There are a lot of great soundbars out there, and we don’t have room to feature them all. Here are some others you might want to consider.
Samsung HW-Q800C for $598: If Samsung’s HW-Q990C everything bar is too rich for your blood, the two-piece HW-Q800C (WIRED Recommends, 8/10) could be a good compromise. This bar offers a similar sound signature as Samsung’s flagship bars many of the same features, packed into a smaller bar-and-subwoofer combo for a notable discount–especially since it’s now almost always on sale.
Sennheiser Ambeo Mini for $700: This pint-sized luxury bar is great for those with money to burn in very small spaces. Sennheiser’s built-in Ambeo virtualization technology brilliantly throws sound all around you for exhilarating TV and movies, and offers advanced features like support for Google Assistant and Alexa.
Sony HT-X8500 for $300: Sony’s HT-X8500 is getting harder to find, but it’s still one of our favorite options for those after a single bar with solid bass response and expansive sound, including decent Dolby Atmos virtualization. While it’s pricier than our top bar, it’s a great alternative for those after a bit more, and worth considering while it’s still available.
Roku Streambar for $130: If you’re after a soundbar that doubles as a great streaming device, WIRED senior editor Adrienne So swears by the Roku Streambar. After she spent years without one she was so impressed that she shouted it from the rooftops. Setup is easy, and because it includes Roku’s simple streaming interface you can stream movies and shows at up to 4K HDR from just about every streaming service. You can also add a Roku subwoofer or surround-sound speakers down the line. We encourage getting a sub.
Vizio Elevate M-Series for $500: If you want full-featured Dolby Atmos and you like a bit of flair, Vizio’s second Elevate bar is worth considering. Drivers pop out of the side and aim toward your ceiling when Atmos content is playing, giving it a nifty party trick to show your pals. Sound quality is solid too, and we like the compact design and easy setup. However, you will have to route some speaker cables for the rear surrounds.
The Yamaha SR-C30A for $276: This model SR-C30A soundbar looks very similar indeed to the SR-C20A, and that’s because they’re the same thing where dimensions, specification, and sound quality are all concerned. The difference is that the SR-C30A ships with a compact (335 x 160 x 364mm) wireless subwoofer for some authentic Hollywood-style rumble and punch. —Simon Lucas
Sennheiser Ambeo Plus for $1,200: Given the price and the physical dimensions of the soundbar—which doesn’t even include a subwoofer—the Ambeo Plus might look like a poor deal. But thanks to its 400 watts of power and its nine carefully developed and even more carefully positioned speaker drivers, this Sennheiser is capable of big, enveloping sound with a strong suggestion of the sonic height that Dolby Atmos soundtracks thrive on. By way of an encore, it turns out to be a hugely capable wireless speaker when you want to listen to some music, too. —Simon Lucas
The Polk React for $269: This soundbar works if you want to get surround sound eventually but don’t have the cash right now. The Alexa-enabled soundbar is fine on its own, with surround speakers and subwoofers available from Polk if you want to upgrade.
The Vizio Elevate P-Series for $700: This is an awesome-looking soundbar with side speakers that swivel skyward when you’re watching content with object-based audio. It’s a nice-sounding bar, and that gimmick is neat, but there are better options for under $1,000.
Laptops are everything, but they’re terrible for ergonomics … unless you own a laptop stand. Whether you’re working from home, pulling an all-nighter on a big project, or binge-watching Love Is Blind, you’re unfortunately setting yourself up for back, neck, and wrist strain. For optimal comfort, the top of your screen should be just above eye level, and your keyboard just below elbow height—an arrangement you’re never going to get with a laptop computer sitting flat on your desk. A second monitor would be the ideal solution because it offers more screen real estate and adjustable height. But not everyone has the budget or room for an entire desktop setup.
What to Look For In a Laptop Stand
When shopping for a laptop stand, think about how and where you’ll use it, and how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s what you need to consider:
Do you need portability? If you commute or like to work from a coffee shop, opt for a foldable laptop stand that fits in your bag. Some models even double as cases, like Moft’s Carry Sleeve.
Material preferences? Laptop stands come in a variety of materials—aluminum, steel, plastic, etc. Aluminum models are generally lightweight and excellent for heat dissipation. Steel stands are sturdier but heavier, and plastic tends to be more affordable but also wobblier. If aesthetics matter, some wooden models like Grovemade’s Walnut Stand add a bit more warmth and polish to your space.
How adjustable? Everyone’s workspace is different, and everybody is different, so most people benefit from an adjustable stand that lets you tweak your setup. If you’re using a sit-stand desk, you’ll want a stand that accommodates both modes. Some stands can even act as sit-stand desk converters, so you don’t have to purchase a new stand-up desk.
Do you use an external keyboard and mouse? If not, go for a sturdier stand. Portable laptop stands tend to be lightweight and wobbly if you’re typing directly on the laptop. Note: The right keyboard and gaming mouse can prevent muscle strain. (You don’t need to be a gamer to use a gaming mouse!)
Extra features? Some stands come with extras like built-in cable management and compartments for storage. Be ready to spend a little more, though.
