A lot of us are slouchers. We hunch over our desk 40 hours a week and bend awkwardly toward our phones the rest of the time. If reading that just made you adjust your shoulders, it’s time to work on your posture, because bad posture doesn’t just cause temporary pain and stiffness, it could be permanently affecting our back health.
After seeing far too many photos of myself with a horrible slouch—my shoulders fully rounded over, my stomach somehow pushed forward while my hips are pushed back—I wonder why anyone has ever voluntarily spoken to me in public. Good posture doesn’t come naturally to me, so I decided to do something about it.
These are the best posture correctors we’ve tried. None of these options will fix your problems overnight, and while they may be uncomfortable at first, they should be pain-free. Start by using them 10 to 20 minutes a day, and add time as you go (and listen to the product’s directions). If you have severe back pain, a hump, or scoliosis, talk to your physician before trying any posture correctors.
Updated July 2024: We’ve added our new favorite laptop stand from Branch and more information about the Forme Power Bra.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Our Research and Testing
I’ve been testing posture correctors since 2020, including gadgets and gizmos that vibrate when you slouch, full back braces with lumbar support, and shoulder straps. Whatever the product, I use it every day for at least two weeks, following the instructions closely—you should typically start with only 10 minutes a day.
After testing gadgets meant to remind you to sit up straight, as well as strapping on braces that force the wearer into proper position, I think it’s clear that the former is the better option. You don’t want to make matters worse by relying on something that’s actually weakening your muscles instead of learning new habits. That doesn’t mean braces are never an option, and we have some more information below on how to use them. But consider trying the Upright Go first, and if you work at a desk, create a proper ergonomic setup.
It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, but you can save some cash and go with the Snapdragon X Plus (the 15-inch model only comes with the Elite). I tested the Elite, and the performance has been perfectly smooth no matter how many windows, tabs, and apps I have open. This is not a machine for graphics-intensive tasks, like video editing or gaming, but it’s perfectly capable of powering all the usual kinds of tasks most people do on a laptop.
It’s worth noting that these are ARM-based processors, meaning traditional Windows apps built for the x86 Intel architecture will require native ARM versions to be truly optimized for the system. There are tons of native ARM apps available already, including Microsoft’s own suite of apps, Google Chrome, Spotify, and Zoom. If you use more niche Windows apps, check if there’s an ARM version or if it will work with Microsoft’s Prism translation layer, which allows these nonnative apps to run.
The native apps worked fine for the most part, though I had one hiccup with Zoom where I could only enter meetings through a direct link. Nonnative apps like Telegram and Slack also gave me no trouble. One of the benefits of ARM processors is battery life, and it’s excellent here on the Surface Laptop. After about six to seven hours, at 50 percent brightness, I still had between 20 and 30 percent left.
The AI features aren’t as innovative as Microsoft claims them to be. I found it tough to incorporate any into my daily workflow. Cocreator (which uses generative AI to deliver an enhanced image of your drawing) struggled to fully match the prompts I’d type in and feels awkward to use without a stylus; Live Captions, which gives instant real-time translation across video and audio calls as well as movies, was accurate for the most part but had a hard time keep up with quick dialog; Eye Contact via Windows Studio Effects, the AI-powered camera features, didn’t work at all and instead made my pupils look weird. The most practical feature is Recall, which uses large language models to help pull up anything you’ve seen or done on your PC with a search query, but it’s been delayed due to major privacy issues.
You shouldn’t buy this laptop for any of those AI features. It’s a solid machine if you’re looking for a lightweight and reliable Windows PC with good battery life. It can get expensive though—the base model 13-inch Surface Laptop with the Snapdragon X Elite (with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage) starts at $1,400 and the highest configuration (with a Snapdragon X Elite, 64 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage) comes out to $2,400. If you don’t need that much power, the model equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus model (along with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage) for $1,000 should be plenty for most.
Specs to look for: 13-inch, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, 16 GB of RAM, 512-GB SSD
Best 2-in-1 Laptop
The Surface Pro (11th Edition) (6/10, WIRED Review) features the original Surface design. The 13-inch 2-in-1 tablet and laptop hybrid comes with a built-in kickstand, though the keyboard remains a separate purchase. You get the same two USB-C connectors as before along with Microsoft’s Surface Connect charging port. It’s still awkward to use in a lap, but on a desk, the new Flex Keyboard is an excellent (and pricey) upgrade—you can use the keyboard and Surface separately, so you can space your setup out a little.
It comes equipped with a front-facing 12-MP camera with Windows Studio Effects along with a rear-facing 10-MP camera. WIRED contributor Chris Null encountered an issue with the trackpad, which would frequently stop working when the laptop woke up from sleep. Detaching and reattaching the keyboard from the screen helped, as well as using the touchscreen to select a field to type something into, but hopefully, a software update can fix this.
Using an Eero mesh system without the Eero Plus subscription limits you to a basic set of options. You can schedule Wi-Fi downtime, set up a guest network, and use your Eero as a smart home hub. That might be enough for most, but here’s what you get if you subscribe. First, it’s worth noting that Eero used to offer a two-tiered subscription. Eero Secure was $3 per month or $30 per year and included advanced security, content filtering, ad-blocking, activity insights, and VIP support. Eero Secure+ was $10 per month or $100 per year and added third-party apps 1Password (password manager), Encrypt.me (VPN), and Malwarebytes (antivirus), as well as DDNS for remote network access.
Select internet service providers still offer Eero Secure, but the only option for everyone else is the rebranded Eero Plus, which includes everything listed above for $10 per month or $100 per year. The subscription also now includes Internet Backup, which allows you to add secondary backup networks (alternative Wi-Fi or hotspot connections) that the system can use, should your main Wi-Fi network go down.
Eero Plus is relatively expensive considering features like parental controls and real-time security are often provided for free by router manufacturers like Asus and Linksys. If you need the bundled apps, Eero Plus is arguably worth it, but even if it’s the only way to get the best Eero experience, it’s hard to justify such a high cost. Thankfully, in keeping with the brand ethos, everything is super easy to use, and the parental controls are among the best. Keep an eye out for the frequent discount offers. If you feel the subscription cost is too high, we suggest you choose a different mesh system.
Not every good product can snag a best-in-category title, but there are several more bags we’ve tested that get our thumbs-up.
Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200: This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. Standout features include an interior fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.
Osprey Ozone 40L for $280: At 4.47 pounds, Osprey claims this bag is the lightest carry-on suitcase. It’s also made from 400D recycled bluesign-approved nylon and is treated with DWR. This bag is light enough to easily hoist above my head and has also been checked multiple times.
Gregory Alpaca 40 Duffel for $140: This duffel weighs a scant 2.7 pounds, but the water-resistant fabric and extraordinarily beefy (though plastic) buckles make it a solid bag for adventuring. There’s an exterior pocket for storing shoes or dirty clothes. The backpack straps don’t tuck away for storage—you have to unclip them—but might be the most well-padded, comfortable straps I’ve encountered on a duffel. Exterior daisy chains and an interior zippered pocket round out the impressive features list.
Land’s End Waxed Canvas Duffel for $180: Most duffel bags these days are made of nylon, and while it’s tough to call a material that’s been popular since the 1940s “modern,” nylon bags don’t have the old-school charm that this waxed canvas bag does.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L for $107: This bag weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than air. It also has backpack straps that stow away in a front pocket.
Skyway Epic Carry-On for $80: At 7.1 pounds, the Epic is an average weight. The handle is a wee bit more finicky than our top pick, and the Travelpro’s wheels glide a little more nicely. Still, the Epic is a solid choice.
Target Signature Weekender Bag for $81: Looking like a cross between a duffel and a handbag, the Weekender has a structure that product reviewer Louryn Strampe says can become overfilled, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring it onto a plane as a carry-on. She appreciates its durability and the many internal pockets for organization, though, and its rather long five-year warranty.
Solgaard Carry-On Closet Plus for $275: It’s a tiny bit over what most airlines list as the maximum dimensions, but the difference is so small that it’s accepted 95 percent of the time. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe praises its optional clip-in closet clothing organizer, which makes for efficient packing. The built-in TSA lock is easy to use, and there’s an internal power-bank pocket. This suitcase is included in our Favorite Recycled Products guide.
We test tons of tablets every year. Here are a few others we like, just not as much as our picks above.
iPad Mini (2021, 6th Gen) for $469: Want something a little bigger than your phone, but still pocketable and easy to travel with? The 8.3-inch iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) should be up your alley. You get a compact tablet with a modern look. It has the A15 Bionic processor, the same powering the iPhone 13 range, and Touch ID embedded inside the power button. It also features Center Stage in the camera, which will adjust the frame to keep you in the shot, and USB-C for charging. It’s unbelievably small and cute, and you can attach the second-gen Apple Pencil to it for on-the-go sketching. It’s worth noting that Apple is expected to announce a successor either in September or early 2025, so if you are in no rush, it’s worth waiting.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus for $529: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the “Fan Edition” version of the flagship Tab S9 series, which essentially means it makes some sacrifices for a more palatable price. It comes in a Plus and standard variant—I tested the former—and both include a stylus. It performed much better than the older Tab S7 FE tablet I tested, with not many stutters. The 12.4-inch LCD screen is vast and a rarity to find at this price in the world of Android tablets, but it’s a bit tricky to comfortably hold, especially when you’re browsing apps in bed. I still prefer the OnePlus Pad and Pixel Tablet over it, especially at this price.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series for $600: Whether it’s the Tab S8, Tab S8+, or Tab S8 Ultra, it’s always smart to buy the previous flagship tablets when they go on sale. (Make sure you don’t pay MSRP!) They’re not that different from the newer Tab S9 series, except the smallest slate is stuck with an LCD panel here instead of AMOLED, and there is no IP68 water resistance rating. You still get a stylus that magnetically sticks to the back of the tablet, Samsung’s DeX mode to get some work done, and long software support.
Barnes & Noble Nook 9-Inch Lenovo Tablet for $150: Want a cheap Android tablet with the Google Play Store (aka, not an Amazon Fire Tablet)? Check out the new Nook from Lenovo and Barnes & Noble (6/10, WIRED Review). It runs Android 13 and isn’t a very powerful machine, but it’s adequate for browsing social media, reading, and catching up on some shows.
TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G for $240: You can only buy this TCL slate if you are a Verizon customer, which is disappointing, but it’s an otherwise pretty nice Android tablet for the money. The star of the show here is TCL’s Nxtpaper technology, which offers a matte, glare-free display that’s easy on the eyes. It does have a backlight, unlike some previous versions, so you can use it in any lighting. Performance has been pretty solid overall, I haven’t seen too much lag as I browse the web or scroll through Instagram, and it has excellent standby battery life. The 5G option is a nice touch if you want connectivity wherever you go.
