Dishwashers make life easier—but most people don’t use them quite right. This episode, we’re diving deep into how you can get yours to wash dishes even better. 

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Andrea Barnes

Products we recommend:

• The best dishwasher detergent: Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs
• What to use to clean your dishwasher: Affresh or citric acid
• Rinse aids to consider: Ecover or Finish Jet Dry
• The best dishwasher: Miele G5008
• Andrea loves: The League of Kitchens Cookbook

Additional reading:

• The 4 Best Dishwasher Detergents of 2024 
• How to Clean Your Dishwasher 
• Why You Should Clean Your Dishwasher Filter 
• How to Use Your Dishwasher Better
• We Smeared Hundreds of Dishes With Peanut Butter, Egg Yolk, Red Sauce, and Lipstick to Test Dishwashers in 2024
• Is It You, or Is Your Dishwasher Just Lousy? Here’s How to Tell.

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

Most printers suck. This week we crack the code on how to buy one you might actually like, and reveal the secrets to saving cash on ink and toner. 

Guest: Wirecutter supervising editor Ben Keough 

Products we recommend:

• Basic B&W laser printer we recommend: Brother Wireless HL-L2460DW
• Online photo printing we recommend: Nations Photo Lab
• Ben’s new/used camera: Nikon F3

Additional Reading:

• Why All Printers Suck (Even the Best Ones)
• The 4 Best Home Printers of 2024
• The 4 Best All-in-One Printers of 2024
• The 3 Best Photo Printers of 2024
• The 4 Best Mobile Scanning Apps of 2024
• The Best Online Photo Printing Service of 2024

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

It’s Dry January—but non-alcoholic cocktails needn’t be sad. We’re discussing the health risks of alcohol and how to build out a delicious buzz-free bar cart.

Guests: NYT reporter Dana G. Smith and Wirecutter editor Marguerite Preston 

Products we recommend: 

• A gin-like alternative: Pentire Adrift
• St. Agrestis Non-Alcoholic Phony Negroni
• A bitter Amaro-like favorite: The Pathfinder
• Rosie enjoys mixing this with Pathfinder: Uncle Waithley’s Vincy Brew
• Less bitter options: Curious No. 2  and Casamara Superclasico
• Great for your NA Bar Cart: Bitter Queens Essential Bitters Variety Pack and Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherries
• Marguerite loves: Onyx Coffee Lab Instant Coffee Advent Calendar

Additional Reading 

• 14 Best Nonalcoholic Drinks of 2024
• Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health by Dana G. Smith
• What, Exactly, Is ‘Moderate Drinking’? by Dana G. Smith
• What to Know About Non-Alcoholic Beverages by Dana G. Smith
• Hop Water Isn’t Trying to Be Beer. That’s Why We Like It.
• The 8 Best Nonalcoholic Wines of 2024
• The Best Instant Coffee

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

From a space heater that saves a marriage to sunscreen that saves a surfer’s skin, Wirecutter’s staff opens up about the best things they bought in 2024.

Guests: We heard voicemails from Wirecutter staffers including Mel Plaut, Ingela Amundson, Annemarie Conte, Jackie Reeve, Brent Butterworth, Katie Okamoto, Zoe Vanderweide, Liam McCabe, Elissa Sanci, Alex Aciman, Kathleen Squires, Julia Bush, Claire Wilcox,  Jon Chase,  Lauren Dragan, and Dorie Chevlan. 

