The Bench Test

Buying guides

We do the buying thinking: what rules one out, what matters, what to ignore, and which one fits you.

Roundups

  • Best Stovetop Espresso Makers (Moka Pots) for Every Stove

    A stovetop espresso maker, usually called a moka pot, is one of the cheapest ways to make strong, concentrated coffee at home. Water in the bottom chamber heats up, steam pressure pushes it through…

  • Best USB-C GaN Chargers and Hubs

    Charging a phone is easy. Powering a laptop, a tablet, two earbuds cases, and a monitor off one wall outlet is a different problem — and it's the one GaN chargers and hubs actually solve. This guide s

  • Best Desk and Workspace Upgrades

    Six desk upgrades that actually earn their space, led by an under-$40 Bluetooth keyboard that beats pricier rivals on comfort and battery life.

  • Best Smart Home Gadgets

    Six smart home gadgets that actually earn a spot on your shelf, led by the Aqara Motion Sensor P1's Best Overall pick.

  • Best Everyday Carry (EDC) Tools

    Your keys jangle, your pockets bulge, and you still can't say which gadget actually earns its daily carry slot. We looked at the everyday-carry essentials people actually reach for — key organizers, s

  • Best Travel Tech Essentials

    If your carry-on is a rat's nest of cables, a headphone jack you can't use on the plane, and a phone that won't stay put on the dash, this guide is for you. We picked five small, genuinely useful trav

  • Best Portable Chargers and Power Banks

    Power banks are only half the charging equation. The best battery pack in the world won't help if you're stuck hunting for a fast wall charger at the airport, and plenty of us just want a stand that k

  • Best Bluetooth Item Trackers

    Losing your keys, wallet, or backpack is one of those small daily disasters that a $15-60 gadget can actually solve. The catch is that the tracker only works if it matches your phone's ecosystem — an