Skip predictable chocolates and roses this Valentine's Day. Our gift expert shares luxurious ways to delight loved ones—and pamper yourself. Guest : Staff writer Samantha Schoech Products we recommend: Sparkly Socks: Calzedonia Soft Sox Silk hair accessories: Lilysilk Perfect Silk Beauty Set For Hair A simple gold chain: Laura Lombardi Mini Omega Chain Fancy chocolates Recchiuti XOXO Box 16pc Flowers: UrbanStems Fancy cookies: Eugénie cookies Paper flower bouquet: Unwilted Single Stems Additiona...
Feb 10, 2025•14 min
We are working on a new episode about laundry—specifically, those stains that never seem to come out—and we need your help! Record a voice memo on your phone and tell us about the most irritating stain you’ve battled. How did you get it? What was the culprit? What did it stain? And what did you use to try and get it out? Try and keep it under two minutes and don’t forget to tell us your first name and where you’re calling from! Email your voice memo to [email protected] and you mi...
Feb 06, 2025•56 sec
Personal lubricants make sex more fun–but not all of them are created equal. We’re covering how to find ones you’ll love and the ingredients to avoid. Guest : Wirecutter writer Bianca Alba Products we recommend: Best water-based lube: Aloe Cadabra Natural Aloe Best thinner water-based lube: Coconu Water Based Best silicone lube: Überlube Best hybrid lube: Sliquid Silk Best oil-based lube: Coconu Oil Based Bianca recommends: Vuvla-shaped candle mold Additional reading : The 6 Best Personal Lubric...
Feb 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 26
The right luggage can make traveling easier. We share expert tips for choosing between hard and soft shells, carry-on or checked bags, plus pro packing hacks. Guest : Wirecutter senior staff writer Kit Dillon Products we recommend: The best soft-sided carry-on bag: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner The best hard-sided carry-on bag: Away The Carry-On The upgrade pick carry-on: Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner A travel backpack we love: Cotopaxi All...
Jan 29, 2025•35 min•Ep. 25
Strength training might seem intimidating, but it’s also key for living a long, healthy life. We cover how to start and the simple at-home gear that’ll help. Guests: Wirecutter supervising editor Ingrid Skjong and Wirecutter fitness writer Seth Berkman Products we recommend: Best yoga mat: JadeYoga Harmony Mat Best kettlebell: Rep Fitness Kettlebell Best adjustable dumbbell set: Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set Best pull-up bar: Ultimate Body Press Elevated XL Doorway Pull-Up Bar Best r...
Jan 22, 2025•41 min•Ep. 24
Dishwashers make life easier—but most people don’t use them quite right. This episode, we’re diving deep into how you can get yours to wash dishes even better. Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Andrea Barnes Products we recommend: The best dishwasher detergent: Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs What to use to clean your dishwasher: Affresh or citric acid Rinse aids to consider: Ecover or Finish Jet Dry The best dishwasher: Miele G5008 Andrea loves: The League of Kitchens Cookbook Additional readi...
Jan 15, 2025•39 min•Ep. 23
Most printers suck. This week we crack the code on how to buy one you might actually like, and reveal the secrets to saving cash on ink and toner. Guest: Wirecutter supervising editor Ben Keough Products we recommend: Basic B&W laser printer we recommend: Brother Wireless HL-L2460DW Online photo printing we recommend: Nations Photo Lab Ben’s new/used camera: Nikon F3 Additional Reading: Why All Printers Suck (Even the Best Ones) The 4 Best Home Printers of 2024 The 4 Best All-in-One Printers...
Jan 08, 2025•33 min•Ep. 22
It’s Dry January—but non-alcoholic cocktails needn’t be sad. We’re discussing the health risks of alcohol and how to build out a delicious buzz-free bar cart. Guests: NYT reporter Dana G. Smith and Wirecutter editor Marguerite Preston Products we recommend: A gin-like alternative: Pentire Adrift St. Agrestis Non-Alcoholic Phony Negroni A bitter Amaro-like favorite: The Pathfinder Rosie enjoys mixing this with Pathfinder: Uncle Waithley’s Vincy Brew Less bitter options: Curious No. 2 and Casamara...
Jan 01, 2025•40 min•Ep. 21
From a space heater that saves a marriage to sunscreen that saves a surfer’s skin, Wirecutter’s staff opens up about the best things they bought in 2024. Guests: We heard voicemails from Wirecutter staffers including Mel Plaut, Ingela Amundson, Annemarie Conte, Jackie Reeve, Brent Butterworth, Katie Okamoto, Zoe Vanderweide, Liam McCabe, Elissa Sanci, Alex Aciman, Kathleen Squires, Julia Bush, Claire Wilcox, Jon Chase, Lauren Dragan, and Dorie Chevlan. Products We Recommend: Mel Plaut likes: Vor...
Dec 25, 2024•34 min•Ep. 20
Homes burn crazy fast these days. Are you prepared? We’re covering everything you need, from the newest smoke alarms to the right fire extinguishers. Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Doug Mahoney and senior editor for smart home coverage Jon Chase Additional reading: The 4 Best Basic Smoke Alarms of 2024 The 2 Best Smart Smoke Alarms of 2024 The Best Fire Extinguisher The Best Fire Escape Ladder UL video of room burning test: New Comparison of Natural and Synthetic Home Furnishings Product...
