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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 84 (from laksa191)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa084.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/know-your-water-quality/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/know-your-water-quality/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/know-your-water-quality\/","crawl_time":1772665305,"first_indexed_time":1749232153,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,nytimes!www,\/wirecutter\/reviews\/know-your-water-quality\/ s443","src_root_hash":"4566504020376537684","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Should You Filter Your Tap Water? Our Expert Weighs In. | Reviews by Wirecutter","meta_descriptions":["Readers routinely come to me asking my advice on water filtration. I always tell them the same thing: I don’t filter my water because I’ve had it tested."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Why you should trust me\nThe LifeStraw-filtered water on the left started as the rusty water on the right. I drank it, and it was delicious. \nTim Heffernan\/NYT Wirecutter\nI have been covering water quality for a decade now. I have tested dozens of water filters —\npitcher-type\n,\nunder-sink\n, and\nfaucet-mount\n. I have met with the engineers who designed them, interviewed the people who create and enforce the NSF\/ANSI standards for filter certification, and spoken with test-kit manufacturers and certified test labs. I have attended hours of seminars run by experts in water treatment and groundwater remediation. Last year I spent a day at a municipal treatment plant, talking with the executives and engineers in charge of implementing water filtration on an industrial scale.\nAnd I have come to three main conclusions.\nThree ways of thinking about filtration\n1. You don’t have to wonder what’s in your water.\n“We live in north central Florida, where the water is pretty iffy. I know we need a filtration system of some kind,” wrote Wirecutter reader Marian.\nIt’s absolutely true that the groundwater in north central Florida\nhas problems\n.\nBut “in the groundwater” and “coming out of the faucet” are not the same thing. Water utilities are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to bring\nnearly 100 contaminants\n— from disease-causing bacteria to pesticides to PFOA and PFOS, the most common forever chemicals — below federal thresholds.\nBefore the treated water goes to anybody’s home, it is tested to confirm that it meets all the requirements, and water utilities are legally required to make the results public in an annual document called a Consumer Confidence Report. If you’re on a public water supply, you can simply look up your CCR; you’ll know what was found in the water, how much of it, and whether any findings exceeded federal and state standards.\nIf you want even more understanding, you can go further and test the tap water that comes out of your faucet. Doing so is not cheap — but it is much more affordable and far less of a hassle than a lifetime of maintaining a filtration system that you may not have needed in the first place. (Because about 15% of the US populace, or 43 million people,\nuses water from unregulated private wells\n, we include both utility and well-water test kits in our guide.)\n2. You may not need a water filter.\nBad news makes headlines; important details go below the fold. Take that 2023 USGS report, for example: Although 30% of the tap-water samples contained forever chemicals, at least half of the measurements fell below the lowest enforceable limits set in 2024. And results of nationwide monitoring,\nreleased in January 2025\n, suggest that PFAS contamination in public water supplies is actually much lower: With two-thirds of the monitoring complete, readings of PFAS that exceed EPA limits have been found in just 8% of small public water systems (those that serve fewer than 10,000 people) and 15% of large ones. That is not happy news, per se — it still represents millions of people — but it is far better than nearly half.\n3. There is no perfect water filter.\nLeaving aside filters’ limited abilities — no filter removes all possible contaminants — every type has practical drawbacks, even those we recommend. And I hear from readers about it. Graeme, in New York City, was having trouble with his Claryum Direct Connect clogging. (“Replacing the filter three times in 90 days” gives you a taste of his frustrations.) Rob in Berlin wrote to me asking about reports of undersink filters causing catastrophic floods when they develop leaks.\nWe point out these and other weaknesses in our guides not only as something for you to know before you choose a specific filter but also because they’re weaknesses inherent to the entire category.\nPitcher\n,\nunder-sink\n,\nfaucet-mount\n, whole-home, and reverse-osmosis filters all have at least one “genetic flaw,” be it high cost, limited capability, low flow, inefficiency, unreliability, or expensive upkeep. Often they have more than one. How much more frustrating would those things be if you were to learn that you never needed to use a filter to begin with?\nI am not arguing against using water filters. They are one of my main focuses at Wirecutter, and all of my reporting goes into making recommendations that our readers can trust. Water quality is also a deeply personal concern, not something for me to adjudicate. I see my job as sharing as much information as I can, in as clear a manner as I can, to help you choose what’s best for you.\nI stopped filtering my water not despite the fact that I’ve been reporting on water quality for a decade, but because of that experience. It took me that long to understand filtration well enough to be confident in my decision. My hope is that by gathering what I’ve learned here in one place, you will feel more confident in whatever decision you make.\nWater pollution isn’t the same everywhere\nJan wrote in worried about an impending move to an apartment near the Gowanus Canal, New York City’s second-largest Superfund site. (I live a few minutes from the largest, Newtown Creek.) Environmental agencies have tested numerous sites in the neighborhood and noted places where contaminants need to be mitigated. “The construction has addressed soil vapor intrusion into the building,” Jan wrote. “We wanted to take precautions with potentially old water pipes leading into the building.”\nI encouraged him to get the water tested before deciding whether to filter, and a few months later he wrote back. He had done a multi-contaminant at-home test, the kind where you dip test strips and compare them with a color chart. We don’t recommend such tests, because they can be difficult to interpret. Still, Jan’s mind was at ease: He had found elevated iron and copper (from the plumbing itself), as well as sulfates, but nothing of major concern.\n“It looks good to me, particularly with none of the major scary ones registering, like lead or mercury,” he wrote.\nThis illustrates an important lesson: Proximity to pollution, even to polluted bodies of water, doesn’t mean your drinking water is dangerous. The USGS included a map in\nits summary\nof the famous 2023 PFAS study. It’s\nworth looking at\n.\nThe map doesn’t show an even scattering of PFAS sites across the US. It shows vast areas where no forever chemicals were found in the tap water at all. It shows a few regions of the country where, in clusters, multiple forever chemicals were found in the water from individual faucets. Most interestingly, it shows lots of faucets without any PFAS sitting near those with several types.\nThat’s a neat demonstration of how a lot of water pollution works. Something tangible — a factory, or a fuel depot, or a chemical spill — introduces a contaminant to the environment, creating a point source. The contaminant sinks into the soil or gets carried away by rainwater and enters the local aquifer or winds up in a reservoir. When a water utility later taps into the aquifer or reservoir, the contaminant has a new point source: the utility itself.\nOften, the contaminant is removed during the water-treatment process, but if it isn’t, it flows to every home the utility serves. It doesn’t, however, go to any of the homes served by utilities that get their water from different, unaffected water sources, even those homes that are nearby on the map.\nThat’s a big reason why — even if, in aggregate, half the homes in the US are affected by forever chemicals — the risk isn’t 50-50 for everyone, everywhere.\nThis pollution pathway cuts both ways. The lead crises in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, showed how devastating it can be when an entire community is served by unsafe water.\nOn the other hand, in many US cities with the resources to maintain robust monitoring and treatment, utilities are delivering safe water to hundreds of thousands or even millions of people.\nNot all water pollution works that way, of course. Sometimes the local geology creates a chronic problem, such as when it contains high levels of naturally occurring arsenic or radon. Older homes with lead pipes or lead-rich solder can become microsites for lead contamination, although many water utilities treat the water with corrosion inhibitors that keep the lead inert. Non-point sources — runoff from city streets, for example — contribute to the spread of low levels of contaminants over wide areas. And microplastics have become\npart of the global geology\n, as plastic waste degrades and spreads via air and water to every corner of the planet.\nBut for some of the most infamous contaminants — dioxane, benzene, hexavalent chromium, PCBs, PFAS — it’s often that pathway from the point source to the water supply system that brings problems.\nKnow — don’t wonder — what’s in your water\nLike Jan, reader Graeme got his water tested after I suggested doing that before buying a different, clog-resistant filter. He later sent a quick update: “It came back completely clear. You’ve saved me tons of time and money. NYC water continues to astound …”\nIt does. New York’s water is justifiably famous for its purity, and the city has\ngone to extraordinary lengths\nto keep it that way. But it isn’t the only city that can boast such a thing.\nConsult your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report.\nHere’s\nNew York City’s latest\n. Here’s\nLos Angeles’s report\n. Here are\nChicago’s\n,\nHouston’s\n, and\nPhiladelphia’s\n. You can usually find your CCR on your utility’s website; the EPA\ncan help you find your utility\nif you’re unsure. (CCRs for the prior year are released as late as July 1, so you may find that yours is from two calendar years ago.)\nA few terms to know:\nMCLG\nis the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. It isn’t a requirement, but a level that the EPA or a state agency hopes to eventually achieve.\nMCL\nis the Maximum Contaminant Level that’s allowed by federal or state law. (And that brings up an important side point: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, states can set water-quality standards that are stricter than the federal ones. Several states were ahead of the EPA on PFAS limits before the Biden administration tightened the federal standards in 2024, for example. That’s worth remembering now that the Trump administration\nhas rescinded or relaxed\nseveral of the standards and enforcement deadlines.)\nTHMs\nare trihalomethanes, and are mainly the by-product of disinfectants that are used to reduce bacteria and other pathogens in the water supply. Almost everybody’s CCR shows their presence at some level. How much is allowed is defined by the\nMRDL\n, the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; how much is aimed for is the\nMRDLG,\nthe Goal. Most other listings are fairly self-explanatory: lead, mercury, and so on.\nTo know even more, use a home water test kit.\nIt will tell you exactly what’s in your water, right where it comes out of your faucet.\nWe recommend\nseveral Tap Score kits from SimpleLab, both for their ease of use — they come with prepaid and labeled packaging to help you ship your samples to the lab quickly — and for their clarity. The company explains the test results in plain language, flags anything of concern, and has support staff available to answer any questions you have.\n \nMichael Murtaugh\/NYT Wirecutter\nTop pick\nI spoke with SimpleLab founder and CEO Johnny H. Pujol to understand what he has learned from a decade of water testing. He also shared a detailed summary of the data the company has collected.\nA lot of people ask about PFAS and microplastics, Pujol said, “but the likelihood is that you’re going to spend a ton of money [on a test kit], and you may not find something that useful or interesting to your home.” (Testing for PFAS and microplastics requires two Tap Score kits in addition to the Advanced City kit that’s our top pick; they cost between $300 and $795.)\nNo PFAS chemicals are among the 10 most common contaminants that SimpleLab finds in either public (“city”) or private well water, according to the data Pujol shared. Two trihalomethanes — specifically chloroform and bromodichloromethane, both by-products of disinfection at the treatment plant — are among the top 10 in public water. Substances that come from the earth itself — zinc, barium, strontium, and sulfates — are in the top 10 in both city and well water. So is copper, leached from pipes in the home. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other trademarked herbicides, shows up so rarely that when it does, Pujol said, “our data science team sends a message out — hey, we found a detection.”\nAnd no PFAS are among the top 10 exceedances — instances where the level detected exceeded the company’s in-house health-guidance levels, which are based on EPA and other health-agency benchmarks. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane, all disinfection by-products, are the top three exceedances in public water supplies. Lead and arsenic are numbers four and five. For private wells, they are numbers one and two.\nIn terms of overall public health, Pujol worries that forever chemicals are drawing people’s focus away from where it is needed more urgently. “Here you’ve got a concentration that is almost comically low that gets widespread fear and interest — that’s PFAS,” he said. “Whereas the classics — arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate — they don’t seem to get the attention they deserve, and they’re much more significant.”\nI didn’t know all of this before I got my water tested, but I knew enough about the US water system, and about my utility’s Consumer Confidence Reports, that I was confident the results would be fine.\nStill, I got that little fist of nerves.\nHaving been president of my co-op in Queens, I was well aware that lead was likely to be present in the plumbing solder. And in New Jersey, there’s a chrome-plating shop — almost certainly a source of hexavalent chromium and\nother nasty stuff\n— a block and a half away from my house. Sure, it’s downhill, and sure, my water comes from a reservoir several miles in the other direction, and sure, the CCR showed nothing of concern. But.\nSo it was reassuring to get the results I expected.\nWeighing your options\n \nTim Heffernan\/NYT Wirecutter\nI hated my pitcher filter long before I knew I didn’t need it. It would clog up any time a bit of rusty water came through the pipes, which, in a 70-year-old building with cast-iron service lines, was often. If you read reviews of pitcher filters — and reader comments on our guide to them — you’ll see the same problem mentioned over and over, by people all over the country.\nIf you do the same for the other filter types we’ve tested, faucet-mount and under-sink filters, you’ll see different common complaints. They’re hard to install. They deliver water slowly. (A kitchen faucet typically delivers 2.2 gallons of water per minute; these filters often cut that to half a gallon.) Replacement filters are expensive. Under-sink filters have a track record of catastrophic failures,\nleading to floods\nthat have caused thousands of dollars in damage. Faucet filters can be damaged if you accidentally run hot water through them.\nReverse-osmosis filters, which we plan to test soon, are expensive and waste a lot of water (the filter needs frequent rinsing, and the rinse water goes right down the drain). Traditional reverse-osmosis systems take up most of the sink cabinet, because they work so slowly that the filtered water has to be stored in a tank. Tankless pumped reverse-osmosis is the hot new approach — but pumps can and do fail, as owner reviews attest.\nAs for\nBig Berkey–type countertop dispensers\n, not only do they tend to lack any kind of certification, but also their ultra-long-life filters are prone to bacterial and algal growth — like anything else that remains submerged for years at a time.\nFor me, such aggravations would be worth tolerating only if I was certain that my water needed filtering. But everybody has their own comfort zone on the risk-versus-certainty scale, so here’s a quick rundown of what our recommended filters can do.\nThe\nBrita Elite\npitcher filter is NSF\/ANSI-certified for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common forever chemicals; microplastics; lead, mercury, and cadmium; and several so-called emerging compounds that may be found in drinking water, including some pharmaceuticals. It is not certified for trihalomethanes (THMs), but it is likely good at removing them, because it uses activated carbon as one of the filter elements.\nThe\nPur Plus\nfaucet filter is certified for lead, mercury, trihalomethanes (THMs), and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emerging compounds. It is also certified for Particulate Class 1, which is a surrogate for microplastics. It is not certified for cadmium, PFOA, or PFOS.\nThe\nAquasana\nand\nA. O. Smith\nunder-sink filters we recommend are certified for microplastics, lead, mercury, PFOA, PFOS, THMs, VOCs, and emerging compounds.\nWhether those capabilities are worth the intrinsic headaches and the up-front and ongoing costs of filtration — or worth more than the cost of a water test, at least — is a question that you have to answer for yourself. But I hope I’ve helped you come to your decision feeling a little more sure of the stakes.\nThis article was edited by Jen Gushue and Harry Sawyers.\nFootnotes\nI’ve changed the name of every person who wrote to me.\nJump back.","attrs_markdown":"- Home & Garden\n  \n  - Vacuums, Cleaning, & Laundry\n    - Vacuum Cleaners\n      - [Vacuum cleaners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vacuum-cleaner\/)\n      - [Upright vacuums](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-upright-canister-vacuums\/)\n      - [Cordless vacuums](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cordless-stick-vacuum\/)\n      - [Robot vacuums](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-robot-vacuum\/)\n      - [Handheld vacuums](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-handheld-vacuum\/)\n      - [Hardwood floor vacuums](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vacuum-for-hardwood-floors\/)\n      - [Vacuums for pet hair](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vacuum-for-pet-hair\/)\n      - [Car vacuums](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-car-vacuum\/)\n    - Mops & Cleaners\n      - [Wet mops](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wet-mop\/)\n      - [Robot mop‑vac combos](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-robot-vacuum-mop-combo\/)\n      - [Portable carpet & upholstery cleaners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-carpet-and-upholstery-cleaner\/)\n      - [Carpet cleaners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-upright-carpet-cleaners\/)\n      - [Wet\/dry vacs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/a-great-shop-vacuum-or-wet-dry-vac\/)\n      - [Brooms, dustpans, & dust mops](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-broom-dustpan-dustmop\/)\n      - [Surface cleaners & disinfectants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-all-purpose-cleaner\/)\n    - [Laundry](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/closet-laundry\/)\n      - [Washers & dryers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-washer-and-dryer\/)\n      - [Compact washers & dryers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-compact-washer-and-dryer\/)\n      - [Irons](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-clothes-iron\/)\n      - [Ironing boards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ironing-board\/)\n      - [Clothing steamers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-clothing-steamers\/)\n      - [Laundry detergents](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-laundry-detergent\/)\n      - [Stain removers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-laundry-stain-remover\/)\n  - Bathroom\n    - Toilet\n      - [Toilets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-toilet\/)\n      - [Bidets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bidet-toilet-seat-washlet\/)\n      - [Toilet papers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-toilet-paper\/)\n      - [Toilet brushes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-toilet-brush\/)\n      - [Toilet plungers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-toilet-plunger\/)\n      - [Squatty potties](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/squatty-potty-review\/)\n    - Shower\n      - [Shower heads](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-shower-head\/)\n      - [Shower curtains](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-shower-curtain\/)\n      - [Shower caddies](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-shower-caddy\/)\n      - [Shower mats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-shower-mat\/)\n      - [Body washes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-body-wash\/)\n      - [Bar soaps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bar-soap\/)\n    - Bathroom\n      - [Bathroom scales](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-bathroom-scales\/)\n      - [Bath towels](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bath-towel\/)\n      - [Bath mats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bathroom-rugs-and-bath-mats\/)\n      - [Grab bars](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-grab-bars\/)\n  - Garden & Outdoors\n    - [Gardening & Lawn](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/gardening\/)\n      - [Garden hoses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-garden-hose\/)\n      - [Hose nozzles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-hose-nozzle\/)\n      - [Gardening gloves](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-gardening-gloves\/)\n      - [Garden pruners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-garden-pruners\/)\n      - [Gifts for gardeners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/gifts\/best-gifts-for-gardeners\/)\n      - [Lawn mowers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lawnmower\/)\n      - [Robot lawn mowers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-robot-lawn-mower\/)\n      - [Reel mowers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-reel-mower\/)\n      - [Sprinklers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-sprinkler\/)\n      - [Smart sprinkler timers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-sprinkler-controller\/)\n    - [Maintenance](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/garage\/)\n      - [Leaf blowers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-leafblowers\/)\n      - [Snow blowers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-snow-blowers\/)\n      - [Pressure washers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pressure-washer\/)\n      - [Chainsaws](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-chainsaw\/)\n      - [String trimmers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-string-trimmers\/)\n      - [Snow shovels](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-snow-shovels\/)\n      - [Wet\/dry vacs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/a-great-shop-vacuum-or-wet-dry-vac\/)\n    - Patio\n      - [Patio furniture](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-patio-furniture\/)\n      - [Outdoor sofas & chairs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-outdoor-sofas\/)\n      - [Patio umbrellas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-patio-umbrella-and-stand\/)\n      - [Patio heaters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-outdoor-patio-heaters\/)\n      - [Smokeless fire pits](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smokeless-fire-pits\/)\n      - [Mosquito repellents for yards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/mosquito-control-gear\/)\n  - Heating, Cooling, & Air Quality\n    - Heating\n      - [Space heaters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-space-heaters\/)\n      - [Heat pumps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/guides\/heat-pump-buying-guide\/)\n    - [Cooling](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/cooling\/)\n      - [Air conditioners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-air-conditioner\/)\n      - [Portable air conditioners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-portable-air-conditioner\/)\n      - [Ductless air conditioners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-ductless-mini-split-air-conditioner\/)\n      - [Fans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-fan\/)\n      - [Cordless fans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cordless-fans\/)\n      - [Smart thermostats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-thermostat\/)\n    - Air Quality\n      - [Air purifiers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-air-purifier\/)\n      - [Humidifiers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-humidifier\/)\n      - [Dehumidifiers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dehumidifier\/)\n      - [Home air quality monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-home-air-quality-monitor\/)\n    - Water Quality\n      - [Water filter pitchers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-filter-pitcher\/)\n      - [Under‑sink water filters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-sink-water-filter\/)\n      - [Faucet‑mounted water filters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/)\n      - [Water quality test kits](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home\/)\n  - Home & Decor\n    - Decor\n      - [Area rugs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-area-rugs\/)\n      - [Rug pads](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-rug-pads\/)\n      - [Removable wallpapers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-removable-wallpapers\/)\n      - [Throw blankets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-throw-blankets\/)\n      - [Essential oil diffusers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-essential-oil-diffusers\/)\n      - [Scented candles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-candles\/)\n      - [Jewelry boxes & organizers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-jewelry-boxes-and-organizers\/)\n    - Window Treatments\n      - [Curtains](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-window-curtains\/)\n      - [Blackout curtains](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-blackout-curtains\/)\n      - [Blackout shades](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-blackout-shades\/)\n    - [Furniture](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/furniture\/)\n      - [Sofas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/guides\/buying-a-sofa\/)\n      - [Sleeper sofas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sleeper-sofas\/)\n      - [Massage chairs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-massage-chairs\/)\n      - [Dining tables](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/dining-and-kitchen-tables-we-like-under-1000\/)\n    - Lighting\n      - [Floor lamps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-floor-lamps-under-300\/)\n      - [Desk lamps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-led-desk-lamp\/)\n      - [Table lamps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-table-lamps\/)\n      - [Bedside lamps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-bedside-lamps-under-200\/)\n    - [All Home](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/)\n  - Home Improvement\n    - [Tools](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/tools\/)\n      - [Drills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-drill-for-common-household-projects\/)\n      - [Multi‑tools](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-multitool\/)\n      - [Stud finders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-stud-finder\/)\n      - [Screwdrivers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-screwdriver\/)\n      - [Basic toolkits](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-basic-home-toolkit\/)\n      - [Toolboxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-toolbox\/)\n      - [Ladders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ladders\/)\n    - [Storage & Organization](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/storage-home-garden\/)\n      - [Storage containers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-storage-containers\/)\n      - [Shoe racks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-shoe-rack\/)\n      - [Hangers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hangers\/)\n    - Electric\n      - [LED light bulbs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-led-lightbulb\/)\n      - [Surge protectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-surge-protector\/)\n      - [Extension cords](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-extension-cords-for-your-home-and-garage\/)\n    - Pest Control\n      - [Roach killers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-roach-killers\/)\n      - [Ant killers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ant-killer\/)\n      - [Mousetraps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mousetrap\/)\n      - [Mosquito repellents for yards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/mosquito-control-gear\/)\n      - [Wasp & hornet sprays](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hornet-wasp-spray\/)\n      - [Bug‑killing gear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-bug-killing-gear\/)\n  - Home Security & Safety\n    - Security Systems & Cameras\n      - [Home security systems](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-home-security-system\/)\n      - [Indoor security cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wi-fi-home-security-camera\/)\n      - [Outdoor security cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wireless-outdoor-home-security-camera\/)\n      - [Doorbell cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-doorbell-camera\/)\n    - Locks\n      - [Electronic keypad door locks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electronic-keypad-door-lock\/)\n      - [Smart locks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-smart-lock\/)\n      - [Door locks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-door-lock\/)\n    - Safety\n      - [Basic smoke alarms](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-basic-smoke-alarm\/)\n      - [Smart smoke alarms](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-smoke-alarm\/)\n      - [Fire extinguishers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-fire-extinguisher\/)\n      - [Flashlights](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-flashlight\/)\n    - [Emergency Preparedness](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/emergency-preparedness\/)\n      - [Emergency preparedness supplies](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/emergency-preparedness\/)\n      - [Emergency weather radios](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-emergency-weather-radio\/)\n      - [Portable generators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-generator\/)\n    - [All Home Security & Safety](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/safety-home-garden\/)\n  - Office\n    - Printers\n      - [All‑in‑one printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-all-in-one-printer\/)\n      - [Home printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-home-printers\/)\n      - [Laser printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-laser-printer\/)\n    - Monitors\n      - [Monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-monitors\/)\n      - [4K monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-4k-monitors\/)\n      - [27‑inch monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-27-inch-monitor\/)\n      - [Portable monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-monitor\/)\n    - Office Essentials\n      - [Webcams](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-webcams\/)\n      - [Office headsets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wireless-headset-for-the-office\/)\n      - [Laptop stands](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-laptop-stands\/)\n      - [Monitor arms](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-monitor-arms\/)\n      - [Label makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-label-maker\/)\n    - Document Security\n      - [Paper shredders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-paper-shredders\/)\n      - [Fireproof document safes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-fireproof-document-safe\/)\n    - Stationery\n      - [Pens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-pen\/)\n      - [Notebooks & notepads](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-notebooks\/)\n      - [Planners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-paper-planners\/)\n    - [Office Furniture](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/office\/furniture-office\/)\n      - [Standing desks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-standing-desk\/)\n      - [Office chairs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-office-chair\/)\n      - [Ergonomic seat cushions](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ergonomic-seat-cushions\/)\n    - [All Office](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/office\/)\n  - Sleep\n    - [Mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/sleep\/mattresses\/)\n      - [Mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mattress\/)\n      - [Mattresses for side sleepers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mattresses-for-side-sleepers\/)\n      - [Mattresses for back pain](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/mattresses-for-back-pain\/)\n      - [Memory foam mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-foam-mattresses-you-can-buy-online\/)\n      - [Cheap mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cheap-mattress\/)\n      - [Hybrid mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hybrid-mattresses\/)\n      - [Innerspring mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-innerspring-mattress\/)\n      - [Air mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-air-mattress\/)\n      - [Mattress toppers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mattress-toppers\/)\n      - [Latex mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-latex-mattresses\/)\n    - [Bedding](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/sleep\/sheets-bedding\/)\n      - [Sheets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sheets\/)\n      - [Cotton sheets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cotton-sheets\/)\n      - [Comforters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-comforter\/)\n      - [Duvet covers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-duvet-cover\/)\n    - [Pillows](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/sleep\/pillows\/)\n      - [Pillows](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bed-pillows\/)\n      - [Pillows for side sleepers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pillow-for-side-sleepers\/)\n      - [Memory foam pillows](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-memory-foam-pillows\/)\n    - [Bedroom](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/bedroom\/)\n      - [Modern bed frames](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-modern-bed-frames\/)\n      - [Platform bed frames](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-platform-bed-frames-under-300\/)\n      - [Nightstands](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-nightstands\/)\n      - [Blankets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-blankets\/)\n      - [Weighted blankets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-weighted-blankets\/)\n      - [White noise machines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-white-noise-machine\/)\n      - [Alarm clocks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-alarm-clock\/)\n      - [Sunrise alarm clocks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sunrise-alarm-clock\/)\n    - [All Sleep](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/sleep\/)\n- Kitchen\n  \n  - Large Appliances\n    - Fridges\n      - [Refrigerators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-refrigerator\/)\n      - [French door refrigerators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-french-door-refrigerators\/)\n      - [Side‑by‑side refrigerators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-side-by-side-refrigerators\/)\n      - [Garage refrigerators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-garage-refrigerator\/)\n      - [Counter‑depth refrigerators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-counter-depth-refrigerator\/)\n      - [Wine coolers & fridges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wine-fridges\/)\n    - Freezers\n      - [Upright freezers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-freezer\/)\n      - [Chest freezers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-chest-freezers\/)\n    - Stoves, Ranges, & Ovens\n      - [Electric stoves & ranges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-and-gas-ranges\/)\n      - [Gas stoves & ranges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-gas-ranges\/)\n      - [Slide‑in electric ranges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-slide-in-electric-ranges\/)\n      - [Slide‑in gas ranges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-slide-in-gas-ranges\/)\n      - [High‑end ranges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-high-end-ranges\/)\n      - [Induction cooktops](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-induction-cooktop\/)\n      - [Wall ovens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wall-ovens\/)\n    - Dishwashers\n      - [Dishwashers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-dishwasher\/)\n    - [All Large Appliances](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/kitchen-dining\/large-appliances\/)\n  - Small Appliances\n    - Small Appliances\n      - [Microwaves](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-microwave\/)\n      - [Food processors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-food-processor\/)\n      - [Toasters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-toaster\/)\n      - [Electric kettles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-home-kettle\/)\n      - [Portable induction cooktops](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-induction-cooktop\/)\n      - [Mini fridges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mini-fridge\/)\n      - [Countertop ice makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-ice-maker\/)\n      - [Stand mixers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-stand-mixer\/)\n      - [Juicers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-juicer\/)\n    - Blenders\n      - [Blenders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-blender\/)\n      - [Personal blenders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-personal-blender\/)\n      - [Immersion blenders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-immersion-blender\/)\n    - Specialty\n      - [Ice cream makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ice-cream-maker\/)\n      - [Soda makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-soda-maker\/)\n      - [Waffle makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-waffle-maker\/)\n      - [Pizza ovens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pizza-oven\/)\n    - Air Fryers & Toaster Ovens\n      - [Air fryers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-air-fryer\/)\n      - [Air fryer toaster ovens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-air-fryer-toaster-oven\/)\n      - [Toaster ovens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-toaster-oven\/)\n    - Cookers\n      - [Rice cookers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-rice-cooker\/)\n      - [Pressure cookers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-pressure-cooker\/)\n      - [Slow cookers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-slow-cooker\/)\n    - [All Small Appliances](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/appliances\/small\/)\n  - Cooking & Baking\n    - Cookware & Bakeware\n      - [Cookware sets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cookware-set\/)\n      - [Nonstick pans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-nonstick-pan\/)\n      - [Stainless steel pans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-skillet\/)\n      - [Carbon steel pans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-carbon-steel-pan\/)\n      - [Cast iron skillets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cast-iron-skillet\/)\n      - [Dutch ovens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dutch-oven\/)\n      - [Woks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-woks\/)\n      - [Induction cookware](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-induction-cookware\/)\n      - [Pizza stones & baking steels](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pizza-stone-and-baking-steel\/)\n      - [Baking sheets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cookie-sheet\/)\n    - [Tools](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/kitchen-dining\/tools-kitchen-dining\/)\n      - [Meat thermometers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-instant-read-thermometer\/)\n      - [Cutting boards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cutting-board\/)\n      - [Kitchen scales](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kitchen-scale\/)\n      - [Oven mitts & pot holders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-oven-mitts-and-pot-holders\/)\n      - [Vacuum sealers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vacuum-sealer\/)\n      - [Pepper mills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pepper-mill\/)\n      - [Spatulas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-spatula\/)\n      - [Mixing bowls](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mixing-bowls\/)\n    - Knives\n      - [Chef’s knives](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-chefs-knife-for-most-cooks\/)\n      - [Knife sets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-knife-set\/)\n      - [Steak knife sets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-steak-knife-set\/)\n      - [Serrated bread knives](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-serrated-knife\/)\n      - [Paring knives](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-paring-knife\/)\n      - [Knife sharpeners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-knife-sharpening-tool\/)\n  - Coffee & Tea\n    - Coffee Makers\n      - [Coffee makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-coffee-maker\/)\n      - [Drip coffee makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-drip-coffee-maker\/)\n      - [Single‑serve coffee makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-single-serve-coffee-maker\/)\n      - [Cheap coffee makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cheap-coffee-maker\/)\n      - [Cold‑brew coffee makers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cold-brew-coffee-maker\/)\n    - Espresso Machines\n      - [Espresso machines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-espresso-machine-grinder-and-accessories-for-beginners\/)\n      - [Nespresso machines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-nespresso-machine\/)\n    - Coffee Gear\n      - [Coffee grinders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-coffee-grinder\/)\n      - [French presses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-french-press\/)\n      - [Pour‑over coffee gear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/gear-for-making-great-coffee\/)\n      - [Milk frothers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-milk-frothers\/)\n    - Tea\n      - [Electric kettles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-home-kettle\/)\n      - [Teas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-teas\/)\n    - [All Coffee & Tea](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/kitchen-dining\/coffee\/)\n  - Food & Drinks\n    - Pantry\n      - [Olive oils](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-olive-oil\/)\n      - [Instant noodles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-instant-noodles\/)\n      - [Canned tomatoes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-canned-tomatoes\/)\n      - [Tinned fish](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tinned-fish\/)\n      - [Peanut butters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-creamy-peanut-butter\/)\n      - [Potato chips](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-potato-chips\/)\n      - [Boxed cake mixes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-boxed-cake-mix\/)\n      - [Boxed brownie mixes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-boxed-brownie-mix\/)\n      - [Boxed mac and cheese](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-boxed-mac-and-cheese\/)\n      - [Jarred marinara sauce](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-jarred-marinara-sauce\/)\n    - Refrigerator\n      - [American cheeses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-american-cheese\/)\n      - [Ketchups](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ketchup\/)\n      - [Mayonnaises](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mayonnaise\/)\n      - [Butters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-butter\/)\n      - [BBQ sauces](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-barbecue-sauce\/)\n      - [Yogurts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-yogurt\/)\n    - Freezer\n      - [Frozen pizzas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-frozen-pizzas\/)\n      - [Pie crusts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-store-bought-pie-crust\/)\n    - Drinks\n      - [Blanco tequilas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-blanco-tequilas\/)\n      - [Vodkas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vodka\/)\n      - [Gins](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-gins\/)\n      - [Nonalcoholic drinks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-non-alcoholic-drinks\/)\n      - [Nonalcoholic wines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-nonalcoholic-wines\/)\n    - [All Food & Drinks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/kitchen-dining\/food\/)\n  - Dining, Entertaining, & Grilling\n    - Tableware\n      - [Flatware](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-flatware\/)\n      - [Dinnerware sets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dinnerware-set\/)\n      - [Steak knife sets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-steak-knife-set\/)\n      - [Drinking glasses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-drinking-glass\/)\n      - [Cloth napkins](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-napkins-and-tablecloth\/)\n      - [Tablecloths](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tablecloths\/)\n      - [Tapered candles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-tapered-candles\/)\n      - [Outdoor dinnerware](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-dishes-for-outdoors\/)\n    - [Wine & Bar](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/kitchen-dining\/wine-bar\/)\n      - [Wine glasses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wine-glass\/)\n      - [Corkscrews](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-corkscrew\/)\n      - [Wine coolers & fridges](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wine-fridges\/)\n      - [Cocktail barware](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-barware-for-making-cocktails-at-home\/)\n    - Dining Tables & Seating\n      - [Dining tables](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/dining-and-kitchen-tables-we-like-under-1000\/)\n      - [Folding tables](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-folding-tables\/)\n      - [Folding chairs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-folding-chairs\/)\n      - [Patio furniture](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-patio-furniture\/)\n    - Grilling\n      - [Gas grills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-gas-grill\/)\n      - [Charcoal grills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-charcoal-grill\/)\n      - [Pellet smoker grills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pellet-grill\/)\n      - [Portable grills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-grills\/)\n      - [Outdoor griddles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-outdoor-griddle\/)\n      - [Grill tools & accessories](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-grill-tools\/)\n    - [All Dining & Entertaining](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/kitchen-dining\/entertaining\/)\n  - Supplies\n    - [Storage](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/kitchen-dining\/storage\/)\n      - [Food storage containers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-food-storage-containers\/)\n      - [Dry food storage containers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dry-food-storage-containers\/)\n      - [Lunch boxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lunch-boxes\/)\n    - Cleaning\n      - [Dish racks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dish-rack\/)\n      - [Kitchen towels](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kitchen-towels\/)\n      - [Dish soaps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dish-soap\/)\n      - [Dishwasher detergents](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dishwasher-detergent\/)\n    - Waste\n      - [Kitchen trash cans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-trash-can\/)\n      - [Compost bins](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-compost-bins\/)\n      - [Food recyclers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/countertop-composter-food-recyclers\/)\n- Health & Lifestyle\n  \n  - Fitness\n    - [Exercise](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/health-fitness\/exercise\/)\n      - [Treadmills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-treadmill\/)\n      - [Under‑desk treadmills](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-desk-treadmills\/)\n      - [Exercise bikes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-exercise-bikes\/)\n      - [Elliptical machines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-elliptical-machine\/)\n      - [Rowing machines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-rowing-machine\/)\n      - [Adjustable dumbbells](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-adjustable-dumbbells\/)\n      - [Yoga mats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-yoga-mats\/)\n      - [Massage guns](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-massage-guns\/)\n      - [Gym bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-gym-bag\/)\n      - [Running headphones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-running-headphones\/)\n    - Trackers\n      - [Fitness trackers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-fitness-trackers\/)\n      - [GPS running watches](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-running-watch\/)\n    - Bikes & Scooters\n      - [Hybrid bikes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hybrid-commuter-bike\/)\n      - [Electric scooters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-scooter\/)\n      - [Ebikes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ebike-for-commuters\/)\n    - [Biking Gear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/health-fitness\/cycling\/)\n      - [Bike helmets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bike-helmet-for-commuters\/)\n      - [Bike lights](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-commuter-bike-lights\/)\n      - [Bike locks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bike-lock\/)\n      - [Bike phone mounts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bike-phone-mount\/)\n      - [Rear bike racks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-rear-bike-rack\/)\n      - [Bike pumps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bike-pump\/)\n      - [Bike storage ideas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bike-racks-for-small-homes-and-apartments\/)\n      - [Car bike racks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bike-rack-for-cars\/)\n    - [All Fitness](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/health-fitness\/)\n  - Health\n    - [Medical](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/health-fitness\/medical-supplies\/)\n      - [Blood pressure monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-blood-pressure-monitors-for-home-use\/)\n      - [Thermometers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-thermometer-for-kids-and-adults\/)\n      - [Heating pads](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-heating-pad\/)\n      - [Pill boxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pill-boxes\/)\n      - [Compression socks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-compression-socks\/)\n      - [Over‑the‑counter hearing aids](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-over-the-counter-hearing-aids\/)\n    - Mental Health\n      - [Meditation apps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-meditation-apps\/)\n      - [Light therapy lamps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-light-therapy-lamp\/)\n    - [All Health](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/health-fitness\/)\n  - Accessibility & Aging\n    - [Accessibility & Aging](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/accessibility\/)\n      - [Walkers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-walkers\/)\n      - [Medical alert systems](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-medical-alert-systems\/)\n      - [Adult diapers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-adult-diapers\/)\n      - [Incontinence underwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-incontinence-underwear\/)\n      - [Grabber tools](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-grabber-tools\/)\n      - [Room‑by‑room home modifications](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/interactives\/aging-in-place\/)\n  - Personal Care\n    - [Skin‑Care & Sunscreen](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/beauty\/skincare\/)\n      - [Sunscreens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sunscreen\/)\n      - [Face sunscreens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-face-sunscreens\/)\n      - [Moisturizers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-moisturizers\/)\n      - [Body lotions](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-body-lotions\/)\n      - [Vitamin C serums](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vitamin-c-serums\/)\n      - [Retinols](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-retinol-products\/)\n      - [Exfoliants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-exfoliants\/)\n      - [Facial cleansers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-facial-cleansers\/)\n      - [Korean skin‑care products](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-korean-skin-care-products\/)\n    - Personal Hygiene\n      - [Antiperspirants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-antiperspirants\/)\n      - [Deodorants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-deodorants\/)\n    - Dental\n      - [Electric toothbrushes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-toothbrush\/)\n      - [Water flossers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-flossers\/)\n    - Menstruation\n      - [Period underwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/thinx-period-panties\/)\n      - [Menstrual cups & discs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-menstrual-cup\/)\n    - Adult & Sex\n      - [Vibrators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vibrators\/)\n      - [Anal toys](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-anal-toys\/)\n      - [Condoms](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-condoms\/)\n      - [Lube](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-personal-lubricants\/)\n      - [Portable vaporizers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-vaporizer\/)\n      - [Cannabis grinders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cannabis-grinder\/)\n  - Beauty & Hair\n    - Makeup\n      - [Eyeliners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-eyeliner\/)\n      - [Mascaras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mascara\/)\n      - [Foundations](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-foundations\/)\n      - [Concealers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-concealers\/)\n      - [Blushes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-blush\/)\n      - [Makeup brushes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-makeup-brushes\/)\n      - [Makeup removers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-makeup-remover\/)\n      - [Drugstore makeup](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-drugstore-makeup-skincare\/)\n    - Lips\n      - [Lip balms](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lip-balm\/)\n      - [Lipsticks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lipstick\/)\n      - [Lip glosses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lip-gloss\/)\n    - Hair Removal & Shaving\n      - [Electric razors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-razor\/)\n      - [Beard trimmers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-beard-trimmer\/)\n      - [Pubic hair trimmers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pubic-hair-trimmer\/)\n      - [Hair clippers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hair-clippers-for-home-use\/)\n    - Hair\n      - [Hair dryers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-hair-dryer\/)\n      - [Shampoos](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-shampoo\/)\n      - [Shampoo bars](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-solid-shampoo-bars\/)\n      - [Dry shampoos](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dry-shampoo\/)\n      - [Conditioners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hair-conditioner\/)\n      - [Drugstore hair products](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-drugstore-hair-products\/)\n  - Outdoors\n    - [Outdoors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/outdoors\/)\n      - [Bug repellents](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bug-repellent\/)\n      - [Coolers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-hard-cooler\/)\n      - [Umbrellas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-umbrella\/)\n      - [Binoculars](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-binoculars\/)\n      - [Ski goggles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ski-and-snowboard-goggles\/)\n    - [Apparel](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/outdoors\/apparel\/)\n      - [Rain jackets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-everyday-rain-jacket\/)\n      - [Down jackets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-insulated-jacket\/)\n      - [UPF clothing](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sun-protection-clothing\/)\n    - Camping\n      - [Camping tents](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tent-for-family-and-car-camping\/)\n      - [Sleeping bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sleeping-bag-for-car-camping\/)\n      - [Sleeping pads](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sleeping-pads-for-backpacking-and-car-camping\/)\n      - [Camping chairs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-outdoor-chairs\/)\n    - Hiking\n      - [Hiking boots](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hiking-boots\/)\n      - [Hiking socks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hiking-socks\/)\n      - [Trekking poles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-trekking-poles\/)\n      - [Filtered water bottles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-filtered-water-bottles\/)\n    - [Beach](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/outdoors\/swim\/)\n      - [Beach umbrellas & shades](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-beach-umbrella-is-not-an-umbrella\/)\n      - [Beach bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-beach-bag\/)\n      - [Beach towels](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-beach-towel\/)\n    - Safety\n      - [Portable generators](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-generator\/)\n      - [Pocket knives](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pocket-knife\/)\n      - [Headlamps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-headlamp\/)\n      - [Hand warmers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-hand-warmer\/)\n      - [Flashlights](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-flashlight\/)\n  - Travel\n    - Luggage\n      - [Checked luggage](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-checked-luggage\/)\n      - [Duffel bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-duffle-bags\/)\n      - [Garment bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-garment-bag\/)\n      - [Underseat luggage & personal‑item bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/guides\/best-personal-item-carry-ons\/)\n      - [Carry‑on luggage](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-carry-on-luggage\/)\n      - [Hard‑shell carry‑on luggage](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hard-shell-carry-on-luggage\/)\n      - [Carry‑on travel backpacks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-carry-on-travel-bags\/)\n      - [Travel backpacks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-travel-backpack\/)\n    - Packing\n      - [Toiletry bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-toiletry-bags\/)\n      - [Packing cubes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-packing-cubes\/)\n      - [Packable daypacks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-packable-daypack-for-travel\/)\n    - Hydration\n      - [Water bottles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-bottle\/)\n      - [Travel mugs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-travel-mug\/)\n    - [Gear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/travel\/gear-travel\/)\n      - [Travel gear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/travel-guide\/)\n      - [Travel pillows](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-travel-pillow\/)\n      - [Sleep masks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sleep-mask\/)\n      - [Plug adapters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-travel-plug-adapter\/)\n      - [Luggage tags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-luggage-tags\/)\n  - Hobbies\n    - [Hobbies](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/hobby-crafts\/)\n      - [Pickleball paddles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pickleball-paddles\/)\n      - [Drones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-drones\/)\n      - [DNA testing kits](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dna-test\/)\n      - [Telescopes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-telescopes-for-beginners\/)\n      - [Reading lights](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-reading-light\/)\n      - [Electric scooters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-scooter\/)\n      - [Language learning apps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-language-learning-apps\/)\n    - [Music & Instruments](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/hobby-crafts\/music\/)\n      - [Beginner digital pianos](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-budget-digital-piano-for-beginners\/)\n      - [Beginner ukuleles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ukulele-for-beginners\/)\n    - Art & Design\n      - [3D printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-home-3d-printer\/)\n      - [3D pens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-3d-pen\/)\n      - [Drawing tablets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-drawing-tablets\/)\n      - [Sewing machines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sewing-machine\/)\n      - [Colored pencils](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-colored-pencils\/)\n      - [Soldering irons](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-soldering-irons\/)\n    - Photo\n      - [Photo printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-photo-inkjet-printer\/)\n      - [Instant photo printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-instant-photo-printer\/)\n      - [Online photo printing services](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-online-photo-printing\/)\n      - [Photo book services](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-photo-book-service\/)\n      - [Digital photo frames](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-digital-photo-frame\/)\n    - Cameras\n      - [Instant cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-instant-camera\/)\n      - [Mirrorless cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mirrorless-camera\/)\n      - [Point‑and‑shoot cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-point-and-shoot-camera\/)\n  - Games & Puzzles\n    - Board & Card Games\n      - [Board games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/board-games-we-love\/)\n      - [Two‑player board games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-two-player-board-games\/)\n      - [Solo board games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-solo-board-games\/)\n      - [Beginner board games for adults](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/board-games-for-adults\/)\n      - [Strategy board games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-strategy-board-games\/)\n      - [Kids board games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/board-games-for-kids\/)\n      - [Card games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-card-games\/)\n      - [Party games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-party-games\/)\n    - [Video Gaming](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/gaming\/)\n      - [Gaming consoles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-game-consoles\/)\n      - [Handheld gaming consoles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-handheld-gaming-consoles\/)\n      - [VR headsets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-standalone-vr-headset\/)\n      - [Gaming laptops](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-budget-gaming-laptop-so-far\/)\n      - [Gaming mice](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wired-wireless-gaming-mouse\/)\n      - [Gaming monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-gaming-monitor\/)\n      - [Graphics cards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-graphics-cards\/)\n      - [Gaming chairs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-gaming-chairs\/)\n    - Lego\n      - [Lego sets for adults](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/guides\/our-favorite-lego-sets-for-adults\/)\n      - [Lego sets for kids](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lego-sets-for-kids\/)\n    - Puzzles\n      - [Speed cubes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-speed-cubes\/)\n    - [All Games & Puzzles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/hobby-crafts\/games-puzzles\/)\n  - Pets\n    - [Dogs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/pets\/dogs\/)\n      - [Dog leashes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-everyday-dog-leash\/)\n      - [Dog harnesses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dog-harness\/)\n      - [Dog beds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dog-beds\/)\n      - [Dog crates](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dog-crate\/)\n      - [Dog DNA tests](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dog-dna-test\/)\n      - [Dog nail grinders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dog-nail-grinders\/)\n      - [Dog jackets & raincoats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-winter-jackets-and-raincoats-for-dogs\/)\n    - [Cats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/pets\/cats\/)\n      - [Cat litters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cat-litter\/)\n      - [Litter boxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cat-litter-boxes\/)\n      - [Automatic cat litter boxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-automatic-cat-litter-box-but-we-dont-recommend-it\/)\n      - [Cat litter mats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cat-litter-mat\/)\n      - [Cat scratchers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cat-scratchers\/)\n      - [Cat beds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cat-beds\/)\n      - [New cat checklist](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/new-cat-checklist\/)\n    - Home\n      - [Pet cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pet-camera\/)\n      - [Water fountains](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-fountain-for-cats-and-dogs\/)\n      - [Automatic feeders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-automatic-feeder-for-cats-and-small-dogs\/)\n    - [All Pets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/pets\/)\n- Tech\n  \n  - Electronics & Networking\n    - [Networking](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/networking\/)\n      - [Wi‑Fi mesh‑networking kits](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wi-fi-mesh-networking-kits\/)\n      - [Routers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wi-fi-router\/)\n      - [Modems](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cable-modem\/)\n      - [Wi‑Fi extenders](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wi-fi-extender\/)\n    - [Digital Storage](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/storage-devices\/)\n      - [External hard drives](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-external-hard-drives\/)\n      - [NAS devices](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-network-attached-storage\/)\n      - [External SSDs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-ssd\/)\n    - [Batteries & Charging](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/batteries\/)\n      - [Portable chargers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-usb-battery-packs\/)\n      - [Lightning cables](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lightning-cable\/)\n      - [Portable power stations](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-power-stations\/)\n      - [Rechargeable batteries](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-rechargeable-batteries\/)\n      - [Uninterruptible power supplies](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-uninterruptible-power-supply-ups\/)\n      - [Surge protectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-surge-protector\/)\n      - [Extension cords](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-extension-cords-for-your-home-and-garage\/)\n      - [Electric vehicle chargers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-vehicle-chargers-for-home\/)\n    - Wireless Charging\n      - [Wireless chargers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-qi-wireless-charger-for-iphone-and-android-phones\/)\n      - [Apple charging stations](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-apple-wireless-charging-pads\/)\n    - [USB‑C](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/usb-c\/)\n      - [USB phone chargers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-multiport-usb-wall-charger\/)\n      - [USB‑C cables & adapters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-usb-c-cables\/)\n      - [USB‑C laptop chargers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-usb-c-macbook-and-laptop-chargers\/)\n      - [USB‑C hubs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-usb-c-hubs-and-docks\/)\n    - [All Electronics](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/)\n  - Phones, Tablets, & Smartwatches\n    - Phones\n      - [Android phones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-android-phone\/)\n      - [Budget Android phones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-budget-android-phone\/)\n      - [iPhones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-iphone-is-our-favorite-smartphone\/)\n      - [iPhone cases](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-iphone-cases\/)\n      - [iPhone 17 cases](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-iphone-17-case\/)\n      - [iPhone 16 cases](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-iphone-16-case\/)\n      - [iPhone screen protectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-iphone-x-screen-protectors\/)\n      - [Cell phones for older adults](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cell-phones-for-older-adults\/)\n      - [Car phone