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For the frequent flier who treats the Delta Sky Club like their second home.
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Boutayna Chokrane
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Tag: Buying Guides
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I Got Everything I Needed for a Thanksgiving Feast in One Box
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All of it came shrink-wrapped in its own sections, in little bamboo and/or cardboard boats set into a reusable acacia wood tray. All I had to do was unwrap the sections and arrange the crackers. There are three different board sizes (Classic serves 2-3, Medium serves 4-5, and Large serves 9-10, which I found to be accurate so long as the board is being used as an appetizer and not a meal), as well as holiday themes and customizable cheese numbers and letters. There’s also the option for add-ons like baked brie ($129) or fresh honeycomb ($19). A bargain it is not, but if you’re looking to take some of the stress out of Thanksgiving meal planning, this is sure to be a hit. —Kat Merck
More Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Sides and Boxes
We haven’t yet tried the Thanksgiving items below, but these are some options from meal kits I’ve tried and can recommend.
Courtesy of Green Chef
Organic Thanksgiving: Green Chef (Subscribers Only)
For preorder between October 31 and November 11, Green Chef subscribers can sign up to get organic sides and pasture-raised turkey delivered as à la carte meal kit items. This includes a 10-to 12-pound pasture-raised turkey for $70, or an assortment of sides: cranberry brioche stuffing, orange-cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, maple butternut squash, and broccoli gratin.
À la Carte Thanksgiving: Blue Apron Thanksgiving (Starts November 17, No Subscription Needed)
Blue Apron, one of the OG meal kits in the US, has undergone a wholesale transformation this year. One of the biggest changes is that subscriptions are no longer required, and à la carte meal ordering is possible—indeed, it’s now my favorite no-subscription meal kit offering. What this means is that for this Thanksgiving, you’ll be able to order individual Thanksgiving dishes to prep fresh at home.
WIRED plans to try these meals in advance when available, but individual meal kit delivery dishes will include roasted turkey breast with gravy and fresh cranberry sauce, a rosemary herb stuffing, brown butter mashed potatoes with white cheddar, breadcrumb mac and cheese, and apple crumb pie. Ordering goes live November 17 and runs through December 29.
A Big Thanksgiving Smorgasbord: Marley Spoon (Subscription Required)
You’ll have to sign up for a meal kit subscription (likely at a hefty discount), but Martha Stewart–endorsed meal kit Marley Spoon offers maybe more Thanksgiving items than any meal kit I’ve seen, pickable from the menu as meal kit items. This includes an ungodly array of pies and tarts, viands from ham to duck to turkey to beef roast, an entire Thanksgiving brunch, you name it. Here’s the November 17 advance menu, with 30 Thanksgiving options. Marley Spoon is my favorite meal kit, where cooking and recipe acumen are concerned: I haven’t tried these individual dishes, but if you’re in the market for a home Thanksgiving meal kit, November might be a good time to subscribe.
Courtesy of HelloFresh
Another Big Thanksgiving Box, From HelloFresh (Subscriber Only, Starts November 16)
You’ll have to be a subscriber (at least for the week!), but meal plan HelloFresh is offering a Thanksgiving feast that’ll serve eight to 10 people for $180, available through the HelloFresh Market. This will include a whole roast turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, brioche stuffing with cranberries, apple crisp, ginger-braised carrots with pecans. These dishes are also available à la carte, alongside other sides.
Courtesy of Factor
Prepared Meal Thanksgiving: Factor (Subscriber-Only)
Ready-to-eat meal company Factor offers a fully prepared, ready-to-heat Thanksgiving meal option for two, for couples who don’t want to make a multi-course meal just for themselves. It’ll be available November 22 at a $37 upcharge for existing Factor subscribers. The feast for two offers sliced sous-vide turkey breast, mashed potatoes, mushroom green beans, butternut smoked gouda mac and cheese, and a slice of pumpkin spice cheesecake.
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Matthew Korfhage
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The Best Rain Jackets to Help You Brave the Elements
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Every time I slip on a rain jacket, I give thanks that we no longer have to wrap ourselves in thick, smelly sealskin to stay dry. The best rain jackets today are more comfortable and watertight than ever, thanks to advances in weatherproof textiles and apparel design. But depending on the climate and your level of activity, sorting through different styles, technologies, and waterproof ratings can be confusing.
Every year, I test dozens of rain jackets through the soggy Pacific Northwest winter. I hike, bike, run, and walk my dogs—sometimes I even stand in the shower with my clothes on when the weather isn’t cooperating. I also got advice from Amber Williams, a professor at Brigham Young University who has been an expert on outdoor product design. All to find the rain jackets worth your time and money.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our outdoor coverage, including the Best Puffer Jackets, Best Merino Wool Clothes, and Best Hoodies. If you want a more in-depth explanation for what these terms mean (like, what’s hydrostatic head?) we have a fabric explainer here.
Table of Contents
Updated November 2025: We added the Arc’teryx Beta SL, the Lolë Piper 2.0, the Páramo Velez Adventure Smock, the Helly Hansen utility rain coat, the North Face Antora, the North Face Mountain Parka, the Finisterre Stormbird, and the Rab Firewall Alpine and Phantom.
Best Overall
Every year, I try to find another jacket that beats the Arc’teryx Beta SL for roominess and dryness, and it’s just impossible. Despite its extravagant price, this is the jacket that I always end up reaching for when an atmospheric river starts pouring through Portland. This is Arc’teryx’s lightest rain shell. It has Gore-Tex’s latest fabric innovation, called ePE (expanded polyethylene)—it’s a breathable, waterproof membrane laminated to a nylon face that’s also free of carcinogenic perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and has a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 28,000, which is pretty incredible (the standard is around 10,000). When it comes to rainwear, I sacrifice sustainability in favor of not getting wet—being cold and wet really sucks and could be life-threatening in the wrong situation. But this jacket has kept me dry through the bugging-est out, sideways-pouring rain.
