them. You can manage Inherited IRAs – change the investments, buy and sell different assets – but additional deposits are not allowed.
You have to withdraw money from them. The timetable varies, but sooner or later, you have to empty an Inherited IRA completely. This applies even to inherited Roth IRAs. Unlike the original account owner, the inheritor of a Roth IRA is required to take distributions from the account.
How Inherited IRA withdrawals work
Spouses have the most flexibility. If they've just put the deceased's IRA in their name or rolled the money over into their own IRA, they just have to start taking out money when they turn 72 — the usual IRA rule of required minimum distributions (RMDs). If they've set up a new Inherited IRA, they take the same distributions the deceased did, or recalculate the amount based on their own life expectancy.
For most other individuals, withdrawals from the Inherited IRA can be made in any amount at any time. The key point: The beneficiary has 10 years (to the end of the calendar year) following the original account owner's death to withdraw all assets from the Inherited IRA.
For example, say Papa Joe passes away on September 1, 2020, bequeathing his IRA to his grown daughter Jane. Jane sets up an Inherited IRA. Her deadline for emptying the IRA is December 31, 2030.
What happens if you don't withdraw funds from an Inherited IRA
The consequences of missing withdrawals can be harsh. The IRS charges a penalty of 50% of the funds you were supposed to take out. Depending on the size of the IRA that you inherit, this can be serious money.
The tax rules regarding Inherited IRAs
Tax rules that applied to the original IRA also apply to an Inherited IRA. Just like an IRA that you've funded yourself, money within the account grows free of income tax.
IRAs that have taxable withdrawals, such as Traditional IRAs and SEP-IRAs, continue to be taxable when withdrawn from their inherited counterparts. Any amount withdrawn is taxed at your regular income tax rate.
Inherited Roth IRA distributions continue to be tax-free, just like any Roth's, as long as the deceased's original account is at least five years old. If it has been less than five years, any withdrawn contributions are still tax-free, but any earnings above that are taxable when you take them out.
The IRS does offer beneficiaries one break. Typically, if you're under age 59 ½, any withdrawals from Traditional IRAs and withdrawals of earnings from Roth IRAs are subject to a 10% penalty. This penalty is waived for Inherited IRAs.
How the SECURE Act affected Inherited IRAs
The SECURE Act of 2019 changed many retirement account rules, including Inherited IRAs. It only affects IRA funds inherited Jan.1, 2020, or later.
The biggest impact hits non-spouse beneficiaries. Previously, these heirs had to withdraw funds annually from an Inherited IRA, but they could base the amount on their own life expectancy. Depending on the beneficiary's age, this amount could be pretty small, and so would the income tax due. This made bequeathing IRAs to young children or grandchildren a popular estate-planning strategy.
But no more. The SECURE Act says these beneficiaries have to empty the inherited IRA within a decade of the original owner's death. Exceptions are made for disabled or chronically ill individuals, those whose age is within 10 years of the deceased's, and direct descendants under the majority age of 18. (And once they turn 18, they're under the 10-year withdrawal deadline too.)
Everyone who sets up Inherited IRAs before the end of 2019 can still follow the old life expectancy rules for distributions.
The financial takeaway
Unless you're a spouse, when you inherit a retirement account, your usual best option is to transfer the money into an Inherited IRA. Inherited IRAs continue to grow tax-deferred until withdrawals are made.Taxes on withdrawals are treated the same as the original IRA account.
Spouses aside, most beneficiaries must withdraw all funds from their Inherited IRAs within 10 years. They can withdraw assets on any schedule they wish.
"One could simply defer taking withdrawals for the decade, let the account grow (ideally), and then take it all out in the end," says Peter Riefstahl. "The important caveat is that this will push you into a far higher tax bracket, thereby cutting into those gains that have accumulated over the years."
The rules for Inherited IRAs are complex, and the variations are many. Our rundown covers just the basics. So before making any moves, definitely consult with a tax or estates-law professional regarding your particular circumstances.
The OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle is our top pick of the stovetop models. It features drip-free pouring, a large capacity, and a nice loud whistle to let you know it's tea time.
There's nothing like a hot cup of tea, but boiling water and safely pouring it into a mug or teacup is a difficult task without a proper kettle. For a long time, I would microwave mugs of water until it was reasonably hot, but it was never truly hot enough to properly steep tea, and I was tired of drinking weak early gray. I invested in an electric kettle, and it's made boiling water quicker and easier, so I can relax with my tea sooner.
There are two main categories that tea kettles fall into — electric or stovetop. Each style has its own merits, and the type you choose often comes down to personal preference. An electric kettle tends to act as a permanent countertop fixture, as it's more of a small appliance than a stovetop kettle. Stovetop kettles are classic, smaller, and, of course, analog. We've included the best of both in our guide. Scroll to the bottom of this guide for a more in-depth look at the pros and cons of both electric and stovetop kettles.
Updated 9/21/2020. We updated prices, links, and formatting.
The best electric kettle overall
Krups
The Krups Savoy Adjustable Temperature Kettle heats water to the perfect temperature for brewing a variety of teas, it looks gorgeous, and it costs much less than similar kettles.
If you're serious about your tea and you like to drink all different kinds of tea, you need an adjustable temperature kettle. The 1.7 Liter Krups Savoy Adjustable Temperature Kettle has five preset temperature settings to ensure that you never burn your green tea leaves with scalding hot water ever again.
It's remarkably easy to select the temperature setting you need and you can actually watch the water temperature rise on the LCD display that sits on the kettle's base. If you want black or herbal tea, just hit boil and watch the water go up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit within five minutes or less. If you're drinking green, white, or oolong tea, you press the "TEMP" button until you see the right number for your tea on the screen.
Believe it or not, using the right temperature is a big deal. Whenever I make green, white, or oolong tea with this kettle, I always set it to the right temperature instead of just hitting that "BOIL" button. The teas' flavors come out in full force when brewed at the right temperature, and it's so easy to select the right temperature on the Krups kettle. The LCD screen is an excellent addition to this fine kettle's design.
The kettle automatically stops boiling when it hits the temperature you selected or if it runs dry. The kettle will even keep your water warm for a time before automatically shutting off to protect the heating element. You can also press the start/cancel button to turn it off immediately.
The kettle is made out of brushed stainless steel, and it looks absolutely gorgeous in my kitchen. The kettle jug is unattached, so you can pick it up and pour the water over your tea, oatmeal, or cooking pot without worrying about the length of the cord. The cord is concealed in the base and you can have it as short as you need it to be.
There's a big button on the top of the kettle, which pops the lid open when pressed. The handle is big and comfortable for easy handling and pouring. There is a water window as well, so you can check how much is in there. Krups put the anti-scale filter in the spout of the kettle, and you can remove it if need be.
We've been using it daily for nearly two years without any incident, and we'll keep you updated on how it fares, but we are confident that this is indeed the best kettle you can buy.
Pros: Affordable, adjustable temperature settings, clear LED screen, easy to use, attractive metal design
Cons: Some users experienced leaking
The best stovetop kettle overall
OXO
If you are looking for a classic kettle that heats quickly, fills easily, and is simple to pour, the OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle is an excellent choice.
The OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle has a traditional shape with its wide-bottom body that narrows to the top and spout that draws from near the bottom of the kettle. More importantly, it has a strong whistle that alerts you when the water is boiling. Once the water boils, you open the spout cover, and the spout offers precise, drip-free pouring.
This kettle is made of high-grade stainless steel that is supposed to be rust-resistant. OXO recommends wiping the kettle down regularly to keep cooking oils from wearing away at the steel. The handle and spout have silicone touch points that resist heat for burn-free use. The handle folds to the side for storage or easy filling. The kettle holds 1.7 quarts, which is a good amount for a big pot of tea.
OXO offers a satisfaction guarantee, so the company will refund or replace your kettle if you are not satisfied for any reason.
The kettle also has a handle that folds out of the way, there's good interior visibility, and it's easy to fill thanks to its broad opening.
Pros: Wide bottom for quick heating, easy to fill and pour, large capacity
It may not have fancy features like variable temperature settings or a water gauge, but it does offer a full stainless steel unibody design and 1500 watts of heating power. The kettle turns off automatically so you don't boil a dry pot and damage the heating element.
Secura's kettle is about the same price as cheap plastic ones, but it is completely BPA-free and no plastic touches your water. The stainless steel inner wall is easy to clean after each use, so you can avoid mineral buildup over time. It has a double-wall construction, so the outer layer of plastic stays cool to the touch even as the water boils inside.
As long as you don't need variable temperatures for tea or want to see the water level inside, the Secura kettle is a real winner — especially at this price point.
Pros: 100% stainless steel design, keeps water warm, shuts off automatically, two-year warranty, easy to clean
Cons: No water gauge to see how much is inside and no variable temperature settings
The Cuisinart Aura is simply your basic stovetop tea kettle, and sometimes that's all you need. It gets the job done at a great price point, and if it breaks or rusts, it won't break your heart.
The Cuisinart Aura features a two-quart-capacity solid stainless steel body — enough for eight cups of tea. The large capacity is also handy for boiling water for oatmeal, instant noodles, or anything else you need to quickly boil water for. This kettle notifies you that your water is boiling and ready by producing a whistle that increases in intensity. And it's a powerful whistle — sometimes it's a bit too intense, and you'll find yourself running over to the stove to make it stop.
To pour the water, there is a lever on the handle that you push to open the spout cap, ensuring you'll never have to put your fingers near hot steam or boing water to remove a cap. The handle is stationary and made of plastic, and the wide lid allows for easy refilling of the kettle. To top it off, the entire setup is backed by a lifetime limited warranty.
Pros: Limited lifetime warranty, inexpensive, large capacity
Cons: Very loud whistle, can rust without proper cleaning
Who says that kettles have to be boring and ugly? Smeg's '50s Retro-Style Electric Kettle adds much-needed flair to the boring old kettle with its '50s color palette and fun design aesthetic. You can get it in multiple color options, including cream, blue, green, red, black, chrome, and pink.
