ReportWire

Tag: Buying Guides

  • Quell the Heat With Our Favorite Window Air Conditioners at All Price Points

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    Others We Tested

    EcoFlow Wave 2 for $1,299: Lisa Wood Shapiro tested the newest model for this update. The EcoFlow Wave 1 has cooled down my wife’s office for more than a year just fine—we can’t use a window AC there because it would block the fire escape. Lo and behold, there’s a new version that’s slightly cheaper (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s a little lighter than its predecessor at 32 pounds, yet has a higher 5,100 BTU rating (up from 4,000). New here is a heating mode rated at 6,100 BTU, so you can keep using it in the winter to warm up a room. The company says it’s best for rooms up to 107 square feet. You do need to place it near a window to have one of the included ducts connected to the vent to take hot exhaust from the back of the unit out of the room. What makes this unit versatile is how you can power it. You can use a standard AC outlet, but you can buy the version with a battery to keep it working when you don’t have access to power, or you can hook it up to solar panels. —Julian Chokkattu

    Dreo Smart Air Conditioner for $460: The Dreo Smart Air Conditioner not only cools a large bedroom effectively and quickly, it also can be controlled by the app in my iPhone. Along with the Dreo’s easy-to-use app, it can be paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. It has an easy-to-read LED display and control panel, along with a magnetized place for the remote, and louvers that open and close, adding to its robotlike aesthetic. The setup was easy, and I didn’t drill in a single screw, as I was able to close the window on the expanders. It’s not entirely clear how I was supposed to snap the hose into the window hole, but I shoved it in and it seems to fit in there. It’s not super airtight, which is fine. One of the issues with portable air conditioners is the single hose. It can create a vacuum in an airtight space; think pressure in your ears like an airplane. And it can create enough negative pressure that the room can potentially suck in hot air from the outside. So, leave the window open a crack. However, we now only recommend dual-hose portables, as they don’t create a vacuum and are more efficient. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

    Zero Breeze Mark II for $999: With its 2,300 BTU, you won’t be able to get the same cooling power as with the EcoFlow Wave, but the Zero Breeze (7/10, WIRED Review) is much lighter at 17 pounds. This bundle includes a battery that will make the whole thing weigh about 30 pounds, but you’ll get four hours of use without needing to be near a wall outlet. Like the EcoFlow, you get a few vent pipes to direct exhaust away and direct cool air to a specific area, but unlike the EcoFlow, you can’t charge the battery and use the AC at the same time. —Julian Chokkattu

    Zero Breeze Mark III for $1,399: As WIRED contributor Chris Null notes (7/10, WIRED Review), the Mark III is both larger than the Mark II and quite a bit heavier, now 22 pounds. Add on the 1,022-Wh battery pack and you’ll pack on another 14 pounds, though that frees you from having to be near a power outlet. New for the Mark III is the fact that batteries can now be stacked and charged in sequence, each daisy-chained to the next (though at $600+ per battery, this can get pricey fast). Each Mark III battery also has extra outputs that can be used for other devices—one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a 12-volt DC socket. However, the Mark II battery has all of the above plus a second USB-A port. No word on why this was removed. However, it’s a bigger, punchier unit by most standards and a worthwhile buy for outdoors enthusiasts.

    BTU stands for British thermal units. In the case of air conditioners, BTU is a way to measure how much heat the compressor can remove from a room. It’s a quick and easy way to figure out whether an AC unit is powerful enough to cool your space. First, you’ll want to find the square footage of your room by multiplying the length and width. Then, use the US Department of Energy’s guidance on the BTU capacity you need. For example, a 150- to 250-square-foot room needs a 6,000 BTU AC unit or higher for adequate cooling.

    Check the combined energy-efficiency ratio (CEER) rating. The specs on any air conditioner you buy should list a CEER rating, which is one of the best ways of checking the energy efficiency of a unit. You’ll usually see a number between 9 and 15. The higher the number, the less you’ll pay when the electricity bill comes around. A cheap window AC unit might save you money at first, but you may end up shelling out more in the long run. The US Energy Star program has a website that lets you browse AC units based on their CEER ratings.

    Check local laws. Some cities, like New York, require installing brackets to support your window AC. A simple one like this model should do the trick, though we haven’t tried it out. You may also need to head to a hardware store for some plywood to make sure your window sill sits flat, but this depends on the type of windows you have and the AC model you buy. When installing, you should get a friend to help you out. These units can be heavy and difficult to hold, and the last thing you want is to drop one out the window.

    Measure your window. Before you buy, read up on the supported window types and sizes for the AC unit you’re looking at, and measure your window to be safe. Make sure to seal any gaps as best you can with the included foam. (You can always buy more if you need it.)


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    Julian Chokkattu, Lisa Wood Shapiro

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  • Inflation Sucks! Stretch Your Dollars With a Great Cheap TV

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    The short answer is price, performance, and usability. Most regular folks who ask me about a new TV are looking for something around $500 or less. Jumping up a few hundred dollars can often get you a lot more performance, but I understand that may not be in the budget, so this list generally aims for TVs at or below that magic number. To get there, we sometimes sacrifice size, often recommending 55-inch models rather than the 65-inch size that’s becoming the industry standard. Not everyone needs a larger screen, and the larger you go, the more you’ll notice performance imperfections.

    As TVs get increasingly bigger, it’s also getting harder to find good TVs smaller than 55-inches, especially if you want features like High Dynamic Range and quantum dot colors that make for a much more vibrant and impactful picture. These features often go hand-in-hand with 4K resolution, so while you may not mind getting an HDTV at smaller sizes, all the TVs we’ve recommended offer 4K resolution. Wherever possible, we look for models that offer various size options to cater to all buyers and use cases.

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    Ryan Waniata

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  • The Best Heart Rate Monitors to Check Your Cardiac Health

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    FAQS

    We tested and recommend all of the heart rate monitors below, which do a pretty impeccable job. But what do all these terms mean?

    Heart rate zones: If someone tells you they’ve been doing 80/20 training, they’ve been doing heart rate zone-based workouts. Heart rate zones are an easy way to break down your range of effort during exercise. Zones go from 1 to 5, with 5 indicating working at 90 to 100 percent of your maximum heart rate. Zone 2 represents training at 60 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate and represents light training. 80/20 training is intended to build endurance and means that 80 percent of your runs should be in Zone 2. If your heart rate monitor doesn’t tell you your zone, you can calculate it using Polar’s simple tool.

    Maximum heart rate: Some monitors can inform you of your maximum heart rate, which is the number of beats your heart can reach during exercise. This is useful for knowing when you’re training at peak intensity and can be used to create heart rate zones. Factors like your age and fitness level can influence what that maximum heart rate will be. You can generate an estimate of your maximum heart rate by simply subtracting your age from 220 and use that at a starting point.

    VO2 max: The term VO2 max stands for maximum rate of oxygen your body can consume during exercise; the higher the better. It provides a useful indicator of your ability to sustain intense effort for long periods. Calculating this accurately is done in lab conditions, so heart rate monitors and watches often use their own algorithms to approximate that lab testing.

    Heart rate variability: Heart rate variability measures the intervals between heart beats and is measured in milliseconds. High HRV readings are considered better than lower ones, because it means that the body is responding in a resilient way to stress. However, your HRV readings can differ widely from one person to another because they can be influenced by age, fitness level, or even when the measurement was taken.

    Resting heart rate: This is the number of times your heart beats in one minute when at rest, which is a simple indicator of your current level of cardiovascular fitness and general well-being. Typically, your heart rate is supposed to sit anywhere from 60 to 100 bpm at rest. A low resting heart rate is associated with athletes, because the heart has been trained to be more efficient. But an uncharacteristically low or high RHR could mean that something is not quite right.

    Calories burned: A heart rate monitor looks at your effort based on your heart rate and uses the company’s own algorithms to offer an indicator of how many calories you’ve burned during a workout. Heart rate is one of the strongest, if not the strongest indicators of effort, which means a heart rate monitor is one of the most accurate ways to get this information.

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    Michael Sawh

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  • Sound Machines Can Be a Game-Changer For Light Sleepers—Here Are Our Tested Picks

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    Compare Our Top Picks

    More Sound Machines We Like

    Baby Brezza Sleep and Soother for $30: This is super light, can run on batteries or be plugged in, and has 18 sleep sounds and three timer options (or it plays continuously). There’s also a night light with three brightness levels.

    Yogasleep Hushh 2 Portable Sound Machine for $30: The Hushh 2 is another great portable sound machine that you should consider. It has six sounds, three timer options, and a nice night light for softly illuminating your bedside table or guiding your way to the bathroom. The brand says this model is its most durable sound machine. I didn’t fling it down the stairs, but it has held up to falling off my nightstand.

    Lectrofan Evo for $60: Another solid option from the brand that makes our top pick. The Evo has a few more sound choices (like ocean noises) and looks nicer, but we prefer the buttons on the Classic. They’re better for fiddling with in the dark. This one also jumped in price recently.

    Dreamegg D1 for $36: This one plays a lot of the same sounds as the D11 portable machine, with a handful more fans and a spectrum of noises. The control panel is matte and soft to the touch, and you can set it to play continuously or for 30, 60, or 90 minutes. I tried the white version, but you can get a few other nice colors on the Dreamegg site. The rim also lights up.

    Encalife Sound Machine for $86: This little sound machine has a blue light that you can match your breathing to in order to relax. You’ll also likely find it on sale often, which is good because I wouldn’t spend $86 on it. A very similar model is available under numerous brand names for far less money. Encalife says these are ripoffs, rather than from the same manufacturer. We can’t confirm that, but either way there are better options on this list for less.

