If you love cold drinks, a countertop ice maker might make your day. These machines tend to be more alike than different. But whether you want to chill a tumbler of lemonade, fill a cocktail shaker, or ice enough drinks for a party, the straight-forward Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 and the compact Igloo IGLICEBSC26 do the job well.If you prefer...

If you share a bed with a light sleeper, a reading light can mean the difference between enjoying an old-fashioned paper book and succumbing to the distraction of your phone or other digital device.We set out to find lights bright enough to read by and easy to use with a variety of books.After testing 13 lights, we recommend the Glocusent...

I go through a lot of toothpaste. I take oral hygiene really seriously, often brushing my teeth three times a day. That means I go through a lot of plastic tubes, which can’t be recycled. This does not make me feel good at a time when the world is drowning in a literal sea of single-use plastic.Toothpaste tablets, which are toothpaste...

In the classic hierarchy of human needs—you know, food, shelter, safety, broadband internet—a washing machine with smart features doesn’t rate.When I bought my LG WM3600HWA, a precursor to the LG WM4000H, our current pick, I didn’t even notice it had smart features. (At the risk of self-incrimination, I’m a smart-home editor.) After all,...

If Father’s Day somehow snuck up on you (June 16, this year), don’t worry. We have dozens of gift ideas that say, “I’m a thoughtful person who didn’t wait until the last second to buy something.” Whether your dad is a film buff, cocktail enthusiast, or outdoorsman, you can get something great that can be packed, shipped, and delivered...

If you’re seeking a bike for your daily commute and your weekend exercise, a fitness hybrid—that is, a road bike with flat handlebars—may be the right choice.Over the past seven years, we’ve spent 60 hours sifting through nearly 75 options, test-ridden more than a dozen bikes, and concluded that the Marin Fairfax 1 is the best hybrid for...