In just a few short years, Amazon has built an ecosystem of things that can help you organize your life, cook your meals, listen to music, read books, watch TV, and more. Wirecutter recommends many Amazon devices, and we know we’ll see deals on them—it’s called Amazon Prime Day, after all. So whether you want a new Echo, a Fire tablet for the kids, or a Fire TV Stick for yourself, we’ll be watching the sales for great pricing all Prime Day.
With an ebook reader, you can carry thousands of books at a time and access a library of millions more on a device that is smaller than a paperback, lasts for weeks on a single charge, and gives you a better reading experience than a tablet or phone. After testing every competitive ebook reader available in the US, we can say that the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is the right choice for almost everyone.
The best humidifiers can relieve dry skin and sinuses, but running one for months involves a lot more maintenance work than most people have in mind. Great humidifiers do the job without much inconvenience, and that’s why we recommend the Honeywell HCM-350 Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier—it’s quiet, durable, and easier to fill and clean than any other humidifier we’ve tested.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you’re like me, you may be wondering how on earth you’re going to celebrate this year. I’ve been hosting a friendsgiving for over 15 years—a tradition that started in college with a guest list consisting of any friends who didn’t happen to go home for the big day. However, this year many traditions will be put on hold. Many people will be spending the holiday away from family and friends due to COVID-19–related travel restrictions or safety concerns. But that doesn’t mean you need to sit at your table sulking with a bag of Brach’s Turkey Dinner Candy Corn.
Any mask is better than no mask to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, and now that everyone and their grandparents are selling cloth face masks, you have options. Tens of thousands of them. (Around 15,000 listings on Etsy alone.) As with regular cloth face masks, the key is to create multiple layers and a good seal. We consulted a range of authorities, from fashion designers and textile experts to aerosol scientists and infectious disease specialists, to zero in on the small but crucial design details that have an outsize impact on how a mask fits and feels, and—by extension—how it helps prevent person-to-person viral transmission.
If you have an iPhone that you’re happy with, keep it. Don’t upgrade just because Apple has released new phones.
But if your current phone is running too slow or is damaged, or if you’re simply ready for an upgrade, you should choose between the iPhone 11 and the iPhone SE (2nd generation). Both are great phones that will last you for years. If you value longer battery life, a larger screen, or better camera performance, go with the iPhone 11. Otherwise, the iPhone SE delivers the same power and overall experience as the iPhone 11 for several hundred dollars less, and in a smaller size that some people will prefer.
An outdoor security camera is a powerful deterrent to mischief makers and a convenient way to determine whether that thing going bump in the night is a friend, foe, or furry creature. We recommend the Google Nest Cam Outdoor for the job. It’s fully weatherproof, and although you need a subscription to receive person alerts, to set Activity Zones, and to store recordings, the Nest Cam Outdoor sends motion-activated smartphone notifications and allows you to choose between event-based recording or capturing absolutely everything 24/7.