The kettle is made of stainless steel that's powder-coated for added durability and protection from mineral buildup. Inside, there's a removable, stainless steel limescale filter that you'll need to clean every now and then to prevent too much of a deposit from building up. If you have hard water, you'll have to clean the filter more often. It also has a water level window so you can check how much water is inside. Plus, Smeg offers a one-year warranty.
Anyone who loves fashionable, well-designed appliances or has a retro-inspired kitchen filled with Smeg appliances will love this kettle. However, you are paying a premium for the slick design.
A trusted British friend of mine heartily recommends this kettle, and given how much tea he drinks on a daily basis, his recommendation carries a lot of weight.
Pros: Fun 1950s-inspired design, stainless steel, automatic shut off, removable stainless steel filter, water level indicator, and lots of lovely color options
Cons: You're paying for form more than function
The best high-end stovetop kettle
Le Creuset
If you are looking for a stylish tea kettle that heats quickly and stores easily, you will be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Le Creuset Enamel-on-Steel Zen Teakettle.
The enamel-on-steel body of the Le Creuset Zen Teakettle makes it more resistant to rusting and thus more durable than its counterparts. The kettle holds 1-5/8 quarts of water and has an inverted bowl shape, which helps it heat quickly. The Asian-style, arched handle folds down for storage and filling. And, the lid is wide for easy cleaning and filling.
Though the enamel of the kettle is "chip resistant," Le Creuset warns that repeated banging may damage the exterior enamel. The Zen Teakettle comes in ten colors, including Marseille, cherry, dune, and palm. Plus, each style comes with a limited five-year warranty.
Additional nice features are its heat-proof handle, loud whistle, and the fact that it can be used on any type of stovetop. However, the price is a bit steep for a kettle.
Unlike most of the tea kettles we researched, we did not find any complaints of rusting with this one. However, there were other issues. Several users report that the spout tends to dribble water. There were also a couple cases of reviewers finding that the plastic handle flaked.
Pros: Heat-proof handle folds down, loud whistle, can be used with any stove type, including induction
Cons: Expensive, may dribble
Electric versus stovetop kettles
An argument for electric kettles
For real tea fanatics, it can be difficult to get just the right temperature water for your brew and nuking H2O in the microwave is simply out of the question. That's where electric kettles come in. They boil water faster than a watched pot on your stove, and the best ones even offer adjustable temperature settings to ensure that the water is just right for your delicate tea leaves.
You can also use electric kettles to boil water quickly for any cause. No matter your needs, it's good to have a dedicated appliance in your kitchen that boils water quickly. Every self-respecting British person has a kettle at home, and the fact that most Americans don't is totally befuddling. It's time to correct that error, because as one Brit told me, "Stoves take too long, and we don't live in the 1800s anymore."
An argument for stovetop kettles
For me, the hardest part about making tea is remembering that I am making tea. We own both an electric kettle and a stovetop one. The electric kettle does not notify me when the water is ready. Conversely, the whistle of the stovetop kettle demands my attention more intensely than my feral toddler does. You can't forget you are making tea with the best whistling tea kettles.
We focus on the tea making abilities of the top kettles, but really, they can be used to heat water for any purpose: hot chocolate, ramen noodles, soup, oatmeal — you name it.
What are kettles made of?
Most kettles these days are made of stainless steel, plastic, enamel-on-steel, or some combination of these materials. There are a few glass kettles available, but they receive low marks for performance from both buyers and experts.
Due to research linking bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates to cancer, many people are a little squeamish around kettles made out of plastic, especially since heating plastics can cause chemicals to leach into liquids or foods. However, the plastics that have been shown to cause cancer are used to make clear, hard containers or soft, flexible products. Tea kettles don't fit into either of these categories.
But, if you are concerned about drinking hot water that has come into contact with plastic, make sure you choose a tea kettle that avoids this problem. Each of the kettles in our guide uses plastic sparingly.
Though the name may suggest otherwise, stainless steel tea kettles are susceptible to rusting. The best way to combat this is to regularly wash your kettle and dry it completely. If you do notice rust, fill your kettle with a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water, boil it for a few minutes, empty it, and then wash your kettle per the manufacturer's specifications. Rusting is less common with enamel-on-steel kettles.
Tea is serious business and real aficionados prefer loose leaf tea over the leftover leaves most companies stuff into tea bags. However, if you want to brew tea properly, you are going to need the right equipment. In addition to getting one of the best kettles to bring your water to just the right temperature for the leaves you're using, you'll also want a tea infuser to separate the leaves from your brew once it's ready.
Any decent travel mug will keep your drink hot or cold for a few hours without leaking. Our picks include a great all-around option for commuters, a mug that can keep your coffee hot enough to drink for an entire day, and a more rugged option for weekend play.
Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. It's also one of the oldest, and it's the center of a wide range of traditions all around the globe. There's a variety of tea that's perfect for every time of the day from the first cup of the morning to your before-bed relaxation brew.
Meet the 2019 class of Wall Street's rising stars.
From starting a hedge fund before age 30 to running their own alternative-data shops and helping lead $27 billion investments, this group of young finance leaders is in a league of its own.
It was harder than ever this year to select just 25 people. Our selection criteria: We asked that nominees be 35 or under, based in the US, and stand out from their peers. Editors made the final decisions.
Here's our list of the next crop of Wall Street leaders.
Additional reporting by Alex Morell, Bradley Saacks, and Dakin Campbell.
Adam Parker, 34, Center Lake Capital
Adam Parker's Center Lake Capital focuses on tech companies.
Center Lake Capital
Adam Parker has been focused on running his own hedge fund as long as he can remember – and he's already running $350 million before the age of 35 with his fund, Center Lake Capital.
Parker started investing in college after he sold a GrubHub-like company he and a couple friends started. From there, he interned at the Lehman Brothers real-estate group in summer 2007 and was choosing between returning for a full-time position or joining the now shuttered Force Capital. He chose Force.
After working as an analyst, he eventually interviewed with billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller, and worked for Duquesne Capital until Druckenmiller closed the fund. He then went to PointState Capital, which was started by Duquesne veterans, and became a portfolio manager after just a year, running $150 million to start out.
Center Lake launched in 2014 with multiyear commitments from a few critical investors, Parker said. Now he believes the firm has differentiated itself because of the concentrated investments and specific focus within the tech world.
Evan Feinberg, 32, Tiger Global
Evan Feinberg has helped Tiger Global become a well-known name in the private markets.
Tiger Global
Feinberg started at the University of Pennsylvania with plans to be a lawyer and had no idea what investment banking even was. It took only a year for him to transfer into the Wharton business program, and the rest is history.
Feinberg worked at Morgan Stanley during the summer of the financial crisis and joined Silver Lake Capital, a private-equity firm in New York, after he graduated. He joined Tiger Global six years ago as the hedge fund run by the billionaire Chase Coleman decided to expand more into the private markets.
In that time, Feinberg estimates he has been a part of 40 to 50 different investments Tiger Global's private-investing team has made, including co-leading the firm's investments in the Brazilian financial-technology unicorn Nubank and the buzzy workout company Peloton. Both the investments were made earlier on in the companies' histories — series B for Nubank and series A for Peloton — a fact Feinberg is proud of.
Feinberg is looking for founders that are inspirational but also grounded, so they don't let their vision get the best of them, while also being able to get employees and investors to buy into the potential of the company.
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Microsoft
The Xbox Series X, Microsoft's next generation video game console, will be released on November 10 for $499.
Preorders will begin on September 22 at 11 a.m. ET, and Microsoft is also offering a monthly payment option for the console via its Xbox All Access program.
The Xbox Series X will replace the Xbox One as Microsoft's flagship console, but new Xbox games will continue to work on the Xbox One.
In addition to the Series X, Microsoft is releasing the $299 Xbox Series S, an all-digital version of the console with less powerful hardware.
The Xbox Series X, Microsoft's next generation video game console, will launch on November 10 for $499. Preorders will begin on September 22 at 11 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. PT.
The Xbox Series X will replace the Xbox One X as Microsoft's flagship console and will be backwards compatible with all Xbox One games and controllers on release. Older games will see significant graphical improvements on the Xbox Series X, including support for 120 frames per second playback. Microsoft says the Xbox Series X will be capable of playing thousands of games from the original Xbox and Xbox 360 at launch.
So far, Xbox fans can look forward to a new "Fable" game, "Assassin's Creed Valhalla," and more than a dozen other games coming to the Xbox Series X and Xbox One in November. "Halo Infinite" was originally intended to launch alongside the new console but the game has now been delayed to 2021.
On September 21, just one day before Xbox preorders are scheduled to go live, Microsoft announced that it is also acquiring Bethesda, the publisher behind hit games like "Doom," "The Elder Scrolls," and "Fallout." The deal is reportedly worth $7.5 billion but could take several months to complete. Once approved, Bethesda's hit franchises could become exclusive to the Xbox and Windows computers.
Below, we've broken down everything we know so far about how to buy the Xbox Series X. We'll update this article with more preorder links and purchase options as they are posted.
Updated on 9/21/2020 by Kevin Webb: Added preorder timing and additional retailers for the Xbox Series X.
Xbox Series X price and release date
Microsoft is releasing two new Xboxes together for the first time in 2020.
Microsoft
The Xbox Series X will cost $499 when it's released on November 10. Preorders will be available starting September 22 at 11 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. PT.
In addition to regular purchase options from various retailers, Microsoft will also offer a monthly purchase option for the console as part of its Xbox All Access program. The plan costs $34.99 a month for 24 months, and includes the system and a 24 month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. You can find more details here.
Several stores, including Microsoft, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, GameStop, Walmart, and Newegg have already launched landing pages to keep buyers up to date about preorders. Be sure to check back for direct links on September 22.