Features-wise, the hood is big enough for my hair (or a helmet, if your hair is smaller than my hair), with adjustable cuffs and pit zips (very important for activity!). And unlike many other jackets, the women’s version has plenty of space for my shoulders and arms to move freely for biking, hiking, and moving heavy objects. If you’re only getting one rain jacket, it should be this one.
Best Rain Jacket for Women
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Photograph: Adrienne So
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Photograph: Adrienne So
I love this rain jacket. I was walking in the city with my friend (in the rain) when a truck suddenly went through a puddle right next to us on the road and covered me head to toe, Sex and the City-style. This jacket kept me dry. Its waterproofing specs are average—it uses a carbon-based, durable water repellent and has a HH rating of 10K, which is about half the waterproofing of what some of our other picks have—but I really like its design features.
I’m 5’2″ and it’s long enough to cover my shins. You can button the cuffs to prevent water from running down the sleeves. It has multiple (huge) pockets for all your random walking-around needs, with both zippered and open options. The fit is incredibly loose for layering—why don’t more outdoor brands do this? I’m very small on the bell curve of humanity, but I shouldn’t need to size up to men’s medium to get a size loose enough for layering! Most importantly, it packs up into its own small, self-contained backpack with straps so you can hang it on a wall when you get to the party instead of leaving a giant, soaking garment to hang from a hook and drip all over everything.
★ Alternative: If you’re not trying to stay dry for hours while outside and you also like a feature-rich rain jacket with big pockets, I like the Helly Hansen utility rain coat ($200), which also covers a lot of your body and has a lot of pocket options.
Best Rubber Rain Jacket
Photograph: Adrienne So
Since the 1960s, modern rainwear has relied on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals”, to waterproof clothing. Modern durable water repellents (DWRs) use PFAS in manufacturing, which then migrate from your clothing into soil and streams as you tromp around outside. Today, many companies are reducing the levels of PFAS in their products, probably because states are banning these chemicals.
The best way to make sure you don’t have PFAS in your coat is to go with a classic rubber raincoat, like Stutterheim’s Stockholm raincoat. Technical rain jacket manufacturers tend to shy away from polyurethane because it’s, well, rubbery. But the material is durable, long-lasting, windproof, waterproof, and PFAS-free. I also prefer rubber rain jackets in damp coastal climates, like the Pacific Northwest. Breathability is less of a sticking point when the air is already humid.
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Adrienne So
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I Tried the Best Red Light Therapy Masks for 8 Weeks—I’m Impressed
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If your skin is crying for help but you’re too tired to care, the best red light therapy mask is the easiest fake-it-till-you-make-it hack around. You might have seen a wave of people on social media channeling their best Hannibal Lecter while wearing a red light therapy device, like our top pick, the CurrentBody LED Face Mask Series 2 ($470). They’re not sipping Chianti but instead claiming that the wrinkles and fine lines on their faces have disappeared with the help of red light therapy. There’s nothing wrong with aging (duh), but after seeing the hype of these skin care devices, we had to find out if the “anti-aging” technology behind them could make a big impact on your skin health.
You can’t get the same effect with just any red LED from the hardware store. If the wavelength isn’t strong enough, it won’t penetrate your skin—sorry to the one TikToker sitting in front of a chicken coop heat lamp. After talking to board-certified dermatologists and testing several at-home devices, we’ve rounded up the best red light therapy masks for every sensitive skin condition, budget, and lifestyle.
For more beauty and wellness recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Electric Toothbrushes, Best Hair Dryers, and Best Lip Balms.
Featured In This Guide
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Updated October 2025: We’ve reevaluated the Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro. We also added more information about our testing methodology and updated prices.
Best Red Light Mask Overall
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Courtesy of CurrentBody
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Courtesy of CurrentBody
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Photograph: Nena Farrell
CurrentBody
LED Face Mask Series 2
The CurrentBody LED Face Mask Series 2 is a medical-grade, silicone mask. It also comes with a more secure strap—each side is shaped like a U, instead of using a single strap, making it much more secure. I can wear it and walk around if I like, without worrying about it slipping off, and the attached remote even has a little clip on it to hook it to your body.
This red light face mask only has one mode, but it does have three red light wavelengths, while most others only have two. The three levels are red (633 nanometers), near-infrared (830 nm), and what CurrentBody calls deep near-infrared (1,072 nm). CurrentBody says the deep near-infrared lights are designed to target areas that will have more signs of aging, though you can’t tell a difference in the lights just by looking at the lit-up mask.
It also has more LED bulbs in it than most other masks, with 236 LED bulbs in total. It’s a powerful mask, but I didn’t see much different results than I did from the cheaper LED Esthetics, once again seeing my acne clear up quickly with fewer scars left behind and a good glow to my skin. It was noticeably more comfortable and easier to wear around the house, so if you’re looking for a red-light-only mask you can multitask while wearing, the CurrentBody Series 2 is a great choice. —Nena Farrell
Best Value
Courtesy of Shark
Shark
CryoGlow Red Blue and Infrared iQLED Face Mask and Under Eye Cooling
The Shark CryoGlow is one of the best LED face masks on the market and is a great choice for newcomers, since it holds your hand through the process. There are two main programs to follow—Blemish Repair, which uses a combination of blue light (415 nm), infrared, and red LED (630-830 nm) for eight minutes, and Better Aging, which uses just infrared and red LED for six minutes. It’s recommended to follow one program daily for eight weeks, switching to the four-minute Skin Sustain program afterward to maintain the best results. It comes with a handy controller that counts down your time remaining and also tracks your progress, plus the mask has a party trick of cooling under-eye pads that can be used in combination with the LEDs or on their own, to soothe puffiness.
