The Best Things We Bought in 2021

by Daniela Gorny and Wirecutter Staff

From luxurious showerheads to portable pizza ovens, here are the things we bought this year that most upgraded our day-to-day lives.

Daily deals

Price drops on products we already love

A quiet night in

Rest and recharge with some of our must-haves for your next cozy night in.

Home

The Best Mattresses for Back Pain

The Best Mattresses for Back Pain

by Joanne Chen

There is no actual “best” mattress for back-pain sufferers, though one that feels medium-firm to you is likely to be the best choice. We have six to recommend.

Electronics

Sleep

The Best Memory Foam Mattresses You Can Buy Online

The Best Memory Foam Mattresses You Can Buy Online

by Joanne Chen

We’ve slept on and group-tested dozens of mattresses, reported on their components, interviewed experts, and determined the best for every budget.

Kitchen

Appliances

The Best Robot Mops

The Best Robot Mops

by Liam McCabe

We tested 10 mopping robots and found that the small, simple, smart-enough iRobot Braava 240 can be a great way to keep kitchen and bathroom floors clean.

Gifts

Outdoors

Ebikes Are Scarce. Maybe You Should Build One.

Ebikes Are Scarce. Maybe You Should Build One.

by Kevin Purdy

If you’re willing to do some research, light to medium wrenching, and variable fiddling, adding a motor to the bike you already own may be a viable option.

Style

  • The Best Men's Boxer Briefs

    The Best Men's Boxer Briefs

    by Kit Dillon

    After three years, these five boxer briefs are the most comfy, supportive, and good-looking we could find, and they start at less than four bucks a pair.

  • The Nike Sneakers I Prefer Over Air Force Ones

    The Nike Sneakers I Prefer Over Air Force Ones

    by Sri Rain Stewart

    They’re named for the Portland Trail Blazers, and I get compliments almost every time I wear them.

  • Our Favorite Messenger Bags

    Our Favorite Messenger Bags

    by Jordan Bowman and Haley Sprankle

    We’ve found eight messenger bags to suit everyone from the hard-core cyclist to someone who needs a chic day-to-night accessory.

Travel

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

by Haley Perry

You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

  • The Best Slim Wallet

    The Best Slim Wallet

    by Jason Chen

    A slim wallet is better for your style and your spine. We’ve found nine fantastic wallets, all of which are less than an inch thick (with cards and cash).

  • The Best Binoculars for Birds, Nature, and the Outdoors

    The Best Binoculars for Birds, Nature, and the Outdoors

    by Daniel S. Cooper

    A professional ornithologist tested 17 field-ready binoculars against his $2,500 Leica Ultravids and picked the Athlon Optics Midas ED pair as the best.

  • Road-Trip Essentials

    Road-Trip Essentials

    by Eve O'Neill

    We spend a lot of time driving each year, and this is our list of essential road-trip gear to include in your packing list.

Health & Fitness

Baby & Kid

The Best Underwear for Kids

The Best Underwear for Kids

by Nancy Redd

Hanna Andersson’s undies are soft, durable, and cute. Of the 15 brands we tested, they’re also the most resistant to butt-picking.

  • The 24 Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

    The 24 Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

    by Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff

    The best gifts for 1-year-olds encourage open-ended play and sensory exploration, and they embrace the unwrapping as part of the joy of gift-giving.

  • The 27 Best Gifts for 3-Year-Olds

    The 27 Best Gifts for 3-Year-Olds

    by Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff

    Many of the best gifts for 3-year-olds encourage role-play and make-believe—or help teach cooperative play.

  • The 20 Best Gifts for Tweens

    The 20 Best Gifts for Tweens

    by Ellen Lee

    The best gifts for tweens acknowledge that they’re growing up and moving on to young-adult pursuits—but still love to have fun.