A laptop stand is a more affordable and adaptable alternative, especially if you’re like me and move around between different workspaces. Beyond improving your posture, the right laptop stand also helps with productivity and performance. It helps your device run cooler by boosting airflow and dissipating heat; it’s a small upgrade, but it makes a huge difference, especially if you’re running demanding programs or gaming for hours on end.
Need more gear for your home office? Read our guide to Everything You Need to Work From Home Like a Pro.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Every month seems to bring new sets of earbuds with longer battery life and more compact designs. As such, we can’t list everything we like. But if you’re still hunting, here are some other recommendations.
Sony Linkbuds Fit for $200: Sony’s Linkbuds Fit offer rich and punchy sound, naturalistic transparency mode, and a light and comfy fit, helping them live up to their intent as a “wear anywhere” solution. They provide some solid features, but skimp on battery life with just 5.5 hours per charge and their noise canceling is just OK. Their reliance on flimsy silicone sleeves and oddly unresponsive touch controls further diminishes their value, but they’re still Sony buds and could be worth nabbing on sale.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro for $100-200: The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are getting older, but they’re still among the best buds to pair with a Samsung phone. They don’t have the multi-device connectivity of our top pick for Android users, and their five-hour battery is looking pretty short these days, but they provide excellent sound quality, IPX7 waterproofing, and a distinctive design that doesn’t just ape the AirPods Pro. That makes them well worth considering on sale.
Pixel Buds A Series for $99: These used to be our top pick for most people, but they’re now overshadowed by other affordable options that also include things like noise canceling. If you can find a pair on sale, they’re still worth snagging, especially if you have an Android phone.
Oneplus Nord Buds 3 Pro for $150: These comfortable, lightweight earbuds have multipoint pairing, which makes them great for folks who like to work with a laptop and cell phone at the same time (7/10, WIRED Recommends). We didn’t like their control layout and thought that noise canceling was just OK. Also, they’re just another pair of AirPods clones, design-wise.
Soundpeats Air4 for $80: Soundpeats’ Air4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) may be obvious AirPods Pro knockoffs, but they’re very good knockoffs for the money. You won’t get top-flight performance, let alone Apple exclusives like Find My support or iCloud sharing, but you will get good sound and features, including decent noise canceling, at a massive discount. While these aren’t a top choice, they’re a great budget buy, especially on sale.
Montblanc MTB 03 for $395: These earbuds are priced out of reach for most buyers, but if you’ve got the cash, you’ll be rewarded with a luxury experience worthy of the brand. Montblanc has called in some heavy hitters from the audio industry to design and voice these buds. The result is a small, comfortable, and quite flashy-looking pair of wireless earbuds that sound really impressive.
Apple/Beats Powerbeats Pro for $180: Apple’s beefy Powerbeats Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) provide a super-secure fit, sound far better than Apple’s standard AirPods or Beats pairs before them, and squeeze an impressive nine hours of life out of a charge. They’re getting long in the tooth and forego now-standard extras like transparency mode and ANC, but could still be worth consideration for those after a seriously stable fit.
Raycon Everyday Earbuds for $80: These YouTuber-beloved earbuds are actually a decent cheap pair (7/10, WIRED Review). They are small and light, and they come with an IPX6 rating, which makes them great for workouts.
Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport for $299: The Sport are a great option that come with active noise canceling and a striking design, but the high price keeps them out of the reach of most people.
There’s no such thing as the best mattress for everyone. Not when there are so many different sleeping positions. However, most people are side sleepers. The numbers vary by study and how rigidly you define a side sleeper, but between half and three-quarters of people sleep on their side for at least part of the night.
I am one of those side sleepers, and I’ve tested and reviewed more than three dozen beds from various mattress brands over the past 18 months to find one that suits my needs. Firm mattresses are nice for back sleepers, but side and stomach sleepers may typically prefer a softer bed with some give for hips and knees. Before I started testing mattresses for WIRED, I would’ve told you the softer the bed the better. But, as I’ve sampled more styles and religiously tracked my sleep on my Apple Watch, I’ve found that the best mattresses for side sleepers offer both cushion and support. The top recommendations below have enough give to let your hips sink in for a natural spinal alignment without making you feel like rolling over is an uphill battle. Everything I recommend was put through at least a week of real-life testing in my home. I have provided my own ratings for the firmness of each mattress I tested based on how soft they felt after a week of testing—since I only tested one of variant of each mattress you can approximate what a different firmness lever will be like when ordering. All of the prices shown are for queen-size models.
Be sure to check out our other sleep guides, including the Best Mattresses, Best Organic Mattresses, Best Cooling Mattresses, and our new guide to the Best Body Pillows for Side Sleepers.
Updated October 2024: We’ve added the updated version of the all-foam Nectar Premier as our pick for people looking for a soft mattress and the Helix Midnight Luxe with GlacioTex and ErgoAlign as the best pick for spinal alignment.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Is sleeping on your side good for you?
If you’ve ever tried to consciously change your sleeping position (maybe because of a medical procedure or odd bed) you probably know it’s tough to fight your natural inclinations. The good news for side sleepers is the broad consensus among experts is that it’s at least as good as any other option.
