your compass in American life
DARRYL: If the plants could tell you and scream at you, like, “What do I actually need,” light is the first thing. Of course you still have to water, but none of those things can work unless the plant is…
Freezing your Social Security number can help to protect you from identity thieves. Getty Images/CNET Your Social Security number is used to identify you in a variety of ways from filing your tax return, to applying for a job…
If you’ve ever reached into your dryer expecting to pull out a load of downy-soft laundry only to find a pile of stiff, starchy garments, there’s a good chance you’re using too much laundry detergent. Laundry detergent obviously gets dirt…
Rain boots The Crocs Rain Boot is streamlined, easy to clean, and lightweight. It’s mostly positively reviewed on Amazon, but scattered throughout are complaints that the boots are constricting and difficult to put on and take off. My own kids…
Streaming keeps getting more expensive. Between price hikes, new bundles and additional charges (look at you, extra member fees), what used to be a cheaper cable alternative can now easily cost over $100 a month. With platforms like Netflix, Hulu,…
The economic headlines are full of recession indicators, from tariffs and a potential trade war to wild stock market swings. With mortgage rates all over the map, some homebuyers are wondering if there might be a silver lining to a downturn — namely,…
With the most power settings at this price—and the ability to set a precise temperature right from the cooktop—this induction model is a great choice if you want the most control over what you cook. Top pick If cooktop performance…
After years of wearing Birkenstocks, Chef Byron Gomez switched to Cole Haan’s ØriginalGrand Energy Twin Oxfords because they combine the comfort of a sneaker with the sleek look of a dress shoe. Elissa Sanci/NYT Wirecutter While clogs generally reign supreme…
After months of delays, President Donald Trump’s contentious tariff barrage was meant to take effect at midnight on April 9, but only a few hours later, many of the most widespread duties were delayed, while the focus shifted to China in…
Cole Kan/CNET Picture this: You’re swimming laps while a virtual coach silently helps perfect your technique and provides real-time feedback. Small yellow digits glow softly in front of your eyes, displaying your heart rate, pace, stroke rate, distance and more.…
Photo: Owen James Burke If you’re going to own only one fishing rod and reel, a spinning-rod-and-reel setup is the most versatile and the easiest to use. Compared with a baitcasting or fly-fishing setup, for example, a spinning setup is…
Notes: * DJI Mini 3 must be activated in the DJI Fly App, please go to the official website to download the DJI Fly App before use. ** Please check and strictly abide by local laws and regulations…
Pound cake has been a holiday staple in my family for generations. At most winter holiday gatherings, there is at least one in the dessert spread, usually in the form of a delightful Bundt cake. When I took over cooking…
My grandmother Elinor’s wisdom was earned—she lived through both World Wars and earned a degree in fashion design. Elbows! To a young person in the “not a girl, not yet a woman” phase of life, the idea that my elbows…
Skip to content Description The Airvape Legacy PRO is a premium dry herb vaporizer that combines advanced technology with eco-friendly design. It features precision temperature control, rapid heating, and a hybrid convection/conduction system, delivering smooth, flavorful vapor in seconds. The…
Your new turntable was conceived in an era when vinyl records were the royalty of the audio world, but born in an age dominated by digital systems that can summon millions of tunes at the touch of a button. Getting…
The Sigma BF is all hard edges and offers minimal grip. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter It’s a pain to hold. The BF’s control scheme may be refreshingly straightforward, but it’s accompanied by some baffling ergonomic decisions that suggest Sigma’s engineers were…
Paying attention to your phone’s battery health is one of the most important things you can do to make sure it lasts as long as possible. You have two big ways to keep your phone’s battery in optimal condition: Avoid…
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Sunsama promises that it can “make work-life balance a reality.” No app can actually do that for you—at least, not on its own—but after I tried managing my schedule in Sunsama for a few weeks, I found…
The past 18 years have seen the vinyl format climb its way out of the dustbin of history and become a $1.4 billion category during the digital age. Americans purchased over 40 million new records in 2024 (PDF), and entry-level audiophile…