The Wirecutter Show

Being a good host isn't about having a perfectly styled guest room or spending a fortune on amenities. It's about anticipating what your guests might need and making it easy for them to feel comfortable in your home.
Wirecutter interior design writer Ivy Elrod, who regularly hosts friends, family, and rental guests in her garden apartment, shares how to prepare for visitors before they arrive, what to stock in the bathroom and kitchen, and how to make even a couch feel like a welcoming place to sleep.

This episode covers:
Ask guests about their needs before they arrive. Find out whether they need a truly dark room to sleep, have allergies or food sensitivities, drink coffee or tea, or prefer to get up early. A little advance planning can prevent guests from feeling uncomfortable or having to ask you for things.
Make the essentials easy to find. Stock up on towels, toilet paper, toiletries, and other bathroom basics. In the kitchen, set up a coffee or tea station and show guests how to use your appliances so they can get what they need without waiting for you.
Give guests the information they need to feel independent. Share practical details in writing, including the Wi-Fi password, how to operate unusual light switches, how to adjust the temperature, where to find keys and safety equipment, and useful neighborhood information.
Think beyond the traditional guest room. Extra blankets, multiple pillows, blackout curtains, and a place to charge a phone can make a big difference. If you're offering a couch instead, make it up with layers, provide a reading light, and give guests somewhere to put their belongings.
Prioritize comfort over appearances. A room doesn't need to look perfect in a photograph; it needs to feel good to spend time in. Avoid things like strong cleaning-product scents and tripping hazards, and consider whether guests can move around the space comfortably.
Be clear about expectations. If you have specific dates in mind for a visit, communicate them warmly but directly. Clear plans help everyone enjoy the stay without awkwardness about when it's time to head home.

Products we recommend:
Affordable blackout curtains: IKEA Rosenmandel Black-out Curtains
The best budget percale sheets: Target Threshold 250 Thread Count Organic Percale Sheet Set
A flat silk mask: Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Top-notch noise masking: LectroFan EVO
Tiny air purifier for small rooms: Blueair Blue Pure 511
A fast but heavy hair dryer: Infiniti Pro Conair Quick Styling Hair Dryer
The best USB power strip Anker 341 USB Power Strip (A9183)
A compact travel steamer that’s great for occasional use: Beautural Portable Clothes Steamer
Ivy loves: Gap Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt

Additional reading:
7 Cheap(ish) Things to Have on Hand When Guests Stay Over
The Best Blackout and Room-Darkening Curtains
The Best Sleep Mask
The Best White Noise Machine
The Best Air Purifier


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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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Battery-powered socks, insoles, hand warmers, and vests can offer instant warmth in freezing temperatures. Yet, some of these items have caused burns and even fires, resulting in recent recalls.
This week, Wirecutter outdoor gear writer Kyle Fitzgerald explains what you should know about heated gear, and how to avoid riskier products. He walks us through the safety certifications to look for, why you should only buy from a trusted brand, and what to know about traveling with battery-operated clothing.
Plus, he shares classic layering principles and Wirecutter’s top-tested winter gear to keep your core, hands, and feet warm on the coldest days.

This episode covers:
How to spot safety risks in battery-powered gear: Lithium-ion battery issues like bulging, discoloration, or an unusual electrical odor indicate a problem. Stop using the product if you see these signs.
What safety certifications to check for: Verify that heated apparel has a mark from an OSHA-recognized Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory program (NRTL) or through UL before buying, and steer clear of unverified "alphabet soup" brands.
How to charge and care for heated apparel safely: Charge batteries in open view, avoid leaving them plugged in overnight, never wash garments with batteries attached, and keep lithium-ion packs out of checked airline luggage.
How to layer effectively without batteries: Master the three-layer system—moisture-wicking merino wool base layers, air-trapping down or fleece mid-layers, and weather-protective outer shells—to stay warm naturally.
How to protect cold hands and feet: Choose mittens over gloves for better heat retention, and pair heavyweight merino or alpaca wool socks with insulated winter boots.

Products we recommend:
The best ski and snowboard gloves: Black Diamond Guide Gloves
Floofy foot nests: Tabio Extremely Warm Alpaca-Merino Lounge Socks (unisex)

Additional reading:
Heated Gear Keeps Catching on Fire. How Can You Know What’s Safe?
The 3 Best Hand Warmers of 2026
The 7 Best Insulated Vests of 2026
35 Best Socks of 2026
The Best Winter Boots


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

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One-pot meals promise less cleanup and easier dinners, but the best tool depends on what you’re cooking and how much time you have.

Wirecutter senior kitchen writer Lesley Stockton breaks down the pros and cons of Dutch ovens, slow cookers, and pressure cookers, including when an Instant Pot makes sense and why she prefers a stovetop pressure cooker. She also shares some of her favorite recipes from risotto to whole fish, and where to find reliable one-pot recipes.