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Boutayna Chokrane , Nena Farrell
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The Best Webcams for Looking Brighter and Better
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Compare Top 7 Best Webcams
Before You Buy, Try Using Your Smartphone
You may not need a dedicated webcam at all. It’s actually really easy to use your smartphone’s cameras as a webcam instead, and they’re usually far superior. Recent iPhones, for example, have a feature called Continuity Camera—this works with certain MacBooks and allows you to wirelessly use the iPhone’s camera as a webcam. Apple even sells a Belkin mount that lets you hang your iPhone off the top of your MacBook or external monitor for the full effect.
Google Pixel phones also now feature wired webcam support. All you need to do is plug in a Pixel to your computer and choose the Webcam option for it to work. You’ll just need a tripod to keep it propped up; something like this Joby GripTight will do the job.
Don’t have either of these devices? Don’t fret. We have a full guide on How to Use Your Smartphone as a Webcam with multiple methods no matter what PC or phone you own. Got a professional camera? We have a guide on setting it up as a webcam too.
Lighting and Microphones Matter
An easy way to improve your existing webcam is to add a light source. Webcams have small camera sensors so they often need a lot of light to deliver good results.
Courtesy of Lume Cube
Lume Cube Mini LED Panel for $70: Something simple like this will do the trick. You can adjust the brightness and the color temperature to match your room’s lighting. It works off of battery power or you can leave it plugged in via the USB-C cable to run for however long you want. The two quarter-inch threads mean you can use any tripod or light stand to mount it on your desk. It also comes with a diffuser to soften the light when it illuminates your face. We have more lighting options in our Home Video Gear guide.
Webcams also have poor microphones. They’ll do the job but you’ll probably sound tinny. There’s a good chance your laptop’s mics are actually better, so try using those instead. Videoconferencing apps let you choose which mic you have to use, so just because you have a separate webcam doesn’t mean you have to use its built-in mic. Another option is to upgrade to a USB mic.
Courtesy of Amazon
Logitech Blue Yeti Nano USB Mic for $98: These microphones are the standard-bearer in the world of USB microphones, and the Nano packs everything most people need in a smaller footprint. Plug it into your computer and once you choose this mic in your video-calling settings as the default, you’ll immediately start hearing the compliments from people on the other end. Read our Best USB Mics guide for more details.
Most videoconferencing software cap the resolution at 1080p for bandwidth purposes, so a 4K webcam may not be necessary at all. However, almost all 4K webcams come with software that lets you crop in or re-frame the image, allowing you to, say, move something in the background of your home office out of frame. This won’t affect your image quality much either, at least compared to cropping in on a 1080p webcam. 4K webcams often have better image quality in general too. They’re more expensive, but if you can afford it, they’ll serve you better.
Also, it’s important to consider that 4K webcams often shoot at 30 frames per second, but often give you 1080p at 60 frames per second, which can be important, depending on the use case.
Understanding Megapixels, Resolutions, and Sensors
What matters with a webcam is the picture quality, but there are a number of camera specs that play into that. For starters, what we usually just call “resolution” is the pixel count of the final image, usually either 1080p, 1440p, or 4K. The sharpness of this final image is important, but it doesn’t alone tell the whole story on image quality.
The camera sensor itself also has a resolution, which is usually referred to in terms of megapixels, which is just the total number of pixels (rather than resolution, which uses a width by height dimension). More megapixels can produce higher-quality images, but the physical size of the sensor is also important. A larger sensor with a lower megapixel count will often result in better images. There is, of course, other important parts of cameras, such as aperture of the lens, which controls how much light is captured and can effect low-light performance. Most webcams have an aperture of f/2.0, but some models that have better low-light performance like the Emeet SmartCam S800 or Insta360 Link 2 have a wider f/1.8 aperture.
And lastly, the image processing has a lot to do with the final quality of the image. Webcams these days use lots of AI-based image processing to sharpen and balance the image around your face, including filtering out noise and smoothing out skin tone. Most of us want this to look as natural as possible, and there’s no question that some webcams are too heavy-handed.
Other Good Webcams
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Emeet Pixy for $128: With its dual camera setup, this adorable little PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera is like having a little robot friend hanging out on your monitor. Like the Insta360 Link 2 or Obsbot Tiny 2, the Emeet Pixy can detect your face and follow you around your setting, as well as respond to hand gestures. The tracking was quite good, though in terms of image quality, it didn’t quite live up to my hopes. It’s 4K and has a half-inch sensor, but it can’t handle tough lighting situations as well as something like the Emeet SmartCam S800. Still, it’s a solid, cheaper alternative to the Obsbot Tiny 2 Lite—and it’s just downright cute.
Logitech Brio 4K for $170: The original Brio from 2017 was one of the earliest mainstream webcams to offer 4K resolution at 30 fps. Logitech gave it a minor update in 2022 with updated software and a privacy shutter, but the old model is still a fine purchase that’s a little cheaper. The white balance is still accurate, and my skin color always looks normal, whether I’m in a sunny room, in limited light, or using artificial light. The autofocus is fast and subtle when refocusing, and the image is razor-sharp. Plus, you can choose from 65, 78, and a superwide 90 degrees for your field of view, giving you some framing options. If you’re using a Windows machine, you can set it up to work with Windows Hello for face authentication to log in.