Products We Recommend: 

• Mel Plaut likes: Vornado AVH10 space heater
• Ingela Amundson likes: Sterilite Stacking Laundry Basket
• Annemarie Conte likes: Garmin Forerunner 165 watch
• Jackie Reeve likes: Donner DUC-1 Concert Ukulele
• Brent Butterworth likes: JBL Go 4 Bluetooth Speaker
• Katie Okamoto likes: HAY Matin Table Lamp 
• Zoe Vanderweide likes: Harper Wilde Bliss Triangle Bralette
• Liam McCabe likes: Gordon 20-in-1 Multi-Tool
• Elissa Sanci likes: Trtl Pillow
• Alex Aciman likes: Comfort Colors 1717 Adult Heavyweight Tee
• Kathleen Squires likes: The New York Times Premium Birthday Edition book
• Julia Bush likes: Adizero Adios Pro 3 super shoes
• Claire Wilcox likes: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Jon Chase likes: Channel Master FLATenna
• Lauren Dragon likes: WhiteBark Workwear Full Cross-Back Apron
• Dorie Chevlen likes: Cuisinart Round Flip Belgian Waffle Maker WAF-F30
• Christine Cyr Clisset likes: Technivorm Moccamaster KBT coffee maker
• Caira Blackwell likes: Lilysilk 25 Momme Oxford Envelope Luxury Pillowcase
• Rosie Guerin likes: ViscoSoft 3 inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Additional Reading: 

• The Best T-Shirt I Ever Bought Came From a Midwest Strip Mall. I Tracked It Down on Amazon.
• I Test Bras for a Living. The Harper Wilde Triangle Bralette Is the Only One I Actually Wear. 
• Super Shoes Aren’t Just for Olympians. But Do Casual Runners Really Need Them?
• The Silly-Looking Trtl Travel Pillow Is the Only Way I Can Sleep on Flights

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

Homes burn crazy fast these days. Are you prepared? We’re covering everything you need, from the newest smoke alarms to the right fire extinguishers. 

Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Doug Mahoney and senior editor for smart home coverage Jon Chase 

Additional reading: 

• The 4 Best Basic Smoke Alarms of 2024 
• The 2 Best Smart Smoke Alarms of 2024 
• The Best Fire Extinguisher
• The Best Fire Escape Ladder 
• UL video of room burning test: New Comparison of Natural and Synthetic Home Furnishings

Products we recommend: 

• The best smoke alarm: First Alert SM500V Interconnected Battery-Operated Smoke Alarm with Voice Alerts
• The best smart smoke alarm: Google Nest Protect
• The best fire extinguisher: First Alert Pro5
• The best fire ladder: X-It 2-Story Emergency Escape Ladder
• Doug recommends: Veto Pro Pac XL Extra Large Compact Tool Bag

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

We’re fielding listener questions with pro tips for delighting picky friends, impossible relatives, and other challenging recipients on your holiday list.

Guest:  Staff writer Samantha Schoech

Products we recommend:

Beautiful Utilitarian Upgrades:

• Brushed Stainless Steel French Press
• Rough Linen Robe

Personalized Gifts: 

• Handwriting Cuff bracelet
• Personalized retro view finder
• Customizable drinking straw 

Experiential Gifts: 

• Teas to try together
• Bokksu Japanese Snack Box

Great for Dads: 

• Yeti Cooler
• LL Bean Wicked Good Slippers

Digital gifts that don’t clutter: 

• MasterClass subscription
• Libro FM  audiobook subscription
• Met Opera subscription
• BritBox British movies and TV subscription

For a brother who buys himself what we wants: 

• Williams Sonoma Monogrammed Steak Brand
• The best growler
• The best home brewing kit
• Happy Tooned Print

For people you don’t know that well: 

• Fast Growing Trees Citrus Trees

Sam loves:

• Italian loafers

Additional Reading: 

• Most Gift Baskets Are Terrible. These Are Great.
• 36 Gifts for People Who Have Everything 2024
• 28 Best Personalized Gifts of 2024 
• 15 Aesthetic Gift Picks (for Those With Impeccable Taste) 
• The 48 Best Gifts for Dads 2024

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

This week, we dive into our gift team’s best-in-class tips for finding awesome affordable gifts for everyone on your list.

