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.
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New + updated
- The Best Karaoke Machines
December 17
- Saatva Mattress Reviews: An Honest Assessment
December 17
- The Best Tripod
December 17
- Nuxe Body Oil Is My Fancy-But-Affordable French Pharmacy Beauty Secret
December 17
- The Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
December 17
- The Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
December 17
Daily deals
Price drops on products we already love
Logitech G502 Hero SE Wired Gaming Mouse
$30
$45from Best Buywith my Best Buy membership (free to join)
Lenovo Yoga 7i (14″) Laptop (Intel 11th Gen Core i5, 12 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD)
$650
$850from Best Buy (12 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD)24% off
See all 163 deals
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
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.
Saatva Mattress Reviews: An Honest Assessment
by Joanne Chen
Saatva offers innerspring, memory-foam, hybrid, latex, adjustable air, and children’s mattresses. We recommend the Saatva Classic, Loom & Leaf, and Zenhaven.
The Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
by Joanne Chen
If you prefer to sleep on your back, you’ll probably want a medium-firm mattress to align your spine and keep your shoulders, hips, and lower back comfortable.
The Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
by Joanne Chen
We like these six medium-firm mattresses best for stomach-sleepers because they’ll support and cushion your midsection while still aligning your spine.
Electronics
The Best Karaoke Machines
by Thom Dunn
After months of research and straining our vocal cords, we think the Tonor K20 Wireless Karaoke Machine is the best karaoke machine for most people.
The Best Tripod
by Erin Lodi and Arriana Vasquez
If you want to shoot sharp photos while using a slow shutter speed, we think the Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100 tripod is the best choice.
These Four Video Games Are Fun for the Whole Family
by Haley Perry
If you’re looking for a video game for your next family game night, these are the games we recommend for all ages and skill levels.
Sleep
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.
Duvet Covers We Love
by Jackie Reeve
After spending almost 100 hours testing 15 duvet covers, we recommend nine to style your bed for every season.
The Best Sleep Mask
by Sabrina Imbler
Whether we were resting in our own beds or traveling to places unknown, the Nidra Deep Rest sleep mask kept us slumbering peacefully.
The Best Flannel Sheets
by Jackie Reeve
Our favorite flannel sheets, the L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set, will warm up any bed this winter.
Kitchen
The Best Knife Sharpener
by Tim Heffernan
Easy to use, reliable, and able to put a razor edge on almost any type of knife, the best knife sharpener for home cooks is the Chef’sChoice Trizor XV.
The Best Cutting Boards
by Michael Sullivan and Kevin Purdy
After testing over 30 boards, we think that the plastic OXO Good Grips and the wood Teakhaus Edge Grain Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal are best.
The Best Skillet
by Michael Zhao, Lesley Stockton, and Michael Sullivan
After over 70 hours of research and testing since 2014, we still think the All-Clad Stainless 12″ Covered Fry Pan is the best skillet for most cooks.
Appliances
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.
The Best Vacuum Cleaners
by Liam McCabe
For a dependable, versatile, and affordable cleaner, we prefer a bagless upright, but we have recommendations for other types of vacuums as well.
The Best Toaster Oven
by Michael Sullivan
We’ve been testing toaster ovens since 2015 and have two favorites: the compact Panasonic FlashXpress and the large Cuisinart Chef's Convection.
The Best Air Purifier
by Tim Heffernan
Our test results and recommendations for the best equipment to improve your air quality.
Gifts
The Best Online Flower Delivery Service
by Alex Arpaia and Dorie Chevlen
After we tested nine flower delivery services, UrbanStems is our top pick for sending beautiful bouquets that are unique, fresh, and on time.
The 19 Best Gifts for Boyfriends (That Are Great for Anyone)
by Dorie Chevlen
Silly, sweet, and serious finds to delight the most special someone on your list.
The 27 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
by Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff
The best gifts for 2-year-olds challenge their fine motor skills and let them bounce, scoot, and wiggle out their abundant energy.
Outdoors
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.
The Best Electric Scooter
by Nick Guy
If you’re looking for ways to avoid the bus or subway, we recommend Segway Ninebot’s KickScooter Max G30LP, which is great for short commutes as well as errands.
The Best Hiking Boots
by Ebony Roberts and Jenni Gritters
The Best Touchscreen Winter Gloves
by Nick Guy, Kaitlyn Wells, and Justin Krajeski
After another year of testing, we think the newly redesigned Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves are the best touchscreen gloves for most people.
Style
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Nuxe Body Oil Is My Fancy-But-Affordable French Pharmacy Beauty Secret
by Marisa Meltzer
A French favorite, Nuxe body oil is glowy—but not glittery—smells delicious, and can get you party-ready in 5 seconds flat.
The Best Bike Racks and Carriers for Cars and Trucks
by Eric C. Evarts, Rik Paul, and Jack Smith
After testing 70 bike racks—including hitch, trunk, and roof models—we recommend the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 hitch rack as the best way to carry your bikes on a car.
The Best Reusable Face Masks
by Joanne Chen
The “best” cloth face mask is the one you’ll wear (and not fuss with). Here’s how to find a mask that fits, filters well, and is reasonably comfortable.
Baby & Kid
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
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
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
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)
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
by Thorin Klosowski
We investigated dozens of popular online backup tools to find the best option for most people.
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
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
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
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
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
by Tim Heffernan
The Hopkins SubZero 80037 is the best ice scraper we’ve found.
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
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
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.
The Best Deals From Target’s Holiday Sale: Apple Watch, KitchenAid, GoPro, and More
by Jordan Thomas
Out of the hundreds of items Target is featuring in its 2021 holiday sale, we’ve found only six deals worth your time.
The Gifts We Want to Give in 2021
by Dorie Chevlen and Wirecutter Staff
From a Bond-esque phone charger to the best bacon ever, here are the gifts our staff can’t wait to bestow this holiday season.
7 Deals on Wirecutter-Recommended Gifts
by Dan Kim
With holiday gift-giving in full flow, here are five deals from Wirecutter gift guides.