Home Buying Guides

Our experts recommendations on the best desks, couches, kitchen knives, grills, coffee machines, air purifiers, cookware, gardening tools and more, all in one place. 

Coffee

Drip & Espresso Machines

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The 10 Best Coffee Makers for Every Coffee Drinker

The best coffee maker is the one that fits your kitchen, budget and style, but never compromises on excellent coffee.

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The 12 Best Looking Coffee Makers

In this case, you can judge a book by its cover.

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The Best Home Espresso Machines

Skip a trip to the café with one of these at-home shot-pullers.

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The Best Single-Cup Coffee Makers Not Named Keurig
Keurigs offer virtually nothing but the utility of caffeine and a coffee-like smell. Starting at $35, here are your go-to’s when you wa…
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Pour-Over

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The Best Pour-Over Coffee Maker You Can Buy Is $26
In this definitive guide to the best pour over brewers of 2020, we explore the “Big Three” of the pour-over coffee world – Chemex, Hari…
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Everything You Need to Make Pour-Over Coffee

We pored over the best pour-over gear.

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The 6 Best Gooseneck Kettles

Do you really love coffee if you don't have a gooseneck kettle?

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Your Pour-Over Coffee Questions, Answered

Wondering why your pour-over coffee is bitter or watered-down? Wonder no more.

Coffee Accessories

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The 10 Best Coffee Grinders You Can Buy

If you want to make good coffee at home, you need a coffee grinder. These are the only ten you need to consider.

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Why You Absolutely Need a Scale to Brew World-Class Coffee at Home

No right-minded barista on earth would brew coffee without a scale to measure both beans and water.

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The 6 Best Coffee Mugs of 2019

The best coffee mugs you can buy are largely dependent on taste and utility.

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5 Great Espresso Cups

Investment in homemade espresso doesn’t stop at the machine.

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Coffee Beans

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10 Best Online Coffee Subscription Services

Because fresh coffee shouldn’t be a guessing game, these services have made its effective delivery a science.

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The 28 Best Coffee Roasters in America

Buying coffee beans from any one of these roasters will be an instant improvement to your morning cup of coffee.

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3 Things to Look for on a Bag of Coffee Beans

Bags of coffee are more than just pretty packaging.

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The 10 Best Coffee Roasters Around the World
The best coffee roasters in the world hail from every corner of the globe and do a hell of a lot more than make serviceable coffee bean…

Cold Brew & Canned Coffee

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What's the Best Kind of Coffee for Cold Brew?

What tastes good hot isn't necessarily what tastes good cold. More at 11.

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How to Make Cold Brew Coffee (and Everything You Need to Do It)
Cold brewing coffee is an alarming simple process that yields coffee that’s less acidic tasting, smoother than iced coffee and capable …
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6 Canned Coffees That Are Worth Stocking in Your Fridge

Canned coffee has come a long way from the sickly sweet and milk-powdered coffees of the 20th century.

Bedding & Sleep Essentials

Sheets & Pillow Cases

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The 12 Best Sheets to Buy in 2021

We tested 35 different bed sheet sets to find the best bedding for every type of sleeper, at every budget.

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Looking for Decent Bed Sheets? Check Amazon

Holy sheet, Amazon has some pretty good bedding.

coyuchi flannel sheets on bed
The 9 Best Flannel Sheets for a Warmer Winter

Flannel isn't just for shirts and grunge rockers.

pillowcases
The Best Pillowcases to Lay Your Head On

Listen up, bedheads: you deserve a better pillowcase to sleep on. Buy one of these.

Blankets & Comforters

best wool blankets
10 Great Wool Blankets to Keep You Warm This Fall

Moisture-resistant, warm, odor-resistant and more, wool is the best choice for a warm winter blanket.

best weighted blankets
The 8 Best Weighted Blankets to Buy

If you’re having trouble sleeping, a weighted blanket could help. Here’s what you need to know before buying, and the best ones to get.

camping blankets
The 10 Best Camping Blankets of 2022

Made using sleeping bag materials, these products are perfect for casual camping and fit right in around the house too.

three comforters
The Best Cooling Comforters for Hot Sleepers

For those who need to be under the covers, even when it's hot as hell.

Beds, Mattresses & Pillows

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The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2021

Looking for a mattress online but feel like you’re drowning in options?

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The Best Bed Frames for Better Sleep Every Night

You'll never go to bed angry knowing you're sleeping on one of the best bed frames on the market.

air matress
The 10 Best Air Mattresses For Every Use

Don’t blow up over unexpected houseguests.

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Home Office & Productivity

Desks

standing desks
The 11 Best Standing Desks for the Home or Office

Each has been selected for its design, ergonomics and ability to toggle between sitting and standing positions.