Pets

  • The Best Pet Camera (Isn’t a Pet Camera)

    The Best Pet Camera (Isn’t a Pet Camera)

    by Kaitlyn Wells

    Want to keep tabs on your beloved pet when you’re away? There’s a ready solution—and it’s cheaper than the pricey pet cameras you’ve seen online.

  • The 12 Best Dog Toys, According to Our Pups

    The 12 Best Dog Toys, According to Our Pups

    by Wirecutter Staff

    The dogs of Wirecutter share their favorite toys for chewing, fetching, food dispensing, and destroying. These will keep your dog engaged longer than the rest.

  • What’s the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair?

    What’s the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair?

    by Tim Heffernan and Liam McCabe

    Pets shed constantly, and the only vacuum that can keep up with all that hair is a robot vacuum, but a good all-around traditional vacuum can also help.

Hobby & Crafts

Our Favorite Paper Planners

Our Favorite Paper Planners

by Jackie Reeve

A paper planner can keep you more organized and on track with your goals, and with eight different versions, we have picks that will suit any planning style.

  • The Best Electronics Kits for Kids and Beginners

    The Best Electronics Kits for Kids and Beginners

    by Signe Brewster

    We tested electronics kits with kids ages 7 to 12 and got feedback from parents and makers to find the most engaging ways for kids to learn about electronics.

  • The Best Robotics Kits for Beginners

    The Best Robotics Kits for Beginners

    by Signe Brewster

    Our favorite robotics kits have a few things in common: a satisfying building experience, easy-to-understand coding instructions, and a friendly face. They also won over our discerning kid critics.

  • The Best Board Games

    The Best Board Games

    by Wirecutter Staff

    Thousands of board games are released each year. We share some staff favorites that require more strategy, have deeper narratives, or are particularly beautiful.

Software & Apps

  • The Best Password Managers

    The Best Password Managers

    by Andrew Cunningham and Thorin Klosowski

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

  • The Best Online Cloud Backup Service

    The Best Online Cloud Backup Service

    by Thorin Klosowski

    We investigated dozens of popular online backup tools to find the best option for most people.

  • How to Stop Scam Texts

    How to Stop Scam Texts

    by Christina Williams

    If you’re tired of getting annoying scam texts, we’re here to help, with advice from privacy experts and tips from the FCC.

Office

The Best Security Key for Multi-Factor Authentication

The Best Security Key for Multi-Factor Authentication

by Yael Grauer and Thorin Klosowski

A physical security key is the most secure way to enable two-factor authentication. Here’s our pick for the best hardware security key.

  • How to Buy the Best Ring Light

    How to Buy the Best Ring Light

    by Melanie Pinola

    A ring light can make you look more professional on video calls, but not all lights are created equal. Here’s how to find the right one.

  • The Best Projectors

    The Best Projectors

    by Wirecutter Staff

    We reviewed every type of projector to find the best projector to fit your needs, whether it’s for a home theater or a home office.

  • Getting Work Done on an iPad

    Getting Work Done on an iPad

    by Haley Perry

    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.

Cars

  • The Best Ice Scraper and Snow Brush

    The Best Ice Scraper and Snow Brush

    by Tim Heffernan

    The Hopkins SubZero 80037 is the best ice scraper we’ve found.

  • The Best Gear for Your Road Trips

    The Best Gear for Your Road Trips

    by Kit Dillon and Wirecutter Staff

    After 120 hours of research and 1,500 miles behind the wheel, we’ve singled out the gear that’s absolutely essential for your next journey on the open road.

  • The Best USB Car Charger

    The Best USB Car Charger

    by Nick Guy

    We’ve tested the best car chargers, and we have recommendations for affordable, reliable options that can fast-charge any device while you’re on the road.

Money

7 of the Best Deals You Can Still Get in 2021

7 of the Best Deals You Can Still Get in 2021

by Jordan Thomas

For our last roundup of 2021, the Deals team wanted to introduce you to some exceptional discounts on Wirecutter-recommended essentials under $100.

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