Courtesy of Dell
Dell UltraSharp Webcam for $156: The UltraSharp Webcam feels incredibly substantial and is solid enough to take with you anywhere. Everything from the webcam body to the stand to the included tripod adapter is made of brushed aluminum. The stand and tripod adapter connects to the webcam body with a magnetic post that makes for a secure mount. The privacy cap connects magnetically and stays put with a satisfyingly strong hold, but it isn’t hard to remove. The inside of the cap is padded with a soft-touch fabric to keep it from scratching the lens. Even the forward-facing part of the stand is covered in soft-touch rubber to keep you from scratching the back of your laptop lid if you get a little reckless when setting up for a Zoom call. You can adjust the viewing angle between 65, 78, and 90 degrees and record in 4K resolution at 24 or 30 frames per second, as well as in 720p or 1080p resolutions at 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. However, the picture quality of the Dell isn’t any better than the Logitech MX Brio. It doesn’t have any microphones.
Obsbot Tiny 2 Webcam for $299: I used Obsbot’s first Tiny 4K PTZ webcam with great results for more than a year, and after switching to the new Tiny 2, it’s just as great. The 4K-capable picture quality looks great, and the camera does an excellent job of following my movement. The company has also really polished its software over the years, offering lots of customization. It can respond to your hand gestures, but you can also buy a remote to control it, making it great for presentations and group video calls. It’s quite expensive, though. We haven’t tested the newer Tiny 2 Lite, but it’s cheaper, more compact, and has a smaller sensor.
Insta360 Link for $180: This 4K webcam is an impressive beast. Mounted on a powered gimbal that rotates horizontally and vertically, the Insta360 Link (8/10, WIRED Recommends) will follow, refocus, and zoom in and out (up to 4X zoom) automatically as you move around the screen. It’ll even zoom in on presentation boards or papers you want to show off on your call. It offers outstanding sharpness, color contrast, and white balance in the choice of recording in 24, 25, and 30 frames per second in 4K resolution. There are dual noise-canceling microphones and a screw mount on the bottom for attaching it to a tripod, too. The only thing it lacks is a physical privacy shutter, but the camera points downward when it’s not in use. The Link 2 is a better buy, but this model has a three-axis gimbal that makes it more versatile than the Link 2’s two-axis gimbal.
Don’t Bother With These Webcams
Courtesy of Adorama
Not every webcam is an upgrade over the built-in one on your laptop. These are the models I tested that ranged from merely unimpressive to ones that made me look like the subject of a second-grade art project.
Microsoft LifeCam Studio for $85: It says it’s a 1080p webcam, but there’s a catch—that’s only for recording video. Using it for video calls restricts you to 720p. My coworkers commented on how out of focus I constantly was. The white balance was so off that I looked more orange than an Oompa Loompa. And the exposure was so blown out that I never stopped looking like I was living through the last scenes of The Lighthouse. There was also a lot of lag in my movements and bad motion blur.
Logitech Brio 500 for $130: This webcam has wacky adjustments. Held onto the base via a magnet, panning it downward often pulled it off the base instead of adjusting the angle, and swiveling it left or right caused it to loosen so much it wouldn’t stay put. That meant I kept having to pull it off the magnetic stand, screw the mount back down, and reposition it—and then not adjust it during the rest of the Zoom. That said, the image quality of its 1080p resolution, white balance, and color contrast was quite good, if not excellent, and it came with a USB-C connection and a physical privacy shutter. The autofocus could stand to be a touch quicker. Other positives are that you can get it in black, white, or pink, two more colors than what most webcams offer.
Logitech Brio 300 for $60: The image quality is lacking on this one. Even in a fairly well-lit room, my picture was grainy. It also did weird things with the white balance as it autofocused. The field of view is quite narrow at 70 degrees and non-adjustable, so the image onscreen is up in your face. You’ll want to scoot back quite a bit so everybody else isn’t looking up your nose. Like the Brio 500, it comes in black, white, and pink, connects via USB-C, and has a physical privacy shutter. There are better options for this price without these image quality oddities.
Razer Kiyo X for $48: The Kiyo X does away with the integrated ring light of the original Kiyo, but it does have automatic white balance and color saturation. Video picture settings can be tweaked in the Razer Synapse app, too. It also shoots 1080p-resolution video at 30 frames per second or 720p resolution at 60 frames per second. Its field of vision is a slightly wide 82 degrees. The built-in mics are nothing to write home about, so stick to the ones in your laptop or grab a USB mic. Sadly, there is no privacy shutter.
Razer Kiyo Pro for $130: Although it looks similar to its cheaper, non-pro sibling, the Pro ditches the light ring and instead relies on software to compensate for low-light conditions. I resented having to download the Razer Synapse app to get a decent image out of the Kiyo Pro. Yes, fine-tuning settings is a very WIRED thing to do, but most people just want to plug their webcam in. Once you fiddle with the app settings, the image is sharp and beautiful. However, it has the same overly obvious autofocusing as the regular Kiyo, and it’s also a little overpriced. It’s not a bad pick, but again, the Logitech Brio can do 4K/30 fps, as opposed to this camera, which tops out at 1080p/60 fps.
Creative Labs Live! Sync 4K for $57: I was skeptical about a 4K resolution webcam for this price, and my skepticism was validated in the wildly strange white balance that turned me and everything faintly orange. It may be the only webcam that made my room look darker than it was. The privacy shutter is a rubber cap you put on and take off. The bit that holds it to the webcam when it’s off is flimsy enough that if you’re rough or careless, you could rip it off, but it’s nice that it isn’t plastic, which would weaken over time. A minor issue is that the black cap blends in with the black webcam and lens, so, at a glance, it’s hard to tell whether the cap is on or off.