    Avoid

    Allway Aqua10 for $119: I love that this looks like a cute Marshall amp and works as a decent-sounding Bluetooth speaker for sleep sounds and anything else you want to listen to the rest of the day. You need the Allway app to access the sounds, which include crackling fires, busy cafes, a spectrum of colored noises, and a wide selection of instrumentals. They’ll play for anywhere from five to 120 minutes. The Aqua10 also has a humidifier function, which looks extremely cool paired with lights that illuminate the vapor like a fire. But I found it to be fussy and leaky, and it seemed to stop even though the reservoir was full. It’s no longer available on Amazon, which might say something about its longevity.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can You Keep A White Noise Machine All Night?

    If you plan on keeping your white noise machine playing sound on loop all night, make sure first that it has the capacity to do so. Some machines run on 30-, 60-, or 90-minute timers that auto-shut off, while others are continuous.

    Does A Fan Make A Good White Noise Machine?

    In a pinch, you can use a bedside or box fan in place of a white noise machine. It will create consistent noise (as well as temperature control for hot sleepers) to help you fall asleep. However, if you aren’t wanting to keep the room a bit cooler, or want more varied noise options, a sound machine’s the stronger choice.

    How Did WIRED Select Models to Be Reviewed?

    WIRED works with many brands on a partnership basis, where samples are provided to us for free to test and we give our honest feedback. In these partnerships, we also earn commission if they end up making the cut on whatever topic we are researching—in this case, sound machines. That doesn’t automatically mean they get premier placement on an article nor is it not the only way we select models. There are plenty that we find and purchase ourselves during research.

    What Does WIRED Do With the Sound Machines After Testing Them?

    Just like all products we test, including mattresses, pillows, sheets, and more, everything is donated to our local communities when testing is finished.

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    Medea Giordano, Julia Forbes

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  • I Would Walk 500 Miles Wearing Any of These GoPro Cameras

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    The Top 3 GoPro Hero Cameras Compared

    GoPros to Avoid

    GoPro doesn’t sell anything older than the Hero 12, but there are plenty of Hero 11s and even Hero 10s out there for sale on the internet. We suggest avoiding them. They may work fine, but modern accessories designed for later models won’t work, and these cameras have likely been through the wringer. (They are action cameras, after all.)

    GoPro

    Hero 11 Black

    GoPro no longer sells the Hero 11, but it’s still commonly available on Amazon and other retailers. Unfortunately it’s usually the same price as the Hero 12 (around $300) and therefore not worth buying.

    GoPro

    Hero 10 Black

    The Hero 10 is really showing its age at this point, but it can sometimes be found on sale for $200, but the video quality and stabilization aren’t nearly as good as the Hero 13, which also sells for about $220 and is better in every way.

    What About the GoPro Max?

    Photograph: GoPro

    What most people call a “GoPro” is in fact the Hero Black camera. GoPro makes a few other cameras as well, most notably the Max. The Max is GoPro’s attempt at three cameras in one. It can shoot 360 footage and Hero-style video and photos, and it works as a vlogging camera. While the 360-degree time lapse feature is awesome, and the sound is pretty good, it’s been a while since GoPro updated it, and there are better 360 cameras. Our top pick is Insta360’s X5. The GoPro Max might be more durable, but in nearly every other way the X5 bests it. Hopefully, GoPro will update the Max in 2025.

    The Best GoPro Accessories

    GoPro Media Mod accessory

    Photograph: GoPro

    Should you buy a bundle? Generally, I say no. Get the camera, figure it out, and see how you end up using it. When you find yourself trying to solve a problem, start looking for an accessory. Here are some of my favorite things that I’ve tested and used, but if you have favorites you think I should try, drop a comment below.

    A good MicroSD card for $60: According to GoPro’s recommendations, you want a microSD card with a V30 or UHS-3 rating. That said, GoPros can be finicky about SD cards. I’ve had good luck with, and recommend, the Samsung linked here. Another card I’ve used extensively is the Sandisk Extreme Pro.

    GoPro Media Mod for $80: By far my most used accessory, the media mod does add some bulk, but in most cases this is more than made up for by the fact that you can plug in a real microphone (I use mine with a Rode Wireless). Sound quality is radically improved with this one. This may be less necessary if you get the Hero 12 or later, since those models do have support for Bluetooth mics.

    GoPro Handlebar Mount for $40: I’ve been doing a lot more riding lately and this mount pretty much lives on my bike these days. It’s been rock solid in my testing, and beats any of the third-party mounts I’ve tested.

    GoPro Tripod Mount Adapters for $30: Unless you have the Hero 12 or 13, which have a tripod mount built-in, you’ll need a few of these to mount your GoPro to a tripod like the GorillaPod above.

    GoPro Floaty for $35: If you’re getting anywhere near the water, grab one of these. Trust me, you will drop your GoPro and when you do, you will glad you have this (unless the water is clear and you’re a good free diver.) GoPro also makes a Floating Hand Grip ($23), which not only floats but has a leash for diving or surfing.

    GoPro Selfie Stick for $80: This 48-inch extension pole collapses up surprisingly small and isn’t very heavy. It’s the best selfie stick I’ve used. I rarely use it for selfies, but it makes a great monopod on soft ground, like a sandy beach.

    DaVinci Resolve Studio for $300: This is my video editing software of choice. There is a free version, but I got tired of converting media to fit the restrictions of the free version. Best money I ever spent when it comes to making better videos.

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    Scott Gilbertson

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  • The Best Paper Planners Our Editors Use to Organize Their Lives

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    There’s nothing like the feeling of a brand-new planner. As the new school year kicks off, we’ve found the best planners to deliver that satisfying rush of a fresh start and a blank page. The sensation of writing things down not only feels satisfying but helps improve retention, and paper planners give a sense of delight in a world that can feel bleak.

    A great planner will help you keep your life on track, but that means something different for everyone—do you need room for multiple to-do lists? Places to track all your calls and meetings that week? Open space for whatever strikes your fancy? From daily and weekly planners to planners designed for a specific type of person, here are all of our favorite planners that we’ve tried and tested. Our overall favorite weekly planner is Plum Paper’s A5 Vertical Priorities Planner ($38), which you can customize to start anytime of year and to fit all your needs. If you’re more of a daily planner, try the Day Designer ($68) or the Hobonichi Techo ($40). We’ve also got picks for monthly planners, students, crazy list-makers, and more below. This is a great time of year to pick up your mid-year planners designed for the school year, or customize a planner like the Agendio or Roterunner to start at your preferred month.

    Once you find your perfect planner, don’t forget to check out other great gear from stories in our Home Office directory, from the best digital notebooks and computer monitors to everything you need for your work-from-home setup.

    Updated August 2025: We’ve added planners from Papier and Moleskine to More Planners We Like, and a new FAQs section.

    Table of Contents

    Our Favorite Planners

    From weekly and daily planners to planners for specific use cases (and even a completely custom planner!), here are all the top planners we recommend buying.

    • Photograph: Nena Farrell

    • Courtesy of Plum Paper

    If I only bought one planner, this would be the one. The Plum Paper A5 Planner has the perfect amount of customizability without feeling like I have to do too much work to create it, and has a lot of beautiful covers and color options to choose from. I personally love the Vertical Priorities layout, which I customized to include a priority section for my son, but you can choose from other layouts—there are 10 different types of layouts, going from vertical and horizontal to student and goal setting, then anywhere from two to four types of layouts within each type. You also choose from a huge variety of covers that you can customize with things like your name or the year, and choose from a huge range of add-ons like monthly workout summaries, baby tracking pages, and so much more.

    The A5 size is easy to use and tote around wherever I want, and you can have the planner start on any month you wish—great for if you want an annual planner suddenly in March or July without needing to skip all those extra months. You’ll find a two-sided folder in the back, which I usually use for stickers and urgent paperwork I need to handle. Speaking of stickers, I love Plum Paper’s chic sticker sets ($5+) that range from matching their add-on pages to cute seasonal stickers, and that I can make my own custom stickers on Plum Paper’s website.


    Another Great Weekly Planner

    Erin Condren LifePlanner

    Photograph: Amazon

    Erin Condren

    Coiled Weekly LifePlanner

    If Plum Planner’s designs aren’t quite for you, then explore the Erin Condren LifePlanner (ECLP for short). It’s one of the most popular for weekly-spread enthusiasts, with tons of layouts to choose from and room for notes or doodles. You can customize it similarly to the Plum Planner above, though it doesn’t have quite as many options for the pages you can add. You’ll choose the cover first, then fill it with your desired layout from the four options: hourly; horizontal; or our favorite, vertical. Then choose one of the three color schemes and a coil color, and add any cover customizations you want (like your name or a quote) to complete your planner.

    There are cheaper Erin Condren planners you can find at Target, but you can’t customize them like you would on Erin Condren’s website. I also personally prefer the cover design options and colors on Plum Paper, but it’s worth checking out both to see which one best suits your fancy.


    • Photograph: Nena Farrell

    • Courtesy of Day Designer

    Day Designer

    Daily Planner

    Daily planners give you an entire page for each day, and the Day Designer is great for anyone who wants space for both a full calendar and a nice long to-do list for each day. The schedule half of the page goes from 5 am to 9 pm, giving you plenty of room to schedule meetings, plan workouts, or block out client appointments. The other half has a long to-do list you can fill in, plus the top of the page has a space for the three most important things, any due dates, and dinner.

    It’s a bit on the bulky side, since there’s a page for every single day of the year along with monthly spreads, but it’s not so big that you can’t bring it in a spacious backpack or tote bag. I also like that it’s not too tall, with a square A5 design, but still has plenty of room for a nice long to-do list.


