The Wirecutter Show

Wirecutter’s staff tests thousands of products every year, and of that mountain of items a few always stick out as the best of the best. To close out 2025, we asked our experts to share the things they loved most–and what they think would make great holiday gifts.    Whether you’re still finishing up your holiday shopping or you’re just here to soak up some end-of-year delight, this roundup is ful...

At Wirecutter, we have tons of advice about the practical side of the holiday season: giving gifts, preparing meals, hosting friends and family. But the emotional side of holiday gatherings can be even tougher. So, we invited Mel Robbins, host of The Mel Robbins Podcast , and author of The Let Them Theory , to walk us through her tools for keeping your cool through heated, holiday moments.    With...

Baking a show-stopping pie for Thanksgiving can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton, who has baked hundreds of pies and spent years testing kitchen gear, joins us to share her hard-won wisdom—from the best pie plates and rolling pins to foolproof tips for flaky crusts.   Lesley explains how to overcome baking anxiety, what tools are worth in...

Buying used can be a great way to save money and find  unique items—but it takes a sharp eye to find the real gems. And you need to be savvy to get a good price, as some vintage furniture and clothing can cost more than new items (and you can’t return them!).   In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter senior staff writer Ivy Elrod, who has spent years navigating secondhand marketplaces. Ivy walks...

Holiday shopping this season may look different than years past, as tariffs gradually increase prices on everything from electronics to kids’ toys. If you usually wait until Black Friday to find deep discounts, you may want to update your strategy this year.    Wirecutter’s deputy editor Annemarie Conte joins us to discuss how tariffs are impacting the prices on a range of goods, and how to plan f...

If you’ve ever put off a home repair because you didn’t know where to start—or felt overwhelmed by the wall of tools at the hardware store—this episode is for you.   In this Wirecutter Show bonus episode, we chat with senior staff writer and tool expert Doug Mahoney, who’s spent years testing everything from screwdrivers to power drills. Doug breaks down exactly which tools you need to build your...

Long before Nick Offerman became the mustached, straight-faced Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation , he was a woodworker. Growing up in Minooka, Illinois, he described his childhood home as “ Little House on the Prairie” —a place where everyone made their own things, carefully crafting furniture, clothing, and tools by hand.   And as a skilled woodworker and general handy person, Nick appreciates...

If your computer has been slowing down or showing its age, you might not need to replace it just yet. Wirecutter senior staff writer Kimber Streams, who covers laptops and accessories, shares practical steps for reviving an old machine—and how to tell when it’s finally time for an upgrade.   Kimber explains what causes computers to slow down over time, the simplest DIY fixes that can make a big di...

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should filter your drinking water, this is the episode for you. Wirecutter senior staff writer Tim Heffernan, who covers air and water filtration, shares practical steps for deciding whether to filter your water.    Tim discusses the most common contaminants you should watch out for, how municipalities filter your drinking water, and when it might be worth ponyi...

This week, we’re exploring how to travel for less, and in this episode we discuss how to smartly augment a travel budget with credit card points.    Brian Kelly—founder of The Points Guy and author of How to Win at Travel –pulls back the curtain on exactly how these programs work, the crucial pitfalls to avoid, and the little-known strategies for scoring the best deals on flights and hotel rooms. ...

This week, we’re exploring 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.    She also explains how t...

We’re planning a special episode with Vaughn Vreeland from the NYT Cooking Team all about COOKIES!  Vaughn is coming out with a new cookie cookbook in October–so he’s the perfect person to answer your toughest cookie-baking questions.  Are you wondering whether certain baking gear is worth the investment?  Are you looking for a special cookie that will impress?  Is there a recipe you want advice o...

Chef and cookbook author Samin Nosrat, best known for Salt Fat Acid Heat , joins us to talk about her new book Good Things —and how she keeps cooking joyful, even in a small home kitchen.   She shares the tools she relies on daily, the condiments that transform simple meals, and her approach to entertaining without burning out.   This episode covers:  How she organizes her tiny kitchen: Borrowing...

