The Wirecutter Show

One-pot meals promise less cleanup and easier dinners, but the best tool depends on what you’re cooking and how much time you have.    Wirecutter senior kitchen writer Lesley Stockton breaks down the pros and cons of Dutch ovens, slow cookers, and pressure cookers, including when an Instant Pot makes sense and why she prefers a stovetop pressure cooker. She also shares some of her favori...

Mediocre slippers trap sweat, lose their shape, or wear through after just a few months. The good news is that there are plenty of options that will keep your feet perfectly toasty and last for years. Wirecutter senior editor Jen Hunter explains how to choose between shearling, felted wool, synthetic fleece, and cotton. She elaborates on when to go for rubber soles over soft bottoms, and how repla...

It’s no secret that Wirecutter has great advice for cleaning just about anything in your home. And now all that great advice is collected into Wirecutter’s first book: How to Clean Everything .  For the past two years, our co-host Christine Cyr Clisset has combed through Wirecutter’s extensive cleaning coverage to build the ultimate manual, which you can now pre-order (it officially publishes...

From sleep trackers to self-pay bloodwork and full-body MRIs, health tracking has exploded in popularity. These tools promise to potentially catch diseases earlier, so that you can live a happier and healthier life. But can they deliver?   This week, we’re turning the tables to interview Wirecutter Show co-host Christine Cyr Clisset about her six-month experiment tracking her health 24/7. She...

Apple just released their first foldable phone, the $2,000 iPhone Duo. Foldable phones promise to give you a smartphone and a tablet in one device, with a bigger screen for reading, streaming, and multitasking. But with a price tag that high, are they actually worth it?  Senior tech editor Caitlin McGarry and staff tech writer Brenda Stoylar break down what Apple has improved with the Duo, wh...

It’s easy to forget to wear sunscreen in the fall and winter, but the sun’s rays can still cause skin damage–like aging and skin cancer–even on cold and cloudy days. That’s why it’s important to find a sunscreen you’ll happily wear year-round.    Wirecutter health writer Nancy Redd joins us to explain what to look for in a face sunscreen and how to find one that feels good on your skin....

If you’ve ever found yourself cranking the volume on a movie to hear the dialogue, only to be blasted by the next explosion, you’re not alone. Televisions today produce subpar sound quality. That’s why a good soundbar–basically a compact stereo system–can instantly upgrade your home television experience.    Wirecutter audio expert Brent Butterworth joins us to explain how soundbars work...

This week, we’re re-airing a conversation about how to travel for less. We dive into the best tried-and-true strategies for stretching your travel budget.   Elaine Glusac, a longtime travel journalist and The Frugal Traveler columnist at The New York Times , joins us to share her best money-saving hacks, from timing your flight purchases just right, to negotiating directly with Airbnb hosts.&...

It can be tough finding a great pair of rain boots that suits your style, feels good to wear for hours on end, and that will actually hold up season after rainy season. But it’s not impossible. This episode, outdoor gear writer Kyle Fitzgerald  explains what makes a well-designed rain boot. Drawing on years of real-world testing through floods, mud, and city downpours, Kyle shares top picks f...

Out of the thousands of products Wirecutter tests, only a small fraction ever earn the title of "top pick." Some of these products continue to impress us year after year, proving to be more durable and delightful than the competition.    To celebrate these iconic products, Wirecutter introduced its first-ever Hall of Fame award, honoring 50 items that have remained top recommendations fo...

You don’t need to settle for sad sandwiches and wilted salads for lunch. This episode,  Wirecutter kitchen editor Gabriella Gershenson explains how the right lunch box can help you pack a midday meal that you or your kids will actually be happy to tuck into.   We discuss how to choose between bentos, insulated totes, salad containers, and thermoses for both kids and adults. Some boxes ar...

Do you have something that you always fight about with your spouse, partner, or housemate? Maybe you’re convinced you know the right way to load the dishwasher… or brighten laundry… but your partner disagrees?  The Wirecutter Show wants to hear about your household skirmishes. Cleaning… cooking… laundry… bathroom habits… lighting and decor! All of it. Tell us what your household disagrees on...

