Wirecutter’s 5 Most Popular Picks in November 2020

In an unusual—to say the least—year, the usual suspects were back at the top of the Wirecutter charts in November. Humidifiers, air purifiers, and space heaters are an indispensable triumvirate of small appliances this time of year, pandemic or not.

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The Best Knife Sharpener

Sharpening your own knives may seem intimidating, but it’s a cost-effective way to take what could be trash (your dull knives) and turn it into treasure (a brand new set!). Manual and electric knife sharpeners are easier to use than sharpening stones, and the best ones are quick and versatile. After testing 11 sharpeners—and slicing through 10 pounds...

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The Best Wine Glasses

Proper glassware is more than just a flourish for your dining table. The right glass changes how you smell and taste wine, and it should inspire confidence as you swirl, sniff, and sip. With the help of experts, we have blind-tasted wine from nearly 100 glasses since 2014 and think the best everyday choice is the Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate All-Purpose...

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The Best Nespresso Machine (But It’s Not for Everyone)

After making and tasting over 100 espressos, lungos, latte macchiatos, and cappuccinos, we’ve determined that all Nespresso machines make identical drinks. We don’t love the flavor of Nespresso, but for those who prefer espresso drinks to drip coffee, a Nespresso machine is the fastest and most convenient way to make something like them at home—though...

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The Best Humidifier for a Baby

The best humidifier for a baby is the same one that’s best for adults—it just needs to be cleaned more often. Beyond that, a humidifier in the baby’s room should run all night without over-humidifying or needing a 4 a.m. tank refill. The model that meets those needs is the same one we picked in our guide to the best humidifier: the Honeywell HCM-350...

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The Best Label Maker

After more than 20 hours researching 34 label makers and testing the seven most promising models, we found that the Dymo LabelManager 420P is the best one for most people who need to bring a bit more organization to their offices or homes. The Dymo has a large, bright display and an easy-to-navigate interface, and its keyboard is the most comfortable...

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The Best Budget Digital Piano for Beginners

After spending 29 hours researching 21 models and testing seven with a panel of professional and amateur pianists, we think the Casio Privia PX-160 is the best budget digital piano for beginners. It suitably replicates the feel of an acoustic piano and has some of the most realistic sounds we’ve heard in this price category, and its dual headphone outputs...

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Treat Yourself With These 7 Deals

The Wirecutter Deals team scans the virtual aisles of the internet, searching for great discounts on Wirecutter-recommended products so you don’t have to. In our deals blog posts (like this one), we highlight the discounts that we think Wirecutter readers will love. For more deals information, check out our Deals page, follow us on Twitter @WirecutterDeals,...

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The Best Period Underwear

Period underwear, which is meant to absorb menstrual fluid, excels as backup leak protection (especially while you’re sleeping) or as an option for light-flow days. If that’s appealing, you may find it worthwhile to have a few pairs of them in your underwear drawer. After 25 hours of research, plus testing a variety of styles from eight brands, we recommend...

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How to Get Rid of Battery Corrosion

If you’ve owned an electronic device that has replaceable batteries—such as a remote control, a flashlight, a lantern, a wireless mouse, an electric pepper mill, or a child’s toy—you’ve probably had the misfortune of flipping open the battery compartment to find a whitish, crusty mess waiting for you.

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