Dyson cordless stick vacuums have become something of a status symbol, with new machines being unleashed almost as frequently as iPhones. But true innovations and improvements are rare. (Finally ditching the much-hated trigger-style control for a button was a change that actually mattered, albeit an industry standard on even the cheapest sticks.) We’ve tested numerous Dyson stick vacs over the years, and we recommend them for their excellent combination of power, agility, and fun and useful features. The best Dyson cordless stick vacs—like our pick, the V12 Detect Slim—make cleaning almost a ..read more

I don’t have a workspace in my basement or a garage where I tinker or fix things. I’ve rarely handled a drill and have no idea what to do with a hex wrench. As far as I know, a stud finder is a matchmaking option on the latest dating app. What I’m saying is, I’m not what you would call a shop person—with one big exception. I love my shop vac. Dismiss ..read more

Washer-dryer combos are far from perfect. These all-in-one machines are limited to smaller-size loads, and they dry slowly. They also require more-frequent maintenance than their full-size or compact counterparts. We typically recommend considering a washer-dryer combo only if space or layout constraints give you no other choice. But the GE Profile UltraFast Combo washer-dryer, which recently debuted, is a snazzy, feature-rich all-in-one machine that promises to quickly deliver clean, dry laundry in one step. According to GE Appliances, a washer-dryer combo shouldn’t be a compromise but rathe ..read more

If you need a second fridge to stash your grocery overflow or the extra zucchini from your garden, a garage-ready refrigerator is worth considering. Designed to function within a broad range of ambient temperatures, this type of fridge can be kept in a garage, basement, guest house, vacation home, or even your primary kitchen. Garage-ready models are also ideal starter fridges, since they’re priced about the same as traditional top-freezer models. So this is a nice yet affordable appliance that you can relocate when you renovate or move—or when you spring for the fancy fridge of your dreams ..read more

Humidifiers suck. What they do is wonderful. But the machines themselves are almost always terrible in some distinct way. Evaporative humidifiers are loud and regularly require replacement wicks. Ultrasonic models are quieter, and usually more low-maintenance, but they also tend to over-humidify the room. And all of them require constant cleaning, lest they become a health hazard. Dismiss ..read more

I wasn’t always an ice snob. In fact, I rarely thought about the quality of the ice in my freezer—as long as it was frozen, it was good enough for me and the afternoon glass of Coke Zero that would get me through the rest of the day. But then one day, I poured my emotional-support soda over a glass of clear ice chips, and as I sipped on a crisp, effervescent beverage that stayed bubbly until the last drop, I realized that the type of ice you use makes a difference, especially if you like fizzy beverages. Dismiss ..read more

No matter how much I’ve cleaned the day before, I wake up to fur dancing in the morning light. I share my home with two rabbits and three cats, and keeping pet hair at bay can be a uniquely demanding task. If you know what I’m talking about, you may be in the same boat. (Noah’s Ark, that is.) After testing dozens of vacuums, we have six models to recommend that effectively and efficiently tackle pet fur. Dismiss ..read more

If you were going to design the ultimate destination for vacuum enthusiasts, it would probably look a lot like Mid Missouri Vacuum, a store and repair service that doubles as a vacuum museum. Each Saturday, visitors can tour the museum and gape at more than 600 colorful vacuum cleaners from the last 150 years. The oldest, from 1879, is charmingly named Little Witch. But as is the habit of witches, it didn’t hang around for long. Mid Missouri Vacuum is also the location of the annual Vacuum Cleaner Collectors Club Convention, where dozens of vacuum enthusiasts gather each year to test, compete ..read more

Side-by-side refrigerators elicit strong feelings: Some owners love them, others dislike them intensely. A French-door refrigerator is more versatile for most households, but we’ve found some situations where the long, lean layout of a side-by-side really shines. Side-by-sides are great for narrow kitchens or tight nooks where it's harder to open a full-size fridge door. These models also have particularly well-organized freezer compartments that run the entire length of the fridge—ideal for frozen-food fans who buy (or cook) in bulk, and especially handy if you have trouble reaching high or ..read more

The best thing about an oscillating fan is that one glorious moment when it finally blows a cool waft of air right in your direction. But the brief breeze ends almost as soon as it began, leaving you waiting for that fleeting relief from the heat to cycle back around again. That’s not the case with the Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator (or anything that uses a Vornado fan, for that matter). That’s because it doesn’t oscillate at all. Instead, the 630 circulates the air, creating a uniform breeze throughout the entire room. Dismiss ..read more