Sleep experts at Houston Methodist say side sleeping has “the least negative impact on health.” Which is great! The only things worse for you than sleeping on your side are not sleeping enough or sleeping in any other position!
I have always envied back sleepers but sleeping on your back is the “worst position” according to the Mayo Clinic, which calls side sleeping “a good way to sleep.”
What type of mattress is best for side sleepers, hybrid or memory foam?
We prefer hybrids for side sleepers. Given that you’re putting more weight on a smaller surface area you might think that memory foam is nicer than a hybrid mattress that has a layer of springs (often called coils). On memory foam, you sink into a fluffy little cloud and get support on the sides.
The problem is that when you’re sleeping well and not moving much, over the course of a night, that foam will slowly but surely compress under you. If it’s just one layer of foam, after a while it will feel like you’re sleeping on a yoga mat. That’s why mattresses with multiple comfort layers of foam of various weights are better, and why we like hybrids better yet. That layer of springs means the foam doesn’t compact nearly as much in my experience.
A good hybrid gives you a chance to sleep for a solid six hours without needing to change position, which isn’t necessarily the case for me on an all-foam mattress. Hybrids also tend to sleep cooler because there’s less mass of solid foam absorbing heat.
What’s the ideal firmness levels for side sleepers?
Most side sleepers gravitate toward a soft mattresses, which usually means medium-soft memory foam. Over the course of a night, though, you want to be sure you have a mattress with enough support. All types of mattresses can offer that, but be sure to pay close attention to the firmness level the company advertises and the firmness options within it. Also take your body type into account, as the more body weight you have, the firmer the mattress you’ll want. I’ve offered my own subjective scale of how firm the mattresses I tested are below, noting which variant I tried in each case.
One other thing worth considering is that it’s easier to make a mattress softer later. If you’re spending a lot of money on a high-quality mattress made with good materials and you feel it’s too firm it’s relatively cheap and easy to add a mattress topper, since almost every mattress topper has the effect of softening your sleeping surface. However, you can’t practically make a mattress firmer—if you found a firm mattress topper and put it on a soft foam bed it would still have a squishy base which would lead to sinkage and likely pull your back out of alignment. So my advice as a mattress tester who has slept on many, many bed-in-a-box mattresses shipped to my home is to always error toward too firm, knowing that if just after the trial period you realize you didn’t pick the perfect mattress you have lots of options for changing your trajectory.
What’s the best type of mattress for heavy people who are side-sleepers?
I am a bigger guy—smaller now than when I started testing mattresses, thanks to semaglutide, but still a bigger guy. I’ve found that the bigger you are the firmer you want your mattress, as otherwise your body weight will compress the foam and springs below you too much. If you’re heavier, look for extra support.
How I test side sleeper mattresses
I have reviewed three dozen mattresses and I personally tested every pick in this guide. I slept on each pick mattress here in my own home for at least one week and long-term tested the top pick, the Bear Elite Hybrid, for nearly a year when I was not actively working on a different mattress review. When there are multiple models available, I usually ask for the firmest option available and grade the firmness based on my impressions after a full week of sleep. In addition to my subjective assessment I closely track my sleep stats using an Apple Watch Ultra.
Blackout curtains are useful for a range of reasons—most obviously, blocking out sunlight, but also for reducing outside noises, temperature control (whether that be insulating for winter months or blocking out light to keep the room cooler in the summer), and ensuring privacy.
I wanted to try a myriad of curtain options that promised total blackout in a variety of different fabrics like polyester and velvet and with various hanging options, including pockets, grommet holes, clips, loops, and even suction cups. Many of these curtains had additional lining to further insulate against temperature and aid in noise reduction, so I also measured outside sound and temperature regulation.
I also took into account the ease of setup and hanging, and if there were multiple options for hanging, including using a double bar, attaching clips, or using pockets versus loops to see which way blocked sunshine the best.
I tested these on two windows, one that faces southeast and one that faces east—both get a huge amount of morning sun and, as a result, the room can get quite toasty during the summer months. I tested each curtain for a week, measuring how well it worked at all hours, including early mornings with the harsh sun, afternoons, nighttime, and when my door was closed and light was turned off. Although I live on a relatively quiet suburban street, I also monitored noise levels with the various curtains, since several on this list claim to be noise-reducing.
Check out some of our other sleep-related guides, including Our Favorite Sheets, Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online, Our Favorite Pillows, Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks, and Best Natural Sleep Aids.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Nearly all of our picks come in various sizes, most often with differing lengths. One panel will cover a standard-size window, but you may want to buy two for coverage and a more polished look. It’s a good idea to measure your window’s dimensions, especially from the curtain rod height to the floor, to ensure the curtain isn’t billowing on the ground or hanging up too high off the floor.
The curtains we tested all come in various forms, with grommet holes, pockets, clips, loops, and even suction cups for hanging options. Many have multiple hanging options—it’s all dependent on personal taste. I tested each way, but usually ultimately used the pocket to hang the curtain on a rod because it helped keep the curtain more flush to the window and wall. This allowed more coverage and less of a gap where sunlight could leak through.