mounts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smartphone-car-mount\/)\n      - [Cell phone plans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wireless-carrier\/)\n    - Tablets\n      - [Tablets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tablets\/)\n      - [Android tablets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-android-tablet\/)\n      - [iPads](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-ipad-is-the-best-tablet\/)\n      - [iPad keyboard cases](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ipad-keyboard-case\/)\n      - [iPad Pro keyboard cases](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ipad-pro-keyboard-cases\/)\n      - [iPad Pro cases](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ipad-pro-cases\/)\n      - [iPad styluses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ipad-stylus\/)\n    - E‑readers\n      - [E‑readers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/amazon-kindle-is-the-best-ebook-reader\/)\n    - Smartwatches\n      - [For Android phones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smartwatch-android\/)\n      - [For iPhones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smartwatch-iphone\/)\n  - Computers\n    - Laptops\n      - [Laptops](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-laptops\/)\n      - [Chromebooks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-chromebook\/)\n      - [MacBooks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-macbooks\/)\n      - [Business laptops](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-business-laptops\/)\n      - [Laptops for college students](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-laptops-for-college-students\/)\n      - [Laptops under \\$500](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-laptop-under-500\/)\n    - [Computers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/computers\/)\n      - [All‑in‑one computers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-all-in-one-computer\/)\n      - [Mini desktop PCs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mini-desktop-pcs\/)\n    - Monitors\n      - [Monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-monitors\/)\n      - [4k monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-4k-monitors\/)\n      - [24‑inch monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-24-inch-monitor\/)\n      - [27‑inch monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-27-inch-monitor\/)\n      - [Ultrawide monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ultrawide-monitors\/)\n      - [Portable monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-monitor\/)\n    - [Accessories](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/accessories\/)\n      - [Wireless mice](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wireless-mouse\/)\n      - [Security keys](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-security-keys\/)\n    - Keyboards\n      - [Keyboards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-keyboards\/)\n      - [Wireless keyboards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-bluetooth-keyboard\/)\n      - [Mechanical keyboards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards\/)\n      - [Ergonomic keyboards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/comfortable-ergo-keyboard\/)\n      - [Gaming keyboards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-keyboards-for-gaming\/)\n    - [Software](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/software\/)\n      - [Password managers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-password-managers\/)\n      - [VPNs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-vpn-service\/)\n      - [Free VPNs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-free-vpn\/)\n  - Audio\n    - Speakers\n      - [Bluetooth speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-home-bluetooth-speaker\/)\n      - [Portable bluetooth speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bluetooth-speaker\/)\n      - [Surround‑sound speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bookshelf-speakers\/)\n      - [Computer speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-computer-speakers\/)\n      - [Outdoor speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-outdoor-speakers\/)\n      - [Multiroom wireless speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-multiroom-wireless-speaker-system\/)\n      - [Smart speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-speakers\/)\n      - [Soundbars](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-soundbar\/)\n    - Headphones\n      - [Headphones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-headphones\/)\n      - [Over‑ear headphones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-over-ear-headphones\/)\n      - [Noise‑cancelling headphones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-noise-cancelling-headphones\/)\n      - [Sleep headphones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sleep-headphones\/)\n      - [Bone‑conduction headphones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bone-conduction-headphones\/)\n    - Earbuds\n      - [Wireless earbuds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wireless-earbuds\/)\n      - [Wired earbuds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-200-in-ear-headphones\/)\n      - [Workout earbuds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-workout-headphones\/)\n    - Home Audio\n      - [Turntables & record players](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-turntable\/)\n      - [CD players](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-portable-cd-player\/)\n      - [AV receivers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-receiver\/)\n      - [Stereo amps & receivers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mini-stereo-amplifier\/)\n      - [USB audio interfaces](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-usb-audio-interface\/)\n    - [All Audio](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/audio\/)\n  - Video\n    - [TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/tvs\/)\n      - [TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tv\/)\n      - [OLED TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-oled-tv\/)\n      - [4K TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-4k-tv\/)\n      - [LCD\/LED TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lcd-led-tv\/)\n      - [32‑inch TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-small-tv\/)\n      - [40‑ to 49‑inch TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-40-to-49-inch-tvs\/)\n      - [TV wall mounts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tv-wall-mount\/)\n      - [Gaming TVs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tv-for-video-games\/)\n    - [Home Theater](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/home-theater\/)\n      - [Streaming devices](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-media-streamers\/)\n      - [4K Blu‑ray players](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-4k-blu-ray-player\/)\n      - [HDMI video transmitters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-wireless-hdmi-video-transmitter\/)\n      - [HDTV antennas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-indoor-hdtv-antenna\/)\n      - [Soundbars](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-soundbar\/)\n    - [Projectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/projectors\/)\n      - [Projectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-projectors\/)\n      - [Portable mini projectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-pico-projector\/)\n      - [Budget projectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cheap-projector\/)\n      - [Projector screens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-projector-screen\/)\n      - [Outdoor projectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-outdoor-projector\/)\n  - Cameras & Photo\n    - Cameras\n      - [Instant cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-instant-camera\/)\n      - [Mirrorless cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mirrorless-camera\/)\n      - [Point‑and‑shoot cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-point-and-shoot-camera\/)\n      - [Dash cams](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dash-cam\/)\n    - [Camera Accessories](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/electronics\/camera-accessories\/)\n    - Smartphone Photography\n      - [iPhone photo lenses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lenses-for-iphone\/)\n      - [Smartphone tripods](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tripod-for-iphones-smartphones\/)\n      - [Smartphone gimbals](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-android-and-iphone-gimbal\/)\n    - Photo\n      - [Holiday photo cards](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-custom-photo-card-service\/)\n      - [Photo printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-photo-inkjet-printer\/)\n      - [Instant photo printers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-instant-photo-printer\/)\n      - [Online photo printing services](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-online-photo-printing\/)\n      - [Photo book services](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-photo-book-service\/)\n      - [Digital photo frames](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-digital-photo-frame\/)\n  - Smart Home\n    - Indoor\n      - [Plug‑in smart outlets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-switch\/)\n      - [Smart thermostats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-thermostat\/)\n      - [Smart window shades & blinds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-blinds\/)\n      - [Smart LED light bulbs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-led-light-bulbs\/)\n      - [In‑wall smart light switches & dimmers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-in-wall-wireless-light-switch-and-dimmer\/)\n      - [Smart water‑leak detectors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-smart-leak-detector\/)\n      - [Smart smoke alarms](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-smoke-alarm\/)\n      - [Smart locks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-smart-lock\/)\n      - [Smart speakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-speakers\/)\n    - Outdoor\n      - [Smart outdoor lighting](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-outdoor-lighting-for-backyards-pathways-and-more\/)\n      - [Smart sprinkler timers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-sprinkler-controller\/)\n      - [Smart garage door openers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-garage-door-controller\/)\n    - [Security Systems & Cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/safety-home-garden\/)\n      - [Home security systems](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-home-security-system\/)\n      - [Outdoor security cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wireless-outdoor-home-security-camera\/)\n      - [Indoor security cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wi-fi-home-security-camera\/)\n      - [Smart doorbell cameras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smart-doorbell-camera\/)\n    - [All Smart Home](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/smart-home\/)\n- Baby & Kid\n  \n  - Pregnancy & Nursing\n    - Pregnancy\n      - [Pregnancy tests](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pregnancy-test\/)\n      - [Body pillows](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-body-pillow\/)\n    - Nursing & Pumping\n      - [Breast pumps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-breast-pumps\/)\n      - [Wearable breast pumps](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wearable-breast-pumps\/)\n      - [Pumping bras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pumping-bra\/)\n      - [Nursing bras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-nursing-bras\/)\n      - [Nursing pillows](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-nursing-pillows\/)\n    - Bottles & Formula\n      - [Baby bottles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-bottles-and-bottle-brush\/)\n      - [Bottle warmers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bottle-warmers\/)\n      - [Baby formulas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-formula\/)\n    - [All Pregnancy & Nursing](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/baby-kid\/pregnancy-nursing\/)\n  - Baby\n    - Sleep\n      - [Bassinets & co‑sleepers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-co-sleepers\/)\n      - [Cribs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cribs\/)\n      - [Crib mattresses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-crib-mattresses\/)\n      - [Baby monitors](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-monitor\/)\n      - [Baby swaddles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-swaddles\/)\n    - Carry\n      - [Baby carriers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-carriers\/)\n      - [Baby wraps & slings](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-wraps-and-slings\/)\n    - Diapering & Bath\n      - [Diapers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-diapers\/)\n      - [Cloth diapers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cloth-diapers\/)\n      - [Diaper pails](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-diaper-pail\/)\n      - [Diaper bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-diaper-bag\/)\n      - [Baby bathtubs & bath seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-bathtubs-and-bath-seats\/)\n      - [Baby care essentials](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/baby-care-essentials\/)\n    - [Home Safety](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/baby-kid\/safety\/)\n      - [Baby‑proofing tools](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-baby-proofing-tools\/)\n      - [Baby gates](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-gate\/)\n    - Car Seats\n      - [Infant car seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-infant-car-seat\/)\n      - [Convertible car seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-convertible-car-seats\/)\n      - [Travel car seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-travel-car-seats\/)\n    - Seats\n      - [Baby bouncers & rockers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-bouncers-and-rockers\/)\n      - [Baby swings](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-baby-swings\/)\n      - [High chairs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-high-chairs\/)\n  - Clothing & Health\n    - Clothing\n      - [Kids pajamas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-kids-pajamas\/)\n      - [Kids underwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-underwear\/)\n      - [Kids beachwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-kids-beachwear\/)\n      - [Kids rain and snow boots](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-rain-snow-boots\/)\n      - [Kids sandals](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-sandals-water-shoes\/)\n    - Health\n      - [Kids electric toothbrushes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-electric-toothbrush-for-kids\/)\n      - [Thermometers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-thermometer-for-kids-and-adults\/)\n  - School & Tech\n    - [Backpacks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/travel\/backpacks\/)\n      - [Kids backpacks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-school-backpacks-for-elementary-school-students\/)\n      - [High school & college backpacks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-school-backpack-for-high-school-and-college\/)\n    - Lunch & Hydration\n      - [Kids lunch boxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-lunch-boxes\/)\n      - [Kids water bottles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-water-bottles\/)\n      - [Food thermoses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-food-thermos\/)\n      - [Nonplastic plates and cups](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-plastic-free-tableware-for-babies-and-kids\/)\n    - School Supplies\n      - [Pencils for schoolwork](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-pencils\/)\n      - [Mechanical pencils](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mechanical-pencils\/)\n      - [Pens](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/the-best-pen\/)\n      - [Notebooks & notepads](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-notebooks\/)\n      - [Planners](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-paper-planners\/)\n      - [Kids labels](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-labels-for-kids-lunch-boxes-and-clothing\/)\n    - Tech\n      - [First phones for kids](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smartphone-for-kids\/)\n      - [Smartwatches for kids](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-smartwatch-for-kids\/)\n      - [Apps for managing kids' phones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-apps-to-manage-your-kids-phone\/)\n      - [Kids tablets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tablet-for-kids\/)\n      - [Kids headphones](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-headphones\/)\n    - [All School](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/baby-kid\/school\/)\n  - Toys\n    - Indoor Toys\n      - [Lego sets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-lego-sets-for-kids\/)\n      - [Dolls](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-dolls\/)\n      - [Kids board games](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/board-games-for-kids\/)\n      - [Bath toys](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bath-toys\/)\n      - [Toy subscription boxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-toy-subscription-boxes\/)\n      - [Craft subscription boxes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-craft-subscription-boxes\/)\n    - Outdoor Toys\n      - [Scooters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-scooters\/)\n      - [Balance bikes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-balance-bike\/)\n      - [First pedal bikes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-first-pedal-bike\/)\n      - [Kids bike helmets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-bike-helmets\/)\n      - [Tricycles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-tricycles\/)\n      - [Collapsible folding wagons](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-folding-wagons\/)\n      - [Sleds](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sleds\/)\n      - [Trampolines](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-trampoline\/)\n    - [All Toys](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/baby-kid\/toys\/)\n  - Travel\n    - Car Seats\n      - [Infant car seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-infant-car-seat\/)\n      - [Convertible car seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-convertible-car-seats\/)\n      - [Travel car seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-travel-car-seats\/)\n      - [Booster car seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-booster-car-seats\/)\n    - Strollers\n      - [Strollers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-strollers\/)\n      - [Double strollers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-double-strollers\/)\n      - [Jogging strollers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-jogging-strollers\/)\n      - [Travel strollers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-travel-strollers\/)\n      - [Umbrella strollers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-umbrella-strollers\/)\n    - Wagons\n      - [Collapsible folding wagons](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-folding-wagons\/)\n      - [Stroller wagons](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-stroller-wagons\/)\n    - Travel\n      - [Kids bike seats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-bike-seats\/)\n      - [Kids travel gear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/gear-for-traveling-with-babies-and-kids\/)\n      - [Kids luggage](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-luggage\/)\n- Style\n  \n  - Apparel\n    - Tops\n      - [Men’s button‑up shirts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mens-button-up-shirts\/)\n      - [Men’s white t‑shirts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-white-t-shirts-for-men\/)\n      - [Women’s blouses](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-womens-tops-blouses\/)\n      - [Women’s button ups](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-womens-button-up-shirts\/)\n      - [Women’s white t‑shirts](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-womens-white-t-shirts\/)\n      - [Cashmere sweaters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-cashmere-sweaters\/)\n      - [Thermal underwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mens-base-layers-and-thermal-underwear\/)\n    - Pants\n      - [Men’s jeans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-jeans-for-men\/)\n      - [Women’s jeans](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-womens-jeans\/)\n      - [Men’s dress pants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mens-work-pants\/)\n      - [Women's office pants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-womens-work-pants\/)\n      - [Leggings](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-leggings\/)\n      - [Rain pants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-rain-pants\/)\n      - [Sweatpants](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sweatpants-sweatshirts\/)\n    - Kids\n      - [Kids pajamas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-kids-pajamas\/)\n      - [Kids underwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-kids-underwear\/)\n    - Jackets\n      - [Rain jackets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-everyday-rain-jacket\/)\n      - [Down jackets](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-insulated-jacket\/)\n      - [Insulated vests](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-insulated-vest\/)\n      - [Men’s suits](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mens-suits\/)\n      - [Women’s wool coats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-womens-wool-coat\/)\n    - [All Style](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/style\/)\n  - Underwear & Sleep\n    - Underwear\n      - [Bras](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-bra-brands\/)\n      - [Women’s underwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-womens-underwear\/)\n      - [Period underwear](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/thinx-period-panties\/)\n      - [Boxer briefs](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-mens-underwear\/)\n    - Sleep\n      - [Robes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-robes\/)\n      - [Pajamas](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-pajamas-for-women-and-men\/)\n      - [Slippers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-slippers\/)\n      - [Sleep masks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sleep-mask\/)\n  - Shoes\n    - Boots\n      - [Winter boots](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-winter-boots-for-men-and-women\/)\n      - [Rain boots](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-rain-boots\/)\n      - [Hiking boots](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hiking-boots\/)\n    - Sneakers\n      - [Running shoes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-running-shoes\/)\n      - [White sneakers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-white-sneakers\/)\n    - Seasonal\n      - [Flats](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-flats\/)\n      - [Sandals](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-sandals\/)\n      - [Ice cleats for shoes](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-ice-cleats\/)\n    - Socks\n      - [Socks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-socks\/)\n      - [Compression socks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-compression-socks\/)\n      - [Hiking socks](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-hiking-socks\/)\n  - Bags & Accessories\n    - [Bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/travel\/bags\/)\n      - [Handbags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-handbags-under-500\/)\n      - [Tote bags](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/our-favorite-tote-bags\/)\n      - 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When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Learn more›](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/about\/)\n\n1. [Home](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/home-garden\/)\n# I’m Wirecutter’s Water-Quality Expert. I Don’t Filter My Water.\nPublished\n\nJune 6, 2025\n\nSave\n\n![](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2025\/06\/NYK-WATER-TEST-KIT-PURIFIER-TopArt-2x1-1.jpg?width=150&quality=20&crop=2:1&auto=webp)\n\n![A collage of a big faucet coming out of a waterfall, and a person's hand holding up a test strip to test the quality of the faucet's water.]()\n\nDana Davis\/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by iStock\n\n[![Tim Heffernan](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2015\/06\/heffernan_headshot_face_on_3.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=1:1&width=50)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/authors\/tim-heffernan\/)\n\nBy [Tim Heffernan](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/authors\/tim-heffernan\/)\n\nTim Heffernan is a writer who covers air and water quality and sustainable-energy technology. He prefers Flare-brand match smoke for purifier testing.\n\nIn October 2024, I got an email from a reader worried about his water. A few weeks later, a second reader wrote to me. Then a third, a fourth, a fifth. They all had the same basic worry: that there was something harmful in their tap water. And they wanted my advice on what to do.\n\nAs one reader, who I’ll call Jaime,[1](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/know-your-water-quality\/#fn1) put it: “I write to you out of desperation because I have been on a two-year journey to find the perfect filter, and it is amazing how difficult it’s been. I am willing to pay extra for quality and convenience, and even then it has been challenging. All I want is healthy water at home that I don’t have to think much about. Is that too much to ask :)?”\n\nJaime explained that he had bought four filters in those two years: a [Big Berkey](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/big-berkey-water-filter-system\/) followed by three different reverse-osmosis systems. One of them made the water taste worse. (“My kids call it the ‘onion water,’” he wrote.)\n\nHe asked what filter I used at home. And I told him the same thing I tell all our readers: I don’t filter my water at all.\n\nI’ve now had my water lab-tested nearly a dozen times, in two homes, by six companies and an independent laboratory, for our guide to [home water-quality test kits](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home\/). Every result was the same: My water was virtually pristine. So I ditched my filter. As I write in the guide, “After all, it wasn’t really doing anything, since there wasn’t much of anything for it to do something about.”\n\nThat’s true of a lot of US water supplies. But worries about water quality are on a lot of people’s minds. It was shocking when, in 2023, the [US Geological Survey estimated](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0160412023003069?via%3Dihub) that nearly half of the country’s drinking-water sources are [tainted by PFAS](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/blog\/how-to-limit-exposure-to-forever-chemicals\/), so-called forever chemicals. Suddenly, it seemed like contaminated tap water in your home was a matter of a coin flip.\n\nThe desire to be rid of that fear is real, understandable, and widespread. You can become less afraid by knowing more — and that’s pretty easy to do.\n\n### Get today’s recommendation\nExpert advice. Very good deals. The absolute best (and worst) things we’ve tested lately. Sent to your inbox daily.\n\nEmail Address\n\n## Why you should trust me\n![A pitcher of clear, filtered water (left) and a measuring cup filled with a rust-rich solution (right) on a kitchen counter.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2022\/09\/waterfilters-2048px-01496.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)\n\nThe LifeStraw-filtered water on the left started as the rusty water on the right. I drank it, and it was delicious. Tim Heffernan\/NYT Wirecutter\n\nI have been covering water quality for a decade now. I have tested dozens of water filters — [pitcher-type](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-filter-pitcher\/), [under-sink](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-sink-water-filter\/), and [faucet-mount](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/). I have met with the engineers who designed them, interviewed the people who create and enforce the NSF\/ANSI standards for filter certification, and spoken with test-kit manufacturers and certified test labs. I have attended hours of seminars run by experts in water treatment and groundwater remediation. Last year I spent a day at a municipal treatment plant, talking with the executives and engineers in charge of implementing water filtration on an industrial scale.\n\nAnd I have come to three main conclusions.\n\n## Three ways of thinking about filtration\n**1\\. You don’t have to wonder what’s in your water.** “We live in north central Florida, where the water is pretty iffy. I know we need a filtration system of some kind,” wrote Wirecutter reader Marian.\n\nIt’s absolutely true that the groundwater in north central Florida [has problems](https:\/\/www.wuft.org\/environment\/2024-05-20\/water-worries-some-north-florida-waterways-go-from-pristine-to-green-due-to-algae).\n\nBut “in the groundwater” and “coming out of the faucet” are not the same thing. Water utilities are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to bring [nearly 100 contaminants](https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/ground-water-and-drinking-water\/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations) — from disease-causing bacteria to pesticides to PFOA and PFOS, the most common forever chemicals — below federal thresholds.\n\nBefore the treated water goes to anybody’s home, it is tested to confirm that it meets all the requirements, and water utilities are legally required to make the results public in an annual document called a Consumer Confidence Report. If you’re on a public water supply, you can simply look up your CCR; you’ll know what was found in the water, how much of it, and whether any findings exceeded federal and state standards.\n\nIf you want even more understanding, you can go further and test the tap water that comes out of your faucet. Doing so is not cheap — but it is much more affordable and far less of a hassle than a lifetime of maintaining a filtration system that you may not have needed in the first place. (Because about 15% of the US populace, or 43 million people, [uses water from unregulated private wells](https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/privatewells#:~:text=Around%2015%20percent%20of%20the,their%20source%20of%20drinking%20water.), we include both utility and well-water test kits in our guide.)\n\n**2\\. You may not need a water filter.** Bad news makes headlines; important details go below the fold. Take that 2023 USGS report, for example: Although 30% of the tap-water samples contained forever chemicals, at least half of the measurements fell below the lowest enforceable limits set in 2024. And results of nationwide monitoring, [released in January 2025](https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2023-08\/ucmr5-data-summary_0.pdf), suggest that PFAS contamination in public water supplies is actually much lower: With two-thirds of the monitoring complete, readings of PFAS that exceed EPA limits have been found in just 8% of small public water systems (those that serve fewer than 10,000 people) and 15% of large ones. That is not happy news, per se — it still represents millions of people — but it is far better than nearly half.\n\n**3\\. There is no perfect water filter.** Leaving aside filters’ limited abilities — no filter removes all possible contaminants — every type has practical drawbacks, even those we recommend. And I hear from readers about it. Graeme, in New York City, was having trouble with his Claryum Direct Connect clogging. (“Replacing the filter three times in 90 days” gives you a taste of his frustrations.) Rob in Berlin wrote to me asking about reports of undersink filters causing catastrophic floods when they develop leaks.\n\nWe point out these and other weaknesses in our guides not only as something for you to know before you choose a specific filter but also because they’re weaknesses inherent to the entire category. [Pitcher](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-filter-pitcher\/), [under-sink](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-sink-water-filter\/), [faucet-mount](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/), whole-home, and reverse-osmosis filters all have at least one “genetic flaw,” be it high cost, limited capability, low flow, inefficiency, unreliability, or expensive upkeep. Often they have more than one. How much more frustrating would those things be if you were to learn that you never needed to use a filter to begin with?\n\nI am not arguing against using water filters. They are one of my main focuses at Wirecutter, and all of my reporting goes into making recommendations that our readers can trust. Water quality is also a deeply personal concern, not something for me to adjudicate. I see my job as sharing as much information as I can, in as clear a manner as I can, to help you choose what’s best for you.\n\nI stopped filtering my water not despite the fact that I’ve been reporting on water quality for a decade, but because of that experience. It took me that long to understand filtration well enough to be confident in my decision. My hope is that by gathering what I’ve learned here in one place, you will feel more confident in whatever decision you make.\n\n## Water pollution isn’t the same everywhere\nJan wrote in worried about an impending move to an apartment near the Gowanus Canal, New York City’s second-largest Superfund site. (I live a few minutes from the largest, Newtown Creek.) Environmental agencies have tested numerous sites in the neighborhood and noted places where contaminants need to be mitigated. “The construction has addressed soil vapor intrusion into the building,” Jan wrote. “We wanted to take precautions with potentially old water pipes leading into the building.”\n\nI encouraged him to get the water tested before deciding whether to filter, and a few months later he wrote back. He had done a multi-contaminant at-home test, the kind where you dip test strips and compare them with a color chart. We don’t recommend such tests, because they can be difficult to interpret. Still, Jan’s mind was at ease: He had found elevated iron and copper (from the plumbing itself), as well as sulfates, but nothing of major concern.\n\n“It looks good to me, particularly with none of the major scary ones registering, like lead or mercury,” he wrote.\n\nThis illustrates an important lesson: Proximity to pollution, even to polluted bodies of water, doesn’t mean your drinking water is dangerous. The USGS included a map in [its summary](https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/news\/national-news-release\/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us) of the famous 2023 PFAS study. It’s [worth looking at](https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/media\/images\/pfas-select-us-tapwater-locations).\n\nThe map doesn’t show an even scattering of PFAS sites across the US. It shows vast areas where no forever chemicals were found in the tap water at all. It shows a few regions of the country where, in clusters, multiple forever chemicals were found in the water from individual faucets. Most interestingly, it shows lots of faucets without any PFAS sitting near those with several types.\n\nThat’s a neat demonstration of how a lot of water pollution works. Something tangible — a factory, or a fuel depot, or a chemical spill — introduces a contaminant to the environment, creating a point source. The contaminant sinks into the soil or gets carried away by rainwater and enters the local aquifer or winds up in a reservoir. When a water utility later taps into the aquifer or reservoir, the contaminant has a new point source: the utility itself.\n\nOften, the contaminant is removed during the water-treatment process, but if it isn’t, it flows to every home the utility serves. It doesn’t, however, go to any of the homes served by utilities that get their water from different, unaffected water sources, even those homes that are nearby on the map.