How much should you spend on a massage gun?
One massage gun is $21.99 and another is $429.99. Here is which specs matter for how you will use it, and which ones you can pass on.
Before you buy a streaming device for your TV, read this
A plain guide to Roku, Amazon, Google and Apple streamers, which kind fits your TV, which features matter and what each price level gets you.
How much should you spend on a carry-on suitcase
Size matters more than price, and a few features are worth paying for. Here is what each price level gets you, and what you can pass on.
How much should you spend on a hair straightener
A basic flat iron can do the everyday job, and the pricier ones mostly pay off for specific hair and habits. Here is what each price level buys.
Top Stories
What To Buy
How much should you spend on a massage gun?
One massage gun is $21.99 and another is $429.99. Here is which specs matter for how you will use it, and which ones you can pass on.
Before you buy a streaming device for your TV, read this
A plain guide to Roku, Amazon, Google and Apple streamers, which kind fits your TV, which features matter and what each price level gets you.
How much should you spend on a carry-on suitcase
Size matters more than price, and a few features are worth paying for. Here is what each price level gets you, and what you can pass on.
How much should you spend on a hair straightener
A basic flat iron can do the everyday job, and the pricier ones mostly pay off for specific hair and habits. Here is what each price level buys.
How much should you spend on an automatic pet feeder?
A plain guide to what a basic feeder does, which upgrades earn their price, and what to spend for your pet and your time away.
Home & Outdoor
How much should you spend on outdoor Christmas lights?
A plain guide to the kinds of outdoor Christmas lights, the features that matter, what you can skip and what each price level gets you.
How much stand mixer do you need for home baking?
Tilt-head or bowl-lift, bowl size, motor power and attachments, plus what each price level gets you and which extras you can pass on.
How much should you spend on a cordless stick vacuum?
Runtime, a swappable battery, floor heads and suction modes, sorted into what earns its price and what you can pass on, with typical costs.
What to check before you buy an electric space heater
A heating-season guide to how portable electric heaters work, which features to check, how to work out running cost, and the recall, warranty and return protections you have.
Food & Recipes
How much should you spend on an automatic pet feeder?
A plain guide to what a basic feeder does, which upgrades earn their price, and what to spend for your pet and your time away.
How much stand mixer do you need for home baking?
Tilt-head or bowl-lift, bowl size, motor power and attachments, plus what each price level gets you and which extras you can pass on.
How to judge an air fryer before you buy one
A guide to how an air fryer works, which specs matter, what it costs to run, and which recall, warranty and return rights protect you. No picks, no ratings.
Holidays & Gatherings
How much should you spend on outdoor Christmas lights?
A plain guide to the kinds of outdoor Christmas lights, the features that matter, what you can skip and what each price level gets you.
Before you buy an artificial Christmas tree, check the labels and lights
How to read fire-resistance labels, light listings, cost per season and warranty and recall rules, using regulator sources and no product picks.
Entertainment & Pop Culture
Before you buy a streaming device for your TV, read this
A plain guide to Roku, Amazon, Google and Apple streamers, which kind fits your TV, which features matter and what each price level gets you.
What to check before you buy a TV on a holiday sale
A TV buying guide on which specs are marketing, what a set costs to run, and what warranty, return, privacy and recall rules protect.
Family & Relationships
How much should you spend on an automatic pet feeder?
A plain guide to what a basic feeder does, which upgrades earn their price, and what to spend for your pet and your time away.
Before you buy a pet camera, check who else can see it
A pet camera is a live video device in your home. Here is how to check its security, add up its plan costs, and use the warranty, return and recall protections before you pay.
Health
How much should you spend on a massage gun?
One massage gun is $21.99 and another is $429.99. Here is which specs matter for how you will use it, and which ones you can pass on.
How to read a fitness tracker's health claims and privacy terms
A fitness tracker's health numbers may not be medically validated, and it collects your health data. Here is how to check claims, privacy, ownership cost and recalls yourself.
Beauty & Personal Care
How much should you spend on a hair straightener
A basic flat iron can do the everyday job, and the pricier ones mostly pay off for specific hair and habits. Here is what each price level buys.
Before you buy a hair dryer, check the plug first
A hair dryer is simple inside, so there are only a few useful checks, like the shock-protection plug, the printed specs, the true cost, the warranty and the recall record.
Travel
How much should you spend on a carry-on suitcase
Size matters more than price, and a few features are worth paying for. Here is what each price level gets you, and what you can pass on.
How to check a power bank before you fly
Read the capacity label, check TSA's carry-on rules, search CPSC recalls and know what the FTC says about warranties, so you can judge any power bank yourself.
Buy Better. Spend Less.
A star rating tells you how somebody felt. It doesn't tell you what you're buying. Every guide trades opinions for plain facts: which kind fits you, which features matter, which upgrades are worth it, what you can skip and what each price gets you.
Why no star ratingsHow Every Guide Works
Three answers for every kind of product, in plain words.
Which kind fits you.
The main types, who each one suits, and the features to look for on any of them.
What's worth paying for.
Which upgrades make a real difference and who they're worth it for, plus what you can skip and still get the same everyday use.
What each price gets you.
Typical prices at each level, starting with what a basic one does and what it costs.
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