Once you’ve installed your curtain rod above the window (a relatively simple task if you have the tools), you’ll want to take out the curtain from packaging and read the directions on care to see how to best take out the wrinkles (or not). If the curtain has multiple hanging options, you’ll choose which you’d like, but even the most complicated hangs with hooks or clips shouldn’t take more than five minutes. (Except the Amazon travel panel with suction cups; that one took about 15 minutes and was a pain.)
You might not think about your monitor too much, but whether you’re working or gaming in your home, that array of pixels blasting light at your face is important. A computer monitor can vastly improve your productivity if you’re working off a laptop, and a dual display setup can take things further. It can also make your games or movies look much, much nicer (or much worse). The folks on the WIRED Gear team use these large external screens every day in a variety of arrangements as we write our reviews, and naturally, we decided to review them too.
What to Look for in a Monitor
Let’s go over a few key points. Some of these factors may matter more for certain uses—for example, gamers generally care more about higher frame rates than office workers do—but they’re all handy to know going in.
Resolution: The bigger the monitor, the more it will benefit from higher resolutions. That will allow you to have app windows that take up less space but are still legible. Most monitors today are typically 1080p, 1440p (2K), or 4K.
Refresh rate: This refers to how many times the display can refresh the picture per second, measured in hertz (or Hz). A higher refresh rate makes the action in games look smoother because you’re seeing more information. For productivity, 60 Hz is more than enough, but gamers will generally want a panel that can hit 120 or 144 Hz. You’ll need a powerful enough computer that can maintain a high frame rate to take advantage of these high refresh rates, and you usually have to enable this feature in your operating system’s display settings.
Panel type: Monitors usually have a type of LCD (liquid-crystal display) panel. Three of the most popular options—twisted nematic (TN), vertical alignment (VA), and in-plane switching (IPS)—are all different types of LCD panels, and all use TFT (thin-film-transistor) technology too. Each is popular for different reasons: IPS for color, VA for contrast, and TN for speed with higher refresh rates and response times. IPS has become especially popular thanks to its growing refresh rate speeds. OLED (organic light-emitting diodes) panels are also gaining momentum in computer monitors. On these, each pixel lights up on and off, meaning you can get truer blacks and more vibrant colors, though often at the expense of brightness. You should think about what’s most important to you (great color? thin form factor? max brightness?) to choose the best panel type for your needs.
Nvidia G-Sync/AMD FreeSync support: A gamer-specific criteria, these two features let monitors adjust their frame rates based on the games they’re playing. This reduces screen tearing without affecting performance. G-Sync is made by Nvidia and FreeSync comes from AMD, and while FreeSync monitors can usually work with most modern Nvidia graphics cards, G-Sync doesn’t work with AMD cards, so make sure everything you have is compatible when buying.
HDR support: This isn’t crucial for productivity, but if you watch a lot of media or play games, it’s nice to have. Just like on TVs, HDR dramatically expands the range of colors a screen can reproduce, leading to more vivid pictures. Content still has to support HDR, but many sources do these days so it’s often worth springing for.
Port availability: A crucial but easy-to-overlook factor is what kind of ports the monitor has for connecting your devices. Most typically come with one or two HDMI inputs, and a DisplayPort input, which will cover most needs, but it’s always a good idea to check what your setup needs. Check out our Best USB Hubs and Docks guide if you need to expand your computer’s port options.
Built-in KVM switch: A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch is a device that helps you easily switch your monitor, keyboard, and mouse between two different computers or source inputs (like a gaming console). If you have one setup for both a work and personal computer, or a computer and gaming console, having a KVM switch built into the monitor means you can easily switch everything between your two devices without needing an external KVM switch.
How to Set Up Your Monitor
Once you have a monitor, you need a way to set it up on your workstation. Here are a few different accessories and options.
Stands: Most monitors come with a stand, and the flexibility of these stands can go a long way toward reducing neck strain and/or back pain. Ideal stands let you adjust the height, tilt, and rotation of a screen so you can position it exactly where you need it.
Mounting brackets: If you use monitor arms, then the type of mount the display uses is crucial. Most monitors use the VESA standard. You should check the size and type of mount on the equipment you have before buying.
Speakers: A lot of monitors come with built-in speakers, but I wouldn’t put much stock into them. They usually sound poor and don’t get very loud. You’re much better off getting a dedicated set of speakers. Check out our Best Speakers guide.
These are the best computer monitors of the many we’ve tested so far. There are hundreds of different kinds of PC monitors out there, so we’re continually testing and updating this guide. You’ll also find monitor buying advice at the bottom that explains any jargon you might not know. Be sure to check out other home office guides, including Best WFH Gear, Best Laptops, and Best USB Hubs and Docks.
Updated October 2024: We’ve added three new picks to this guide.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
It’s been a few years since the Xbox Series X and Series S launch, and while the console hasn’t broken sales records, there’s a respectable number in the wild. It’s about time for a refresh, and Microsoft is delivering new all-digital versions of its consoles (say goodbye to the optical drive). You can order themright now.
Whether you should is another question entirely. Microsoft has been pretty open about the fact that the company envisions a future where “every screen is an Xbox.” PC gaming on Windows—whether on gaming laptops or handhelds—is just as important to the company as the living room console. You can even stream Xbox games through a Fire TV stick now. Still, there are plenty of reasons to buy an Xbox Series X/S. It’s the most convenient way to set up a Microsoft-centric gaming system to play from your couch. So, if you’re interested, here’s how to buy one.