TCL Tab Pro 5G Android Tablet for $400: This model is slightly older but it has better specs, with a 2K-resolution LCD screen. Its speakers are nice, as is performance—it ran all the usual apps just fine. However, the 10-inch screen size isn’t large enough to make some apps split into two columns when in a vertical orientation. At least you get a fingerprint scanner. It’s only available through Verizon.
If you have an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch, congrats! You have the holy trinity of Apple products. But keeping all these gadgets powered up can be annoying, since they all have individual cables and proprietary charging solutions. Why deal with all that hassle when a single 3-in-1 wireless charger can accommodate everything? Our Best Wireless Chargers guide has a few recommendations, but many more great docking systems exist for Apple devices. After years of testing, these are our favorites.
Updated July 2024: We added chargers from Belkin, Twelve South, Mophie, Nomad, Anker, Woodie, Satechi, Raycon, and others, more details on specs and what is included, removed some older devices, and updated prices.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
A Quick Primer on MagSafe
Most of the wireless chargers in this guide are MagSafe wireless chargers. That means they take advantage of the magnets embedded in the back of the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 range. I cannot stress this enough: If you buy a case, ensure it is aMagSafe case. We have several third-party options in the linked case guides above. A normal iPhone case will weaken the pull of the magnets in the device and will not stick to MagSafe accessories well.
What’s the point of MagSafe? You don’t have to worry about misalignment with the wireless charger, meaning you won’t wake up to a dead iPhone. Technically, this perfect alignment means chargers can provide faster 15-watt charging, but Apple has restricted this perk to select products from a few brands. MagSafe is available in the AirPods charging case as well (depending on your model). Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro with the wireless charging case will work with nearly all of the standard Qi wireless charging pads on these chargers (as will many third-party wireless earbuds), but if you have AirPods with MagSafe, then you can hook it up to the magnetic mounts as well. If you don’t have a MagSafe iPhone, then your device won’t be able to attach to these chargers, though we do have some recommendations for older iPhones (and the iPhone SE).
I’ve tested a ton of scooters. Not all of them deserve a spot above, but some are still worth considering. These are a few other good scooters I like, just not as much as the ones above.
MiniMotors USA Dualtron Mini Special for $1,399: The instructions to assemble this scooter are vague, and a few steps aren’t even mentioned in the instruction booklet. (I found the handlebar grip hard to put on—rubbing alcohol is your friend.) This is also the first time I tried the MiniMotors Dualtron app, and honestly, it’s not beginner-friendly. None of the terms and functions are well explained. It’s not a scooter I’d suggest for newcomers, but once you get everything up and running, the riding experience is quite nice. It has a top speed of 35 mph, and while the company claims a 40-mile range, you can expect closer to 25 to 30 miles. It’ll handle slopes just fine, but I do find it weird that despite being fairly hefty (59 pounds), it has a max load capacity of 200 pounds.
Segway P100S for $1,500: This Segway (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is 73 pounds but has a max speed of 24 mph, so it’s a little less intense than the Apollo or Dualtron Mini Special. At that speed, I was able to get 16 miles in with 35 percent left in the tank. If you limit the speed to 20 via the app, you should easily be able to get close to 20 or 25 miles. I just hate the loud turn signal.
Fluidfreeride Fluid Mosquito for $849: If the lightweight Unagi Model One Voyager doesn’t interest you but you still want an ultra-lightweight scooter, then check out the Fluid Mosquito (7/10, WIRED Recommends). At just 29 pounds, it’s one of the lightest scooters in this guide and has a comfy, built-in grab handle for easy toting. It’s fast to fold and is powerful, with a top speed of 24 mph. But shaving down the weight on this nimble scooter does have drawbacks. The suspension is just OK—you’ll feel most of those bumps—and the wheels are narrow. The braking system works fine, but you might encounter some skidding if you make a sudden stop, and the range is lackluster (around 9 miles in my testing, going over the Brooklyn Bridge). There’s also no easy way to change speed modes on the fly; you set it before you ride.
Niu KQi Air for $1,399: I was so excited to test this scooter, but my experience with it over several months is mixed. I still like it, but a few quirks hold it back from being a top pick. The KQi Air has a carbon fiber frame, allowing it to be a mere 26 pounds with a 20-mph top speed. That makes it the lightest scooter I have ever tested. It’s easy to fold and has turn signals, a slick app, and reliable regenerative braking. The range is a bit lackluster—I usually got just under 10 miles on a single charge, but it’s so lightweight that when it died on my way home once, I strapped it to a Citi Bike’s front basket and cycled home (don’t do this!). The ride quality is great, but I had issues with it refusing to connect to my phone until I disconnected the internal power cable in the stem. There’s a theft protection that sounds an alarm and slows down the scooter if someone tries to roll it away, but bizarrely, while you can permanently turn off the alarm, the only way to stop it from braking as you roll it is to turn the scooter on. My initial model also stopped working completely and wouldn’t turn on, so Niu had to send me a second model. Oh, and sometimes, during rides, the scooter slows down and doesn’t hit its top speed until a few minutes later. I suspect there’s some thermal issue causing this. Overall, there’s a lot of promise, but it’s just annoying.
TurboAnt M10 Lite for $290: This is a perfectly fine budget scooter best for folks under 200 pounds. (I wasn’t able to hit its top speed of 16 mph.) The assembly requires a few extra steps (more things to screw in, like the rear mudguard). I was only able to get around 8 miles riding it, but I like that the folding system is quick, the display is bright, and it’s pretty light at 31 pounds. Just don’t take it up any steep hills.
Gotrax Apex for $350: The Apex is 32 pounds and easy to fold up. It has an integrated bell and a digital display that shows your speed and battery life, and it can go up to 15 mph. The Apex is reliable—I’ve gone to coffee shops, remote video shoots with a backpack full of camera gear, and the grocery store—though it’s not the smoothest ride. The 250-watt motor struggles with any slight incline, and slopes drain the battery fast. The battery usually doled out around 9 miles for me. I’m also tall, and I had to constantly outstretch my arms to reach the handlebars. You’ll want to tighten the rear disc brake; it works fine, but I wouldn’t have minded more stopping power.
Gotrax GX2 for $1,499: The GX2 is akin to the Apollo Phantom and Segway P100S in that it’s 76 pounds and packs a lot of power and range. This gunmetal scooter looks a bit like a Transformer and can hit a max speed of 35 mph via the dual 800-watt motors, but I usually rode it at 20 mph. It took me to midtown and back to Brooklyn (a total of 18.4 miles) with some juice left over. I hate carrying it up and down the stairs, because the stem is super thick, making it difficult to grasp. When you’re waiting at a light, the GX2 also switches to Parking mode after a few seconds, so you constantly have to remember to press the mode button to switch it to the driving gear. It’s super annoying, and Gotrax says there’s no way to disable it. I am a little concerned about build quality—the motor makes a noise as if something is brushing against it, and this sound disappears if I lightly press the left brake lever while riding. The latch to keep the stem upright comes down too easily, despite a sliding lock mechanism to keep it in place; Gotrax says it might just be that it’s installed too tightly. If you see any of these issues, I recommend reaching out to Gotrax and going to a local scooter shop to have them take a look.
Navee S65 for $1,099: Navee is a relatively new brand growing its presence in the US, and I had a great time using the S65 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). I was able to regularly complete 16-mile round trips at 20 mph, but that pretty much depleted the battery. It has great acceleration, thanks to its geared hub motor, and it climbs slopes with ease, but this also makes it very loud. The motor’s sound disappears if you’re in a noisy city like New York, but it can make you self-conscious on quiet streets. It’s 53 pounds, so it’s heavier than our top pick despite a similar range, and its customer service is up in the air since it’s so new. Still, I had fun riding it.
Evolv Terra for $1,231: I enjoyed my time with the Evolv Terra (7/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s 53 pounds and thanks to the thin stem, not too annoying to carry. It’s powerful, with the potential to go as fast as 31 miles per hour when you engage both 600-watt motors (check your local speed laws first!). Otherwise, you can cruise along at 20 mph as I did on the second gear speed setting (there are three in total) with the single motor. Range is pretty average, with around two bars left on the meter after 15 miles, so it can potentially last more than 20 miles, especially if you’re conservative with its speeds. The suspension is OK but the solid tires on rougher roads can feel quite bumpy. The fenders also seemed pretty useless to me as, after a wet ride post-rain, my back was covered in specks of dirt kicked up from the rear tire. The stem’s angle was also a little too close to my body, and the lack of a thumb throttle meant my wrist hurt after long rides. You can tweak the angle of the throttle and brakes to improve this though.
Radio Flyer S533 for $599: Honestly, I’m surprised at how well this scooter did in my tests. The folding mechanism is just a latch and a sleeve you pull down to keep the latch from coming undone while you ride. It’s super easy to fold and unfold, and lightweight at 30 pounds. It’s not a commuter scooter by any means—my range hovered under 8 miles on a single charge—and despite exceeding its 220-pound load capacity, I averaged around 14 mph of its 16 mph top speed. It’s a nice little scooter for going to the post office, grocery store, or Cinnabon when my wife asks for a cinnamon roll. However, its price doesn’t match its power and performance; it should be cheaper. It’s also worth noting that the first model the company sent me didn’t turn on and the second model had a deflated front tire. Inflating it was a quick affair and I haven’t had problems since.
Apollo Air Pro (2022) for $899: I have not tested the new 2024 model, but the Apollo Air Pro (2022) was a perfectly fine scooter (6/10, WIRED Review); I just don’t think it’s worth the high price. It goes up to 21 mph, and I was able to ride it for about 13 to 15 miles before it died. You get all the accouterments, like a front light and bell, and there’s app connectivity to tweak settings to your liking. However, the app is required to unlock the Air Pro’s true speed—otherwise, you’re restricted to 12 mph. I’m more miffed at the folding mechanism, which is more work than it should be. It also doesn’t accelerate too fast and, despite its 39-pound weight, is uncomfortable to carry due to its thick stem.
“You’re always mooooving,” a parent friend once said in my direction, as he rapidly disappeared over the horizon. As the working parent of two kids, I … don’t disagree. Luxurious over-the-ear headphones are great if you primarily use headphones at work or for meetings, but for the rest of your life—working out, traveling, or puttering around your house pretending you’re putting things away—you probably want something much more convenient and durable.
Since I started testing workout headphones years ago, the sound, comfort, variety, and features have all improved dramatically. I pretty much always have a pair on or around me during the day, whether I’m biking on errands, running, rock climbing, or following along to mildly embarrassing yoga videos on my laptop in my bedroom. If you also need the distraction of music or podcasts while scrambling up stony slopes or mowing your lawn, here are a bunch of WIRED’s favorite pairs. We’ve worn and sweated on all of them. Don’t see anything you like? Check out our Best Wirefree Earbuds, Best Cheap Headphones, Best Bluetooth Speakers, or any of our other buying guides for more.
