Wirecutter’s MVPs: 15 of Our Longest-Running Picks

It should come as no surprise that here at Wirecutter, we’re in the business of recommending the best of the best. After years of rigorously testing everything from luggage to VPN services, we’ve weeded out a ton of duds—but we’ve also accumulated more than a few longtime favorites. These are the picks that stand the test of time, consistently outperforming the competition year after year.

Here are just a few of our favorite things that have been picks for at least five years (if not longer).

The best headphones under $200

Sony MDR-7506 ($90 at the time of publication)

The Sony MDR-7506 headphones have been a favorite among Wirecutter testers for nearly seven years. “The 7506s are like the pickup truck of headphones. Anywhere audio work is being done, you’ll see them in use,” says senior staff writer Lauren Dragan. “They’re versatile, durable as heck, and when the earpads start to get too many miles on them, you can change them.” In fact, Lauren recently swapped out the deteriorating earcups on her eight-year-old pair of 7506s. Now they look brand-new, their audio quality still as strong as it was when she first bought them. As the go-to headphones for radio stations, recording studios, and live TV crews alike, the 7506s truly can’t be beat. The fact that they sound better than many headphones twice their price is just an added bonus.

Read our review of the best headphones under $200.

Our most trusted charging cables

Anker cables (Lightning and Micro-USB)

You may not notice when a charging cable does its job well, but you can probably remember getting frustrated with a cord that was complete garbage. That’s why we’re longtime fans of Anker’s various Lightning and Micro-USB cables—they’ve never made us shake our fists in rage. “Anker was one of the early companies to take phone cables seriously, making durable cords at affordable prices,” says senior staff writer Nick Guy, who selected an Anker Lightning cable as Wirecutter’s top pick in our guide to the best lightning cables in 2015. Though our picks have changed over the years to reflect Anker’s newer models, we’ve recommended the brand ever since. “Anker has continued to improve its lineup over the years, including adding products when there are new connector types, strengthening the cables themselves, and maintaining a great warranty,” Nick adds.

Read our review of the best lightning cable for iPhone and iPad.

The best e-reader

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite ($130 at the time of publication)

After rigorous testing in 2011, we found the Kindle to be the best e-reader. Nine years later, nothing has changed. As Amazon has released updated versions of the Kindle over the years, we’ve continued to recommend it as the best e-reader, with an easy-to-use interface and ever-expanding library. “‘Kindle’ has become nearly synonymous with ‘ebook reader,’ and while there are a few competitors out there, nobody offers better hardware or a larger library than Amazon,” senior staff writer Nick Guy says. “The Kindle Paperwhite has been through various iterations, but each time, its look, feel, and features outclass everything else.”

Read our review of the best ebook reader.

Sheets we swear by

L.L.Bean 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set ($150 for a queen set at the time of publication)
JCPenney Home 400 TC Wrinkle Guard Sheet Set ($70 for a queen set at the time of publication)

No one wants to slip between a pair of scratchy sheets at the end of the day. We’ve been testing sheets since 2014 for that exact reason, and two sets have stood out among the rest since the very beginning: the L.L. Bean percale sheets and the JCPenney Home sateen sheets (formerly named Royal Velvet’s wrinkle-guard sheets). “I’ve tested several sets of each and long-term tested them for years,” says senior staff writer Jackie Reeve. “No matter what I’ve thrown at them—endless washing, wear tests, sick days with kids, everyday dirt and grime—our test sets have stayed soft, the fabric and stitching have held together, and they’re not stained or yellowed.” Short of tucking you in at night, these sheets do it all. The only difficult decision left in your hands is choosing between percale and sateen.

Read our review of the best sheets.

A workhorse of a cooler

Coleman 70 Quart Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Cooler (about $46 at the time of publication)

No matter what you need it for—be it camping trips, beach days, tailgating, or the occasional blackout—the Coleman Xtreme cooler is for you. It does everything a cooler should do and then some. In our testing, the Coleman kept ice frozen for a full week. It’s spacious enough to carry 60 pounds of ice while still fitting in most cars’ trunks and remaining manageable to carry. It can also serve as a makeshift seat, able to support up to 250 pounds. What else could you possibly want in a cooler? Not much, which is why the Coleman Xtreme has been our top pick for hard coolers since we first published our guide in 2013.

Read our review of the best coolers.

Our favorite headlamp

Black Diamond Spot 325 ($40 at the time of publication)

Headlamps have endless uses, whether you’re setting up a campsite, making under-the-sink repairs, or retrieving snacks from the kitchen late at night. No matter what you use your headlamp for, one thing is for sure—it should be the Black Diamond Spot 325. First made a pick back in 2012, the Spot has maintained its title as the best headlamp ever since, clinging tightly as the competition tries to dethrone it. The affordable Spot is comfortable and easy to use, with a battery life that’ll last the entirety of a weekend camping trip. “For the price, this headlamp offers everything you need,” says guide writer Jenni Gritters. “We think it’s a great option for most people who just want a reliable headlamp that lets them see clearly during home-improvement projects and keeps the world lit up at night on outdoor adventures.”

Read our review of the best headlamp.