\n\nThat’s a big reason why — even if, in aggregate, half the homes in the US are affected by forever chemicals — the risk isn’t 50-50 for everyone, everywhere.\n\nThis pollution pathway cuts both ways. The lead crises in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, showed how devastating it can be when an entire community is served by unsafe water.\n\nOn the other hand, in many US cities with the resources to maintain robust monitoring and treatment, utilities are delivering safe water to hundreds of thousands or even millions of people.\n\nNot all water pollution works that way, of course. Sometimes the local geology creates a chronic problem, such as when it contains high levels of naturally occurring arsenic or radon. Older homes with lead pipes or lead-rich solder can become microsites for lead contamination, although many water utilities treat the water with corrosion inhibitors that keep the lead inert. Non-point sources — runoff from city streets, for example — contribute to the spread of low levels of contaminants over wide areas. And microplastics have become [part of the global geology](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0048969724055165), as plastic waste degrades and spreads via air and water to every corner of the planet.\n\nBut for some of the most infamous contaminants — dioxane, benzene, hexavalent chromium, PCBs, PFAS — it’s often that pathway from the point source to the water supply system that brings problems.\n\n## Know — don’t wonder — what’s in your water\nLike Jan, reader Graeme got his water tested after I suggested doing that before buying a different, clog-resistant filter. He later sent a quick update: “It came back completely clear. You’ve saved me tons of time and money. NYC water continues to astound …”\n\nIt does. New York’s water is justifiably famous for its purity, and the city has [gone to extraordinary lengths](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/05\/04\/realestate\/nyc-land-catskills-watershed.html) to keep it that way. But it isn’t the only city that can boast such a thing.\n\n**Consult your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report.** Here’s [New York City’s latest](https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/assets\/dep\/downloads\/pdf\/water\/drinking-water\/drinking-water-supply-quality-report\/2024-drinking-water-supply-quality-report.pdf). Here’s [Los Angeles’s report](https:\/\/www.ladwp.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-07\/2024_DIGITAL_PUBLICATION_2023_Drinking_Water_Quality_Report_03_Print.pdf). Here are [Chicago’s](https:\/\/www.chicago.gov\/content\/dam\/city\/depts\/water\/ConsumerConfidenceReports\/2023_WaterQualityReport_CCR.pdf), [Houston’s](https:\/\/www.houstonpublicworks.org\/sites\/g\/files\/nwywnm456\/files\/doc\/003-2023_water_quality_report_updated.pdf), and [Philadelphia’s](https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/drops\/2023-drinking-water-quality-report\/). You can usually find your CCR on your utility’s website; the EPA [can help you find your utility](https:\/\/sdwis.epa.gov\/ords\/safewater\/f?p=136:102::::::) if you’re unsure. (CCRs for the prior year are released as late as July 1, so you may find that yours is from two calendar years ago.)\n\nA few terms to know: **MCLG** is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. It isn’t a requirement, but a level that the EPA or a state agency hopes to eventually achieve. **MCL** is the Maximum Contaminant Level that’s allowed by federal or state law. (And that brings up an important side point: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, states can set water-quality standards that are stricter than the federal ones. Several states were ahead of the EPA on PFAS limits before the Biden administration tightened the federal standards in 2024, for example. That’s worth remembering now that the Trump administration [has rescinded or relaxed](https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/pfas-forever-chemicals-trump-zeldin-epa-water-a1c15348e9fc42bd22b10d0329b2f321) several of the standards and enforcement deadlines.)\n\n**THMs** are trihalomethanes, and are mainly the by-product of disinfectants that are used to reduce bacteria and other pathogens in the water supply. Almost everybody’s CCR shows their presence at some level. How much is allowed is defined by the **MRDL**, the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; how much is aimed for is the **MRDLG,** the Goal. Most other listings are fairly self-explanatory: lead, mercury, and so on.\n\n**To know even more, use a home water test kit.** It will tell you exactly what’s in your water, right where it comes out of your faucet. [We recommend](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home\/) several Tap Score kits from SimpleLab, both for their ease of use — they come with prepaid and labeled packaging to help you ship your samples to the lab quickly — and for their clarity. The company explains the test results in plain language, flags anything of concern, and has support staff available to answer any questions you have.\n\n![The SimpleWater Tap Score Advanced City Water Test kit displaying the components of the kit.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2024\/04\/water-quality-test-kit-2048px-1301.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)\n\nMichael Murtaugh\/NYT Wirecutter\n\n#### Top pick\n[![](https:\/\/d34mvw1if3ud0g.cloudfront.net\/36872\/Tap-Score-Advanced-City-Water-Test_20250418-044717_full.jpeg)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/36872\/159425\/4\/220846?merchant=Amazon)\n\n## [A comprehensive test with clear results](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/36872\/159425\/4\/220846?merchant=Amazon \"A comprehensive test with clear results\")\n### [Tap Score Advanced City Water Test](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/36872\/159425\/4\/220846?merchant=Amazon \"Tap Score Advanced City Water Test\")\n\nThis send-away kit delivers lab-tested measurements of more than 100 contaminants, and it explains what they mean and what to do if there’s a problem.\n\n[\\$269 from Amazon](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/36872\/159425\/4\/220846?merchant=Amazon)\n\n[\\$290 from Tap Score](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/36872\/159355\/4\/220846?merchant=Tap%20Score)\n\nI spoke with SimpleLab founder and CEO Johnny H. Pujol to understand what he has learned from a decade of water testing. He also shared a detailed summary of the data the company has collected.\n\nA lot of people ask about PFAS and microplastics, Pujol said, “but the likelihood is that you’re going to spend a ton of money \\[on a test kit\\], and you may not find something that useful or interesting to your home.” (Testing for PFAS and microplastics requires two Tap Score kits in addition to the Advanced City kit that’s our top pick; they cost between \\$300 and \\$795.)\n\nNo PFAS chemicals are among the 10 most common contaminants that SimpleLab finds in either public (“city”) or private well water, according to the data Pujol shared. Two trihalomethanes — specifically chloroform and bromodichloromethane, both by-products of disinfection at the treatment plant — are among the top 10 in public water. Substances that come from the earth itself — zinc, barium, strontium, and sulfates — are in the top 10 in both city and well water. So is copper, leached from pipes in the home. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other trademarked herbicides, shows up so rarely that when it does, Pujol said, “our data science team sends a message out — hey, we found a detection.”\n\nAnd no PFAS are among the top 10 exceedances — instances where the level detected exceeded the company’s in-house health-guidance levels, which are based on EPA and other health-agency benchmarks. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane, all disinfection by-products, are the top three exceedances in public water supplies. Lead and arsenic are numbers four and five. For private wells, they are numbers one and two.\n\nIn terms of overall public health, Pujol worries that forever chemicals are drawing people’s focus away from where it is needed more urgently. “Here you’ve got a concentration that is almost comically low that gets widespread fear and interest — that’s PFAS,” he said. “Whereas the classics — arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate — they don’t seem to get the attention they deserve, and they’re much more significant.”\n\nI didn’t know all of this before I got my water tested, but I knew enough about the US water system, and about my utility’s Consumer Confidence Reports, that I was confident the results would be fine.\n\nStill, I got that little fist of nerves.\n\nHaving been president of my co-op in Queens, I was well aware that lead was likely to be present in the plumbing solder. And in New Jersey, there’s a chrome-plating shop — almost certainly a source of hexavalent chromium and [other nasty stuff](https:\/\/www.pca.state.mn.us\/sites\/default\/files\/gp3-05.pdf) — a block and a half away from my house. Sure, it’s downhill, and sure, my water comes from a reservoir several miles in the other direction, and sure, the CCR showed nothing of concern. But.\n\nSo it was reassuring to get the results I expected.\n\n## Weighing your options\n![A used under-sink water filter, that is dirty and full of grime.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2025\/06\/NYK-WATER-TEST-KIT-PURIFIER-01559.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)\n\nTim Heffernan\/NYT Wirecutter\n\nI hated my pitcher filter long before I knew I didn’t need it. It would clog up any time a bit of rusty water came through the pipes, which, in a 70-year-old building with cast-iron service lines, was often. If you read reviews of pitcher filters — and reader comments on our guide to them — you’ll see the same problem mentioned over and over, by people all over the country.\n\nIf you do the same for the other filter types we’ve tested, faucet-mount and under-sink filters, you’ll see different common complaints. They’re hard to install. They deliver water slowly. (A kitchen faucet typically delivers 2.2 gallons of water per minute; these filters often cut that to half a gallon.) Replacement filters are expensive. Under-sink filters have a track record of catastrophic failures, [leading to floods](https:\/\/amazon.com\/product-reviews\/B00CHYLXYE\/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=YT467576) that have caused thousands of dollars in damage. Faucet filters can be damaged if you accidentally run hot water through them.\n\nReverse-osmosis filters, which we plan to test soon, are expensive and waste a lot of water (the filter needs frequent rinsing, and the rinse water goes right down the drain). Traditional reverse-osmosis systems take up most of the sink cabinet, because they work so slowly that the filtered water has to be stored in a tank. Tankless pumped reverse-osmosis is the hot new approach — but pumps can and do fail, as owner reviews attest.\n\nAs for [Big Berkey–type countertop dispensers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/big-berkey-water-filter-system\/), not only do they tend to lack any kind of certification, but also their ultra-long-life filters are prone to bacterial and algal growth — like anything else that remains submerged for years at a time.\n\nFor me, such aggravations would be worth tolerating only if I was certain that my water needed filtering. But everybody has their own comfort zone on the risk-versus-certainty scale, so here’s a quick rundown of what our recommended filters can do.\n\n- The [Brita Elite](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/21938\/119506\/4\/220847\/?merchant=Amazon) pitcher filter is NSF\/ANSI-certified for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common forever chemicals; microplastics; lead, mercury, and cadmium; and several so-called emerging compounds that may be found in drinking water, including some pharmaceuticals. It is not certified for trihalomethanes (THMs), but it is likely good at removing them, because it uses activated carbon as one of the filter elements.\n- The [Pur Plus](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/) faucet filter is certified for lead, mercury, trihalomethanes (THMs), and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emerging compounds. It is also certified for Particulate Class 1, which is a surrogate for microplastics. It is not certified for cadmium, PFOA, or PFOS.\n- The [Aquasana](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/31959\/153032\/4\/220848\/?merchant=Amazon) and [A. O. Smith](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/31960\/153078\/4\/220849\/?merchant=Amazon) under-sink filters we recommend are certified for microplastics, lead, mercury, PFOA, PFOS, THMs, VOCs, and emerging compounds.\n\nWhether those capabilities are worth the intrinsic headaches and the up-front and ongoing costs of filtration — or worth more than the cost of a water test, at least — is a question that you have to answer for yourself. But I hope I’ve helped you come to your decision feeling a little more sure of the stakes.\n\n*This article was edited by Jen Gushue and Harry Sawyers.*\n\n## Footnotes\n1. I’ve changed the name of every person who wrote to me.\n   [Jump back.](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/know-your-water-quality\/#fn1-body)\n\n## Meet your guide\n![](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2015\/06\/heffernan_headshot_face_on_3.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=1:1&width=100)\n\nTim Heffernan\n\nWhat I Cover\n\nSince I joined Wirecutter in 2015, indoor air and water quality have gone from being somewhat fringe concerns to central worries for many people. First wildfires, then the Flint and Newark lead crises, then COVID-19, and most recently PFAS drove the shift, and it has been a career-defining—and extremely satisfying—challenge to stay on top of the ever-multiplying products used to clean the air and water in homes and to counter the landslides of misinformation and fearmongering that can accompany them.\n\nSince 2021 I’ve developed a third beat covering residential solar and other energy-saving technology and techniques. It’s great fun, not just because it’s an extremely complex topic, but also because the best approach for many people is also the simplest and cheapest: weatherizing their homes. Guiding readers toward solutions that don’t involve buying shiny new toys is the most edifying thing I get to do here.\n\n## Further reading\n- [![A few water pitchers and filters standing alongside several glasses of water.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2023\/11\/water-filter-pitcher-2048px-1396-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-filter-pitcher\/)\n  \n  ### [The Best Water Filter Pitcher and Dispenser](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-filter-pitcher\/)\n  by Tim Heffernan\n  \n  Water filters and pitchers are the simplest, most affordable way to get reliable filtered water at home.\n- [![Four filtered water bottles along with replacement filters and straws.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2024\/02\/filteredwaterbottles-2048px-07898-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-filtered-water-bottles\/)\n  \n  ### [The Best Filtered Water Bottles](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-filtered-water-bottles\/)\n  by Tim Heffernan\n  \n  You can get cleaner, better-tasting water with a filtered bottle that can travel with you—but other filtered water options may be more convenient overall.\n- [![Pur Advanced Faucet Water Filtration System attached to a faucet](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2021\/03\/faucet-filter-2048px-0828-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/)\n  \n  ### [The Best Faucet-Mounted Water Filter](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/)\n  by Tim Heffernan\n  \n  Here are our picks for the best water filter to mount on a kitchen faucet.\n- [![Four under-sink water filtration systems sitting on a blue background.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/undersinkwaterfilters-lowres-.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-sink-water-filter\/)\n  \n  ### [The Best Under-Sink Water Filter](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-sink-water-filter\/)\n  by Tim Heffernan\n  \n  The Aquasana AQ-5200 is the under-sink water filtration system we recommend.\n\n[Edit](https:\/\/thewirecutter.com\/wp-admin\/post.php?post=467576&action=edit)\n\n## Join our 4-day spring-cleaning challenge\nA daily five-minute cleaning hack — plus, actionable tips and good-looking upgrades for a tidier home — delivered right to your inbox. Starts March 9.\n\nEmail Address\n\n[Wirecutter](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/ \"Wirecutter\")\n\nWirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). [Subscribe now](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/subscription\/wirecutter?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fwirecutter%2F) for unlimited access.\n\n- [About Wirecutter](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/about\/ \"About Wirecutter\")\n- [Our team](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/masthead\/ \"Our team\")\n- [Staff demographics](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/staff-demographics\/ \"Staff demographics\")\n- [Jobs at Wirecutter](https:\/\/job-boards.greenhouse.io\/thenewyorktimes?keyword=wirecutter \"Jobs at Wirecutter\")\n- [How to pitch](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/how-to-pitch\/ \"How to pitch\")\n\n- [Contact The New York Times](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115015385887-Contact-The-New-York-Times \"Contact The New York Times\")\n- [Send us feedback](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/article\/wirecutter-feedback.html \"Send us feedback\")\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/newsletters\/ \"Newsletters\")\n\n- © 2026 Wirecutter, Inc., [A New York Times Company](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/privacy\/privacy-policy \"Privacy Policy\")\n- [Terms of Service](https:\/\/help.nytimes.com\/hc\/en-us\/articles\/115014893428-Terms-of-service \"Terms of Service\")\n- [Cookie Policy](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/privacy\/cookie-policy \"Cookie Policy\")\n- [Partnerships & Advertising](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/partners\/ \"Partnerships & Advertising\")\n- [Licensing & Reprints](https:\/\/info.wrightsmedia.com\/nyt-wirecutter-licensing \"Licensing & Reprints\")\n- [RSS](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/feed\/ \"RSS\")","attrs_readable_markdown":"## Why you should trust me\n![A pitcher of clear, filtered water (left) and a measuring cup filled with a rust-rich solution (right) on a kitchen counter.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2022\/09\/waterfilters-2048px-01496.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)\n\nThe LifeStraw-filtered water on the left started as the rusty water on the right. I drank it, and it was delicious. Tim Heffernan\/NYT Wirecutter\n\nI have been covering water quality for a decade now. I have tested dozens of water filters — [pitcher-type](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-filter-pitcher\/), [under-sink](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-sink-water-filter\/), and [faucet-mount](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/). I have met with the engineers who designed them, interviewed the people who create and enforce the NSF\/ANSI standards for filter certification, and spoken with test-kit manufacturers and certified test labs. I have attended hours of seminars run by experts in water treatment and groundwater remediation. Last year I spent a day at a municipal treatment plant, talking with the executives and engineers in charge of implementing water filtration on an industrial scale.\n\nAnd I have come to three main conclusions.\n\n## Three ways of thinking about filtration\n**1\\. You don’t have to wonder what’s in your water.** “We live in north central Florida, where the water is pretty iffy. I know we need a filtration system of some kind,” wrote Wirecutter reader Marian.\n\nIt’s absolutely true that the groundwater in north central Florida [has problems](https:\/\/www.wuft.org\/environment\/2024-05-20\/water-worries-some-north-florida-waterways-go-from-pristine-to-green-due-to-algae).\n\nBut “in the groundwater” and “coming out of the faucet” are not the same thing. Water utilities are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to bring [nearly 100 contaminants](https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/ground-water-and-drinking-water\/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations) — from disease-causing bacteria to pesticides to PFOA and PFOS, the most common forever chemicals — below federal thresholds.\n\nBefore the treated water goes to anybody’s home, it is tested to confirm that it meets all the requirements, and water utilities are legally required to make the results public in an annual document called a Consumer Confidence Report. If you’re on a public water supply, you can simply look up your CCR; you’ll know what was found in the water, how much of it, and whether any findings exceeded federal and state standards.\n\nIf you want even more understanding, you can go further and test the tap water that comes out of your faucet. Doing so is not cheap — but it is much more affordable and far less of a hassle than a lifetime of maintaining a filtration system that you may not have needed in the first place. (Because about 15% of the US populace, or 43 million people, [uses water from unregulated private wells](https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/privatewells#:~:text=Around%2015%20percent%20of%20the,their%20source%20of%20drinking%20water.), we include both utility and well-water test kits in our guide.)\n\n**2\\. You may not need a water filter.** Bad news makes headlines; important details go below the fold. Take that 2023 USGS report, for example: Although 30% of the tap-water samples contained forever chemicals, at least half of the measurements fell below the lowest enforceable limits set in 2024. And results of nationwide monitoring, [released in January 2025](https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2023-08\/ucmr5-data-summary_0.pdf), suggest that PFAS contamination in public water supplies is actually much lower: With two-thirds of the monitoring complete, readings of PFAS that exceed EPA limits have been found in just 8% of small public water systems (those that serve fewer than 10,000 people) and 15% of large ones. That is not happy news, per se — it still represents millions of people — but it is far better than nearly half.\n\n**3\\. There is no perfect water filter.** Leaving aside filters’ limited abilities — no filter removes all possible contaminants — every type has practical drawbacks, even those we recommend. And I hear from readers about it. Graeme, in New York City, was having trouble with his Claryum Direct Connect clogging. (“Replacing the filter three times in 90 days” gives you a taste of his frustrations.) Rob in Berlin wrote to me asking about reports of undersink filters causing catastrophic floods when they develop leaks.\n\nWe point out these and other weaknesses in our guides not only as something for you to know before you choose a specific filter but also because they’re weaknesses inherent to the entire category. [Pitcher](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-filter-pitcher\/), [under-sink](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-under-sink-water-filter\/), [faucet-mount](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/), whole-home, and reverse-osmosis filters all have at least one “genetic flaw,” be it high cost, limited capability, low flow, inefficiency, unreliability, or expensive upkeep. Often they have more than one. How much more frustrating would those things be if you were to learn that you never needed to use a filter to begin with?\n\nI am not arguing against using water filters. They are one of my main focuses at Wirecutter, and all of my reporting goes into making recommendations that our readers can trust. Water quality is also a deeply personal concern, not something for me to adjudicate. I see my job as sharing as much information as I can, in as clear a manner as I can, to help you choose what’s best for you.\n\nI stopped filtering my water not despite the fact that I’ve been reporting on water quality for a decade, but because of that experience. It took me that long to understand filtration well enough to be confident in my decision. My hope is that by gathering what I’ve learned here in one place, you will feel more confident in whatever decision you make.\n\n## Water pollution isn’t the same everywhere\nJan wrote in worried about an impending move to an apartment near the Gowanus Canal, New York City’s second-largest Superfund site. (I live a few minutes from the largest, Newtown Creek.) Environmental agencies have tested numerous sites in the neighborhood and noted places where contaminants need to be mitigated. “The construction has addressed soil vapor intrusion into the building,” Jan wrote. “We wanted to take precautions with potentially old water pipes leading into the building.”\n\nI encouraged him to get the water tested before deciding whether to filter, and a few months later he wrote back. He had done a multi-contaminant at-home test, the kind where you dip test strips and compare them with a color chart. We don’t recommend such tests, because they can be difficult to interpret. Still, Jan’s mind was at ease: He had found elevated iron and copper (from the plumbing itself), as well as sulfates, but nothing of major concern.\n\n“It looks good to me, particularly with none of the major scary ones registering, like lead or mercury,” he wrote.\n\nThis illustrates an important lesson: Proximity to pollution, even to polluted bodies of water, doesn’t mean your drinking water is dangerous. The USGS included a map in [its summary](https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/news\/national-news-release\/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us) of the famous 2023 PFAS study. It’s [worth looking at](https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/media\/images\/pfas-select-us-tapwater-locations).\n\nThe map doesn’t show an even scattering of PFAS sites across the US. It shows vast areas where no forever chemicals were found in the tap water at all. It shows a few regions of the country where, in clusters, multiple forever chemicals were found in the water from individual faucets. Most interestingly, it shows lots of faucets without any PFAS sitting near those with several types.\n\nThat’s a neat demonstration of how a lot of water pollution works. Something tangible — a factory, or a fuel depot, or a chemical spill — introduces a contaminant to the environment, creating a point source. The contaminant sinks into the soil or gets carried away by rainwater and enters the local aquifer or winds up in a reservoir. When a water utility later taps into the aquifer or reservoir, the contaminant has a new point source: the utility itself.\n\nOften, the contaminant is removed during the water-treatment process, but if it isn’t, it flows to every home the utility serves. It doesn’t, however, go to any of the homes served by utilities that get their water from different, unaffected water sources, even those homes that are nearby on the map.\n\nThat’s a big reason why — even if, in aggregate, half the homes in the US are affected by forever chemicals — the risk isn’t 50-50 for everyone, everywhere.\n\nThis pollution pathway cuts both ways. The lead crises in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, showed how devastating it can be when an entire community is served by unsafe water.\n\nOn the other hand, in many US cities with the resources to maintain robust monitoring and treatment, utilities are delivering safe water to hundreds of thousands or even millions of people.\n\nNot all water pollution works that way, of course. Sometimes the local geology creates a chronic problem, such as when it contains high levels of naturally occurring arsenic or radon. Older homes with lead pipes or lead-rich solder can become microsites for lead contamination, although many water utilities treat the water with corrosion inhibitors that keep the lead inert. Non-point sources — runoff from city streets, for example — contribute to the spread of low levels of contaminants over wide areas. And microplastics have become [part of the global geology](https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0048969724055165), as plastic waste degrades and spreads via air and water to every corner of the planet.\n\nBut for some of the most infamous contaminants — dioxane, benzene, hexavalent chromium, PCBs, PFAS — it’s often that pathway from the point source to the water supply system that brings problems.\n\n## Know — don’t wonder — what’s in your water\nLike Jan, reader Graeme got his water tested after I suggested doing that before buying a different, clog-resistant filter. He later sent a quick update: “It came back completely clear. You’ve saved me tons of time and money. NYC water continues to astound …”\n\nIt does. New York’s water is justifiably famous for its purity, and the city has [gone to extraordinary lengths](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/05\/04\/realestate\/nyc-land-catskills-watershed.html) to keep it that way. But it isn’t the only city that can boast such a thing.\n\n**Consult your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report.** Here’s [New York City’s latest](https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/assets\/dep\/downloads\/pdf\/water\/drinking-water\/drinking-water-supply-quality-report\/2024-drinking-water-supply-quality-report.pdf). Here’s [Los Angeles’s report](https:\/\/www.ladwp.com\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-07\/2024_DIGITAL_PUBLICATION_2023_Drinking_Water_Quality_Report_03_Print.pdf). Here are [Chicago’s](https:\/\/www.chicago.gov\/content\/dam\/city\/depts\/water\/ConsumerConfidenceReports\/2023_WaterQualityReport_CCR.pdf), [Houston’s](https:\/\/www.houstonpublicworks.org\/sites\/g\/files\/nwywnm456\/files\/doc\/003-2023_water_quality_report_updated.pdf), and [Philadelphia’s](https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/drops\/2023-drinking-water-quality-report\/). You can usually find your CCR on your utility’s website; the EPA [can help you find your utility](https:\/\/sdwis.epa.gov\/ords\/safewater\/f?p=136:102::::::) if you’re unsure. (CCRs for the prior year are released as late as July 1, so you may find that yours is from two calendar years ago.)\n\nA few terms to know: **MCLG** is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. It isn’t a requirement, but a level that the EPA or a state agency hopes to eventually achieve. **MCL** is the Maximum Contaminant Level that’s allowed by federal or state law. (And that brings up an important side point: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, states can set water-quality standards that are stricter than the federal ones. Several states were ahead of the EPA on PFAS limits before the Biden administration tightened the federal standards in 2024, for example. That’s worth remembering now that the Trump administration [has rescinded or relaxed](https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/pfas-forever-chemicals-trump-zeldin-epa-water-a1c15348e9fc42bd22b10d0329b2f321) several of the standards and enforcement deadlines.)\n\n**THMs** are trihalomethanes, and are mainly the by-product of disinfectants that are used to reduce bacteria and other pathogens in the water supply. Almost everybody’s CCR shows their presence at some level. How much is allowed is defined by the **MRDL**, the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; how much is aimed for is the **MRDLG,** the Goal. Most other listings are fairly self-explanatory: lead, mercury, and so on.\n\n**To know even more, use a home water test kit.** It will tell you exactly what’s in your water, right where it comes out of your faucet. [We recommend](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home\/) several Tap Score kits from SimpleLab, both for their ease of use — they come with prepaid and labeled packaging to help you ship your samples to the lab quickly — and for their clarity. The company explains the test results in plain language, flags anything of concern, and has support staff available to answer any questions you have.\n\n![The SimpleWater Tap Score Advanced City Water Test kit displaying the components of the kit.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2024\/04\/water-quality-test-kit-2048px-1301.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)\n\nMichael Murtaugh\/NYT Wirecutter\n\n#### Top pick\n[![](https:\/\/d34mvw1if3ud0g.cloudfront.net\/36872\/Tap-Score-Advanced-City-Water-Test_20250418-044717_full.jpeg)](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/36872\/159425\/4\/220846?merchant=Amazon)\n\nI spoke with SimpleLab founder and CEO Johnny H. Pujol to understand what he has learned from a decade of water testing. He also shared a detailed summary of the data the company has collected.\n\nA lot of people ask about PFAS and microplastics, Pujol said, “but the likelihood is that you’re going to spend a ton of money \\[on a test kit\\], and you may not find something that useful or interesting to your home.” (Testing for PFAS and microplastics requires two Tap Score kits in addition to the Advanced City kit that’s our top pick; they cost between \\$300 and \\$795.)\n\nNo PFAS chemicals are among the 10 most common contaminants that SimpleLab finds in either public (“city”) or private well water, according to the data Pujol shared. Two trihalomethanes — specifically chloroform and bromodichloromethane, both by-products of disinfection at the treatment plant — are among the top 10 in public water. Substances that come from the earth itself — zinc, barium, strontium, and sulfates — are in the top 10 in both city and well water. So is copper, leached from pipes in the home. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other trademarked herbicides, shows up so rarely that when it does, Pujol said, “our data science team sends a message out — hey, we found a detection.”\n\nAnd no PFAS are among the top 10 exceedances — instances where the level detected exceeded the company’s in-house health-guidance levels, which are based on EPA and other health-agency benchmarks. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane, all disinfection by-products, are the top three exceedances in public water supplies. Lead and arsenic are numbers four and five. For private wells, they are numbers one and two.\n\nIn terms of overall public health, Pujol worries that forever chemicals are drawing people’s focus away from where it is needed more urgently. “Here you’ve got a concentration that is almost comically low that gets widespread fear and interest — that’s PFAS,” he said. “Whereas the classics — arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate — they don’t seem to get the attention they deserve, and they’re much more significant.”\n\nI didn’t know all of this before I got my water tested, but I knew enough about the US water system, and about my utility’s Consumer Confidence Reports, that I was confident the results would be fine.\n\nStill, I got that little fist of nerves.\n\nHaving been president of my co-op in Queens, I was well aware that lead was likely to be present in the plumbing solder. And in New Jersey, there’s a chrome-plating shop — almost certainly a source of hexavalent chromium and [other nasty stuff](https:\/\/www.pca.state.mn.us\/sites\/default\/files\/gp3-05.pdf) — a block and a half away from my house. Sure, it’s downhill, and sure, my water comes from a reservoir several miles in the other direction, and sure, the CCR showed nothing of concern. But.\n\nSo it was reassuring to get the results I expected.\n\n## Weighing your options\n![A used under-sink water filter, that is dirty and full of grime.](https:\/\/cdn.thewirecutter.com\/wp-content\/media\/2025\/06\/NYK-WATER-TEST-KIT-PURIFIER-01559.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)\n\nTim Heffernan\/NYT Wirecutter\n\nI hated my pitcher filter long before I knew I didn’t need it. It would clog up any time a bit of rusty water came through the pipes, which, in a 70-year-old building with cast-iron service lines, was often. If you read reviews of pitcher filters — and reader comments on our guide to them — you’ll see the same problem mentioned over and over, by people all over the country.\n\nIf you do the same for the other filter types we’ve tested, faucet-mount and under-sink filters, you’ll see different common complaints. They’re hard to install. They deliver water slowly. (A kitchen faucet typically delivers 2.2 gallons of water per minute; these filters often cut that to half a gallon.) Replacement filters are expensive. Under-sink filters have a track record of catastrophic failures, [leading to floods](https:\/\/amazon.com\/product-reviews\/B00CHYLXYE\/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=YT467576) that have caused thousands of dollars in damage. Faucet filters can be damaged if you accidentally run hot water through them.\n\nReverse-osmosis filters, which we plan to test soon, are expensive and waste a lot of water (the filter needs frequent rinsing, and the rinse water goes right down the drain). Traditional reverse-osmosis systems take up most of the sink cabinet, because they work so slowly that the filtered water has to be stored in a tank. Tankless pumped reverse-osmosis is the hot new approach — but pumps can and do fail, as owner reviews attest.\n\nAs for [Big Berkey–type countertop dispensers](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/big-berkey-water-filter-system\/), not only do they tend to lack any kind of certification, but also their ultra-long-life filters are prone to bacterial and algal growth — like anything else that remains submerged for years at a time.\n\nFor me, such aggravations would be worth tolerating only if I was certain that my water needed filtering. But everybody has their own comfort zone on the risk-versus-certainty scale, so here’s a quick rundown of what our recommended filters can do.\n\n- The [Brita Elite](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/21938\/119506\/4\/220847\/?merchant=Amazon) pitcher filter is NSF\/ANSI-certified for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common forever chemicals; microplastics; lead, mercury, and cadmium; and several so-called emerging compounds that may be found in drinking water, including some pharmaceuticals. It is not certified for trihalomethanes (THMs), but it is likely good at removing them, because it uses activated carbon as one of the filter elements.\n- The [Pur Plus](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-faucet-water-filter\/) faucet filter is certified for lead, mercury, trihalomethanes (THMs), and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emerging compounds. It is also certified for Particulate Class 1, which is a surrogate for microplastics. It is not certified for cadmium, PFOA, or PFOS.\n- The [Aquasana](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/31959\/153032\/4\/220848\/?merchant=Amazon) and [A. O. Smith](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/out\/link\/31960\/153078\/4\/220849\/?merchant=Amazon) under-sink filters we recommend are certified for microplastics, lead, mercury, PFOA, PFOS, THMs, VOCs, and emerging compounds.\n\nWhether those capabilities are worth the intrinsic headaches and the up-front and ongoing costs of filtration — or worth more than the cost of a water test, at least — is a question that you have to answer for yourself. But I hope I’ve helped you come to your decision feeling a little more sure of the stakes.\n\n*This article was edited by Jen Gushue and Harry Sawyers.*\n\n## Footnotes\n1. I’ve changed the name of every person who wrote to me.\n   [Jump back.](https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/know-your-water-quality\/#fn1-body)","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Should You Filter Your Tap Water? Our Expert Weighs In. \| Reviews by Wirecutter
