The Best Fishing Rod for Most Anglers

by Owen James Burke

We tested 18 fishing rods in waters near and far, and the tough, affordable Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore Spinning Rod emerged the best for most casual anglers.

Daily deals

Price drops on products we already love

The Wirecutter Show

A blue rat inside a blue bubble on a blue background.

The Wirecutter Show Episode 9: How to Win the War Against Mice

by Wirecutter Staff

In the fall, rodents move indoors, seeking warmth and food. We discuss how to keep these critters out of your home and how to vanquish an infestation.

Home

All of our smart plug picks against a green background.

The Best Smart Plugs

by Kathryn Rath

A smart plug boosts the IQ of un-brainy devices such as lamps, fans, or string lights, letting you easily set them to turn on or off on a schedule or on command.

Electronics

  • The Best VR Headset

    The Best VR Headset

    by Signe Brewster

    Our pick pairs great performance with a very low cost of entry.

  • The Best Music Streamer

    The Best Music Streamer

    by Kathryn Rath

    The WiiM Pro Plus is the best music streamer because it offers easy setup, reliable performance, and a wide variety of features—all at an affordable price.

  • The Best Ways to Track Your Kid (And Why You Might Not Want To)

    The Best Ways to Track Your Kid (And Why You Might Not Want To)

    by Ellen Lee

    A device that keeps tabs on a kid’s location from afar can be a reassuring tool as they start to navigate the world on their own.

Sleep

A mobile device with a meditation app opened, shown resting on a pillow next to a twin bell alarm clock.

The Best Meditation Apps

by Caira Blackwell

After testing 19 meditation apps, we think Headspace best serves most people seeking a convenient way to practice mindfulness.

Kitchen

Appliances

Front view of a GE freestanding gas range in a kitchen.

The Best Gas Stoves and Ranges

by Rachel Wharton

The GE JGB735 has a convection oven and an excellent cooktop for the price, and it offers the best looks and build quality of any affordable gas range we found.

Gifts

Outdoors

A selection of rain boots, in different styles and colors, that we tested to find the best rain boots.

The Best Rain Boots for Women and Men

by Eve O'Neill

We’ve found 7 pairs of rain boots that’ll do more than just keep your feet dry—they’ll match your style and environment no matter what you need.

  • Illustration showing hurricane preparedness supplies.

    The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies

    by Doug Mahoney and Ellen Airhart

    How to plan and protect yourself in areas at risk of hurricanes.

  • A person wearing our pick for best sun hat for hikers.

    The Best Sun Hat

    by Kyle Fitzgerald and Liz Thomas

    The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat is the most protective and comfy sun hat for most hiking scenarios.

  • A person riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk in a downtown area.

    The Best Electric Scooter

    by Nick Guy

    If you’re looking for a fun way to commute or do light errands, we recommend Segway Ninebot’s KickScooter Max G30LP electric scooter.

Style

Travel

The Best Travel Pillow

by Sabrina Imbler

After testing eight travel pillows on four red-eye flights in window, aisle, and middle seats, we think the Travelrest Ultimate is the best for most travelers.

Health and fitness

Baby and kid

Our three picks for best baby swings, including our overall pick, the Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing.

The Best Baby Swings

by Dori Zinn and Jessica Bernhard

A swing can help soothe and entertain a fussy baby. After testing 10 swings, we think the Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing is the best one.

  • Best gifts for new moms, including Jeni's Ice Cream, a cookbook, an eye mask, a swaddle, and an organic skin balm.

    The 28 Best Gifts for New Moms

    by Samantha Schoech and Mari Uyehara

    Joining the ranks of motherhood is a blissful and exhausting journey. Our favorite gifts help ease the transition and bring even more joy.

  • An umbrella stroller with a book and snacks in the seat.

    The Best Umbrella Stroller

    by Elise Czajkowski

    An umbrella stroller should be hassle-free and inexpensive enough to buy as a spare to store at Grandma’s house.

  • A display of the four kids craft subscription boxes we recommend.

    The Best Kids Craft Subscription Boxes

    by Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez

    Craft subscription boxes are a fun, educational way to keep kids entertained. We tested 15 options with a total of 23 kids to find the best.

Pets

  • What’s the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair?

    What’s the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair?

    by Sabine Heinlein

    We recommend six vacuums that have the tools, power, and maneuverability to tackle pet fur in your carpets, on your couch, or in your car.

  • The Best Cat Scratchers

    The Best Cat Scratchers

    by Kaitlyn Wells

    After putting 13 scratchers up against the claws of 74 cats, we think Pioneer Pet’s SmartCat The Ultimate Scratching Post is the one that stands tall.

  • The Best Automatic Pet Feeder

    The Best Automatic Pet Feeder

    by Mel Plaut

    A programmable, portion-controlled feeder may help you manage your pet’s meal routine.

Games and hobbies

Collage of two photos of finished DIY miniature dollhouses.

What a DIY Miniature Kit Taught Me About Big Feelings

by Kathryn Rath

I never learned how to slow down until life forced me to, and a DIY miniature kit was my unlikely teacher.

Software and apps

  • The Best Online Cloud Backup Services

    The Best Online Cloud Backup Services

    by Max Eddy

    Most people don’t need an online backup service, but if you have a lot of important files, IDrive might be worth the money.

  • The Best Password Managers

    The Best Password Managers

    by Max Eddy

    Everyone should use a password manager, and after researching dozens and testing six, we recommend 1Password because it’s secure and easy to use.

  • The Best Transcription Services

    The Best Transcription Services

    by Matthew Guay

    The best transcription today comes from humans aided by AI. GoTranscript is the best service in our testing for highly accurate transcripts.

Office

An iPad in a Logitech Slim Folio case sitting next to a stack of books and a smartphone.

Getting Work Done on an iPad

by Ivy Liscomb

You can do a surprising amount of work on an iPad with the right gear. These are the best accessories for turning your iPad into a mobile work space.

  • Three of our picks for best laptop stands, shown next to each other.

    The Best Laptop Stands

    by Melanie Pinola

    The Rain Design iLevel 2 is our favorite laptop stand because it makes it easy to raise your screen to proper ergonomic height.

  • Our four top picks for best christmas cards, shown in white envelopes, all of the same photo but with different greetings.

    The Best Holiday Photo Cards

    by Erin Roberts and Ben Keough

    We think that Simply to Impress is the best service for creating and sending custom, high-quality photo cards to your friends and loved ones.

  • Two under-desk footrests, one foam and one wooden, together with a pair of tan shearling slippers.

    The Best Under-Desk Footrests

    by Melanie Pinola

    We put our feet up for weeks to find the best footrests to help you improve the ergonomics at your desk—and make work more comfortable.

Cars

  • The Best Bike Racks and Carriers for Cars and Trucks

    The Best Bike Racks and Carriers for Cars and Trucks

    by Eric C. Evarts

    After testing more than 75 bike racks, we recommend the Küat Sherpa 2.0 hitch rack as the best way to carry your bikes on a car.

  • The Best Car Vacuum

    The Best Car Vacuum

    by Sabine Heinlein

    We recommend four handheld vacuums that have helpful tools and the ability to reach into the nooks and crannies of a car.

  • The Best Dash Cam

    The Best Dash Cam

    by Geoffrey Morrison and Sarah Witman

    If you want the peace of mind of having a dash cam record as you drive, we think the Viofo A229 Pro is the best overall choice for most people.

Money

The 50 Best Deals Under $50 From Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days

by Alexander Aciman

Here are the best Wirecutter-approved deals under $50 that you can shop during this Amazon Prime Big Deal Days event.