Updated October 2024: We’ve updated the language for the official launch day of the Xbox consoles.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
What’s Different About the New Xbox Consoles?
Similar to the recent PS5 Slim, there’s not much of a difference in this mid-cycle refresh of the Xbox. The Series X and Series S have more or less the same hardware under the hood. But there are a couple of small changes.
The Xbox Series X loses the disc drive and gets a white coat of paint. As an unapologetic Xbox Series S-owner, I like the white look more, so it’s nice to see it available on the more powerful hardware. This “all-digital” Xbox Series X starts at $450, about $50 less than its predecessor, a decent trade-off if you never bought physical copies of Xbox games.
The smaller Xbox Series S never had a disc drive, so there’s no drive to eliminate. Instead, for this refresh, Microsoft doubled the storage from 512 GB to 1 terabyte. The price has also gone up by $50 to $350. Given how huge AAA games can get, this seems like a no-brainer, though it’s worth noting that you can easily increase the storage of the current Xbox Series X or Series S with an expansion card.
Finally, Microsoft is releasing a special, limited-edition version of the original Xbox Series X (which has a disc drive) with a unique “Galaxy Black” paint job. This one has a space-like pattern of white and green dots with a generous 2 TB of storage. This model costs $600 and ships when the other upgraded consoles drop in mid-October.
Microsoft also recently replaced the Xbox Game Pass for Console tier of its subscription service with a new offering called Xbox Game Pass Standard. This includes the same library of console games as well as online console multiplayer service. The catch is you won’t get access to day-one releases. You’ll have to wait for some time to play certain games after release. Microsoft’s FAQ says this could be “up to 12 months or more,” which technically includes all possible lengths of time, but it seems the average delay for new releases is likely around a year. This new tier costs $15 per month, while Game Pass Ultimate—which previously cost $17 a month—has been bumped to $20 monthly.
No one likes the feeling of insect repellent. I have vivid memories of being sprayed down with the stuff as a kid before venturing into the woods in northern Minnesota on family vacations and feeling like chemical warfare was being waged on all of my senses. I was willing to endure it because being covered in mosquito bites is even worse. And the truth is, wearing repellent can save your life, protecting you against West Nile virus and Lyme disease, just to name a few of the pathogens mosquitos and ticks can pass on.
“Insect repellents are designed to affect insects’ senses and prevent them from finding humans,” says Sonja Swiger, a professor at Texas A&M University’s Department of Entomology. “The use of these products provides protection to humans that cannot be achieved by anything else.” Essentially, environmental mosquito management programs can’t completely protect you from the bugs. If you’re going to be outside for a long period of time, especially in areas where biting bugs are common, applying repellent is a smart idea.
The good news is that there are way more products with different formulas available now than, say, when I was a kid. Protecting yourself doesn’t have to be a totally miserable experience. Here is everything you need to know about various insect repelling chemicals, how to choose the right product for your needs, and our top picks for the best insect repellents on the market.
Check out some of our other outdoors-related buying guides like Best Tents, Best Hiking Boots, Best Coolers, and Best Grills.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
What’s the Difference Between the Chemicals Used in Insect Repellents?
There are four widely available topical repelling chemicals that have been approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the CDC, and the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which means there’s ample evidence that they’re safe and effective against mosquitoes and ticks. These are DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil or lemon eucalyptus (also called OLE and p-menthane-3,8-diol, or PMD, its synthetic form).
There’s also permethrin, which is a repellent you can apply to gear like tents and clothing, which is also approved by the EPA and CDC. Citronella oil, cedar oil, geranium oil, lemongrass oil, soybean oil, and peppermint oil don’t have robust research to show that they’re great repellents for ticks and mosquitos. Though some folks may find them useful, they aren’t long-lasting or effective in environments with lots of bugs, according to the EWG. Below, you can find the pros and cons of the four aforementioned EPA-approved bug repelling chemicals that you can apply to skin.
DEET: N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, otherwise known as DEET, is probably the chemical you’ve heard the most about, as it’s been used since 1957 and widely studied as an insect repellent. “It’s the gold standard that all other products are tested against,” says Swiger. It’s one of the most effective options—studies in the EPA’s database show that, at varying concentrations, DEET can ward off ticks for two to 10 hours, and mosquitoes for two to 12 hours. Per an EPA-approved label, a product with 20 percent DEET can prevent bites from mosquitos for 11 hours.
In most instances, 30 percent or less of an active ingredient will be sufficient for protection, says Swiger, and per an EPA-approved label, a product with 20 percent DEET can prevent bites from mosquitos for 11 hours. Per the EPA, DEET can be used on children without any age restriction. The downsides are that DEET smells awful, is oily, and can damage anything with plastic in it, like synthetic clothing and camping gear.
Picaridin: This chemical hasn’t been in use as long as DEET, but it’s been shown to be just as safe and effective, and it has fewer downsides. A product with 20 percent picaridin can give you up to 14 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, per an EPA-approved label.
