All posts tagged: buying guides

The Best Tested Apple 3-in-1 Wireless Chargers (2025)

The Best Tested Apple 3-in-1 Wireless Chargers (2025)

Published by skeptic

If you have an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch, congrats! You have the holy trinity of Apple products. But keeping all these gadgets powered up can be annoying, since they all have individual cables and proprietary charging solutions. Why deal with all that hassle when a single 3-in-1 Apple charging station can accommodate everything? Our Best Wireless Chargers guide has a few recommendations, but many more great docking systems exist for Apple devices. After years of testing, these are our favorites. Be sure to read our other Apple guides, including the Best MagSafe Wireless Chargers, Best MagSafe Accessories, Best iPhone 16 Cases, Best iPhone, Best Apple Watch, and Best AirPods. Updated January 2025: We added chargers by OneAdaptr, some new honorable mentions and chargers to avoid, removed a couple of discontinued models, and updated prices. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today. A Quick Primer on MagSafe …

Best Kindle Accessories (2024): Kindle Cases, Straps, Charms

Best Kindle Accessories (2024): Kindle Cases, Straps, Charms

Published by skeptic

If you’re on TikTok, you’ve likely seen all the fun ways people are decorating their Kindles on #BookTok (the community of TikTok users who share their book recommendations). People have been going all out with fun cases, stickers, and charms. The right accessories can make all the difference—whether it’s to protect your Kindle, add some joy to your life, or both. If you don’t know where to begin, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find all our favorite Kindle accessories so far, including cases, cables, stands, and more. Be sure to read our other book-friendly guides, including Best Kindles, Best E-Readers Best Gifts for Book Lovers, Best Tablets, and Best iPads. 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 Current Kindle Lineup AccordionItemContainerButton In the market for a new Kindle? In October, Amazon launched an all-new lineup of e-readers. You can read all about them in our guide …

17 Best Smart Home Lighting (2024): Decorative Panels, LED Strips, and Ambient Lamps

17 Best Smart Home Lighting (2024): Decorative Panels, LED Strips, and Ambient Lamps

Published by skeptic

More Smart Lights We Tested Photograph: Simon Hill There are tons of smart ambient lighting panels, strips, lamps, and strings. Here are a few we also like. Lepro N1 AI Smart Neon Light Strip for $40: This is much like the Govee Neon Light Strip above, offering a lovely diffused light in whatever color you want with support for many animated effects, music syncing, and more in the app. But, I found the connectivity less reliable and prefer the Govee app. I also tested the Lepro S1 AI Smart LED Strip Light ($20), a cheaper light strip without the diffuser, and it’s perfectly decent for recessed spots. Linkind Smart TV Light Strip With HDMI Sync Box for $47: This is a far cheaper version of the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box above, and it includes a sync box and a color light strip suitable for up to 90-inch TVs. It works okay, but the HDMI inputs are limited to 4K at 60 Hz, and it’s not as good as our TV picks above, though …

11 Best Beard Trimmers (2024): Full Beards, Hair, Stubble

11 Best Beard Trimmers (2024): Full Beards, Hair, Stubble

Published by skeptic

A Beard Trimmer is a blessedly straightforward device that can have widely disparate results. Different beards have wildly different needs, depending on hair type and style. And quality matters. Cheap blades don’t save money if they die young. The last thing anybody needs in the morning is a dull or underpowered trimmer pushing your hair around instead of cutting it—or even worse, pulling your hair. The shopping-aisle rainbow of trimmers advertising “professional precision” and “lifetime blades” without corresponding warranties can be daunting to sort through. We consulted barbers and hair pros, then we turned these blades to our very own faces. Our team includes multiple testers with different morning routines, with multiple versions and visions of beard. Whether you’re aiming for rugged stubble, tight-detailed geometry, or the well-tended thatch of an elegant lumberjack, we have a pick for you. For more grooming guides, check out the Best Creams and Tools for Removing Hair, the Best Hair Dryers, and the Best Hair Straighteners. Updated December 2024: We added the Philips Norelco Multigroom and a classic, barber-recommended …