Cisco Desk Camera 1080p for $131: Not to be confused with Cisco’s almost identically named Desk Camera 4K. I tried the 1080p, 8-MP version in a variety of natural and artificial lighting, but my fellow Gear Team members and I couldn’t help but notice that no matter how I used it, the video looked overly pixelated. Unless a webcam can make me look as good pixelated as Axel from Streets of Rage, then I want smooth video that looks like it’s 1080p. During Zooms, the Desk Camera 1080p had trouble with focusing and zooming, frequently and jarringly refocusing but never getting it quite right.
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Luke Larsen, Julian Chokkattu
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I Tested Over 40 Heat Protectant Sprays to Find the Best of the Best
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Compare Our Top Picks
Honorable Mentions
Photograph: Kat Merck
Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I love Sutra’s IR2 hair straightener, so I had high hopes. This thick and almost fragrance-free cream is meant to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce drying time, but my hair felt dried out after use.
Function of Beauty Smooth With It Blowout Mist for $13: This Target-exclusive spray is fortified with argan oil and Tsubaki oil (from camellia fruit), a common ingredient in many K-beauty products. It is a spray, but I was surprised to find it comes out with an opaque, creamlike consistency rather than as a liquid, which means it goes on a bit heavy. That said, sometimes my frizzy hair needs something on the heavy side, and this definitely fit the bill—it did visibly reduce frizz after blow-drying, and my hair felt very soft.
Remilia Rice & Shine Leave-in Conditioner for $24: This is a hydrating, heat-protective leave-in spray with a cool, cork-topped bottle and an inoffensive scent. However, it did not do much for frizz in my tests.
Mark Anthony Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout for $10: This anti-frizz spray is a great value, but it didn’t work wonders on my 3a curls, and Function of Beauty’s Smooth With It (above) outperformed it in this price category.
Raw Sugar Multi Miracle Leave-in Conditioner for $10: I really liked the wood accent and spray nozzle on the bottle of this heat-protective leave-in conditioner, but it did not perform well on frizz in my tests.
Biolage Thermal Setting Spray for $24: I like the Biolage brand, and the fact that this can be used on either damp or dry hair (though it doesn’t give a temperature limit). However, whether I used it wet or dry, I found it left parts of my hair stiff. Some online reviewers, though, found they quite liked it for setting curls.
Courtesy of Emi Jay
Emi Jay Heavenly Hair Milk for $40: This is not exactly a spray, but it is lightweight enough that it could be, and it comes in a cool bottle with a pump that twists down to become a flush cap. It’s a combination heat protectant and detangler that happens to be an excellent anti-frizz product on its own (it supposedly cuts down on drying time too, but this feature wasn’t notable in my testing). This was at one time my first pick for best smelling, but someone online said it smelled like Play-Doh, and I was never able to un-smell it.
Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant for $15 (2 ounces): All of Moroccanoil’s products come infused with argan oil, and this spray that protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit is no exception. It can be used on wet or dry hair, and it’s extremely lightweight—I thought it felt and acted like a light hairspray, for better or for worse. I didn’t love the scent or the super-fine, alcohol-based mist—in fact, I was worried it would dry my hair out, but it didn’t.
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Amazing Anti-Humidity Spray for $28 and Smoothing Cream for $24: I love Milk_Shake as a brand, and these products were just fine, but didn’t stand out enough to qualify as top picks.
Verb Frizz Defense Smoothing Spray for $22: I’d heard great things about this frizz-fighting spray, and indeed it’s lightweight, feels non-drying, and doesn’t leave any heavy residue. It’d be a great pick if you have straight or wavy hair, but there are more effective options to cut frizz for type 3 and 4 curls if you’re trying to achieve a blowout.
Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment for $44: I loved this cream’s spicy botanical scent, stylish glass bottle, and the fact that it protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (according to Reverie; it does not say so on the bottle). It worked fine! There are just too many better options for half the price. (Ed. note: This is reviews editor Adrienne So’s current favorite heat protectant for thick, wavy 2a hair. She mainly likes the ease of application and frizz prevention, but admits that it’s stupid expensive.)
Others We Tried
Photograph: Kat Merck
Hairstory Primer Smoothing & Protecting Mist for $36: This leave-in mist protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and is designed to work with the whole Hairstory New Wash Method ($64), which involves a detergent-free “cleansing cream.” I tried it and it reminded me of the whole “no ’poo” movement of the early aughts, where practitioners eschewed modern shampoo for more natural options like baking soda. This method is not for everyone, but if you do try it, I don’t think the mist adds enough to justify the cost.
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray for $38: This aerosol felt like it dried my hair out a bit, and it has the same unpleasant scent as the 4-in-1 (above). I didn’t care for it in a liquid spray, but it was overwhelming in aerosol cloud form.
Photograph: Kat Merck
R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist for $36: This high-tech-looking aerosol in a recycled aluminum bottle was a favorite during the early weeks of testing—I liked its protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and its frizz-fighting properties. However, it does use a polymer and resin complex to smooth hair, and over time I noticed it was leaving a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.
Cloud 9 Miracle Repair 3-in-1 Leave-in Conditioning Spray for $26 and Cloud 9 Blowout Blow Dry Serum for $23: People rave about Cloud 9 online, and I really like parent brand Beautopia’s vibrating hair straightener, but neither of these products did much to cut down frizz during my tests.
Mane Cotton Candy Dry Texture and Volume Spray for $26: Protective up to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, this styler is supposed to add volume, and I had high hopes given my positive experience with this brand’s Temp Check heat protectant (above). However, it had the opposite effect on my mid-back-length hair.
