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New York Times
5 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Our Kids' Pick Award Winners
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Most of the testers were familiar with the Bentgo Fresh Lunch Box, one of our favorite kids lunch boxes. With four deep compartments, the bento box holds a good amount of food (about 5 cups total) and keeps foods separate. Our testers liked the bright, bold colors and versatile layout, which includes a divider in the main compartment that you can remove to fit a sandwich or a larger entrée. The Bentgo box 'has enough space, and it's wide enough,' said 10-year-old Julieta G. And Sahara S., age 8, said she found the compact plastic box 'easy to open and close.' Also tested: Lunch Box, PlanetBox Launch Stainless Steel Lunch Box, PlanetBox Rover Stainless Steel Lunch Box, Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Classic Lunch Box Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter The Thermos Funtainer Food Jar with Spoon came out on top for one critical reason: A compartment in the lid snaps open to reveal a foldable spoon. (The animated exchange between Addison F., 8, and Chase H., 8, as they popped open the lid: 'Bro! It has a spoon!') It's a new version of the (spoon-less) Thermos Funtainer Food Jar, which is a recommendation in our food thermos guide. This durable jar keeps food hot and comes in kid-friendly designs, from Minecraft to rainbows. And did we mention the spoon? It 'has a mini spoon inside, so you don't even have to pack a spoon!' said 9-year-old Charlotte C. The Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Food Jar and the ThermoFlask Food Jar were close contenders, with kids particularly appreciating the extra-wide opening and sturdy handle of the ThermoFlask model. Said 6-year-old Wren H. of the ThermoFlask jar: It 'fits a lot of food, and I always like the pasta my mamma gives me.' Also tested: Bentgo Kids Stainless Steel Food Jar, PlanetBox Food Container, ThermoFlask Food Jar, Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter It was almost a tie between the Lihit Lab PuniLabo Pen Pouch and the Zipit Clear Top Pencil Box, with the Lihit Lab cases winning by the narrowest of margins. Kids adored how they looked like animals, with a distinctive head and tail, plus a long body. 'The cat and penguin are so cute,' said 7-year-old Annalise G. 'Penguins are my favorite animal,' said 6-year-old Charlie C. The case is compact and easily transportable but fits plenty of pencils and pens. 'It has space, and it's not too big,' said Emi E., 10. And the silicone material felt 'smooth' and 'squishy,' said 7-year-old Miles M. The Zipit Clear Top Pencil Box is a larger container, the kind where kids might toss in extra school supplies such as glue sticks, scissors, and markers. It features a clear, hard-shell top with a design inside. Kids especially liked the basketball version, since it had a ball that rolled around so they could pretend to shoot and score a basket. Also tested: KPX Standing Pencil Case, Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Pencil Case, Zipit Clear Top Pencil Box, Zipit Monster Pencil Case Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter With tiny bumps along its triangular length, the Faber-Castell Grip 2001 Graphite EcoPencil with Eraser stood out from the more traditional-looking pencils we tested and was the top vote-getter by far. 'I like the dots,' said almost-6-year-old Caleb W. Kids appreciated how the bumps helped them hold the pencil: It 'has grip,' noted 9-year-old Margaret T. The design also added a tactile sensation: 'I liked the little bumps, and it felt good on my fingers,' said Joanna D., 8. And the Grip 2001, one of our favorite pencils for schoolwork, wrote smoothly, too. 'It writes well, and it feels good,' said 10-year-old Nico A. Then again, not everyone loved it, with some kids finding the bumps unappealing: The 'texture was not comfortable,' said Nathan P., age 10. Also tested: Dixon Ticonderoga Classic Yellow Wood-Cased Pencil, Mitsubishi 9850 HB, Oriental Trading Personalized Pastel Pencils, Palomino Golden Bear USA Blue #2 Pencil Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Our junior test squad found the soft white Staedtler Mars Plastic Vinyl Eraser to be the most effective at removing their scribbles, requiring minimal effort and leaving little trace of their writing behind. It was 'fast and efficient,' said 7-year-old Adoma A. After writing and then erasing her name, Charlotte C., 10, said that the eraser 'worked so well, you couldn't even see my name!' The Paper Mate Arrowhead Pencil Cap Erasers were a close second. Kids appreciated that the eraser cap was firm and not annoyingly wobbly and bendy, which made it easier to use. 'The eraser is thick, so it will not break or fall off,' said 10-year-old Rosemary M. Also tested: Amazon Basics Rectangular Eraser, Paper Mate Arrowhead Pencil Cap Erasers, Pentel Hi-Polymer Cap Erasers, Staples Cap Erasers Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter The only pair to come with a protective cover, the Livingo 5" Kids Scissors were the best ones, according to our junior test squad. Many testers pointed out the sheath: 'If you're handing the scissors to a person, they won't get injured,' said 9-year-old Charlotte C. They also have a 'good grip,' said 7-year-old Leo K. Left-handed Ryan B., age 8, said this pair 'felt the most comfortable.' (The scissors are meant for both left- and right-handed children.) And most importantly, the Livingo scissors make crisp cuts and are a snap to open and close. 'It is easy to cut with, so you can cut faster,' said 9-year-old Clara F. A few kids, however, complained that the holes of the scissors were too small to fit their fingers. Also tested: Fiskars Softgrip 5" Scissors, Lakeshore Blunt-Tip Scissors, Target Up&Up Kids' Blunt Tip Scissors, Westcott 15968 Right- and Left-Handed Scissors Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter When it came to glue sticks, one of the, ahem, sticking points was the cap. Kids complained that some were frustratingly hard to unscrew and screw back on. Ultimately, the Avery Glue Stic, the chunkiest stick of the bunch, was the most satisfying to use. It's the 'best because it's easy to open and close, and I like that it's big,' said Sasha G., 6. It 'was my favorite because it glides well, and it's really big, and it covers lots of the paper,' said 7-year-old Victoria J. The glue also kept pieces of paper in place: It 'doesn't move an inch,' said 9-year-old Jemina F. Also tested: Amazon Basics Purple Washable Glue Stick, Elmer's All Purpose School Glue Stick, Scotch Glue Stick, Uhu Stic Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter We recommend the Prismacolor Premier Pencil Sharpener in our guide to colored pencils, and our junior test squad agreed. Kids found that it sharpened pencils efficiently, making