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep from any fuel-burning appliance. If undetected, it can also be a silent killer–which is why most experts consider it crucial to have a CO detector in your home. Yet, many hotels, motels, and vacation houses aren’t required to have CO detectors. While the risk of CO poisoning on a trip is low compared to something like a car crash, it can s...

This week, we get 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.    Jackie Reeve, Wirecutter’s in-house sheets expert, enlightens us on everything you need to know to invest in a great set you’ll be happy with for years.   This episode covers: Percale vs sateen: Percale and sateen are terms that describe h...

Apple’s September iPhone event usually comes and goes with only minor tweaks to the lineup. This year feels a little different. Alongside the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, Apple unveiled its first-ever iPhone Air—a super-thin model that promises Pro-level features without the massive price tag.   In this bonus episode, Christine talks with senior staff writer Brenda Stolyar, who’s been testin...

You’ve likely heard the adage that "sitting is the new smoking." Basically, that sitting all day at work or elsewhere is one of the most harmful things you can do for your health.    But is it really all that bad?    In this episode, we talk with Molly Mirhashem, an editor from the New York Times Well Desk, about the health risks of being too sedentary, what you should know about “dead butt syndro...

Trader Joe’s is more than a grocery store; it’s a cultural phenomenon with a fiercely loyal fan base. But with shelves full of ever-changing products, which ones are actually worth the hype?   In this episode, associate staff writer Antara Sinha on the kitchen team shares Wirecutter’s picks for the 18 best Trader Joe’s items, explains how TJ’s keeps prices low, and reveals why your favorite snack...

Fall can be bittersweet—you may be coming home from vacation and settling back into your routines, but you also want to soak up the last of the warm weather before the winter comes. An e-bike might seem like a tempting compromise for an affordable, but adventurous and outdoorsy commute.    In this bonus episode, Wirecutter Senior Editor and bike expert Chris Ryan tells us what an e-bike is, which...

Oral health is about more than just a pretty smile; it's also connected to your overall health and well-being.   In this episode, senior staff writer and toothbrush fanatic Nancy Redd explains how to brush properly, whether a manual or electric toothbrush is right for you, and how to find the best toothbrush for your family, no matter the budget. She shares surprising tips about oral hygiene and h...

More than 100 million Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of noise daily. To help you protect yourself and those you love, we’re re-airing this episode on how  to determine if you’re at risk of hearing loss and what you can do about it.   Lauren Dragan, Wirecutter’s longtime senior writer covering headphones and audio equipment, walks us through the health issues linked to noise pollution, h...

Using a bidet may seem a little intimidating to some, but to others it's a way of life.    In this episode, senior staff writer and bidet-convert Doug Mahoney explains why these modern fixtures that wash your bum are a game-changer for hygiene. He shares how they work, what to look for when buying one, and his top recommendations for every budget.    This episode covers:   How to choose between co...

If you’ve ever suspected your smart devices are spying on you, you’re right. In this episode, Jon Chase, Wirecutter's supervising editor for smart home coverage, reveals how even everyday devices you may not consider "smart" are monitoring you. They’re collecting data to build a profile that can then be sold to the highest bidder.   The conversation covers:   The devices collecting your data: Any...

Natural disasters are becoming more intense and unpredictable. To help you prepare, we’re re-airing this episode on how to build a disaster kit. Wirecutter also just published a handy tool to help you customize an emergency kit specific to your needs, an article on preparing a disaster pantry , and guidance on choosing a generator .     In this episode, Harry Sawyers, who edits Wirecutter’s extens...

This episode, senior kitchen writer Michael Sullivan demystifies all things olive oil. He shares how to navigate the overwhelming olive oil aisle, what “extra virgin” really means, and the best way to store this kitchen staple so it will stay fresh (and won’t go rancid).   Whether you're an olive oil aficionado or just looking to improve your everyday cooking, this episode is packed with essential...