This episode covers:
How to choose the right equipment for your needs. Dutch ovens excel at deeply flavored braises, slow cookers offer inexpensive set-it-and-forget-it convenience, electric pressure cookers save hands-on time, and stovetop pressure cookers cook quickly.
Why foods taste different cooked in a Dutch oven and pressure cooker. Dutch ovens allow moisture to evaporate, concentrating flavors and thickening sauces as food cooks. Pressure cookers trap moisture, so you may need to reduce the liquid afterward to get the flavor and consistency you want.
Why you shouldn’t fear stovetop pressure cookers. Modern models have safety features, and they can release pressure much faster than electric pressure cookers. That makes it easier to add ingredients during cooking and build more complex flavors.
Why you should think beyond stews and braises. Lesley uses pressure cookers for risotto, beans, eggs, and even whole steamed fish. Risotto takes just seven minutes at pressure, without the constant stirring traditional recipes require.
How pressure cookers can make meal prep easier. Lesley’s favorite thing to make in a pressure cooker is stock and big batches of soup that she can freeze in individual portions. It’s a practical way to have homemade meals ready when you don’t have time to cook.

Other Resources For One-Pot Recipes We Love:
A great consolidated resource for one-pot meals: NYT Cooking One-Pot Dinner Recipes
One-pot recipes from Lesley’s past: Martha Stewart’s One-Pot Recipes
A dedicated pressure cooker resource: Hip Pressure Cooking by Laura Pazzaglia
Christine’s favorite one-pot meals cookbook: Instant Family Meals by Sarah Copeland

Products we recommend:
A dutch oven made to last: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5½-Quart Round French Oven
The best Dutch oven: Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
The best slow cooker: Hamilton Beach Set & Forget 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
The best electric pressure cooker: Instant Pot Rio 6-quart
The best stovetop pressure cooker: Fissler Vitavit Premium Pressure Cooker

Additional reading:
The Best Dutch Oven
The Best Slow Cooker
The Best Electric Pressure Cooker Is an Instant Pot
The Best Stovetop Pressure Cooker
I Make Creamy Risotto in 7 Minutes in This Magic Pot


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

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mediocre slippers trap sweat, lose their shape, or wear through after just a few months. The good news is that there are plenty of options that will keep your feet perfectly toasty and last for years.
Wirecutter senior editor Jen Hunter explains how to choose between shearling, felted wool, synthetic fleece, and cotton. She elaborates on when to go for rubber soles over soft bottoms, and how replacing an insole can give your favorite pair a second life.
Plus, she shares top picks for cold floors, sweaty feet, and people who need real arch support indoors.

Products we recommend:
Cozy women’s shearling booties: L.L.Bean Women’s Wicked Good Slippers
The men’s version: L.L.Bean Men's Wicked Good Slippers
Extra-plush women’s shearling moccasins: L.L.Bean Women’s Wicked Good Moccasins
The (less-floofy) men’s version: L.L.Bean Men’s Wicked Good Moccasins
The GOAT wool slip-ons: Glerups Slip-On with Natural Rubber Sole
The GOAT wool mid-height pair: Glerups Shoe with Natural Rubber Sole (unisex)
The GOAT wool ankle booties: Glerups Boot with Natural Rubber Sole (unisex)
Squishy, secure slip-ons: Bombas Women's Sunday Slipper
The men’s version: Bombas Men's Sunday Slipper
Silly (in a good way): Crocs Classic Cozzzy Slipper (unisex)
Grab-and-go slippers: Muji Cotton Plain Weave Insole Slippers (unisex)
A striped terry pair: Parachute Terry Stripe Slippers (unisex)
Supportive, shoe-like slippers: Birkenstock Zermatt Premium (unisex)

Additional reading:
The 8 Best Slippers of 2026
How to Restore Shearling Slippers to Their Original Fluffy Glory
Why You Need Indoor Shoes



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

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s no secret that Wirecutter has great advice for cleaning just about anything in your home. And now all that great advice is collected into Wirecutter’s first book: How to Clean Everything.
For the past two years, our co-host Christine Cyr Clisset has combed through Wirecutter’s extensive cleaning coverage to build the ultimate manual, which you can now pre-order (it officially publishes on March 16)!
The book is packed with expert advice from dozens of Wirecutter experts who have spent countless hours researching and testing the best ways to clean and maintain the products we recommend.
Whether you struggle with getting stains out of laundry, organizing closets, de-gunking cookware, or making your bathroom sparkle, this book has the guidance, with step-by-step instructions and the exact list of cleaning supplies you’ll need.
We’ll be sharing plenty more about the book in the coming months. In the meantime, pre-order your copy now!

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

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.