A review from the Journal of Travel Medicine analyzed 11 studies that compared DEET and picaridin, finding that “the studies showed little potential difference between DEET and picaridin applied at the same dosage, with some evidence pointing to a superior persistence for picaridin.” Picaridin won’t ruin fabrics like DEET.
IR3535: Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, or IR3535, isn’t quite as effective as DEET or picaridin against mosquitoes, but it’s more effective against ticks, per the EWG. Like DEET, it can damage plastics.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus: Oil of lemon eucalyptus enhanced with para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) may work as well as DEET against mosquitoes and ticks (at concentrations between 20 to 26 percent), per the EWG. In general, oil of lemon eucalyptus and PMD don’t last as long as DEET and the other options on this list. They won’t damage plastics. Due to a lack of research on kids, it shouldn’t be used on children under 3.
Are Insect Repellents Safe?
In order for a chemical to get EPA-approval, it faces rigorous testing and evaluation for its efficacy, safety, and potential harm to the environment. But people still have concerns about the active ingredients in these products. Most of that worry revolves around DEET, due to reports of neurotoxicity. According to the EWG, “in very rare cases, DEET has been reported to impair the nervous system, with symptoms including seizures, tremors and slurred speech—this most often occurs after exposure to high concentrations of the chemical.” This is extremely rare. The EPA has concluded that the rate of adverse reactions occurs on the order of 1 per 100 million persons.
Still, that’s really scary. But more research points to DEET’s safety. A report from 2017 found that it’s unlikely that DEET causes neurotoxicity. A 2020 University of Florida study found there was no increased risk of negative health impacts for people who used DEET, and a 2003 report discovered no evidence of an increased risk of adverse toxic effects in kids.
Other chemicals on this list, like picaridin, don’t pose the same neurotoxicity concerns as DEET. Ultimately, the repellent you choose comes down to what you feel safe using and your level of concern about bug bites, which can lead to serious health conditions.
“These products are continuously evaluated to confirm their safety,” says Swiger. And the benefits of using repellents likely outweigh the risks. “The benefit is preventing biting by mosquitoes or ticks that carry disease-causing pathogens. Without the use of repellents, a person could be bitten by a tick or mosquito carrying a pathogen that can lead to a disease such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, eastern equine encephalitis, or dengue.”
Is a Higher Concentration of a Repelling Ingredient Better?
Not necessarily. DEET’s repelling effects, for example, tend to plateau at around 50 percent concentration, per the CDC. Again, 20 percent to 30 percent concentration of DEET or picaridin seems to be enough to get solid protection. Higher concentrations do have their place, though. “Some mosquitoes are not deterred by the lesser rates,” says Swiger. “Higher rates last longer time periods and work best against large floodwater mosquitoes.”
How Should You Use Insect Repellent and Sunscreen Together?
Swiger recommends applying sunscreen first, then insect repellent, and she says to avoid combo products, per the CDC’s guidelines. Since sunscreen should be applied more often than a repellent, products that include both could result in unnecessary exposure to the repellent chemicals.
Are Insect Repellent Sprays, Lotions, or Wipes Better?
What kind of formula you choose will really come down to personal preference. Sprays are easier to apply over clothes and skin. Lotions tend to feel less greasy and sticky. Wipes are great for travel and for times when you want to pack light, like during backpacking trips.
How We Tested
I used 11 products on hikes, runs, and nights outside near Denver, Colorado. All of them were effective in preventing bug bites, but given the dry climate where I live, I don’t encounter swarms of mosquitoes very often. In my research for this article, I’ve learned that an insect repellent that is considered effective for one person, in one environment, won’t necessarily be effective for a different person in that same environment, or a different person in a different environment.
Essentially, mosquitoes and other bugs choose who to bite based on overall smell, body heat, and sweat, and are obviously much more prevalent in wet and warm parts of the country. So rating these repellents on their effectiveness against bugs (based on my experience) doesn’t really give you much valuable information.
The only way to know if a repellent will work for you is to try it on yourself in your environment, against your bugs. (And keep in mind, a product that works well for you at home might not do it against different insects on vacation.) If your repellent isn’t working, you need a higher concentration of the repelling chemical, or a different repelling chemical. But, as I wrote above, starting with a lower concentration is the move—there’s no reason to expose yourself to more chemicals if the lower level can provide relief from biting.
All that said, I did take thorough notes on how well these went on, felt on the skin, and smelled, and these are my top picks for each chemical category, based on those criteria.
Best Picaridin Bug Repellents
Best Spray
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
With a wide, even, fine-mist spray, this product is easy to apply and doesn’t pool on your skin. It has a chemical smell a bit like rubbing alcohol, but the scent is much milder than that of any DEET products I tried. On my skin, the product feels a bit greasy and sticky, but again, much less so than DEET. Overall, I was pleased with the lightweight feel of the product and appreciated the locking lid on the bottle. Per the label, this spray contains 20 percent picaridin and can provide up to 12 hours of protection.
