Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter The Quest 3 has a cord-free design and convincing hand tracking, with the added option to plug it into a PC to access more-powerful games. VR headsets, with their exorbitant price tag, aren’t exactly a responsible gift for actual children. No, these should be the exclusive province of fun uncles and aunties…
We tested only the electric blankets that met certain safety criteria, such as having certifications from independent testing labs like UL and Intertek (the ETL Mark) and having auto-off mechanisms in the remote. We also examined any outstanding recalls and safety reports from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, read hundreds of customer reviews, and narrowed…
In this edition of The Recommendation, we’re covering expert tips for secondhand shopping. Plus: an iPhone sticker hack, where to find vintage flatware, and how an eBay yearbook became a perfect birthday gift. In my twenties, I dated someone who made furniture. When we moved in together, they told me they’d build us a coffee table. We were…
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Top pick A quiet, comfortable under-desk elliptical that’s easy to adjust, this model is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their legs moving without leaving their desk. The manual Cubii JR1 elliptical machine ranked best in our tests by virtue of being nearly silent, the most comfortable model to use, and…
Every year, our expert journalists spend thousands of hours researching and testing items so we can recommend the very best gifts. Many of our picks are too big, expensive, or impractical to be great gifts. But the following dozens of items hit that sweet spot — more substantial than a trinket, offering undeniable value, with…
Here’s the problem by the numbers: Many bigger carry-ons, such as Away’s The Bigger Carry-On, which measures 22.7 by 15.4 by 9.6 inches, are larger than the stated allowable carry-on size for most major US airlines, which is commonly 22 by 14 by 9 inches, though it varies by airline. Top row: Away’s The Bigger…
ANK Studios This stunning menorah is hand-carved from a slab of clay. With its textured glaze and abstract shape, it’s an irresistible conversation piece. Note: ANK Studios produces their menorahs seasonally so if they’re not currently available sign up for their mailing list to know when they’ll be in stock. Every ceramic piece at Ariela…
Zoe Vanderweide/NYT Wirecutter To make an affordable cashmere sweater look its best, it helps to understand how price influences quality. Cashmere yarn is made from the soft undercoats of cashmere goats. Zoe Vanderweide, a senior staff writer on the style team who has investigated the cashmere price gap, explained that the most inexpensive sweaters use…
Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter has amassed a near-religious following because it makes people’s skin look blurred, dewy, and somehow naturally flawless — at least online and in photos that I’ve seen. But it costs $49 per bottle. Enter E.L.F.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter, which fans cite as the more-affordable counterpart or, dare we say,…
In this edition of The Gift, we’re answering your questions about the best gifts for older adults. It’s been a full year since we first launched this newsletter — 52 weeks of (hopefully!) surprising and delighting you with gifts galore. And a full year since we “opened the lines,” so to speak, to help solve…