Meta Description	Readers routinely come to me asking my advice on water filtration. I always tell them the same thing: I don’t filter my water because I’ve had it tested.
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Boilerpipe Text	Why you should trust me The LifeStraw-filtered water on the left started as the rusty water on the right. I drank it, and it was delicious. Tim Heffernan/NYT Wirecutter I have been covering water quality for a decade now. I have tested dozens of water filters — pitcher-type , under-sink , and faucet-mount . I have met with the engineers who designed them, interviewed the people who create and enforce the NSF/ANSI standards for filter certification, and spoken with test-kit manufacturers and certified test labs. I have attended hours of seminars run by experts in water treatment and groundwater remediation. Last year I spent a day at a municipal treatment plant, talking with the executives and engineers in charge of implementing water filtration on an industrial scale. And I have come to three main conclusions. Three ways of thinking about filtration 1. You don’t have to wonder what’s in your water. “We live in north central Florida, where the water is pretty iffy. I know we need a filtration system of some kind,” wrote Wirecutter reader Marian. It’s absolutely true that the groundwater in north central Florida has problems . But “in the groundwater” and “coming out of the faucet” are not the same thing. Water utilities are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to bring nearly 100 contaminants — from disease-causing bacteria to pesticides to PFOA and PFOS, the most common forever chemicals — below federal thresholds. Before the treated water goes to anybody’s home, it is tested to confirm that it meets all the requirements, and water utilities are legally required to make the results public in an annual document called a Consumer Confidence Report. If you’re on a public water supply, you can simply look up your CCR; you’ll know what was found in the water, how much of it, and whether any findings exceeded federal and state standards. If you want even more understanding, you can go further and test the tap water that comes out of your faucet. Doing so is not cheap — but it is much more affordable and far less of a hassle than a lifetime of maintaining a filtration system that you may not have needed in the first place. (Because about 15% of the US populace, or 43 million people, uses water from unregulated private wells , we include both utility and well-water test kits in our guide.) 2. You may not need a water filter. Bad news makes headlines; important details go below the fold. Take that 2023 USGS report, for example: Although 30% of the tap-water samples contained forever chemicals, at least half of the measurements fell below the lowest enforceable limits set in 2024. And results of nationwide monitoring, released in January 2025 , suggest that PFAS contamination in public water supplies is actually much lower: With two-thirds of the monitoring complete, readings of PFAS that exceed EPA limits have been found in just 8% of small public water systems (those that serve fewer than 10,000 people) and 15% of large ones. That is not happy news, per se — it still represents millions of people — but it is far better than nearly half. 3. There is no perfect water filter. Leaving aside filters’ limited abilities — no filter removes all possible contaminants — every type has practical drawbacks, even those we recommend. And I hear from readers about it. Graeme, in New York City, was having trouble with his Claryum Direct Connect clogging. (“Replacing the filter three times in 90 days” gives you a taste of his frustrations.) Rob in Berlin wrote to me asking about reports of undersink filters causing catastrophic floods when they develop leaks. We point out these and other weaknesses in our guides not only as something for you to know before you choose a specific filter but also because they’re weaknesses inherent to the entire category. Pitcher , under-sink , faucet-mount , whole-home, and reverse-osmosis filters all have at least one “genetic flaw,” be it high cost, limited capability, low flow, inefficiency, unreliability, or expensive upkeep. Often they have more than one. How much more frustrating would those things be if you were to learn that you never needed to use a filter to begin with? I am not arguing against using water filters. They are one of my main focuses at Wirecutter, and all of my reporting goes into making recommendations that our readers can trust. Water quality is also a deeply personal concern, not something for me to adjudicate. I see my job as sharing as much information as I can, in as clear a manner as I can, to help you choose what’s best for you. I stopped filtering my water not despite the fact that I’ve been reporting on water quality for a decade, but because of that experience. It took me that long to understand filtration well enough to be confident in my decision. My hope is that by gathering what I’ve learned here in one place, you will feel more confident in whatever decision you make. Water pollution isn’t the same everywhere Jan wrote in worried about an impending move to an apartment near the Gowanus Canal, New York City’s second-largest Superfund site. (I live a few minutes from the largest, Newtown Creek.) Environmental agencies have tested numerous sites in the neighborhood and noted places where contaminants need to be mitigated. “The construction has addressed soil vapor intrusion into the building,” Jan wrote. “We wanted to take precautions with potentially old water pipes leading into the building.” I encouraged him to get the water tested before deciding whether to filter, and a few months later he wrote back. He had done a multi-contaminant at-home test, the kind where you dip test strips and compare them with a color chart. We don’t recommend such tests, because they can be difficult to interpret. Still, Jan’s mind was at ease: He had found elevated iron and copper (from the plumbing itself), as well as sulfates, but nothing of major concern. “It looks good to me, particularly with none of the major scary ones registering, like lead or mercury,” he wrote. This illustrates an important lesson: Proximity to pollution, even to polluted bodies of water, doesn’t mean your drinking water is dangerous. The USGS included a map in its summary of the famous 2023 PFAS study. It’s worth looking at . The map doesn’t show an even scattering of PFAS sites across the US. It shows vast areas where no forever chemicals were found in the tap water at all. It shows a few regions of the country where, in clusters, multiple forever chemicals were found in the water from individual faucets. Most interestingly, it shows lots of faucets without any PFAS sitting near those with several types. That’s a neat demonstration of how a lot of water pollution works. Something tangible — a factory, or a fuel depot, or a chemical spill — introduces a contaminant to the environment, creating a point source. The contaminant sinks into the soil or gets carried away by rainwater and enters the local aquifer or winds up in a reservoir. When a water utility later taps into the aquifer or reservoir, the contaminant has a new point source: the utility itself. Often, the contaminant is removed during the water-treatment process, but if it isn’t, it flows to every home the utility serves. It doesn’t, however, go to any of the homes served by utilities that get their water from different, unaffected water sources, even those homes that are nearby on the map. That’s a big reason why — even if, in aggregate, half the homes in the US are affected by forever chemicals — the risk isn’t 50-50 for everyone, everywhere. This pollution pathway cuts both ways. The lead crises in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, showed how devastating it can be when an entire community is served by unsafe water. On the other hand, in many US cities with the resources to maintain robust monitoring and treatment, utilities are delivering safe water to hundreds of thousands or even millions of people. Not all water pollution works that way, of course. Sometimes the local geology creates a chronic problem, such as when it contains high levels of naturally occurring arsenic or radon. Older homes with lead pipes or lead-rich solder can become microsites for lead contamination, although many water utilities treat the water with corrosion inhibitors that keep the lead inert. Non-point sources — runoff from city streets, for example — contribute to the spread of low levels of contaminants over wide areas. And microplastics have become part of the global geology , as plastic waste degrades and spreads via air and water to every corner of the planet. But for some of the most infamous contaminants — dioxane, benzene, hexavalent chromium, PCBs, PFAS — it’s often that pathway from the point source to the water supply system that brings problems. Know — don’t wonder — what’s in your water Like Jan, reader Graeme got his water tested after I suggested doing that before buying a different, clog-resistant filter. He later sent a quick update: “It came back completely clear. You’ve saved me tons of time and money. NYC water continues to astound …” It does. New York’s water is justifiably famous for its purity, and the city has gone to extraordinary lengths to keep it that way. But it isn’t the only city that can boast such a thing. Consult your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report. Here’s New York City’s latest . Here’s Los Angeles’s report . Here are Chicago’s , Houston’s , and Philadelphia’s . You can usually find your CCR on your utility’s website; the EPA can help you find your utility if you’re unsure. (CCRs for the prior year are released as late as July 1, so you may find that yours is from two calendar years ago.) A few terms to know: MCLG is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. It isn’t a requirement, but a level that the EPA or a state agency hopes to eventually achieve. MCL is the Maximum Contaminant Level that’s allowed by federal or state law. (And that brings up an important side point: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, states can set water-quality standards that are stricter than the federal ones. Several states were ahead of the EPA on PFAS limits before the Biden administration tightened the federal standards in 2024, for example. That’s worth remembering now that the Trump administration has rescinded or relaxed several of the standards and enforcement deadlines.) THMs are trihalomethanes, and are mainly the by-product of disinfectants that are used to reduce bacteria and other pathogens in the water supply. Almost everybody’s CCR shows their presence at some level. How much is allowed is defined by the MRDL , the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; how much is aimed for is the MRDLG, the Goal. Most other listings are fairly self-explanatory: lead, mercury, and so on. To know even more, use a home water test kit. It will tell you exactly what’s in your water, right where it comes out of your faucet. We recommend several Tap Score kits from SimpleLab, both for their ease of use — they come with prepaid and labeled packaging to help you ship your samples to the lab quickly — and for their clarity. The company explains the test results in plain language, flags anything of concern, and has support staff available to answer any questions you have. Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Top pick I spoke with SimpleLab founder and CEO Johnny H. Pujol to understand what he has learned from a decade of water testing. He also shared a detailed summary of the data the company has collected. A lot of people ask about PFAS and microplastics, Pujol said, “but the likelihood is that you’re going to spend a ton of money [on a test kit], and you may not find something that useful or interesting to your home.” (Testing for PFAS and microplastics requires two Tap Score kits in addition to the Advanced City kit that’s our top pick; they cost between $300 and $795.) No PFAS chemicals are among the 10 most common contaminants that SimpleLab finds in either public (“city”) or private well water, according to the data Pujol shared. Two trihalomethanes — specifically chloroform and bromodichloromethane, both by-products of disinfection at the treatment plant — are among the top 10 in public water. Substances that come from the earth itself — zinc, barium, strontium, and sulfates — are in the top 10 in both city and well water. So is copper, leached from pipes in the home. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other trademarked herbicides, shows up so rarely that when it does, Pujol said, “our data science team sends a message out — hey, we found a detection.” And no PFAS are among the top 10 exceedances — instances where the level detected exceeded the company’s in-house health-guidance levels, which are based on EPA and other health-agency benchmarks. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane, all disinfection by-products, are the top three exceedances in public water supplies. Lead and arsenic are numbers four and five. For private wells, they are numbers one and two. In terms of overall public health, Pujol worries that forever chemicals are drawing people’s focus away from where it is needed more urgently. “Here you’ve got a concentration that is almost comically low that gets widespread fear and interest — that’s PFAS,” he said. “Whereas the classics — arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate — they don’t seem to get the attention they deserve, and they’re much more significant.” I didn’t know all of this before I got my water tested, but I knew enough about the US water system, and about my utility’s Consumer Confidence Reports, that I was confident the results would be fine. Still, I got that little fist of nerves. Having been president of my co-op in Queens, I was well aware that lead was likely to be present in the plumbing solder. And in New Jersey, there’s a chrome-plating shop — almost certainly a source of hexavalent chromium and other nasty stuff — a block and a half away from my house. Sure, it’s downhill, and sure, my water comes from a reservoir several miles in the other direction, and sure, the CCR showed nothing of concern. But. So it was reassuring to get the results I expected. Weighing your options Tim Heffernan/NYT Wirecutter I hated my pitcher filter long before I knew I didn’t need it. It would clog up any time a bit of rusty water came through the pipes, which, in a 70-year-old building with cast-iron service lines, was often. If you read reviews of pitcher filters — and reader comments on our guide to them — you’ll see the same problem mentioned over and over, by people all over the country. If you do the same for the other filter types we’ve tested, faucet-mount and under-sink filters, you’ll see different common complaints. They’re hard to install. They deliver water slowly. (A kitchen faucet typically delivers 2.2 gallons of water per minute; these filters often cut that to half a gallon.) Replacement filters are expensive. Under-sink filters have a track record of catastrophic failures, leading to floods that have caused thousands of dollars in damage. Faucet filters can be damaged if you accidentally run hot water through them. Reverse-osmosis filters, which we plan to test soon, are expensive and waste a lot of water (the filter needs frequent rinsing, and the rinse water goes right down the drain). Traditional reverse-osmosis systems take up most of the sink cabinet, because they work so slowly that the filtered water has to be stored in a tank. Tankless pumped reverse-osmosis is the hot new approach — but pumps can and do fail, as owner reviews attest. As for Big Berkey–type countertop dispensers , not only do they tend to lack any kind of certification, but also their ultra-long-life filters are prone to bacterial and algal growth — like anything else that remains submerged for years at a time. For me, such aggravations would be worth tolerating only if I was certain that my water needed filtering. But everybody has their own comfort zone on the risk-versus-certainty scale, so here’s a quick rundown of what our recommended filters can do. The Brita Elite pitcher filter is NSF/ANSI-certified for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common forever chemicals; microplastics; lead, mercury, and cadmium; and several so-called emerging compounds that may be found in drinking water, including some pharmaceuticals. It is not certified for trihalomethanes (THMs), but it is likely good at removing them, because it uses activated carbon as one of the filter elements. The Pur Plus faucet filter is certified for lead, mercury, trihalomethanes (THMs), and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emerging compounds. It is also certified for Particulate Class 1, which is a surrogate for microplastics. It is not certified for cadmium, PFOA, or PFOS. The Aquasana and A. O. Smith under-sink filters we recommend are certified for microplastics, lead, mercury, PFOA, PFOS, THMs, VOCs, and emerging compounds. Whether those capabilities are worth the intrinsic headaches and the up-front and ongoing costs of filtration — or worth more than the cost of a water test, at least — is a question that you have to answer for yourself. But I hope I’ve helped you come to your decision feeling a little more sure of the stakes. This article was edited by Jen Gushue and Harry Sawyers. Footnotes I’ve changed the name of every person who wrote to me. Jump back.
Markdown	- Home & Garden - Vacuums, Cleaning, & Laundry - Vacuum Cleaners - [Vacuum cleaners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vacuum-cleaner/) - [Upright vacuums](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-upright-canister-vacuums/) - [Cordless vacuums](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cordless-stick-vacuum/) - [Robot vacuums](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-robot-vacuum/) - [Handheld vacuums](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-handheld-vacuum/) - [Hardwood floor vacuums](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vacuum-for-hardwood-floors/) - [Vacuums for pet hair](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vacuum-for-pet-hair/) - [Car vacuums](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-car-vacuum/) - Mops & Cleaners - [Wet mops](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wet-mop/) - [Robot mop‑vac combos](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-robot-vacuum-mop-combo/) - [Portable carpet & upholstery cleaners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-carpet-and-upholstery-cleaner/) - [Carpet cleaners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-upright-carpet-cleaners/) - [Wet/dry vacs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/a-great-shop-vacuum-or-wet-dry-vac/) - [Brooms, dustpans, & dust mops](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-broom-dustpan-dustmop/) - [Surface cleaners & disinfectants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-all-purpose-cleaner/) - [Laundry](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/closet-laundry/) - [Washers & dryers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-washer-and-dryer/) - [Compact washers & dryers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-compact-washer-and-dryer/) - [Irons](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-clothes-iron/) - [Ironing boards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ironing-board/) - [Clothing steamers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-clothing-steamers/) - [Laundry detergents](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-laundry-detergent/) - [Stain removers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laundry-stain-remover/) - Bathroom - Toilet - [Toilets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-toilet/) - [Bidets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bidet-toilet-seat-washlet/) - [Toilet papers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-toilet-paper/) - [Toilet brushes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-toilet-brush/) - [Toilet plungers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-toilet-plunger/) - [Squatty potties](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/squatty-potty-review/) - Shower - [Shower heads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-shower-head/) - [Shower curtains](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-shower-curtain/) - [Shower caddies](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-shower-caddy/) - [Shower mats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-shower-mat/) - [Body washes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-body-wash/) - [Bar soaps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bar-soap/) - Bathroom - [Bathroom scales](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-bathroom-scales/) - [Bath towels](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bath-towel/) - [Bath mats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bathroom-rugs-and-bath-mats/) - [Grab bars](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-grab-bars/) - Garden & Outdoors - [Gardening & Lawn](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/gardening/) - [Garden hoses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-garden-hose/) - [Hose nozzles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-hose-nozzle/) - [Gardening gloves](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-gardening-gloves/) - [Garden pruners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-garden-pruners/) - [Gifts for gardeners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-gardeners/) - [Lawn mowers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lawnmower/) - [Robot lawn mowers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-robot-lawn-mower/) - [Reel mowers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-reel-mower/) - [Sprinklers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-sprinkler/) - [Smart sprinkler timers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-sprinkler-controller/) - [Maintenance](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/garage/) - [Leaf blowers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-leafblowers/) - [Snow blowers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-snow-blowers/) - [Pressure washers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pressure-washer/) - [Chainsaws](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-chainsaw/) - [String trimmers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-string-trimmers/) - [Snow shovels](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-snow-shovels/) - [Wet/dry vacs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/a-great-shop-vacuum-or-wet-dry-vac/) - Patio - [Patio furniture](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-patio-furniture/) - [Outdoor sofas & chairs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-outdoor-sofas/) - [Patio umbrellas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-patio-umbrella-and-stand/) - [Patio heaters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-outdoor-patio-heaters/) - [Smokeless fire pits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smokeless-fire-pits/) - [Mosquito repellents for yards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/mosquito-control-gear/) - Heating, Cooling, & Air Quality - Heating - [Space heaters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-space-heaters/) - [Heat pumps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/heat-pump-buying-guide/) - [Cooling](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/cooling/) - [Air conditioners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-conditioner/) - [Portable air conditioners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-portable-air-conditioner/) - [Ductless air conditioners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-ductless-mini-split-air-conditioner/) - [Fans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-fan/) - [Cordless fans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cordless-fans/) - [Smart thermostats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-thermostat/) - Air Quality - [Air purifiers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-purifier/) - [Humidifiers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-humidifier/) - [Dehumidifiers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dehumidifier/) - [Home air quality monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-home-air-quality-monitor/) - Water Quality - [Water filter pitchers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-filter-pitcher/) - [Under‑sink water filters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-sink-water-filter/) - [Faucet‑mounted water filters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/) - [Water quality test kits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home/) - Home & Decor - Decor - [Area rugs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-area-rugs/) - [Rug pads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rug-pads/) - [Removable wallpapers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-removable-wallpapers/) - [Throw blankets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-throw-blankets/) - [Essential oil diffusers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-essential-oil-diffusers/) - [Scented candles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-candles/) - [Jewelry boxes & organizers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-jewelry-boxes-and-organizers/) - Window Treatments - [Curtains](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-window-curtains/) - [Blackout curtains](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blackout-curtains/) - [Blackout shades](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blackout-shades/) - [Furniture](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/furniture/) - [Sofas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/buying-a-sofa/) - [Sleeper sofas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sleeper-sofas/) - [Massage chairs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-massage-chairs/) - [Dining tables](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/dining-and-kitchen-tables-we-like-under-1000/) - Lighting - [Floor lamps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-floor-lamps-under-300/) - [Desk lamps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-led-desk-lamp/) - [Table lamps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-table-lamps/) - [Bedside lamps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-bedside-lamps-under-200/) - [All Home](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/) - Home Improvement - [Tools](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/tools/) - [Drills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-drill-for-common-household-projects/) - [Multi‑tools](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-multitool/) - [Stud finders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-stud-finder/) - [Screwdrivers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-screwdriver/) - [Basic toolkits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-basic-home-toolkit/) - [Toolboxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-toolbox/) - [Ladders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ladders/) - [Storage & Organization](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/storage-home-garden/) - [Storage containers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-storage-containers/) - [Shoe racks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-shoe-rack/) - [Hangers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hangers/) - Electric - [LED light bulbs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-led-lightbulb/) - [Surge protectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-surge-protector/) - [Extension cords](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-extension-cords-for-your-home-and-garage/) - Pest Control - [Roach killers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-roach-killers/) - [Ant killers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ant-killer/) - [Mousetraps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mousetrap/) - [Mosquito repellents for yards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/mosquito-control-gear/) - [Wasp & hornet sprays](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hornet-wasp-spray/) - [Bug‑killing gear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-bug-killing-gear/) - Home Security & Safety - Security Systems & Cameras - [Home security systems](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-home-security-system/) - [Indoor security cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-home-security-camera/) - [Outdoor security cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-outdoor-home-security-camera/) - [Doorbell cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-doorbell-camera/) - Locks - [Electronic keypad door locks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electronic-keypad-door-lock/) - [Smart locks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-smart-lock/) - [Door locks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-door-lock/) - Safety - [Basic smoke alarms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-basic-smoke-alarm/) - [Smart smoke alarms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-smoke-alarm/) - [Fire extinguishers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-fire-extinguisher/) - [Flashlights](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-flashlight/) - [Emergency Preparedness](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/emergency-preparedness/) - [Emergency preparedness supplies](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/emergency-preparedness/) - [Emergency weather radios](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-emergency-weather-radio/) - [Portable generators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-generator/) - [All Home Security & Safety](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/safety-home-garden/) - Office - Printers - [All‑in‑one printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-all-in-one-printer/) - [Home printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-home-printers/) - [Laser printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laser-printer/) - Monitors - [Monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-monitors/) - [4K monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-4k-monitors/) - [27‑inch monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-27-inch-monitor/) - [Portable monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-monitor/) - Office Essentials - [Webcams](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-webcams/) - [Office headsets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-headset-for-the-office/) - [Laptop stands](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laptop-stands/) - [Monitor arms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-monitor-arms/) - [Label makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-label-maker/) - Document Security - [Paper shredders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-paper-shredders/) - [Fireproof document safes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-fireproof-document-safe/) - Stationery - [Pens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-pen/) - [Notebooks & notepads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-notebooks/) - [Planners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-paper-planners/) - [Office Furniture](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/office/furniture-office/) - [Standing desks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-standing-desk/) - [Office chairs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-office-chair/) - [Ergonomic seat cushions](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ergonomic-seat-cushions/) - [All Office](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/office/) - Sleep - [Mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/sleep/mattresses/) - [Mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mattress/) - [Mattresses for side sleepers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mattresses-for-side-sleepers/) - [Mattresses for back pain](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/mattresses-for-back-pain/) - [Memory foam mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-foam-mattresses-you-can-buy-online/) - [Cheap mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cheap-mattress/) - [Hybrid mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hybrid-mattresses/) - [Innerspring mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-innerspring-mattress/) - [Air mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-mattress/) - [Mattress toppers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mattress-toppers/) - [Latex mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-latex-mattresses/) - [Bedding](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/sleep/sheets-bedding/) - [Sheets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sheets/) - [Cotton sheets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cotton-sheets/) - [Comforters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-comforter/) - [Duvet covers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-duvet-cover/) - [Pillows](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/sleep/pillows/) - [Pillows](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bed-pillows/) - [Pillows for side sleepers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pillow-for-side-sleepers/) - [Memory foam pillows](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-memory-foam-pillows/) - [Bedroom](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/bedroom/) - [Modern bed frames](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-modern-bed-frames/) - [Platform bed frames](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-platform-bed-frames-under-300/) - [Nightstands](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-nightstands/) - [Blankets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blankets/) - [Weighted