the tip satisfyingly pointy: 'It made my pencil super sharp, super fast,' said 10-year-old Lily H. The two-holed sharpener was larger than the others in our pool, but that was a plus: The Prismacolor model 'is bigger, which makes it more likable, because I don't have to get up to empty it out that frequently,' said 10-year-old Emma C. Also tested: Fiskars Squeeze Sharpener, KUM AS2M Sharpener, Ooly 3-Hole Pencil Sharpener, Staedtler Double-Hole Tub Sharpener Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter The Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencils, the budget pick in our colored pencils guide, was the favorite set among our junior testers. The pencils are 'really smooth and easy to color with,' said 9-year-old Miles K. Kids found that they could make the color on the paper lighter or darker depending on how hard they pressed and said that using the pencils felt 'precise,' which let them color with detail. But some complained about the Prismacolor set's red pencil, which came out more orange than red: It 'is not red, like, at all,' said 8-year-old Yuil J. Also tested: Crayola Colored Pencils, Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Staedtler Ergosoft Triangular Colored Pencils, Target Mondo Llama Colored Pencils Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter 'Smell this!' was something we heard a lot at the marker testing station. And that's because Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, the runaway favorite, had an unfair advantage: Each marker smells sweet, like cherry, grape, raspberry, and other appealing scents. It 'reminds me of blueberries,' said 6-year-old Yara W. of one marker. It 'writes and smells and looks good,' said 9-year-old Margaret T. Several kids, however, noticed that the Mr. Sketch markers tended to bleed and were darker in pigment than the other contenders. Also tested: Amazon Basics Broad Line Washable Markers, Crayola Broad Line Washable Markers, Cra-Z Art Classic Super Washable Markers, Target Mondo Llama Broad Tip Classic Washable Markers Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Long, pointy, and almost as thin as a pencil, the BIC Kids Crayons were a surprise hit. 'It doesn't make a mess, and it's really sharp,' said 9-year-old Hudson S. Kids also found that the crayons colored smoothly, making vibrant shades. As for the worst performers, we couldn't help but note that the Target Mondo Llama Classic Crayons broke several times — including with our first group of testers of the day. Also tested: Crayola Crayons, Cra-Z-Art Jumbo Crayons, Ooly Brilliant Bee Crayons, Target Mondo Llama Classic Crayons Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter If there was one item the kids wanted to take home, it was 'bling' for their backpack — fun, decorative tchotchkes that can attach to a bag's zippers, straps, and other hooks. We won't name names, but let's just say there was a lot of begging. Although our testers had a tough time picking just one favorite ('I like all of them,' said 6-year-old Rowan K.), the 3.5-inch Squishmallows Clip-On Plush toys — particularly the mint-green axolotl — ultimately won the most hearts and the most requests to keep. Kids couldn't resist their adorableness and cuddle factor. 'These are good because if you're having a bad day, you can give it a squeeze, and they're just on your backpack,' said 8-year-old Liel G. The most entertaining bling option was the Kikkerland collection of light-up, noise-making keychains, which include a duck, an electric guitar, a unicorn, and a black cat. ('This cat is mythical!' said Yuil J., 8, as the cat's eyes lit up.) But several kids acknowledged that their teachers would probably get pretty annoyed if they started playing with the keychains in class. Also tested: Funko Pop Keychain, Kikkerland LED & Sound Keychain, Lego Key Chain, Cuberspeed GAN 330 Keychain In July 2025, we put 100 junior testers to work. (Did I say work? I mean play.) We recruited kids ages 6 to 10 from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut through The New York Times's newsletters and social media. (None of the junior testers' parents work for the company.) They joined us at The Times's offices in Times Square, where each child spent about two and a half hours rotating through stations (plus a 15-minute snack, bathroom, and cartwheel break). Each testing station was dedicated to one product category, such as backpacks or glue sticks. For each station, we selected five high-quality contenders based on picks in our current guides, such as our recommendations for the best kids backpacks, kids water bottles, and kids lunch boxes. In categories without existing Wirecutter guides, we researched popular options and selected those that we thought would be durable and reliable (such as those with good reviews or made by a reputable brand). For most categories, particularly those where look and design really matter, we presented two versions of each item, with contrasting colors and designs. For instance, for the Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Backpacks, we had a lavender tie-dye heart pattern and a dark blue school of sharks print. We gave each child a booklet and asked them to mark their top picks as they moved from station to station. We tried our best to conceal brand names, labeling each item as A, B, C, D, and E. (Kids are smart, though. One held up a marker and noted the distinctive wavy lines, proclaiming, 'I know this is Crayola!') Some examples from our testing stations: For backpacks, we first wrapped each one with black and blue rain covers so that the kids could not see too much of the color or pattern. We filled the backpacks with 4 pounds of dried pinto beans to mimic the approximate weight of a supplies-filled pack. Kids put on the backpacks and marched around the room to gauge comfort. (A suggestion to make them climb up and down flights of stairs while wearing them was nixed.) We then removed the rain covers so that the kids could see and inspect the backpacks' zippers, pockets, and other features. For health and safety reasons, we did not ask kids to drink or eat from the water bottles, lunch boxes, or food thermoses. Instead, they opened and closed each one several times and packed the lunch boxes and food thermoses with food-shaped squishies. For colored pencils, crayons, and markers, we gave each child five of the same color and asked them to color with each one in their booklet. (It turned out that not all reds were alike — a few even bordered on orange.) Yes, beans! Kids were surprised and flummoxed to find a 4-pound bag of pinto beans inside each backpack. Questions ensued. (Mainly, 'Why?!') The answer: We wanted them to test what a packed bag felt like. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter We presented kids with two versions of each lunch box contender to account for color and pattern preferences. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Kids compared colored pencils by filling in five pictures of apples inside their booklet, one for each pencil. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter We gave our testers a bunch of blunt pencils to sharpen. Not pictured: all the shavings that ended up on the floor. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter We labeled each glue stick as A, B, C, D, or E with a sticker, but observant kids could still distinguish certain brands by their distinctive colors. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Kids and adults found Target's Up&Up scissors comfortable for large hands, though the Livingo 5" Kids Scissors ultimately came out on top. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Yes, beans! Kids were surprised and flummoxed to find a 4-pound bag of pinto beans inside each backpack. Questions ensued. (Mainly, 'Why?!') The answer: We wanted them to test what a packed bag felt like. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Our junior test squad was impressively dedicated, thoughtful, and articulate. Occasionally kids picked a winner based on something besides function: They liked the letter B, recognized a familiar brand, or loved sharks, for instance. In some cases, if they had trouble narrowing it down to just one favorite, they selected two. But for the most part, they carefully weighed why they preferred one item over the rest. To determine the winners, we tallied the kids' votes; for those who picked two, we awarded half a point for each. We also reviewed the kids' comments and noted their least-favorite items. In several instances, the contest was neck and neck, but ultimately we found a clear winner in every category. This article was edited by Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.
New York Times
01-08-2025
- New York Times
The Best Things to Get for Your New Laptop
Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter This effortlessly cool, feature-packed bag excels in both form and function. Every laptop needs a good bag. Elegant form and utilitarian features (such as a magnetic top closure and a plethora of pockets) make this wear-anywhere bag look more pricey than it is. Read more about it in our guide to the best laptop backpacks. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter This waxed-canvas messenger has a distinctive vintage aesthetic, and its smooth nylon shoulder strap is extra-comfy. $119 from WaterField Designs At once stylish and sturdy, this bag transitions seamlessly between the office and more casual settings. Read more about it in our guide to our favorite messenger bags. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This versatile case is roomy, waterproof, and sharp-looking—plus, it has lots of handy pockets. The Cary is comfortable to tote, has an impressive capacity, and looks good dressed up or down. Read more about it in our guide to the best briefcases. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This simple, soft sleeve comes in an almost limitless number of designs, and it's constructed with stiff canvas-style polyester, which protects against dust, scratches, and impact. A sleeve offers more protection for your laptop and allows you to carry it in any bag that lacks a dedicated computer compartment. Featuring the designs of countless artists, laptop sleeves sold by Society6 have a sturdy construction that should protect your laptop from bumps. Read more about it in our guide to the best laptop sleeves. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This affordable sleeve fits laptops better and offers more protection than most other similarly priced options. It has thick, cushioned corners and a plushly protective interior that protects your laptop from most drops, spills, and scratches. Read more about it in our guide to the best laptop sleeves. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter If you have data on your laptop, you need to back it up, and not just to the cloud. This portable hard drive has the largest capacity available among portable drives, and it's one of the most affordable drives we considered with this much storage. It works with both Windows computers and Macs, and it comes with USB-C and USB-A connectors and a three-year warranty. Read more about it in our guide to the best external hard drive. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This portable SSD is the best because it's reliable, fast, and reasonably priced, and like most of the portable SSDs we tested, it's compact enough to partly hide under a stack of sticky notes. Read more about it in our guide to the best portable SSD. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter With its flexible pricing options, IDrive lets you back up essential files for a low price or an enormous collection of large files for more. $70 from iDrive (per year, 5 TB) If you have only one backup, you don't have a backup. IDrive is easy to set up, and it backs up your files quickly. It offers flexible pricing, so you don't overpay for storage you don't need. Read more about it in our guide to the best online cloud backup services. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter A good pair of headphones sounds better than the speakers on your laptop, helps you focus by blocking outside noise, and keeps your study music, plane-movie dialogue, or game sounds private. These headphones deliver customizable sound, impressive noise cancellation, stellar call clarity, and long battery life. Read more about it in our guide to the best Bluetooth wireless headphones. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter Our favorite wireless earbuds provide a great fit and excellent-sounding drivers that keep up with high and low frequencies alike. Read more about it in our guide to the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter This inexpensive, neutral-sounding pair of headphones is perfect for music, recording, or film students, performers doing session work, podcasters, videographers who need to monitor sound, and folks building up their sound booth — or, really, anyone who wants great-sounding headphones for less than $100. Read more about it in our guide to the best audiophile headphones. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter These earbuds have a neutral sound profile and a sturdy, detachable cable with no built-in remote or microphone. This is a comfortable pair of earbuds with a neutral sound that should have broad appeal. Read more about it in our guide to the best wired earbuds. Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter With a sound that's neither too trebly nor too bass-heavy, the Linsoul Tin HiFi T3 Plus set is a great entry point for the discerning music fan who prefers wired earbuds. Pleasing sound, comfortable fit, and a replaceable cable make this affordable pair a great entry point. Read more about it in our guide to the best wired earbuds.
