Spend less. Still get the good one.

A white wall charger and a charging cable on a desk

Under $25

How to buy a safe phone charger and cable for under $25

What to check on a phone charger and cable before you buy, so you get fast, safe charging for under $25 without paying extra for a brand name.

Manon LambertNov 7, 20263 min read

Under $25

Power strip vs surge protector: which one do you need

Hamza IdrissiNov 3, 20262 min read

A white power strip with several plugs on a floor behind a desk

Under $25

LED vs incandescent bulbs: which costs less over time

Hamza IdrissiOct 28, 20264 min read

A warm white LED bulb in a table lamp on a bedside table

Editors' picks

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Topic

Under $50

A neat stack of folded white cotton bed sheets on a wooden shelf

Bed sheets under $50: how to pick a set that lasts

How to buy bed sheets under $50 that feel good and last: what thread count really means, which fabrics suit you, and the signs of a bad set.

Hamza IdrissiNov 6, 20265 min read

Checking how a shoe flexes at the ball of the foot

Everyday shoes under $50: what you get and what you do not

What a pair of everyday shoes under $50 can do well, how to check fit and the sole, and which signs say the pair will fall apart within a month.

Hamza IdrissiNov 4, 20263 min read

A pair of black over-ear wired headphones on a wooden desk

Headphones under $50: wired, wireless or earbuds

Headphones under $50 can sound good if you pick the right type. Here is when wired beats wireless, what to check, and what cheap models skimp on.

Hamza IdrissiOct 30, 20266 min read

How to pick a watch under $50 that lasts

What a watch under $50 can do well, which water-resistance ratings to trust, and how to tell a good cheap watch from a bad one before you buy.

Hamza IdrissiOct 29, 20263 min read

Topic

Under $100

A work backpack under $100: six checks before you buy

How to pick a work or school backpack under $100, from laptop fit to zips and straps, with a cost-per-day check so you know it is worth the price.

Manon LambertNov 5, 20263 min read

A pair of black slip-resistant work shoes on a tiled floor

Shoes for standing all day under $100: what to look for

Shoes for standing all day under $100: how to check cushioning, fit and the sole, plus when an insole is cheaper than new shoes. General advice only.

Manon LambertNov 4, 20266 min read

Carry-on luggage under $100: what to check before you buy

How to choose a carry-on under $100, soft shell versus hard shell, the airline size rules to check, and the warning signs of weak luggage.

Hamza IdrissiNov 3, 20263 min read

A bed with a thick mattress topper and white sheets in a bright room

Mattress topper under $100: will it fix a bad bed

Will a mattress topper under $100 fix a bad bed? It can soften a firm mattress, but it cannot fix a sagging one. Here is how to tell and what to buy.

Hamza IdrissiNov 1, 20264 min read

Topic

Beauty and skin

Several skincare bottles and tubes lined up on a bathroom counter

Beauty and skin

Drugstore vs expensive skincare: where the extra money goes

Drugstore vs expensive skincare: a cheaper cleanser, moisturizer or sunscreen often does the same job. Here is where a higher price is worth paying.

Manon LambertNov 7, 20264 min read

Beauty and skin

Cheap sunscreen that works: what to look for on the label

Hamza IdrissiNov 6, 20263 min read

Two bottles of sunscreen on a beach towel

Beauty and skin

A basic skincare routine for under $50

Hamza IdrissiNov 1, 20262 min read

Three plain skincare bottles on a bathroom shelf

Topic

Home and kitchen

Three pans beat a 12-piece cookware set

Why buying three good pans one at a time usually beats a big cookware set, with a simple comparison of stainless, nonstick and cast iron.

Manon LambertNov 8, 20263 min read

A countertop blender filled with a fruit smoothie

Cheap blender: what to check before you buy one

Buying a cheap blender? Check the motor, jar material and blade design first. Here is what a budget blender can and cannot do, and when to skip it.

Manon LambertNov 8, 20263 min read

A chef's knife resting on a wooden cutting board next to chopped vegetables

Cheap vs expensive kitchen knife: what the extra money buys

Cheap vs expensive kitchen knife: a mid-price chef's knife and a honing steel beat a pricey set for most home cooks. Here is where the money matters.

Manon LambertNov 5, 20264 min read

A chef knife, tongs and a thermometer on a wooden kitchen counter