In addition to the Xbox Series X, Microsoft is also launching another new Xbox console that will be slightly weaker than the Series X with a lower price tag, too. The system, called the Xbox Series S, will cost $299 and is also set for release on November 10.
Xbox Series X specifications and features
Microsoft
Microsoft says the Xbox Series X is about twice as strong as the Xbox One X and more than eight times as powerful as the original Xbox One released in 2013. The Series X will also boast significantly faster load times thanks to a new solid-state hard drive. The SSD will allow for new features like Quick Resume, which lets you save multiple games in a suspended state similar to rest mode.
Another new feature is "Smart Delivery" — a process that lets Xbox owners swap between the Series X and Xbox One versions of games, like "Halo Infinite" and "Gears 5," to get the best possible quality on both consoles with no extra cost.
Because of smart delivery, Microsoft says there won't be any games that are truly exclusive to the Xbox Series X for a year or longer. Every new Xbox release in 2020 will still be available on Xbox One, but the Series X versions will have improved visuals thanks to Smart Delivery.
Whether you prefer fat and fluffy Belgian waffles or thin and crispy traditional American-style ones, there are dozens of different waffle makers in every shape and size.
The best waffle maker for families big or small is the Chef's Choice WafflePro because it makes four perfect golden waffles every time.
As a child, I was obsessed with Eggo waffles, not unlike the character Eleven from the show, "Stranger Things." As soon as one of the rounded treats popped out of the toaster, I would slather it in butter and maple syrup and then gobble it up.
Frozen waffles are delicious, but freshly made ones are even better. There are plenty of waffle recipes online, and once you've assembled the ingredients, you just need a waffle maker. There is a dizzying array of waffle makers out there, so we've done the research to find the best ones you can buy.
Before you buy one, the first thing you need to determine is whether you prefer Belgian, American, or Liege waffles. For a quick explainer on the different types of waffles and a few helpful tips on what to look for when shopping for a waffle maker, scroll to the bottom of this guide. If you already know your waffle loyalties lie, these are our top picks for the best waffle makers.
Prices and links are current as of 9/21/20. We updated our pick for the best overall waffle maker. Our original pick, the Chef's Choice Five-of-Hearts Waffle Maker was discontinued by the manufacturer. We replaced it with the Chef's Choice WafflePro, a nearly identical machine save for the shape of waffles it produces.
The best overall
Amazon
The Chef's Choice WafflePro produces perfect four perfect triangular waffles in no time, making it a quick way to serve a crowd.
The Chef's Choice WafflePro is the most advanced waffle maker in our guide. It's full of patented technology like the "Quad" baking system that lets you customize the flavor, texture, and color of your thin, crispy waffles. Flip a switch for waffles that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside or waffles that are uniformly crispy all the way through.
Baking and ready lights are enhanced by a "waffle-ready" beeper. The "floating" lid guarantees uniform waffle thickness and ensures easy cleanup. With a built-in cord storage compartment, the waffle maker can be easily stored in a space-saving, upright position. The waffle maker comes with a limited one-year warranty, as well as a book of recipes.
This waffle maker is also great for large families as you'll get four smaller waffles out of each batch. Of course, nothing's stopping you from keeping all four connected and serving one big round waffle per person.
The waffles turn out too thin and crispy to be considered Belgian waffles. That's just fine by American waffle fans, though.
Pros: Cook quickly, easy to use, lightweight and easy to store
Cons: Belgian waffle fans may not like the thinness of the waffles
Krups makes excellent small appliances for very affordable prices, and its Belgian Waffle Maker is another great bargain. The waffle maker produces four perfect golden waffles every time, and you can choose just how golden and crispy you want them with the five adjustable temperature settings.
The nonstick, die-cast plates are removable for easy cleaning and they're dishwasher safe, so you don't even have to hand wash them. Red and green indicator lights tell you when the machine is hot and ready for your waffle batter, and the machine beeps politely when your waffles are ready.
The machine itself is very sturdy since it's made of stainless steel. The cord wraps up easily and you can store the machine vertically if you don't have room to leave it sitting on your kitchen counter. It's great that you can store it standing up because it is larger than some of the other waffle makers in our guide.
If you have a family, it's a great waffle maker to have because it makes up to four waffles at a time. You can also choose to make just one or two waffles without any problems.
I tested the Krups waffle maker and loved it. Years ago, I bought an industrial-style rotating Krups waffle maker to make Liege (no-knead) waffles, because I had seen a similar model at my favorite food truck, Wafles & Dinges. I compared the two, and the simpler Krups machine worked just as well — I just had slightly less control over the temperature.
The Krups Belgian Waffle Maker makes and kind of waffle at home, whether you want a Belgian-style masterpiece or a true Liege waffle. The only caveat about this waffle maker is that it's very slow (about five minutes per batch), but we still think it's worth the wait for most multiple-person households because you'll get batches of four at a time. — Malarie Gokey
Pros: Makes four perfect waffles, thick waffles, removable plates for easy cleaning, five temperature settings, affordable, easy to store
If you're one of those folks who prefer more American-style waffles that are thin and crunchy with smaller pockets, then the Cuisinart Classic Round Waffle Maker is the best waffle maker for the job at a reasonable price.
This brushed stainless-steel appliance has five browning settings and dual indicator lights that tell you when it's time to bake the waffle and when it is ready to eat. The round nonstick cook plate, with four quarters, produces one large, round, traditional-style waffle. Rubber feet keep the unit from sliding around and the lid is weighted so it doesn't pop open.
Cleanup is simple. After grids have cooled, brush crumbs from the grooves, and absorb any excess cooking oil by wiping with a dry cloth or paper towel. You may clean the grids by wiping with a damp cloth. To clean the exterior, wipe with a soft dry cloth. After you are done, wrap the cord under the bottom of the unit and then turn it on its side for compact storage. It comes with a three-year warranty, as well as a recipe book.
Pros: Affordable, heats up quickly, makes thin and crunchy traditional waffles, five browning settings, indicator lights, easy to clean and to store.
The All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker is a top-of-the-line appliance with all the bells and whistles to ensure you make perfect waffles every time.
If you're a Belgian waffle fiend, the All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker is a high-end waffle maker that produces two lovely thick waffles every time. You can also get one that makes four waffles if you're serving a crowd or are too impatient to make multiple batches. The waffles measure 4.5-inches wide by 1-inch thick, so these are nice big Belgian waffles.
The waffle maker has seven different browning settings to accommodate all tastes. Regardless of which setting you pick, the advanced heating technology ensures consistent cooking straight through the waffle. A special steam-release system prevents condensation from building up, too, thus ensuring that your waffle comes out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
There's no guesswork here. LED indicator lights let you know when to pour your batter in and when your waffles are ready to eat. Don't worry: If you're not paying attention, the system beeps to let you know it's done.
With the nonstick cooking surface and a removable drip tray, cleanup is easy, too. When you are done, you can leave the stainless steel unit on your counter or take advantage of the cord storage and the locking lid and turn it on its side for more compact storage. Like all All-Clad products, there is a limited lifetime warranty on this unit.
Pros: Sturdy stainless steel construction, multiple browning options, special heating technology, LED indicator lights, easy to clean
The Black & Decker G48TD 3-in-1 Waffle Maker and Grill is a waffle maker, a griddle, and a grill. All you have to do to switch from making waffles to frying up eggs and bacon is to change the nonstick reversible cooking plates. A unique 180-degree hinge also doubles the available cooking area, so you'll end up with two eight-inch-square griddles for pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Then you can switch it up again to grill a sandwich for lunch.
There are several variable heat controls to choose from. The grease run-off channels along the edge of this grill quickly and easily carry away excess oils. With its chrome exterior and stay-cool black synthetic handles, this appliance looks great on the counter, but you can easily wrap the cord and stand the unit upright for compact storage.
It comes with a limited one year warranty.
One downside: We did come across a few buyer reviews complaining that the unit is not very sturdy and the top plate frequently falls down.
Pros: Versatile waffle-maker/grill/griddle combo, makes large waffles, accurate indicator light, affordable
Cons: Difficult to clean, flimsy construction
What to consider when buying a waffle maker
Belgian vs. American vs. Liege waffles
What's the difference between Belgian Waffles and "regular" American-style waffles? According to Chowhound, Belgian waffles are bigger all around — in diameter and thickness — and also have deeper square pockets than their American counterparts. They are also traditionally made with yeast, which makes them light and fluffy. American waffles, on the other hand, are usually made with baking powder and are thinner and crunchier than Belgian waffles. Belgian waffles require a different kind of waffle maker.
Another kind of waffle is a type of Belgian waffle called the Liege. Liege waffles are a centuries-old street treat in Belgium, made from yeast-risen dough and Belgian pearl sugar. This gives the waffle its own natural sweetness — no toppings needed. They are softer, sweeter and doughier than other Belgian waffles. They're also much harder to make. Our picks are primarily for Belgian and American style waffles.
How to pick a waffle maker
So, now that you've decided what kind of waffles you'd like to cook up at home, it's time to pick your waffle maker. The single most important factor when selecting a waffle maker is that it cooks your waffle evenly.
A good waffle maker should also offer variable heat controls, stay cool to the touch, and alert you when the waffles are done. Some waffle makers come with special features like removable grids and most have non-stick coatings to make it easier to remove your waffles.
All the waffle makers we've chosen to include in our guide meet these criteria.
Cooking for a crowd? Then an electric griddle may come in handy. An electric griddle can cook a variety of foods, from pancakes to grilled cheese sandwiches and steaks. Some can even cook a large volume of food at the same time. These are the best electric griddles.
Investing in an espresso machine might be a daunting prospect, but if you're regularly hitting up Starbucks, it might pay for itself a whole lot quicker than you think. These are the best espresso machines you can buy.
Air fryers cook foods to a crisp golden brown by using a mechanical fan to circulate hot air at high speeds around the food. The result is fried foods that use up to 80% less oil. These are the best air fryers.