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
The Best New Prime Day Deals We've Found on Day 3
Photo: Marki Williams Blueair Blue Pure 511 Air Purifier — Budget Pick Amazon deal price: $70 (with clipped on-page coupon); street price: $80 What we like: Our budget air purifier pick. Not much bigger than a 3-liter soda bottle. Quiet and energy-efficient purifier. Understated look. Automatic display-shutoff. A tiny standout for small spaces like dorm rooms, offices, or children's bedrooms. Other things to know: A very basic machine—no smart functionality and no auto setting to self-adjust fan speed when air quality changes. Best for rooms under 180 square feet. Filter lasts about six months; a replacement costs about $20. Not as low as previous deals we've posted, but it is the lowest price we've seen in six months. Clip the on-page coupon to get the deal price. Read more: The Best Air Purifier Caleigh Waldman for NYT Wirecutter Sun Ninja Tent 4 Person Sunshade — Best For... Amazon deal price: $95 ; street price: $116 What we like: The best sunshade for maximum protection in our guide to the best beach umbrellas. UPF 50+ spandex. Pleasant to sit under. Consistent in a variety of winds. Easily transportable in a small carrying case. Simple to set up. Doesn't obscure the view. Other things to know: 7' by 7.5' 4-pole configuration. The arms stretch out an extra 3 feet in every direction, taking up a lot of room. Constant sun exposure will eventually break down the spandex; our tent is still going after three-plus years of near-constant use in Hawaii. One-year warranty. Read more: The Best Beach Umbrella Is Not Actually an Umbrella Asus ZenScreen MB16ACV Portable Monitor — Worth Considering Amazon deal price: $151 ; street price: $170 What we like: Another portable monitor worth considering if your computer doesn't have USB-C or HDMI ports. 15.6-inch display with sharp 1080p resolution. Integrated stand lets you use it in landscape and portrait orientations. Works with older laptops or as a smaller, secondary monitor for desktops. Other things to know: Formerly our top pick. Only has one USB-C port to connect it to a laptop or computer. Additional software required to get features such as auto-rotate and USB-A compatibility. Read more: The Best Portable Monitors Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine — Budget Pick Amazon deal price: $360 (deal on stainless steel); street price: $450 What we like: Our budget espresso machine pick. A barebones machine that prioritizes shots of espresso above all else, which makes it a great machine for budding coffee geeks to satisfy their palates without sacrificing their budget. The controls are straightforward. After turning on, it takes only about a minute before it's ready to pull a shot. Other things to know: isn't quite as easy for beginners to master as our Breville picks. You'll need to buy a separate tamper to make the most of this machine. Frothing milk can be a bit tricky, but microfoam is manageable. Deal for the stainless steel finish. Read more: The Best Home Espresso Machine Photo: Marki Williams BabyBuddha Portable Breast Pump 2.0 — Best For Amazon deal price: $160 ; street price: $200 What we like: The best breast pump for hands-free pumping. Sleek, compact, and user-friendly design. Provides superior comfort while maintaining efficient extraction, especially when compared with the original model. Has six stimulation modes and nine expression modes that you toggle through by using a little trackball. Other things to know: Portable, but it requires a pumping bra. Has five parts that need washing. Limited warranty covers manufacturer defects for the original owner for two years or 600 hours of use, whichever comes first. Read more: The Best Breast Pumps Photo: Michael Hession Anker 555 USB-C Hub (8-in-1) — Another Good Option Amazon deal price: $36 ; street price: $50 What we like: Another good option if you prefer a name-brand USB hub. A solid option with two USB-A ports and support for a single 4K 60 Hz monitor. In our tests those ports worked as well as expected. Can be used at your desk full-time. Small enough to take on the go. Other things to know: Our previous top pick. Sells for less than our new top pick from Baseus but has cheaper-feeling plastic enclosure and fewer ports. The two side-by-side USB-A ports are somewhat cramped. Gets hot during use, but not to a dangerous level. Read more: The Best USB Hubs Photo: Woolbuddy Woolbuddy Needle Felting Animal Kit (Giraffe) — Gift Pick Amazon deal price: $13 ; street price: $16 What we like: A crafty gift pick for 10-year olds. Wool felting, popularized in Japan, involves gathering and jabbing small tufts of wool (or even cat or dog hair) with a needle to transform it into soft, fluffy objects. With this kit kids can make various silly animals, monsters, or plants, and may find it meditative and gratifying. Other things to know: Kiddos could accidentally poke themselves during the felting process. Comes with materials, needles, and instructions. Read more: The 32 Best Gifts for 10-Year-Olds Switchbot SwitchBot Blind Tilt Smart Blind Opener — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $49 ; street price: $65 What we like: Our top pick for the best smart blind opener. Reasonably priced. Easy to install. Comes with a solar panel to keep the battery charged for longer. Attaches to the tilt wand of standard horizontal blinds and can open and close the louvers (it doesn't raise or lower the blind itself). Other things to know: With the addition of the SwitchBot's Matter-enabled hub (the Hub 2 or the Hub Mini), sold separately, you can integrate and control the Tilt using any of the major smart-home apps. Without a hub you're limited to short-range Bluetooth control and reduced features. Read more: The Best Smart Retrofit Shade, Blind, and Curtain Openers Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Pro Lens — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $463 ; street price: $537 What we like: Our top pick for a wide-aperture normal prime lens in our guide to the first Fujifilm X-mount lenses you should buy. Its natural perspective closely replicates the human eye. Stunningly sharp. Bokeh is among the smoothest we've seen. A stunning value. Other things to know: Heavy and bulky, though beautifully well built (mostly of metal) and weather-sealed. We think Viltrox is one of the most exciting Chinese lens makers to pop up in recent years. Read more: The First Fujifilm X-Mount Mirrorless Lenses You Should Buy Here are all of the best Amazon Prime Day deals, as curated by Wirecutter's meticulous team of journalists. The early bird doesn't always catch the worm. Here are the best new deals for Prime Day. Out of the hundreds of deals we've shared, these 44 deals have been the most popular with Wirecutter readers. With these Wirecutter-approved picks under $100, you don't have to spend a lot to get a good deal this Amazon Prime Day. The Wirecutter Deals Team
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
The Very Best Prime Day Deals Under $100 (Day 3)
Photo: Marki Williams AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $28 (deal on gray); street price: $40 What we like: Our top pick for a simple and portable single-serve coffee maker. Lightweight, compact design produces full-bodied, flavorful coffee in about two minutes. Great for camping, travel, or just a simple cup at home. Easy to use. Dishwasher-safe. Other things to know: Also makes a great gift. Only brews one cup at a time. A solid drop, especially if you don't want or need the carrying bag that has accompanied some deals. Matches previous deals we've seen. Deal on gray. Read more: The AeroPress is a Fast, Portable, No-Frills Tool for Making Terrific Coffee Bentgo MicroSteel Lunch Box — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $24 ; street price: $30 What we like: Our top pick for a streamlined stainless steel bento box. Leakproof, plastic-free, and fits neatly into a bag or backpack. Microwave-safe for up to 10 minutes. Easy to clean. Comes with a removable silicone divider. Big enough to fit a full meal. Other things to know: Wide and shallow. Just one tier. Two-year warranty. Exterior coating on the colored versions may peel over time, especially with repeated dishwasher washing. Requires some hand-washing. Read more: The Best Lunch Boxes Atlas Coffee Club 2-Bag Subscription — Gift Pick Atlas Coffee Club deal price: $13 (use promo code WCSUMMER25, two-bag subscription, new subscribers only); street price: $32 What we like: A gift-pick coffee subscription service. Delivers satisfying coffee at a low price. Plenty of customization. Sources beans from countries all over the world, so you'll always have something new to try. Each bag includes a postcard with fun facts about the country's coffee industry. Other things to know: New subscribers can use code WCSUMMER25 for 60% off their first two-bag subscription. Street price has risen, but the free shipping effectively makes this discount cheaper than most similar promos out there. Read more: The 36 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers Normcore V4 58.5mm Tamper — Gift Pick Amazon deal price: $35 ; street price: $44 What we like: A gift pick for coffee lovers that make espresso at home. This self-leveling, spring-loaded tamper makes it easier to neatly and evenly pack espresso grinds into the portafilter. With a more-even tamping, you'll be able to consistently extract complex shots from your espresso machine. Other things to know: Members of the Wirecutter kitchen team suggest that anyone getting our recommended espresso maker should upgrade to this tamper over the flimsy plastic one provided with the machine. Read more: The 36 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers Keurig K-Express Single Serve Coffee Maker — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $60 ; street price: $80 What we like: Our top Keurig machine pick. More compact, less expensive, and easier to operate than other Keurig machines we tested. Has a strong brew function that improves the flavor of your coffee. The removable water tank adds convenience. Makes coffee in three sizes: 8, 10, and 12 ounces. Other things to know: One-year limited warranty but damage resulting while using non-Keurig branded pods and accessories may not be covered. Some online reviews claim that Keurig isn't the best about honoring its warranty. A larger Keurig serving is just adding more water to your cup, while using the same amount of coffee. Read more: The Best Keurig Machine Anyday 4-Piece Glass Round Dish Set — Staff Pick Anyday deal price: $45 (use promo code WCROUND); street price: $60 What we like: A glass container staff pick for cooking simple dishes quickly and reheat leftovers well. Microwave-, dishwasher-, oven-, and freezer-safe. Each glass container comes with an airtight, leakproof lid with a venting knob, which can be opened or closed to capture or release steam as food cooks. Other things to know: The cookware mainly relies on built-up steam to cook food, which makes is difficult to develop more-complex flavors. Could be a great asset to anyone that only has a microwave at their disposal. Set includes two round glass containers and their corresponding lids. Use code WCROUND. Read more: These Glass Containers Made Me Hate the Microwave a Little Less Anyday 4-Piece Glass Square Dish Set — Staff Pick Anyday deal price: $75 (use promo code WCSQUARE); street price: $106 What we like: A glass container staff pick for cooking simple dishes quickly and reheat leftovers well. Microwave-, dishwasher-, oven-, and freezer-safe. Each glass container comes with an airtight, leakproof lid with a venting knob, which can be opened or closed to capture or release steam as food cooks. Other things to know: The cookware mainly relies on built-up steam to cook food, which makes is difficult to develop more-complex flavors. Could be a