The right  pillow can make the difference between waking up refreshed and waking up with a sore neck. But given you usually can’t try before you buy, it can be surprisingly difficult to figure out which pillow will actually work for you.   Wirecutter sleep writer Shaena Montanari explains how to choose a pillow based on your sleep position, what makes a pillow supportive, and how to tell...

While "digital detoxing" is a trending topic online, actually cutting back on screen time can be surprisingly difficult. If you feel constantly distracted by notifications popping up on your phone, or you can’t stop mindlessly scrolling, some simple strategies can help.   This episode, Wirecutter tech writer Brenda Stolyar discusses how to reset your relationship with your phone and reclaim y...

Many parents and caregivers struggle to manage their kids’ use of technology. Whether it’s an elementary schooler binging YouTube shorts or a teen dealing with social media-induced anxiety, the struggles are real. In a recent Wirecutter reader survey, only 9% of parents said they felt confident managing their kids' tech use, and many felt overwhelmed by screen addiction and "brain rot" content. &n...

Applying mascara or eyeliner can be difficult even when you don't have a disability. For people with arthritis, tremors, low vision, or other mobility issues, beauty routines can feel nearly impossible.   This episode, Wirecutter beauty writer Ayanna Redwood-Crawford explains how accessible makeup tools can make those routines easier for everyone. She shares what makes a makeup tool genuinely...

We all know we should eat more veggies, but sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe you're too busy for endless chopping, stumped by an unfamiliar root vegetable, or juggling guests or family members with conflicting dietary restrictions.    This episode, Tanya Sichynsky, editor for the Food and Cooking sections at The New York Times, and author of The Veggie newsletter and YouTube show ,...

Pickles are a polarizing subject. Some people want a cold, crunchy dill straight from the fridge, while others swear by a sour pickle or a sweet, spicy relish. And if you've ever wondered whether you can make better pickles at home, there's a whole world of canning and fermentation to explore.   In this episode recorded live at the Minnesota State Fair, Wirecutter kitchen writer Maki Yazawa s...

Finding a bra that fits well can feel like an impossible combination of measurements, brands, cup sizes, and personal preferences. Even knowing your usual size doesn't guarantee that a bra will feel comfortable or provide the support you need.   This episode, Wirecutter senior staff writer Zoe Vanderweide breaks down what a bra is actually supposed to do, and how to tell when one fits properl...

Before you dump your veggie peels and coffee grounds into the trash, consider the many reasons to compost. Keeping food waste out of landfills reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while nutrient-rich compost helps sequester carbon and rejuvenates soil. You’ll also likely need to empty your regular trash less frequently. For many people, the biggest barrier to composting is simply getting started. &nb...

Using a bidet may seem a little intimidating to some, but to others it's a way of life.    In this episode, we’re reairing  a conversation with Wirecutter senior staff writer and bidet-convert Doug Mahoney. He explains why these modern fixtures that wash your bum are a game-changer for hygiene. You’ll learn about how they work, what to look for when buying one, and some of Wirecutte...

Buying a mattress can often be a boring, expensive task. And the mattress industry doesn't make it easy: Prices are constantly changing, brands use confusing terminology, and permanent “sales” can make it hard to know what's a real discount.   In this episode, Wirecutter senior staff writer Elise Czajkowski explains when to look for deals and how to negotiate a better price when you're ready...

It’s easy to overlook the conditioner sitting in your shower. But the right conditioner can do so much for your hair, like add moisture and shine, reduce frizz, and make hair easier to detangle. Yet the wrong one can leave your hair greasy or weighed down.   In this episode, Wirecutter beauty writer Amanda Rosenthal explains how conditioner actually works and how to choose one based on your hair t...

Trader Joe's is beloved for its quirky snacks and frozen meals, but its beauty aisle has quietly become a hotspot for budget-friendly skincare and viral "dupes".    This week, beauty writer Neha Tandon shares the results of her extensive hands-on testing of Trader Joe’s moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens. She reveals which $10-and-under products are high-performing gems and which popu...

Whether you're trying to soften wrinkles, fade dark circles, or depuff tired morning eyes, a good eye cream can help. But you need to pick one that’s actually meant to address your skin concerns.   In this episode, senior beauty writer Abbie Kozolchyk explains precisely what to look for in an eye cream. She breaks down the specific ingredients to look for depending on your personal skin concerns,...