The best stand mixers make baking bread, cakes, cookies, pies, and more an enjoyable endeavor. You can also buy accessories for making sausage, ice cream, and pasta. These are our top picks for the best stand mixers.
The nutritional benefits of starting your day with fruits and vegetables are undeniable, but so is the financial hit of being a juice bar regular. With a juicer, however, you can offset the cost of your healthy habit by squeezing your own greens at home. These are the best juicers.
Electric multicookers are so versatile that they can make all kinds of meals and even replace several different appliances. The latest multicookers can handle pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, stewing, and other cooking functions, all in one pot. These are the best Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers you can buy.
An exercise bike is a great way to keep your heart healthy and muscles toned, and it could help you lose weight or maintain it where you want it.
Having a stationary bike at home allows you to work out at any time you like without having to commute to the gym or worry about if it's nice enough outside to ride your bike.
Our top pick, the NordicTrack's S22i Studio Cycle, is a high-quality at-home bike that offers a deep library of on-demand content like instructor-led courses and digital rides across the world, that you'll love jumping on for a workout each day.
Exercise bicycles, also known as stationary bikes or spinning bikes, have a surprisingly long history that dates back to when Francis Lowndes invented a device approximating the function of an exercise bike in the late 1790s. His creation, the Gymnasticon, predated even the earliest riding bicycles by several decades. By the end of the 19th century, as bicycles took their modern form, stationary bikes used for exercise became a more common sight in homes and gymnasiums.
For much of the 20th century, exercise bikes and treadmills were essentially the only stationary devices suitable for cardiovascular exercise. In the 1990s, equipment such as the NordicTrack, the elliptical trainer, and stair machine gained in popularity. Exercise bikes almost seemed passé, used more for hanging laundry than for fitness in the home.
Then the spin class craze hit and exercise bikes surged into style once again. Led by familiar faces in NordicTrack and newcomers like Peloton, the current wave of exercise bikes have become an incredibly popular part of anyone's at-home fitness setup.
How to shop for an exercise bike
It makes sense why exercise bikes are so popular. On those days when it's too cold for a run or when there's no time for a trip to the gym, a home exercise bike is a great way to get your heart rate up and your leg muscles pumping. When you utilize its various seated and standing positions, as well as the interval training approach of a spin class, you can even get what amounts to a total body workout.
Compared to larger cardio machines like an elliptical trainer or treadmill, many exercise bikes are relatively affordable and compact. Some even fold away to stash in a closet or under the bed.
When shopping for an exercise bike, you'll want to keep in mind a few important features. First, consider the bike's size. Whether you have a dedicated workout room or want to slide the bike into your living room/kitchen (i.e. you live in a studio apartment), size matters. Thankfully, most exercise bikes are much smaller than treadmills, so there likely won't be as much of a logistics headache with these.
You'll also want to decide whether you want a connected bike outfit with a suite of on-demand, streamable classes, or something a little more basic that's just a seat, some handlebars, and a pair of pedals attached to a resistance wheel. Connected bikes do tend to run quite a bit more in terms of price, but offer a deep library of workout classes and fitness tracking.
Finally, don't forget about budget. The connected bikes mentioned above often come with price tags in the thousands of dollars while the more basic, non-digital options may run you a few hundred (and still do well to deliver a worthy session of cardio exercise).
Our guide includes exercise bikes to fit every budget and every home. Some are small enough to tuck under a desk, while others require a few square feet of real estate. But all of the stationary cycles included will help you hit those cardio fitness and weight management goals.
Updated on 9/21/2020 by Rick Stella: Added section on how to shop for an exercise bike, included the Stryde bike as our pick of the best budget connected bike, checked the availability of each recommended bike, and updated the prices and links where necessary.
The best exercise bike overall
NordicTrack
NordicTrack's S22i Studio Cycle offers a high-quality ride experience and some of the best streamable workout content via its iFit program.
Exercise bikes outfit with a large color touchscreen that streams on-demand workouts is a growing trend in the at-home fitness industry. Though Peloton's name tends to come up first in any conversation about them, the NordicTrack brand has been delivering a high-quality at-home cycling experience for far longer.
With its S22i Studio Cycle, NordicTrack continues that trend by offering a feature-heavy at-home bike with a deep offering of on-demand fitness content. There are the instructor-led courses but also a library of rides capable of digitally taking you around the world — think biking through Australia one minute then across Moab, Utah the next. This mode features Google Map integration, so it's not just some randomly generated scenery but instead, the real thing.
The bike also features incline and decline control, and up to 24 different levels of resistance. Each class is designed to make use of these and they'll automatically adjust as an instructor changes them during a routine.
If you're not an all-bike-all-the-time kind of person, the iFit platform even offers cross-training routines like yoga or free weight workouts, adding to the bike's versatility. You'll have a hard time finding an at-home bike that offers more.
Pros: Deep well of content to support a high-quality at-home ride experience, can choose between trainer-led classes or free rides in places across the world
Cons: Expensive, iFit requires a monthly subscription fee
The best high-intensity exercise bike
Peloton / Youtube
Peloton's name is synonymous with at-home stationary bikes, and for good reason — its high-quality bike offers a library of immersive and intense workouts led by motivating trainers.
You don't even need to be a fitness fanatic to recognize the Peloton name when you see it — the company's done an incredible job making its at-home exercise bike an absolute star ever since it burst on the scene years ago. The attention is deserved, too, as the Peloton bike offers users an interactive workout experience that replicates the feeling of a spin class from the comfort of their home.
Like NordicTrack's S22i, the Peloton bike features a huge built-in screen that displays each of its workouts, as well as a rider's progress and stats. The workouts themselves are high-energy, trainer-led courses that are either streamed via Peloton's on-demand library or taken live.
Each Peloton class offers a bit of variety, too. Instead of just wailing away on the pedals for 30 minutes, there are classes for varying skill levels and themes, as well as those set to specific types of music. What they all have in common is delivering a sweat-heavy workout anyone can enjoy from the comfort of their home.
The bike itself is a compact stationary bike that doesn't require a ton of room to setup and use. Its seat is adjustable to accommodate for a range of riders, and it runs quiet enough to not bother anyone else nearby.
Though it is expensive at $2,245 for its basic package, it's well worth the investment.
Pros: Peloton's bike is an incredibly interactive home cycling experience, the bike runs quietly, it offers a variety of on-demand and live classes, and its large touchscreen isn't obnoxious
Cons: Expensive, recurring monthly charge for access to the video library
The best budget connected bike
Ana Gerst (Le CollectiveM)
The Stryde bike not only costs hundreds of dollars less than its connected bike kin like Peloton and NordicTrack, but it lets you stream workouts from other fitness apps, as well as services like Netflix and Hulu.
The industry of connected bikes is far from at a loss for variety, but a relative newcomer by the name of Stryde released one of our favorite reviewed bikes to date. With a design reminiscent of premium competitors like Peloton and NordicTrack, Stryde offers a few unique features that let it stand out on its own — including the fact it costs some hundreds of dollars cheaper at just $1,550.
First is its content strategy. Like almost any connected bike, Stryde comes with an 22-inch on-board touchscreen tablet that's able to stream workouts via a companion smartphone application. After signing up for a $30 per month membership, you're able to stream any of its hundreds of on-demand classes filmed at spin studios across the country. Though the production value may not be on par with what Peloton offers, the classes are still impressive and deliver tough workouts.
But the Stryde app and its workouts aren't the only thing you're able to access on the tablet — it also allows for complete internet access. This means you're able to check your email, listen to music, and (perhaps most enticing) stream video services like Netflix or Hulu. Need to catch up on season 3 of Ozark? Do it while pedaling your way to your daily cardio. Put plainly, the tablet's internet access is a game changer.
If you're a fan of the more highly-produced content from Peloton or the globe-spanning workouts native to NordicTrack's iFit, then Stryde may not be the best fit. However, with its ability to stream other workout apps and services like Netflix or Hulu, as well as the fact it comes with a wallet-friendly price (for connected fitness equipment, that is), it's worth considering for anyone in the market for an at-home exercise bike.
Pros: Ergonomic design, comfortable seat, perfect size for small apartments, 22-inch touchscreen tablet can stream a variety of apps or streaming services, great value
Cons: Production quality of its classes can be lacking, Stryde app only offers on-bike workouts
The best pedal exerciser
VIVE
The VIVE Pedal Exerciser is small enough to tuck away under a desk or table, letting you pedal away and burn calories and tone your legs and core at any time.
No, the VIVE Pedal Exerciser is not a stationary bike, exactly. But the type of exercise it fosters and the benefits therein gained are quite similar to those achieved with a standard exercise bike, and this from a unit that costs a fraction of the price and stows away in any home, office, dorm room, or that can be loaded into the trunk of a car and brought along on the road.
At just 12.5-inches in height, the VIVE Pedal Cruiser slips under a desk or table with ease, allowing you to exercise while you work, watch TV, read, surf the web, or any of the other countless activities we do while seated in the course of our modern lives. An LCD screen set into the compact unit tracks metrics including RPMs, speed, distance, and approximate calories burned.
But perhaps the best thing about this unique pedal machine is that it doesn't have to be used only as an under-desk leg exerciser; the VIVE Pedal Exerciser can also be set up on your desk or table for an arm workout. Just grab the pedals with your hands, set the right resistance level, and spin away to build arm muscles and burn calories as part of a complete body workout.
Pros: Compact and portable, works legs or arms, low cost, low impact exercise
Cons: Not as effective a workout as a standard stationary bike
Let's be clear here: the Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle is a pretty basic stationary bike. The onboard "computer" tracks time, speed, distance, and approximates likely calories burned, but it's not going to offer you customizable workout programs as you get with many more advanced, expensive exercise bikes. But what this low-cost bike will do is help you burn calories, lose weight, and tone your muscles, which is all those other bikes do anyway, just with fancier features.
The Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycles offers eight different intensities of magnetic resistance, so it suits people of varying fitness levels. Using these eight settings, you can create your own workout program by switching up the difficulty during the session. While in operation, the Marcy Recumbent bike is quiet and stable, suitable for use while you watch TV or with kids sleeping in the room next door.
While this is a more basic option than many exercise bikes, its low cost makes it a great choice for those on a budget or who aren't sure they'll use it much and thus hesitant to make a large investment.
Pros: Great low price, easy to mount and dismount, quiet operation
Ironically, the best thing about the XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike is how little you'll see of it most of the time. When folded up, this bike occupies just 17-inches by 18-inches of floor space, so it can be stuffed in a closet, tucked behind a door, or even laid flat and slid beneath a bed that sits well above the ground.
Not only can you stash this folding stationary bike just about anywhere, but you can use it almost anywhere, too. Even when deployed for use, the bike measures only 18-inches wide and 32-inches in length, so it will fit even in a smaller room.
The XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike has an adjustable padded seat so it can accommodate riders of varied height, and its curved, multi-grip handlebars allow you to grasp on wherever is most comfortable. When you take hold of the pulse grips set at the sides of the handlebars, you can keep track of your heart rate, helping you achieve ideal cardio intensity.
The bike's small onboard computer also tracks time, speed, distance, and calories burned. A simple dial adjusts the resistance difficulty, which is spread across eight settings.
Pros: Compact bike folds away for storage, low price tag, easy assembly
Cons: Too small for many users
The best exercise bike for comfort
Amazon
From its padded armrests and seat cushion to an ergonomic backrest and customizable workouts, the Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike proves you can burn calories in comfort.
Who said a fat-blasting cardio workout session had to be unpleasant? No one who's ever eased themselves into the plush seat of the Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike, certainly.
This superlative home exercise stationary bike has a generously padded seat that cradles your core while promoting airflow, a mesh backrest that offers plenty of support while keeping you cool, and padded armrests to keep your elbows and forearms comfortable as you churn away at the bike's magnetic tension system.
The Exerpeutic 5000 offers 24 different levels of tension, so whether you're just starting to exercise for the first time in years or you're looking for a way to stay fit between century rides, this bike will offer just the right level of challenge for you.
It also comes with 12 workout programs, so you can tailor your exercise sessions to suit your fitness goals and your personal preferences. While you're using the bike, an onboard computer will track metrics including distance, RPMs, your heart rate, and even the watts of power generated.
And while this is a larger bike that will take up some room in the home, it's lightweight enough to be rolled into the corner (or the garage) after each use.
Pros: Comfortable seat design, multiple fitness programs, large weight capacity
Cons: Poor manual makes initial setup frustrating
The best smart exercise bike
Schwinn
Besides the fact that the Schwinn Classic Cruiser fitness bike is Bluetooth ready and works with popular cycling apps, this retro-styled bike simply looks great.
I have a Schwinn Classic Cruiser stationary bike, and I love it. Everyone who sees this bright red vintage-style bike perched there in a corner of my basement remarks on its great looks, and having used the bike plenty, I can tell you that this thing not only looks great, but it works great, too. Once you get past the unique looks, in fact, you get to the actual stuff that matters here.
The Schwinn Classic Cruiser stationary bike offers seven levels of resistance that are controlled by a lever set atop the right handlebar. On the left handlebar sits a manual timer, the kind you twist to set and that clicks along then dings when the time is up.
But when the bike is plugged in and connected to your tablet via Bluetooth, you'll quickly realize that it's vintage only in styling. The bike works with multiple popular fitness and cycling apps, including a proprietary Schwinn Classic Cruiser App and the celebrated Ride Social app.
With an iPad or other tablet set into the bike's attached media shelf, you can connect with riders around the globe and/or take a virtual ride through lands including the Australian Outback, the plateaus of Tibet, or numerous major metro areas.
Using an app, you can also enjoy myriad pre-programmed workouts that will maximize the enjoyment of and benefits derived from using this handsome exercise bike.
Pros: Charming retro style, works with multiple apps, sturdy and durable
Netflix doesn't love long-running TV shows and sometimes that means great shows get the ax early.
The streaming giant has canceled plenty of shows that upset fans but were panned by TV critics, such as "Everything Sucks!" and "Gypsy." But it's canceled ones that were critically acclaimed, too.
Netflix often doesn't see the value in shows that exceed 30 episodes (usually two to three seasons) because they become too expensive and too difficult for new viewers to jump into, Deadline reported last year. That means shows like "American Vandal," "One Day at a Time," and more have been given the boot earlier than fans, and critics, would have hoped.
On Monday, Netflix canceled "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" after one season, a day after it won an Emmy for outstanding children's program (which it tied with HBO's "We Are The Dream: The Kids Of The Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest").
Netflix also recently canceled a pair of other critically acclaimed shows after their first seasons: "The Society" and "I Am Not Okay With This." Netflix had renewed the former last year for a second season, but the coronavirus pandemic postponed production, which was supposed to start in the spring. In a statement, Netflix blamed the cancellations on "circumstances created by COVID."
Other Netflix critical darlings to get the ax this year were "The Kominsky Method" and "Dead to Me" after their upcoming third seasons and "Ozark," which was renewed for a fourth and final season after season three was its best reviewed yet.
We've rounded up 25 great TV shows that Netflix has canceled. We highlighted shows that received an average score over 85% on Rotten Tomatoes or whose final seasons were above 85%, and ranked them based on the average scores. We broke ties with audience scores and if those were the same, with the final season score.
We limited the list to shows that ended with four seasons or fewer on Netflix, which didn't include "BoJack Horseman" and other shows. In the case of a show like "Lucifer," which Netflix revived for a fourth season after Fox canceled it, and has renewed for seasons five and six, we included it because it received just three new seasons on Netflix.
In the case of "Patriot Act," it aired six "volumes" but only lasted two years, so we counted it. It didn't have enough reviews for an average score on Rotten Tomatoes, so we ranked it based on just its season one critic score.
To fans' and critics' delight, though, a couple of these shows have been revived elsewhere.
"One Day at a Time," which Netflix canceled after three seasons, debuted its fourth season on the Pop network this year. "Tuca and Bertie" was revived for a second season by Adult Swim.
Below are 25 canceled Netflix shows that critics loved:
25. "Ozark" — canceled after 4 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 81%
Audience score: 91%
Critic score for most recent season: 97% (season 3)
Netflix description: "A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder $500 million in five years to appease a drug boss.
What critics said: "Season three is the best season of the series so far. The story line arc works pretty well, with seeds planted early on that bloom in the later episodes." — Boston Globe (season 3)
24. "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" — canceled after 4 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 84% (includes winter special)
Audience score: 69%
Critic score for most recent season: 90% (season 3)
Netflix description: "Magic and mischief collide as half-human, half-witch Sabrina navigates between two worlds: mortal teen life and her family's legacy, the Church of Night."
What critics said: "The character growth of Part 3 is simply put, delicious. The emotional payoffs of each journey keep the show from slipping into WTF!?! territory and firmly ground CAOS as a show with something to say outside of quippy one-liners." — TV Guide (season 3)
23. "The OA" — canceled after 2 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 84%
Audience score: 84%
Critic score for most recent season: 92% (season 2)
Netflix description: "Seven years after vanishing from her home, a young woman returns with mysterious new abilities and recruits five strangers for a secret mission."
What critics said: "The OA is kind of genius, while simultaneously being incredibly silly. And you know what? I love it! I love its goofy, loopy vibe." — Vox (season 2)
22. "Lucifer" — canceled after 6 seasons (3 on Netflix)
Netflix
Average critic score: 85%
Audience score: 84%
Critic score for most recent season: 80% (season 5)
Netflix description: "Bored with being the Lord of Hell, the devil relocates to Los Angeles, where he opens a nightclub and forms a connection with a homicide detective."
What critics said: "The more I think about it, the more I stand by my belief that the majority of season four is among the very best episodes the Lucifer has to offer." — AV Club (season 4)
21. "The Society" — canceled after 1 season
Netflix
Average critic score: 86%
Audience score: 75%
Netflix description: "When everyone else mysteriously vanishes from their wealthy town, the teen residents of West Ham must forge their own society to survive."
What critics said: "The Society is insanely addictive, a mix of not just The Walking Dead but Lord of the Flies and M. Night Shyamalan's Fox series Wayward Pines." — Uproxx (season 1)
20. "Sense8" — canceled after 2 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 86% (includes finale movie)
Audience score: 91%
Critic score for most recent season: 93% (season 2)
Netflix description: "From the creators of "The Matrix" and "Babylon 5" comes this tense series in which eight people can telepathically experience each other's lives."
What critics said: "This nakedly political show somehow manages to be free-spirited, rather than dull or polemical; its good intentions often border on goofy naiveté in a way that's charming rather than grating." — The Atlantic (season 2)
19. "Marvel's Luke Cage" — canceled after 2 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 87%
Audience score: 71%
Critic score for most recent season: 85% (season 2)
Netflix description: "A hoodie-wearing, unbreakable ex-con fights to clear his name and save his neighborhood. He wasn't looking for a fight, but the people need a hero."
What critics said: "It takes a season for Luke to find some sense of certainty, for better or for worse. The next step of his journey may be the most fascinating." — Indiewire (Season 2)
18. "I Am Not Okay With This" — canceled after 1 season
Netflix
Average critic score: 87%
Audience score: 85%
Netflix description: "Angsty Syd navigates high school awkwardness, family drama and an unrequited crush on her best friend while trying to rein in her budding superpowers.
What critics said: "Thin at times, but never losing sight of its hook, it avoids many of the pitfalls that its premise could present." — Indiewire (season 1)
17. "Atypical" — canceled after 4 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 87%
Audience score: 95%
Critic score for most recent season: 100% (season 3)
Netflix description: "When a teen on the autism spectrum decides to get a girlfriend, his bid for more independence puts his whole family on a path of self-discovery."