Updated June 2024: We added the Jabra Elite 8 Gen 2, the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers, and the Shokz OpenSwim Pro. We also updated links and pricing throughout.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a1-year subscription toWIREDfor $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
The Meta Quest 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a massive improvement over its predecessor in almost every category—save price. It has improved specs across the board—slightly higher resolution, a faster processor, more RAM, and the option for up to 512 GB of internal storage—but the biggest change is mixed reality upgrade. The previous model, the Quest 2, had external-facing cameras for orienting itself in the world and a pass-through feature that lets you see the room you’re in to avoid obstacles. But the Quest 3 takes it several steps further, making immersive AR core to the experience.
For starters, the pass-through cameras can now show you a color image instead of black and white. It’s also slightly higher-resolution, so it’s easier to tell what you’re looking at. It still feels a bit like you’re looking at a 2000s-era YouTube video of your own living room, but it’s worlds better than not being able to see your surroundings at all.
This tech enables some innovative new games and experiences. One of my favorites, PianoVision, is designed to help you learn the piano by overlaying helpful information and even piano rolls onto video of your actual, physical keyboard. It turns practicing the instrument into a Guitar Hero–like experience, and it’s something that wouldn’t be possible with VR alone.
The downside: The Meta Quest 3 is more expensive than the Quest 2 ever was (even after the latter’s midlife price hike). Starting at $500, it’s on par with buying whole game consoles, so it’s not quite an impulse buy, but if you’re looking for the best stand-alone VR headset with the widest library of games and apps that support both VR and mixed reality, the Quest 3 is the headset to beat.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that the company behind it all is Meta (aka Facebook). You might not like that, given Facebook’s less-than-stellarhistory of managing user data (not to mention how that data is used). If you’re in the market for a VR headset, the Meta Quest 3 is still our top pick. Just try not to buy too many things from the Meta Store. Stick to purchases on a more stable marketplace, like Steam (which also supports the Quest 2).
Supports room-scale VR, pass-through mixed reality, can operate with or without a PC, and comes with two controllers.
Figuring out the right connections you need for your setup can be daunting, and the confusing, arcane USB terminology only makes it worse. You can check out our explainer on parsing USB terms in our Best USB Hubs guide. For the short version, here are the basics you should keep in mind:
Check your ports’ speeds, and don’t rely on version numbers. For a lot of confusing reasons, ports labeled as USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 can all have the same speed or wildly different speeds. For this reason, docking station manufacturers have recently started opting to add speeds (usually written like “5 Gbps”) directly onto individual ports. Use these ports for transferring heavy amounts of data, and slower ports for things like your keyboard and mouse.
Thunderbolt is best for lightning-fast data transfers, or high-res displays. Thunderbolt is like a supercharged version of USB, and it even uses USB-C ports. However, Thunderbolt ports are capable of transferring massive amounts of data. This makes it ideal for things like moving uncompressed video files around, as well as things like 4K (or even 8K) displays or lower-resolution monitors with extra high refresh rates.
Keep in mind your power needs. Most laptop docking stations will have some form of power connector and USB Power Delivery (or USB-PD) that can send power through to your laptop. You’ll also sometimes see this referred to as “passthrough charging.” Most devices you connect will require their own power as well, especially if you want to connect monitors or charge your phone and tablet. If you plan to connect a lot of power-hungry devices, make sure your docking station can handle your power needs.
The first thing to consider when buying a cooler is how you’re going to use it. If you aren’t heading out for days at a time, you probably don’t need an expensive high-end cooler. All the coolers we’ve recommend above are capable of holding things at a safe temperature for a day, provided you keep them in the shade. Similarly, if you aren’t going to be hiking into a campsite, don’t spend the extra money for a backpack cooler. A wheeled cooler, however, is well worth the investment. Your back will thank you.
Hard-sided coolers: These range from the old green Coleman coolers—once a staple of every camping trip—to Yetis, which cost as much as cars did when Coleman started making coolers. You might wonder why the Yetis are so expensive. That I can’t answer, but Yeti did upend the cooler industry by introducing rotational molding, or “rotomolding,” where melted plastic is molded over foam insulation in one piece. Rotomolded coolers offer seamless, uniform density in their walls and lids, which drastically improves a cooler’s performance. In contrast, those ancient, affordable plastic coolers we’ve all used have thinner walls, leaky seams, and less insulated lids. Whether you need the extra insulation depends on what you’re doing and how hot it is when you’re doing it. Want to learn more? Our In-House Know-It-All has a more thorough insulation explanation.
Hard-sided coolers generally have the luxury features you want, like leakproof lids and drain plugs, and some are even bear-resistant (check this list of bear-proof products if you’re headed into ursine country). The downside is that these coolers are generally huge and heavy.
Soft-sided coolers: Soft-sided coolers include everything from well-padded, impressively insulated sling bags (like the Yeti Hopper Flip above) to roll-down, dry-bag-style coolers perfect for those mild beach days. The best soft coolers are easier to carry, pack away easily when not in use, and have a versatility that traditional hard coolers lack. (I have used dry-bag-style coolers as, well, dry bags.) Ice doesn’t last as long, but for short outings where you don’t need a large cooler, these are what we recommend.
Electric coolers: If you’re headed out on longer adventures and have access to power, these are the way to go. You’ll need some kind of power source, but you’ll never have to worry about your ice melting. There are quite a few of these available now, and I am working on a separate guide for them, but for now I’ve included our top picks here.
Other Features to Look For:
Drain plug: This greatly simplifies life by making it easy to drain the water out of your cooler. If you’re buying a large cooler, make sure it has one of these.
Divider: One of our top tips for long-term cooler use is to have two coolers: One you treat as a fridge and hardly ever open, and another for drinks. If that’s not possible, you can achieve some of the same by getting a cooler with a dividing wall in it. That way you can pack one side tightly with ice to keep that meat at a low temp, and use the other side for chilling beverages with cubed ice.
Wheels: Coolers get heavy and wheels are awesome. They won’t always work (good luck wheeling your cooler over tree roots), but when they do, they are completely worth it.
As writers and testers for WIRED, we spend all day immersed in personal technology of all kinds. It’s probably no surprise that if we work on a computer during the day and enjoy gaming in our downtime, our kids do, too. Reviewer Adrienne So has a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old who attended school remotely and play video games. Reviewer Simon Hill has an 11- and a 14-year-old. Between us, we—well, our kids—have tested most of the kid headphones on the market, including everything we’re recommending here.
These are our top picks, along with some advice—such as why you might want a pair of child-specific headphones. Don’t forget to check out our other parenting guides, such as the Best Kid Tablets and the Best Kid Podcasts. Looking for a pair for yourself? Check out our list of the Best Headphones.
Updated June 2024: We added headphones from Skullcandy, Puro Sound Labs, Razer, and iClever, updated our existing picks, removed some discontinued models, and added a headphone stands section.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
A faucet for Amazon content: If you subscribe to Amazon’s Prime service, you can consume all the included movies, music, TV, and books, shop for all the items you can get with its free two-day shipping, and browse your free Amazon photo storage. You can do most of the same things from an Android tablet or iPad, but the Fire OS interface is crafted specifically to deliver Amazon goods, with swipeable pages for each type of media Amazon sells.
Built “good enough”: Physically, Amazon’s Fire tablets are made of cheap-ish plastic, but they’re designed with enough care that the build quality won’t bother you too much. The Kids Editions are also some of the best-quality tablets for kids, encased in a rugged bumper, and all have microSD slots so you can add extra storage. (We recommend this 128-GB microSD card for $17.) You can make them even more capable by following our guide to installing the Google Play Store on your Fire device. That will give you access to the full range of Android apps. (Note that some apps won’t work, but 99 percent of the apps out there for Android will run just fine.)
Cheap: Did we mention the price? They all cost $200 or less, save the new Max 11. If you stick to the cheaper models though, they’re a great value. You can also get them with Amazon lock-screen ads, which will lower your price by $15.
TIRED
Non-Amazon content is lacking: The greatest strength of these tablets is also their greatest weakness. If you aren’t an Amazon Prime subscriber and don’t plan to get your video, audio, or books from Amazon, the Fire tablet line is far less compelling. They do have Alexa, so that could be a plus, but again, that’s tied deeply into Amazon’s content library. You can download third-party apps like Netflix on Amazon’s Appstore, but the selection is far more limited than what’s available on Apple’s iPad or the Google Play Store on standard Android tablets. To help you get around this limitation, we put together a guide to installing the Google Play Store on your Fire device. Installing the Google Play Store gives you access to the full range of Android apps. In the end, you get a $60 tablet that’s capable of 95 percent of what a $330 iPad can do.
Old tech: The tech inside these tablets is old. The processors aren’t the fastest, and you’ll likely notice small fits of lag and a general lack of power compared to more expensive Android tablets. Since many of the apps for Fire OS are built with weak processing power in mind, you don’t notice it too much. The operating system is also dated (depending on which Fire tablet you’re buying), which could hide some of the weaknesses. Amazon’s latest Fire OS is a modified version of Android 11, which came out in 2020. Amazon keeps updating its tablets to some degree, but not nearly as often as it should.
Short warranties: Only the Fire HD 10 comes with a full one-year warranty. Oddly, the smaller devices come with 90-day warranties.
Special offers: Over time Amazon’s Special Offers ads have gotten more overt and annoying. We recommend you pay the extra $15 to buy a Fire tablet without them.
My summertime sadness is waking up all night because I am too damn hot. Nothing makes me miserable like the heat, especially at night. Hot nights are unfortunately the price I pay for skipping winter down here in Southern California, but some folks are just hot sleepers no matter the temperature or where they live. Heat can adversely affect your sleep quality, which can affect your health, so it’s important to stay cool at nighttime; if you’re not about to splurge on a cooling mattress, it might be worth considering cooling sheets.
But what makes a good cooling sheet? What exactly is a cooling sheet? These bed sheets typically improve airflow, allowing your body to dissipate heat better than traditional cotton sheets. Linen is a popular choice and is quite breathable, whereas other materials have moisture-wicking and temperature-regulation properties. After sleeping on nearly every sheet for weeks, I’ve concluded that linen and cotton percale make some of the best cooling sheets. But if you want a softer material (or hate percale like me), there are other options too. (All the prices are for queen size.)
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
What Are Cooling Sheets?
There’s a lot of terminology thrown around in the world of cooling sheets and cooling mattresses. Temperature regulating! Airflow! Moisture wicking! Phase-change material! Most of the time, these features come back to how breathable the sheets are. Breathability means moisture can better evaporate, and “temperature-regulating” usually means the sheets are breathable enough to release the heat and moisture from your body.