    A Minimalist Daily Planner

    Hobonichi Techo Planner

    Photograph: Amazon

    Several WIRED staffers recommend the Hobonichi Techo (Japanese for “planner”). WIRED reviewer Adrienne So says it’s the perfect size—small enough to fit in a bag and hold information but also able to lie flat on a desk. There is a monthly overview and then a page for each day, along with a quote that manages to be thought-provoking without being too trite. The cover is a distinctive black, stamped with gold foil and it comes with a wide variety of cute accessories. —Medea Giordano


    • Photograph: Kat Merck

    • Courtesy of Big A## Planner

    Big A## Planner

    The Mid-Year Big A## Planner

    Not surprisingly, given the name, there’s nothing discreet about this planner. With its bright-blue cardstock cover and 11- by-14-inch profile too big to fit in any purse or small bag, this is for people who live—or plan to live—large. The companion to motivational speaker and entrepreneur Jesse Itzler’s Big A## Calendar (as seen in our Gift Ideas for People Who Work From Home), this spiral-bound “planner for highly visual people” depicts each month in its entirety across a two-page spread, with oversized 2.5- by 2.5-inch squares for each day. Motivational quotes top each page (sample: “To do exceptional things, put yourself in exceptional situations”), and the back of the planner contains a goal-tracker version of the Big A## Calendar—every day of the year at a glance.

    There are five lined pages for notes, a running-pace chart should you find yourself overcome with a sudden burst of energy, and a Year in Review worksheet with boxes for keeping track of year highlights such as “favorite new music,” new things I tried,” and “career milestones.” If sudden inspiration strikes that needs to be shared, there’s a 300-square-inch dry-erase board in the back that can be propped up for impromptu meetings or demonstrations. I feel more energized just looking at it. I do wish the days of the week were on one page instead of across both, so I could keep it open folded in half on my desk (when opened, its footprint sprawls just under 2 feet wide—a significant amount of desk real estate), but as someone who takes copious handwritten notes, it’s a worthy trade-off for me for the sheer amount of daily writing space. —Kat Merck


    • Photograph: Nena Farrell

    • Courtesy of Agendio

    Agendio

    Customizable Planner

    If you can’t seem to find the right planner for you, it might be time to design your own. That sounds intimidating, but Agendio makes it pretty easy with its fully custom planners, allowing you to choose from premade pages or designing your own (with some limitations—it’s not as open-ended as a program like Canva) to create the perfect monthly, weekly, and daily spreads. You can also design your own additional pages, like workout trackers or reading lists, that you can either add for each month or to the end of the planner.

    There’s both a Pro designer, which I used to create fully custom pages and a specific layout, and a Classic designer, which is much simpler and lets you choose from premade pages. I really liked the cover options, and the default cover size (as long as you don’t add too many pages) will wrap around the planner’s coil to make it look like a sleek folder and protect the binding. It’s a great option if you tend to destroy things in your bag. It can easily become pricey with everything you can add, but it’s a really satisfying feeling to create your perfect planner and have it arrive at your front door, printed and bound.


    • Photograph: Nena Farrell

    • Courtesy of BanDo

    There are a lot of quirky planners, but Ban.do is one of the most fun options that’s in just about everyone’s budget. From a page to track the books you read to an entire page dedicated to my astrological birth chart, it’s hard to resist the fun that Ban.do’s planners offer. The weekly layout has enough room for daily planning, and you’ll get fun extras like monthly meal planning and three pages of included stickers. There are also undated ($25) versions if you want full date flexibility.


    Great for Lists and Doodles

    • Photograph: Nena Farrell

    • Courtesy of Roterunner

    Roterunner

    Purpose Planner B5

    This has become my new go-to planner, because I am notorious for multiple lists. Especially as a mom, there’s often one list for work, one list for home and parenting tasks, plus other random lists like which workout outfits I want to wear this week and a packing list for a trip I won’t take for a month. I need a lot of room to corral my ideas, and the Purpose Planner actually has room for it all. The weekly spread includes five to-do list areas, from work to home and projects and stuff to buy, plus smaller checklists for each day and plenty of space to write in my schedule. Not only that, but there are two full dotted pages after each weekly spread for me to doodle, brainstorm, and write more lists all over for that specific week. The monthly spread has six lists, plus six sections to reflect on when the month ends.

    It’s a six-month, undated planner, so you can pick it up any time of the year and start using it. You do need to sit down and write in things like the months and dates, but I found that fun and satisfying to do. I also liked adding some color coding with highlighters to add a little fun to the pages. There are also some fun pages in the front to reflect and plan for your roles in life, goals you want to achieve, and books you want to read. I love the massive B5 size since it’s finally enough space for me, but there’s also a smaller A5 ($25) size.


    • Photograph: Nena Farrell

    • Courtesy of The Happy Planner

    The Happy Planner

    2025 Planners

    The Happy Planner has a huge range of planners, with tons of designs ranging from a vertical layout to a large dashboard to even a design made for work. There’s lots of space in these spacious planners, but the design seems like it would be perfect for students, whether they’re full-time or just taking classes in the evenings or after work. The divider pages are cute and sometimes include phrases and quotes, but definitely have a youthful feel to them.

    You can choose between Classic, Skinny Classic, Mini, or Big sizes, and dated or undated pages. There are daily planners, ones tailored to teachers and students, among many others. The unique binding design makes it easy to take pages out or add them back in, and you can also get extension packs to add a few more months or to keep track of things like your budget and fitness goals.


    More Planners We Like

    While these aren’t our top picks, these are still great options to use as a planner.

    • At-A-Glance Simplified by Emily Ley Weekly Monthly Organizer Set for $91: This is a cute organizer set that comes with a refillable binder, planner pages for all of 2025, interior pockets, and even a little interior zip pouch. It’s also the right size for A4 paper if you wanted to add your own paper or pages to this chic little binder. It’s a really cute set, but I found it a little small for my liking. If you’re not a massive to-do list person, this could be a good fit for you.
    • Bright Day Kids Daily Checklist for $13: This was our planner pick for kids, but it’s no longer available. We’re hoping it returns since we liked how included to-dos like brushing teeth and making the bed, with extra lines for items to be written in, and could hold up to rough treatment in the school backpack.
    • Be Rooted Academic Planner for $16: This is a weekly planner with about a paragraph of space for each day, with an entire week spanning two pages at a time. It includes some stickers in the front, plus some intention-setting sections for each month. What’s especially cool is that Be Rooted is a female-owned small business making paper planners and accessories (like these pen sets), plus other lifestyle goods like candles and wall calendars.
    • Blue Sky Weekly Planner for $15: Several members of our team like Blue Sky. Its affordable planners give you space to jot down tasks without cluttering up the page. They’re also a good size—much easier to tote around than some on this list. As with the Happy Planner, you can find different layouts, sizes, and formats to suit you, and there’s a collaboration with Day Designer, another favorite of ours. —Medea Giordano
    • Blue Sky Monthly Planner for $10: Blue Sky’s Monthly Planners have a different layout than the weekly, where each day of the month has a few lines for jotting down multiple bullet points, and there’s a notes section for anything that would require more writing room. The yearly overview lets you track from an eagle-eyed perspective. It’s the smallest monthly planner we’ve tried, with 10-by-8-inch pages, but incredibly affordable.
    • Brass Monkey Undated Standard Planner for $11: This planner has a ton of fun squeezed into its pages, with things like pop culture birthdays and on this day notes. It’s undated in the sense that it isn’t tied to a year or a weekday, but you’ll get all the days of the month already in there, and you can fill in the year yourself and check off the day of the week instead to make it align with the current date. It’s a little small for my use, but everyone I’ve showed it to has been interested in it for its quirky additions.
    • Laurel Denise Horizontal Weekly Edition for $59: I’ve never seen a planner designed like this. It’s wider than a traditional planner, and the left side is for laying out the month—it’s undated—while the right has a spot for the month’s to-dos and a dotted area for whatever else. In the middle are five half-pages for organizing each specific week. You turn the week page and still get to see everything else you already wrote for the month. It’s an interesting planner, but I struggled to use it with the small daily area.
    • Levenger Circa smartPlanner Weekly Agenda for $60: This is another solid weekly planner with little frills. If you just need lines and days, this is your match. The brand also sells a leather folio for the planner, which looks very professional but is pricey.
    • Moleskine Classic Weekly Planner for $19: This is another weekly planner, and it has a style that reminds me of the popular Hobonichi Techo and Muji planners. It’s easy to use and comes in multiple sizes: large ($19), XL ($31), and pocket ($12). The large size is 5 by 8 inches, similar to an A5 size, which I wouldn’t usually call large. I preferred the B5 style XL, since it gave me more room to write things down for each week.
    • My PA Business Planner for $49: The PA stands for personal assistant, but this planner is more than that—it doubles as both a planner and a full-on business plan workbook, helping growing entrepreneurs organize and plan their business plans, ranging from product pitches to social media strategy. The beginning of the book is dedicated to organizing your business plan, and then there’s weekly checklists and goal lists, plus space to track your water, exercise, and meditation. There’s also space at the end of the planner to brainstorm for the year ahead and some extra lined and graph pages for miscellaneous notes. It’s a hefty planner that works best for entrepreneurs with a product they’re selling, but the workbook pages and focused weekly spreads could help any kind of business owner. Plus, it comes in a handful of fun colors and looks nice enough to blend in on a bookshelf.
    • Papier Daily Productivity Planner for $35: Papier has incredible cover design options to match nearly any style or mood. For layouts, I like the undated Daily Productivity Planner best. Each week has a box per day, lines for notes, areas for three priorities, a long to-do list, and a habit tracker. Plus, there’s a meal planner and shopping list for every week. There are also a few pages dedicated to outlining each day’s schedule. I didn’t need these pages as much during my usual week, but people with rotating weekly schedules might appreciate it. Papier is also the only brand I found that lets you scroll through every single page before you buy. I’m so specific about what I like and need, this should be standard. —Medea Giordano
    • Papier Mid-Year Planner for $35: Papier’s Mid-Year Planner is a chic, simple weekly planner that comes with all the fun cover options Papier is known for. I liked this planner, but I prefer a larger weekly planner or a daily planner for this size, since it has lots of room for notes and daily to-do lists. Still, it’s a nice size if you want to write down meetings and a few to-dos for each day, and lets you map out your life from this summer to the next.
    • Papier Wellness Journal for $35: This is a great journal for building daily habits, and if you’re a fan of daily journaling à la The Five Minute Journal. It’s not technically a planner, but it is something you’d use daily and to plan out your day like a planner. The goal is to fill it out morning and night with your intentions for the day followed by the results, and it operates on the focus of six pillars: energy, mind, movement, nourishment, connection, and rest. It’s a lovely journal with a really nice way of looking at your day and how you spend your time, but I did find it easy to forget to do it both morning and day. It would be a great gift for someone you know wants more intentional goal-setting and reflection each day.
    • Passion Planner Weekly Planner for $45: This is my favorite weekly planner for mapping out the hours of my day. It doesn’t have as much room for to-do lists, but you do have a section for each week for a single personal and work to-do list, which I use for my primary projects, and some doodle space. I really love Passion Planner’s accessories, and how nice the pages feel to write on.
    • Studio Tigress Seasonal Planner for $18 (Per Season): These Seasonal Planners from Portland, Oregon-based Studio Tigress aren’t your standard planner. These are large individual sheets covering an entire three-month season, allowing you to have it pinned on a wall or lying across your desk for easy access. The 10-by-16-inch sheets are certainly bigger than most planners and aren’t easy to travel with, but rather serve as a handy at-a-glance look for your key goals, to-do items, events, and deadlines that you write down. There’re five undated weeks for each month, so you’ll have to check your digital calendar to confirm which dates are where, but that also means there’s plenty of room for each month to write down what’s coming up and extra notes if you need. There are 25 spots on the to-do list, and I liked using it for my main seasonal goals (like apple picking in the fall, seeing the zoo holiday lights in the winter) and major to-do items (like getting my car emissions checked and purchasing train tickets). While it can’t replace a weekly or daily planner if you like daily to-do lists, I loved using these sheets to get a birds-eye view of the upcoming season. —Nena Farrell

