The Wirecutter Show

Latest Episodes:

Find Your Perfect Swimsuit May 06, 2026

Show notes

Finding a swimsuit you feel good in can be daunting. This episode, we’re sharing insider tips on choosing designs, fabrics, and brands that you’ll actually love. Wirecutter style writer Zoe Vanderweide walks us through the finer points of finding high-quality swimwear that fits and flatters.

Zoe shares the construction details to look for that will emphasize (or de-emphasize) different body parts, the brands that are making some of the best suits right now, and how to care for your suits so that they’ll last longer.

This episode covers:

Why some brands are better at size inclusivity: Many brands design for a size 6 "fit model"– the model used to try on a pattern and make adjustments. The brand generally then sizes the pattern up or down to make different sizes, which often doesn’t translate into the best fit for larger bodies. Brands who use plus-size fit models tend to make suits that are more flattering for plus-size bodies.
Fabric and texture tips: Thicker, compressive fabrics will help hold you in more. Textured fabrics, such as ribbed or crinkle fabric, provide a "blurring" effect that can hide lumps and bumps you don’t want to emphasize. But both can take longer to dry.
How to care for your spendy suits: Hanging a wet suit stretches the fibers. Instead, roll it in a towel to remove moisture, then lay it flat in a shady, well-ventilated spot.
The suits our testers loved and why: We walk through the brands that Zoe features in her review, why they’re great, and which will work best for different body types.

Products we recommend:

A plunging cross-back one-piece swimsuit: Left on Friday Weekender Suit
A waist-cinching one-piece swimsuit: Left on Friday Sunday Suit
A well-priced classic one-piece swimsuit: Quince Italian Cami One-Piece Swimsuit
A splurge-worthy knotted bikini top: Mikoh Kaloko 2 Top
A splurge-worthy hipster bikini bottom: Mikoh Cruz Bay 2 Bottom
An ultra-stretchy crinkle suit: Youswim Aplomb One-Piece
A chic, compressive rash-guard one-piece: Hunza G Tyra UPF 50+ Swim
A glamourous one-piece swimsuit with a keyhole neckline: L’Agence Belle Keyhole One-Piece
An uplifting underwire bikini top: Monday Swimwear Sorrento Top
A no-dig high-waisted bikini bottom: Monday Swimwear Sorrento Bottom

Additional reading:

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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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The Best Mother’s Day Gifts for Every Type of Mom Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

If you need fresh gift ideas for Mother’s Day this year, this is your episode. This week, Wirecutter gifting expert Samantha Schoech brings a range of ideas that go far beyond a bouquet of flowers and brunch.

Instead of generic ideas, we’re approaching gifts by personality type—from the exhausted new mom to the outdoorsy adventurer. Samantha also shares her core gifting philosophy (including what not to give), plus thoughtful, sometimes surprising picks that actually make people feel seen.

This episode covers:

Why you shouldn’t add to someone’s to-do list. One of Samantha's strongest rules is to avoid gifts that create work. That means no high-maintenance plants, complicated projects, or aspirational hobbies the person didn’t ask for.
Why the best gifts are things they wouldn’t buy themselves. If someone needs socks, they can buy socks. A good gift is something slightly indulgent or unnecessary—like elevated basics or small luxuries—that feels special precisely because they wouldn’t justify spending money on it.
Why “giving mom a break” is often the most meaningful gift. Instead of another object, Samantha emphasizes the value of rest—like helping them carve out uninterrupted time alone or booking them a night in a hotel. It’s a way to acknowledge the workload of motherhood, not just gesture at it.
Why your time and attention still matter most. Across every category, Samantha comes back to this: a gift lands best when it’s paired with genuine effort—whether that’s a handwritten card, quality time together, or simply showing that you’ve paid attention to what they actually like.