What critics said: "Atypical is proving yet again why it remains the best half-hour on Netflix's slate." — Forbes (season 3)
16. "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" — canceled after 1 season
Netflix
Average critic score: 88%
Audience score: 95%
Netflix description: "As power-hungry overlords drain life from the planet Thra, a group of brave Gelfling unite on a quest to save their world and fight off the darkness."
What critics said: "It's the bewitching and immersive experience that high fantasy fans have been waiting for." — Indiewire (Season 1)
15. "Santa Clarita Diet" — canceled after 3 seasons
Saeed Adyani / Netflix
Average critic score: 89%
Audience score: 91%
Critic score for most recent season: 100% (season 3)
Netflix description: "They're ordinary husband and wife realtors until she undergoes a dramatic change that sends them down a road of death and destruction. In a good way."
What critics said: "While season three is the richest and most layered look at marriage and mortality yet, 'Santa Clarita Diet' remains gloriously easy watching." — Collider (Season 3)
14. "Easy" — canceled after 3 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 90%
Audience score: 85%
Critic score for most recent season: 100% (season 3)
Netflix description: "Features eight vignettes that follow the complicated, loosely connected lives of young Chicagoans in their 20s and 30s as they tackle love, sex, and self-improvement."
What critics said: "The final season fulfills the possibilities of the show's concept, informing it with humanist fury." — Slant Magazine (Season 3)
13. "Dead to Me" — canceled after 3 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 90%
Audience score: 90%
Critic score for most recent season: 95% (season 2)
Netflix description: "A hotheaded widow searching for the hit-and-run driver who mowed down her husband befriends an eccentric optimist who isn't quite what she seems."
What critics said: "Their manic lives and cascading calamities of their own creation provide a fantastic escape into a once-familiar world not long gone. Nobody wants their problems, but at least they're not boring." — Salon
12. "The Kominsky Method" — canceled after 3 seasons
Alan Arkin (left) and Michael Douglas (right).
Netflix
Average critic score: 90%
Audience score: 93%
Critic score for most recent season: 100% (season 2)
Netflix description: "Acting coach Sandy Kominsky and best friend Norman Newlander keep each other laughing as they navigate the ups and downs of getting older."
What critics said: "Douglas, a Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee, shines throughout ... Arkin, though, gets the richest material this season." — TV Insider (season 2)
11. "Glow" — canceled after 4 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 92%
Audience score: 86%
Critic score for most recent season: 86% (season 3)
Netflix description: "In 1980s LA, a crew of misfits reinvent themselves as the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. A comedy by the team behind 'Orange Is the New Black.'"
What critics said: "Season 3 is a wrestling match between cause and effect, countering every bit of happiness with a proportionally steep cost." — The Atlantic (season 3)
10. "Marvel's Daredevil" — canceled after 3 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 92%
Audience score: 92%
Critic score for most recent season: 97% (season 3)
Netflix description: "Blinded as a young boy, Matt Murdock fights injustice by day as a lawyer and by night as the superhero Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen, New York City."
What critics said: "What's clear is that [showrunner Erik] Oleson and his staff course-correct after an overcrowded second season, returning the focus to the people who live in this story." — RogerEbert.com (Season 3)
9. "Love" — canceled after 3 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 94%
Audience score: 86%
Critic score for most recent season: 100% (season 3)
Netflix description: "Rebellious Mickey and good-natured Gus navigate the thrills and agonies of modern relationships in this bold comedy cocreated by Judd Apatow."
What critics said: "Love manages to close on its own terms, on an unconventionally hopeful note. But it also provides something that most of us seek but don't often find from our television shows: a couple of genuine surprises we didn't see coming." — Vulture (Season 3)
8. "Dear White People" — canceled after 4 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 95%
Audience score: 52%
Critic score for most recent season: 90% (season 3)
Netflix description: "Students of color navigate the daily slights and slippery politics of life at an Ivy League college that's not nearly as 'post-racial' as it thinks."
What critics said: "The college campus satire attempts to reconcile two complicated histories, and mostly succeeds." — New York Times (season 3)
7. "Dark" — canceled after 3 seasons
"Dark"
Netflix
Average critic score: 95%
Audience score: 95%
Critic score for most recent season: 91% (season 3)
Netflix description: "A missing child sets four families on a frantic hunt for answers as they unearth a mind-bending mystery that spans three generations."
What critics said: "'Dark' has maintained that highwire act for three of the most thrilling sci-fi TV seasons ever made. To see it make it across the chasm with its ambitions and technique intact is certainly something worth remembering." — Indiewire (season 3)
6. "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" — canceled after 4 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 96% (includes interactive movie)
Audience score: 83%
Critic score for most recent season: 94% (season 4)
Netflix description: "When a woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and lands in New York City, she must navigate a world she didn't think even existed anymore."
What critics said: "Ellie Kemper's bold gameness has powered the show for so long that it's almost easy to take it for granted; even while she's failed to truly grow all that much over the years, her enthusiasm and dedication to the role remains engaging." — Indiewire
5. "Tuca and Bertie" — canceled after 1 season
Netflix
Average critic score: 98%
Audience score: 68%
Critic score for most recent season: 98% (season 1)
Netflix description: "Free-spirited toucan Tuca and self-doubting song thrush Bertie are best friends — and birds — who guide each other through life's ups and downs."
What critics said: "Tuca & Bertie handled a wide range of emotion in just one short season with the utmost humor and heart — and seeing it canceled before it even had a chance to grow is a blow to fans." — Polygon
4. "American Vandal" — canceled after 2 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 98%
Audience score: 91%
Critic score for most recent season: 98% (season 2)
Netflix description: "A high school is rocked by an act of vandalism, but the top suspect pleads innocence and finds an ally in a filmmaker. A satirical true-crime mystery."
What critics said: "It's better than anyone could have expected, but a little less than they might have hoped." — Slate (Season 2)
3. "One Day at a Time" — canceled after 3 seasons
"One Day at a Time" was inspired by Norman Lear's series of the same name.
Michael Yarish/Netflix
Average critic score (for first three seasons): 99%
Audience score (first three seasons): 92%
Critic score for most recent season (on Netflix): 100% (season 3)
Netflix description: "In a reimagining of the TV classic, a newly single Latina mother raises her teen daughter and tween son with the 'help' of her old-school mom."
What critics said: "The heartbeat of 'One Day at a Time' was its spirited insistence that beauty can thrive alongside pain. The series blended multicam-sitcom laughs with a fearless willingness to tackle heavy social issues." — The Atlantic (season 3)
2. "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" — canceled after 6 "volumes" in 2 years
"Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" was one of Netflix's talk-show format series.
Cara Howe/Netflix
Critic score: 100% (volume 1)
Audience score: 82%
Netflix description: "Every Sunday, Hasan Minhaj brings an incisive and nuanced perspective to global news, politics and culture in his unique comedy series."
What critics said: "What Patriot Act is doing very well in these early episodes is balancing the desire to tell cathartic jokes with the need to think, in a way that incorporates ideas about ethics and morality." — NPR (season 1)
1. "Mystery Science Theater 3000" — canceled after 2 seasons
Netflix
Average critic score: 100%
Audience score: 91%
Critic score for most recent season: 100% (season 2)
Netflix description: "The cult hit returns! Captured by mad scientists, new host Jonah survives a blitz of cheesy B movies by riffing on them with his funny robot pals."
What critics said: "The movies are a good selection for the most part. They were able to pick six movies that have very little to do with each other. A very nice variety, all things considered." — Den of Geek (season 2)
Pat Fili-Krushel is the CEO of Coqual (formerly the Center for Talent Innovation), a nonprofit think tank dedicated to helping companies design diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces where every person belongs.
While we've made a significant amount of progress in making the workplace equitable, there's still much more to be done.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg understood firsthand the experience of being discriminated against based on gender and worked to improve conditions for all women.
Companies should step up to create the workplace that Ginsburg envisioned, but federal intervention is necessary too.
When I started my career in the 1970s, you could get fired for being pregnant. Job listings were still categorized under "male" and "female" in the classified ads. If you wanted a media career (as I did), the only choice was to start as a secretary. A guy who was less qualified than I was got the better job, with not even lip service that there was anything wrong with this.
My boss told men that he didn't think women could negotiate. And another boss chased me around a conference-room table. Pants were discouraged for women.
Pat Fili-Krushel.
Pat Fili-Krushel
Black women, those of color, LGBTQ women, and those who had disabilities faced double and triple the discrimination. In short, half of humanity had to fight for the right to simply use their talents and succeed in workplaces.
Like many women, as I read the obituaries this weekend chronicling Ruth Bader Ginsburg's dogged fight for her career and for women of all backgrounds, I reflected on my own — and what has, and has not, changed as we seek to create more equity for all at work.
You can say that we still face these challenges.
To some extent, we still face these challenges. But with the loss of Ginsburg and the battle to fill her seat, two lessons really stand out to me. First, we can't forget what workplaces were like not so long ago and the progress we've made. Second, we must recognize just how important systemic solutions are in the fight for equity — and federal law has a crucial role to play.
Companies are doing so much in this moment to commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion. They're stating that racial and gender justice are a priority. But we need federal involvement to truly drive progress. After all, looking back, time and again companies had to be pulled out of the dark ages of discrimination, beginning with the Civil Rights Act. Federal laws — upheld by the courts — have driven the foundation of the diversity and inclusion movement.
Just look at Ginsburg's experience to see those lessons crystallized.
Ginsburg knew firsthand about being underestimated and discriminated against. As a student, she and the eight other women in her class at Harvard Law School were berated for taking places away from men. Despite graduating first in her class, she got no job offers from top law firms, and her quest for a clerkship was stymied because she was a mother. In one of her first efforts at job hunting, she was offered a position as a clerk typist, rather than a higher-paying post, because she was pregnant. Finally, thanks to the intervention of a law-school professor on her behalf, Ginsburg got the offer of a clerkship.