Dec 18, 2024•41 min•Ep. 19
We’re fielding listener questions with pro tips for delighting picky friends, impossible relatives, and other challenging recipients on your holiday list. Guest : Staff writer Samantha Schoech Products we recommend: Beautiful Utilitarian Upgrades: Brushed Stainless Steel French Press Rough Linen Robe Personalized Gifts: Handwriting Cuff bracelet Personalized retro view finder Customizable drinking straw Experiential Gifts: Teas to try together Bokksu Japanese Snack Box Great for Dads: Yeti Coole...
Dec 11, 2024•30 min•Ep. 18
This week, we dive into our gift team’s best-in-class tips for finding awesome affordable gifts for everyone on your list. Guest: Wirecutter editor Hannah Morrill Additional Reading The 45 Best Gifts for Teens in 2024 43 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers of 2024 25 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers of 2024 The 39 Absolute Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25 31 Best Secret Santa Gifts of 2024 50 Wirecutter-Approved Stocking Stuffers for Adults Products We Recommend Great value: Baggu Small Cloud Carry-...
Dec 04, 2024•39 min•Ep. 17
Most of the deals you’ll see for Black Friday and Cyber Week aren’t worth your time. This week, we reveal how to actually get a deal that’s worth your money. Guest: Wirecutter senior deals editor Nathan Burrow Products we recommend: The best bluetooth speaker: Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Nathan Recommends: Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Additional reading links: Best Black Friday Deals 2024 Daily Deals - Wirecutter Wirecutter Deals, Explained We independently review every...
Nov 29, 2024•26 min
Thanksgiving is (almost) here, and this week Wirecutter experts share their best last-minute tips to make your holiday a success. Guests: Wirecutter staffers Hannah Morrill, Rose Lorre, Lee Neikirk, Lauren Dragan, Ellen Airhart, James Austin, Phil Ryan, Michael Sullivan, Ben Frumin Products we recommend: Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler Tony’s Chocolonely Super Milk Bundle Bananagrams Tide Pen Korky 99-4A Max Performance Plunger Podcasts that are great for...
Nov 27, 2024•38 min•Ep. 16
Few ingredients are as loved (and villainized) as butter. We discuss how to pick a great butter, and the best ones for eating, cooking, and baking. Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Lesley Stockton Additional Reading: The 7 Best Butters of 2024 The Best Vegan Butter Products We Recommend: Kerrygold Salted Butter Isigny Ste Mère Salted Butter Finlandia Imported Salted Butter Bar Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter Salted Kirkland Signature Butter Unsalted We independently review everything we recomm...
Nov 20, 2024•38 min•Ep. 15
NYT’s Sam Sifton and Wirecutter's Lesley Stockton reveal their pro tips for Thanksgiving success—from menu planning and hosting to the essential kitchen gear. Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton and assistant managing editor of The New York Times Sam Sifton Additional Reading: Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton The Best Roasting Pan The Best Instant Read Thermometer The Best Chef’s Knife The Best Gas Grills The Best Gas Grill Tools Products We Recommend: The best ...
Nov 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 14
Making dinner every night can be a challenge. This week, we talk with Emily Weinstein, of New York Times Cooking, about how to overcome the monotony. Additional Reading: Easy Weeknight Dinners 100 Fast, Flavor-Packed Meals for Busy People Who Still Want Something Good to Eat by Emily Weinstein and New York Times Cooking When You Love To Cook But Also Have a Kid, Embrace the Microwave The Best Sheet Pans The Best Air Fryer Best Electric Pressure Cooker Best Slow Cooker We independently review eve...
Nov 06, 2024•36 min•Ep. 13
Many people unknowingly put their pet in danger while driving or flying. This week, we talk about how to keep your furry friends safe and calm when traveling. Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Mel Plaut Additional Reading: The 6 Best Travel Carriers for Cats and Small Dogs of 2024 Flying With Your Cat or (Small) Dog The 7 Best Multi-Tools of 2024 Products We Recommend: SturdiBag Pro 2.0 Feliway Travel Spray Peepeego Non-Slip Dog Pad Mel loves: Leatherman Skeletool CX and Leatherman Signal We indepe...
Oct 30, 2024•41 min•Ep. 12
Millions of Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of noise every day. This episode we discuss how to tell if you’re at risk of hearing loss and what to do about it. Guest: Wirecutter senior writer Lauren Dragan Additional Reading: The 4 Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2024 The Best Sleep Headphones (But We Hoped for Better) The 3 Best Earplugs for Concerts of 2024 The 5 Best Kids Headphones of 2024 The 4 Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds of 2024 Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Kids Is a Grow...