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15 Good-Looking Cheap Desks to Buy Online

Just give in and buy one of these cheap desks.

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The Best-Looking Desks for a Better Home Office

Create a workspace you'll actually want to work in.

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The 17 Best Desks for Small Spaces

You can make space for any of these desks.

Office Chairs & Seating

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The 21 Best Office Chairs of 2022

Everything you need to know to find an office chair best suited to your needs, including ergonomics, price, aesthetics and features.

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6 Perfectly Fine Cheap Desk Chairs Under $250

Starting at $75, here are six chairs that will keep your back in check over the next few months.

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6 Things You Need for Your New Standing Desk

You can't just upgrade your desk and call it a day.

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Heads Up: ‘Gaming’ Chairs Suck. Here’s Why

The origins of the racer-style gaming chair, and why you should probably not buy one.

Desk Tech

mechanical keyboard and mouse on a desk
The Best Mechanical Keyboards for Home or Office

Contrary to popular belief, mechanical keyboards don’t have to be loud and flashy.

best webcam
The Best Webcams to Upgrade Your Desktop Setup

You're still taking a lot of video calls and your computer's built-in camera stinks. It's time to buy an external webcam.

wireless computer mice
The Best Wireless Mouse Devices of 2023

A better wireless mouse can help you be more productive. Get one that works for you.

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5 Great Microphones To Upgrade Your Video Calls
Whether you're podcasting, streaming or just spending too much time video conferencing, an external USB microphone is a great desktop u…
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Pens & Pencils

best pens
The 25 Best Pens You Can Buy at Every Price Point

There’s an endless selection of pens available, ranging in price from a few cents to over $1,000.

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9 Mechanical Pencils for Your Everyday Carry
The wand may choose the wizard, but the pencil doesn’t choose the writer. Here’s a guide to picking the right mechanical pencil for eve…
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Is There Any Difference Between a $1 and $50 Pen?

A good pen should write well, and its ink should last for a long time. So why do people love $50 pens when $1 ones do the same thing?

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6 Designers Name Their Favorite Pens and Pencils

Take it from people working in one of the few industries people still regularly use and abuse writing tools.

Desk Accessories & Notepads

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The Best Desk Pads to Improve Your Workspace

Desk pads are the humblest of workspace accessories, but they can significantly improve your desktop cleanliness and organization.

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The 10 Best Notebooks of 2020

Distance yourself from your phone's Notes app and get back to physical notebooks.

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The 20 Best Desk Lamps to Buy in 2020

The best desk lamps at every style and price point.

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14 Pieces of Gear to Get Your Desk in Order

The best gear for the deskspace provides everything a place to go and looks good doing it.

Furnishings

Chairs

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The 25 Best Reading Chairs From Eames to Ikea

A collection of the best reading and lounge chairs you can find on the internet, at every price point and in every style.

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The 20 Best Accent Chairs for Every Interior Style

Sometimes all you need is a standout chair to spruce up a room.

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Can’t Afford an Eames Chair? Here are 5 Options

The Eames Lounge Chair is the Holy Grail of furniture, with a price tag to match.

Couches

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The 19 Best Sofas and Couches You Can Buy

A guide to the most important piece of furniture that's not your bed.

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The 16 Best Leather Sofas and Couches You Can Buy

From Ikea to an Eames icon, these are the best leather sofas and couches you can buy right now.

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The 10 Best Sleeper Sofas, Sofa Beds and Futons

Being forced to sleep on the sofa used to be a punishment.

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This $12 Tool Saves Old Sofas from Ruin

Shaving your sofa is a thing, I swear.

Other Furniture

casper the platform bed frame
The Best Bed Frames for Better Sleep Every Night

You'll never go to bed angry knowing you're sleeping on one of the best bed frames on the market.

best tv consoles
The Best Furniture for Your Home Audio System

A media console should show off your system so that it looks good, it might even inspire a few family listening sessions.

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13 Coffee Table Books Our Staff Can't Live Without

Getting to know our staff a little better through the books they keep on their coffee table — or elsewhere.

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The Best Coffee Tables for Every Budget and Style

Coffee tables are an important part of any living room.

Furniture Shopping Advice

yellow chair, wooden dresser, and a wooden table
The Best Cheap Furniture You Can Buy From Amazon

Add to cart: toothpaste, snacks and ... a sofa?

sunbeam vintage furniture
Where to Buy Used Furniture Online

Vintage furniture shopping goes digital.

a grey couch in a living room
The 25 Best Online Furniture Stores

Buy furniture without ever leaving your sofa.

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10 Solid Brands to Shop for Men’s Furniture Online

Where you shop once you are officially post-Ikea.