great asset to anyone that only has a microwave at their disposal. Set includes one 10-cup and one 5.5 cup square glass container with their corresponding lids. Use code WCSQUARE. Read more: These Glass Containers Made Me Hate the Microwave a Little Less OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $11 ; street price: $15 What we like: Our top potato masher pick. Made the best rustic yet fluffy mashed potatoes. Cuts into potatoes and other foods faster and more easily than the competition. Dishwasher safe and easy to clean. Doesn't take up a lot of space. Other things to know: Some Amazon reviewers have complained in the past that the short handle causes their knuckles to drag through the mash. Won't fit in a utensil crock. Read more: The Best Potato Masher and Ricer Chef'sChoice WafflePro 840 Five-of-Hearts Model Waffle Maker — Another Good Option Amazon deal price: $49 ; street price: $65 What we like: Another good waffle makers if you like thin, heart-shaped waffles. Excellent for households that enjoy Norwegian-style waffles. Settings allow customization for preferred texture and brownness level. Compact, has locking lid, stores vertically or horizontally, and is easy to clean. Other things to know: Besides the heart-shaped plates, it looks almost identical to our previous top pick, the similarly named Chef'sChoice WafflePro 840. That model was discontinued, and in our tests this made waffles that were equally good. Read more: The Best Waffle Maker Deep River Snacks Original Sea Salt Kettle Cooked Potato Chips (Pack of 12) — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $28 ; street price: $37 What we like: Our top kettle chip pick from our guide to the best potato chips. Offers bold flavor and a tremendous crunch. Thick, sturdy chips with good, crunchy folds and many tiny bubbles. Other things to know: No acrid or rancid aftertaste that happened in several other kettle chip taste tests. Can be a bit too thick and crunchy for people with sensitive mouths. Notably positive remarks on the flavor of the oil, as several testers mentioned the chips' similarity to McDonald's french fries 'in a good way.' Includes 12 5-ounce bags. Read more: The Best Potato Chips Zojirushi Stainless Steel Food Jar — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $27 ; street price: $31 What we like: Our top pick for the best food thermos. This container keeps food hot for hours. Comes apart easily for cleaning. Easily fits in one hand. Emerged from our drop test with no dents. It doesn't leak. Other things to know: Four-piece lid comes apart for easier cleaning. Keeping all of the parts together is cumbersome. Read more: The Best Food Thermos Yamazaki Home Expandable Kitchen Riser — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $32 ; street price: $38 What we like: Our top expandable shelf riser pick for small kitchens. Expands from 10⅝ to 17⅝ inches wide, so it can fit a range of cabinet sizes. Measures 7⅞ inches deep. sturdy, heavyweight metal riser doesn't wobble like most of the thin wire-frame risers we tested. Other things to know: Printed line on top of the shelf, which indicates how far it can extend. Area under the shelf measures 4 inches tall, so we were able to slide a stack of six dinner plates or 12-ounce mugs under the shelf. Read more: 35 Small-Kitchen Organization Ideas That Make the Most of Tight Quarters Nordic Ware Original Bundt Pan — Staff Pick Amazon deal price: $23 (deal on silver); street price: $40 Target deal price: $23(free Target Circle membership required, with store pickup or Circle Card); street price: $40 What we like: A staff pick for a great, sturdy bundt pan. Bakes cake to a perfectly even golden brown. Durable without being too heavy. Handles are easy to hold. Cake ridges came out sharper and taller than with any of the others bundt pans we tested. Other things to know: Not dishwasher-safe. Lifetime warranty. On sale in silver. At Target, free Circle membership is required to get deal; select store pickup, add to a larger order, or use Circle Card to avoid shipping fees. Read more: My Secret to Turning Simple Cakes Into Showstoppers? This Classic Bundt Pan. Grill Rescue Grill Brush — Also Great Amazon deal price: $34 ; street price: $41 What we like: A great dunkable grill brush for soot-free grates. Also makes a great gift under $50. Steam-cleaning brush that's easier to use than DIY steam cleaners. Durable. Other things to know: The cleaning pad quickly discolors upon first clean. Head is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Can order replacement heads. You'll still want to use another grill brush alongside it. Not the best deal price we've seen, but still a good value. Street price has risen over the last few months. Read more: This Steamy Grill Brush Makes Me Excited to Clean My Grill Espro P6 French Press — Upgrade Pick Amazon deal price: $91 ; street price: $115 What we like: Our upgrade French press pick. Offers the same superior filtration as other Espro models, plus better heat retention. Double-walled carafe. No danger that it will shatter if you drop it. Designed to stop extracting once you've pressed. Coffee won't turn as bitter or sour if it sits in the press for a couple of hours. Other things to know: All-metal carafe, but the handle is plastic. Available in matte black or brushed stainless steel. Read more: The Best French Press Espro P3 French Press (32 ounces) — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $32 (deal on black); street price: $40 What we like: Our top pick for the best French press coffee maker. Elegant-looking, easy to use, and relatively simple to clean. Unique double filter makes richer, more flavorful coffee with less residue than its competitors. Dishwasher-safe. Other things to know: You cannot make less than 24 ounces of coffee in this 32-ounce press. Matches low. Deal available in black. Read more: The Best French Press Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil Rich Taste — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $7 (16.9 ounces); street price: $10 What we like: Our top robust and inexpensive olive oil pick you can buy at a store. Had one of the most pronounced grassy and peppery notes of any olive oil we tried. Also one of the more complex that we tried. Felt fatty and buttery in the mouth and would be a great oil to eat with bread. Other things to know: A global blend, which means the olives are sourced from all over the world. Sold in plastic bottles, so it's best to finish your bottle within three months to avoid any potential degradation caused by the plastic. Deal for a 16.9 ounce bottle. Read more: The Best Olive Oil You Can Buy at the Store Calphalon Precision Control 2-Slice Toaster — Worth Considering Amazon deal price: $40 ; street price: $80 What we like: A toaster worth considering if you want a stylish option with a matte finish. Has all of the basic controls we look for in a good toaster, and it expertly browned bagels, frozen waffles, and sourdough bread. This deal makes the Calphalon much less expensive than our upgrade pick. Other things to know: Typically costs more than our top pick, but doesn't perform quite as well as our upgrade pick. Lacks some of the features we've become spoiled by in other toasters. Has narrower slots that don't fit thick bagels, and takes longer to toast. Read more: The Best Toaster Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer — Worth Considering Amazon deal price: $80 (deal on gray); street price: $85 What we like: Another air fryer worth considering if you want a lighter basket. Large, 5-quart square basket weighs around 2 pounds when empty, the lightest of any full-size air fryer we tested. Has sleek design with an easy-to-use interface, loud "shake" reminder. Offers good performance for the price. Other things to know: A former budget pick. Like most pod-shaped air fryers, isn't great at cooking evenly, and the preprogrammed settings aren't very accurate. Removable tray tends to fall out when transferring food to plate. Although the street price has risen suspiciously right before the holiday sales, overall trends have noted a drop in street price over the past year. We see this reoccurring deal price at least once a month, but it's a fine time to pick it up if you want a gray one now. Read more: The Best Air Fryer KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Pot Holder Set — Also Great Amazon deal price: $9 (deal on beige); street price: $13 What we like: Our pick for a bigger pot holder that comes in a wide range of colors. Larger and more rectangular than our top pick. The divided hand pocket gives you more control. Comes in a variety of muted, trendy colors as well as brighter options. Other things to know: Its thicker material and large, square corners make it a little more clunky than our top-pick pot holder. However, the corners do add more surface area that can be helpful when you use the pot holder as a trivet. Lowest price is for the milkshake beige color, but the beet red and ink blue colors are also on sale for a dollar more. Read more: The Best Oven Mitts and Pot Holders YouCopia StoraLid Container Lid Organizer (Large) — Staff Favorite Amazon deal price: $14 (deal on large size); street price: $18 What we like: A lid organizer loved we love for keeping cabinets tidy. Keeps food storage container lids organized and easily accessible with minimum human effort. Adjustable tabbed dividers for separating lid sizes. Other things to know: Only as useful as your willingness to use it and organize. Needs large empty space to fit in cabinet. Deal for the large size, better than typical sales we see. Read more: This $20 Lid Organizer Has Tamed the Chaos Inside My Kitchen Cabinets Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers (10-Piece Set) — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $48 (10-piece); street price: $60 Target deal price: $48 (free Circle membership required, 10-piece); street price: $60 What we like: Our top dry food-storage container pick. Durable Tritan plastic containers with a tight seal. Held up through multiple drop tests and trips through the dishwasher. Stack neatly and efficiently into cabinets. Other things to know: Only recommended for storing dry ingredients. Includes two half-cup, two 1.3-cup, two 3.2-cup, one 6.6-cup, one 7.8-cup, one 12-cup, and one 16-cup container with corresponding lids. At Target, free Circle membership is required. Target Circle cardholders get an additional 5% off. Read more: The Best Dry Food Storage Containers Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast Nespresso Pods (Pack of 50) — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $23 (pack of 50); street price: $33 What we like: Our light roast Nespresso pods top pick. A mild, rich espresso. The only unanimous favorite in our tests. Notes of brown sugar, citrus, and chocolate. Toasty yet bright. Makes a well-balanced shot. Good for light and dark roast lovers (especially if you're working late cause you're a singer). Other things to know: Starbucks pods are the only third-party pods we tested that are actually manufactured by Nespresso, which might have some advantages. Not the same light roast you'd expect from a third-wave roaster. Deal is for a 50-pack. Read more: The Best Nespresso Pods You Can Buy at the Grocery Store Cafflano Klassic All-in-One Pour-Over Coffee Maker — Gift Pick Amazon deal price: $48 (with clipped on-page coupon); street price: $60 What we like: A gift pick for coffee lovers who like convenience. An all-in-one ceramic burr grinder, brewer, and insulated mug. Works well anywhere — just add beans and hot water. Recommended by Yuki Izumi, coffee director at Hi-Collar, a café and sake bar in New York City's East Village. Other things to know: Comes with everything needed to brew and hold your java, including a kettle, stainless filter dripper, insulated tumbler, and lid. Clip on-page coupon. Recurring deal. Read more: The 36 