The Wirecutter Show

Moving can be expensive, stressful, and time-consuming, but there are ways to make it easier. In this episode, Wirecutter travel writer Kit Dillon–who moonlights as a professional mover–shares insider tips on how to make the process less painful. 

 

From selecting the best packing supplies to hiring the right crew, Kit’s advice will help you save time, money, and hassle.

 

If you’re in the weeds of an upcoming move and need even more guidance, check out Wiriecutter’s series on moving (including a moving checklist, the best supplies for moving, tips for packing a moving truck, and essentials for the first week of your move).

 

This episode covers:

Why you should get uniform boxes: Professional movers can stack brand-new, uniform boxes neatly on a hand truck and more efficiently inside a van, potentially saving you hours in labor costs. In contrast, a hodgepodge of different-sized boxes is harder to move, and used grocery store boxes can harbor bugs or break easily.

Supplies that will actually protect your stuff: A heavy-duty mattress bag with handles offers far better protection than flimsy plastic versions. Light newsprint is the professional’s choice for packing kitchen gear and delicate items, and you should choose packing tape designed specifically for your storage conditions (such as cold or high-moisture environments).

Why you should pack a “first night” box: Pack a single, clearly marked box with your immediate essentials—a bathrobe, toothbrush, chargers, and a favorite book—to make your first night in a new home bearable.

Strategies for hiring movers: Kit advises getting at least a few quotes from different movers.A suspiciously low bid can be a red flag for cut corners. Always ensure a company is insured and dive deep into user reviews to see if specific movers are mentioned by name for their consistency.

Tipping etiquette: While not strictly required, tipping is highly encouraged for such physically taxing work. If the move goes well, try to give cash directly to each individual mover at the end of the day.

 

Products we recommend:

Uniform medium boxes: uBoxes Medium Moving Boxes (pack of 20) or uBoxes Basic Moving Kit

Light newsprint for packing: uBoxes Newsprint Packing Paper - 10 lbs

Heavy-duty mattress bag: Belador Extra-Thick Queen Mattress Bag with Handles

Great all-purpose moving tape: Scotch Tough Grip Moving Packaging Tape

Packing tape for long-term storage: Scotch Long Lasting Storage Packaging Tape

Packing tape for additional weather resistance: Gorilla Tough & Wide Shipping Tape (currently out of stock)

An easy to use tape dispenser: Uline H-150 Tape Dispenser

Kit loves: Blueair Blue Pure 211i Max

 

Additional reading:

Plan Your Move With These Tips from Wirecutter

The Best Supplies and Packing Advice for Making Moving Less Miserable

The Ultimate Moving Checklist and Tips for a Seamless Move 

4 Easy Tips for Packing a Moving Truck Like a Pro

The Fire Extinguisher, Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Detector, and Other Safety Essentials You Need in Your Home

 

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

Wirecutter Social and Website
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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. 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.

Summer travel season is here, and you might be tempted to download a language-learning app before your next trip. But which ones actually help? Wirecutter writer Matthew Guay tested 15 different language apps to figure out how they can (and can’t) help you learn a foreign language. 

 

This episode covers: 

Why language learning apps are better for travel confidence than fluency. Matthew explains that most apps won’t make you conversational, but they can help you recognize words, order food, ask basic questions, and feel less intimidated traveling abroad. 

How to choose the right language app for your learning style. Rather than naming one universally “best” app, Matthew breaks down which apps work best for different types of learners—whether you prefer grammar explanations, TikTok-style video lessons, addictive streaks and rewards, or long-form audio lessons you can listen to during a commute.

Why practicing with real people matters more than endless app lessons. Matthew says the sweet spot for language apps is learning enough to start trying small real-world interactions, like ordering at a restaurant or introducing yourself. That’s the point where language learning starts to feel rewarding and where you can decide whether you want to pursue it more seriously.

 

Products we recommend: 

Best for learning theory alongside vocabulary practice: Babbel

Best for visual learners: Speak

Best for free vocabulary lessons: Duolingo

Best for classroom-style lessons: Pimsleur

 

Additional reading:

The 4 Best Language Learning Apps

The Best Gear for Travel in 2026

 

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.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. 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.