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blowdry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme for $26: I have thick, unruly hair, and this cream protectant felt like it actually made my hair unmanageable and harder to style. It may speak to its effectiveness, but I felt like I had to take too many passes with a titanium flat iron turned up to max temperature.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Pureology Instant Levitation Mist for $32: Pureology is known for its formulas made specifically for color-treated hair, so I was hoping this would be a great-performing solution for those who don’t want to risk ruining their expensive highlights or balayage. However, it seemed to leave a dull residue, and neither I nor my short-haired tester found the volumizing feature to be very effective.
R+Co Chainmail Thermal Protection Styling Spray for $36: I appreciated this spray for its ability to add lots of visible shine, but the aerosol nozzle was not as targeted as I’d have liked, creating such a wide-ranging, fine-mist fog that it was nearly impossible not to breathe it in. I also found the cologne-like scent overwhelming.
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Thermo-Protector for $40: I usually love Milk_Shake products, but this aerosol spray felt like it dried out my hair and amplified my already hard-to-handle frizz after blow-drying. It also did not add a discernible amount of shine as promised.
FoxyBae Cool AF Heat Protectant + Biotin for $16: I like the cheery design of this pump spray bottle, as well as the fact it can be used on wet or dry hair. However, it didn’t seem as effective as other brands and was greasy when used on dry hair.
Chi 44 Iron Guard for $19: This drugstore stalwart works well to protect from heat while also tamping down frizz, and the new Botanical Bliss scent is an improvement over the original formula’s. However, it left a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.
Neqi Diamond Glass Styling Spray for $12: I love Neqi’s hair perfume spray, so I had high hopes for its heat protectant, but it just didn’t do much to reduce frizz.
FAQs
How Do Heat Protectants Work?
Ingredients vary, but most heat protectants work much the same way: by deploying ingredients like copolymers or silicone that coat the hair shaft to slow (though not totally stop) heat conduction. Many heat protectants also include moisturizers to help seal and smooth the cuticle to reduce frizz. Because heat protectants can only slow, not completely stop, heat damage, it’s still important to use the lowest heat settings you can for your hair for the least amount of time.
I wash my 3a curly hair twice a week, then blow-dry and follow up with a straightening iron. I touch up my hair with a straightening iron daily in between. I tested the heat protectants in this guide in the course of my normal day-to-day life over a period of four months. I used each product on either damp hair before blow-drying or on dry hair before the straightening iron—whichever was indicated by the instructions. If a product could be used on damp and dry hair, I tried it both ways.
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Kat Merck
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The Best WIRED-Tested Cat Toys for Your Sophisticated Fur Baby
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Cats are beautiful, interesting, weird creatures. They’re also very picky. Finding cat toys that they’ll actually play with is tough, especially with the sheer oversaturation of the pet market today. Cats require a specific environment to play, scratch, and relax. Based on years of testing with our cats, these are our favorite WIRED-approved, techy cat toys (and furniture). Even if our cats rejected a particular product, we still examined overall construction, design, and value to determine whether it may be useful for other kitties.
We have tested everything on this list with our own cats. All of these toys have an element to engage their natural instincts, like an interactive mat that mimics the movements of prey, or a puzzle toy so your cat has to use their pecan-sized brain to get rewarded with delicious treats. Plus, increasing vertical space with cat furniture is a great way to provide passive enrichment.
I’m a helicopter cat mom specializing in pet tech, and all of the cat toys and furniture in this guide are approved by both my and other staffers’ (very spoiled) WIRED cats. Check out our related guides like the Best Automatic Cat Litter Boxes, Best Automatic Cat Feeders, Best Cat Water Fountains, and Our Favorite Fancy Cat Furniture. More of a dog person? We’ve got you covered! See our Best Accessories and Tech Essentials for Your Dog guide.
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Updated October 2025: We’ve added The Purrgola, Mau Reiya, and Mau Ivy 3, and removed the 5Strands Intolerances & Imbalances Test. We’ve updated prices and links throughout.
Cat Toys
This feline crowd pleaser is the cat toy I recommend everyone buy. My extremely spoiled cats rarely interact with a toy for more than five minutes, but they play with this interactive cat toy for hours on end. It has three modes so cats never get bored: Normal, Active, and Interactive, and it shuts off automatically after a period of time not being used. It has a simple USB charger (but lasts on a charge for about six days), and a button that controls everything, plus it comes with a replacement wand in case your cats are as rough-and-tumble as mine. Although this is a bit more than I like to spend on cat toys, it was the best purchase I’ve made this year.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Viwik
Interactive Cat Toy Mat
My cats go bonkers for interactive play mats, and although this one didn’t keep their attention as much as the play mat above, it’s still a solid choice and provides them with options when it comes to human-free play. The rechargeable rolling ball lights up and moves erratically inside the mat, which held my cats’ attention for probably half an hour. I put this one away for a few days before bringing it back out to keep interest. You can even use the rolling ball as a toy outside the mat, but beware that it easily rolls under furniture and in hard-to-reach corners. My biggest gripe is that the rechargeable ball has a short battery life and needs to be charged after each play session.
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Valonii
Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy
There’s some controversy in the cat-owning community about whether lasers are too frustrating for cats, who may feel like they can never “catch” the “prey” (aka pouncing on the laser dot without actually being able to get it). My cats are both obsessed with laser toys, and it’s a great way for them to get exercise and keep themselves entertained; I just always give them treats after to reward them for a job well done. This toy has three interactive modes and motion sensor activation to further keep cats’ attention, and it lasts about a day before needing to be recharged.