Best Lotion
Proven Insect Repellent Lotion
I’d never tried a lotion repellent before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice they felt and how much less they smelled than the sprays. This one in particular seemed to have an even milder scent than other picaridin lotions, and left my skin feeling more hydrated than oily. It feels like it absorbs into your skin rather than sitting on top of it. It contains 20 percent picaridin and provides up to 14 hours of protection.
Best DEET Bug Repellents
Best Spray
Off Deep Woods Dry Insect Repellent
This product has the distinct chemical-y, bug spray smell of DEET, but the feel is nicer than most DEET sprays. It’s not totally weightless, but it dries down really nicely and feels soft and only slightly greasy to the touch. The spray is even, but the lack of a locking lid makes me wary to pack it for a hike.
Best Lotion
Sawyer 20 Percent DEET Premium Family Insect Repellent Controlled Release
The DEET stink is still there, but the lotion formula feels more pleasant and less greasy to me than most sprays. This product in particular contains DEET (at a 20 percent concentration) that’s encapsulated in a slow-dissolving protein, which means the DEET is released over a longer period of time, providing up to 11 hours of protection.
Best Wipes
Ben’s Tick and Insect Repellent Wipes
These pocket-sized wipes are a bit wet and messy, but that also means one wipe goes a long way in terms of coverage. The smell is less intense than other wipes; it reminds me of rubbing alcohol. These are ideal for throwing in a hiking bag or getting through TSA. They have a 30 percent concentration of DEET, and the package claims up to seven hours of protection.
Best IR3535 Bug Repellent
Coleman Insect Repellent Spray (uses IR3535)
Of all the sprays I tested, this was my favorite. It felt truly dry to the touch after a few minutes, unlike any of the DEET or picaridin sprays. It was also almost completely odorless, which won major points in my book. The spray isn’t as even and fine as I’d like it to be, but it wasn’t a huge barrier to application. Overall, I was really impressed by this one’s lightweight, barely-there feel.
This product uses a combo of p-menthane-3,8-diol and oil of lemon eucalyptus, with a 30 percent concentration. It’s very oily and does pool on the skin, so you need to really rub it in. It also has a very strong eucalyptus scent that’s pretty off-putting, but it does fade over time. It has a locking lid, and the packaging says it provides six hours of protection.
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with curling my hair, and it’s been a long journey finding the best curling irons to style with. My tumultuous tryst with curling irons probably began because not only is my very naturally flat, straight hair hard to curl to begin with, but also because I’ve had my fair share of curling iron burns on various areas of my face and neck throughout my teen years (don’t ask).
I hated the trial and error of learning how to curl my hair in those days, but loved how my curled hair transformed me every time, whether it was bouncy ringlets for my adolescent theater performances, rounded curls for my senior prom, or loose waves for college graduation. Never have I gone to an important milestone in my life without a curling iron—no matter how clumsy my hands were or how bulky the device was.
But curling irons have come a long way since the late 2010s, and have followed me into adulthood as I test out various hair styling tools for my job as a beauty editor. Ceramic barrels, multistyling blow-dry curlers, and ion technology have ushered in easier ways to control temperature and allow for more dexterity, and are much quicker to use than their medieval counterparts of the early aughts.
Here, I tested some of the best curling irons on the market to uncover which stylers rose to the top for someone like me with very hard-to-curl hair, plus which ones are best for wherever you may be in your curling iron journey, whether you have long hair, are a beginner, or just want a beachy wave. These were my favorites—and in case you were wondering, I’m happy to report that I did not burn myself with any of these!
For more hair tool guides, check out Best Hair Dryers and Best Hair Straighteners.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
What’s Better, Ceramic or Titanium Curling Irons?
Curling irons are typically either tourmaline ceramic or titanium, and while neither is necessarily better than the other, there are a few differences to keep in mind when shopping. Ceramic irons generally take longer to heat up, and they can also distribute heat more evenly, making them suitable for thinner and finer hair types. Titanium curling irons, on the other hand, heat up very quickly and are better if your hair is thicker or coarser. You’ll want to choose either a ceramic or titanium curling iron depending on your hair type and texture. Since I have longer and thinner strands, I found that the ceramic irons I tested were a bit more suitable for me.
What’s the Difference Between a Curling Iron and a Curling Wand?
A curling iron typically has a safety clamp that allows you to hold the hair in place without needing both hands. Curling wands don’t have a clamp—so you’ll have to hold the tip of your hair as you curl it. Both irons and wands have their pros and cons: The safety clamp can sometimes leave a funny crimp in your hair (which I experienced while testing a handful of these), while wands unfortunately make it a lot easier to burn your fingers (which thankfully, I was able to avoid).
I tested these curling irons over a span of a few months, right before a handful of events and occasions when I wanted to add more volume and style to my look. My hair is thin and pin straight, but there’s a lot of it, so I was most excited about the irons that not only successfully curled my hard-to-curl hair, but that allowed me to do so in a short amount of time.
I typically sectioned my hair in pieces from left to right. Although I did test upper and lower sectioning a few times, I found the former to be more successful for me personally because it was more comfortable for my arms and allowed me to focus on each strand of hair a bit better. And for those science buffs out there: I tested all of these on second-day hair, except for two (the Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle) that require damp hair. I usually curl about three-quarters of my hair (from midshaft to end), so I tested roughly that length for every iron I tried. I also used a heat protectant spray and set most of these (except one … more on that, later) with hairspray.