A budget-friendly space heater

Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater (about $26 at the time of publication)

A space heater can help keep you warm during the most frigid weather that winter has to offer. If your home’s heating system does a good enough job on its own, you may not want to spend a ton on a device meant to supplement the heat you already pay for every month. If that’s the case, the affordable Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater will do the trick. The Lasko is effective, works quickly, and lasts for years, proving that inexpensive doesn’t always mean cheaply made. Though its narrow stream of hot air doesn’t feel as luxurious as the heat from models that warm an entire room, the Lasko is best for when you need a little extra warmth while you’re sitting at your desk or laying on the couch. The Lasko has been a Wirecutter pick since 2013, though we’ve since bumped it from the top spot to our budget pick as the years wore on. “That old fossil is still standing,” says senior editor Harry Sawyers. “My test unit from 2016 still works fine, after years of me accidentally kicking it in a dark bathroom.”

Read our review of the best space heaters.

The best skillet for your money

All-Clad Stainless 12″ Covered Fry Pan ($130 at the time of publication)

When it comes to shopping for kitchenware, finding tools that’ll last a lifetime should be one of your top priorities. The All-Clad Stainless 12″ Covered Fry Pan, our top pick for the best skillet for nearly seven years, will last forever. “It’s just the best skillet we’ve found,” says senior editor Marguerite Preston. “It’s simple, lightweight, never warps, and somehow seems magically easier to clean than many other tri-ply skillets.” Though a bit pricey, this skillet is well worth the cost for not only its longevity, but also because it makes cooking easy and enjoyable.

Read our review of the best skillet.

A sheet pan that won’t warp

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet ($10 at the time of publication)

If you’re dying to try a new cookie recipe, you’ll need the right tools before you get started. This Nordic Ware baking sheet, our top pick, is our favorite. First chosen as a pick in 2013, this aluminum sheet pan always lies flat, bakes cookies evenly, and will last through years of heavy use without warping. “It’s one of the sturdiest pans we’ve tested and consistently the cheapest,” says senior editor Marguerite Preston. The affordable Nordic Ware sheet can do more than just bake cookies: It can also roast veggies, crisp oven fries, and cook a sheet-pan dinner.

Read our review of the best baking sheet.

The only chef’s knife you’ll ever need

Mac MTH-80 ($145 at the time of publication)

Even the most casual home cook should have a high-quality knife. If you’re looking to stock your drawers with the best chef’s knife out there, the Mac MTH-80 is the one. Super-sharp with a comfortable handle, the Mac MTH-80 has been one of our picks for nearly eight years—and it hasn’t let us down yet. “We’ve tested this one with chefs in high-end restaurants, with amateurs, with Sam Sifton ... and it keeps coming up the favorite,” senior editor Marguerite Preston says. Though definitely on the pricier side, it’s made of quality materials, and as long as you take care of it, it’ll last a lifetime.

Read our review of the best chef’s knife for most cooks.

The best tweezers

Tweezerman Slant ($23 at the time of publication)

The Tweezerman Slant tweezers are indisputably the best we’ve ever tested. Our top pick for more than half a decade, they pluck stray hairs with the grip and precision of tweezers twice their price. They’re super-sharp right out of the box, and even if they dull over time, Tweezerman’s free sharpening service will keep you from buying a new pair. “I’ve relied on these tweezers to groom my face for years,” says guide writer Shannon Palus. Similarly, staff writer Alex Arpaia has owned and used her pair for eight years.

Read our review of the best tweezers.

Our favorite screwdriver

Megapro 13-in-1 ($24 at the time of publication)

Every toolbox should have a workhorse like the Megapro 13-in-1 screwdriver. Megapro has proudly reigned as our pick for the best screwdriver since 2013, holding its own in rounds of rigorous testing against handfuls of worthy adversaries. A manual screwdriver that combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage, the Megapro 13-in-1 is a well-made, capable tool that’s surprisingly comfortable to use. And while it’s meant to last for years, Megapro offers a lifetime warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects. Short of finishing your work for you, the Megapro 13-in-1 really does it all.

Read our review of the best multi-bit screwdriver.

Simple-to-use tape measure

Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure ($16 at the time of publication)

A tape measure falls into the category of things you don’t realize you’re missing until you really need one. Let the affordable, accurate Stanley PowerLock be your go-to tape measure. Our top pick since 2013, the PowerLock is easy to use and more durable than any other tape measure we’ve tested. The thumb-operated blade lock is smooth and strong, and though it doesn’t offer any bells or whistles, that’s what we love most: Its simplicity makes it light, tough, accurate, and easy to control with one hand.

Read our review of the best tape measure.

Hands down, the best air purifier

Coway AP-1512HH Mighty ($195 at the time of publication)

The Coway Mighty is a powerhouse of an air purifier. It’s not only the right size for master bedrooms, playrooms, and living rooms, but it’s also the best-performing, most durable purifier we’ve tested. Though many competitors have tried, none have been successful in stealing the title of best air purifier from the Coway Mighty since we first chose it half a decade ago. In our latest testing, it achieved as much as 98.9 percent removal of airborne particulates in just 30 minutes—and because it’s so solidly built, it’ll deliver the same results for years to come.

Read our review of the best air purifier.