Furniture Shopping Advice

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Where to Buy Rugs Online

Cut a rug on a really nice rug.

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The Best Outdoor Furniture Brands to Shop Online

From Ikea to Herman Miller, this is your survey of the best outdoor and patio furniture at every price point.

home depot living room with window shades and a purple sofa
Shopping for Window Blinds? Here's What to Know

They don’t have to be shady.

1950s business office
The Mid-Century Modern Furniture You Should Know

Ray and Charles Eames. Wegner. Noguchi. Nelson. These are the mid-century modern icons everyone should know.

Fans, Heaters & Purifiers

best space heaters
The 11 Best Space Heaters for Staying Warm

Bringing the heat in more than one way.

best air purifier
The 14 Best Air Purifiers of 2022

The "out of stock" signs are telling — everyone's looking for an air purifier. These are the models to buy for every situation.

three tower fans
The 10 Best Tower Fans for a Cooler Summer

Easy, breezy tower fans that save on space while still circulating that cool air you love.

best humidifiers
The 15 Best Humidifiers for Winter's Driest Days

The best humidifiers you can buy turn desert-like rooms (no, really) into easy-breathing spaces. Here's what to consider.

Knives & Kitchen Tools

Chef & Kitchen Knives

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The 13 Best Kitchen Knives You Can Buy

After years of testing, these are the kitchen knives worth spending your money on.

affordable chef's knives from global, victorinox and shun
The Best Budget Chef’s Knives for Your Kitchen

You don't need to spend a fortune to get a great kitchen knife.

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10 Knives World-Class Chefs Can’t Cook Without

All-purpose chef’s knives, single-focus slicing tools and everything in between.

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8 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Knives Last Forever
David Olkovetsky, founder of knifemaking outfit Artisan Revere, on rubber cutting boards, mineral oil and the evils of dishwashing your…

Japanese Knives

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The Best Places to Buy Japanese Kitchen Knives

Japanese chef’s knives are coveted by chefs the world over. But where do they buy them?

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The 8 Japanese Knives Every Cook Should Know

The mythic and weirdly specific world of Japanese kitchen knives, explained.

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What’s the Split Between German & Japanese Knives?

Steel hardness impacts how well a blade can hold an edge.

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Japanese Chef’s Knives: The Three Brands to Know

Don’t buy a Japanese-style chef’s knife made by a European manufacturer.

Other Kitchen Tools

chef staples roundup
19 Tools That Pro Chefs Can’t Cook Without

There are no gear testers more rigorous than the commercial chef.

an all black knife on a tan rubber cutting board
Ditch Your Cutting Boards for a Rubber One

The rubber cutting board has the upper-hand on the wood and plastic board in almost every way.

john doministhe life picture collection via getty images
Building a Kitchen Setup From Scratch? Start Here

Absolutely everything you need to get cooking, at every price point.

collage of a toaster, a cast iron pan, a vegetable chopper, and a strainer
The 25 Best Kitchen Tools for Less Than $25

These handy accessories are hardwearing, essential and altogether overlooked.

Cookware & Grilling

Cast-Iron Skillets

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The 7 Best Cast-Iron Skillets You Can Buy in 2022
This definitive guide explores everything you need to know about cast-iron cookware, including the best skillets for every type of cook…
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A $20 vs. a $215 Cast-Iron Skillet
A cast-iron skillet should retain heat well and put satisfying sears on all sorts of food. So what makes the $200 versions better at th…
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5 Accessories to Get More Out of Your Cast-Iron Skillet
Everyone knows cast-iron skillets need a bit more TLC than the rest of your pans. This is what you need to keep them looking great, and…
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How to Choose the Right Cast-Iron Skillet Size

If you’re scratching your head over which skillet size is right for you, fret not.

Others Pans & Cookware

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The Best Everyday Pots and Pans for Every Kind of Cook

In cookware, one size does not fit all.

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Alternatives to an All-Clad Stainless Steel Pan

Cheaper cookware for chefs on a budget.

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5 Great Carbon Steel Skillets for Every Budget

Used by chefs and clever home cooks for years, carbon steel cookware has earned a spot in your kitchen cabinet.

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Here's Why You Need Two Types of Frying Pans

Spoiler: your trusty non-stick couldn’t sear properly if its life depended on it.

Grills

best gas grills
The 12 Best Gas Grills You Can Buy in 2022

From Weber to Napoleon, we've tested gas grills that cost less than $100 up to grills that cost more than a used car.

best charcoal grills
The 12 Best Charcoal Grills You Can Buy in 2022
From a $55 Weber to grilling technology of the future, these are the best charcoal grills you can buy at every price point and for ever…
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The 10 Best Pellet Smokers You Can Buy

The absolute best pellet smokers, whether you’re on a budget, tailgating or setting up your backyard dream kitchen.

