What happened when we tested ghost-hunting gear

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The Recommendation

We tested ghost-hunting gear. Yep, really.

The writer, with an illustration of a thought bubble with a ghost in it, looking a REM pod during a paranormal investigation.
Photo: Grant Clauser

Whether you’ve attended a ghost-hunting tour or are simply a Poltergeist fan, chances are you’ve heard about so-called ghost-hunting gadgets. These tools of the trade claim to detect unseen presences and provide feedback that lets the living interact with spirits.

But do they … work? Grant Clauser, senior editor for our smart-home and audio-visual coverage, attended a paranormal investigation at a site claimed to be one of the most haunted locations in the country to find out.

Armed with three of the most popular ghost gadgets he could find, he fine-tuned his “spirit box.” He braved haunted stuffed animals, creepy crumbling buildings, damp tunnels, pitch-black rooms, and bat-ridden stairwells (seriously). Here’s what he saw and heard—and learned about the science behind the spook.

You know who to call→

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One last thing: The best sheets (for your ghost costume … or sleeping)

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After years of researching bedsheets—from cotton to flannel to linen and everything in between—we’ve found the best sets. They’re comfortable, durable, and cozy for all sleepers, no matter your sleep style … or use case.

Too nice to cut eye holes in, actually→

Happy spooky season.

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