Jul 15, 2020
We’ve tested the best portable air conditioners for five summers, and we’re confident that the 12,000 BTU Whynter ARC-122DS Elite is the best choice for most people who need a portable air conditioner. A window air conditioner is a better choice if you can make it work, but the Whynter is quiet and cool adequately […]
Jul 14, 2020
We’ve tested window air conditioners and more-convenient portable air conditioners extensively, but many readers ask us if there are any easy-to-install air conditioners that don’t need to vent air out a window. The answer to this question depends on what you consider air conditioning, and it also depends on your climate. When we talk about […]
Jan 11, 2022
We’ve been testing water bottles, travel mugs, and other beverage containers for four years, and the comparison people are always asking about is YETI vs. Hydro Flask. YETI is still very well-known for their insulated tumbler, but we put their newer insulated Rambler water bottle and the popular Hydro Flask through their paces to see […]
Jul 3, 2020
We’ve tested every new revision of the LG since 2015, and compared against four other brands of highly rated portable air conditioners to see which unit is the best performing overall. LG portables have all performed near the top of pretty much every metric, while (luckily) not sitting near the top in cost. 2016 tests […]
Jul 3, 2020
Troubleshooting an appliance can be daunting, but we combed through service manuals and manufacturer troubleshooting guides to compile the following steps will help you find the source of your trouble. We’ve been testing portable air conditioners for five summers, and while we’ve had good luck with the reliability of our test units there are still […]
Jul 3, 2020
If you’re shopping for a window air conditioner, there’s an official standard for efficiency you should understand: the combined energy efficiency ratio, or CEER, which represents the number of BTUs of heat per hour an air conditioner removes for every watt of electricity it consumes. The Department of Energy “Energy Star” rating is given to […]
Jun 30, 2020
While it would be wonderful to live in an alternate reality where we can turn electricity into cold, we’re stuck in a world where we can only directly turn electrical energy into heat. To make a room colder we have to capture heat, then move it outdoors. We do this complex job using two coils […]
Jun 26, 2020
We’ve reviewed the best window air conditioners and the best portable air conditioners over the last four years, and we know it can be tough to see the advantages and disadvantages of each when you’re trying to decide how to cool off a room. All things being equal, a window air conditioner is better than […]
Jun 8, 2020
Figuring out the best temperature to set your air conditioner on is a balancing act. Running your air conditioner more will always use more energy, but with careful planning most houses should be able to stay at 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer heat without using excessive energy or making you feel too hot. Energy […]
Jun 5, 2020
Many people reading our reviews of the best portable and window air conditioners have asked us “What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?” The answer is complex. To choose the size of an air conditioner, you need to know how big your room is, but you’ll also need to know where the heat in your […]
Jun 4, 2020
Learn how to effectively insulate your windows to better sustain ideal temperatures and spend less on your monthly electricity bill!
Jun 4, 2020
We’ve been testing the best portable air conditioners for five years, and we’ve found out all about the versatility and drawbacks of the vent hoses. These AC units are like self-contained heat pumps: They collect heat from a room and send it somewhere else through an exhaust vent. But portable ACs don’t need to vent […]
May 22, 2020
The Winix 5300-2 is our pick for the best air purifier. We bought the more expensive Winix - 5500-2 to see if the upgrades are worth more money.
May 22, 2020
After interviewing experts, technicians and Spectrum representatives, we think the best modem for Spectrum is the Technicolor - E31T2V1 we got from them. But if you can only get an inferior modem, we have a replacement pick.
May 8, 2020
After comparing the best competitors, we've found that manufacturer claims about the Levoit - LV-H132 air purifier are an exaggeration.
Dec 30, 2021
We surveyed 25 men about the books they'd recommend for other men, and after ranking a list of 50 contenders our top pick is Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death."
Dec 30, 2021
After consulting health experts and testing the water from four alkaline water filter pitchers, we don't think any of them are worth buying. Even if you're not buying it for health benefits, the best alkaline water pitcher manufacturer doesn't (or can't) tell you what's in their filters.
Apr 30, 2020
We’ve researched the instruction manuals and maintenance guides for more than a dozen different air conditioners in the course of testing portable air conditioners and window air conditioners. These are the steps you need to take every year to keep your air conditioner working its best. How to clean an air conditioner air filter The first […]
Apr 30, 2020
After months of testing, our choice for best electricity usage monitor is the BN-LINK - BNC-60 Wi-Fi smart plug. It's affordable, reliable, and easy to set up.
Dec 28, 2022
After surveying pen collectors and performing our own writing tests, our pick for the best executive pen is the Montblanc - Meisterstück, the most iconic pen ever made.
Jan 5, 2022
After our tester's family of four ate out of survival kits for a week, the Mountain House - Just in Case 3-day kit tops their list of the best emergency food.
Feb 5, 2020
After comparing eight top-selling beer coolers in an all-day insulation test, we found that the best beer koozie overall is the Thermos - 2700TRI6.
Oct 29, 2020
After testing weight capacity and handling in an obstacle course, we think the best hand truck is the Magliner - HMK119UA4, a full-size model with 10-inch tires.
Dec 31, 2019
We spent a month testing the best ear plugs for sleeping. Mack's - Pillow Soft silicone putty ear plugs form to your ear to give you a perfect seal without any hassle.
Dec 30, 2021
To find the best beef jerky, our testers tried top brands side-by-side in blind tests. then ranked the top ten affordable choices. Lucky Jerky won us over with its simple recipe and chewy texture.
Dec 31, 2019
We got a musician and audio engineer to spend a month testing to find the best earplugs for concerts. Vibes - High Fidelity ear plugs are easy to use and sound great.
Jan 6, 2022
Our team worked with service personnel to find and test the best tactical flashlight. The Klarus - XT11GT gives you instant access to modes you need, and charges with a USB cable.
Mar 14, 2023
After 18 months of testing on mixed surfaces, we tested the top vacuums on hardwood. The best vacuum for hardwood floors is the Shark - Apex, with its revolutionary soft roller.
Oct 31, 2019
After comparing the offerings of top razor manufacturers and 12 wet shaving supply shops, we tested the best shaving kits for men. The Oneblade - Core is the best luxury shave set overall.
Oct 31, 2019
After researching and testing top-selling options, we don't recommend shower filters for most homes. If you're extremely sensitive, though, the AquaBliss - SF100 is the best shower filter for chlorine.
Nov 25, 2019
After testing the accuracy and reliability of nine different models, we think the unique sensor and excellent price of the Franklin Sensors - T6 make it the best stud finder.
Jun 16, 2023
We tested six new top-rated distance meters against our long-term test model, and the Bosch - GLM 50C is our pick for the best laser measuring tool.
Mar 8, 2023
After months of research and testing top designs for power, handling and dust control, we chose the Kenmore - Elite as the best canister vacuum. The unique multi-mode floor head switches quickly between carpets and bare floors, and the power and dust control are competitive with vacuums that are double or triple the price.
Sep 11, 2019
After testing four top-ranked options, the Brita - BB10 won our pick as the best filtered water bottle for safe-to-drink city water.
Sep 10, 2019
We tested ten of the best drywall anchors and found that the E-Z Ancor - Toggle Anchor is ideal for mounting decor without a stud for support.
Mar 14, 2023
We researched and tested the best garage shelving racks from major retailers and found that the Gladiator - Heavy Duty Wire Rack is the best way to organize your garage.