    Planner Alternatives

    Not everyone needs or wants a rigid planner. If you just need daily to-do lists or are a fan of bullet journals, consider getting a great notebook instead.

    planner

    Photograph: Amazon

    Former WIRED reviewer Jaina Grey opts for a plain lined notebook. After trying dozens, her favorite is the Midori MD Notebook with paper made from cotton pulp (just like money!). It comes in lined, unlined, or dot-grid. Grey says there’s just something meditative about turning over a blank page at the beginning of each week and carefully jotting down her schedule, plans, and workload. No missed days to make you feel guilty. Midori’s notebooks are designed to fit inside notebook or journal covers (which you can find all over Etsy). The pages are a subtle off-white and have a weight and texture that draws you in. The soft cotton paper of this notebook makes drawing, sketching, and plain old writing an absolute joy. —Medea Giordano

    index cards

    Photograph: Getty Images

    WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson says he doesn’t use a planner, but each day he writes down the handful of things he’s going to do on a single 3-by-5 index card. The index card with this to-do list lives in his pocket, along with a small notebook in which he jots down notes throughout the day—often the source of the following day’s to-do list. The notebook and index cards fit inside this very cool waxed canvas notebook cover. Gilbertson says he copied this system from one of the most successful people he has known, and after nearly 20 years, it’s still better for him than any other system he’s tried. It’s cheap, lightweight, and easy to manage. —Medea Giordano


    Planner Accessories

    planner and accessories

    Photograph: Getty Images

    Maybe all you need is paper and a good pen and you’re good to go. But we like to get creative. Stickers are a popular accessory, and they’re a delightful slippery slope. Once you make your first “spread” (a collection of themed stickers on a planner page, similar to a scrapbook), you will never go back. Etsy is the central hub of planner stickers. You can order printed stickers or buy digital files and print and cut them yourself. You can also opt for a full kit (an entire spread’s worth of stickers) or just the individual components you like the most.

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    Nena Farrell

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  • Switch to an Ergonomic Mouse and Give Your Wrists a Break

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    Other Ergonomic Mice to Consider

    There are several more options on the market to consider. These didn’t cut it as our top picks for one reason or another, but we still like them enough to recommend.

    Razer Pro Click V2

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Razer Pro Click V2 for $120: The biggest draw of the Pro Click V2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the shape: It’s sleek, refined, and comfortable. Instead of the sharp edges and angles of the Razer Basilisk, the Pro Click V2 has the curves of a normal mouse and is just as comfortable in an office setting as it would be in a gaming setup. And that’s what makes the Click stand out—you can use it everywhere, for everything. The shape is comfortable for regular use, the design is innocuous yet still satisfying, and the mouse has most of the usual trappings of a productivity mouse: An ergonomic shape, dual-mode mouse wheel, multidevice Bluetooth connectivity, and a slot on the underside to store the dongle. At the same time, it has the specs of a gaming mouse: 1,000-Hz polling, 2.4-GHz connectivity, full programmability, rubberized grips on either side, and bright RGB lighting on the underside. The Pro Click v2 also has horizontal scrolling through the mouse wheel, where it can be tilted to either side to scroll left and right. This isn’t quite as quick or intuitive as the MX Master’s thumb wheel, but it’s still nice to have. While it doesn’t match the Basilisk in performance, the Pro Click V2 is more affordable and a professional option that still has the sturdy build quality and responsive sensors Razer is known for.

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    Keychron M6

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Keychron M6 for $70: If you like the design of the MX Master line, but would prefer a more gaming-oriented mouse, the Keychron M6 is a nice alternative. While the M6 doesn’t have Logitech’s advanced gesture controls or soft-touch exterior, it maintains the dual-mode scroll wheel, horizontal wheel, and general ergonomics while adding a 4,000-Hz refresh rate and shaving off almost half the weight of the 3S at only 78 grams. However, some small issues of build quality and a loss of functionality make this a less-than-ideal choice for most users—the dual-mode scroll wheel rattles during use, and the mouse feels lightweight to a fault. The higher-performance model’s wireless receiver requires a USB-C cable to connect to a device, which is a lot less convenient for laptop users compared to the low-profile dongle included with the 1,000-Hz model (and most other mice today).

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware Mouse Computer Laptop and Pc

    Keychron M4

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Keychron M4 for $70: While you can realistically transport any of the mice on this list in a backpack or computer bag, I was impressed by just how compact the Keychron M4 is. I could easily slip it into a laptop bag or jacket pocket without any issue, and I even used it as a travel mouse for quite a while. While the shape isn’t great, or even good, ergonomically, I found the claw grip quite comfortable even during prolonged gaming sessions. However, it isn’t good enough that I would recommend it to anyone for daily use on a desktop setup unless they want the lightest mouse possible. The only real complaint I had with this mouse was the dongle: The 4,000-Hz model comes with a receiver shaped like a tiny keyboard with a USB-C port on the back, which meant I needed a cable to connect the receiver and a flat surface to place it on. Meanwhile, the 1,000-Hz model came with a simple USB dongle that could plug into the side of a laptop.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex

    Courtesy of Logitech

    Logitech Pro X Superlight 2 Dex for $140: While this mouse is intended for high-intensity competitive gaming, I found its sculpted shape to be practical and comfortable for any long-term use, and its lightweight (60 grams!), no-frills design was quick and snappy for both spreadsheets and shooters. The mouse felt incredibly sturdy despite its weight, and the 8-kHz polling combined with a 44k-dpi sensor makes it the best-performing mouse on this list. While pricey, the Superlight DEX is a great single-mouse solution for someone who works from home and immediately starts queueing up after clocking out. It has a far more gaming-focused lean than the Razer Basilisk V3, which, while not bad, means you’re making a few more sacrifices to productivity in exchange for gaming performance.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Logitech MX Vertical

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Logitech MX Vertical for $120: While this mouse’s size and general shape both feel good for regular use, I found the shape to be a bit uncomfortable to fully grip and lift: A prominent ridge on the back dug into the space between my thumb and index finger, and the shape was just a bit too narrow to get a good hold on. However, the MX Vertical is still comfortable to hold with a looser grip, and it is perfectly serviceable for general office work and browsing, while putting less strain on the wrist than a standard horizontal mouse.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware and Mouse

    Logitech Lift

    Photograph: Henri Robbins

    Logitech Lift for $79: As one of the smaller vertical mice on this list, the Lift is just a bit too small. I found it difficult to comfortably grip this mouse for prolonged use, and friends with smaller hands found the same. That said, WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu says his 5’2″ wife uses the Life and finds it perfect for her small hands, so your mileage will vary. Regardless of hand size, a larger vertical mouse is typically more comfortable for most people. It’s worth noting that the Lift is one of the only vertical mice I’ve tested with a left-handed configuration.


