7 Best Shower Filters of 2026 Are WIRED-Tested and -Approved

Compare Our Top Shower Filter Systems Honorable Mention Shower Filters Photograph: Matthew Korfhage HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter for $599: The HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter (6/10, WIRED Reviewed) is, in some ways, the most intriguing shower filter idea I’ve encountered in the past year: It incorporates a ring of lights, delivering dual red and…

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Need a Splashy Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift? Try This Dessert Box

Everything was at least good, and many treats were downright spectacular—the toffee with rose petals, for instance, and the strawberry cheesecake bark with striations of “crust.” The 10 different-flavored macarons were all fresh, and I appreciated the breadth of truffle varieties, which included key lime, piña colada, and carrot spice, among the traditional chocolate. The…

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How to Choose the Right Vacuum for the Job

These lightweight tools (most weigh under 10 pounds) are much more powerful than they used to be. But their cleaning prowess still can’t match an upright or canister (especially on carpet), so they’re better for targeted tasks. They’re good enough that if you live in a small space with mostly hard-surface floors, a top model…

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Is It Safe to Use a Space Heater in the Bathroom?

For additional protection, look for a space heater equipped with an appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI) plug, says Samantha Ostrander, who oversees CR’s space heater tests. These bulky plugs—similar to those seen on hair dryers—safeguard against differences in current and can also protect against a dangerous electrical shock. Like GFCI outlets, ALCI plugs typically feature…

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AI Agents Are Terrible Freelance Workers

Even the best artificial intelligence agents are fairly hopeless at online freelance work, according to an experiment that challenges the idea of AI replacing office workers en masse. The Remote Labor Index, a new benchmark developed by researchers at data annotation company Scale AI and the Center for AI Safety (CAIS), a nonprofit, measures the…

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Should You Lower Tire Pressure to Gain Traction in Snow?

When it comes to winter driving, most people know the importance of having good tires to provide a sure-footed grip for ice and snow. But a question that often comes up in the winter months is whether lowering the tire pressure can give you even better traction in the snow. Off-roaders and beachgoers sometimes reduce…

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