Products we recommend:

For the new mom:

Chic, lightweight harem sweatpants: Le Bon Shoppe Balloon Pants (women’s)
Well-priced, super-soft fleece sweatpants: Gap High Rise VintageSoft Relaxed Joggers (women’s)
A scrubby bar for smoother body skin: Soft Services Buffing Bar
Actually, it’s a lip balm: Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream

For the first-time grandma:

Handwritten necklace: Gldn Handwriting Necklace
The best digital photo frame: Aura Carver
The Grandmothers by Doris Lessing

For the empty nester:

A luscious, affordable paint set: Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors 48-Color Set
For audiobook lovers: Libro.fm Credit Bundle
A delightful way to discover new titles: Books Are Magic Book Club
A hat that understands: Inside Joke Don't Ask Me What's For Dinner Hat

For the outdoorsy mom:

Best picnic blanket for roving picnickers: Rumpl Everywhere Mat
Beanie baby: Mira Blackman Hand Dyed Chunky Beanie

For the mom who loves sparkles:

Party-trick socks: Maria La Rosa One Ribbed Laminated (women’s)
Classic hoops: Quince 14K Gold Pave Diamond Mini Huggies

For the crafty mom:

Needlepoint kits that will make you want to needlepoint: Unwind Studios
Unique and gorgeous embroidery kits: Artist Kate Wyatt
Simple and straightforward block printing kits: Joyn

For the foodie mom:

A fruit-and-anything-else bowl for counter clutter: Emile Henry French Ceramic Fruit Storage Bowl
A basket for a tinned fish lover with a cute bandana: Fishwife mother’s day gift basket

For the “don’t get me anything” mom:

Full-body glow-up: Senteurs d’Orient Fleurs d’Oasis The Oil
Stylish and reliable flower deliveries: UrbanStems

Samantha loves:

Cotton undies: Evry studio underwear

Additional reading:

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

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Tech Prices Are Skyrocketing. Nintendo's Switch 2 Might Be Next. Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

The Nintendo Switch 2 was released in June 2025. In just four months, it sold over 10 million units, making it the fastest selling console of all time in the U.S. But at $450, is it really worth the hype?

Arthur Gies, supervising editor on the tech team at Wirecutter, has spent nearly a year testing the system, playing the new games, and weighing the pros and cons. In this episode, he gives us his verdict. He also talks about why if you’ve been thinking about buying one, now might be the best time.

This episode covers:

Why the Switch 2 is worth the splurge: Arthur says the new console is like getting the latest phone compared to having one that’s six or seven years old. It comes with impressive software updates and exclusive games that make for an incredible upgrade if you have the budget.
Why you should consider buying sooner rather than later: With Nintendo’s fiscal year ending, AI data centers raising memory card prices, and shipping and oil prices increasing, Arthur suspects that the Switch 2 will get more expensive very soon.

Products we recommend:

A more powerful Switch experience: Nintendo Switch 2

Additional reading:

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

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This Wirecutter Expert Cleans (Almost) Everything with Dish Soap Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Dish soap might be the most underrated cleaner in your home. It's cheap, it's safe to use with bare hands, and it’s the star of many Wirecutter cleaning tutorials — from how to clean wood floors to stainless steel appliances to laundry stains. It also makes a great alternative to “green” cleaners—cleaners that are marketed as less toxic, allergenic, or supposedly better for the environment.

In this episode, we chat with senior staff writer Andrea Barnes about why dish soap is such a powerhouse cleaner, which brands actually work best, and the surprising places you can use it around your home (and when to reach for something else).

This episode covers:

Why "green" cleaners often underperform: Many eco-marketed cleaners aren’t good multitaskers, so you end up buying more products to compensate. A concept called the “Sinner’s Circle” explains why: cleaning requires some combination of time, heat, chemicals, and friction — reduce one, and you have to add more of another.
How to make an all-purpose cleaner for pennies: Just two to three drops of dish soap in a large spray bottle of water works as an effective surface cleaner for kitchen backsplashes, counters, yoga mats, stainless steel, and more — for under 25 cents a bottle.
Surprising uses for dish soap: It works on makeup stains, shoes, jewelry, mouth guards, retainers, outdoor security cameras, and even shower tile. If you've been exposed to poison ivy, washing the affected area with dish soap within 20 minutes may help break down the irritating oil.
What to never clean with dish soap: Don't use it on your pets' fur, your own face, or — crucially — in your dishwasher, where it will cause a sudsy overflow.
The truth about laundry pods and microplastics: Despite how they look and feel, pods do not shed microplastics. The film dissolves completely and is biodegradable. Experts are actually more concerned about the plastic containers detergent comes in.

