The Wirecutter Show

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Tell Us About Your Household Debates Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Do you have something that you always fight about with your spouse, partner, or housemate? Maybe you’re convinced you know the right way to load the dishwasher… or brighten laundry… but your partner disagrees? The Wirecutter Show wants to hear about your household skirmishes. Cleaning… cooking… laundry… bathroom habits… lighting and decor! All of it. Tell us what your household disagrees on and our team of experts will help settle the score, once and for all.

Send us an email – or a voice memo – to thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com. Tell us your name, who you bicker with, and what keeps you two at odds. If you can manage it, you might even record a note together.

We can’t wait to wade into the battle! Thanks.

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Studio support from Maddy Masiello, Nick Pitman, Kyle Grandillo, and Samantha Winter. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Daniel Ramirez, and Sophia Lanman. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Pillow Talk Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

The right pillow can make the difference between waking up refreshed and waking up with a sore neck. But given you usually can’t try before you buy, it can be surprisingly difficult to figure out which pillow will actually work for you.

Wirecutter sleep writer Shaena Montanari explains how to choose a pillow based on your sleep position, what makes a pillow supportive, and how to tell when yours has reached the end of its life. She also breaks down the major pillow materials, what to look for before you buy, and why it’s probably time to wash your current pillows.

This episode covers:

Your sleep position should guide your pillow choice. Side-, back-, and stomach-sleepers need different amounts of height and support, so start by figuring out how you actually sleep before shopping.
The goal is spinal alignment. The right pillow should keep your head and neck aligned with the rest of your body while you sleep.
A pillow that’s too soft may not stay supportive. Pillows compress over the course of the night, and many people end up needing more firmness or height than they initially expect.
Pillows don’t last forever. Synthetic fills such as memory foam and down alternative generally start breaking down after a few years, while materials like down and latex can last longer with proper care. Shaena recommends replacing your pillows every three years.

Products we recommend:

Cloud-like down for all sleep positions: Garnet Hill Signature White Down Pillow (firm)
Best single-piece memory-foam pillow: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ProHi Pillow
An inexpensive single-piece foam pillow, with ample support: Weekender Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Fluffy-yet-supportive down alternative: Boll and Branch Down Alternative Pillow
Best adjustable memory-foam pillow: Coop Original Adjustable Pillow
Structured down alternative perfect for side sleepers: Hotel Collection Luxe Down Alternative Firm Density Pillow
Firmer adjustable shredded memory foam, but pricier: Brooklyn Bedding Premium Shredded Foam Pillow
Shaena loves: Her Baggu Bag

Additional reading:

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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How to Make Your Phone Less Addictive Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

While "digital detoxing" is a trending topic online, actually cutting back on screen time can be surprisingly difficult. If you feel constantly distracted by notifications popping up on your phone, or you can’t stop mindlessly scrolling, some simple strategies can help.

This episode, Wirecutter tech writer Brenda Stolyar discusses how to reset your relationship with your phone and reclaim your attention. Brenda walks us through how to perform a screen time audit, how to better manage notifications, and how built-in iOS and Android features can make your device less addictive without forcing you to switch to an impractical dumb phone.

Plus, Brenda shares how gamified focus apps and physical blocking devices like the Brick create friction and build healthier digital habits.

This episode covers:

Auditing your screen time: How to check your daily device usage, app breakdowns, pick-up counts, and notification totals using Apple’s Screen Time or Android's Digital Wellbeing settings.
Reducing notification overload: Switch lock screen notifications to "count" view or set up scheduled notification summaries to prevent constant interruptions.
Why a dumb phone isn’t always the answer: It may sound nice to switch to a basic phone, but you won’t be able to access things like QR codes or digital tickets. Optimizing your current smartphone's built-in tools is often a better approach.
How to make your phone less appealing: Switch to grayscale mode (black-and-white display) or use iOS assistive access to strip your homescreen down to essential apps.
Creating physical friction: Physical app-blocking tools like The Brick force a mindful pause before opening distracting apps like Instagram, TikTok, or mobile browsers.