I wasn’t always a sunscreen devotee. Like so many millennials, I didn’t understand the risks of turning into a lobster at the beach when I was in high school or spending hours in tanning beds leading up to prom. I thought I looked better with a tan, and sunscreen felt gross and made me break out. I know better now, and thankfully, sunscreens have come a long way in terms of formula and feel and can actually be really pleasant to wear. I put it on every day now, hoping to undo my sun-worshiping sins, or at least prevent any more damage.
“Wearing sunscreen is so important because it protects us from harmful UV rays that can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer,” says Ellen Marmur, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare. “Because of these risks, I recommend wearing sunscreen every day. Whether you are driving your car, going to the beach, or even just going on an airplane, sunscreen plays a pivotal role in protecting your skin.”
OK, so we’ve established that sunscreen is important. But once you commit to wearing it daily, picking a sunscreen can be a truly daunting task. There are so many options out there, and they really are very different. To help you sort through all the bottles on the shelves, we talked with skin care experts and road-tested them all summer. Here’s what you need to know to help you pick the right sunscreen for you, and our top picks for the best sunscreens out there right now.
For more skin care, check out our guides to Red Light Therapy Masks and Best Showerhead Water Filters.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED.Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
What’s the difference between mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen?
There are two main ways a sunscreen can provide protection: physically or chemically. Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier that sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays away from you. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that sink into the skin and absorb UV rays, converting them to heat to be released by your body. Some sunscreen formulas use a hybrid of mineral and chemical ingredients.
There are pros and cons to each kind of sunscreen. Mineral formulations leave a white cast (unless they’re tinted), and tend to feel thicker and heavier than chemical sunscreens. They’re often gentler and are less likely to cause irritation, which makes them a good option for folks with sensitive skin, says Marmur. They’re also safer for the environment and don’t cause as much damage to coral reefs.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, don’t leave a cast and feel lighter on the skin. Since they sink in deeper, you might find that they hold up better during sweaty activities, says Marmur. The downsides? Certain ingredients in chemical sunscreens can cause skin irritation for some.
“Avobenzone destabilizes when it’s exposed to light and is a possible cause of dermatitis,” says Marmur. Some products include stabilizing agents to help prevent this. Two other chemical sunscreens, oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been banned in Key West and Hawaii for their detrimental impact on marine life, and there are concerns about these ingredients leading to hormone disruption in humans, though there isn’t ample evidence to support this.
Is a higher SPF rating always better?
SPF stands for sun protection factor, and the rating refers specifically to how well a product fights UVB rays. “The difference in percentage of protection between SPF 30 and SPF 100 is quite small, and probably much smaller than you expect,” says Marmur. For example, SPF 30 ensures that 97 percent of UVB radiation is being blocked, while SPF 50 boosts that percentage to 98, and SPF 100 ups it to 99 percent. So, higher is technically better, but there isn’t a huge difference in the protection you’re getting.
“That being said, I would recommend using sunscreen with at least SPF 30, since it generally has a similar percentage of protection compared to an SPF as large as 100,” says Marmur. No matter the SPF rating, you want a product that provides broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
What ingredients should you avoid in sunscreen?
Given what we know about sunscreen and the safety of common ingredients, “the benefits of wearing it significantly outweigh the risks,” says Marmur. Not only is wearing sunscreen regularly a matter of safety, but it’s one of the best things you can do to prevent premature aging. “Good SPF habits now are like money in the bank, insuring against expensive lasers to remove the sun damage or worse, against surgery and scars from skin cancers,” says Marmur.
Many of the concerns raised about oxybenzone are linked to studies done in rats, in which the animals were fed oxybenzone. According to one analysis from the Archives of Dermatological Research, it would take a human 277 years of oxybenzone sunscreen use to achieve an equivalent dose of the chemical that caused adverse effects in the rats. Oxybenzone is also present in many products people use, like nail polish, hairspray, and plastics. “There are zero reported cases of proven adverse systemic reactions to sunscreens,” says Marmur. “But there are millions of skin cancers yearly, directly linked to UV radiation from the sun damaging the DNA of the skin.”
That being said, there are certain ingredients you should avoid.
Marmur recommends avoiding added fragrance in sunscreen products, especially for folks with sensitive skin. Avobenzone, a common chemical sunscreen ingredient, can cause skin irritation for some people. Retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A that’s used in some sunscreens, has been postulated to increase the risk of skin cancer when it’s exposed to sunlight. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are particularly bad for coral reefs. None of the sunscreens on this list contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, or retinyl palmitate.
What to know about terms like “reef-safe”
Reef-safe and reef-friendly aren’t regulated designations, so brands can use the terms as marketing tools without getting any certifications, and they don’t mean a product won’t cause any harm to the environment. However, there are certain sunscreens that are less impactful on marine ecosystems than others. In general, mineral sunscreens are less damaging to coral than chemical ones.
%20Abstract%20Background%20102024%20SOURCE%20Amazon.jpg)
%20Earbuds%20Abstract%20Background%20102021%20SOURCE%20Amazon.jpg)