For more than 15 years at Coqual, the nonprofit think tank where I am CEO, we have studied the effectiveness of engaging powerful leaders, often men, in advocating for women and others who are denied opportunities. This phenomenon, which we call sponsorship, made it possible for Ginsburg (and me) to break into meaningful careers. Today many companies explicitly encourage sponsorship so that talented people gain access to opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have in a system that is still rife with inequities.
While sponsorship is a tool for people, we need sweeping policies to fix the system and drive broad, lasting change.
Ginsburg also clearly understood this need for systemic intervention to drive change for all women. Most notably, she wrote the 2007 dissent in the case of Lilly Ledbetter, a woman who did not realize for many years that she was paid less than her male colleagues at Goodyear Tire in Alabama and sued.
The Supreme Court ruled that Ledbetter filed her complaints too late. In her dissent, Ginsburg called upon Congress to change the law, and she succeeded. That enabled millions of employees of all backgrounds to file for equal pay for equal work.
Given their scope and size, companies can (and must) drive systemic change — to prevent employee claims of unfair pay but also to ensure every employee can thrive at their organizations. At Coqual, we work every day with major corporations that are reviewing their pay policies, representation numbers, and the way they hire and promote people to take more equitable approaches.
These companies affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of employees. Many raised the bar in their response to the calls for racial justice this summer, and we see the nearly 80 members of our task force share lessons and best practices. Indeed, corporations and business leaders have a huge role to play in moving one another, and society, forward.
But companies can't legislate.
The Ledbetter case is just one example of how the public sector has a crucial role to play in ensuring equity for women — and for all groups of people who are frequently overlooked in workplace policy. We need federal intervention.
With Ginsburg's death, we are losing a movement role model and leader — for women like myself, who have admired her for decades, and even for little girls who dressed up like her for Halloween. The best way, in my mind, to pay our respects to a role model like RBG is to learn from her approach and carry it forward.
Here is what I'm taking from this period of mourning: It is always worth fighting for the individual careers of people who have long been excluded at work — and men in power are crucial to that fight. Yet watching out for people is not enough. We must also use every tool at our disposal — private and public — to make change on a systemic level and drive lasting, broad-scale influence. And finally, despite enormous obstacles, we can continue that fight up until the very end.
Let's build the workplaces and world she was fighting for, where future generations will not know the pain of exclusion and injustice and instead can succeed as far as their talents and desires take them. It is the obligation we owe to the young people of this moment who are beginning their careers today in a world that so very much needs all the talents and energy they have to give.
Pat Fili-Krushel is CEO of Coqual(formerly the Center for Talent Innovation), a nonprofit think tank dedicated to helping companies design diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplaces where every person belongs. She has held roles as chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, executive vice president of administration at Time Warner Inc., and president of ABC Television Network. She has twice ranked among Fortune's "50 Most Powerful Women" and presently sits on the boards of Chipotle, Dollar General, The Public Theater, and PEN America.
It only takes a few clicks to change the Dock size on a Mac.
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
You can change the size of your Dock on a Mac by going through the System Settings menu.
If you go through the System Settings menu, you can enable magnification (Dock icons will grow when you hover over them) and change the Dock's location on the screen.
You can also change the size manually by clicking on the black lines in the Dock and dragging your mouse.
The Dock is an integral part of your Mac computer's interface. So naturally, you might want to customize the all-important Dock so it looks exactly how you want.
The good news is that Apple lets you do just that.
Here's how you can change the Dock's size — and other settings — via System Preferences, or with a few simple clicks on the Dock itself.
How to change Dock size on Mac via System Preferences
1. In the top-left corner of your Mac's screen, click the Apple icon and then select "System Preferences..."
System Preferences can be easily found via the Apple icon.
Emma Witman/Business Insider
2. Find and select "Dock" from the listed icons.
3. Use the slider next to "Size" to adjust the size of the Dock.
While in the Dock settings, you can also modify the magnification of the Docked icons when you hover your cursor over them, and the Dock's location on your screen.
Other preferences are housed in the Dock settings window, including the effect you prefer when minimizing windows.
Emma Witman/Business Insider
How to change the Dock's size manually by clicking it
1. Find and hover your cursor over one of the vertical black lines located in your Dock. While clicking and holding the icon, drag your mouse up or down to grow or shrink the Dock, respectively.
You can also right-click on the vertical line icon to access other Dock settings, like magnification or screen location. You can also set the Dock to hide when you're not using it.
Selecting "Dock Preferences" will open the previous System Preferences menu.
President Donald Trump reacts to the crowd at the end of a campaign event at the Bemidji Regional Airport in Bemidji, Minnesota, September 18, 2020.
Tom Brenner/Reuters
President Donald Trump has exhibited an obsession with the notion that certain people have superior genes for a long time.
Trump on Friday told a crowd of nearly all white supporters that they have "good genes," and referenced the "racehorse theory."
"You have good genes, you know that, right? You have good genes. A lot of it is about the genes, isn't it, don't you believe? The racehorse theory. You think we're so different? You have good genes in Minnesota," Trump said.
Minnesota is a predominantly white state where many people are of Scandinavian descent.
Trump has boasted about his supposedly superior genes and "German blood" in the past.
President Donald Trump on Friday told a crowd of nearly all white supporters in Minnesota that they have "good genes" and referenced the "racehorse theory," or the belief that some people are born genetically superior.
"You have good genes, you know that, right? You have good genes. A lot of it is about the genes, isn't it, don't you believe? The racehorse theory. You think we're so different? You have good genes in Minnesota," Trump said to his supporters in a state where many people are of Scandinavian descent.
Minnesota is roughly 79% white, and the crowd on Friday appeared to reflect that.
President Donald Trump reacts to the crowd at the start of a campaign event at the Bemidji Regional Airport in Bemidji, Minnesota, September 18, 2020.
Tom Brenner/Reuters
The president's comments on "good genes" prompted alarm on social media and comparisons to the Nazi obsession with the "master race" and eugenics.
"As a historian who has written about the Holocaust, I'll say bluntly: This is indistinguishable from the Nazi rhetoric that led to Jews, disabled people, LGBTQ, Romani and others being exterminated. This is America 2020. This is where the GOP has taken us," Steve Silberman, an author and historian, tweeted.
Trump has a long history of suggesting certain people, including himself, have superior genetics.
"I have Ivy League education, smart guy, good genes. I have great genes and all that stuff which I'm a believer in," Trump said at a 2016 rally in Biloxi, Mississippi.
"I'm a gene believer," Trump told CNN in 2010. "Hey, when you connect two race horses you get usually end up with a fast horse."
Trump has also rejected the notion that "all men are created equal," perhaps the most famous line from the Declaration of Independence, stating that some men are "smart" and some "aren't."
During a tour of a Ford manufacturing facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in May, the president praised Henry Ford's "good bloodlines."
A 2500-year-old coffin discovered in a burial shaft in the desert near the Saqqara necropolis in Egypt. The image was released September 19, 2020 by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities/Handout via Reuters
Archaeologists found 27 new sarcophagi in an ancient city of the dead beneath Saqqara, Egypt.
The wooden coffins are perfectly sealed — they've remained undisturbed for 2,500 years since the bodies inside were mummified.
Last year, Egyptologists discovered a trove of mummified lion cubs, crocodiles, and cobras in Saqqara.
More than two millennia ago, 27 Egyptians were laid to rest in Saqqara, an ancient city of the dead. Their organs were removed, and their bodies wrapped in linens. Priests placed them inside wooden boxes adorned with hieroglyphics.
The mummies stayed buried in those sarcophagi for 2,500 years — until their recent discovery by Egyptian archaeologists.
The finding is one of Egypt's largest in over a century.
It happened in two parts: In early September, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced more than a dozen coffins had been found in a burial shaft under the ancient city of Saqqara. Then two weeks later, the shaft yielded a second set of sarcophagi.
"Initial studies indicate that these coffins are completely closed and haven't been opened since they were buried," the ministry said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
The photos below show how archaeologists found the sarcophagi,and other mummies buried beneath Saqqara.
The first finding that Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced was a set of 13 sarcophagi found at the bottom of a 36-foot-deep shaft.
Khaled El-Enany, Egypt's minister of tourism and antiquities, and Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, peer at a sarcophagi in Saqqara.
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Egypt
Khaled El-Enany, Egypt's minister of tourism and antiquities, said on Twitter that finding the coffin cache was "an indescribable feeling."
The shaft had three offshoots branching away from it, so El-Enany predicted at the time that more undiscovered were likely still buried in the shaft.
He was right: On Sunday, the ministry announced that archaeologists had found 14 more sarcophagi.
A sarcophagus discovered in Saqqara, Egypt.
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Egypt
That brought the total to 27.
In a statement on Facebook, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities noted that this finding is "the largest number of coffins with one burial" discovered since a group of 30 coffins were unearthed at Al-Assasif cemetery in Luxor last year.
Despite being buried for 2,500 years, the sarcophagi have retained most of their original paint and hieroglyphics. The coffins have been sealed since their burial.
Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, looks at a 2,500-year-old coffin discovered in a burial shaft near Saqqara necropolis. The image was released September 19, 2020.
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities/Handout via Reuters
The ministry has not yet opened them.
The identities of the people inside the sarcophagi "have not been determined," the ministry said on Sunday, but suggested the question "will be answered over the next few days" as excavations continue.
Multiple coffins discovered in a burial shaft in the desert near the Saqqara necropolis in Egypt .
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities/Handout via Reuters
The coffins were found stacked on top of each other in the shaft.
The archaeologists also uncovered various artifacts in the burial shaft, including small statues and figurines.
Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, looks at a statue found in one of the 2,500-year-old coffins discovered in a burial shaft in the desert near Saqqara necropolis.
The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities/Handout via Reuters
They also uncovered a wooden obelisk just over a foot tall that's adorned with paintings of Egyptian gods and goddesses, CNN reported.