What makes sheets breathable? Cotton, flax linen, and bamboo have great breathability, but not all sheets are made equally, so material alone isn’t a guarantee. Weave, as in percale’s one-over-one threads versus sateen’s three-over-one, and weight (including thread count) of the bedding comes into play. Higher thread counts are less breathable, and tighter weaves will be less breathable too. The yarn within the fabric is also important, as well as how twisted it is—a higher twist makes for a smoother, cooler feel to the fabric, while a loose twist isn’t as smooth and can trap heat.
Some companies treat sheets with something called phase-change materials, or PCMs, which are substances that absorb and release energy to either heat or cool an area. “PCMs create a microclimate,” says Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University. Excess body heat is absorbed by these materials and then released to the body when it’s cool.
These treatments can raise the price of cooling sheets, but they’re not super popular yet, and it’s hard to determine how well incorporated it is into the fabric. “PCMs go through thermal cyclic testing and have shown to last a long time,” Leonas says. “If this is a surface treatment, there is the possibility that some of the microcapsules will be lost due to abrasion.” Parima Ijaz, CEO of Pure Parima agrees and says these treatments sometimes only last up to 10 washes. There’s only a handful of sheets on the market that tout their use of PCMs, and our guide focuses on breathable materials and weaves rather than these treatments. It’s worth noting that PCMs will last much longer on a foam mattress, according to Leonas. If you’re still sweating at night after switching to cooling sheets, try a cooling mattress.
If you’re spending hundreds or thousands of dollars buying an OTC hearing aid, make sure you’re getting a product that offers a sustainable long-term solution to your hearing loss needs. Aside from the obvious things like sound quality, take a few minutes to look into these specs.
What size and style works best for you? Most hearing aids on the market are classified as either behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-the-ear (ITE). BTE hearing aids are probably what you think of when you picture a hearing aid, consisting of a plastic case that contains the electronics, a thin cable that goes over the ear and inside the canal, and a tiny speaker known as a “receiver,” which sends boosted audio from a person’s surroundings into their ear. By contrast, ITE models are self-contained units that look like a standard pair of wireless earbuds. In-the-ear hearing aids are popular for their incognito aesthetic, and they tend to be a lot easier to pop in and out than their behind-the-ear counterparts. Still, contemporary BTE hearing aids are significantly smaller than the ones “back in the day.” It just comes down to what fits you most comfortably.
Replaceable or rechargeable batteries? Much like wireless earbuds, most OTC hearing aids are equipped with rechargeable batteries and (usually) a portable charging case for easy transport. If you take the case’s battery life into account, you’ll find most OTC models last about a week before you need to connect to a power source. Without the case, rechargeable hearing aids offer anywhere from 10 to 24 hours of battery life per charge (but this goes down by a few hours if you’re using them to stream via Bluetooth). Replaceable batteries, such as those found on the Sony CRE-C10, can last for 70 hours or more before the battery dies. Sounds great, but it means having spares on hand and wrestling with tiny cells, which can be difficult for people with dexterity problems.
Are you comfortable making adjustments? While prescription hearing aids are fitted in-office by a licensed hearing care specialist, OTC devices are self-fitting. In most cases, OTC hearing aid users are expected to be able to tune the devices to their ears, usually with the help of a smartphone app. It’s certainly nice to make your own adjustments on the fly, but it may cost you in the way of personalized care.
What’s the company’s customer support like? If only you could count on quality support from every hearing aid manufacturer! Unfortunately, OTC hearing aid companies are just that—companies. There’s no “standard” for customer service in the industry. Companies like Jabra offer patients comprehensive support, but other brands may leave you on your own.
Is there a trial run? If you’re not happy with your hearing aids, you’ll probably want to have the option to return them without writing all that money off as a sunk cost. Most states require manufacturers to provide patients with a minimum trial period, but I recommend playing it safe by seeking out this info before buying.
What about warranties? Equally important to a reasonable trial period is the inclusion of a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty. Most brands cover manufacturing defects for up to a year, but it goes without saying that the longer the coverage period, the better the deal. No matter which OTC hearing aid you end up with, make sure the warranty covers loss, damage, and wear and tear.
The mobile app is straightforward, but it often takes a few seconds to load. Settings are also limited; there’s no mixed mode for WPA2 and WPA3 security like on the TP-Link above, you can’t split bands, and there’s no option to prioritize traffic for specific activities or devices. This is also a pricey system with the need for a subscription on top if you want the parental controls and added security (though you don’t need it).
Having said all that, the Orbi AX4200 does deliver fast, reliable Wi-Fi over a large distance, and I didn’t have a single connectivity issue or dropout while testing it. For faster performance, you might also consider the Netgear Orbi RBK863 (7/10, WIRED Review), or go all out with the Netgear Orbi RBKE963.
Support for Wi-Fi 6E, which operates on the 6-GHz band, is growing more common, and with Wi-Fi 7 arriving, 6E routers and mesh systems like this one are falling in price. A 2-pack of this tri-band mesh system is relatively affordable. These cylindrical routers sport the vaselike Deco family design, blending into rooms. The setup is quick and easy, and the main router automatically detected the second one when I powered it on. Each has three gigabit ports. (Sadly, there are no multi-gig or USB ports.)
Performance was consistently good throughout my home, with some of the fastest speeds I have recorded close to the routers, but the range is relatively limited. My top pick, the XT8, outperformed the XE75 in most scenarios. By default, the 6-GHz band is reserved for wireless backhaul, but you can open it up for devices. I joined with my Pixel 6 Pro, and after multiple speed tests at close range (up to 8 feet away), I generally got download speeds around 50 Mbps faster than on the 5-GHz band, but this dropped sharply with distance. The range of 6 GHz is significantly shorter, and just one room over, the signal strength was visibly weaker than 5 GHz. If you use the 6 GHz for wireless backhaul, you can’t have the routers too far apart or with too many obstacles or you will have dead zones.
Disappointingly, the free tier of HomeShield offers only limited security, and Security+ costs $5 a month or $36 a year for web and intrusion protection with notifications and reports, while Total Security costs $70 a year and adds antivirus for devices, VPN service, and a password manager. Advanced Parental Controls require a second subscription costing $3 a month or $18 a year for time limits, downtime scheduling, rewards, app time limits, safe search, insights, and reports. Quality of Service allows you to prioritize specific devices and set bandwidth allowances. There is also a mixed-mode security option for WPA2 and WPA3. You can also split the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands and create guest networks.
The Deco app and web interface are functional with limited options and feel a little clunky to navigate. The app failed to identify many of the devices on my network. I was also disappointed in the lack of an option to run a speed test on the router to see what my ISP delivers. Ultimately, the inclusion of that 6-GHz band won’t make a difference for many people, but this is an affordable way to dip your toe in 6E waters. If you are prepared to spend a bit more, the Deco XE200 ($800 for a 2-pack), listed in other routers we have tested below, is an excellent performer and one of the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh systems you can get. The MSRP is high, but keep an eye out for price drops.
If you are an early adopter desperate to sample the delights of Wi-Fi 7 and don’t mind paying for the privilege, the TP-Link Deco BE85 (7/10, WIRED Review) is likely on your radar. There are few Wi-Fi 7 devices available today. The BE85 is fully backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi versions, but only devices that support Wi-Fi 7, like the OnePlus 11 5G, can take full advantage of this system.
TP-Link has stuck with the vase-like design that marks its Deco range, but these are by far the largest mesh routers it has released, and each has a stylized 7 on the front, lest you forget this is a Wi-Fi 7 system. Each router boasts four auto-sensing WAN/LAN Ethernet ports, two 10-Gbps ports (one is an SFP combo), two 2.5-Gbps ports, and a USB 3.0 port. Setup is quick and easy with the Deco app on your phone.
Humans have been steaming food since the Stone Age, but it’s an underrated and underutilized method in modern American kitchens. Steaming is simple and effective; pop a wide array of foods like veggies, fish, and dumplings into the steamer of your choosing, let the water steam up, and a complete meal cooks in minutes while barely dirtying a dish. Every steamer I tested that made it into this guide will give you a good steam. Each may function better for specific needs, however. These are my favorite food steamers.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
How We Tested Steamers
Here’s how I tested this panoply of steamers, which all differ in capabilities, materials, and price: I cooked an array of frozen dumplings, frozen tamales, veggies, and fish (I used tilapia as an affordable, basic white fish). These are four of the most popular everyday foods to steam. For the small steamers like the basket and collapsible styles, I opted not to bother cooking the fish. If those are the styles that best suit your cooking needs, then I am safely assuming you are using other methods to cook fish.
As I’ve shown, some steamers are better for steaming whole meals, some are better for just a casual dim sum lunch, and others can do it all. I measured the amount of time the items took to steam. In terms of functionality, I cooked with each gadget several times to test their durability and which types of foods may be better suited for each one. I also weighed whether certain materials like clay or bamboo steamed certain foods better or not.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.
Best Electric Steamer
Did your new air fryer change the way you approach cooking? Well, the Buydeem steamer may be your next go-to kitchen gadget. It’s lightweight, compact, simple, unbelievably cute, and dare I say, fun. The design contains a water waste system so that the moisture from the food has somewhere to go without contaminating the clean water that’s getting ready to steam up. The water inlet makes it convenient to refill the steamer basin without having to move the whole base to the faucet. Each piece is lightweight, making it easy to clean and move around.
This steamer is designed to give you the option of doubling it in size with its multitiered design, which is particularly useful for steaming multiple items that have different cook times; you put the longer-cooking items on the bottom tier and just take the top tier off when that one is ready. Like most steamers, the top tier can take slightly longer to cook than the bottom tier, since the bottom is closer to the heat source. You get the hang of this; pork buns usually take longer than dumplings, so those go on the bottom tier, and you dig into the dumplings on the top tier while the pork buns on the bottom finish cooking. I fit 10 soup dumplings comfortably on one tier.
Another Good Electric Option
Cuisinart is a reliable brand for kitchen gear, and that stands true when it comes to its CookFresh Digital Glass Steamer. The base of the steamer is lightweight, which counteracts the steaming dish itself, made of a thick, weighted glass. The stainless steel steaming tray sits nicely into the dish and contains proper ventilation holes to allow for the steam to rise. You can also steam your food without the tray, which gives you more room. When you’re done with your steaming session, you can carry the glass dish straight to the table for serving. While this steamer works well, it’s on the clunkier side, and unless you’re steaming multiple times a week, it will likely feel too large to keep on your countertop. That said, it really comes in handy if you want a complete, homemade meal but aren’t in the mood to do the cooking yourself. I cooked two pieces of tilapia with a serving of veggies on the tray and was separately able to fit 15 soup dumplings.
The 1-liter water basin detaches from the base for easy filling. To start steaming, you must tightly screw the cap on the basin and flip it over to lock it into the base. It leaked very slightly for me, although not in any significant way. While some level of condensation is inevitable while steaming, having your food completely surrounded in glass is going to increase condensation compared to bamboo, for example. The interface of the CookFresh Digital Steamer could not be simpler. You turn the knob to the setting that corresponds with whatever you’re cooking and press Start. There’s also a button if all you want to do is reheat, and you can input a custom cook time. It’s the most rectangular steamer on this list, so this is a good match if you plan to cook long pieces of protein like fish that might not easily squeeze into a round or square steaming tray.
Best Ceramic Steamer
Donabe is the ancient Japanese craft of creating clay pots. Based in Japan’s Iga region for nearly 200 years, Nagatani-en is the oldest-known donabe company still operating. Cooking with this intricate handmade piece of pottery takes a little more care and attention than the plug-and-play electric versions above, but if you’re serious about taking your steaming chops to a new level, this is a great choice. One of the primary properties of donabe is that it gets extremely hot, which is why it is great for cooking food evenly. The clay used to make the pot is porous, which gives it its high heat retention and high absorption ability.
I kept my testing consistent and cooked another two pieces of tilapia with a serving of veggies (mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and spinach). It was a little tight on the steaming dish, but once the veggies started to shrivel it fit nicely and took less than 15 minutes to cook. Everything came out incredibly moist and flavorful. (I used just some basic seasoning.) The handles on the mushi nabe donabe are not as big as they probably should be, especially considering how hot they become. So you need to be extremely careful when removing the lid. Like a cast iron skillet, a donabe is meant to be seasoned prior to your first use, and it develops character as you use it. Instructions are provided so that you can care for the donabe properly. Even though donabe are known for cooking over a flame, they are also oven-safe. They are suitable for gas stovetops only and cannot be used on electric or induction stoves. They are not microwave- or dishwasher-safe.
Best Ceramic Steamer Set
If you’re looking for a ceramic steamer that’s less fragile and easier to use than donabe, this is the best option. The variety of materials used to design this product—a ceramic exterior and bamboo inserts—makes it one of the best. This steamer comes as a set in three sizes (1.2L, 2.3L, and 4L), complete with a finished ceramic pot, a matching lid with steaming holes, and a bamboo steaming basket that has a terra-cotta base. The steaming basket fits nearly flush onto the pot, as does the lid on the basket.
The terra-cotta base on the steaming basket makes this a unique product among steamers. Terra-cotta has even stronger absorption properties than bamboo, helping get rid of even more excess moisture. Terra-cotta assists in the steaming process in a quasi-water-circulation system. The water that it absorbs ends up evaporating back in with the rest of the steam. But the high absorption is one of the negatives that I found about steaming with terra-cotta: It can create quite the stink. When I cooked tilapia in this steamer, it came out fantastic, but then I was smelling tilapia for weeks. The fish stench would not come out no matter how many times I washed the basket. Like donabe, this ceramic pot is designed to be seasoned before using it. It’s also probably best to avoid cooking colorful foods like red curries because of the possibility of it staining. Jia says if you clean it immediately then you shouldn’t have a problem, but I wouldn’t do it if you want to keep the pot looking pearly and white, because the sleek look is one of the best things about this product.
Best Bamboo Steamer Set
The Concord Bamboo Steamer set comes with a metal pot, a metal lid, and a 10-inch bamboo steamer basket. All of these pieces fit flush with one another. The round shape and walls of the bamboo steamer make it harder to fit as much food in there, but I was able to fit two pieces of tilapia flat in the 10-inch steamer with veggies and a bed of spinach (same exact meal as I prepared in the donabe), which eliminates the need for parchment steaming papers (the Concord steamer provides a pack of these). It came out just as good as preparing it in the donabe. A 10-inch bamboo steamer like this one will fit eight soup dumplings comfortably on the steaming paper.
The stainless steel pot doubles as an all-purpose pot that you can use without the steaming baskets. The handles are what make this pot stand out; they’re made of heat-resistant faux-wood silicone that keeps them soft and relatively cool to the touch. The set comes with a set of parchment steaming liners and bamboo tongs. There’s nothing quite like steaming with bamboo. A bamboo steamer doesn’t absorb heat as much as metal, so you can pick it up directly with your hands and serve your meal right in the bamboo for a traditional experience. The bamboo also absorbs excess moisture so you’re really getting a quality steam. I feel like you can even taste the flavors of the forest when you cook with bamboo.
Best Budget Steamer
I like Joseph Joseph’s steaming basket better than the typical stainless steel options. This one is made of hard silicone material that’s more pleasant to use and much easier to clean than the stainless steel baskets. The “petals” that fold in and out to expand the steamer are a much sturdier design than the metal versions, which often feel flimsy and cheaply made. Three silicone legs on the bottom give ample space for the water to do its thing underneath. The design excels at steaming veggies in the most efficient way possible. The trickiest part of steaming baskets is getting them out of the pot once your food is finished and all the pieces are still hot. The Joseph Joseph Bloom basket has a well-designed hook in the middle, making it easy to slip a fork in and lift the basket out.
Obviously you can steam whatever can fit in the basket—say, two tamales or eight soup dumplings comfortably—but veggies are the go-to when it comes to steamer baskets. It results in a well-steamed batch of veggies so flavorful you’ll barely need any seasoning. Steaming protein in here or any basket-style steamer would be a little awkward. There are a few cheaper options on the market, but at just $9, the thoughtful design, versatility, and easy clean-up of the Joseph Joseph steamer make it our top pick for those on a budget.
Best Steamer for Tiny Kitchens
If you live in an offensively small NYC apartment with only a kitchenette and barely any cabinetry, Crate & Barrel’s Collapsible Steamer and Colander may be the move. When you first look at it, this thing seems like it’s just a colander, and essentially, it is. However, it works pretty well as a makeshift steamer for certain foods. At a diameter of 9.5 inches, the base is pretty small, so if you’re steaming food items that won’t cook properly if they’re stacked or piled on each other, like dumplings, you’re only going to net one small serving. I was able to fit seven soup dumplings into the steamer comfortably. I put a piece of steaming paper on the bottom so the dumplings wouldn’t stick to the stainless steel base once they heated up. For veggies, which you can pile up in a steamer, you won’t have any problems fitting a hearty amount. While the hybrid design doesn’t make for an ideal steamer, I was surprised at how well it worked to get a satisfactory steam on my food.
It’s made of a nice combination of metal, which makes up the sturdy base and handles, and malleable silicone, which lets the whole thing flop into itself for storage. It’s just about an inch thick when fully collapsed, so this design is the ultimate space saver. To use it as a steamer, you nestle the basket into a larger pot. Where this product falls short is that the lid of your pot likely will not sit properly on top of the steamer. The steamer’s handles sit on the lip of the pot, where they prevent the lid from forming a tight seal. Steam will escape through the gap, and this makes the steaming process take longer than it otherwise would. It also just makes the whole assembly feel a bit shaky. But we have already established that this product is just a makeshift steamer, so you know what you’re getting yourself into. You also need to make sure your pot is big enough to hold the basket, but also sized to allow the handles to perch properly. It’s also tricky to take the steamer off of the pot; the metal handles sit directly on the pot, so you need to use mitts and be careful. All in all, you will get a decent steam.
I have always loved Star Wars. I spent the first Christmas day that I can remember flying Luke and his X-wing around the house. I met Darth Vader (David Prowse) when I was 6. I can still feel the shiver of fear as he strode through the double doors, reaching over the crowd to shake hands with me as my Dad held me up. I never questioned why the Dark Lord of the Sith was in Woolworths.
When I became a dad, I had a fresh excuse to visit that galaxy far, far away, and buy new toys. (I still regret selling my own in a garage sale to raise funds for our first home.) My wife and I love the original movies, and our kids prefer the prequel trilogy, but we all enjoyed watching the latest shows together. Since everyone knows I’m a fan, I have received (and given) many, many Star Wars gifts over the years. These are some of my favorites.
Updated June 2024: We added Casetify phone cases, Hedley & Bennett aprons, Boxlunch bags, and lamps, and updated links and prices throughout.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
The MacBook is a powerful machine. Whether you’re using a MacBook Air for web browsing and sending emails or a MacBook Pro for graphics-intensive projects like video editing and 3D design, Apple’s laptops can handle a wide range of activities. But to enhance your experience, I suggest throwing some accessories into the mix.
Regardless of your MacBook of choice or the work you’re using it for, a slew of peripherals can pair with your computer, like laptop stands, keyboards, charging bricks, and external displays. We’ve tested dozens over the past year, and these are the best MacBook accessories to streamline your workflow and unlock your machine’s full potential. This is by no means an exhaustive list, as there are an innumerable number of accessories, so we’ll always be on the hunt for more to test. Check out our Best Work-From-Home Gear guide for other recommendations.
Updated June 2024: We’ve added new accessories including the Branch Adjustable Laptop Stand, Casetify Snap Case, UGreen 360-degree Rotating Laptop Stand, Logitech Cloud Palm Rest, 27-inch Philips Creator Series 4K USB-C Monitor, and more. We also added a new Do Not Recommend section.
Table of Contents
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Charging Adapters
MacBooks have become more battery efficient, but you should still carry a spare charger when you head out the door. The default one in the box is bulky and can recharge only one device at a time, so try these alternatives. For more charging picks, check out our Best Work-From-Home Gear and Best Portable Battery Packs guides.
Best Overall
This is one of the slimmest and most compact 65-watt chargers we’ve ever tested. It dished out nearly 60 watts to the 2020 MacBook Pro with M1 and fully recharged it in an hour and a half (from 0 to 100 percent!). It has a soft-touch feel that’s a nice upgrade over most plasticky chargers, and the plugs fold in sideways so it maintains a slim profile. It stayed put in a variety of outlets and, since the USB-C port is at the bottom, it never fell off the wall, unlike certain chunky chargers. Best of all, you get a braided, 6-foot, 100-watt cable in the box.
Runner-Up
I’m constantly on the go, and I have a tendency to forget to pack either my iPhone charger or MacBook charger. Apple’s dual-port USB-C power adapter has saved me many late-night trips to Best Buy. It comes with two USB-C ports, which lets me recharge my MacBook Air and iPhone simultaneously. It’s pretty compact, so I toss it into my duffle bag or tote. It’s rated at 35 watts, so it’s powerful enough to recharge an iPad Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and more. It will recharge a MacBook Air just fine, though more power-hungry MacBook Pro models will require something more powerful.
For Power-Hungry Machines
If you have a MacBook Pro, go for Satechi’s 108-watt wall charger. It’s on the larger side, but it’s not as big as the one from Apple. It comes with three USB-C ports, each with the ability to charge at 100 watts if only one device is connected—perfect for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. However, if you want to charge three gadgets at once, it’ll charge them at 45, 30, and 30 watts, respectively, 58, 30, and 20 watts, or 65, 20, and 20 watts, depending on what you’re charging. The plug folds up too.
A Powerful Portable Battery Pack
An outlet might not always be within arm’s reach, so it’s worth keeping a portable charger handy. You can find a number of great, compact, and cheap portable chargers in our Best Portable Battery Packs guide, but this one from Zendure has a 26,800-mAh capacity (the maximum you can take on a flight) and comes with four USB-C ports—two that can dish out 100 watts and two that output 20 watts each. We had no issues fast-charging MacBooks (you’ll likely be able to get close to two full charges out of it), in addition to iPhones and other smartphones. A small OLED display shows the remaining power as a percentage and in watt-hours.
Other Great Chargers
Nomad 65-Watt Dual-Port Charger for $70: Want two USB-C ports instead of one? This charger isn’t as compact or slim as the Sirius above, but you get two ports, each of which can output 65 watts when used alone. Plug two devices in and the top will deliver 45 watts and the bottom can do 20 watts. The plugs fold up, and it looks super sleek.
Satechi 165-Watt GaN Four-Port Charger for $120: If you have a lot of devices around your desk, this is a handy-dandy charger. It has a little stand to prop it up and a short cord that goes out to an outlet. The four USB-C ports output 100 watts each, but you can get enough power to juice up two MacBook Pro models simultaneously.
Laptop Cases
It doesn’t take much to scratch or ding the aluminum on a MacBook. It’s smart to get a laptop case or sleeve to keep it safe.
Best Overall
This case is available for a few MacBook models, but I’ve been using it with the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021). It has precise cutouts for all the ports, rubberized feet that prevent it from sliding, and ventilation to keep the MacBook from overheating. For this specific model, the case comes in clear, pink, and black. It does add a noticeable heft to the 16-inch MacBook Pro—which is already a heavy laptop. You can find these hardshell cases for different MacBook models here.
Runner-Up
If you want a more fun, eccentric laptop case, Casetify has plenty of options. I’ve been using this adorable case Busy by Milkkoyo case for the 15-inch MacBook Air (2024) and the I’m Busy MacBook case by tabetaaii for the 13-inch MacBook Air (2022). It’s durable, the cutouts are accurate for all the ports, and the rubberized feet at the bottom keep it in place. As with most cases, it does add some weight to it. And, if you choose one of the clear cases (like the ones I’ve been testing) the matte finish can be a fingerprint magnet, but it’s easy to wipe off.
I tested the standard versions, but Casetify discontinued those. You will, however, have the choice between its Impact and Bounce cases which come equipped with bumpers on the sides for extra protection. They’re more expensive, but if you’re the type that drops their MacBook often, it’s likely the better choice for you.
A Laptop Skin
The 15-inch MacBook Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) in Starlight is stunning, but it’s tough to conceal scratches or dings on such a faint color. And while I’d typically opt for a case, I didn’t want to add any additional weight or bulk to a slim, lightweight laptop. This skin from dbrand was the perfect solution. It’s super thin, easy to install, and is accurately cut to fit the MacBook. It’s textured too, which gives it a high-end feel and a sleek look. It’s also durable for the most part. I spotted a few dings on the skin itself— which technically means it is doing its job protecting the MacBook—but I quickly buffed them out with a hair dryer.
It also comes in a ton of fun colors and prints, and the option to customize your kit. Dbrand sent me the Deluxe Kit in Off Pink, which comes with the top skin, bottom skin, trackpad skin, palm rest skin, and microfiber cloth. It’s more expensive, but it’s a great option if you want to protect every inch of your MacBook. Otherwise, you can opt for the Essential Kit which comes with only the top and bottom skins. They’re available for a variety of different MacBook models too.
Laptop Sleeves
Best Overall
I’ve been using the 16-inch version and it looks just as cute in person as it does online. The puffiness provides plenty of protection, and the velcro closure is strong enough that I’m never worried the laptop will slide out. I’ve been using it with the 15-inch MacBook Air, which leaves space for me to squeeze my keyboard and mouse into the sleeve as well. There’s also a 13-inch/14-inch version for those who have smaller MacBooks.
Runner-Up
Prefer a more luxe experience? WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has had a good experience with Harber London’s full-grain leather sleeve. The inside is lined with wool felt to keep your machine scratch-free, and the black or tan leather exudes luxury. It fits a variety of MacBook models, including the 16-inch M2-powered version. The flap stays shut thanks to magnets, so your MacBook won’t easily slip out. You can even charge the laptop while it’s in the sleeve.
Other Great Sleeves:
Moft Laptop Carry Sleeve for $60: If I’m working straight off my MacBook, I need a laptop stand. But it’s annoying to carry around all the time when I’m working in different locations. The Moft Laptop Carry Sleeve solves that problem for me. It’s a sleeve that doubles as a laptop stand, with the option to choose between two different heights. You can also use the built-in pocket to store additional items like a charger or earbuds. The sleeve is on the larger side though (I used it with the 15-inch MacBook Air), so it’s not the easiest to fit into backpacks. But I would typically carry it or throw it into my tote bag.
Casetify Happy Doodles Laptop Sleeve for $52: As with its laptop cases, Casetify also offers a bunch of fun sleeves. I’ve been using this adorable one with the 15-inch MacBook Air. It’s not as cushiony and roomy as the Baggu version, but it still offers enough padding to protect your laptop. Plus, the cute print always brightens my day.
Hubs and Docks
If the limited port selection on your MacBook Air or older MacBook Pro frustrates you, invest in a USB hub or dock. Hubs are affordable dongles that provide extra USB ports, SD card readers, and a headphone jack. Docks are meant to be used at your desk, because they’re larger, offer even more ports in greater variety (like Ethernet), and they typically come with their own power supply. Check out our Best USB Hubs and Docks guide for more.
Best Overall
This is currently our favorite hub in our guide to Best USB Hubs and Docks. It packs several USB-C ports, which are also conveniently labeled by their maximum speed. WIRED reviewer, Eric Ravenscraft, said he consistently got speeds of 850 to 900 megabytes per second on the fastest USB-C port, while the fourth can reach over 400 MB/s. It can handle beefier tasks in minutes too, like transferring hundreds of gigabytes of 6K footage within minutes. The only gripe is that it doesn’t have any USB-A ports, but that’s become a common complaint for laptops and accessories alike.
Runner-Up
Ugreen Revodok Pro 211 Docking Station
Ugreen’s Revodok Pro 211 Docking Station is more of a mix between a dock and hub, but it packs plenty of ports and power. You’ll get three USB ports (one USB-C and two USB-A) that, in testing, hit up to 900 MB/s of data transfer speeds. It’s also a great choice for anyone using more than one monitor at their desk. You can use it to connect a multimonitor setup, along with accessories like a keyboard, mouse, and headphones. It’s worth noting the docking station is slightly heavy but compact.
If You Have an iPhone
Looking to get rid of the power strip at your desk? Look no further than Anker’s MagGo 637. You can use the front MagSafe wireless charger to recharge your iPhone while the back is home to a variety of ports including two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and three AC outlets. One of those USB-C ports has an output of 65 watts, which is plenty to charge a MacBook—giving you an all-in-one charging station in a compact orb.
Keyboards
If you’re frequently at a desk, it’s nice, though not necessary, to invest in a better keyboard. Especially if you’re looking for a more tactile sensation with a mechanical keyboard. Be sure to check out our Best Keyboards guide for more.
Best Overall
Ever since Apple debuted the new Magic Keyboard on its MacBooks in 2021, it’s been difficult for me to find a third-party keyboard that feels similar (if not exactly the same). This is remedied with Apple’s very own external keyboard. It’s expensive, but it’s a nice way to fully replicate the MacBook setup. It comes equipped with a Touch ID button, which you can use to log in, pay for purchases, and download apps, as well as a number pad. It has the same exact function row keys as M-series MacBooks—complete with playback buttons, a Mission Control key, and a dedicated Do Not Disturb button.
We were already fans of Logitech’s MX mechanical keyboard line prior to trying the Mac version, but this mimics the experience of your MacBook keyboard a little better. There’s a Do Not Disturb key and the ability to program the function row key with Apple’s own apps like Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Photos, Safari, and more, using the Logi Options+ app—in addition to other Mac-specific shortcuts. Unlike the original MX mechanical keyboard, you don’t have a choice between clicky, linear, or tactile switches. It’s only available with tactile quiet switches, which are ideal if you typically work around other people, as it’s quieter. The low-profile keys are still satisfying to type on all day. It’s slim and lightweight so it’s a nice option to travel with as well.
Other Great Keyboards
The Das Keyboard MacTigr for $190: Steep price aside, this keyboard (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has a dedicated Mac layout, Cherry MX Red switches (that don’t get too loud), a high-quality all-metal build, and a two-port USB-C hub.
Keychron Q1 Pro Mechanical Keyboard for $199: The Q1 Pro is WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu’s current daily driver. You can use it wired or wirelessly via Bluetooth, and there are several colors and switches to choose from (it’s RGB-backlit too). The red switches aren’t too loud but are still clicky, and there’s a lovely knob for volume control. It’s hot-swappable, so you can change the switches whenever you like, and the PBT keycaps haven’t shown any wear after five months of rigorous use.
Keychron K3 Pro Ultra-Slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard for $94: The K3 is another good wireless keyboard but it’s slim and compact. It has low-profile keys with a tactile click, RGB lighting, and around four to five days of battery life (that you can charge via the USB-C charging port). You’ll also get support for Via if you want additional software customization.
Nuphy Air75 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard for $110: This is my current daily driver, but it’s also my go-to keyboard for traveling because it’s so lightweight. (Nuphy also sent me a super useful carrying case to protect it while in my bag.) The low-profile PBT keys are quiet but clicky—you’ll have the choice between a variety of low-profile switches that are also hot-swappable—and can be used wired or wirelessly with Bluetooth. It also has a really nice, retro aesthetic.
A Wrist Rest
I’ve never used a wrist rest before. And, according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, the excessive pressure a wrist wrest puts on the delicate tendons under the wrists can cause carpal tunnel syndrome and tenosynovitis (inflammation of the sheath surrounding tendons). But when my colleague, Nena Farrell, reviewed the Logitech Aurora Collection (7/10, WIRED Review), I couldn’t resist the adorable cloud palm rest (which you can buy separately from the rest of the collection). Aside from looking adorable—especially next to my pink Nuphy Halo75 V2 mechanical keyboard—it’s also super comfortable. But, as Nena said in her review, it’s got height to it. So, you’ll want to use it with either a mechanical keyboard or another taller keyboard for the most enjoyable experience.