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
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Catstages
Interactive Cat Treat Puzzle
One of my cats is an extremely intelligent, high-energy cat who’s also very food motivated, so it is a continual challenge to find things to keep him entertained—not to mention, I also have to make sure he doesn’t inhale his food. With this toy, you can cover up the treats with the leaves or put them only in the cups for an extra challenge—I love that this puzzle toy is totally customizable based on your cat’s intelligence level. I have both the Melon Madness and Buggin’ Out models, and even years later, my cats are still entertained by them. I call that a good investment.
Photograph: Meowbox
If you can’t figure out which kind of toy your cats will like, or you just want them to be refreshed every so often, Meowbox is a great subscription. You can choose to get deliveries every one or two months, and they include both treats and incredibly cute toys with an equally cute theme. Plus, for every box sold, the company gives food to a shelter.
Photograph: SnugglyCat
Snuggly Cat
The Ripple Rug
Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s cats went nuts for this Ripple Rug. The bottom piece stays in place while the top can be configured into different shapes for playing (or hunting), and you can reshape it as often as you wish. The material feels like felt, but is made from 24 post-consumer plastic bottles and can withstand sharp claws.
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Courtesy of Amazon
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Photograph: Simon Hill
All three of our cats love the Kong Kickeroo, and it has been one of the most long-lived cat toys we have ever bought. Bodhi is our eldest cat and rarely plays with toys anymore, but even he can’t resist the Kickeroo. It’s the perfect shape to grab and claw at with his back paws, and it has a tail, mixed textures, and crinkly material inside with a touch of catnip. We also tried the smaller model, but it was quickly chewed through, while the larger one has lasted for years. —Simon Hill
Photograph: Amazon
Bawan
Silvervine Chew Sticks
My overactive cat Basil is one of roughly 40 percent of cats that don’t react to catnip, which is a bummer because he gets FOMO watching his sister go wild. Luckily, both of my cats go crazy for these simple sticks. It helps them engage with natural kicking instincts and redirects aggressive chewing from my iPhone cord. I’d recommend that anyone with cats who don’t react to catnip or have aggressive chewing tendencies give these a try.
Photograph: Amazon
I’ve had seven cats over the past 20 years, and every single one of them has been obsessed with this interactive toy. And not just any wand toy, this one specifically and its original feather attachment, which uses the same swivel mechanism as a fishing lure to create movement through the air that registers as 100 percent authentic to cats. There are other attachments available, like fur “mice,” but nothing hits quite like the original feather cluster. Make sure you stock up on refills, in case your cat finds the wand in the middle of the night and has its way with it. (Speaking from experience.) —Kat Merck
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
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Courtesy of Petcube
This pet camera has the ability to control a laser via app, so you can engage in play with your cat even when away, and it aims to auto-engage when motion is detected (but very often it didn’t). Although I wish the motion sensors were a bit more sensitive to engage in play more often while I’m not home, it consistently kept my cats entertained, plus it was fun to be able to play with them through the app from afar.
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
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Enabot
Rola PetPal Robot Pet Companion
Is it a toy? Is it a security camera? Is it a treat dispenser? There’s no need to decide! While my cats were more curious than excited to play with this li’l robot pet camera, it did keep their attention, which is a win in my book. My cat Basil was obsessed with the toy attachment and loved finding different ways to proudly pull it off and bring it to me. The app can be a bit glitchy, and the robot is by no means smart, but it is a camera you can move about your house while you’re away, and it’ll roll, slam into objects, and shoot treats out at your confused cats. At the end of the day, the robot was great at keeping their attention, which is all we really want in the end.
Cat Trees and Furniture
Photograph: Kat Merck
Omlet
Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree
More than just a cat tree, the modular Freestyle lets you customize your own indoor or outdoor cat jungle gym from a series of bamboo platforms, beds, ramps, hammocks, and scratchers. The platforms are sturdy enough to support cats of any size or activity level, and the poles can accommodate ceilings up to 14 feet. The system is not inexpensive or especially easy to put together, but my cats Circe and Scylla spend every single day on theirs, making it worth the investment. —Kat Merck
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Photograph: Kat Merck
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Photograph: Kat Merck
This is one of the most popular items I have ever tested with my cats. Neighbors love it, delivery people comment on it, and, of course, both my cats adore it. It’s super easy to assemble and install, provided you have a vertical sash window—just close the window on it, and raised acrylic stakes in the back will keep it in place. (You also have the option to screw the Purrgola to the window frame, which is recommended, and/or secure the window in place with window locks.) The thick, weatherproof acrylic—which is seriously thick; it even survived a tumble out of a first-story window during our test—is load-tested to 90 pounds, and the cushion inside has a soft, minky, machine-washable cover. The screens on either side are stainless steel mesh to prevent any funny business. It’s got an acrylic door on the room side that pulls out and down to close, but this part is fragile; I’ve now broken it twice taking it in and out of the window, but it glues back just fine. I wouldn’t recommend using a Purrgola during a very rainy season, as a little heavy rain will come in the side screens (though not a lot!), or where there are lots of bugs, as it’s not an airtight fit in the window. However, if your cats are indoor-only (and they should be!), this is a fun and stylish way for them to interact safely with the outdoors. Also note that it may take cats a while to get used to it—it took both of mine about a week, but after that, they were both in it every day. —Kat Merck
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Photograph: Kat Merck
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Photograph: Kat Merck
No one does high-end cat furniture quite like Mau. WIRED has tested several of Mau’s cat trees over the years, and every one has been a banger: objectively beautiful, sturdy, well made, and beloved by cats. The solid-oak Reiya isn’t one of Mau’s flashier designs, and in fact, I’m surprised by how unassuming it looks online—in person, it reads as a midcentury work of art, Hans Wegner-esque with rounded edges and a glowing oak finish. Everyone who visits our house has commented on it. I admit I was a little worried about the baskets being clawed or unraveled, but they’re plastic rattan. The woolly Oeko-Tex cushion covers zip off for washing, and for younger, more playful kitties, there are rings on the underside of the top platform for dangling white, green, or pink optional pom poms ($12). The scratching pad is the hard kind of sisal material, which my cats don’t love, but they quickly warmed up to it with some training. In any case, a Mau cat tree is an investment, but you get what you pay for, and this is likely the last cat tree you will need to buy in your lifetime. If you’re not sure, Mau offers a 45-day trial period and one-year warranty. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Molly Higgins
It’s pretty clear that the WIRED reviews team loves Mau furniture. It’s sleek, well made, and looks like a high-end piece of furniture rather than the ugly, cheaply-made cat trees of yesteryear. This piece is solid, with a heavy wood base, two sturdy sisal-rope-lined trunk pieces that screw together, three woven baskets that screw into place, and three super-soft fur pillows. Plus, all of the pieces are replaceable, so that if something succumbs to wear and tear over time, you won’t have to throw away the entire tree. The fur cushions are machine washable too, but make sure you read the cleaning directions to ensure they last as long as possible. Mau has free shipping (in the contiguous US and Canada), a 45-day return policy, and a one-year warranty. My cats use this tree every day, and I’m happy to have this stylish piece proudly on display in my living room.
