Tune In to the Healing Powers of a Decent Playlist

Beliefs and practices about music’s ability to heal the mind, body, and spirit date back to the Upper Paleolithic period, about 20,000 years ago. Music was widely used by shamans and other healers to treat a variety of ailments, from mental disorders to injuries and illness. Only recently have we separated healing and music; we…

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Best Smartphones of 2024

But even the most rudimentary models represent a leap in technology from a decade ago. And that means you don’t have to buy the No. 1-rated phone to get a great product. All but 15 of the 78 models currently in CR’s ratings perform well enough in our lab tests to earn our recommendation. The…

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15 Best Black Friday Toy Deals (2024): Lego and Board Games

For Black Friday this year, I decided to try something different. Instead of wading solo through the sea of dubious toys, gadgets, and gizmos that go on sale, I called on Mallory Kennedy, a pediatric occupational therapist and owner of Portland, Oregon-based The Sensory Nest. Together, we looked at the list of the most popular…

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We’re Tracking the Best Black Friday Deals Live 2024

Finally, it’s here. The biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, has begun. Sure, there was a full month of deals dripping out but as I gaze out upon the coating of pure, fresh, light Ohio snow from my childhood bedroom I can’t help but feel there’s just something special about the actual Black…

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Best Compact Vacuums for Small Apartments

“If you live in an apartment with all hard-surface flooring, you could get one of the stick vacuums that are very compact,” says John Galeotafiore, who oversees CR’s vacuum testing.  “If you have a lot of carpeting, then you’re going to need a vacuum that can deep clean, but you could get by with a…

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Ditch Your Screens to End the Global Friendship Recession

In a cozy café in Amsterdam, with plush sofas and warm lighting, a group of people sit around talking, laughing, and playing board games. But something noticeable is missing. There is not a single phone in sight. It’s one of a regular series of community events held by the burgeoning Offline Club, where members pay…

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Save 50% with Nomad Coupon in November 2024

At WIRED, we recommend a bunch of Nomad accessories for a variety of gadgets, such as your smartphone, tablet, earbuds, and smartwatch. But it can get expensive—it’s the price you pay for luxury. If you’ve been holding out for a sale, you’re in luck. The company is currently offering discounts on a variety of items,…

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Best Smartwatches of 2024, Tested by Our Experts

That’s why CR’s overall scores reflect a watch’s health-related capabilities. These include the ability to track sleep, stress, and markers of cardiac health—both basic heart rate monitoring and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings. Some watches also act as insightful training partners, logging detailed workout stats and helping you improve your performance over time. Any health- or fitness-related…

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Best Massage Guns of 2024

We evaluated 13 percussive massagers made by Ekrin, Hyperice, Renpho, Therabody, and Toloco, ranging in price from $50 to $500, with various handle styles, weights, and features. For more general info on massage guns, check our buying guide. For our evaluation, we looked at the handle ergonomics of each device, how much stress it would…

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