Products we recommend:

The best dish soap: Palmolive Ultra Pure + Clear Dish Liquid
Best dish soap for household cleaning projects: Dawn Platinum Dishwashing Liquid
Best dish soap for (nearly) plastic-free packaging: Cleancult Dish Soap Lemon Verbena
Biobased dishwasher detergent pods: Dropps UltraWash Plus
Wirecutter’s best drugstore lipstick (and Andrea's new favorite): Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

Additional reading:

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Wirecutter Social and Website

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

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Seasonal Allergies Are Getting Worse (Encore) Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

It’s not your imagination. Climate change is making seasonal allergy season longer and more intense.

New York Times health reporter Nina Agrawal joins us to discuss what to do when the pollen count is high, how to improve your indoor air quality this spring and summer, and the differences between allergy medications.

Check out Nina’s reporting on how to tell if you have allergies and what actually works for combatting seasonal allergies

Products we recommend:

A really good air purifier: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty
Our favorite upright vacuum: SEBO Felix Premium
Our favorite canister vacuum: SEBO Airbelt K3 Premium

Additional reading:

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

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The Only 3 Knives You Actually Need in Your Kitchen Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

Kitchen knives are one of the most important tools in your home.

In this episode, senior kitchen writer Lesley Stockton reveals which knives you actually need, how much to spend, and the proper way to store and sharpen your knives.

From breaking down the differences between Japanese- and Western-style blades to explaining why a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one, Lesley walks through the fundamentals—plus the small habits that can keep your knives chopping for decades.

This episode covers:

Why you only need three knives: A chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated (bread) knife will handle nearly everything in a home kitchen. Most knife sets just add unnecessary “filler” pieces.
How to choose a chef’s knife that actually works for you: Sharpness out of the box matters most, but after that it comes down to comfort, balance, and how it feels in your hand.
Why you don’t need to spend a fortune: A great chef’s knife can cost as little as $50, and cheaper knives (especially paring knives) can perform just as well for everyday tasks.
Honing vs. sharpening: A honing rod doesn’t sharpen your knife—it realigns the edge. You should hone your knives every time you cook, but it doesn’t replace real sharpening.
The biggest knife-care mistakes people make: Putting knives in the dishwasher, soaking them in water, or storing them loose in drawers can damage the blade and shorten their lifespan.

Products we recommend:

The best chef’s knife: Mac MTH-80
A sharp and affordable chef’s knive: Victorinox Swiss Classic Chef’s Knife (8-Inch)
An affordable Japanese knife: Tojiro F-808
A classic German knife: Wüsthof Classic Ikon 8″ Chef’s Knife
An inexpensive and effective paring knife: Victorinox 3.25-Inch Paring Knife
A durable and inexpensive serrated paring knife: Victorinox 3¼" Swiss Classic Serrated Paring Knife
The best serrated knife: Mercer Culinary Millennia Wavy Edge Wide Bread Knife M23210
The best electric knife sharpener: Chef’sChoice 1520
A honing rod we like: Idahone Fine Ceramic Sharpening Rod (12 inches)

Additional reading:

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

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11 of the Most Delightful Products We Discovered This Year Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

All hail the winners of Wirecutter’s inaugural Best New Picks Awards! These products are absolute gems discovered over the past year. Tune in to hear Wirecutter staffers share their delightful, surprising, and useful recommendations for everything from a micellar water beauty editors love, to a CD player you can stream to your bluetooth speaker.

To find out more about these products and over 70 other winners, read the full article.

Products we recommend:

Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask
Spier & Mackay Medium Blue Suit
Pyrex Ultimate 10-Piece Glass Storage Set (this item is often out of stock)
Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones
Just One (Board Game)
Yamazaki Home Magnetic Storage Organizer
Stingray Instant Spot Remover
Syitren R300 CD Player
Gap High Rise VintageSoft Relaxed Joggers
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
Lying Flat Duck Night Light

Additional reading:

Our 2026 Best New Picks Award Winners

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

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The Beginner's Guide to Car Camping Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Camping might feel intimidating for a beginner. But car camping–-where you can simply drive to a spot and bring some creature comforts—lowers the barrier to entry. In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter outdoor writer Trey French about how beginners can get into camping without overcomplicating it.

Trey walks us through the gear that’s actually worth investing in, what you can skip (or borrow), and the mental state to adopt to help ensure everyone has a good time.

Wirecutter staff camping veterans also share their favorite gear for making camping fun and comfortable.