Oct 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 11
Quality kitchen gear can last a lifetime–but not every pot, pan, or knife is made to last. This week, we discuss how to invest in durable cookware and tools. Guest: Wirecutter kitchen staff writer, Michael Sullivan Additional Reading: How to Clean and Season Cast-Iron Cookware How to Clean and Care for Wood Cutting Boards The Best Flatware of 2024 The 2 Best Toasters of 2024 Products We Recommend: Best Cast Iron: Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet Best Dutch Oven: Lodge 6-Quart Enam...
Oct 16, 2024•39 min•Ep. 10
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. Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer, Doug Mahoney Additional Reading: The 4 Best Mousetraps of 2024 How a Bag of Dead Rats Proved the Terro Garbage Guard Really Works Products We Recommend: Best Mousetrap: Tomcat Press ’N Set Mouse Trap Runner Up: Victor M393 Power-Kill Mouse Traps For when you need a LOT of mousetraps: Victor Easy Set Mouse Tra...
Oct 09, 2024•35 min•Ep. 9
The Wirecutter Show is planning a special episode for the holidays and we need your help! Send a voice memo to us at [email protected] about your hardest-to-shop-for gift recipients! Let us know: your name and where you're calling in from who your hard-to-please gift recipient is what makes them hard to shop for what they like & don't like We'll play your stories on the show for an expert from Wirecutter's gifting team and see if we can stump them! No matter what, you'll walk ...
Oct 08, 2024•1 min
Buying a vibrator can be tricky without a great recommendation. This week, we discuss why vibrators are still so taboo—and how to pick one you’ll love. Guest: Wirecutter writer Bianca Alba Additional Reading: The Best Vibrators The 6 Best Personal Lubricants of 2024 How to Clean Sex Toys Products We Recommend: The Classic Wand style: Magic Wand Rechargeable The Classic Wand style, but corded: Magic Wand Plus Affordable and versatile: Satisfyer Purple Pleasure For suction and vibration: Dame Aer ...
Oct 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 8
This week, we discuss microplastics (the small pieces of plastic that shed off many products), how they may impact your health, and how to mitigate exposure. Guest: Wirecutter's sustainability editor, Katie Okamoto Additional Reading: Microplastics Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Avoid Eating Them. The Best Water Filter Pitcher and Dispenser The Best Under-Sink Water Filter Products We Recommend: Pitcher Filter: Brita Standard Everyday Pitcher Under Sink Filter: Aquasana AQ-5300+ Max Flow Glass Fo...
Sep 25, 2024•34 min•Ep. 7
A natural disaster can happen to anyone, at any time. Are you prepared? Here’s our best advice on what to have on hand. Guest: Wirecutter senior editor Harry Sawyers Additional Reading: The Best Emergency Preparedness Supplies How to Clean a Flooded Basement Everything I Did to Flood-Proof My Old House The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies for 2024 The Best Gear for Your Bug-Out Bag Products We Recommend: Best rigid water container: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon Best flashlight...
Sep 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 6
We’re getting nerdy about sheets–why you might be unhappy with your current set, how to pick ones you’ll actually love, and the marketing scams to avoid. Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer Jackie Reeve Additional Reading: The Best Sheets The Best Cotton Sheets The Joy (and Anxiety) of Sleeping on $2,000 Sheets Best Linen Sheets Best Flannel Sheets What Is the Best Thread Count for Sheets? Should You Spring For Egyptian Cotton Sheets? Products we recommend: 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale...
Sep 11, 2024•43 min•Ep. 5
What you need to know before giving your kid a phone, plus the Wirecutter-tested trackers, smartwatches, and phones to consider. Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Ellen Lee & Dr. Devorah Heitner Additional Reading: The Best First Phones for Kids The Best Smartwatches for Kids The Best Parental Control Apps to Manage Screen Time (and Keep Your Kid Safer Online) Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World by Dr. Devorah Heitner Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age ...
Sep 04, 2024•41 min•Ep. 4
Expert tips to waste less food — and save on your grocery bill — from Wirecutter kitchen editor Marilyn Ong and New York Times Cooking deputy editor Genevieve Ko. Additional Reading Best Food Storage Containers Best Dry Food Storage Containers The Best Vacuum Sealer Kitchen Compost Bins We Love Products We Recommend Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids We independently review everything we recommen...
Aug 28, 2024•34 min•Ep. 3
Our best-in-class advice to breathing a little easier. Guest: Wirecutter Senior staff writer Tim Heffernan Additional Reading The Best Air Purifier The $650 LifeStraw Max Water Filter Can Save You From Contaminated Water How Can I Clear My Air of Wildfire Smoke? How to DIY An Air Purifier Products We Recommend Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty LifeStraw Max Knipex Carpenters’ End Cut Pliers We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Le...
Aug 21, 2024•39 min•Ep. 2
We’re going deep on laundry—what you’re probably doing wrong, how to actually pretreat stains, and the tips and tricks to make it all easier. Guest: Wirecutter Staff Writer, Andrea Barnes Additional Reading The Best Laundry Detergent So You Stained Your Shirt? Now What The Best Stain Removers The Best Detergent for Hand-Washing Clothes This Steamy Grill Brush Makes Me Excited to Clean My Grill Products We Recommend Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Det...
Aug 21, 2024•39 min•Ep. 1
