Quietest Window Air Conditioners

One is the U-shaped design, which allows you to open and close your window with the unit installed and puts a pane of glass between you and the compressor. Inverted U-shaped models drape over the sill like a towel, creating a similar effect. A wall is simply better at blocking noise than the lightweight panels…

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How Not to Ruin Your Nonstick Pan

So, what extra care does your nonstick pan need? We interviewed manufacturers and consulted experts from our labs to determine what you should do to ensure that your pan’s coating remains safe to use and turns out flawless fried eggs for years to come. 1. Avoid metal utensils. Metal can scrape or otherwise mar the…

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Which Apple Watch Should You Buy?

Do you need cellular? All Apple Watch Series and SE models can be purchased with Bluetooth connectivity alone. Adding cellular capacity raises the sticker price by about $100, plus the roughly $10-per-month fee for a wireless plan. The Ultra models can be purchased only with cellular capacity, but you don’t have to activate it. Most…

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How Much Melatonin Should You Be Taking? (2026)

Two things I always watch for with supplements, even with guidance from my doctor: Does it have a CGMP certification, and is there any data to back up the marketing claims? CGMP stands for “Current Good Manufacturing Process,” which are FDA guidelines put in place for a product’s safety. This includes where and how it…

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How to Minimize Mold in Your Washing Machine

First, we tested the Whirlpool WFW5720RR for performance and found the washer to be excellent at cleaning clothes. After we removed the load, we monitored the humidity inside the drum. We then ran the Dry Drum cycle (which runs a fan and periodically tumbles the drum for four hours) and recorded the humidity again. After…

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Best Free Streaming Video Services

There are dozens of free ad-supported alternatives to paid streaming services. In fact, most smart TVs either offer their own free services or access to ones on this list directly from the set. Here are some more options to consider: CNN Originals, a free ad-supported service from CNN, is now available. Initial titles “Amanpour: Sex…

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How to Get That Gross Mildew Smell Out of Your Laundry

Rich Handel, CR’s laundry expert, offered several suggestions for remedying my stinky laundry. His first recommendation was to leave it in the washer and just run another wash cycle on the load. This should work if you haven’t dried the load because Handel says the dryer can lock the smell in. Unfortunately, I had already…

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16 Best Heat Protectant Sprays for Wet and Dry Hair (2026)

Honorable Mentions Photograph: Kat Merck Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I love Sutra’s IR2 hair straightener, so I had high hopes. This thick and almost fragrance-free cream is meant to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce drying time, but my hair felt dried out after use. Mane Temp Check for $26:…

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