The Best Things We Bought in 2019
by Ben Frumin and Wirecutter Staff
From a killer fly swatter to a family-worthy cargo bike, these are the things Wirecutter staff bought this year that made their lives easier and more fun.
Ready, set, deals.
Check out the deals we love that are available now and our best advice on getting the most out of Black Friday.
Deals We Love
Price drops on products we already love
Wirecutter Deals 101
We work hard to help you navigate deals on Black Friday and every day by meticulously tracking prices, vetting retailers, and posting only the very best deals. After all, the only thing better than getting one of our picks is getting it on sale.
Electronics
The Best Alexa-Compatible Smart-Home Devices for Amazon Echo
by Rachel Cericola
We selected the best smart-home devices to work with your Alexa speaker, based on our extensive testing and real-world use.
The Best Stylus for Your iPad
by Serenity Caldwell and Nick Guy
Apple Pencils are expensive, but their unmatched combination of accuracy, tilt and pressure support, and palm rejection make them the best iPad stylus.
The Best USB-C Hubs and Docks
by Nick Guy
The Vava VA-UC006 USB-C Hub is the best way to connect a bunch of things, including your charger, to your USB-C computer at once.
Home & Garden
The Best Alexa-Compatible Smart-Home Devices for Amazon Echo
by Rachel Cericola
We selected the best smart-home devices to work with your Alexa speaker, based on our extensive testing and real-world use.
The Best Emergency Preparedness Supplies
by Wirecutter Staff
After 120 hours of research, we chose 30 products that will be indispensable in case of a natural disaster—and helpful in everyday life, too.
The Best Smart Display for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
by Signe Brewster
The Echo Show and Google Nest Hub Max are the best smart displays. They have large screens for videos and recipes, and they offer decent-sounding speakers.
The Best Smart LED Light Bulbs
by Rachel Cericola and Grant Clauser
A smart light bulb should be simple enough for anyone to control from anywhere. The Yeelight Smart LED Color Bulb is the best model for most people.
Kitchen & Dining
The Best Meal Kit Delivery Services
by Marguerite Preston
With the help of seven long-term testers, we cooked around 190 meals from nine different meal kits to find four services that can make dinnertime a bit easier.
The Best Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools and Tableware
by Wirecutter Staff
After hundreds of hours of research and testing, we think these are the kitchen tools and tableware items most people need to host a great Thanksgiving dinner.
The Best Measuring Spoons
by Sarah Zorn and Marguerite Preston
After testing 15 sets of measuring spoons for accuracy and usability, we recommend the Sur La Table Spice Measuring Spoons.
Money
The Best Dining Credit Cards
by Sally French
As long as you spend about $100 weekly on dining, you could reap significant rewards by adding a dining rewards credit card to your wallet.
Chase Slate® Credit Card Review: An Honest Assessment
by Louis DeNicola
If you’re looking to wipe away your credit card debt and then avoid using credit cards, the Chase Slate could help you save money.
The Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
by Taylor Tepper
The best balance transfer cards don’t charge a fee, let you put off paying your debt until 2021, and offer rewards so you can keep them in your wallet.
The Best Credit Cards of 2019
by Taylor Tepper
We spent hundreds of hours picking the best cards for cash back, travel rewards, building credit, and paying down debt. Here are the best credit cards of 2019.
Travel
Our Favorite Briefcases
by Tim Barribeau and Daniel Varghese
If you wear a suit or jacket for work, one of these briefcases will meet your style and budget needs to carry everything you need for a day on the job.
The Best Travel Backpack
by Geoffrey Morrison
After our travels with multiple packs across four continents, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 65 - Men’s and REI Co-op Ruckpack 65 - Women’s are what we want to carry.
The Best Underseat Personal Items to Pair With Your Carry-On Bag—and Most of Them Aren’t Backpacks
by Kit Dillon
There’s more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. Here’s how to choose the right one for your travel needs.
Office
The Best Standing Desks
by Kevin Purdy
After testing eight standing desks for more than two months, we believe the Uplift Bamboo Stand Up Desk with 1″ Thick Desktop and V2 Frame, is the best standing desk for most people.
The Best Home-Office Setup Under $1,000
by Mark Smirniotis
You can put together a high-quality home work space on a modest budget.
The Best Business Credit Cards
by Taylor Tepper
Our business credit card picks can help a small-business owner access an all-important line of credit, good customer service, and even rewards.