Photograph: Mau
Cats like to jump and climb whatever they can, so a cat tree should help keep them occupied and off your mantel or breakable glassware. Our favorite cat trees are made from materials that can be scratched up. (We also have a guide to the fanciest cat furniture we’ve tried if you really want the full scoop.) When you live in a small apartment, everything you decorate with matters because it’s all on display—nothing gets hidden when you only have one to three rooms. Some of us want our cat’s furniture to match, too. Mau’s Cento is one of former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s favorites. If you can afford it, your cats will thank you.
Photograph: Kat Merck
Mau
Kona End Table Scratcher
Mau is known for its high-end and tasteful cat furniture (including our Mau picks above), and its Kona side table fits right into the lineup with a midcentury mod vibe and scratching pad discreetly tucked into the back. The solid-wood table is very heavy and well-made, with options for an oak or walnut finish. It didn’t dissuade my cats from scratching the chair it’s next to, but it does come with a bag of catnip to help with encouragement. This table is popular and often sold out, but you can sign up on Mau’s website to be notified of the next restock. —Kat Merck
Photograph: Medea Giordano
K&H Pet Products
Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch
Our favorite window perch lets cats responsibly interact with the outside world. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano loved these window seats because they are a great way for cats to bask in the sun and keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood while safely indoors. They’re easy to install too, with sticky strips that attach to your windowsill that can hold up to 40 pounds. You can also nail the base into the window frame, and there are even heated seats for super-spoiled kitties. The covers are removable and can be machine-washed. Heads up, you’ll need a windowsill at least 2 inches deep to properly support it.
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
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Courtesy of Knead
This cat bed has a memory foam sculpted-contour mattress base with a super cozy (removable and washable) nano heating and volcanic-particle-infused cover. It has a button on the side with different heat settings, including timed heatings. It has optional self-heating natural herb pad attachments for further pain relief and to help reduce arthritic inflammation, which is especially ideal for senior cats. The sculpted bed is specially contoured to provide orthopedic support for the cat’s joints. Pro tip: Put the bed on a higher surface or somewhere the cats already lounge. Cats love to be off the ground, and once I moved this on top of my side desk, both of my cats lay in it constantly.
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
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I’ve been getting Instagram ads for this stylish bed that attaches to your desk for so long, I had to cave and see if it was worth the hype. Especially since I have a very needy cat who loves to lounge on my laptop while I WFH. This bed is easy to assemble, with an arm that screws into the wooden base and a screwed vise to keep the bed in place on the desk. It has adjustable vertical height, and the base also rotates. Just make sure you measure the surface you want to attach it to before you buy. My desk was too thick, and my side table was too thin—luckily they sent additional planks to add into the screwed vise to make it sturdier, but I haven’t found the purrfect spot for it yet.
Other Essentials We Keep Going Back To
Photograph: Molly Higgins
Yeowww! Banana Catnip Toy for $6: This toy has been the single most loved toy by all of former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano‘s cats.
Playology Feather Mice for $17: Did you know there are “bird” cats and “mouse” cats? Most cats actually prefer to hunt specific types of prey, and I’ve seen this play out in my own house. Even though they’re litter mates, one of my indoor cats clearly prefers to leap at flying things (birds) and the other likes to hide and leap out at things down low (mice). They both enjoy these toys—they’re fuzzy like mice but feathered like birds, with some catnip for added interest. I recommend putting them away when playtime is finished to keep interest fresh, and to remove the bell if you don’t want to hear jingling in the middle of the night. —Kat Merck
Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy for $4: This absurdly simple toy is a cheap crowd pleaser. It’s just some rolls of cardboard that weigh down a springy steel wire. The erratic movements are similar to bugs flying, and my cats always actively play with it.
Lick Mat for $8: A lick mat is a great way to add enrichment and stimulation—plus, it helps them promote slow eating (and less throwing up). I also have this set of two cute fish-shaped lick mats ($17) for each of my kitties, and it’s a fun way to give them a treat while promoting slow feeding and stimulation. I put Churu puree with some added water to help sneakily add more hydration to their snacks.
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Molly Higgins
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