Products we recommend:

A device that blocks your most distracting apps: Brick
Apps that Brenda recommends: Focus Friend, Forest, Focus Keeper

Additional reading:

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Setting Digital Boundaries with Kids At Any Age Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Many parents and caregivers struggle to manage their kids’ use of technology. Whether it’s an elementary schooler binging YouTube shorts or a teen dealing with social media-induced anxiety, the struggles are real. In a recent Wirecutter reader survey, only 9% of parents said they felt confident managing their kids' tech use, and many felt overwhelmed by screen addiction and "brain rot" content.

This week, Wirecutter writers Signe Brewster and Ellen Lee walk us through their comprehensive guide on how and when to introduce different types of technology across every age. They discuss why tech addiction is often a broader societal issue (rather than an individual parenting failure), how to establish healthy digital habits early on, the pros and cons of location tracking, and practical tools to help older kids self-regulate before heading off on their own.

This episode covers:

Early tech for young kids: Experts recommend minimizing screens before age 2. When introducing media, stick to high-quality content and apps that have "walled gardens" where kids can safely make their own choices.
Avoiding "dark patterns": How to spot predatory app designs that manipulate young kids into playing longer.
How to approach location tracking: While tracking devices like AirTags and smartwatches offer peace of mind, they can inadvertently signal to kids that the world is unsafe or normalize constant surveillance. Experts suggest using tracking during transitional periods or as a temporary safety tool.
Determining phone readiness: There is no single "magic age" for a first smartphone. Readiness depends on your child's maturity, independence, and specific daily needs.
Social media and self-regulation: Navigating algorithmic feeds and FOMO can be a real challenge for teens. But tools exist for helping manage screen time, including self-regulation apps like Clearspace and physical focus devices like The Brick.

Products we recommend:

A device that blocks your most distracting apps: Brick
PBS Kids Apps (for curated, high-quality preschool content)
Common Sense Media (for age-appropriateness ratings and reviews).
Signe loves: NÜDL bike helmets
Ellen loves: Trader Joe’s Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

Additional reading:

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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How Adaptive Beauty Tools Make Makeup Easier for Everyone Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Applying mascara or eyeliner can be difficult even when you don't have a disability. For people with arthritis, tremors, low vision, or other mobility issues, beauty routines can feel nearly impossible.

This episode, Wirecutter beauty writer Ayanna Redwood-Crawford explains how accessible makeup tools can make those routines easier for everyone. She shares what makes a makeup tool genuinely accessible, why universal design benefits more than just the people it was created for, and how some brands have made products easier to use without sacrificing their formulas or affordability.

This episode covers:

Why accessible makeup is useful for everyone. Products designed for people with arthritis, tremors, or low vision can also help beginners, parents with their hands full, or anyone who finds makeup tools difficult to use. Testers appreciated products that were easier to grip and control, and many of them also had great formulas and finishes.
What makes a makeup tool genuinely accessible. It’s not enough for a product to be labeled adaptive. Look for tools that address specific challenges, like gripping a mascara tube, controlling a brush, or applying makeup with limited hand movement.
Why makeup doesn’t always have to be perfectly precise. Look for products that simplify tricky steps, like eyeliners with built-in wing stamps or buildable multisticks for color control and flexibility.

Products we recommend:

Affordable grips that fit most makeup and tools: Lyforx Foam Grip Tubing
A multiuse circular brush with a contoured handle: Kohl Kreatives Medium Circle
An easy-to-hold eyeshadow brush: Guide Beauty Blend & Crease Brush
An ergonomic, flattering mascara: Tilt Lashscape Mascara
A handy eyeliner that’s easier to apply: SheGlam Get Foxy Eye Stamp & Liner Pen
A user-friendly tinted lip balm: Tilt Grip Stick Hydrating Lip Treatment
A versatile 3-in-1 makeup stick: E.L.F. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick
A lighted makeup mirror for people with low vision: Fancii Vera Vanity with 10x Lara Mirror

Additional reading:

The Best Accessible Beauty Tools and Makeup

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Vegetables Don't Have to Be Boring Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

We all know we should eat more veggies, but sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe you're too busy for endless chopping, stumped by an unfamiliar root vegetable, or juggling guests or family members with conflicting dietary restrictions.