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  • The Best All-in-One Computers

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    Other All-in-One Computers to Consider

    Photograph: HP

    HP OmniStudio X 31.5 for $1,450: This all-in-one computer has considerably better graphics performance thanks to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, and it’s the first Core Ultra-based all-in-one to hit the market. It’s almost a toss-up compared to the Lenovo above, but while it’s got plenty of power and scads of ports, the OmniStudio’s comparatively tame design left me dreaming of more eye-catching options.

    Dell Inspiron 24 All-in-One ($950): While it’s a little more expensive, a little less sexy, and a little less powerful, this Dell AIO is nonetheless a reasonable alternative to HP’s Envy Move. The all-white but otherwise no-nonsense design feels particularly appropriate for corporate environments.

    Avoid These AIOs

    Large flat screen monitor for a desktop computer next to a black keyboard and mouse

    Photograph: Asus

    I’ve tested several more all-in-one computers but can’t recommend the following. Stick with one of the models above.

    Asus M3402 and A5702: Asus’ all-in-one lineup (available in both 24- and 27-inch versions) features dated, chunky, uninspired hardware and surprisingly lackluster performance. While the smaller M3402 is the cheapest all-in-one I’ve tested to date, the slow CPU and grainy LCD are both recipes for frustration.

    Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 27ARR9: This 27-inch all-in-one is a reasonable pick if you’re trying to outfit the sleepiest corporate office on the block, its black monolithic design offering only a modicum of style over the aforementioned Asus machines. Though performance here isn’t outright bad, it simply has none of the panache of Lenovo’s Yoga AIO 9i, making for a bit of a letdown. My other low-cost all-in-one picks are just better options.

    Microsoft Surface Studio 2+: I’m not entirely sure who this 28-inch, touch-centric all-in-one is supposed to be for. Microsoft perhaps doesn’t either, as the hardware is still running on a (discontinued) processor released at the beginning of 2021. While even a luxe all-in-one like the Yoga AIO 9i will cost you $1,800, the Studio 2+ runs a shocking $4,500. It’s an “avoid” based on price alone.

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    Christopher Null

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  • The Best Cozy Games for Long, Cold Nights

    The Best Cozy Games for Long, Cold Nights

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    It’s the perfect time to start playing cozy games. And by cozy games, I mean the opposite of what you might think. For some, video games are about loud noises, intense competition, and cutthroat leaderboards. The best cozy games embody the opposite feeling. They’re mindless but not uninvolved; inviting but not harrying. They’re meant to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and peace. In my opinion, they’re best enjoyed solo alongside a cup of tea.

    I’ve always loved cozy games, but the colder months are my favorite time to play them. Take a chance and add a few to your gaming library. It’s important to note that “cozy” is relative—if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, then it’s cozy. These are my favorites.

    Updated November 2024: We’ve updated this guide to reflect the new Stardew Valley update on Nintendo Switch, and double-checked pricing and accuracy throughout.

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  • 13 White Elephant Gifts Worth Fighting Over

    13 White Elephant Gifts Worth Fighting Over

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    White elephant parties present a unique challenge: Can you find something either cool or funny enough within a set budget that a group of people—who are potentially strangers—will battle to take it home?

    If you’re headed to your first white elephant gift exchange, here’s a quick explainer on what’s about to happen. Everyone will bring a wrapped gift (often under a certain price, like $25) and place them into a pile or central spot, and then each person will draw a number to see the order. When your number is called, you can either choose and unwrap a gift from the pile, or steal one that has already been unwrapped by someone. Most exchanges will have a limit of how often you can steal one gift—usually around three times—so if you have the best gift in your hands, there’s no guarantee you’ll get to keep it. If your gift is stolen, you can either unwrap a new one or steal a different gift (no take-backs, sorry).

    The real thrill comes from finding something great in a pile of who-knows-what. Some folks bring joke gifts, some bring booze to be safe, and some gifts will feel like garbage to you but gems to others. Here are some gifts I recommend bringing, ranging from quirky to cool. There’s something in this guide too for every potential price cap.

    Looking for more gift ideas? Don’t miss our other awesome gift guides, including Best Gifts for Under $30, Best Gifts for Cold People, Best Gifts for Moms, and Best Gifts for Outdoorsy People.

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    Nena Farrell

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  • The Best Beauty Box Subscriptions

    The Best Beauty Box Subscriptions

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    I’m a big proponent of treating myself. I think everyone should have more little treats, all the time, always. A monthly beauty box subscription guarantees that once per month you will receive a little box of joy on your doorstep. Whether that joy is centered on sample sizes, full-size products, makeup, skin care, or bath and body items is largely dependent on the service you choose. But I tried a few months of the most popular services, and these are the best I’ve found. (Note that we’re still waiting on our Ipsy and BoxyCharm shipments to arrive, so look out for our thoughts on those and more popular services in a future update.)

    Be sure to check out our related guides on the Best Subscription Boxes for Kids, Best Snack Boxes, and Best Meal Kit Subscriptions for more recommendations.

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    Are Beauty Boxes Worth It?

    WIRED: Beauty boxes are an excellent way to discover new products, and they usually offer excellent value compared to buying the items separately. You can’t put a price tag on the sheer dopamine rush of getting a present in the mail every month. (Or maybe in a literal sense, you can, but I still think it’s priceless.) Products that don’t work for you will make good gifts or donation items.

    TIRED: Some beauty boxes have a whole lot of little environmentally unfriendly plastic bottles and tubes, which can be bulky and hard to recycle. You’ll likely receive some products that aren’t right for your hair or skin type, or just don’t work out. Most beauty boxes don’t allow for any customization—what you get is truly a surprise.

    I reached out to popular services and asked to test at least one month’s box but ideally three months’ worth. I compared the value of the included items to what the box itself cost. I also took notes on the overall variety and likelihood of the average person being able to use them—weighing specialty products against those that would work for most people. And yes, I put all of these pretty little potions on my actual face and hair and skin. Please refrain from asking me about the state of my bathroom countertop at this trying time.

    Note that some brands offer one-off boxes that are available for purchase outside of a subscription. I didn’t test these or consider them as part of the criteria for this guide.

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    Louryn Strampe

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  • How to Pick the Right MacBook for You

    How to Pick the Right MacBook for You

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    in 2020, Apple’s MacBooks entered a new era. The company announced it was moving away from the Intel chips it had been using since 2006; in their place, it rolled out the first Macs with the Apple-designed M1. Cut to 2024 and the company now offers the choice between 14 custom processors, the latest of which is the M4 lineup powering the latest MacBook Pro.

    Like with Apple’s iPhones, the chips run on the ARM architecture and afford the company greater control over its hardware and software. These processors make Apple laptops more powerful and power-efficient, meaning greatly improved performance and battery life. You get other perks, like the ability to run mobile apps originally made for iOS. Despite all these advances, choosing a MacBook is still a task. Here’s what you should spend your hard-earned money on.

    Updated November 2024: We’ve added information on the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and the new M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.

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    A Breakdown of Each M-Series Chip

    All of Apple’s processors are scattered throughout different MacBook models. At this point, it might be tough to find a MacBook powered by a chip from before the M2. But if you do stumble upon its older chips (which came out four years ago), you might be wondering how they compare to other options. We break down the difference between each one.

    M1 Series

    M1: This is the first custom silicon Apple debuted for its MacBook Air in 2020. It has an 8-core CPU and up to an 8-core GPU. Originally, there was support for up to 16 GB of unified memory (RAM) at an extra cost, but nowadays you can only purchase the 8 GB model. It’s much faster than any previous Intel-powered MacBook Pro, and it is the practical choice for most people, as it’s in the most affordable MacBook Air you can buy right now (from third-party retailers). It packs more than enough processing power to get you through common day-to-day tasks—even light gaming—and it can handle more intense jobs like photo editing.

    M1 Pro: Next step up is the M1 Pro. It has up to 10 cores in the CPU and up to a 16-core GPU, with up to 32 GB of unified memory. Apple says performance and graphics are both twice as fast as on the M1. We found it to be considerably more capable than the base chip, ideal for anyone who works heavily on MacBooks for music production or photo and video editing. Only the MacBook Pro (14 inch and 16 inch) from 2021 use this chip.

    M1 Max: Like the M1 Pro, the M1 Max has a 10-core CPU but a heftier 32-core GPU (with support for up to 64 GB of unified memory). Apple says it’s four times faster than the M1 in terms of graphics. As proven in testing, this chip is extremely powerful and handles every heavy-duty task with ease. It’s the clear choice if you need a computer that can handle multiple streams of 8K or 4K video footage, 3D rendering, or developing apps and running demos. You probably already know whether you need this much power. It’s available in the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) from 2021.

    M1 Ultra: The M1 Ultra is the second most powerful of them all. It’s two M1 Max chips connected with a technology called UltraFusion. It packs a 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU (which can be configured with up to 128 GB of unified memory), and 32-core neural engine—complete with seven times more transistors than the base M1. Even with the M2 Ultra now available, the M1 is plenty powerful and a great option for anyone who needs a heavy-duty processor for working with intense visuals and graphics. It’s available only on the first-generation Mac Studio.


    M2 Series

    M2: You might think the M2 is better than the M1 Pro or M1 Max, but you’d be wrong. It’s an entry-level chip like the M1, with slightly more processing power. It packs an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU (two more GPU cores than its predecessor), along with support for up to 24 GB of unified memory. Apple says the second-generation chip has an 18 percent faster CPU and a GPU that’s 35 percent more powerful. The M2 is great for daily tasks like word processing and web browsing, but tasks like editing multiple streams of 4K footage and 3D rendering should be reserved for the M1 Pro or M1 Max (or the next two chips). It’s available in the MacBook Air (13 inch, 2022), MacBook Air (15 inch, 2022), MacBook Pro (13 inch, 2022).

    M2 Pro: The M2 Pro is the next step up from the M2. It has up to 12 cores in the CPU and up to a 19-core GPU, with up to 32 GB of unified memory. Apple claims performance is up to 20 percent faster than the 10-core M1 Pro and graphics are 30 percent faster. We recommend this chip for intermediate video and photo editors. It’s a marginal upgrade compared to the M1 Pro, but it’s the best option for those who want a more future-proof processor. You’ll find it in the MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) from early 2023 and Mac Mini (2023).

    M2 Max: The M2 Max packs up to a 12-core CPU and up to a 38-core GPU (with support for up to 96 GB of unified memory). According to Apple, graphics are 30 percent faster than the M1 Max. The M2 Max is an excellent choice for those who work with graphics-intensive content, including graphic design, 3D modeling, and heavy-duty video footage. But as with the M2 Pro, it’s an incremental upgrade if you’re coming from an M1 Max. It’s available in the MacBook Pro (14 inch and 16 inch) that came out early in 2023 and Mac Studio (2023).

    M2 Ultra: This is the successor to the M1 Ultra, making it the most powerful of them all—even the latest M4 Max. It’s available on the second-generation Mac Studio and the Mac Pro (2023). Composed of two M2 Max chips, using Apple’s UltraFusion technology, the M2 Ultra has a 24-core CPU and a GPU configurable with 60 or 76 cores. Apple claims the CPU delivers up to 20 percent faster performance and a 30 percent faster GPU than the M1 Ultra. This is the chip to get if you’re working with extremely heavy-duty content that you believe the M1 Ultra, M2 Pro, or M2 Max simply won’t be able to handle. You’ll know if you need a chip this robust.


    M3 Series

    M3: The M3 is available on the 14-inch MacBook Pro (late 2023), 13-inch MacBook Air (2024), 15-inch MacBook Air (2024), and 24-inch iMac (2023). It packs an 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU with 24 gigabytes of unified memory. When compared to the M1, Apple claims CPU performance is up to 35 percent faster and GPU performance is up to 65 percent faster. The company says the CPU and GPU are both 20 percent faster than the M2. As with the M1 and M2, it’s great for basic tasks like word processing, sending emails, using spreadsheets, and light gaming. With the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, you also have support for two external displays (one display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz and another with up to 5K resolution at 60 Hz).

    M3 Pro: With a 12-core CPU and an 18-core GPU, Apple claims the M3 Pro’s GPU is only up to 10 percent faster than the M2 Pro—making this a marginal upgrade from its predecessor. Compared to the M1 Pro, however, the M2 Pro is up to 40 percent faster in GPU performance and 20 percent faster in CPU performance. It’s available on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2023. It’s the ideal in-between for those who need a chip that’s more powerful than the M3 but won’t utilize the full power of the M3 Max.

    M3 Max: This is the next step up from the M2 Max and the most powerful of the three chips (but still not as powerful as the M2 Ultra). It has a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and up to 128 gigabytes of unified memory. According to Apple, the CPU performance is up to 80 percent faster than the M1 Max and up to 50 percent faster than the M2 Max. As for GPU performance, it’s said to be up to 50 percent faster than the M1 Max and 20 percent faster than the M2 Max. The M3 Max is available on the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (late 2023).


    M4 Series

    M4: The M4 is the newest entry-level chip that has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple claims it delivers 1.8 times faster CPU performance and 2.2 times faster GPU performance than the M1. Meanwhile, the neural engine is over three times faster than the original and twice as fast as the M3. It also starts with 16 GB of unified memory, which will help power Apple Intelligence (the company’s suite of artificial intelligence features) a lot more smoothly. It’s available on the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2024) and iMac (2024).

    M4 Pro: The M4 Pro has a 14-core CPU (which Apple claims it’s up to 1.9 times faster than the M1 Pro) and up to 20-core GPU, with up to 64 GB of unified mmory. Built on a second-generation three-nanometer process, it also supports features like mesh shading and ray tracing—the latter of which is now twice as fast than on M3 chips. You’ll find it on the latest MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) and Mac Mini (2024).

    M4 Max: This chip has a 16-core CPU and up to a 40-core GPU with support up to 128 GB of unfied memory. Apple says the CPU is up to 2.2 times faster than the M1 Max while the GPU is up to 1.9 times faster. As with the M4 Pro is packs support for mesh shading and ray tracing. Although the M2 Ultra is the most powerful chip of them all, it’s only available on the second-gen Mac Studio. The M4 Max is currently the most powerful chip you can get in a MacBook Pro. It’s available on the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.

    Which Macs Support Apple Intelligence?

    With Apple’s latest operating system, macOS Sequoia, you’ll have access to Apple Intelligence—the company’s artificial intelligence features that are also available iOS and iPadOS 18. Apple recently launched the first set of features with MacOS Sequoia 15.1 including Writing Tools, an overhauled Siri, Smart Replies and Mail Summaries, and Clean Up in Photos. However, Apple Intelligence is exclusive to Macs with the an M-series chip. This includes the following:

    • MacBook Air (M1, M2, M3)
    • MacBook Pro (M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max)
    • iMac (M1, M3, M4)
    • Mac Mini (M1, M2, M2 Pro, M4, M4 Pro)
    • Mac Studio (M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2 Max, M2 Ultra)

    Get AppleCare+ to Protect Your Devices

    None of Apple’s MacBooks are cheap, and replacement parts are nightmarishly expensive. Since the entire computer is fully integrated into Apple’s tightly designed aluminum chassis, you’re one coffee spill away from a shockingly large repair bill. This is why Apple’s AppleCare+ is worth it—starting at $100, AppleCare extends your factory warranty to three years, gives you matching telephone support, and throws in two accidental damage repairs as well. After paying a minimum $99 service fee, whatever you did to zap your shiny new Mac will be undone, and you’ll be back to hammering away on your keyboard.

    Take Advantage of Apple’s Education Discounts

    Apple always offers small discounts on hardware for students and teachers. All you need to do is purchase something through Apple’s Education Store, choose the product you want (you should see the discounted pricing), and go through the motions to place the order like normal. You don’t need to show any proof that you’re a student at the time of purchase, but you should be honest, as Apple can email you at a later date and ask for verification.

    Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

    For the most part, yes. Apple just released a new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro powered by the latest M4 chips, so they’re fully up to date. The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air will likely receive the M4 treatment in the spring of 2025. But the M3 versions, which launched earlier this year, are still excellent.

    The Best for Most People

    Apple’s latest MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) with M3 isn’t dramatically different from the MacBook Air with M2. It has the same boxy chassis (instead of the old wedge design), a 13.6-inch LCD screen (with a 60-Hz refresh rate and a max brightness of 500 nits), plus a notch that cuts into the display housing a 1080p webcam.

    It comes in the same four colors: Starlight, Midnight, Space Gray, and Silver. However, the Midnight color now has an anodization seal to reduce fingerprints, which works pretty well—you can still see smudges (especially in direct sunlight), but I didn’t find myself using a cloth to wipe it down as much as the Starlight version. It is easy to see dust in such a dark shade though.

    Apple kept the same port selection. There are two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, a 3.5-mm headphone jack, and a MagSafe port for charging. Speaking of, there’s support for fast charging if you purchase the 70-watt USB-C power adapter, which Apple claims can juice up the laptop up to 50 percent in 30 minutes (if you opt for one of the higher storage configurations, Apple will include it in your purchase). As for battery life, Apple claims the same 15 hours of wireless web browsing as its predecessor. In reality, I hit 29 percent after eight hours during the workday. It’s better than the M2-powered MacBook Air, which had to be plugged into the charger after the same amount of time, but it’s not a big leap ahead.

    Under the hood is Apple’s M3 chip. It offers a nice boost in performance over the original M1 processor—Apple says it’s up to 60 times faster, but it’s only 20 percent faster than the M2 chipset, so don’t upgrade if you have that model. With the M3, you get an 8-core CPU with the option to choose between an 8-core or 10-core GPU. I tested the model with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16 GB of unified memory. Performance was super smooth on standard workdays when I had apps like Slack, iMessage, Spotify, and Telegram running simultaneously, along with about 60 tabs open in Google Chrome.

    When I opened up about 10 more tabs, it started to struggle. Still, it wasn’t enough to trigger the infamous rainbow wheel or make me close any tabs or force-quit apps. I attribute this to the higher unified memory configuration. If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend opting for anything above the base 8 GB model for a smoother experience. However, it’s worth noting that as of October 2024, Apple has decided to equip the base MacBook Air with 16 GB of unified memory and brought the price down to the original 8 GB variant (which no longer exists). You’ll find the 8 GB model at third-party retailers, so be careful when shopping and try to avoid it.

    This MacBook Air now supports two external displays, with support for one display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz and another with up to 5K resolution at 60 Hz. This is a welcome change since the M1 and M2 chipsets natively support only one monitor. There’s a caveat: You have to keep the MacBook Air closed. (Technically it still only supports two displays.) One of the external displays will go completely dark whenever you open the lid.

    The M3-powered Air is ideal for anyone who needs a reliable laptop for everyday tasks and a little more. If your workload is graphics-intensive, I suggest snagging one of the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro models below.

    If You Want a Bigger Screen

    The 15-inch MacBook Air is the first large-screen option within the Air lineup. You finally don’t need to splurge on a 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro just to get a big screen. It packs all the same features as its smaller sibling (see above) and remains thin and lightweight at 3.3 pounds—around a half-pound heavier than the 13-inch MacBook Air and slightly lighter than the 14-inch MacBook Pro. It supports Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for download speeds that are twice as fast as its predecessor, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6E router to take advantage.

    Unlike the smaller MacBook Air, the base model has a 10-core GPU instead of the 8-core GPU. Apple sent me the 15-inch MacBook Air with 16 GB of memory, and it handled 41 Chrome tabs, three separate windows, and multiple apps without any hiccups. As usual, I recommend upgrading to at least 16 GB of unified memory, which ensures the machine won’t sputter when you push it with dozens of browser tabs and apps running simultaneously. As with the 13-inch model, it’s worth noting the base model M2 and M3-powered MacBook Air now comes with 16 GB of unified memory instead of 8 GB (starting at $999). If you’re buying it through Apple, you won’t have to worry about anything; for third-party retailers, make sure you opt for the 16-GB version.

    One other difference is the speaker system. The quad-speakers on the 13-inch MacBook Air are upgraded here to a six-speaker system, which includes two tweeters and two sets of force-canceling woofers. The difference is noticeable. It delivers better sound clarity, and I don’t have to crank it to max volume whenever I watch a movie. Battery life is also better. Apple claims the 13-inch and 15-inch have up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing, but I saw better results with the larger MacBook. I’d have to plug in the 13-inch MacBook after seven or eight hours of use, but the 15 incher hit 54 percent after the same amount of time with similar workloads.

    I generally never felt the need to connect this 15-inch laptop to an external monitor, which was more of a necessity with the 13-inch MacBook Air. If you find these smaller screens to be a little too cramped, then go for the 15-inch MacBook Air.


    For Power-Hungry Port Lovers

    This is the latest version of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, powered by Apple’s entire lineup of M4 chips. In addition to the M4 Pro and M4 Max, you can once again configure the 14-inch model with the entry-level M4 chip (as you could with the M3 version). The 16-inch can be paired with the M4 Pro or M4 Max.

    It retains many of the same features as its predecessor, including a Mini-LED screen, 120-Hz refresh rate, 1080p webcam, and a six-speaker sound system. But now, for an additional $150, you can add nano-texture glass on all configurations. It’s helpful if you work outdoors or by a window and want to reduce glare. The 12-megapixel camera also comes with Center Stage. Previously only available on iPads and Apple’s Apple’s Studio Display, this feature keeps you in frame during video calls.

    It has more ports than before. The base MacBook Pro now comes with three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 (that’s one extra port than on the M3 version), while the M4 Pro or M4 Max models come with three USB-C Thunderbolt 5 ports—which means you’ll get faster data transfer speeds. All still come with an HDMI out, an SD card slot, a high-impedance headphone jack, and a MagSafe charging port. You also get support for Wi-Fi 6E along with Bluetooth 5.3.

    Apple finally upgraded the memory on the base models to 16 gigabytes. In the past, we always recommended it over 8 GB to ensure the smoothest experience while multitasking, so it’s nice to see the company nix it completely. This increase in RAM will also help to create a better experience with Apple Intelligence, available with MacOS Sequoia 15.1. The artificial intelligence features are available on all M-series Macs, giving you access to various features like Writing Tools, an overhauled Siri, and Smart Reply in Messages.

    These models are more or less spec bumps, with few hardware upgrades. We still have to put both models through their paces to see just how powerful the new M4 chips are, but as always, they’re only a worthy upgrade if you’re looking to invest in your first MacBook Pro or are coming from a much older model. Stay tuned for our review.


    The Cheapest MacBook

    The MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2020 with the original M1 chip is still a pretty powerful laptop for the money (especially since the price has come down since its launch). My unit is still going strong despite daily, rigorous use. It’s not the snazziest Apple laptop, but it lasts more than a full workday, with the battery hitting 22 percent after I ran it almost nonstop from 9 am to 7 pm using Safari and work apps like Slack. (I had to plug in the old Intel model by 4 pm.)

    Unlike older MacBooks you might still find available with Intel chips, this one can instantly wake up from sleep whenever you tap the keyboard or trackpad or lift the screen, just like when you tap your iPhone or iPad to wake it up. There’s no fan here, so it remains whisper-quiet even under the heaviest loads. There is a thermal heat spreader to dissipate heat and it never gets too warm.

    You can only buy the base model with 8 GB of unified memory and 256 GB of storage, which should be sufficient for general-purpose tasks. Just keep in mind that while this M1 chip supports Apple Intelligence, it may struggle with some tasks due to the limited memory. Also, if you push it with too many browser tabs and apps running simultaneously, you may run into some slowdowns. Other downsides? The 720p webcam isn’t great. and the M1 only supports one external monitor.


    Other Good MacBooks

    Apple releases new MacBooks at a quick pace so you might feel inclined to buy the latest and greatest. These slightly older models are still good options, as long as you find them on sale for the right price. Apple no longer sells them directly (aside from the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Air), but we recommend checking third-party retailers (like Amazon, Best Buy, or B&H). Just cross-check the price with the latest models and make sure you’re spending less.

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    • MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch, Late 2023): The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are powered by the M3 series chips. You can configure the 14-inch MacBook Pro with all three while the 16-inch version can be paired with M3 Pro and M3 Max. The M3 is ideal if you want a few of the “Pro” features but don’t want to spend nearly $2,000 to get it, while the M3 Pro or M3 Max are great for tasks like editing 4K videos, rendering 3D models in CAD, and producing music.
    • MacBook Air (15-inch, 2023): The 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) packs all the same features as the 13-inch version, plus a larger screen. The M2 also offers great performance and good battery life (we squeezed about 10 hours out of it). Try to find it for around $999 or less.
    • MacBook Air (13-inch, 2022): The 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is still a nice laptop. The M2 chip delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks (like writing emails, creating spreadsheets, web browsing, and streaming content) and solid battery life (we reached about eight hours before having to plug it in). You’ll also get a bigger and brighter display (13.6 inches), a 1080p webcam, and MagSafe charging. Apple still sells the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Air for a reduced price of $999 (down from $1,099), and it even comes with 16 GB of unified memory.
    • MacBook Pro (13 Inch, 2022): This is the best option if you want the Touch Bar at the top of the keyboard since it’s the last model to come equipped with one. Under the hood is an M2 chip, which performed fairly well in our tests but did feel sluggish at times—the laptop stuttered a bit while editing video footage and photos. But unlike the MacBook Air, it has a fan, which allows it to eke out more power over a longer period. It’s helpful if you’re working on pro-level tasks but can’t spend the premium that Apple charges for its bigger Pro models. We only recommend it if you can find it for $1,000 or less.
    • MacBook Pro (14 Inch and 16 Inch, Early 2023): If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on the latest 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends), the M2 Pro and M2 Max (which launched early in 2023) are more than capable for handling intensive, graphically demanding production work. In our testing, both the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro and the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 Max delivered smooth performance and playback after being put through stress tests (like editing 4K and RED Raw footage, as well as adding 3D effects). We recommend only snagging this one for around $1,800 or less.
    • MacBook Pro (14 Inch and 16 Inch, 2021): These MacBooks (8/10, WIRED Recommends), powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max, were the start of a new era for Apple’s high-end machines. The company introduced a redesigned chassis with more ports, a 120-Hz refresh rate, and a MagSafe port. Even though these launched in late 2021, you don’t have to steer clear of them—both processors are still plenty powerful. In our testing, we found the M1 Max felt one-to-one with the $6,000+ older Mac Pro. It didn’t struggle at all while editing heavy-duty footage. However, it’s growing increasingly tough to find in stock at third-party retailers. If you do manage to find one, we suggest only purchasing it if it’s on sale for around $1,500 or less.

    What About Older MacBooks?

    We recommend only buying an M-series MacBook. Older MacBooks with Intel chips and butterfly keyboards are simply not worth the price and will not be supported for much longer.

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    Brenda Stolyar

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  • The Best Soda Makers for Sparkling Water

    The Best Soda Makers for Sparkling Water

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    The carbonation renaissance is upon us. Whether it’s the obsession with hard seltzers like White Claw and its endless copycats or “better-for-you” sodas like Poppi and Olipop, people are craving that crisp, bubbly feeling in every corner of their palates. I’m one of them—simply addicted to bubbles. I try to keep it as healthy as possible by minimizing sugary sodas. I mainly just like simple seltzers or sparkling water.

    But “healthy,” for me at least, is more than just watching sugar in my drinks. Lots of these sparkling beverages contain “forever” chemicals known as PFAS. As seen in a Consumer Reports study from 2020, the amount of carbonated water products with high amounts of PFAS is much greater than still water products. Some of these are very popular brands with an ingredients list displaying nothing but carbonated water—so you’d never know unless you were otherwise aware of PFAS. Making bubbles in your own home is a good way to remedy this.

    Is It Cheaper to Make Your Own Soda?

    Bubbling up your own water is obviously the more sustainable route than buying countless bottles of the stuff, even if it’s in glass—it still creates avoidable waste. The primary drawback with carbonators is that you need to continue to replenish your CO2 canisters. Generally, they run about $17 to $30 each (depending on brand) for a 60-liter canister, which adds up, so you’re not necessarily saving money. Some brands also have recycling programs where you send in your empty canister and get it replaced with a full one so that you don’t just toss out the metal canisters. These recycling programs were included in my testing.

    Carbonators are a relatively simple technology. Generally, the gadgets just need a CO2 source and a means of pumping the gas into some water. I tested these first by using filtered water through a Zero Water filter. I was mainly looking for simplicity and something easy to use that makes a crispy, bubbly product. For the most part, all of these gave me a nice fizzy water. But some of them were a bit more complicated to use than others, mainly in terms of inserting the canister of CO2 as well as inputting the bottle. Others were as simple and smooth as could possibly be.