Have you ever wondered what happens to products that aren’t sold or the items that you return to a store? It turns out, a lot of them end up in the trash. This week, Wirecutter Deputy Editor Annemarie Conte discusses her recent reporting on how and why stores throw away perfectly good products. 

 

Annemarie takes us from the strip malls of Dallas-Fort Worth to the curbs of New York City, shadowing social media influencers Dumpster Diving Mama, GlamourDDive, and The Trash Walker who rescue everything from kids' toys to slashed Coach bags. We dive into why retailers often find it cheaper to destroy and toss items than to donate or recycle them, the environmental life cycle of these items and what companies (and consumers) can do to move toward a more circular economy.

 

This episode covers:

The economics of retail waste: Why it is often more profitable for major retailers to throw away perfectly good products—and even intentionally destroy them—than to donate or liquidate them.

The world of dumpster diving influencers: A look at the community of people who film their "hauls" to expose corporate waste and re-sell goods that are headed for the landfill.

The overproduction problem: How the sheer volume of goods has overwhelmed the logistics chain, creating a secondary market where items are sold by the pallet or simply discarded because they are too expensive to re-process.

Potential solutions for a circular economy: The environmental impact of overproduction and how legislative changes, like those seen in the EU, could encourage companies to stop destroying unsold goods and find more sustainable alternatives.

 

Additional reading:

Why Do Stores Throw Away So Many Perfectly Good Products? I Went Dumpster Diving to Find Out. 

What Slashed Coach Bags Found in a Dumpster Can Teach Us About Product Waste 

We Bought a 450-Pound Mystery Pallet Packed With Returned Goods From Amazon and Beyond. Here’s What We Found Inside.

Inside Wirecutter’s Mystery-Pallet Adventure 

 

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.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. 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.

Finding a swimsuit you feel good in can be daunting. This episode, we’re sharing insider tips on choosing designs, fabrics, and brands that you’ll actually love. Wirecutter style writer Zoe Vanderweide walks us through the finer points of finding high-quality swimwear that fits and flatters.

 

Zoe shares the construction details to look for that will emphasize (or de-emphasize) different body parts, the brands that are making some of the best suits right now, and how to care for your suits so that they’ll last longer. 

 

This episode covers: 

Why some brands are better at size inclusivity: Many brands design for a size 6 "fit model"– the model used to try on a pattern and make adjustments. The brand generally then sizes the pattern up or down to make different sizes, which often doesn’t translate into the best fit for larger bodies. Brands who use plus-size fit models tend to make suits that are more flattering for plus-size bodies.

Fabric and texture tips: Thicker, compressive fabrics will help hold you in more. Textured fabrics, such as ribbed or crinkle fabric, provide a "blurring" effect that can hide lumps and bumps you don’t want to emphasize. But both can take longer to dry.

How to care for your spendy suits: Hanging a wet suit stretches the fibers. Instead, roll it in a towel to remove moisture, then lay it flat in a shady, well-ventilated spot.

The suits our testers loved and why: We walk through the brands that Zoe features in her review, why they’re great, and which will work best for different body types.

 

Products we recommend: 

A plunging cross-back one-piece swimsuit: Left on Friday Weekender Suit

A waist-cinching one-piece swimsuit: Left on Friday Sunday Suit

A well-priced classic one-piece swimsuit: Quince Italian Cami One-Piece Swimsuit

A splurge-worthy knotted bikini top: Mikoh Kaloko 2 Top

A splurge-worthy hipster bikini bottom: Mikoh Cruz Bay 2 Bottom

An ultra-stretchy crinkle suit: Youswim Aplomb One-Piece

A chic, compressive rash-guard one-piece: Hunza G Tyra UPF 50+ Swim

A glamourous one-piece swimsuit with a keyhole neckline: L’Agence Belle Keyhole One-Piece

An uplifting underwire bikini top: Monday Swimwear Sorrento Top

A no-dig high-waisted bikini bottom: Monday Swimwear Sorrento Bottom

 

Additional reading:

15 Best Women’s Swimsuits of 2026

How to Wash Your Swimsuits to Prevent Fading and Stretching

The Best Shapewear of 2026

The Best, Most Comfortable Bras

 

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.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. 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.

