![](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/04/scissors-2048px-09894-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=630)
The Best Scissors for Every Task
by Gabriella DePinho
We love a good pair of standard scissors for multiple uses, but we also have favorite shears for when you need a special pair for a special project.
The latest
- The Best Smokeless Fire Pits
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- The Best Indoor Security Camera
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- The Best Smartwatches for Kids
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- The Best Stand Mixer
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- The Best First Phones for Kids
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- The Best Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries
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Gift ideas for Mother’s Day
A few Wirecutter-approved picks we think Mom (or anyone) would love.
Home
![A Solo Stove smokeless fire pit, shown burning a log.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2021/09/smokelessfirepits-2048px-topimage-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
The Best Smokeless Fire Pits
by Kit Dillon
On a chilly evening, we like to cluster around the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 (for smaller yards) or the Tiki Fire Pit (for larger yards).
The Best Indoor Security Camera
by Rachel Cericola
Security cameras keep a watchful eye on all your prized possessions—not only your stuff, but family and pets, too—and send an alert when motion is detected.
Citronella Candles Don’t Really Work. Stop Buying Them.
by Elissa Sanci
Don’t waste your money on citronella candles and other gimmicky mosquito-repellents. Here’s what to buy instead.
The Best Outdoor Speakers
by Brent Butterworth
The OSD Audio AP650 is the best all-around choice in a passive outdoor speaker because it sounds great and has a rugged, sealed design with a versatile mount.
Electronics
The Best Smartwatches for Kids
by Ellen Lee
Choosing the best smartwatch for a child can be difficult. We’ve tested over a dozen smartwatches to find the best one for different ages.
The Best First Phones for Kids
by Ellen Lee
Kids smartphones and flip phones have built-in or add-on protections or limits that can help kids ease into having their own phone.
The Best Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries
by Sarah Witman
After further testing, we’ve added a slew of new picks, from high-capacity NiMH batteries (AA, AAA, AAAA) to high-power Li-ion batteries (AA, AAA) and more.
Sleep
![The L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set and the Cultiver Linen Sheet Set, our picks for best sheets for hot sleepers.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/08/sheetsforhotsleepers-2048px-0331-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
The Best Sheets for Hot Sleepers
by Jackie Reeve
If you sleep hot in the summer (or any other season), we think high-quality cotton or linen sheets are the best choice for keeping you cool.
The Best Platform Bed Frames Under $600
by Gregory Han and Dorie Chevlen
These stylish and sturdy, yet inexpensive, platform bed frames offer great support for most foam and spring mattresses.
The Best Blankets
by Jackie Reeve
These seven good-looking, durable blankets will work for a variety of seasons and styles, on top of the bed or layered with other bedding for extra warmth.
Small Bedroom Ideas: The Best Ways to Maximize Your Tiny Space
by Dorie Chevlen and Caroline Biggs
We consulted five design experts and tested gear in a 250-square-foot apartment to find the best multifunctional decor to maximize space in a tiny bedroom.
Kitchen
The Best Stand Mixer
by Lesley Stockton and Anna Perling
After over 50 hours of research and testing since 2013, we think the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is the best you can buy.
Do You Need a Food Processor, a Blender, or Both? Here’s How to Figure It Out.
by Rose Maura Lorre
Our kitchen team is here to help you discover if a food processor, stick blender, countertop blender, or personal blender—or a combo thereof—is right for you.
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month With These Delicious Asian Snacks
by Marilyn Ong
In honor of APAHM, we taste-tested dozens of snacks from all over Asia and the Pacific Islands. Here are our favorites.
Appliances
The Best Dehumidifiers
by Tim Heffernan
We’ve found dehumidifiers that are easy to live with and effectively reduce ambient moisture in your home.
I Wanted to Love Dyson’s New $1,200 Robot Vacuum. But Our $130 Budget Pick Cleans My Home Better.
by Sabine Heinlein
The Dyson 360 Vis Nav seems like a catch, but a variety of issues keep it from being true long-term relationship material.
The Best Upright and Canister Vacuums
by Sabine Heinlein
Only a powerful plug-in upright or canister vacuum can truly deep-clean your carpets and floors. We recommend four.