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The 6 Best Grills to Buy if You Live in a Small Apartment or House

A small space shouldn’t limit your capacity to grill.

Plants, Gardening & Tools

Indoor Plants

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The 25 Best Indoor Plants for Every Kind of Person

New roommates for even the most neglecting people.

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The Best Plant Subscription Boxes

Your home will turn into a jungle in no time.

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The 15 Best Places to Buy Houseplants Online

If you can't make it to your local nursery, there are some great websites that sell and ship plants directly to your door.

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The Best Plant Accessories for an At-Home Jungle

It takes more than a green thumb to keep your indoor plants alive and thriving.

Gardening

healthy soil is the key to feeding the world
The 8 Gardening Tools You Should Know

Make your garden the envy of the neighborhood with these essential gardening tools.

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Here Are the Essentials You Need to Start a Garden

These are the essentials for beginning your foray into horticulture.

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How to Kickstart Your Backyard Garden

Plant your seeds today for a greener tomorrow.

Tools & Lawn Care

craftsman m220 self propelled lawn mower
The 7 Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers of 2022

The grass is greener when you have a self-propelled lawn mower.

best leaf blowers
The Leaf Blowers We'd Buy for Fall's Biggest Jobs

Leave the rake inside and blow away the pine needles, leaves and sawdust.

best work benches
The Best Workbenches for DIY Projects

Nine better ways to get the job done.

Pantry Essentials, Meal Kits & Food Storage

Condiments & Snacks

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The 10 Best Chili Crisps to Spice Up Your Life

Your favorite hot sauce cannot hold up to any one of these chili crisps.

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11 Hot Sauces for the Fire-Loving Palate

If you think hot sauce begins and ends with Sriracha and Tabasco sauce, you don’t know the true meaning of spicy.

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The 10 Best BBQ Sauces at Your Grocery Store
The best bottled barbeque sauces offer what homemade versions offer — smokiness, sweetness, spiciness and tanginess, all balanced again…
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The Best Snacks, According to GP Staffers

Snacks count as gear, right?

Food & Drink Subscription Kits

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These Are the Best Edible Gift Baskets

"Wow, fruit," said no one ever.

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Eat Well in 2021 With Deals on These Meal Kits
A meal kit is a great way to save time in the kitchen while maintaining a balanced diet. And to start the new year there are savings to…
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The 15 Best Meal Kit Delivery Services

Even the world’s best home cooks need to call in the cavalry sometimes.

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The 12 Best Whiskey, Beer and Wine Subscriptions of 2020

From all of us without a wealth of liquor stores, beer bars and wine shops near us, thank you.

Food & Drink Storage

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The Best Food Storage Containers for Leftovers

You don’t need to know the 25 best vessels to store leftovers and carry food to and from home.

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What You Need to Prep a Week's Worth of Food

Meal prepping has grown from a frugal-minded niche chore to a weirdly encouraging corner of social media culture.

a red cooler filled with ice and beer
The 12 Best Coolers of 2022

Looking to hide some sandwiches and 85 cans of beer from a bear?

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Keep the Pantry Organized with These Storage Essentials

A home pantry can easily become disorganized.

Bathroom, Home Fragrance & Cleaning

Bathroom Upgrades

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Sonicare vs Oral-B: Which Is Best for Your Teeth?

The two biggest brands in electric toothbrushes go head to head, er, tooth to tooth.

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Why You Shouldn't Buy Cloth Bath Mats

Your bath mat is covered in bacteria.

two hands holding a bluetooth quip toothbrush and phone
The 10 Best Electric Toothbrushes

Don't let mask wearing be an excuse to forgo proper oral hygiene.

waffle knit towels
The Ultimate Bathroom Upgrade? Waffle WeaveTowels

These aren't your regular plush bath towels, but that's why they're so great.

Home Fragrance

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7 of the Best Essential Oils for Diffusers

They’re not all the same.

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The 7 Best Essential Oil Diffusers

Once you realize the humble oil diffuser is basically a safer, reloadable candle, you understand its charm.

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8 Best Candles to Burn this Winter

Cooped-up adventurers, take note: being inside can be an experience that transports you.

Vacuum Cleaning

best stick vacuums
The 10 Best Stick Vacuums of 2021

These vacuum cleaners suck, but in the best way possible.

cleaning
14 Household Cleaning Essentials You Always Need

The boring old basics in one tidy, necessary list.

irobot roomba
The Complete Buying Guide to iRobot Roombas
Only one robot vacuum gets to be called Roomba. Whether you have pets or don't want to empty the dust bin, these are all the Roomba mod…