This episode, Tanya Sichynsky, editor for the Food and Cooking sections at The New York Times, and author of The Veggie newsletter and YouTube show, discusses her new cookbook, Veg Everything. She shares her approachable, plant-forward philosophy on cooking vegetables—not as a punishment or boring side dish, but as a versatile, flavor-packed centerpiece.

Tanya walks us through the essential pantry staples that make veggie-centric meals fast and effortless, how to make seasonal swaps in recipes, and clever ways to reinvent leftover veggies into frittatas, pasta sauces, or savory pancakes.

This episode covers:

Stocking a flavor-boosting pantry: Certain ingredients can instantly transform a single fresh vegetable into a complete, satisfying meal. Tanya keeps canned lentils, beans, tahini, dates, Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and pre-crisped garlic or shallots in her pantry.
Veggies for breakfast: It’s easier to get enough vegetables in your day if you start in the morning. Stack your first meal with plenty of plants with smoothies, frittata and more.
RSVP-worthy showstoppers: How to make impressive, centerpiece vegetarian dishes for entertaining.
The leftover framework: Think about integrating veggie leftovers into different “formats” like pancakes, toasts, pastas, and more.

Products we recommend:

Tanya loves her ripstop cargo pants from Kapital

Additional reading:

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Pickles! (Live From The Minnesota State Fair!) Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Pickles are a polarizing subject. Some people want a cold, crunchy dill straight from the fridge, while others swear by a sour pickle or a sweet, spicy relish. And if you've ever wondered whether you can make better pickles at home, there's a whole world of canning and fermentation to explore.

In this episode recorded live at the Minnesota State Fair, Wirecutter kitchen writer Maki Yazawa starts by explaining how Wirecutter’s team tested 47 store-bought pickles and what they were looking for. Then, Minnesota State Fair pickle judge Mary Bartz, and last year’s overall canning winner Teresa Craig, talk about what makes a prize-winning pickle. They discuss how to safely can and ferment pickles at home, and the resources Mary recommends for getting started, including the National Center for Food Preservation and the book So Easy to Preserve. Plus, they tell us some of the most unusual pickled creations they’ve ever encountered.

This episode covers:

How to choose the right pickle for what you're eating. The shape and style matter: Maki recommends crinkle-cut chips for burgers, slender pickles for subs, and sour pickles for snacking on a hot day.
Why fresh produce is the key to crunchy homemade pickles. Teresa says the fresher your cucumbers and other vegetables are, the better the texture of the finished product.
How to safely make pickles at home. Mary explains why acidity, processing time and temperature, proper headspace, clean jars, and a reliable seal all matter for preventing dangerous bacterial growth.
The difference between water-bath and pressure canning. Water-bath canning works for acidic foods like pickles, while pressure canning is necessary for lower-acid foods such as corn and green beans because it reaches a higher temperature.

Products we recommend:

Teresa likes: The Ball Electric Water-Bath Canner and Easy Fermenter Lids

Additional reading:

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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How to Finally Find A Bra You Won’t Hate Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Finding a bra that fits well can feel like an impossible combination of measurements, brands, cup sizes, and personal preferences. Even knowing your usual size doesn't guarantee that a bra will feel comfortable or provide the support you need.

This episode, Wirecutter senior staff writer Zoe Vanderweide breaks down what a bra is actually supposed to do, and how to tell when one fits properly. After testing more than 35 bras, she explains why the band matters more than the straps for support, why bra sizes aren't standardized across brands, and how to shop when your breasts don't fit neatly into a standard size. Plus, how to make your bras last longer.

This episode covers:

Why the right bra can do much more than provide support. Bras can change the shape of your breasts, provide nipple coverage, smooth asymmetry, make clothes fit better, or minimize a larger bust.
Why you should know your measurements—and then try multiple sizes. We recommends measuring yourself, checking a brand's size chart, and ordering a couple sizes because there's no substitute for actually trying a bra on.
Why you shouldn't wear the same bra two days in a row. Letting the elastane in a bra's band rest between wears helps it regain its shape and prevents it from stretching out prematurely.
How to wash a bra without destroying it. You don't need to wash a bra after every wear; when you do, use a gentle wash cycle in a mesh bag and air-dry.