Gifts
The 43 Best Gifts for Dads
by Samantha Schoech and Mari Uyehara
Whether he’s a coffee snob, a jazz enthusiast, or the rugged, outdoorsy type, these gifts for dads will make him smile.
The Best Lego Sets for Kids
by Signe Brewster and Joshua Lyon
Our kid testers, and their parents, loved these Lego sets.
The 26 Absolute Best, Wirecutter-Approved Father’s Day Gifts Under $50
by Samantha Schoech
He says he doesn’t need anything, but trust us, there’s something on this list that will make his day (without stressing your bank account).
Outdoors
![A person looking through a telescope in a field.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2022/12/telescopes-testing-2048px-0590-3x2-1.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
The Best Telescopes for Beginners
by Signe Brewster and Colin Rosemont
We’ve tested 14 top-rated telescopes over the years, and we’re certain the Celestron NexStar 5SE provides the best functionality for a dedicated beginner.
The Best Rain Pants
by Jenni Gritters
The Marmot PreCip Eco Pants, which come in men’s and women’s sizes and multiple lengths, are the pants that kept us comfortable and dry through wet weather.
Build a Bike Patch and Flat Kit
by Eve O'Neill
If you own a bike, you need a patch kit. After 96 hours of testing, here are our picks for the best levers, patches, hand pumps, and more for most bike owners.
The Best Canopy Tent for Camping and Picnics
by Kalee Thompson
The easy-to-set-up REI Co-op Screen House Shelter is our canopy tent pick, with good sun and insect protection and a bright, roomy feel.
Style
The Best Fanny Packs
by Kaitlyn Wells and Jordan McMahon
Cute and convenient, fanny packs securely transport your belongings as you travel hands free. We found five great ones to suit a range of styles and situations.
The Best Water Shoes
by Zoe Vanderweide
Water shoes keep your feet safe when you’re splashing around. But they can be stylish, too. We’ve found five great pairs to suit a range of tastes and needs.
The Best No-Show Socks
by Zoe Vanderweide
We logged thousands of steps in no-show socks, ultimately landing on five supremely comfy, slip-proof pairs.
Travel
![A person in an outdoor environment wearing one of our picks for best buy it for life backpack with a minimalist look, the GoRuck GR1.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/12/backpackforlife-2048px-goruck-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)
by Kit Dillon
A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.
The Best Picnic Blanket
by Kit Dillon and Dorie Chevlen
After lounging on 19 top-rated picnic blankets, we found that the Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket offers the best combination of comfort, durability, and easy cleaning.
The Best Gear for Travel
by Wirecutter Staff
We put in another year and tens of thousands more miles of travel to test the best travel gear—and we stand by last year’s choices alongside a few new picks.
The Best Slim Wallet
by Jason Chen
A slim wallet is best for your style and your spine. Here are the best slim and bifold wallets, all of which are less than an inch thick.
Health and fitness
The Best Bike Phone Mount
by Amy Roberts and Christine Ryan
After riding with 27 smartphone bike mounts over 120 miles’ worth of smooth and rough roads, we’d trust our phones to the mounts from Quad Lock.
The Best Bike Repair Stand
by Christine Ryan
If you want to repair your bike at home, a sturdy, easy-to-use stand helps. After testing 12 stands, we recommend the Feedback Sports Sport Mechanic Bike Repair Stand.
The Best Smart Home Devices to Help Aging in Place
by Rachel Cericola
Smart-home devices can make it easier, safer, and more comfortable to age at home. They’re also great tools for caregivers who want to stay in touch.
Baby and kid
![A child playing on an iPad while wearing headphones.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kidsipad-lowres-8774.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
How to Set Up a Tablet for Kids
by Ellen Lee
If you're handing a smartphone or tablet to your child for the first time, here are a few tools that can help the transition go smoothly.
The Best Baby Swings
by Dori Zinn
We spent 10 hours testing five baby swings and found that the space-efficient, relatively inexpensive Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing is the best one.
The Best Tricycles
by Jenni Gritters and Katharine Gammon
Over the past six years, we’ve enlisted dozens of kids to try out 21 three-wheelers, and we have four top trikes to recommend.
The Best Baby Wraps and Slings
by Kerry Davis McGuinness
A stretchy wrap or ring sling allows babies to securely snuggle up to their caregivers. We have the best options for you and your little one.