If you need fresh gift ideas for Mother’s Day this year, this is your episode. This week, Wirecutter gifting expert Samantha Schoech brings a range of ideas that go far beyond a bouquet of flowers and brunch. 

 

Instead of generic ideas, we’re approaching gifts by personality type—from the exhausted new mom to the outdoorsy adventurer. Samantha also shares her core gifting philosophy (including what not to give), plus thoughtful, sometimes surprising picks that actually make people feel seen.

 

This episode covers: 

Why you shouldn’t add to someone’s to-do list. One of Samantha's strongest rules is to avoid gifts that create work. That means no high-maintenance plants, complicated projects, or aspirational hobbies the person didn’t ask for.

Why the best gifts are things they wouldn’t buy themselves. If someone needs socks, they can buy socks. A good gift is something slightly indulgent or unnecessary—like elevated basics or small luxuries—that feels special precisely because they wouldn’t justify spending money on it.

Why “giving mom a break” is often the most meaningful gift. Instead of another object, Samantha emphasizes the value of rest—like helping them carve out uninterrupted time alone or booking them a night in a hotel. It’s a way to acknowledge the workload of motherhood, not just gesture at it.

Why your time and attention still matter most. Across every category, Samantha comes back to this: a gift lands best when it’s paired with genuine effort—whether that’s a handwritten card, quality time together, or simply showing that you’ve paid attention to what they actually like.

 

Products we recommend:

For the new mom:

Chic, lightweight harem sweatpants: Le Bon Shoppe Balloon Pants (women’s)

Well-priced, super-soft fleece sweatpants: Gap High Rise VintageSoft Relaxed Joggers (women’s)

A scrubby bar for smoother body skin: Soft Services Buffing Bar

Actually, it’s a lip balm: Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream

 

For the first-time grandma:

Handwritten necklace: Gldn Handwriting Necklace

The best digital photo frame: Aura Carver

The Grandmothers by Doris Lessing

 

For the empty nester:

A luscious, affordable paint set: Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors 48-Color Set

For audiobook lovers: Libro.fm Credit Bundle

A delightful way to discover new titles:  Books Are Magic Book Club

A hat that understands: Inside Joke Don't Ask Me What's For Dinner Hat

 

For the outdoorsy mom: 

Best picnic blanket for roving picnickers: Rumpl Everywhere Mat

Beanie baby: Mira Blackman Hand Dyed Chunky Beanie

 

For the mom who loves sparkles:

Party-trick socks: Maria La Rosa One Ribbed Laminated (women’s)

Classic hoops: Quince 14K Gold Pave Diamond Mini Huggies

 

For the crafty mom: 

Needlepoint kits that will make you want to needlepoint: Unwind Studios

Unique and gorgeous embroidery kits: Artist Kate Wyatt

Simple and straightforward block printing kits: Joyn

 

For the foodie mom:

A fruit-and-anything-else bowl for counter clutter: Emile Henry French Ceramic Fruit Storage Bowl

A basket for a tinned fish lover with a cute bandana: Fishwife mother’s day gift basket

 

For the “don’t get me anything” mom: 

Full-body glow-up: Senteurs d’Orient Fleurs d’Oasis The Oil

Stylish and reliable flower deliveries: UrbanStems

 

Samantha loves: 

Cotton undies: Evry studio underwear

 

Additional reading:

The 42 Best Mother’s Day Gifts

All that Glitters: The Best Places to Buy Jewelry Online

21 Great Gifts for Book Lovers of 2026 

20 Best Gifts for People Who Love to Sleep in 2026

The Best Online Flower Delivery Service of 2026

13 Best Boxed Chocolates of 2026

 

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.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. 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.