Products we recommend:

For people who fall between standard cup sizes: ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Uplift Plunge Bra
For larger breasts that hate underwires: Evelyn Bobbie Defy Bra
For a sexy, lacy bra for smaller busts: Journelle Anais Plunge Bra
For a sexy, supportive bra for larger busts: Panache Allure Full Cup Bra
For a modern, minimalist sexy bra for small to medium breasts: Negative Sieve Non-Wire Bra
For comfortable casual wear around the house or on errands: Harper Wilde Bliss Triangle Bralette
For smoothing lumps and bumps on the back: Wacoal Back Appeal Underwire Bra
For an affordable, versatile everyday bra: Harper Wilde Base T-Shirt Bra
Zoe loves: Her new diamond art kit

Additional reading:

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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So, You Want to Start Composting Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Before you dump your veggie peels and coffee grounds into the trash, consider the many reasons to compost. Keeping food waste out of landfills reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while nutrient-rich compost helps sequester carbon and rejuvenates soil. You’ll also likely need to empty your regular trash less frequently. For many people, the biggest barrier to composting is simply getting started.

In this episode, Wirecutter sustainability editor Katie Okamoto shares practical tips for collecting kitchen food scraps, navigating composting options without municipal pickup, and understanding what actually belongs in your bin—including why you might want to skip those biodegradable liner bags.

Plus, Wirecutter staff members break down their own real-world setups. They share how to manage commercial pickup services, why "compostable" plastics don't work in backyard bins, and strategies for keeping odors at bay.

This episode covers:

Composting options for every space: If you don't have municipal green-bin pickup, you can use private commercial services, drop off scraps at community gardens or farmer's markets, or even try the "cardboard box method" to compost slowly inside your home.
Backyard composting 101: A successful pile requires a balance of "greens" (fresh food waste) and "browns" (dry leaves, paper, or cardboard).
Strategies for collecting food scraps: You don't need a specialized bin. Wide-mouthed mixing bowls or restaurant Cambro bins work well.
The freezer scrap method: Keeping a squishable storage bag in your freezer to collect veggie peels and eggshells eliminates odors, saves counter space, and makes it easy to tote scraps to a drop-off site.

Products we recommend:

A simple mixing bowl: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids
A plastic-free tin: Epica Countertop Compost Bin
A great bag for the freezer: Baggu Standard Bag
A bigger bin: Cambro Square Food Storage Container

Additional reading:

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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The Best Bidet for Every Budget (Encore) Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Using a bidet may seem a little intimidating to some, but to others it's a way of life.

In this episode, we’re reairing a conversation with Wirecutter senior staff writer and bidet-convert Doug Mahoney. He explains why these modern fixtures that wash your bum are a game-changer for hygiene. You’ll learn about how they work, what to look for when buying one, and some of Wirecutter’s top recommendations.

This episode covers:

How to choose between cold and warm-water bidets: They each have their pros and cons. Cold ones are the cheapest and easiest to install, while warm ones are more expensive and offer a luxury experience.
What to know about installation: If you can install a regular toilet seat, you can install a cold-water bidet. Warm water bidets are a little trickier, and require access to an outlet. You’ll also want to make sure your toilet has an accessible water shutoff valve.
Why it’s worth paying for a reliable brand: Given a bidet is a plumbing fixture, you should buy from a trusted brand, like Toto or Brondell. These companies tend to have reliable products that will last–and that will be less likely to cause leaks and other issues.
Why bidets are great for everyone (including those with accessibility issues): A good bidet can make anyone feel cleaner, and they’re particularly helpful for people who have mobility issues – whether that’s a potty training kid, someone recovering from surgery, or an older adult who wants to live longer independently.

Products we recommend:

The best bidet: Toto S5 Washlet
A cheaper version of our new favorite: Toto S2
A great cold water model that replaces your toilet seat: Brondell EcoSeat S101 Non-Electric Bidet Seat
A great cold water model to use with an existing toilet seat: Bio Bidet SlimEdge Attachment

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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