Guest: Wirecutter editor Hannah Morrill

Additional Reading

• The 45 Best Gifts for Teens in 2024 
• 43 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers of 2024 
• 25 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers of 2024 
• The 39 Absolute Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25
• 31 Best Secret Santa Gifts of 2024 
• 50 Wirecutter-Approved Stocking Stuffers for Adults

Products We Recommend

Great value:

• Baggu Small Cloud Carry-On

Playing with shape & size:

• Bonilla a La Vista Potato Chips
• Maldon Sea Salt Flakes (3 pounds)
• World's smallest Uno 

Novelty:

• Lazy Duck, Lying Flat LED Duck Lamp
• Puebco Empty Book
• Kikkerland Solar-Powered Rainbow Maker
• Emile Henry Salt Pig
• GurglePot Fish Pitcher

Utilitarian upgrades:

• TravelCard Plus
• MoMA Self-Watering Wet Pot Planter
• Heirloom Art Co. Larissa White Nightgowns

Tech ideas:

• Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
• Google Chromecast with Google TV

Cooking ideas:

• The New York Times Cooking Page-A-Day Calendar 2025
• Mosser Glass Jade 3 Piece Mixing Bowl Set

Beauty/Luxe ideas

• Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath Salts
• Senteurs d’Orient Fleurs d’Oasis L’Huile

Secret Santa or White Elephant:

• 101 Pooping Puppies Jigsaw Puzzle
• LEGO Cherry Blossom
• Lonely Planet’s Where to Go When
• Retro Point & Shoot Camera Phone Converter

Hannah recommends:

• Dorsey Kate Riviere in Silver

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Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

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

Most of the deals you’ll see for Black Friday and Cyber Week aren’t worth your time. This week, we reveal how to actually get a deal that’s worth your money.

Guest: Wirecutter senior deals editor Nathan Burrow 

Products we recommend:

• The best bluetooth speaker: Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
• Nathan Recommends: Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO 

Additional reading links:

• Best Black Friday Deals 2024
• Daily Deals - Wirecutter
• Wirecutter Deals, Explained

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Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

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

Thanksgiving is (almost) here, and this week Wirecutter experts share their best last-minute tips to make your holiday a success.

Guests: Wirecutter staffers Hannah Morrill, Rose Lorre, Lee Neikirk, Lauren Dragan, Ellen Airhart, James Austin, Phil Ryan, Michael Sullivan, Ben Frumin

Products we recommend: 

• Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler
• Tony’s Chocolonely Super Milk Bundle
• Bananagrams
• Tide Pen
• Korky 99-4A Max Performance Plunger

Podcasts that are great for families

• Wow in the world
• Brains On
• Once Upon a Beat
• Radiolab for Kids 
• 99% Invisible 
• The Good Whale

Audiobooks for families

• Mouse and the Motorcycle
• Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum

Website recommendation for learning new card games

• Pagat

Additional Reading: 

• Taking better iPhone photos 
• The Best Fake Christmas Tree
• Rose Lorre's article about what to bring to Thanksgiving as a guest 

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Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

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

Few ingredients are as loved (and villainized) as butter. We discuss how to pick a great butter, and the best ones for eating, cooking, and baking. 

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Lesley Stockton

Additional Reading: 

• The 7 Best Butters of 2024
• The Best Vegan Butter

Products We Recommend:

•  Kerrygold Salted Butter
• Isigny Ste Mère Salted Butter
• Finlandia Imported Salted Butter Bar
• Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter Salted
• Kirkland Signature Butter Unsalted

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

NYT’s Sam Sifton and Wirecutter's Lesley Stockton reveal their pro tips for Thanksgiving success—from menu planning and hosting to the essential kitchen gear.

Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton and assistant managing editor of The New York Times Sam Sifton

Additional Reading: 

• Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton
• The Best Roasting Pan
• The Best Instant Read Thermometer
• The Best Chef’s Knife
• The Best Gas Grills
• The Best Gas Grill Tools 

Products We Recommend: 

• The best chef’s knife: Mac MTH-80
• The best instant-read thermometer: ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

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