This episode covers:

Why car camping is the best entry point for beginners: You can pack everything in your car, stay near amenities like bathrooms and water, and leave anytime, making it lower-risk and less intimidating than backpacking.
Focus on sleep, shelter, and food: You don’t need to buy everything at once, and a lot of gear (especially kitchen items) can come from home or be borrowed.
What a “good” camping sleep setup really looks like: A thick, wide sleeping pad does most of the work. Sleeping bags matter, but more for warmth than comfort, and sizing and temperature ratings are often misunderstood.
Small upgrades that make a big difference: Things like tablecloths, lighting, fire starters, or better organization can make a campsite feel more comfortable and functional without breaking the bank.

Products we recommend:

The best sleeping pad for car camping: Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad
The best car-camping sleeping pad for couples: Exped MegaMat Duo
The best bag for car camping: REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag
The best camping tent for families: Kelty Wireless 6 Tent
The best picnic-table camp stove: Coleman Classic Propane Camping Stove
A simple coffee solution: AeroPress Coffee Maker
The best rigid water container: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon

Additional reading and watching

The Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking and Car Camping
The 7 Best Sleeping Bags of 2026
The 6 Best Camping Tents for 2026
The 4 Best Camping Stoves of 2026
The Best Instant Coffee, Ranked
Watch Caira try different instant coffee brands on Wirecutter's new YouTube series, Taste Test.

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Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

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

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Tinned Fish is Finally Having the Moment It Deserves Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Tinned fish is having a moment. While countries like Portugal and Spain have long appreciated preserved seafood as a culinary art form, only recently has it caught on as a high-end appetizer in the United States. For the uninitiated, it can be hard to know which cans you’ll like and which are worth the steep price tags.

In this episode, we chat with Wirecutter editorial director Marguerite Preston about her extensive testing of over 100 cans. She breaks down how to choose ones you’ll like, the right ways to serve them, and her favorite tinned fish to serve.

Also, if you want to see a tinned fish tasting, check out Marguerite in Wirecutter’s new taste test series on YouTube.

This episode covers:

How to choose a tinned fish you’ll like: If you're sensitive to certain textures or "fishiness," skip the mackerel, oilier fish, and mollusks, and instead start with trout, tuna, or salmon. These are typically milder with more approachable flavor and texture.
Why oil-packed fish wins: In Wirecutter’s testing, we found that oil-packed seafood generally had better texture and flavor, whereas water-packed seafood tended to be dryer.
How to build a delightful fish board: If you want to serve tinned fish as an appetizer, add a selection of pickles and olives, thin crackers, bread, lemon wedges, and even chopped herbs.
Where to shop: If your local store lacks good options, specialized retailers like Rainbow Tomatoes Garden or Caputo’s offer curated selections to help you choose without the guesswork.

Products we recommend:

Tender trout in mayo sauce: ABC+ Trout in Curry Sauce
Sweet and smokey: Fishwife Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes
Fishy foie gras: Minnow Cod Liver
Smoky and meaty: Wildfish Cannery Smoked Salmon
Fresh lemon flavor: Ramón Peña Mackerel in Olive Oil and Lemon

Additional reading:

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Wirecutter Social and Website

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Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

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

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The Window-Smashing Tool That Could Save Your Life Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Car accidents where a vehicle is submerged in water or erupts into deadly flame are rare. But a simple tool to break your own car window could be life-saving in such an emergency. The only catch: not all car windows are created equal.

This week, Rosie talks to Wirecutter editor and emergency preparedness expert Jen Gushue about the high-stakes world of car glass breakers. Jen enlisted a firefighter to help smash dozens of real car windows to find out which tools actually work when put to the test on different types of glass.

This episode covers:

The difference between tempered and laminated glass: Traditional tempered glass is designed to shatter into small, dull pieces for safety, while modern laminated glass consists of a plastic interlayer sandwiched between two glass sheets. Laminated glass is nearly impossible to break with standard tools.
How to identify what’s in your own vehicle: A small key in the corner of your car window should contain information about the type of glass it's made of. You can also look down at the window from above.
The specific tools that work for each scenario: While portable spring-loaded tools are highly effective on tempered windows, only specialized tools are capable of punching through the reinforced laminated glass found in many newer vehicles.

Be sure to read Jen’s guide for more details on how to tell what kind of glass is in your vehicle.

Products we recommend:

Additional reading: