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The Recommendation

December 31, 2024

The picks that actually changed our lives this year

Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter, Noguchi, Day Rate Beauty

Hey, it’s your newsletter editors. Happy New Year’s Eve.

It’s been quite a busy year here at Wirecutter. Our experts tested tons of viral products, including trending water bottles, Rihanna’s nursing bra, and buzzy kitchen gadgets galore (some good, others … not so much).

They tasted a whole lot of butter, American cheese, and ketchup. They dove deep into microplastics and Ralph Nader’s pen problem.

And of course, they continued to test hundreds of new products against the hundreds of existing recommendations that they’ve made over the years.

As for us? We lived and breathed all of that coverage as we wrote nearly 500 newsletters—and launched a brand-new one—full of expert advice on what’s worth (and not worth!) your time, how to take care of the stuff you own, and some things that have simply delighted us along the way.

All of that to say: We have collectively thought, learned, and written about (and yes, purchased) a whole lot of Wirecutter products. Many of them have certainly made our lives a bit more comfortable, beautiful, safe, or clean.

But these? These are the Wirecutter picks that, if we really had to choose, made the single biggest impact in our lives this year:

  • “As a Pisces who values a good night’s sleep more than most things, there are few things worse than waking up mid-beauty rest because my eyes, nose, and throat are uncomfortably dry. Finally caving and buying a humidifier was one of the best decisions I made this year. Our top pick is everything staff writer Thom Dunn promised it would be: It’s quiet, fast, and shuts off before my room turns into a murky haze. With a tank wide enough to fit a bottle brush into, it’s also less of a pain to clean. And perhaps best of all: My skin feels and genuinely looks more hydrated upon waking.” — Isoke
  • “Since I splurged on this gorgeous little hair pin, it has hardly left my head. No matter the occasion, my hair is now almost always pulled up in a cute French twist. I love that it feels more grown-up and special than a plastic claw clip. Plus, the tines secure my long layers without tugging or giving me a tension headache. Pricey? Yes. But in terms of price-per-wear, this little stunner has certainly paid for itself. I leave you with a piece of advice. There’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to nailing an effortlessly chic French up-do, so I strongly recommend doing what I did: searching ‘slow motion French twist hair pin’ on TikTok or YouTube and learning from the girlies.” — Brittney
  • “I picked up this simple table lamp during a recent New York visit, and it’s been on my hallway table since. I didn’t know I even needed new hallway lighting, but upgrading has made a massive difference, transforming a once-awkward space into something of a design moment. (Our home decor expert, Joshua Lyon, is a fan, too.) The paper shade gives off a subtle, warm glow. The design is simple, yet visually interesting enough that it really elevates my space. It makes a satisfying clicking sound when I turn it on and off. And it reminds me of a fun day I spent traveling. Simply put: It sparks serious everyday joy.” — Haley Jo
  • “When I painted my bedroom this past spring (Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee on the walls and Chantilly Lace for the trim, if you must know), I took my mounted TV off my wall and never put it back up. I live—and often work—in a pre-war one-bedroom that I desperately try to make as Parisian-looking and zen as possible. And I truly hate the look of a TV crowding the limited wall space. It’s a personal problem, I know. One that I happily solved with this mini projector. Anything would have been an upgrade from my iPad Netflix binges, but I’m shocked at how much I love this thing. It doesn’t require a whole complicated setup to get the picture centered on my wall, the image is clear even without a dedicated screen, and the built-in speakers sound great. And now I get the best of both worlds: a blessedly bare wall and the perfect setup for cozy movie nights.” — Sofia

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

The best of the year, according to readers

The most beloved travel essentials of 2024

Last year’s most popular products, including great luggage and pretty travel containers, could be just what you need for next year’s best adventures→

The kitchen gear you loved the most

Our annual reader-favorite list includes a handsome pepper mill and an old-fashioned peanut butter stirrer→

Our most popular home decor and cleaning picks

Including air purifiers, laundry essentials, ultra-soft bedding, and more→

Thanks for being here with us.

You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

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