Mice
A good mouse is important for the most comfortable experience. We’ve got you covered with both an ergonomic option (to keep wrist pain at bay) and an external trackpad if you genuinely enjoy the one on your MacBook. We’ve got tons more recommendations in our Best Gaming Mice guide.
Best Overall
This ergonomic wireless mouse from Logitech is great if you spend a lot of time at your desk and suffer from some wrist pain. The Lift, as the name suggests, automatically lifts your palm away from the desk—preventing your nerves from getting pinched. It has excellent battery life too; our unit has gone for more than a year without needing new batteries. You can program the buttons on the mouse to trigger Mac-specific features using Logitech’s companion app. For example, I’ve programmed my mouse to enable Do Not Disturb, Mission Control, the Emojis menu, and Screen capture with a click of a button. You can also customize the buttons to open Apple’s apps like Final Cut Pro, Keynote, Photos, Safari, and more.
Runner-Up
If you’re already used to the trackpad on your MacBook, then you can’t go wrong with the external Magic Trackpad. It has the same Multi-Touch gestures and Force Touch technology, so there’s no learning curve involved. It automatically pairs with your MacBook for seamless connectivity. While the battery should last you about a month, the trackpad comes with a woven USB-C to Lightning cable to charge it.
Laptop Stands
Propping your MacBook up on a laptop stand can ensure you’re not craning your neck to stare at the screen. We’ve got plenty more in our Best Laptop Stands guide.
Best Overall
Branch’s laptop stand now holds the top spot in our guide to Best Laptop Stands. You can easily adjust it to any angle you need and it raises laptops from 2 to 7(ish) inches. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano says it’s sturdy too, so it doesn’t bounce around if you’re working off your laptop instead of using an external monitor. With a pretty wood top and an aluminum base and legs, it’s also aesthetically pleasing. And, at $65, it’s a lot more affordable than a lot of other stands we’ve tested.
Runner-Up
The best part about having a laptop is that it’s portable, allowing you to work from virtually anywhere at any time. But if you’re the type who likes to work using an external keyboard and mouse, it can be annoying to have to also carry your accessories everywhere. Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk (9/10, WIRED Review) is a great solution to this specific issue. The included keyboard and trackpad fit neatly into a compact case that doubles as a laptop stand (which holds your laptop in place using magnets). It’s expensive, but it’s an ideal choice if you’re the type who is constantly working out of coffee shops, the library, or travels a lot.
Other Great Laptop Stands
Flexispot Adjustable Table With Wheels for $100: WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu has been using this rollable desk in different spots in his apartment. You can adjust the height and because the stand isn’t centered, you can pull it under a bed or couch to bring the desktop close to you.
Twelve South Curve Flex for $80: With the ability to flex the stand up to 22 inches high, I can adjust it depending on my setup—whether I’m using an external monitor or working solely off the MacBook. It’s also super compact and portable. I fold it up and throw it in my bag whenever I’m working outside of my apartment. My only complaint is that, while you can adjust the stand’s angle up to 45 degrees, it’s too wobbly to type on if you’re using the laptop’s keyboard.
UGreen 360-degree Rotating Laptop Stand for $60: I’m constantly moving stuff around my desk, but I adjust the viewing angle of my external monitor and laptop stand the most often. That’s why I like UGreen’s rotating laptop stand. I can easily adjust the position of my MacBook without having to reposition the entire stand. This especially comes in handy for when I need to access the ports on the side. If you don’t want it to constantly move around, there’s a lock mechanism that keeps it in place at whatever angle you choose.
Twelve South BookArc for $30: This isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing laptop stand, but it’s a great option if you have an M3-powered MacBook Air and want to take advantage of its support for two external monitors—which only works if you keep the laptop’s lid closed. It’s sturdy, well-built, and packs support for a variety of MacBook models (as long as you have the right insert).
Desk Mats
A desk mat isn’t necessary for your workspace, but it adds a nice touch. It can also make everything look a bit more organized and just plain pretty. They can double as a mousepad for anyone using an external mouse.
Best Overall
I’ve been using this one at my desk, which gives me enough room to place my keyboard, mouse, notebook, and coffee mug. It feels nice, looks sleek, and is easy to clean (I’ve managed to wipe up accidental spills with no trouble). This desk mat comes in a variety of fun colors including dark orange, light green, and blue. Since it’s felt, it slides around slightly—but I’ve been using it on a glass desk. If you’re worried about this, get the Grovemade Matte Desk Pad instead. It’s pricier, but the cork bottom keeps it from moving around.
Runner-Up
This desk mat features one color on each side—that way, you can flip between colors whenever you’d like to change things up. It’s made of polyurethane leather, but it looks pretty and my mouse glides smoothly over the top. Like Grovemade’s desk mat, it’s easy to clean too.
External Monitors
Using an external monitor helps me get more work done. So much so that I now have trouble working without one. It gives your apps more breathing room so nothing feels too cramped, especially on a 13-inch MacBook. Head over to our Best Monitors guide for other picks.
Best Overall
This is one of our top picks in our Guide to Best Monitors. It’s small for a 4K screen and it has a 60-Hz refresh rate, but it delivers vibrant, crisp picture quality with a quick menu of screen settings that allow you to choose the best brightness and color depending on what you’re using it for. It also comes with a USB-C and HDMI input along with a built-in KVM switch to conveniently switch between two laptops or a laptop and a gaming console. You can connect your laptop to the monitor via a USB-C cord, but it also comes with a ton of additional cords including a USB-C to USB-C with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, a USB-C to USB-A, an HDMI, and a DisplayPort.
Runner-Up
This Asus 24-inch Full HD monitor is a nice, inexpensive way to add a second screen to your workstation. The 1080-pixel resolution is sharp, though colors can look slightly oversaturated. You can tweak this in the display’s settings. It comes with a tilt-adjustable stand that works well, but if your desk is already too cluttered, it supports the VESA mounting standard so you can put it on an arm mount.
A Portable Monitor
Mostly spend time working in coffee shops? A portable monitor is a great companion for a MacBook, making it much easier to multitask and get more done. This one has an OLED panel, so you’ll get some lovely deep blacks and vibrant colors. It comes with a cover that doubles as a kickstand plus the essential cables. Just plug it into your machine using the USB-C cable. Just remember that it will drain your MacBook’s battery faster, so it’s wise to plug it into a power source when you can (the screen will then be able to get brighter too).
An Integrated Portable Monitor
This portable display sticks to the back of your MacBook via magnets. If you don’t mind permanently leaving four magnets at the corners of your machine, then this is one of the easiest ways to add a second screen to your setup, and it doesn’t take any desk space as it hangs off the back of your screen. Just slide out the 13-inch display when you need it and connect the USB-C cable. It adds some bulk and thickness but you can easily remove the display whenever you don’t need it.
Backpacks
There’s honestly no “best” backpack because has different preferences and styles. Browse our Best Laptop Backpacks guide for more recommendations, but these are a few standouts.
Best Overall
This Tom Bihn bag is expensive, but WIRED reviewer Adrienne So says it’s her favorite, mainly for its thoughtful design. There’s a zippered water bottle pocket in the middle of the backpack (instead of the side), pen pockets in flaps on the side for easy access instead of in the middle, and an exterior made from Bluesign-certified 400-denier ballistic nylon. Each bag also has a lifetime guarantee. The dense fabric and hardware (zippers, buckles, and O-rings) do make it a little heavy though. We recommend going with the 22-liter option. This bag will only fit a 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air (2018 and later).
Runner-Up
The Herschel Heritage is a more affordable option and our favorite budget bag. On the inside, you’ll find a 15-inch laptop sleeve to fit a 13-inch MacBook or 14-inch MacBook Pro, with plenty of room to pack in more supplies. It’s super durable too. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano says it only started to show signs of wear after several years of use. Our only gripe is the lack of a water bottle compartment.
Other Great Backpacks
Rains Backpack Mini for $95: The Rains BackPack Mini is the most stylish pick in our Best Laptop Backpacks guide. It’s attractive, functional, and fits a 13-inch MacBook along with a few other accessories. If you’re worried it’s too small, we also like the larger 13-liter version for $125.
JanSport Pro Pack System for $150: JanSport’s backpacks have always been reliable, and the Pro Pack System is no different. It has a 15-inch laptop plush laptop compartment, along with plenty of pockets to fit additional accessories like notebooks, water bottles, and pens. The front pack is also detachable, which you can use as a cross-body bag.
Harber London Leather City Backpack for $482: It’s expensive, but this all-leather bag is currently WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu’s favorite. It can fit up to a 16-inch MacBook in a dedicated sleeve, has space for a spare tablet or a Nintendo Switch, and includes a few pouches in the main compartment and in the front zippered pocket for organization. It’s comfy to wear, and he’s received plenty of compliments on it.
Herschel Orion Backpack Mid-Volume for $120: I’ve been carrying this backpack around everywhere for over a year. I wanted one that not only fit all my belongings but looked attractive. It’s been my go-to on trips (the luggage trolley sleeve on the back makes it easy to carry through airports) and when attending work events. With a separate compartment for my 15-inch MacBook Air, there’s plenty of room left in the main compartment for everything else including my curling iron, makeup bag, and clothes.
Totes
Not a fan of backpacks? Totes are a more fashionable alternative. They’re just as capable of carrying your MacBook and other supplies you may need. We’ve listed a few of our favorites below, but we’ve got a ton more in our Best Laptop Totes and Purses guide.
Best Overall
This tote from Moment is former WIRED reviewer Jaina Grey’s favorite. It has pockets for days (and pockets within pockets) allowing you to store a 16-inch MacBook, multiple water bottles, and cables. Since Moment is a photography brand, the bag comes with padding to protect your gear along with a full-zip closure and weatherproof recycled nylon as well. Since it can hold so much stuff, it also distributes weight evenly to avoid causing shoulder pain.
Runner-Up
The Cuyana Tote is currently our favorite purse. It has a beautiful, timeless design and it’s made of durable leather. You’ll have the option between a 13-inch or 16-inch size, depending on your MacBook, and multiple colors to pick from. You can also purchase add-ons like an organizational insert that has a pocket for your laptop and water bottle, a flap bag to use as an inner compartment inside the bag or a stand-alone clutch, and an adjustable strap to wear the bag as a cross-body.
Other Great Totes
L.L. Bean Hunter’s Tote Bag for $55: This is our favorite budget tote. It has a rugged build complete with double-stitched seams, a thick polyester shell, beefy handles, and a rubbery plastic lining. WIRED senior editor Michael Calore says he uses it for everything—including grocery store runs, camping trips, beach days, and on flights. It can be useful for work too, but we do recommend purchasing a laptop sleeve or case.