    Check out some of our other beverage-related guides, including Best Nonalcoholic Wines, Best Energy Drinks, Best Juicers, and Best Nut Milk Makers.

    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.

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    Andrew Watman

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  • The 16 Best Gifts for the PC Gamer in Your Life

    The 16 Best Gifts for the PC Gamer in Your Life

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    Shopping for a PC gamer is a perilous endeavor. What might look like a great sale on a GPU or gaming keyboard can turn out to be a bad deal because of some arcane spec that only the most die-hard forum-dwellers understand. If you’re shopping for the gamer in your life who lives that nerd life, we have a simple, accessible guide to what they might like.

    Be sure to check out our many other gaming guides, including Best Gaming Laptops, Best Gaming Headsets, Best Keyboards, Best Gaming Mice, and Best Game Controller. If your giftee is more of a console gamer, read our Best PS5 Accessories and Best Switch Accessories guides.

    Updated October 2024: We’ve added the LG Ultragear Gaming Monitor, Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless, Elgato Stream Deck+, Steam Deck OLED, and HyperX Quadcast 2 S.

    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.

    The best advice I can give when shopping for a PC gaming enthusiast is simple: If you’re unsure, just ask. Ask if they have a favorite mouse, keyboard, or headset brand they’ve been eyeing. Ask if there’s anything else they’ve been thinking about picking up for themselves. If you’re still not sure, and you don’t want to get them the wrong thing, there’s another one-size-fits-all gift that no PC gamer will dislike: a Steam gift card. With this, the PC gamer in your life will be able to pick out a game from a vast online store. Most popular titles are around $60, so use that as a baseline for how much to add to the card.

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    Eric Ravenscraft

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  • Our Favorite Headphones and Earbuds for $100 or Less

    Our Favorite Headphones and Earbuds for $100 or Less

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    The Best headphones under $100 are harder to find than you might think. Here at WIRED, it’s part of our job to listen to music all day, often on exceedingly fancy and bonkers-expensive models. We have playlists for testing bass, for assessing detail, for dance parties—we get way into it. But believe it or not, we like testing the cheap stuff just as much. It’s like a treasure hunt to find the ones that pack in the most tech for the money. And they’re getting better every year.

    That doesn’t mean our work is done; etailers are still overflowing with cheap headphones that sound cheap, so we’ll keep listening and updating our picks every few months. While you’re looking for the next great pair, be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the Best Wireless Headphones, Best Workout Headphones, and Best Phones With a Headphone Jack.

    Updated October 2024: We’ve added the Soundpeats Capsule3 Pro+ and JLab Go Pop ANC, and removed some older picks.

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    Parker Hall

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  • The 10 Best Mobile Games for iOS and Android

    The 10 Best Mobile Games for iOS and Android

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    Don’t doomscroll more depressing news, use that phone to lift your mood instead. The best mobile games will bring a little joy to your day, whether you’re killing time on the commute or chilling on the couch. And these games are all addictive slices of gaming pleasure that we have been gorging on for years.

    As smartphone screens and processing power have grown, the lines between mobile gaming and just gaming have blurred, and you can find tons of great mobile games that have been ported or adapted from other systems (Minecraft, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Roblox, Stardew Valley, Grand Theft Auto, and the list goes on). But all of these titles are best enjoyed on other platforms. Our picks here are games that work especially well on your phone.

    Snag one of the best mobile controllers to level up your smartphone gaming. You may also be interested in subscription services like Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade. You can even play some Android games on your PC now.

    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.

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    Simon Hill

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  • 19 Piping Hot Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers

    19 Piping Hot Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers

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    I didn’t consume my first cup of coffee until the ripe age of 24, when I was forced by a former employer to attend an ad hoc cupping session. At first I found the taste of black coffee repulsive, but my small-chain coffee shop employer did not comp the cost of more palatable options like the Minty Mocha Freeze, so my taste buds were forced to adapt. I slowly learned to enjoy the ritual of brewing a fresh pot of coffee in the morning, and I soon began to relish the opportunity to hang with my dad and chug coffee all day when I visited my parents around the holidays. Just two guys drinking Folgers from a crusty Mr. Coffee while reruns of NCIS and Law & Order: SVU air in perpetuity on the television.

    I eventually moved to Portland, Oregon, during the height of coffee’s so-called “third wave,” and landed a job at a high-volume café and bakery. At this point my coffee consumption escalated from a physiological necessity to a more considered, bespoke experience. Roasters like Stumptown and Coava taught me about the principles of extraction, Black Rabbit taught me how to clean and maintain my shop’s La Marzocco, and a since-shuttered Seattle Coffee Gear outpost stoked my interest in the ever-expanding universe of grinders, brewers, boilers, and doodads that promise exquisite cups of coffee in all manner of scenarios.

    Whether your budget is $4 or $400, there’s no shortage of thoughtful gadgets that make excellent gifts for family, friends, or total strangers in a hotly contested white elephant exchange. We’ve included only products and accessories our team has personally tested, vetted, and used to brew their own coffee at home.

    Be sure to check out our many other buying guides. We have a few coffee-related guides, including our favorite cold-brew coffee makers, espresso machines, portable espresso makers, and cappuccino machines.

    Updated October 2024: We removed a few old picks and added new ones, and refreshed links and prices throughout.

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    Pete Cottell, Jaina Grey

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  • The Best Bed Frames

    The Best Bed Frames

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    This adjustable base is from the makers of one of our favorite mattresses you can buy online and one of our favorite mattresses for side sleepers. It runs on electricity to move the hydraulic-like motors below, which raise both the head and foot area of the bed. It comes with a wireless Bluetooth-enabled remote with buttons to adjust the head and foot portion of the bed up and down, a built-in flashlight, and a button to bring the frame down to a flat level.

    The Legget & Platt app (available for iOS only) can act as a remote as well—a huge sigh of relief for a generally scatterbrained person like myself who’s prone to losing things. In the app, you name your bed, make the same adjustments, and save your favorite positions so you can easily go back to them. The bed frame is sleek—not bulky at all—and is around 13 inches off the ground, making extra storage space underneath that I didn’t have before. The legs are virtually invisible, although the zero-clearance design allows the base to be used without the legs if using platform bases.

    The adjustable frame rises in half-inch increments from 13 to 18 inches from the original base, and the motor is fairly quiet. The base works with mattresses designed to flex, without shifting inside materials or weakening the structure, and is compatible with nearly all Saatva mattresses. For non-Saatva mattresses, check with the manufacturer to ensure it’s compatible with an adjustable base.

    Saatva provides a 10-year warranty as well as free in-room delivery and setup, and the men were done in less than 15 minutes, even putting my old mattress back on for me. I often work in my bed and use pillows to prop me up, and this took away the need to be surrounded by a dozen or so of my favorite body pillows. This customizable frame would work great for those with mobility issues or health issues like acid reflux, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, or sciatica (among other things). This bougie bed base isn’t completely necessary for me, but it’s a fun luxury to have. —Molly Higgins

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    Louryn Strampe, Gear Team

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  • Which Samsung Galaxy Phone Should You Buy?

    Which Samsung Galaxy Phone Should You Buy?

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    Most people buy phones directly from their carrier, but if you’re reading this guide, I suggest you buy an unlocked smartphone. When you buy a carrier phone, it’s “locked” to that network. That means if you want to switch carriers, like move from Verizon to T-Mobile, you’ll have to ask your carrier to unlock the device, and this can be a huge headache. (Especially if you’re traveling and want to use an international SIM card.) Asking a carrier to unlock a phone usually has a few requirements, like making sure your device is paid off, or waiting for a set period of time. Unlocked phones, on the other hand, don’t have this problem. You’re free to use whatever carrier you want, whenever.

    Carriers also mask the true cost of a smartphone. AT&T may entice you with a $36 per month payment for a shiny new Samsung flagship, when in reality, that means you’re paying $1,300 on a smartphone over 36 months. Did you really want to spend that much? Or will a cheaper phone suffice? Also, you’re more likely to get software updates faster as they come directly from Samsung, and there’s often far less preinstalled bloatware to deal with.

    All to say, buy unlocked! You can buy unlocked Galaxy phones directly from Samsung and most third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

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    Julian Chokkattu

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  • The Best Mattresses for Back Pain

    The Best Mattresses for Back Pain

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    Nearly a decade ago, I started waking up with back pain. Some days were just aches, others I woke up to throwing out my back. I found out I have two permanent conditions in my spine: scoliosis, a sideways curvature in my spine that developed in my mid-twenties (usually teens develop it, but I’m just special), and spondylosis in my lower back, which is abnormal wear and tear on the cartilage in the spine. Both caused serious pain overnight and in the morning, but it turned out my flimsy, unsupportive mattress was the secondary culprit. It didn’t offer the support I needed and resulted in flare-ups of pain.

    I’ve tried everything: mattress pads, knee pillows, and mattresses that ranged from super soft foam to firm planks. Some of these things worked, some didn’t. I, or another WIRED reviewer, slept on the mattresses below for at least seven nights each, and monitored how they affected our back pain during the night and following morning. My husband also gave me his feedback, even though he isn’t plagued with chronic back problems.

    After all these nights of sleeping on the job, I’ve found which mattresses left my back aches and pressure pains in the past. Below are our favorites to sleep on if you have back pain, plus advice for how to navigate back pain and sleep overall. While you’re here, don’t miss our related buying guides, including the Best Mattresses, Best Pillows, and Best Sheets, for an all-around best sleeping experience. All of the prices shown below are for queen-size models.

    Updated October 2024: We’ve added the Helix Twilight Luxe and Sealy Posturepedic Plus to this guide.

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    Nena Farrell

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