blankets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-weighted-blankets/) - [White noise machines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-white-noise-machine/) - [Alarm clocks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-alarm-clock/) - [Sunrise alarm clocks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sunrise-alarm-clock/) - [All Sleep](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/sleep/) - Kitchen - Large Appliances - Fridges - [Refrigerators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-refrigerator/) - [French door refrigerators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-french-door-refrigerators/) - [Side‑by‑side refrigerators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-side-by-side-refrigerators/) - [Garage refrigerators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-garage-refrigerator/) - [Counter‑depth refrigerators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-counter-depth-refrigerator/) - [Wine coolers & fridges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wine-fridges/) - Freezers - [Upright freezers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-freezer/) - [Chest freezers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-chest-freezers/) - Stoves, Ranges, & Ovens - [Electric stoves & ranges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-and-gas-ranges/) - [Gas stoves & ranges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gas-ranges/) - [Slide‑in electric ranges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-slide-in-electric-ranges/) - [Slide‑in gas ranges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-slide-in-gas-ranges/) - [High‑end ranges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-high-end-ranges/) - [Induction cooktops](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-induction-cooktop/) - [Wall ovens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wall-ovens/) - Dishwashers - [Dishwashers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-dishwasher/) - [All Large Appliances](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen-dining/large-appliances/) - Small Appliances - Small Appliances - [Microwaves](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-microwave/) - [Food processors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-food-processor/) - [Toasters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-toaster/) - [Electric kettles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-home-kettle/) - [Portable induction cooktops](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-induction-cooktop/) - [Mini fridges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mini-fridge/) - [Countertop ice makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-ice-maker/) - [Stand mixers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-stand-mixer/) - [Juicers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-juicer/) - Blenders - [Blenders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blender/) - [Personal blenders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-personal-blender/) - [Immersion blenders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-immersion-blender/) - Specialty - [Ice cream makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ice-cream-maker/) - [Soda makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-soda-maker/) - [Waffle makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-waffle-maker/) - [Pizza ovens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pizza-oven/) - Air Fryers & Toaster Ovens - [Air fryers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-fryer/) - [Air fryer toaster ovens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-fryer-toaster-oven/) - [Toaster ovens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-toaster-oven/) - Cookers - [Rice cookers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-rice-cooker/) - [Pressure cookers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-pressure-cooker/) - [Slow cookers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-slow-cooker/) - [All Small Appliances](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/appliances/small/) - Cooking & Baking - Cookware & Bakeware - [Cookware sets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cookware-set/) - [Nonstick pans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-nonstick-pan/) - [Stainless steel pans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-skillet/) - [Carbon steel pans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-carbon-steel-pan/) - [Cast iron skillets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cast-iron-skillet/) - [Dutch ovens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dutch-oven/) - [Woks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-woks/) - [Induction cookware](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-induction-cookware/) - [Pizza stones & baking steels](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pizza-stone-and-baking-steel/) - [Baking sheets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cookie-sheet/) - [Tools](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen-dining/tools-kitchen-dining/) - [Meat thermometers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-instant-read-thermometer/) - [Cutting boards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cutting-board/) - [Kitchen scales](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kitchen-scale/) - [Oven mitts & pot holders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-oven-mitts-and-pot-holders/) - [Vacuum sealers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vacuum-sealer/) - [Pepper mills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pepper-mill/) - [Spatulas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-spatula/) - [Mixing bowls](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mixing-bowls/) - Knives - [Chef’s knives](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-chefs-knife-for-most-cooks/) - [Knife sets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-knife-set/) - [Steak knife sets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-steak-knife-set/) - [Serrated bread knives](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-serrated-knife/) - [Paring knives](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-paring-knife/) - [Knife sharpeners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-knife-sharpening-tool/) - Coffee & Tea - Coffee Makers - [Coffee makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-coffee-maker/) - [Drip coffee makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-drip-coffee-maker/) - [Single‑serve coffee makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-single-serve-coffee-maker/) - [Cheap coffee makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cheap-coffee-maker/) - [Cold‑brew coffee makers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cold-brew-coffee-maker/) - Espresso Machines - [Espresso machines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-espresso-machine-grinder-and-accessories-for-beginners/) - [Nespresso machines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-nespresso-machine/) - Coffee Gear - [Coffee grinders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-coffee-grinder/) - [French presses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-french-press/) - [Pour‑over coffee gear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/gear-for-making-great-coffee/) - [Milk frothers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-milk-frothers/) - Tea - [Electric kettles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-home-kettle/) - [Teas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-teas/) - [All Coffee & Tea](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen-dining/coffee/) - Food & Drinks - Pantry - [Olive oils](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-olive-oil/) - [Instant noodles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-instant-noodles/) - [Canned tomatoes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-canned-tomatoes/) - [Tinned fish](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tinned-fish/) - [Peanut butters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-creamy-peanut-butter/) - [Potato chips](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-potato-chips/) - [Boxed cake mixes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-boxed-cake-mix/) - [Boxed brownie mixes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-boxed-brownie-mix/) - [Boxed mac and cheese](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-boxed-mac-and-cheese/) - [Jarred marinara sauce](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-jarred-marinara-sauce/) - Refrigerator - [American cheeses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-american-cheese/) - [Ketchups](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ketchup/) - [Mayonnaises](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mayonnaise/) - [Butters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-butter/) - [BBQ sauces](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-barbecue-sauce/) - [Yogurts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-yogurt/) - Freezer - [Frozen pizzas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-frozen-pizzas/) - [Pie crusts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-store-bought-pie-crust/) - Drinks - [Blanco tequilas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blanco-tequilas/) - [Vodkas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vodka/) - [Gins](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gins/) - [Nonalcoholic drinks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-non-alcoholic-drinks/) - [Nonalcoholic wines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-nonalcoholic-wines/) - [All Food & Drinks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen-dining/food/) - Dining, Entertaining, & Grilling - Tableware - [Flatware](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-flatware/) - [Dinnerware sets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dinnerware-set/) - [Steak knife sets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-steak-knife-set/) - [Drinking glasses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-drinking-glass/) - [Cloth napkins](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-napkins-and-tablecloth/) - [Tablecloths](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tablecloths/) - [Tapered candles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-tapered-candles/) - [Outdoor dinnerware](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-dishes-for-outdoors/) - [Wine & Bar](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen-dining/wine-bar/) - [Wine glasses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wine-glass/) - [Corkscrews](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-corkscrew/) - [Wine coolers & fridges](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wine-fridges/) - [Cocktail barware](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-barware-for-making-cocktails-at-home/) - Dining Tables & Seating - [Dining tables](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/dining-and-kitchen-tables-we-like-under-1000/) - [Folding tables](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-tables/) - [Folding chairs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-chairs/) - [Patio furniture](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-patio-furniture/) - Grilling - [Gas grills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gas-grill/) - [Charcoal grills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-charcoal-grill/) - [Pellet smoker grills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pellet-grill/) - [Portable grills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-grills/) - [Outdoor griddles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-outdoor-griddle/) - [Grill tools & accessories](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-grill-tools/) - [All Dining & Entertaining](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen-dining/entertaining/) - Supplies - [Storage](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/kitchen-dining/storage/) - [Food storage containers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-food-storage-containers/) - [Dry food storage containers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dry-food-storage-containers/) - [Lunch boxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lunch-boxes/) - Cleaning - [Dish racks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dish-rack/) - [Kitchen towels](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kitchen-towels/) - [Dish soaps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dish-soap/) - [Dishwasher detergents](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dishwasher-detergent/) - Waste - [Kitchen trash cans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-trash-can/) - [Compost bins](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-compost-bins/) - [Food recyclers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/countertop-composter-food-recyclers/) - Health & Lifestyle - Fitness - [Exercise](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/health-fitness/exercise/) - [Treadmills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-treadmill/) - [Under‑desk treadmills](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-desk-treadmills/) - [Exercise bikes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-exercise-bikes/) - [Elliptical machines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-elliptical-machine/) - [Rowing machines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rowing-machine/) - [Adjustable dumbbells](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-adjustable-dumbbells/) - [Yoga mats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-yoga-mats/) - [Massage guns](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-massage-guns/) - [Gym bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gym-bag/) - [Running headphones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-running-headphones/) - Trackers - [Fitness trackers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-fitness-trackers/) - [GPS running watches](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-running-watch/) - Bikes & Scooters - [Hybrid bikes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hybrid-commuter-bike/) - [Electric scooters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-scooter/) - [Ebikes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ebike-for-commuters/) - [Biking Gear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/health-fitness/cycling/) - [Bike helmets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bike-helmet-for-commuters/) - [Bike lights](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-commuter-bike-lights/) - [Bike locks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bike-lock/) - [Bike phone mounts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bike-phone-mount/) - [Rear bike racks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rear-bike-rack/) - [Bike pumps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bike-pump/) - [Bike storage ideas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bike-racks-for-small-homes-and-apartments/) - [Car bike racks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bike-rack-for-cars/) - [All Fitness](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/health-fitness/) - Health - [Medical](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/health-fitness/medical-supplies/) - [Blood pressure monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blood-pressure-monitors-for-home-use/) - [Thermometers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-thermometer-for-kids-and-adults/) - [Heating pads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-heating-pad/) - [Pill boxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pill-boxes/) - [Compression socks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-compression-socks/) - [Over‑the‑counter hearing aids](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-over-the-counter-hearing-aids/) - Mental Health - [Meditation apps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-meditation-apps/) - [Light therapy lamps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-light-therapy-lamp/) - [All Health](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/health-fitness/) - Accessibility & Aging - [Accessibility & Aging](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/accessibility/) - [Walkers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-walkers/) - [Medical alert systems](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-medical-alert-systems/) - [Adult diapers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-adult-diapers/) - [Incontinence underwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-incontinence-underwear/) - [Grabber tools](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-grabber-tools/) - [Room‑by‑room home modifications](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/interactives/aging-in-place/) - Personal Care - [Skin‑Care & Sunscreen](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/beauty/skincare/) - [Sunscreens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sunscreen/) - [Face sunscreens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-face-sunscreens/) - [Moisturizers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-moisturizers/) - [Body lotions](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-body-lotions/) - [Vitamin C serums](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vitamin-c-serums/) - [Retinols](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-retinol-products/) - [Exfoliants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-exfoliants/) - [Facial cleansers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-facial-cleansers/) - [Korean skin‑care products](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-korean-skin-care-products/) - Personal Hygiene - [Antiperspirants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-antiperspirants/) - [Deodorants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-deodorants/) - Dental - [Electric toothbrushes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-toothbrush/) - [Water flossers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-flossers/) - Menstruation - [Period underwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/thinx-period-panties/) - [Menstrual cups & discs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-menstrual-cup/) - Adult & Sex - [Vibrators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vibrators/) - [Anal toys](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-anal-toys/) - [Condoms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-condoms/) - [Lube](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-personal-lubricants/) - [Portable vaporizers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-vaporizer/) - [Cannabis grinders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cannabis-grinder/) - Beauty & Hair - Makeup - [Eyeliners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-eyeliner/) - [Mascaras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mascara/) - [Foundations](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-foundations/) - [Concealers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-concealers/) - [Blushes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blush/) - [Makeup brushes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-makeup-brushes/) - [Makeup removers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-makeup-remover/) - [Drugstore makeup](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-drugstore-makeup-skincare/) - Lips - [Lip balms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lip-balm/) - [Lipsticks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lipstick/) - [Lip glosses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lip-gloss/) - Hair Removal & Shaving - [Electric razors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-razor/) - [Beard trimmers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-beard-trimmer/) - [Pubic hair trimmers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pubic-hair-trimmer/) - [Hair clippers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hair-clippers-for-home-use/) - Hair - [Hair dryers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-hair-dryer/) - [Shampoos](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-shampoo/) - [Shampoo bars](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-solid-shampoo-bars/) - [Dry shampoos](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dry-shampoo/) - [Conditioners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hair-conditioner/) - [Drugstore hair products](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-drugstore-hair-products/) - Outdoors - [Outdoors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/outdoors/) - [Bug repellents](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bug-repellent/) - [Coolers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-hard-cooler/) - [Umbrellas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-umbrella/) - [Binoculars](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-binoculars/) - [Ski goggles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ski-and-snowboard-goggles/) - [Apparel](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/outdoors/apparel/) - [Rain jackets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-everyday-rain-jacket/) - [Down jackets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-insulated-jacket/) - [UPF clothing](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sun-protection-clothing/) - Camping - [Camping tents](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tent-for-family-and-car-camping/) - [Sleeping bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sleeping-bag-for-car-camping/) - [Sleeping pads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sleeping-pads-for-backpacking-and-car-camping/) - [Camping chairs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-outdoor-chairs/) - Hiking - [Hiking boots](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hiking-boots/) - [Hiking socks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hiking-socks/) - [Trekking poles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-trekking-poles/) - [Filtered water bottles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-filtered-water-bottles/) - [Beach](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/outdoors/swim/) - [Beach umbrellas & shades](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-beach-umbrella-is-not-an-umbrella/) - [Beach bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-beach-bag/) - [Beach towels](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-beach-towel/) - Safety - [Portable generators](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-generator/) - [Pocket knives](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pocket-knife/) - [Headlamps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-headlamp/) - [Hand warmers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-hand-warmer/) - [Flashlights](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-flashlight/) - Travel - Luggage - [Checked luggage](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-checked-luggage/) - [Duffel bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-duffle-bags/) - [Garment bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-garment-bag/) - [Underseat luggage & personal‑item bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/best-personal-item-carry-ons/) - [Carry‑on luggage](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-carry-on-luggage/) - [Hard‑shell carry‑on luggage](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hard-shell-carry-on-luggage/) - [Carry‑on travel backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-carry-on-travel-bags/) - [Travel backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-backpack/) - Packing - [Toiletry bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-toiletry-bags/) - [Packing cubes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-packing-cubes/) - [Packable daypacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-packable-daypack-for-travel/) - Hydration - [Water bottles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-bottle/) - [Travel mugs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-mug/) - [Gear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/travel/gear-travel/) - [Travel gear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/travel-guide/) - [Travel pillows](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-pillow/) - [Sleep masks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sleep-mask/) - [Plug adapters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-plug-adapter/) - [Luggage tags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-luggage-tags/) - Hobbies - [Hobbies](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/hobby-crafts/) - [Pickleball paddles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pickleball-paddles/) - [Drones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-drones/) - [DNA testing kits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dna-test/) - [Telescopes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-telescopes-for-beginners/) - [Reading lights](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-reading-light/) - [Electric scooters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-scooter/) - [Language learning apps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-language-learning-apps/) - [Music & Instruments](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/hobby-crafts/music/) - [Beginner digital pianos](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-budget-digital-piano-for-beginners/) - [Beginner ukuleles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ukulele-for-beginners/) - Art & Design - [3D printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-home-3d-printer/) - [3D pens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-3d-pen/) - [Drawing tablets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-drawing-tablets/) - [Sewing machines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sewing-machine/) - [Colored pencils](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-colored-pencils/) - [Soldering irons](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-soldering-irons/) - Photo - [Photo printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-photo-inkjet-printer/) - [Instant photo printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-instant-photo-printer/) - [Online photo printing services](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-online-photo-printing/) - [Photo book services](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-photo-book-service/) - [Digital photo frames](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-digital-photo-frame/) - Cameras - [Instant cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-instant-camera/) - [Mirrorless cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mirrorless-camera/) - [Point‑and‑shoot cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-point-and-shoot-camera/) - Games & Puzzles - Board & Card Games - [Board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-we-love/) - [Two‑player board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-two-player-board-games/) - [Solo board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-solo-board-games/) - [Beginner board games for adults](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-for-adults/) - [Strategy board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-strategy-board-games/) - [Kids board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-for-kids/) - [Card games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-card-games/) - [Party games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-party-games/) - [Video Gaming](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/gaming/) - [Gaming consoles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-game-consoles/) - [Handheld gaming consoles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-handheld-gaming-consoles/) - [VR headsets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-standalone-vr-headset/) - [Gaming laptops](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-budget-gaming-laptop-so-far/) - [Gaming mice](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wired-wireless-gaming-mouse/) - [Gaming monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gaming-monitor/) - [Graphics cards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-graphics-cards/) - [Gaming chairs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gaming-chairs/) - Lego - [Lego sets for adults](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/our-favorite-lego-sets-for-adults/) - [Lego sets for kids](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lego-sets-for-kids/) - Puzzles - [Speed cubes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-speed-cubes/) - [All Games & Puzzles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/hobby-crafts/games-puzzles/) - Pets - [Dogs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/pets/dogs/) - [Dog leashes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-everyday-dog-leash/) - [Dog harnesses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dog-harness/) - [Dog beds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dog-beds/) - [Dog crates](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dog-crate/) - [Dog DNA tests](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dog-dna-test/) - [Dog nail grinders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dog-nail-grinders/) - [Dog jackets & raincoats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-winter-jackets-and-raincoats-for-dogs/) - [Cats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/pets/cats/) - [Cat litters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cat-litter/) - [Litter boxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cat-litter-boxes/) - [Automatic cat litter boxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-automatic-cat-litter-box-but-we-dont-recommend-it/) - [Cat litter mats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cat-litter-mat/) - [Cat scratchers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cat-scratchers/) - [Cat beds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cat-beds/) - [New cat checklist](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/new-cat-checklist/) - Home - [Pet cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pet-camera/) - [Water fountains](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-fountain-for-cats-and-dogs/) - [Automatic feeders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-automatic-feeder-for-cats-and-small-dogs/) - [All Pets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/pets/) - Tech - Electronics & Networking - [Networking](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/networking/) - [Wi‑Fi mesh‑networking kits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-mesh-networking-kits/) - [Routers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/) - [Modems](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cable-modem/) - [Wi‑Fi extenders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-extender/) - [Digital Storage](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/storage-devices/) - [External hard drives](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-external-hard-drives/) - [NAS devices](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-network-attached-storage/) - [External SSDs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-ssd/) - [Batteries & Charging](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/batteries/) - [Portable chargers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-battery-packs/) - [Lightning cables](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lightning-cable/) - [Portable power stations](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-power-stations/) - [Rechargeable batteries](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rechargeable-batteries/) - [Uninterruptible power supplies](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-uninterruptible-power-supply-ups/) - [Surge protectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-surge-protector/) - [Extension cords](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-extension-cords-for-your-home-and-garage/) - [Electric vehicle chargers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-vehicle-chargers-for-home/) - Wireless Charging - [Wireless chargers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-qi-wireless-charger-for-iphone-and-android-phones/) - [Apple charging stations](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-apple-wireless-charging-pads/) - [USB‑C](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/usb-c/) - [USB phone chargers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-multiport-usb-wall-charger/) - [USB‑C cables & adapters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-c-cables/) - [USB‑C laptop chargers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-c-macbook-and-laptop-chargers/) - [USB‑C hubs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-c-hubs-and-docks/) - [All Electronics](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/) - Phones, Tablets, & Smartwatches - Phones - [Android phones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-android-phone/) - [Budget Android phones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-budget-android-phone/) - [iPhones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-iphone-is-our-favorite-smartphone/) - [iPhone cases](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-iphone-cases/) - [iPhone 17 cases](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-iphone-17-case/) - [iPhone 16 cases](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-iphone-16-case/) - [iPhone screen protectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-iphone-x-screen-protectors/) - [Cell phones for older adults](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cell-phones-for-older-adults/) - [Car phone mounts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smartphone-car-mount/) - [Cell phone plans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-carrier/) - Tablets - [Tablets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tablets/) - [Android tablets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-android-tablet/) - [iPads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-ipad-is-the-best-tablet/) - [iPad keyboard cases](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ipad-keyboard-case/) - [iPad Pro keyboard cases](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ipad-pro-keyboard-cases/) - [iPad Pro cases](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ipad-pro-cases/) - [iPad styluses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ipad-stylus/) - E‑readers - [E‑readers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/amazon-kindle-is-the-best-ebook-reader/) - Smartwatches - [For Android phones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smartwatch-android/) - [For iPhones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smartwatch-iphone/) - Computers - Laptops - [Laptops](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laptops/) - [Chromebooks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-chromebook/) - [MacBooks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-macbooks/) - [Business laptops](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-business-laptops/) - [Laptops for college students](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laptops-for-college-students/) - [Laptops under \$500](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laptop-under-500/) - [Computers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/computers/) - [All‑in‑one computers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-all-in-one-computer/) - [Mini desktop PCs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mini-desktop-pcs/) - Monitors - [Monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-monitors/) - [4k monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-4k-monitors/) - [24‑inch monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-24-inch-monitor/) - [27‑inch monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-27-inch-monitor/) - [Ultrawide monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ultrawide-monitors/) - [Portable monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-monitor/) - [Accessories](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/accessories/) - [Wireless mice](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-mouse/) - [Security keys](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-security-keys/) - Keyboards - [Keyboards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-keyboards/) - [Wireless keyboards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-bluetooth-keyboard/) - [Mechanical keyboards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/) - [Ergonomic keyboards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/comfortable-ergo-keyboard/) - [Gaming