Fjallraven Kånken Totepack for $60: This tote backpack combination can be worn on your back or your shoulder. It also has a pocket for a 13-inch MacBook, a smaller pocket for a notebook or tablet, and a large main compartment. You’ll also have two side pockets for water bottles or a small umbrella.
Baggu Duck Bag for $46: The Duck Bag by Baggu is not only adorable (we have this one in the floral print) but it’s also functional. The adjustable strap allows you to choose whether you want to wear it as a crossbody or a traditional bag, while the top handles are convenient for when you don’t want to carry it on your shoulder. It’s also extremely roomy—we managed to pack a 15-inch laptop, a change of clothes, and a book without weighing it down. The version with the magnetic buttons is currently sold out. We’ve linked to the zipper version, which is identical aside from the enclosure.
Target Universal Thread Tote Handbag for $30: I bought this on a whim because I was tired of carrying around a backpack, but wanted a bag that wouldn’t look super bulky with my 15-inch MacBook Air, chargers, makeup bag, water bottle, and other essentials inside. And it executes perfectly, each time. It’s also durable. I’ve weighed this bag down plenty and the straps remain intact. More importantly, it distributes weight evenly, so my shoulder doesn’t hurt after carrying it for long periods.
Headphones and Earbuds
Owning the right noise-canceling headphones can be a game-changer for productivity. But with so many out there, it can be tough to narrow down which one to pair with your MacBook. For more options, read our Best Wireless Headphones and Best Wireless Earbuds guides.
Best Overall
Apple’s AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are expensive but they reign as the absolute best noise-canceling headphones in our book. With excellent sound quality, brilliant noise reduction, stellar build quality, and seamless connectivity, they’re hard not to love. When paired with your MacBook, they’ll automatically connect to the laptop whenever you take them out of the case. If you own other Apple devices like an iPhone, you can easily switch back and forth between devices without having to manually dig through the Bluetooth menu.
Runner-Up
Sony’s WX-1000XM5 headphones (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have a sleeker, more discreet look than the AirPods Max. They’re pricier than previous generations, but the latest version offers a more absorbing and energetic sound quality than its predecessors. You’ll get excellent noise cancellation and great battery life as well. If you want to save some cash, we still recommend last year’s WH-1000XM4 which also offers great noise-cancellation, 30-hour battery life, and a clean sound signature.
Other Great Headphones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) for $249: These are the best earbuds for iPhones, but they’re also a great option for MacBooks. The latest generation AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has improved noise canceling, longer battery life (up to six hours of playtime), and better sound quality.
We’re constantly testing a ton of accessories. Unfortunately, they’re not all worth buying. Below, we’ve listed the ones we suggest avoiding altogether.
Photograph: Twelve South
Twelve South BookArc Flex for $59: Twelve South’s BookArc Flex (3/10, WIRED Review) is a beautiful vertical laptop stand. Unfortunately, it fails at its one job: holding the laptop in place. It’s too fragile. The slightest movement around the stand causes it to topple, forcing you to be super careful. The frustrating experience isn’t worth it, especially for the high price.
Casetify Magnetic Privacy MacBook Screen Protector for $68: It pains me to put this screen protector under “Do Not Recommend” because it does its job very well. When I used it at an event recently, multiple people commented on how well it blocked what was on my MacBook Air’s screen from multiple angles. It’s also magnetic, which means you don’t have to worry about applying it crookedly by accident. But regardless of how many times I reinstalled it, I couldn’t fully shut my laptop with it on—there was always a slight gap between the lid and the bottom half of the computer. I ended up having to remove it whenever I wanted to shut my laptop and reapply it when I needed it again.
We have tested some other routers we like and have several more in the queue. These aren’t as great as the picks above but are worth considering.
Netgear Nighthawk RS700 for $699: Although I had setup issues that required a factory reset, there’s no hiding the top notch performance of this router. It’s a Wi-Fi 7 tri-band router with two 10 Gbps Ethernet ports, four gigabit ports, and a USB 3.2. The tower design is new for the Nighthawk line and it looks great. This router will blend in far better than our bulky Wi-Fi 7 pick above from Asus and it was slightly faster on the 6-GHz band, though not the 5-GHz or 2.4-GHz bands. It mainly misses out on a recommendation because it is more expensive. We’re already seeing discounts on the RT-BE96U and Asus offers free security software and parental controls. If you get the Nighthawk RS700S, the “S” at the end denotes a free year of Netgear Armor, which costs $100 a year thereafter. If you need parental controls that’s another $70 a year.
Vodafone Pro II from £39 a month: Folks in the UK looking for a new internet service provider (ISP) should check out Vodafone’s Pro II. While ISPs have traditionally provided shoddy routers to their customers, that seems to be changing. The Vodafone Pro II is a tri-band router that supports Wi-Fi 6E, and it delivered lightning-fast speeds in my tests on a par with many of my picks above. The range is limited, especially on the 6-GHz band, but this service comes with a range extender that appears as part of the same network. You can also get a 4G backup that connects to Vodafone’s mobile network to keep you online should your regular internet connection fail. It’s only available with a two-year Vodafone service contract, starting from £39 a month.
Firewalla Gold SE for $449: This quirky portable device is perfect for people who worry about security and privacy. It offers comprehensive tools for monitoring all traffic in and out of your house, robust and detailed parental controls, ad-blocking, and enhanced security with a built-in firewall and VPN option. It serves as a router, but you will want to pair another router in access point mode for Wi-Fi in your home. It’s expensive and may prove intimidating for inexperienced folks, but it offers deep insight into your network and an impressive depth of security features without an additional subscription. The Gold SE has two 2.5 Gbps ports and two gigabit ports and is suitable for folks with up to 2-gigabit connections. If your internet is only one gigabit, try the more affordable, but slightly less capable, Firewalla Purple ($359) (8/10, WIRED recommends).
TP-Link Archer BE800 for $500: With a fresh design that’s more desktop PC than router, the BE800 (8/10, WIRED Review) tri-band beast came out on top or close to it in my tests on the 2.4-GHz, 5-GHz, and 6-GHz bands, proving impressively swift for file transfers and downloads. It also boasts speedy ports galore, a cool but kind of pointless customizable dot-matrix LED screen, and the Tether app offers a guest network, IoT network, VPN server or client, EasyMesh, QoS for device prioritization, and remote management. This was our Wi-Fi 7 pick, but the Asus RT-BE96U beat it in my tests and does not require a subscription. TP-Link’s Security+ ($5/month, $36/year) and Advanced Parental Controls ($3/month, $18/year) bring full-featured parental controls and network security.
Reyee RG-E6 for $144: This affordable gaming router from Reyee came very close to unseating our budget gaming pick above (TP-Link Archer GX90) after some impressive test results. It is only a dual-band router, but with support for 160-MHz channels, the speeds on the 5-GHz band were very good. It has a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN and three gigabit LANs but no USB ports. Reyee’s app offers prioritization for devices, ports, and gaming traffic, separate guest and IoT networks, and basic parental controls. What it lacks is any security, and the app is poorly translated. But if that doesn’t bother you, this is likely the best gaming router you can get for the money.
TP-Link Archer AXE75 for $170: While this tri-band router makes Wi-Fi 6E affordable, its performance was mixed. The 6-GHz band offers fast speeds at close range but drops off sharply with distance. I found the 5-GHz band somewhat inconsistent, recording zippy performance in most of my tests but relatively slow results on a few occasions. You also need subscriptions if you want full-featured parental controls and network security, and all four Ethernet ports are limited to 1 Gbps.
Synology WRX560 for $220: If you already have the Synology RT6600ax listed above, the WRX560 is a decent additional device for setting up a mesh network. I had some issues with setup that required a factory reset, but once up and running, the WRX560 offers a strong and stable signal on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands. However, a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router is a tough sell at this price, so if you just need one, it’s worth spending the extra $80 for the RT6600ax.
TP-Link Archer AX5400 Pro for $200: This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router is almost identical to the Archer AX73, except for the 2.5 Gbps WAN port. It delivers relatively fast speeds on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands and boasts a 160-MHz channel width on 5 GHz. The range is good, easily covering my home and garden, but the performance was inconsistent. It was also relatively slow at moving files locally. There’s support for TP-Link OneMesh, VPN, and QoS, but you only get basic parental controls and network security unless you subscribe.
MSi RadiX AXE6600 for $161: This Wi-Fi 6E tri-band gaming router has that familiar red and black Sith spider look, though you can customize the lighting. It proved very fast in most of my tests, coming close to the top of the table at short range on the 6-GHz band and offering average performance on the 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz bands. But the mobile app had limited options, a confusing layout, and was buggy (it crashed on me more than once). The web interface was better, with more options, including open VPN, simple parental controls, guest network, and QoS optimization for gaming. Unfortunately, performance was inconsistent, and I suffered random drops twice in a week of testing.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6E for $200: One of the first Wi-Fi 6E tri-band routers (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) to hit the market, the price has dropped significantly since release. It proved easy to set up, and has a very straightforward app, though it was often slow to load. It has a 5-Gbps WAN port and four gigabit LAN ports. The performance proved reliable, and it’s possible to get lightning-fast speeds at close range if you have a device that supports Wi-Fi 6E. Coverage and speeds at mid and long range were average. There are free basic parental controls that enable you to block sites and schedule downtime, but only on a per-device basis (no profile creation or age restrictions filters). You can split bands if you want to, and prioritize three devices. There’s also a guest network option and easy Wi-Fi sharing. Another positive is that this router works with any other Linksys Intelligent Mesh router (including the Velop mesh range).
Linksys Hydra 6 for $100: Specs-wise, this compact router is similar to our top pick (TP-Link Archer AX55). It’s a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with a gigabit WAN and four gigabit LAN ports. The setup was easy, and it uses the same Linksys app as the Pro 6E above, so you get free parental controls, guest network, prioritization, and band splitting. It proved speedy at close range and not bad at mid-range, but if your home is larger than 1,600 square feet, it may struggle. However, as an Intelligent Mesh router, it can mix and match with other Linksys routers or its Velop mesh system. Linksys suggests a limit of 25 connected devices. Although it managed more than 40 without issues in my testing, busy households will likely want something more powerful.
Reyee RG-E5 for $100: Based purely on performance, this dual-band, Wi-Fi 6 router impressed me. It offered great coverage, very fast speeds on the 5-GHz band, and solid stability. It can also form a mesh with other Reyee routers, and the app boasts free parental controls. On the downside, security is lacking (no WPA3, no 2FA, no anti-malware), you have to create a Ruijie Cloud account (Ruijie is the Chinese parent company), and the poorly translated app is slightly confusing.
%20Abstract%20Background%20062024%20SOURCE%20OnePlus.jpg)
-Electric-Scooter-Abstract-Background-SOURCE-Best-Buy.jpg)