Pets
The Best Flea Treatments for Cats and Dogs
by Kaitlyn Wells
Fighting fleas and parasites depends on your pet and your location—ask your vet first, and see if one of these is right for you.
Adopting a New Dog Checklist
by Kaitlyn Wells
Before you bring home a dog for the first time, make sure you have everything to keep your new pet happy and healthy.
How to Buy the Best Dog Food
by Kaitlyn Wells and Mel Plaut
Is the food you’re feeding your pup up to snuff? We’re here to help you find out.
Games and hobbies
![Two models we tested to find the best electronic cutting machines, one printing a mandala design and one cutting out a doily.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2022/03/electronic-cutting-machine-2048px-4563-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
The Best Electronic Cutting Machines From Cricut and Silhouette
by Jackie Reeve and Arriana Vasquez
If you’re a crafter who needs to cut materials like cardstock or vinyl, we think the Cricut Explore 3 is the best electronic cutting machine.
The Viral TikTok Ear Camera Shouldn't Clean Your Ears (But We Did Find a Less-Icky Use For It).
by Annemarie Conte
Even though they’re everywhere on TikTok, you still shouldn’t stick ear cameras into your ear. Use them to hunt for Lego Minifigures instead.
The Best Pickleball Paddles
by Seth Berkman
We tested eight pickleball paddles for players looking to buy their first serious paddle. The Paddletek Bantam EX-L is our top pick.
The Best Record Player Setup for Beginners
by Adrienne Maxwell
Start your vinyl music journey here with our picks for turntable, receiver, speakers, and more.
Software and apps
So You’re Locked Out of Your Two-Factor Authentication App. Don’t Panic.
by Max Eddy
If you lose your phone or switch devices, you might get locked out of your online accounts. Here’s how to prevent that from happening.
The Best Two-Factor Authentication App
by Max Eddy and Thorin Klosowski
Two-factor authentication is critical to securing your online accounts, and Duo Mobile offers the best combination of security, accessibility, and ease of use.
I Visited 14 National Parks In One Year. Here Are the Apps I Used to Plan and Pull Off Those Trips.
by Elissa Sanci
To explore national parks across the country successfully, I relied on these trusted apps to plan out every last detail.
Office
![A selection of compact mechanical keyboard that we tested to find the best.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/04/compactmechanicalkeyboards-2048px-1754-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
The Best Compact Mechanical Keyboards
by Kimber Streams
A compact mechanical keyboard takes up less space on a desk than a regular one—but you might need to be prepared to give up some keys in return.
The Best Mechanical Keyboards
by Kimber Streams
If you spend a lot of time typing, a mechanical keyboard can be a great quality-of-life improvement. We have recommendations for just about every budget.
The Best Lumbar Support Pillow
by Melanie Pinola
If you slouch while sitting at your desk for long periods or suffer from back pain after a long workday, a lumbar support pillow can make all the difference.
The Best Desk Lamps
by Gregory Han and Melanie Pinola
We found seven of the best desk lamps in various styles to brighten up any workspace and help you stay on task.
Cars
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.
The Best USB Car Charger
by Nick Guy and Sarah Witman
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.
The Best Car Phone Mount
by Roderick Scott and Nick Guy
No matter where you want to mount it, we’ve got plenty of options to keep your phone safely in view while you’re driving.
Money
![A collage including an espresso machine, a toaster oven and bags of coffee.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/04/upgradekitchendeals-2048px-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=509)
Upgrade Your Kitchen Right Now With These 11 Deals
by Kaitlin Mahar
From buy-it-for-life cookware to ice cream makers and espresso machines, we’ve found a whole buffet of deals to help you upgrade your kitchen.
9 Exclusive Deals on Wirecutter Picks for Mother’s Day
by Dan Kim
Mother’s Day is May 12. If you haven’t picked out a gift, don’t worry: We have 9 great deals on Wirecutter picks that would impress any matriarch.
Your Home Internet Bill Can Be Deceptively Confusing. Now It’s (Slightly) Easier to Understand.
by Rob Pegoraro
Internet service providers will no longer be able to bury fees in fine print.
Wirecutter’s 100 Most Popular Picks of April 2024
by Wirecutter Staff
These are the top 100 things our readers loved most in April, including travel bags, rain jackets, sunglasses, and more.