7 Best Ski Gloves and Mittens, Editor Tested and Reviewed (2024)

7 Best Ski Gloves and Mittens, Editor Tested and Reviewed (2024)

Published by skeptic

Outer Material Most ski gloves are made using thick polyester treated with a waterproof DWR coating. These offer durable protection against the weather, although it is almost always worth spending a little more for Gore-Tex, or the equivalent waterproof membrane, to guarantee waterproof performance even in the wettest spring slush. Leather is a premium option for the very best ski gloves and mittens. It is soft, durable, and incredibly comfortable. But, unlike a polyester glove, leather requires a little more care, and you will need to use a specific leather cream to maintain softness, and also avoid drying them on the radiator, as it will dry out and potentially crack the leather. But, if looked after, a pair of premium leather gloves with a Gore-Tex liner will last for years. Check carefully as some leather gloves won’t be fully waterproof. Leather is naturally water resistant, which is great if you’re not planning on skiing in extreme conditions, but as always, look for a Gore-Tex membrane to ensure proper waterproofing. Skis and snowboards should be sharp, …

13 Best Toiletry Bags, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

13 Best Toiletry Bags, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

Published by skeptic

There were multiple great bags we tried whose features or designs just didn’t add up to a place in the top spots above. However, everyone has something different they’re looking for in a toiletry bag, so while not perfect for us, some of these options may still be perfect for you. State Bags Benson Toiletry Kit for $68: This is a solid, simple bag with three mesh pouches and a snap-in/snap-out plastic envelope that can hold a toothbrush and toothpaste or shower items like soap. The navy version I tested had a coated polyester wipe-clean exterior and interior made from recycled bottles, and I liked that it had the option to hang. However, the organization was more rudimentary than similar-category bags we tested, and it was missing some of the thoughtful details featured on other bags in the same price range, like a quick-access pouch on the back and a larger hook with a rubber tip to prevent slipping. (This bag’s thick, small plastic hook wasn’t even wide enough to hang on a towel rack.) …

10 Best Mattresses for Back Pain, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

10 Best Mattresses for Back Pain, Tested and Reviewed (2024)

Published by skeptic

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 the following morning. My husband also gave me his feedback, even though he isn’t …

32 Delightful Gift Ideas for Music Lovers and Audiophiles

32 Delightful Gift Ideas for Music Lovers and Audiophiles

Published by skeptic

Whether you’re trying to find a turntable so Mom and Dad can bust out their vintage vinyl collection or you want to give the gift of great sound to a young music lover or a middle-aged audiophile, it can be tough to find great-sounding gear that doesn’t cost a lot. That’s where we come in. Each year, we spend hundreds of hours listening to the latest gear, looking for the elusive products that bring the best possible sound for the money. These are our favorite gifts for music lovers, from affordable accessories to insane hi-fi wonders. Looking for other cool audio gear or gift ideas? Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best Cheap Headphones and Best Bookshelf Speakers. Updated November 2024: We’ve overhauled this guide with new picks from many of our favorite brands, including Ultimate Ears, Sony, Vizio, and others. 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 …

We Tested and Reviewed the Best Home Treadmills (2024)

We Tested and Reviewed the Best Home Treadmills (2024)

Published by skeptic

Buying a treadmill is a big commitment. Even the more affordable models are pricey. They take up a lot of space, and if you’ve ever come across a busted belt or a broken screen, you know how frustrating they can be. That being said, having a cardio machine in your house that works makes exercising so much more convenient. I definitely run more (and stick to my marathon training plans better) throughout the winter months because of various treadmills I’ve had at home over the years. They can also make interval training a bit easier, and help you practice hills if you don’t have access to much challenging incline outside. If you’re in the market for one, you probably know there are tons of options at all kinds of price ranges out there, and it can be hard to know what’s really worth splurging on. To help you narrow down your search, we tested all the treads below, seeing how they held up through countless long distance runs, hill workouts, and sprinting intervals. Here’s what …