keyboards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-keyboards-for-gaming/) - [Software](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/software/) - [Password managers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-password-managers/) - [VPNs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vpn-service/) - [Free VPNs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-free-vpn/) - Audio - Speakers - [Bluetooth speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-home-bluetooth-speaker/) - [Portable bluetooth speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bluetooth-speaker/) - [Surround‑sound speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bookshelf-speakers/) - [Computer speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-speakers/) - [Outdoor speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-outdoor-speakers/) - [Multiroom wireless speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-multiroom-wireless-speaker-system/) - [Smart speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-speakers/) - [Soundbars](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-soundbar/) - Headphones - [Headphones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-headphones/) - [Over‑ear headphones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-over-ear-headphones/) - [Noise‑cancelling headphones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/) - [Sleep headphones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sleep-headphones/) - [Bone‑conduction headphones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bone-conduction-headphones/) - Earbuds - [Wireless earbuds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-earbuds/) - [Wired earbuds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-200-in-ear-headphones/) - [Workout earbuds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-workout-headphones/) - Home Audio - [Turntables & record players](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-turntable/) - [CD players](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-portable-cd-player/) - [AV receivers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-receiver/) - [Stereo amps & receivers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mini-stereo-amplifier/) - [USB audio interfaces](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-audio-interface/) - [All Audio](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/audio/) - Video - [TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/tvs/) - [TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tv/) - [OLED TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-oled-tv/) - [4K TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-4k-tv/) - [LCD/LED TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lcd-led-tv/) - [32‑inch TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-small-tv/) - [40‑ to 49‑inch TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-40-to-49-inch-tvs/) - [TV wall mounts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tv-wall-mount/) - [Gaming TVs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tv-for-video-games/) - [Home Theater](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/home-theater/) - [Streaming devices](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-media-streamers/) - [4K Blu‑ray players](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-4k-blu-ray-player/) - [HDMI video transmitters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-wireless-hdmi-video-transmitter/) - [HDTV antennas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-indoor-hdtv-antenna/) - [Soundbars](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-soundbar/) - [Projectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/projectors/) - [Projectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-projectors/) - [Portable mini projectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-pico-projector/) - [Budget projectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cheap-projector/) - [Projector screens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-projector-screen/) - [Outdoor projectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-outdoor-projector/) - Cameras & Photo - Cameras - [Instant cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-instant-camera/) - [Mirrorless cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mirrorless-camera/) - [Point‑and‑shoot cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-point-and-shoot-camera/) - [Dash cams](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dash-cam/) - [Camera Accessories](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/electronics/camera-accessories/) - Smartphone Photography - [iPhone photo lenses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lenses-for-iphone/) - [Smartphone tripods](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tripod-for-iphones-smartphones/) - [Smartphone gimbals](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-android-and-iphone-gimbal/) - Photo - [Holiday photo cards](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-custom-photo-card-service/) - [Photo printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-photo-inkjet-printer/) - [Instant photo printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-instant-photo-printer/) - [Online photo printing services](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-online-photo-printing/) - [Photo book services](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-photo-book-service/) - [Digital photo frames](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-digital-photo-frame/) - Smart Home - Indoor - [Plug‑in smart outlets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-switch/) - [Smart thermostats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-thermostat/) - [Smart window shades & blinds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-blinds/) - [Smart LED light bulbs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-led-light-bulbs/) - [In‑wall smart light switches & dimmers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-in-wall-wireless-light-switch-and-dimmer/) - [Smart water‑leak detectors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-smart-leak-detector/) - [Smart smoke alarms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-smoke-alarm/) - [Smart locks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-smart-lock/) - [Smart speakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-speakers/) - Outdoor - [Smart outdoor lighting](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-outdoor-lighting-for-backyards-pathways-and-more/) - [Smart sprinkler timers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-sprinkler-controller/) - [Smart garage door openers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-garage-door-controller/) - [Security Systems & Cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/safety-home-garden/) - [Home security systems](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-home-security-system/) - [Outdoor security cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wireless-outdoor-home-security-camera/) - [Indoor security cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wi-fi-home-security-camera/) - [Smart doorbell cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-doorbell-camera/) - [All Smart Home](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/smart-home/) - Baby & Kid - Pregnancy & Nursing - Pregnancy - [Pregnancy tests](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pregnancy-test/) - [Body pillows](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-body-pillow/) - Nursing & Pumping - [Breast pumps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-breast-pumps/) - [Wearable breast pumps](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wearable-breast-pumps/) - [Pumping bras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pumping-bra/) - [Nursing bras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-nursing-bras/) - [Nursing pillows](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-nursing-pillows/) - Bottles & Formula - [Baby bottles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-bottles-and-bottle-brush/) - [Bottle warmers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bottle-warmers/) - [Baby formulas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-formula/) - [All Pregnancy & Nursing](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/baby-kid/pregnancy-nursing/) - Baby - Sleep - [Bassinets & co‑sleepers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-co-sleepers/) - [Cribs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cribs/) - [Crib mattresses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-crib-mattresses/) - [Baby monitors](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-monitor/) - [Baby swaddles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-swaddles/) - Carry - [Baby carriers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-carriers/) - [Baby wraps & slings](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-wraps-and-slings/) - Diapering & Bath - [Diapers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-diapers/) - [Cloth diapers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cloth-diapers/) - [Diaper pails](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-diaper-pail/) - [Diaper bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-diaper-bag/) - [Baby bathtubs & bath seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-bathtubs-and-bath-seats/) - [Baby care essentials](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/baby-care-essentials/) - [Home Safety](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/baby-kid/safety/) - [Baby‑proofing tools](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-baby-proofing-tools/) - [Baby gates](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-gate/) - Car Seats - [Infant car seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-infant-car-seat/) - [Convertible car seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-convertible-car-seats/) - [Travel car seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-car-seats/) - Seats - [Baby bouncers & rockers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-bouncers-and-rockers/) - [Baby swings](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-baby-swings/) - [High chairs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-high-chairs/) - Clothing & Health - Clothing - [Kids pajamas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-kids-pajamas/) - [Kids underwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-underwear/) - [Kids beachwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-kids-beachwear/) - [Kids rain and snow boots](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-rain-snow-boots/) - [Kids sandals](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-sandals-water-shoes/) - Health - [Kids electric toothbrushes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-toothbrush-for-kids/) - [Thermometers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-thermometer-for-kids-and-adults/) - School & Tech - [Backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/travel/backpacks/) - [Kids backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-school-backpacks-for-elementary-school-students/) - [High school & college backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-school-backpack-for-high-school-and-college/) - Lunch & Hydration - [Kids lunch boxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-lunch-boxes/) - [Kids water bottles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-water-bottles/) - [Food thermoses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-food-thermos/) - [Nonplastic plates and cups](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-plastic-free-tableware-for-babies-and-kids/) - School Supplies - [Pencils for schoolwork](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-pencils/) - [Mechanical pencils](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mechanical-pencils/) - [Pens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-pen/) - [Notebooks & notepads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-notebooks/) - [Planners](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-paper-planners/) - [Kids labels](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-labels-for-kids-lunch-boxes-and-clothing/) - Tech - [First phones for kids](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smartphone-for-kids/) - [Smartwatches for kids](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smartwatch-for-kids/) - [Apps for managing kids' phones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-apps-to-manage-your-kids-phone/) - [Kids tablets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tablet-for-kids/) - [Kids headphones](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-headphones/) - [All School](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/baby-kid/school/) - Toys - Indoor Toys - [Lego sets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-lego-sets-for-kids/) - [Dolls](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dolls/) - [Kids board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-for-kids/) - [Bath toys](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bath-toys/) - [Toy subscription boxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-toy-subscription-boxes/) - [Craft subscription boxes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-craft-subscription-boxes/) - Outdoor Toys - [Scooters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-scooters/) - [Balance bikes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-balance-bike/) - [First pedal bikes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-first-pedal-bike/) - [Kids bike helmets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-bike-helmets/) - [Tricycles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-tricycles/) - [Collapsible folding wagons](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-wagons/) - [Sleds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sleds/) - [Trampolines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-trampoline/) - [All Toys](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/baby-kid/toys/) - Travel - Car Seats - [Infant car seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-infant-car-seat/) - [Convertible car seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-convertible-car-seats/) - [Travel car seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-car-seats/) - [Booster car seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-booster-car-seats/) - Strollers - [Strollers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-strollers/) - [Double strollers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-double-strollers/) - [Jogging strollers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-jogging-strollers/) - [Travel strollers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-travel-strollers/) - [Umbrella strollers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-umbrella-strollers/) - Wagons - [Collapsible folding wagons](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-folding-wagons/) - [Stroller wagons](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-stroller-wagons/) - Travel - [Kids bike seats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-bike-seats/) - [Kids travel gear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/gear-for-traveling-with-babies-and-kids/) - [Kids luggage](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-luggage/) - Style - Apparel - Tops - [Men’s button‑up shirts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mens-button-up-shirts/) - [Men’s white t‑shirts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-white-t-shirts-for-men/) - [Women’s blouses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-womens-tops-blouses/) - [Women’s button ups](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-womens-button-up-shirts/) - [Women’s white t‑shirts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-womens-white-t-shirts/) - [Cashmere sweaters](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cashmere-sweaters/) - [Thermal underwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mens-base-layers-and-thermal-underwear/) - Pants - [Men’s jeans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-jeans-for-men/) - [Women’s jeans](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-womens-jeans/) - [Men’s dress pants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mens-work-pants/) - [Women's office pants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-womens-work-pants/) - [Leggings](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-leggings/) - [Rain pants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rain-pants/) - [Sweatpants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sweatpants-sweatshirts/) - Kids - [Kids pajamas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-kids-pajamas/) - [Kids underwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kids-underwear/) - Jackets - [Rain jackets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-everyday-rain-jacket/) - [Down jackets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-insulated-jacket/) - [Insulated vests](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-insulated-vest/) - [Men’s suits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mens-suits/) - [Women’s wool coats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-womens-wool-coat/) - [All Style](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/style/) - Underwear & Sleep - Underwear - [Bras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bra-brands/) - [Women’s underwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-womens-underwear/) - [Period underwear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/thinx-period-panties/) - [Boxer briefs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mens-underwear/) - Sleep - [Robes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-robes/) - [Pajamas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-pajamas-for-women-and-men/) - [Slippers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-slippers/) - [Sleep masks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sleep-mask/) - Shoes - Boots - [Winter boots](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-winter-boots-for-men-and-women/) - [Rain boots](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-rain-boots/) - [Hiking boots](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hiking-boots/) - Sneakers - [Running shoes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-running-shoes/) - [White sneakers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-white-sneakers/) - Seasonal - [Flats](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-flats/) - [Sandals](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-sandals/) - [Ice cleats for shoes](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ice-cleats/) - Socks - [Socks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-socks/) - [Compression socks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-compression-socks/) - [Hiking socks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-hiking-socks/) - Bags & Accessories - [Bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/travel/bags/) - [Handbags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-handbags-under-500/) - [Tote bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-tote-bags/) - [Laptop tote bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laptop-tote-bags/) - [Fanny packs](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-fanny-packs/) - [Men’s work bags](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mens-work-bags/) - [Backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/travel/backpacks/) - [Laptop backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-laptop-backpacks/) - [High school & college backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-school-backpack-for-high-school-and-college/) - [Kids backpacks](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-school-backpacks-for-elementary-school-students/) - Bag Accessories - [Slim wallets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-slim-wallet/) - Accessories - [Umbrellas](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-umbrella/) - [Black tights](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-black-tights/) - [Shapewear](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-shapewear/) - [Hair ties & clips](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-hair-ties-scrunchies-clips/) - Glasses - [Cheap sunglasses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-cheap-sunglasses/) - [Blue‑light blocking glasses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-blue-light-blocking-glasses/) - [Online prescription glasses](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-places-to-buy-glasses-online/) - Gifts - Gifts for Everyone - [All Gifts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/) - Tech - [Digital photo frames](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-digital-photo-frame/) - [Instant cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-instant-camera/) - [Instant photo printers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-instant-photo-printer/) - [Turntables & record players](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-turntable/) - [Massage guns](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-massage-guns/) - [Karaoke machines](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-karaoke-machines/) - [3D pens](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-3d-pen/) - [Games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/hobby-crafts/games-puzzles/) - [Board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-we-love/) - [Two‑player board games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-two-player-board-games/) - [Board games for kids & families](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-for-kids/) - [Card games](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-card-games/) - DNA Test Kits - [DNA testing kits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dna-test/) - [Dog DNA tests](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-dog-dna-test/) - Everything Else - [Smokeless fire pits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smokeless-fire-pits/) - [Mug warmers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mug-warmers/) - [Smart bird feeders](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smart-bird-feeder/) - [Disposable cameras](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-disposable-cameras/) - Gifts for Grown-Ups - For Occasions - [Housewarming gifts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-housewarming-gifts/) - [Anniversary gifts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-anniversary-gifts/) - [Retirement gifts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-retirement-gifts/) - [Birthday gifts for her](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-birthday-gifts-for-her/) - [Gifts for coworkers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-coworkers/) - [Gifts for new moms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/gifts-for-new-moms/) - [Bridal shower gifts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-bridal-shower-gifts/) - [Flower delivery](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-online-flower-delivery/) - [Gift baskets](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gift-baskets/) - [Photo gifts](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-photo-gifts/) - For Loved Ones - [Gifts for husbands](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gifts-for-husband/) - [Gifts for wives](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gifts-for-wife/) - [Gifts for boyfriends](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-boyfriend/) - [Gifts for girlfriends](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-girlfriend/) - [Gifts for moms](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-mom/) - [Gifts for dads](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-dad/) - [Gifts for grandparents](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-grandparents/) - [Gifts for someone who has everything](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/gifts-for-people-who-have-everything/) - Under Budget - [Gifts under \$25](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-under-25/) - [Gifts under \$50](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-under-50/) - [Gifts under \$100](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-under-100/) - [Wrapping Paper](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-wrapping-paper/) - [All Gifts for Grown‑Ups](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/adults/) - Gifts for Kids - Ages Younger Than 6 - [Gifts for infants](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-infant-gifts/) - [Gifts for 1‑year‑olds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-toys-for-1-year-olds/) - [Gifts for 2‑year‑olds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-toys-for-2-year-olds/) - [Gifts for 3‑year‑olds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-toys-gifts-for-3-year-olds/) - [Gifts for 4‑year‑olds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-4-year-olds/) - [Gifts for 5‑year‑olds](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-gifts-for-5-year-olds/) - 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When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Learn more›](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/about/) 1. [Home](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/home-garden/) # I’m Wirecutter’s Water-Quality Expert. I Don’t Filter My Water. Published June 6, 2025 Save ![](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2025/06/NYK-WATER-TEST-KIT-PURIFIER-TopArt-2x1-1.jpg?width=150&quality=20&crop=2:1&auto=webp) ![A collage of a big faucet coming out of a waterfall, and a person's hand holding up a test strip to test the quality of the faucet's water.]() Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by iStock [![Tim Heffernan](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2015/06/heffernan_headshot_face_on_3.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=1:1&width=50)](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/authors/tim-heffernan/) By [Tim Heffernan](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/authors/tim-heffernan/) Tim Heffernan is a writer who covers air and water quality and sustainable-energy technology. He prefers Flare-brand match smoke for purifier testing. In October 2024, I got an email from a reader worried about his water. A few weeks later, a second reader wrote to me. Then a third, a fourth, a fifth. They all had the same basic worry: that there was something harmful in their tap water. And they wanted my advice on what to do. As one reader, who I’ll call Jaime,[1](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/know-your-water-quality/#fn1) put it: “I write to you out of desperation because I have been on a two-year journey to find the perfect filter, and it is amazing how difficult it’s been. I am willing to pay extra for quality and convenience, and even then it has been challenging. All I want is healthy water at home that I don’t have to think much about. Is that too much to ask :)?” Jaime explained that he had bought four filters in those two years: a [Big Berkey](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/big-berkey-water-filter-system/) followed by three different reverse-osmosis systems. One of them made the water taste worse. (“My kids call it the ‘onion water,’” he wrote.) He asked what filter I used at home. And I told him the same thing I tell all our readers: I don’t filter my water at all. I’ve now had my water lab-tested nearly a dozen times, in two homes, by six companies and an independent laboratory, for our guide to [home water-quality test kits](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home/). Every result was the same: My water was virtually pristine. So I ditched my filter. As I write in the guide, “After all, it wasn’t really doing anything, since there wasn’t much of anything for it to do something about.” That’s true of a lot of US water supplies. But worries about water quality are on a lot of people’s minds. It was shocking when, in 2023, the [US Geological Survey estimated](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412023003069?via%3Dihub) that nearly half of the country’s drinking-water sources are [tainted by PFAS](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-limit-exposure-to-forever-chemicals/), so-called forever chemicals. Suddenly, it seemed like contaminated tap water in your home was a matter of a coin flip. The desire to be rid of that fear is real, understandable, and widespread. You can become less afraid by knowing more — and that’s pretty easy to do. ### Get today’s recommendation Expert advice. Very good deals. The absolute best (and worst) things we’ve tested lately. Sent to your inbox daily. Email Address ## Why you should trust me ![A pitcher of clear, filtered water (left) and a measuring cup filled with a rust-rich solution (right) on a kitchen counter.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2022/09/waterfilters-2048px-01496.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570) The LifeStraw-filtered water on the left started as the rusty water on the right. I drank it, and it was delicious. Tim Heffernan/NYT Wirecutter I have been covering water quality for a decade now. I have tested dozens of water filters — [pitcher-type](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-filter-pitcher/), [under-sink](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-sink-water-filter/), and [faucet-mount](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/). I have met with the engineers who designed them, interviewed the people who create and enforce the NSF/ANSI standards for filter certification, and spoken with test-kit manufacturers and certified test labs. I have attended hours of seminars run by experts in water treatment and groundwater remediation. Last year I spent a day at a municipal treatment plant, talking with the executives and engineers in charge of implementing water filtration on an industrial scale. And I have come to three main conclusions. ## Three ways of thinking about filtration 1\. You don’t have to wonder what’s in your water. “We live in north central Florida, where the water is pretty iffy. I know we need a filtration system of some kind,” wrote Wirecutter reader Marian. It’s absolutely true that the groundwater in north central Florida [has problems](https://www.wuft.org/environment/2024-05-20/water-worries-some-north-florida-waterways-go-from-pristine-to-green-due-to-algae). But “in the groundwater” and “coming out of the faucet” are not the same thing. Water utilities are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to bring [nearly 100 contaminants](https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations) — from disease-causing bacteria to pesticides to PFOA and PFOS, the most common forever chemicals — below federal thresholds. Before the treated water goes to anybody’s home, it is tested to confirm that it meets all the requirements, and water utilities are legally required to make the results public in an annual document called a Consumer Confidence Report. If you’re on a public water supply, you can simply look up your CCR; you’ll know what was found in the water, how much of it, and whether any findings exceeded federal and state standards. If you want even more understanding, you can go further and test the tap water that comes out of your faucet. Doing so is not cheap — but it is much more affordable and far less of a hassle than a lifetime of maintaining a filtration system that you may not have needed in the first place. (Because about 15% of the US populace, or 43 million people, [uses water from unregulated private wells](https://www.epa.gov/privatewells#:~:text=Around%2015%20percent%20of%20the,their%20source%20of%20drinking%20water.), we include both utility and well-water test kits in our guide.) 2\. You may not need a water filter. Bad news makes headlines; important details go below the fold. Take that 2023 USGS report, for example: Although 30% of the tap-water samples contained forever chemicals, at least half of the measurements fell below the lowest enforceable limits set in 2024. And results of nationwide monitoring, [released in January 2025](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-08/ucmr5-data-summary_0.pdf), suggest that PFAS contamination in public water supplies is actually much lower: With two-thirds of the monitoring complete, readings of PFAS that exceed EPA limits have been found in just 8% of small public water systems (those that serve fewer than 10,000 people) and 15% of large ones. That is not happy news, per se — it still represents millions of people — but it is far better than nearly half. 3\. There is no perfect water filter. Leaving aside filters’ limited abilities — no filter removes all possible contaminants — every type has practical drawbacks, even those we recommend. And I hear from readers about it. Graeme, in New York City, was having trouble with his Claryum Direct Connect clogging. (“Replacing the filter three times in 90 days” gives you a taste of his frustrations.) Rob in Berlin wrote to me asking about reports of undersink filters causing catastrophic floods when they develop leaks. We point out these and other weaknesses in our guides not only as something for you to know before you choose a specific filter but also because they’re weaknesses inherent to the entire category. [Pitcher](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-filter-pitcher/), [under-sink](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-sink-water-filter/), [faucet-mount](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/), whole-home, and reverse-osmosis filters all have at least one “genetic flaw,” be it high cost, limited capability, low flow, inefficiency, unreliability, or expensive upkeep. Often they have more than one. How much more frustrating would those things be if you were to learn that you never needed to use a filter to begin with? I am not arguing against using water filters. They are one of my main focuses at Wirecutter, and all of my reporting goes into making recommendations that our readers can trust. Water quality is also a deeply personal concern, not something for me to adjudicate. I see my job as sharing as much information as I can, in as clear a manner as I can, to help you choose what’s best for you. I stopped filtering my water not despite the fact that I’ve been reporting on water quality for a decade, but because of that experience. It took me that long to understand filtration well enough to be confident in my decision. My hope is that by gathering what I’ve learned here in one place, you will feel more confident in whatever decision you make. ## Water pollution isn’t the same everywhere Jan wrote in worried about an impending move to an apartment near the Gowanus Canal, New York City’s second-largest Superfund site. (I live a few minutes from the largest, Newtown Creek.) Environmental agencies have tested numerous sites in the neighborhood and noted places where contaminants need to be mitigated. “The construction has addressed soil vapor intrusion into the building,” Jan wrote. “We wanted to take precautions with potentially old water pipes leading into the building.” I encouraged him to get the water tested before deciding whether to filter, and a few months later he wrote back. He had done a multi-contaminant at-home test, the kind where you dip test strips and compare them with a color chart. We don’t recommend such tests, because they can be difficult to interpret. Still, Jan’s mind was at ease: He had found elevated iron and copper (from the plumbing itself), as well as sulfates, but nothing of major concern. “It looks good to me, particularly with none of the major scary ones registering, like lead or mercury,” he wrote. This illustrates an important lesson: Proximity to pollution, even to polluted bodies of water, doesn’t mean your drinking water is dangerous. The USGS included a map in [its summary](https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us) of the famous 2023 PFAS study. It’s [worth looking at](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/pfas-select-us-tapwater-locations). The map doesn’t show an even scattering of PFAS sites across the US. It shows vast areas where no forever chemicals were found in the tap water at all. It shows a few regions of the country where, in clusters, multiple forever chemicals were found in the water from individual faucets. Most interestingly, it shows lots of faucets without any PFAS sitting near those with several types. That’s a neat demonstration of how a lot of water pollution works. Something tangible — a factory, or a fuel depot, or a chemical spill — introduces a contaminant to the environment, creating a point source. The contaminant sinks into the soil or gets carried away by rainwater and enters the local aquifer or winds up in a reservoir. When a water utility later taps into the aquifer or reservoir, the contaminant has a new point source: the utility itself. Often, the contaminant is removed during the water-treatment process, but if it isn’t, it flows to every home the utility serves. It doesn’t, however, go to any of the homes served by utilities that get their water from different, unaffected water sources, even those homes that are nearby on the map. That’s a big reason why — even if, in aggregate, half the homes in the US are affected by forever chemicals — the risk isn’t 50-50 for everyone, everywhere. This pollution pathway cuts both ways. The lead crises in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, showed how devastating it can be when an entire community is served by unsafe water. On the other hand, in many US cities with the resources to maintain robust monitoring and treatment, utilities are delivering safe water to hundreds of thousands or even millions of people. Not all water pollution works that way, of course. Sometimes the local geology creates a chronic problem, such as when it contains high levels of naturally occurring arsenic or radon. Older homes with lead pipes or lead-rich solder can become microsites for lead contamination, although many water utilities treat the water with corrosion inhibitors that keep the lead inert. Non-point sources — runoff from city streets, for example — contribute to the spread of low levels of contaminants over wide areas. And microplastics have become [part of the global geology](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724055165), as plastic waste degrades and spreads via air and water to every corner of the planet. But for some of the most infamous contaminants — dioxane, benzene, hexavalent chromium, PCBs, PFAS — it’s often that pathway from the point source to the water supply system that brings problems. ## Know — don’t wonder — what’s in your water Like Jan, reader Graeme got his water tested after I suggested doing that before buying a different, clog-resistant filter. He later sent a quick update: “It came back completely clear. You’ve saved me tons of time and money. NYC water continues to astound …” It does. New York’s water is justifiably famous for its purity, and the city has [gone to extraordinary lengths](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/realestate/nyc-land-catskills-watershed.html) to keep it that way. But it isn’t the only city that can boast such a thing. Consult your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report. Here’s [New York City’s latest](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dep/downloads/pdf/water/drinking-water/drinking-water-supply-quality-report/2024-drinking-water-supply-quality-report.pdf). Here’s [Los Angeles’s report](https://www.ladwp.