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers Swissmar Börner VPower Mandoline — Runner-Up Amazon deal price: $51 (deal on white, red, or orange); street price: $63 What we like: Our runner-up mandoline pick. A solid backup option, especially if you need julienne and dice cuts. Sturdy, with a sharp V-shaped blade and a thoughtfully designed hand guard. Can handle wide, round vegetables with ease. Other things to know: Significantly bulkier than our top pick from Benriner. Its V-shaped blade left potatoes and sweet potatoes mangled in our tests. Blade is not replaceable. Available at the deal price in white, red, or orange. Read more: The Best Mandoline Hoopoton Store Magnetic Spice Rack (Set of Two) — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $19 (deal on black); street price: $22 What we like: Our pick for strong, magnetic spice shelves for small-kitchen organization. They create space on the side of a fridge for spices, bottles, or pepper mills. Lip extends around the entire perimeter of each shelf, keeping pepper mill dust contained. Impressively strong magnets. Other things to know: Big enough to hold eight standard spice jars per rack. Set of two. When our shelves arrived, the metal arms were bent slightly downward, but bending them back in shape was easy. Deal price available in black. Read more: 35 Small-Kitchen Organization Ideas That Make the Most of Tight Quarters Lavatools Javelin Pro Duo Thermometer — Also Great Amazon deal price: $34 ; street price: $47 What we like: An instant-read pick in our guide to the best meat thermometers. Fold-out probe offers many angles and great maneuverability. Fast and accurate temperature reads. Backlit display is sharp and clear. Offers temperature alerts and temperature holding. Turns on automatically. Other things to know: Has a built-in magnet so it sticks to fridge, stove, or grill. Display does not rotate 90 degrees to vertical. Read more: The Best Meat Thermometers Yamazaki Home Expandable Kitchen Riser — Top Pick Amazon deal price: $32 (deal on black); street price: $38 What we like: Our top expandable shelf riser pick for small kitchens. Expands from 10⅝ to 17⅝ inches wide, so it can fit a range of cabinet sizes. Measures 7⅞ inches deep. sturdy, heavyweight metal riser doesn't wobble like most of the thin wire-frame risers we tested. Other things to know: Printed line on top of the shelf, which indicates how far it can extend. Area under the shelf measures 4 inches tall, so we were able to slide a stack of six dinner plates or 12-ounce mugs under the shelf. Deal on black. Read more: 35 Small-Kitchen Organization Ideas That Make the Most of Tight Quarters
New York Times
08-07-2025
- New York Times
The Best Prime Day Deals on Laptops and Tablets We Recommend
Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Amazon Fire HD 8 Android Tablet (12th Generation, 32 GB) — Budget Pick Amazon deal price: $55 ; street price: $100 What we like: Our budget Android tablet pick. Same 8-inch display, MediaTek processor, and 13-hour battery life as its predecessor, with more RAM for slightly faster performance and a mildly higher-megapixel rear camera. Ideal for streaming video or using as a family tablet. Other things to know: Ad-supported lockscreen. 1280×800 screen resolution is much lower than our other picks, so text and images are visibly less sharp. Running content-heavy websites or multiple apps can cause lagging and freezing. On sale in the 32 GB size. Read more: The Best Android Tablets Apple MacBook Air (15-Inch, M3, 2024, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) — Former Pick Best Buy deal price: $900 ; street price: $1,050 What we like: A former pick. A version of our upgrade MacBook pick with an older processor, this is last year's version of the bigger sibling to our top pick, with a larger screen, larger touchpad, and better speakers. Keeps cooler and performs better than the 13-inch version during long, intensive tasks. Other things to know: Has the same two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe port, and headphone jack as its smaller sibling. Deal price on all colors. Read more: The Best MacBooks Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet (32 GB) — Budget Pick Amazon deal price: $65 (deal on blue or purple); street price: $120 What we like: Our budget pick for the best tablets for kids. Solid option for watching videos. Durable and more drop-resistant than our top pick. Good parental controls. Two-year warranty. Other things to know: Worse screen and a much more limited app selection compared to our top pick but a fraction of the price. Deal is for the 32 GB in blue or purple. Read more: The Best Tablet for Kids Apple iPad Air (11-Inch, M3, 128 GB) — Upgrade Pick Amazon deal price: $480 ; street price: $550 What we like: Our upgrade tablet pick. Delivers iPad Pro power without the iPad Pro price. Same powerful M3 processor as the last-gen MacBook Air. FaceTime camera is great for work calls. Compatible with Apple's more full-featured accessories. Linking a mouse, keyboard, and monitor unlocks a macOS-like desktop. Other things to know: Also our budget pro tablet pick. We found a much larger difference between the iPad Air's display and the iPad Pro's display than we did between that of the Air and that of the entry-level iPad. Solid 128 GB base storage. Deal isn't as good a previous sales for Costco members. Read more: The iPad Is the Best Tablet Huion Inspiroy H640P Drawing Tablet — Budget Pick Amazon deal price: $27 ; street price: $35 What we like: Our budget pick for the best drawing tablet. Stylus tracking and drawing experience feel very similar to those of pricier models. Features six programmable hotkeys. Comfortable, full-size wireless pen comes with eight replacement nibs. Other things to know: Not quite as sleek as our other picks. Not wireless. Charges via Micro-USB. The buttons on the tablet rattle—only a little, but still. Read more: The Best Drawing Tablets