The ancient Egyptians buried their dead in Saqqara — which is 20 miles south of Cairo in the Western Desert — for some 3,000 years.
People enter the Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara outside Cairo.
Oliver Weiken/Picture Alliance / Getty
Saqqara was the necropolis, or city of the dead, for the ancient capital of Memphis. Its name likely derives from Sokar, the Memphite god of the dead.
Saqqara is home to one of Egypt's oldest pyramids: the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which was built about 4,600 years ago.
The Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara.
Michel Baret/Gamma-Rapho / Getty
The architect Imhotep built the pyramid to house the remains of King Djoser, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh from the Third Dynasty.
The necropolis is replete with mummies.
A journalist tours inside the step pyramid of Djoser in Egypt's Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo, on March 5, 2020.
Mohamed el-Shahed / AFP / Getty
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in 2018 that archaeologists had discovered a 4,400-year-old tomb in Saqqara. It belonged to a royal purification priest who served during the reign of King Nefer-Ir-Ka-Re.
Researchers also unearthed a huge cache of animal mummies there in November 2019.
A feline mummy displayed after the announcement of a new discovery in the Saqqara necropolis, November 23, 2019
Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty
They found two rare mummified lion cubs, as well as mummified birds, crocodiles, cats, cobras, and an enormous mummified scarab beetle.
The mummified lion cubs are about 2,600 years old.
A mummy of a cat displayed after the announcement of a new discovery in the Saqqara necropolis, November 23, 2019.
Khaled DesoukiI/AFP via Getty
The cubs were only eight months old when they were mummified. Other mummified wildcats were found alongside the two lions.
"This is the first time [a] complete mummy of a lion or lion cub" has been found in Egypt, Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said in a press conference.
The head of cat statue displayed after the announcement of a new discovery in the Saqqara necropolis, November 23, 2019.
Khaled DesoukiI/AFP via Getty
Ancient Egyptians mummified and buried millions of animals, often treating creatures like hawks, cats, and crocodiles with the same reverence that they would a human corpse.
The Egyptians believed animals were reincarnations of gods, so they honored them by mummifying the creatures and worshipping these animals in temples. Mummified animals could also serve as offerings to those gods.
Last winter, my tiny two-bedroom apartment racked up a $500+ energy bill in one month. Our heaters were fighting the cold drafts (and, likely, improper insulation) and were coming up short. As a result, my roommates and I tried to find a not-entirely-miserable compromise between using them and just layering on sweatshirts and getting into bed right when we got home.
After we got slapped with the electric bill that could power a post-apocalyptic city for three years, we decided we needed to make a more permanent change. So, we started using the mini but all-powerful Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link. It shorted out our apartment the first few times because it was drawing too much power, but a cheap $25 investment in this surge protector solved the issue.
The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link takes up minimal room and provides maximum impact. It heats a big room evenly, takes up almost no space, looks much nicer than cheaper models, and has added features that are actually helpful rather than gimmicky, like voice-control, a 7-day schedule you can set, and a night-time mode.
If the features and long-term savings are worth $600 to you, then the Link will follow through on its promises. You will get what you pay for, and thanks to the excellence Dyson is known for, you can assume that it will continue to fulfill these promises for years to come (if you actually change the filter every now and then). If something goes wrong, Dyson offers a 2-year warranty of parts and labor, and if you don't love it, you can return it easily for your money back up to 30 days after your purchase.
My stereotypically tiny New York apartment has limited floor space, and the Dyson impossibly efficient. I barely notice it in the room, but it doesn't look strictly functional like this cheaper option we considered. Our common space expands into our kitchen, main hallway, and our entryway, and the high ceilings and long, narrow space has always been notoriously hard to heat evenly. Anything small enough to fit would over-bake the living room and not touch the kitchen or dead zone hallway. The Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link, with its oscillation and long-range projection, doesn't have that issue. The awkward maze of rooms all feel evenly heated. For us, this made the Link worth the extra money.
Special features
The Link also has a night mode, wi-fi connectivity, app controls, and a handy remote, too. The app is easy to use and has helpful features I'm actually interested in (like air quality), and the night-time mode uses quiet airflow settings. You can set a 7-day schedule on the app and forget about it, letting the Dyson Link handle temperature on autopilot. You can also set a timer and literally walk into a cozy, warm living space.
Smart home connectivity
It works with Amazon Alexa, and you can use voice control for everything from increasing the airflow speed to turning on the night-time mode. While I mostly cared about the heating and cooling features, it's also wonderful that the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link also works as an air purifier. It claims to remove 99.97% of pollutants and allergens as small as 0.3 microns with the help of activated carbon granules.
The bottom line
After we started using the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link, our energy bill went from $500 to a small fraction of that. I wish that it was feasible to buy one for every room.
It's a cringe-worthy investment at $600, but considering that was what we spent on one month alone to heat our apartment, it was a no-brainer for us. If you have more acceptable energy bill costs, it'll do the same thing (save you money) but the savings might be slightly more modest upfront and just as useful over the long-term.
A woman wears a face mask as she votes on primary election day on June 2, 2020, in Washington, DC.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
The process to set up a polling site varies from state to state.
Hosts who'd like to set up polling sites have to take into account different requirements and restrictions, such as room size, lighting, and proximity to an alcohol-serving restaurant.
Election officials recommend that people interested in hosting a voting location reach out to their local county representative or office.
The coronavirus pandemic has thrown voting into a state of disarray, forcing the delay of dozens of primaries, bringing on a heated battle over expanded vote-by-mail access, and leading election officials to adopt various changes to in-person polling sites. In light of poll closures and expansions in voting-by-mail, election officials are adjusting to changes brought on by the coronavirus as they prepare for the November presidential election.
While states are still offering in-person voting — only five states offer vote by mail as a sole option — the number of polling sites nationwide is rapidly dwindling. According to a 2019 report from the Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights advocacy group, 1,688 polling sites have closed between 2012 and 2018, accounting for 39% of all polling site closures in more than 750 counties during that six-year period.
"When polling places are closed, they may cause voters to have to travel a lot farther to exercise their constitutional right to vote, and this is not an option for many without access to transportation," said Leigh Chapman, director of the Voting Rights Program at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. "There is also confusion about where to vote if a neighborhood polling location is closed at the last minute. The end result is that voters are disenfranchised."
Georgia's June primary, for example, had too few physical polling locations, which contributed to a wide set of problems such as voters — many of whom were people of color — reporting having to stand in line for hours to cast a ballot.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home to almost 70% of the state's Black residents, voters also faced long lines and limited polling sites during the state's April primary, according to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter Molly Beck.
In an effort to provide greater access to the ballot, polling sites are popping up in unexpected locations across the country, ranging from large sporting arenas to local gyms and libraries. The process to set up a polling site varies from state to state, according to county election laws and election officials who spoke to Business Insider.
How to establish a polling site
Generally, county officials have final approval on all new polling locations. In some cases, county officials, like those in the San Diego Registrar in California, put out an open call for polling places. In others, community members looking to host a polling site take on the initiative themselves.
Some counties nationwide are more flexible with the kind of locations that can be turned into a polling site. Multiple California counties, for example, compensate people to host voting sites out of a private facility like a garage.
The interior of Dad’s Garage Theatre, which will be cleared out to serve as a polling site this year, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Courtesy of Dad’s Garage Theatre, Atlanta
These sites often come with a series of requirements, as outlined by the San Diego Registrar. A room, for example, must measure at least 18 feet in length and width and have good lighting for ease of reading and movement. There are also restrictions, such as the mandate that a polling site cannot be "at the home of a registered sex offender."
Alabama, on the other hand, generally does not allow personal facilities to function as polling sites, according to Frank Barger, a probate judge in Madison County, Alabama.
"We don't take the creation or the change of a polling location lightly, because folks become accustomed to voting in a specific location. So, changes to polling location, additions to polling locations, are done as far in advance as possible, then voters are notified," Barger told Business Insider.
Because of laws specific to Alabama and its counties, most polling locations in Madison County are "in either a government facility, like a community center or a recreation center, or they're in a church," according to Barger.
In Michigan, polling sites are preferred to be located in a public building like schools and fire stations, but officials might make an exception out of "necessary" circumstances, according to a handbook from the Michigan Bureau of Elections on establishing polling sites.
Requirements and restrictions can vary from county to county and from state to state. At least 10 states, for instance, take into account a potential polling site's proximity to an alcohol-serving restaurant.
Across the board, all polling sites must adhere to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, a law enacted "to establish minimum election administration standards for states and units of local government," and thus must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means all established polling sites must offer accessible parking, routes, and drop-off locations, along with several other requirements. The Election Assistance Commission, the agency serving as the governing body for all elections in the United States, outlines temporary solutions to reach ADA compatibility.
In addition to accessibility, multiple states also emphasize several safety measures, like the need for ample space to ensure an orderly flow of traffic.
This year, potential hosts also have to take into account ways to limit the spread of the coronavirus. All polling locations should have "enough interior space to ensure that voters can socially distance while waiting in line and casting their ballots," according to the National Conference of State Legislators, a bipartisan group dedicated to serving lawmakers in every state.
Converting a location into a suitable polling site isn't an easy undertaking, and local election officials recognize that it can be a big ask.
"Being a polling place means between a few hundred and possibly 2000+ voters will be walking through their facility," reads a guide for establishing polling places published by the city of Madison, Wisconsin, which does not compensate hosts for providing a location.
But there many benefits of offering up a private space to serve as a polling site, the Madison guide says.
"We want voters to be able to vote. One of the best ways to do that is to have their polling place as close to their residence as we can get – ideally within walking distance," the guide reads. There's also the benefit of voters feeling more encouraged to cast a ballot if the polling site is more familiar to them, according to the guide.
There is no one way to establish a new polling site, and election officials recommend that people interested in hosting a voting location reach out to their local county representative or office.