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/2024_DIGITAL_PUBLICATION_2023_Drinking_Water_Quality_Report_03_Print.pdf). Here are [Chicago’s](https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/water/ConsumerConfidenceReports/2023_WaterQualityReport_CCR.pdf), [Houston’s](https://www.houstonpublicworks.org/sites/g/files/nwywnm456/files/doc/003-2023_water_quality_report_updated.pdf), and [Philadelphia’s](https://water.phila.gov/drops/2023-drinking-water-quality-report/). You can usually find your CCR on your utility’s website; the EPA [can help you find your utility](https://sdwis.epa.gov/ords/safewater/f?p=136:102::::::) if you’re unsure. (CCRs for the prior year are released as late as July 1, so you may find that yours is from two calendar years ago.) A few terms to know: MCLG is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. It isn’t a requirement, but a level that the EPA or a state agency hopes to eventually achieve. MCL is the Maximum Contaminant Level that’s allowed by federal or state law. (And that brings up an important side point: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, states can set water-quality standards that are stricter than the federal ones. Several states were ahead of the EPA on PFAS limits before the Biden administration tightened the federal standards in 2024, for example. That’s worth remembering now that the Trump administration [has rescinded or relaxed](https://apnews.com/article/pfas-forever-chemicals-trump-zeldin-epa-water-a1c15348e9fc42bd22b10d0329b2f321) several of the standards and enforcement deadlines.) THMs are trihalomethanes, and are mainly the by-product of disinfectants that are used to reduce bacteria and other pathogens in the water supply. Almost everybody’s CCR shows their presence at some level. How much is allowed is defined by the MRDL, the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; how much is aimed for is the MRDLG, the Goal. Most other listings are fairly self-explanatory: lead, mercury, and so on. To know even more, use a home water test kit. It will tell you exactly what’s in your water, right where it comes out of your faucet. [We recommend](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home/) several Tap Score kits from SimpleLab, both for their ease of use — they come with prepaid and labeled packaging to help you ship your samples to the lab quickly — and for their clarity. The company explains the test results in plain language, flags anything of concern, and has support staff available to answer any questions you have. ![The SimpleWater Tap Score Advanced City Water Test kit displaying the components of the kit.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/04/water-quality-test-kit-2048px-1301.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570) Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter #### Top pick [![](https://d34mvw1if3ud0g.cloudfront.net/36872/Tap-Score-Advanced-City-Water-Test_20250418-044717_full.jpeg)](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/36872/159425/4/220846?merchant=Amazon) ## [A comprehensive test with clear results](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/36872/159425/4/220846?merchant=Amazon "A comprehensive test with clear results") ### [Tap Score Advanced City Water Test](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/36872/159425/4/220846?merchant=Amazon "Tap Score Advanced City Water Test") This send-away kit delivers lab-tested measurements of more than 100 contaminants, and it explains what they mean and what to do if there’s a problem. [\$269 from Amazon](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/36872/159425/4/220846?merchant=Amazon) [\$290 from Tap Score](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/36872/159355/4/220846?merchant=Tap%20Score) I spoke with SimpleLab founder and CEO Johnny H. Pujol to understand what he has learned from a decade of water testing. He also shared a detailed summary of the data the company has collected. A lot of people ask about PFAS and microplastics, Pujol said, “but the likelihood is that you’re going to spend a ton of money \[on a test kit\], and you may not find something that useful or interesting to your home.” (Testing for PFAS and microplastics requires two Tap Score kits in addition to the Advanced City kit that’s our top pick; they cost between \$300 and \$795.) No PFAS chemicals are among the 10 most common contaminants that SimpleLab finds in either public (“city”) or private well water, according to the data Pujol shared. Two trihalomethanes — specifically chloroform and bromodichloromethane, both by-products of disinfection at the treatment plant — are among the top 10 in public water. Substances that come from the earth itself — zinc, barium, strontium, and sulfates — are in the top 10 in both city and well water. So is copper, leached from pipes in the home. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other trademarked herbicides, shows up so rarely that when it does, Pujol said, “our data science team sends a message out — hey, we found a detection.” And no PFAS are among the top 10 exceedances — instances where the level detected exceeded the company’s in-house health-guidance levels, which are based on EPA and other health-agency benchmarks. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane, all disinfection by-products, are the top three exceedances in public water supplies. Lead and arsenic are numbers four and five. For private wells, they are numbers one and two. In terms of overall public health, Pujol worries that forever chemicals are drawing people’s focus away from where it is needed more urgently. “Here you’ve got a concentration that is almost comically low that gets widespread fear and interest — that’s PFAS,” he said. “Whereas the classics — arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate — they don’t seem to get the attention they deserve, and they’re much more significant.” I didn’t know all of this before I got my water tested, but I knew enough about the US water system, and about my utility’s Consumer Confidence Reports, that I was confident the results would be fine. Still, I got that little fist of nerves. Having been president of my co-op in Queens, I was well aware that lead was likely to be present in the plumbing solder. And in New Jersey, there’s a chrome-plating shop — almost certainly a source of hexavalent chromium and [other nasty stuff](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/gp3-05.pdf) — a block and a half away from my house. Sure, it’s downhill, and sure, my water comes from a reservoir several miles in the other direction, and sure, the CCR showed nothing of concern. But. So it was reassuring to get the results I expected. ## Weighing your options ![A used under-sink water filter, that is dirty and full of grime.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2025/06/NYK-WATER-TEST-KIT-PURIFIER-01559.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570) Tim Heffernan/NYT Wirecutter I hated my pitcher filter long before I knew I didn’t need it. It would clog up any time a bit of rusty water came through the pipes, which, in a 70-year-old building with cast-iron service lines, was often. If you read reviews of pitcher filters — and reader comments on our guide to them — you’ll see the same problem mentioned over and over, by people all over the country. If you do the same for the other filter types we’ve tested, faucet-mount and under-sink filters, you’ll see different common complaints. They’re hard to install. They deliver water slowly. (A kitchen faucet typically delivers 2.2 gallons of water per minute; these filters often cut that to half a gallon.) Replacement filters are expensive. Under-sink filters have a track record of catastrophic failures, [leading to floods](https://amazon.com/product-reviews/B00CHYLXYE/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=YT467576) that have caused thousands of dollars in damage. Faucet filters can be damaged if you accidentally run hot water through them. Reverse-osmosis filters, which we plan to test soon, are expensive and waste a lot of water (the filter needs frequent rinsing, and the rinse water goes right down the drain). Traditional reverse-osmosis systems take up most of the sink cabinet, because they work so slowly that the filtered water has to be stored in a tank. Tankless pumped reverse-osmosis is the hot new approach — but pumps can and do fail, as owner reviews attest. As for [Big Berkey–type countertop dispensers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/big-berkey-water-filter-system/), not only do they tend to lack any kind of certification, but also their ultra-long-life filters are prone to bacterial and algal growth — like anything else that remains submerged for years at a time. For me, such aggravations would be worth tolerating only if I was certain that my water needed filtering. But everybody has their own comfort zone on the risk-versus-certainty scale, so here’s a quick rundown of what our recommended filters can do. - The [Brita Elite](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/21938/119506/4/220847/?merchant=Amazon) pitcher filter is NSF/ANSI-certified for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common forever chemicals; microplastics; lead, mercury, and cadmium; and several so-called emerging compounds that may be found in drinking water, including some pharmaceuticals. It is not certified for trihalomethanes (THMs), but it is likely good at removing them, because it uses activated carbon as one of the filter elements. - The [Pur Plus](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/) faucet filter is certified for lead, mercury, trihalomethanes (THMs), and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emerging compounds. It is also certified for Particulate Class 1, which is a surrogate for microplastics. It is not certified for cadmium, PFOA, or PFOS. - The [Aquasana](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/31959/153032/4/220848/?merchant=Amazon) and [A. O. Smith](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/31960/153078/4/220849/?merchant=Amazon) under-sink filters we recommend are certified for microplastics, lead, mercury, PFOA, PFOS, THMs, VOCs, and emerging compounds. Whether those capabilities are worth the intrinsic headaches and the up-front and ongoing costs of filtration — or worth more than the cost of a water test, at least — is a question that you have to answer for yourself. But I hope I’ve helped you come to your decision feeling a little more sure of the stakes. This article was edited by Jen Gushue and Harry Sawyers. ## Footnotes 1. I’ve changed the name of every person who wrote to me. [Jump back.](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/know-your-water-quality/#fn1-body) ## Meet your guide ![](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2015/06/heffernan_headshot_face_on_3.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=1:1&width=100) Tim Heffernan What I Cover Since I joined Wirecutter in 2015, indoor air and water quality have gone from being somewhat fringe concerns to central worries for many people. First wildfires, then the Flint and Newark lead crises, then COVID-19, and most recently PFAS drove the shift, and it has been a career-defining—and extremely satisfying—challenge to stay on top of the ever-multiplying products used to clean the air and water in homes and to counter the landslides of misinformation and fearmongering that can accompany them. Since 2021 I’ve developed a third beat covering residential solar and other energy-saving technology and techniques. It’s great fun, not just because it’s an extremely complex topic, but also because the best approach for many people is also the simplest and cheapest: weatherizing their homes. Guiding readers toward solutions that don’t involve buying shiny new toys is the most edifying thing I get to do here. ## Further reading - [![A few water pitchers and filters standing alongside several glasses of water.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/11/water-filter-pitcher-2048px-1396-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-filter-pitcher/) ### [The Best Water Filter Pitcher and Dispenser](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-filter-pitcher/) by Tim Heffernan Water filters and pitchers are the simplest, most affordable way to get reliable filtered water at home. - [![Four filtered water bottles along with replacement filters and straws.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/02/filteredwaterbottles-2048px-07898-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-filtered-water-bottles/) ### [The Best Filtered Water Bottles](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-filtered-water-bottles/) by Tim Heffernan You can get cleaner, better-tasting water with a filtered bottle that can travel with you—but other filtered water options may be more convenient overall. - [![Pur Advanced Faucet Water Filtration System attached to a faucet](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2021/03/faucet-filter-2048px-0828-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/) ### [The Best Faucet-Mounted Water Filter](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/) by Tim Heffernan Here are our picks for the best water filter to mount on a kitchen faucet. - [![Four under-sink water filtration systems sitting on a blue background.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/undersinkwaterfilters-lowres-.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&crop=3:2&width=90)](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-sink-water-filter/) ### [The Best Under-Sink Water Filter](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-sink-water-filter/) by Tim Heffernan The Aquasana AQ-5200 is the under-sink water filtration system we recommend. 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Readable Markdown	## Why you should trust me ![A pitcher of clear, filtered water (left) and a measuring cup filled with a rust-rich solution (right) on a kitchen counter.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2022/09/waterfilters-2048px-01496.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570) The LifeStraw-filtered water on the left started as the rusty water on the right. I drank it, and it was delicious. Tim Heffernan/NYT Wirecutter I have been covering water quality for a decade now. I have tested dozens of water filters — [pitcher-type](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-filter-pitcher/), [under-sink](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-sink-water-filter/), and [faucet-mount](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/). I have met with the engineers who designed them, interviewed the people who create and enforce the NSF/ANSI standards for filter certification, and spoken with test-kit manufacturers and certified test labs. I have attended hours of seminars run by experts in water treatment and groundwater remediation. Last year I spent a day at a municipal treatment plant, talking with the executives and engineers in charge of implementing water filtration on an industrial scale. And I have come to three main conclusions. ## Three ways of thinking about filtration 1\. You don’t have to wonder what’s in your water. “We live in north central Florida, where the water is pretty iffy. I know we need a filtration system of some kind,” wrote Wirecutter reader Marian. It’s absolutely true that the groundwater in north central Florida [has problems](https://www.wuft.org/environment/2024-05-20/water-worries-some-north-florida-waterways-go-from-pristine-to-green-due-to-algae). But “in the groundwater” and “coming out of the faucet” are not the same thing. Water utilities are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to bring [nearly 100 contaminants](https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations) — from disease-causing bacteria to pesticides to PFOA and PFOS, the most common forever chemicals — below federal thresholds. Before the treated water goes to anybody’s home, it is tested to confirm that it meets all the requirements, and water utilities are legally required to make the results public in an annual document called a Consumer Confidence Report. If you’re on a public water supply, you can simply look up your CCR; you’ll know what was found in the water, how much of it, and whether any findings exceeded federal and state standards. If you want even more understanding, you can go further and test the tap water that comes out of your faucet. Doing so is not cheap — but it is much more affordable and far less of a hassle than a lifetime of maintaining a filtration system that you may not have needed in the first place. (Because about 15% of the US populace, or 43 million people, [uses water from unregulated private wells](https://www.epa.gov/privatewells#:~:text=Around%2015%20percent%20of%20the,their%20source%20of%20drinking%20water.), we include both utility and well-water test kits in our guide.) 2\. You may not need a water filter. Bad news makes headlines; important details go below the fold. Take that 2023 USGS report, for example: Although 30% of the tap-water samples contained forever chemicals, at least half of the measurements fell below the lowest enforceable limits set in 2024. And results of nationwide monitoring, [released in January 2025](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-08/ucmr5-data-summary_0.pdf), suggest that PFAS contamination in public water supplies is actually much lower: With two-thirds of the monitoring complete, readings of PFAS that exceed EPA limits have been found in just 8% of small public water systems (those that serve fewer than 10,000 people) and 15% of large ones. That is not happy news, per se — it still represents millions of people — but it is far better than nearly half. 3\. There is no perfect water filter. Leaving aside filters’ limited abilities — no filter removes all possible contaminants — every type has practical drawbacks, even those we recommend. And I hear from readers about it. Graeme, in New York City, was having trouble with his Claryum Direct Connect clogging. (“Replacing the filter three times in 90 days” gives you a taste of his frustrations.) Rob in Berlin wrote to me asking about reports of undersink filters causing catastrophic floods when they develop leaks. We point out these and other weaknesses in our guides not only as something for you to know before you choose a specific filter but also because they’re weaknesses inherent to the entire category. [Pitcher](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-filter-pitcher/), [under-sink](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-under-sink-water-filter/), [faucet-mount](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/), whole-home, and reverse-osmosis filters all have at least one “genetic flaw,” be it high cost, limited capability, low flow, inefficiency, unreliability, or expensive upkeep. Often they have more than one. How much more frustrating would those things be if you were to learn that you never needed to use a filter to begin with? I am not arguing against using water filters. They are one of my main focuses at Wirecutter, and all of my reporting goes into making recommendations that our readers can trust. Water quality is also a deeply personal concern, not something for me to adjudicate. I see my job as sharing as much information as I can, in as clear a manner as I can, to help you choose what’s best for you. I stopped filtering my water not despite the fact that I’ve been reporting on water quality for a decade, but because of that experience. It took me that long to understand filtration well enough to be confident in my decision. My hope is that by gathering what I’ve learned here in one place, you will feel more confident in whatever decision you make. ## Water pollution isn’t the same everywhere Jan wrote in worried about an impending move to an apartment near the Gowanus Canal, New York City’s second-largest Superfund site. (I live a few minutes from the largest, Newtown Creek.) Environmental agencies have tested numerous sites in the neighborhood and noted places where contaminants need to be mitigated. “The construction has addressed soil vapor intrusion into the building,” Jan wrote. “We wanted to take precautions with potentially old water pipes leading into the building.” I encouraged him to get the water tested before deciding whether to filter, and a few months later he wrote back. He had done a multi-contaminant at-home test, the kind where you dip test strips and compare them with a color chart. We don’t recommend such tests, because they can be difficult to interpret. Still, Jan’s mind was at ease: He had found elevated iron and copper (from the plumbing itself), as well as sulfates, but nothing of major concern. “It looks good to me, particularly with none of the major scary ones registering, like lead or mercury,” he wrote. This illustrates an important lesson: Proximity to pollution, even to polluted bodies of water, doesn’t mean your drinking water is dangerous. The USGS included a map in [its summary](https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us) of the famous 2023 PFAS study. It’s [worth looking at](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/pfas-select-us-tapwater-locations). The map doesn’t show an even scattering of PFAS sites across the US. It shows vast areas where no forever chemicals were found in the tap water at all. It shows a few regions of the country where, in clusters, multiple forever chemicals were found in the water from individual faucets. Most interestingly, it shows lots of faucets without any PFAS sitting near those with several types. That’s a neat demonstration of how a lot of water pollution works. Something tangible — a factory, or a fuel depot, or a chemical spill — introduces a contaminant to the environment, creating a point source. The contaminant sinks into the soil or gets carried away by rainwater and enters the local aquifer or winds up in a reservoir. When a water utility later taps into the aquifer or reservoir, the contaminant has a new point source: the utility itself. Often, the contaminant is removed during the water-treatment process, but if it isn’t, it flows to every home the utility serves. It doesn’t, however, go to any of the homes served by utilities that get their water from different, unaffected water sources, even those homes that are nearby on the map. That’s a big reason why — even if, in aggregate, half the homes in the US are affected by forever chemicals — the risk isn’t 50-50 for everyone, everywhere. This pollution pathway cuts both ways. The lead crises in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey, showed how devastating it can be when an entire community is served by unsafe water. On the other hand, in many US cities with the resources to maintain robust monitoring and treatment, utilities are delivering safe water to hundreds of thousands or even millions of people. Not all water pollution works that way, of course. Sometimes the local geology creates a chronic problem, such as when it contains high levels of naturally occurring arsenic or radon. Older homes with lead pipes or lead-rich solder can become microsites for lead contamination, although many water utilities treat the water with corrosion inhibitors that keep the lead inert. Non-point sources — runoff from city streets, for example — contribute to the spread of low levels of contaminants over wide areas. And microplastics have become [part of the global geology](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969724055165), as plastic waste degrades and spreads via air and water to every corner of the planet. But for some of the most infamous contaminants — dioxane, benzene, hexavalent chromium, PCBs, PFAS — it’s often that pathway from the point source to the water supply system that brings problems. ## Know — don’t wonder — what’s in your water Like Jan, reader Graeme got his water tested after I suggested doing that before buying a different, clog-resistant filter. He later sent a quick update: “It came back completely clear. You’ve saved me tons of time and money. NYC water continues to astound …” It does. New York’s water is justifiably famous for its purity, and the city has [gone to extraordinary lengths](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/04/realestate/nyc-land-catskills-watershed.html) to keep it that way. But it isn’t the only city that can boast such a thing. Consult your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report. Here’s [New York City’s latest](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dep/downloads/pdf/water/drinking-water/drinking-water-supply-quality-report/2024-drinking-water-supply-quality-report.pdf). Here’s [Los Angeles’s report](https://www.ladwp.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/2024_DIGITAL_PUBLICATION_2023_Drinking_Water_Quality_Report_03_Print.pdf). Here are [Chicago’s](https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/water/ConsumerConfidenceReports/2023_WaterQualityReport_CCR.pdf), [Houston’s](https://www.houstonpublicworks.org/sites/g/files/nwywnm456/files/doc/003-2023_water_quality_report_updated.pdf), and [Philadelphia’s](https://water.phila.gov/drops/2023-drinking-water-quality-report/). You can usually find your CCR on your utility’s website; the EPA [can help you find your utility](https://sdwis.epa.gov/ords/safewater/f?p=136:102::::::) if you’re unsure. (CCRs for the prior year are released as late as July 1, so you may find that yours is from two calendar years ago.) A few terms to know: MCLG is the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. It isn’t a requirement, but a level that the EPA or a state agency hopes to eventually achieve. MCL is the Maximum Contaminant Level that’s allowed by federal or state law. (And that brings up an important side point: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, states can set water-quality standards that are stricter than the federal ones. Several states were ahead of the EPA on PFAS limits before the Biden administration tightened the federal standards in 2024, for example. That’s worth remembering now that the Trump administration [has rescinded or relaxed](https://apnews.com/article/pfas-forever-chemicals-trump-zeldin-epa-water-a1c15348e9fc42bd22b10d0329b2f321) several of the standards and enforcement deadlines.) THMs are trihalomethanes, and are mainly the by-product of disinfectants that are used to reduce bacteria and other pathogens in the water supply. Almost everybody’s CCR shows their presence at some level. How much is allowed is defined by the MRDL, the Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; how much is aimed for is the MRDLG, the Goal. Most other listings are fairly self-explanatory: lead, mercury, and so on. To know even more, use a home water test kit. It will tell you exactly what’s in your water, right where it comes out of your faucet. [We recommend](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-water-quality-test-kit-for-your-home/) several Tap Score kits from SimpleLab, both for their ease of use — they come with prepaid and labeled packaging to help you ship your samples to the lab quickly — and for their clarity. The company explains the test results in plain language, flags anything of concern, and has support staff available to answer any questions you have. ![The SimpleWater Tap Score Advanced City Water Test kit displaying the components of the kit.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/04/water-quality-test-kit-2048px-1301.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570) Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter #### Top pick [![](https://d34mvw1if3ud0g.cloudfront.net/36872/Tap-Score-Advanced-City-Water-Test_20250418-044717_full.jpeg)](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/36872/159425/4/220846?merchant=Amazon) I spoke with SimpleLab founder and CEO Johnny H. Pujol to understand what he has learned from a decade of water testing. He also shared a detailed summary of the data the company has collected. A lot of people ask about PFAS and microplastics, Pujol said, “but the likelihood is that you’re going to spend a ton of money \[on a test kit\], and you may not find something that useful or interesting to your home.” (Testing for PFAS and microplastics requires two Tap Score kits in addition to the Advanced City kit that’s our top pick; they cost between \$300 and \$795.) No PFAS chemicals are among the 10 most common contaminants that SimpleLab finds in either public (“city”) or private well water, according to the data Pujol shared. Two trihalomethanes — specifically chloroform and bromodichloromethane, both by-products of disinfection at the treatment plant — are among the top 10 in public water. Substances that come from the earth itself — zinc, barium, strontium, and sulfates — are in the top 10 in both city and well water. So is copper, leached from pipes in the home. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup and many other trademarked herbicides, shows up so rarely that when it does, Pujol said, “our data science team sends a message out — hey, we found a detection.” And no PFAS are among the top 10 exceedances — instances where the level detected exceeded the company’s in-house health-guidance levels, which are based on EPA and other health-agency benchmarks. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane, all disinfection by-products, are the top three exceedances in public water supplies. Lead and arsenic are numbers four and five. For private wells, they are numbers one and two. In terms of overall public health, Pujol worries that forever chemicals are drawing people’s focus away from where it is needed more urgently. “Here you’ve got a concentration that is almost comically low that gets widespread fear and interest — that’s PFAS,” he said. “Whereas the classics — arsenic, radon, lead, nitrate — they don’t seem to get the attention they deserve, and they’re much more significant.” I didn’t know all of this before I got my water tested, but I knew enough about the US water system, and about my utility’s Consumer Confidence Reports, that I was confident the results would be fine. Still, I got that little fist of nerves. Having been president of my co-op in Queens, I was well aware that lead was likely to be present in the plumbing solder. And in New Jersey, there’s a chrome-plating shop — almost certainly a source of hexavalent chromium and [other nasty stuff](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/gp3-05.pdf) — a block and a half away from my house. Sure, it’s downhill, and sure, my water comes from a reservoir several miles in the other direction, and sure, the CCR showed nothing of concern. But. So it was reassuring to get the results I expected. ## Weighing your options ![A used under-sink water filter, that is dirty and full of grime.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2025/06/NYK-WATER-TEST-KIT-PURIFIER-01559.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570) Tim Heffernan/NYT Wirecutter I hated my pitcher filter long before I knew I didn’t need it. It would clog up any time a bit of rusty water came through the pipes, which, in a 70-year-old building with cast-iron service lines, was often. If you read reviews of pitcher filters — and reader comments on our guide to them — you’ll see the same problem mentioned over and over, by people all over the country. If you do the same for the other filter types we’ve tested, faucet-mount and under-sink filters, you’ll see different common complaints. They’re hard to install. They deliver water slowly. (A kitchen faucet typically delivers 2.2 gallons of water per minute; these filters often cut that to half a gallon.) Replacement filters are expensive. Under-sink filters have a track record of catastrophic failures, [leading to floods](https://amazon.com/product-reviews/B00CHYLXYE/?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=YT467576) that have caused thousands of dollars in damage. Faucet filters can be damaged if you accidentally run hot water through them. Reverse-osmosis filters, which we plan to test soon, are expensive and waste a lot of water (the filter needs frequent rinsing, and the rinse water goes right down the drain). Traditional reverse-osmosis systems take up most of the sink cabinet, because they work so slowly that the filtered water has to be stored in a tank. Tankless pumped reverse-osmosis is the hot new approach — but pumps can and do fail, as owner reviews attest. As for [Big Berkey–type countertop dispensers](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/big-berkey-water-filter-system/), not only do they tend to lack any kind of certification, but also their ultra-long-life filters are prone to bacterial and algal growth — like anything else that remains submerged for years at a time. For me, such aggravations would be worth tolerating only if I was certain that my water needed filtering. But everybody has their own comfort zone on the risk-versus-certainty scale, so here’s a quick rundown of what our recommended filters can do. - The [Brita Elite](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/21938/119506/4/220847/?merchant=Amazon) pitcher filter is NSF/ANSI-certified for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common forever chemicals; microplastics; lead, mercury, and cadmium; and several so-called emerging compounds that may be found in drinking water, including some pharmaceuticals. It is not certified for trihalomethanes (THMs), but it is likely good at removing them, because it uses activated carbon as one of the filter elements. - The [Pur Plus](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-faucet-water-filter/) faucet filter is certified for lead, mercury, trihalomethanes (THMs), and numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emerging compounds. It is also certified for Particulate Class 1, which is a surrogate for microplastics. It is not certified for cadmium, PFOA, or PFOS. - The [Aquasana](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/31959/153032/4/220848/?merchant=Amazon) and [A. O. Smith](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/31960/153078/4/220849/?merchant=Amazon) under-sink filters we recommend are certified for microplastics, lead, mercury, PFOA, PFOS, THMs, VOCs, and emerging compounds. Whether those capabilities are worth the intrinsic headaches and the up-front and ongoing costs of filtration — or worth more than the cost of a water test, at least — is a question that you have to answer for yourself. But I hope I’ve helped you come to your decision feeling a little more sure of the stakes. This article was edited by Jen Gushue and Harry Sawyers. ## Footnotes 1. I’ve changed the name of every person who wrote to me. [Jump back.](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/know-your-water-quality/#fn1-body)
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