The Best Office Chair
by Thorin Klosowski and Melanie Pinola
After a fresh round of testing, we still think the Steelcase Gesture is the best office chair for most people. It’s been our favorite since 2015.
Appliances
How to Not Burn Your House Down With a Space Heater
by Thom Dunn
Space heaters can be dangerous—we combed the manuals and spoke to experts to get advice on using them safely.
The Best Vacuum Cleaners
by Liam McCabe
After hundreds of hours of research and testing on vacuums over the past five years, we've found the best ones to fit all kinds of lifestyles.
The Best Robot Vacuums
by Liam McCabe
We tested more than 20 popular robot vacuums in 2019 and recommend the versatile iRobot Roomba 614 and Roomba 675 for their durability and repairability.
Health & Fitness
Can the Mirror Really Replicate the Studio Fitness Class Experience?
by Ingrid Skjong
The in-home workout-streaming device, which is meant to replace boutique gym classes and personal training, may suit a specific type of fitness enthusiast.
The Best Commuter Bike Lights
by Hannah Weinberger
We've tried out 72 commuter bicycle lights over the past five years and researched hundreds more to discover the best one for most people. Here's what we found.
The Best Resistance Bands
by Amy Roberts
We spent 25 hours testing 10 sets of resistance bands. With a unique safety mechanism, the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands are the best for most people.
What to Buy: How Not to Feel Dead Tired This Winter
by Joanne Chen
Many sleep-promoting products don’t actually do much. Here are four expert-approved strategies for improving sleep quality.
Baby & Kid
The Best Tablet for Kids
by Andrew Cunningham
After considering the needs of kids and parents, we think Apple’s iPad is the best all-around tablet for kids, though Amazon’s Fire HD 8 is a good cheap option.
The Best Hiking Baby Carriers
by Ali Carr Troxell
We sent a dozen baby hiking backpacks across six states to find a do-(almost)-everything pick that’s at home on the trails, in town, and when you’re traveling.
The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Olds
by Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff
Many of the best gifts for 3-year-olds encourage role-play and make-believe—or help teach cooperative play.
Outdoors
The Best Hand Warmer
by Kaitlyn Wells
After testing nine new hand warmers we think the Human Creations EnergyFlux Enduro is the best way to keep your hands warm this winter.
The Best Commuter Bike Lights
by Hannah Weinberger
We've tried out 72 commuter bicycle lights over the past five years and researched hundreds more to discover the best one for most people. Here's what we found.
The Best Hiking Socks
by Ebony Roberts
The Best Hiking Baby Carriers
by Ali Carr Troxell
We sent a dozen baby hiking backpacks across six states to find a do-(almost)-everything pick that’s at home on the trails, in town, and when you’re traveling.
Pets
Gifts for Good Dogs (and for Cats)
by Christine Ryan
We’ve gathered the best pet gifts worthy of your favorite cat or dog, because the holidays aren’t just for human friends and family members.
What to Buy Before Adopting a Cat
by Kaitlyn Wells
If you’re adopting a cat, you’ll need more than just a litter box and some food—here are the things you should have before you bring your kitty home.
The Best Winter Jackets and Raincoats for Dogs
by Rebekah Valentine
We took 10 dog jackets on dozens of walks. The WeatherBeeta 300D Deluxe Reflective Parka is the best for keeping your dog warm and dry this winter.
Hobby & Crafts
The Best DNA Testing Kit
by Amadou Diallo
If you’re okay with the privacy risks that accompany a DNA testing service, AncestryDNA is best for exploring your ethnicity or finding contemporary relatives.
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.
Board Games We Love
by Wirecutter Staff
Thousands of board games are released each year—we share some staff favorites that require more strategy, have deeper narratives, or are particularly beautiful.
The Best Nintendo Switch Accessories
by Wirecutter Staff
We’ve researched and tested dozens of cases, controllers, stands, docks, and other accessories for the Nintendo Switch to separate the good ones from the junk.
Gifts
The Best Gifts for 9-Year-Olds
by Ellen Lee and Wirecutter Staff
By age 9, many kids are ready for toys and tools that aren’t meant just for kids—ones that can help cement hobbies as well as friendships.
The Best Christmas Lights
by Doug Mahoney and Thom Dunn
GE’s Energy Smart Colorite LED Miniature Lights (available in multicolor or warm white) are the best way to add a twinkle of delight to your holiday decor.
The Best Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools and Tableware
by Wirecutter Staff
After hundreds of hours of research and testing, we think these are the kitchen tools and tableware items most people need to host a great Thanksgiving dinner.