The Wirecutter Show

Camping might feel intimidating for a beginner. But car camping–-where you can simply drive to a spot and bring some creature comforts—lowers the barrier to entry. In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter outdoor writer Trey French about how beginners can get into camping without overcomplicating it. 

 

Trey walks us through the gear that’s actually worth investing in, what you can skip (or borrow), and the mental state to adopt to help ensure everyone has a good time. 

 

Wirecutter staff camping veterans also share their favorite gear for making camping fun and comfortable.

 

This episode covers:

Why car camping is the best entry point for beginners: You can pack everything in your car, stay near amenities like bathrooms and water, and leave anytime, making it lower-risk and less intimidating than backpacking.

Focus on sleep, shelter, and food: You don’t need to buy everything at once, and a lot of gear (especially kitchen items) can come from home or be borrowed.

What a “good” camping sleep setup really looks like: A thick, wide sleeping pad does most of the work. Sleeping bags matter, but more for warmth than comfort, and sizing and temperature ratings are often misunderstood.

Small upgrades that make a big difference: Things like tablecloths, lighting, fire starters, or better organization can make a campsite feel more comfortable and functional without breaking the bank.

 

Products we recommend:

The best sleeping pad for car camping: Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Sleeping Pad

The best car-camping sleeping pad for couples: Exped MegaMat Duo

The best bag for car camping: REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag

The best camping tent for families: Kelty Wireless 6 Tent

The best picnic-table camp stove: Coleman Classic Propane Camping Stove

A simple coffee solution: AeroPress Coffee Maker

The best rigid water container: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon

 

Additional reading:

The Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking and Car Camping

The 7 Best Sleeping Bags of 2026

The 6 Best Camping Tents for 2026

The 4 Best Camping Stoves of 2026 

The Best Instant Coffee, Ranked 

 

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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

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Tinned fish is having a moment. While countries like Portugal and Spain have long appreciated preserved seafood as a culinary art form, only recently has it caught on as a high-end appetizer in the United States. For the uninitiated, it can be hard to know which cans you’ll like and which are worth the steep price tags. 

 

In this episode, we chat with Wirecutter editorial director Marguerite Preston about her extensive testing of over 100 cans. She breaks down how to choose ones you’ll like, the right ways to serve them, and her favorite tinned fish to serve. 

 

Also, if you want to see a tinned fish tasting, check out Marguerite in Wirecutter’s new taste test series on YouTube.

 

This episode covers: 

How to choose a tinned fish you’ll like: If you're sensitive to certain textures or "fishiness," skip the mackerel, oilier fish, and mollusks, and instead start with trout, tuna, or salmon. These are typically milder with more approachable flavor and texture.

Why oil-packed fish wins: In Wirecutter’s testing, we found that oil-packed seafood generally had better texture and flavor, whereas water-packed seafood tended to be dryer.

How to build a delightful fish board: If you want to serve tinned fish as an appetizer, add a selection of pickles and olives, thin crackers, bread, lemon wedges, and even chopped herbs.

Where to shop: If your local store lacks good options, specialized retailers like Rainbow Tomatoes Garden or Caputo’s offer curated selections to help you choose without the guesswork.

 

Products we recommend: 

Tender trout in mayo sauce: ABC+ Trout in Curry Sauce

Sweet and smokey: Fishwife Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes

Fishy foie gras: Minnow Cod Liver

Smoky and meaty: Wildfish Cannery Smoked Salmon

Fresh lemon flavor: Ramón Peña Mackerel in Olive Oil and Lemon

 

Additional reading:

The 24 Best Tinned Fish of 2026 

The 5 Best Sardines 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.

Car accidents where a vehicle is submerged in water or erupts into deadly flame are rare. But a simple tool to break your own car window could be life-saving in such an emergency. The only catch: not all car windows are created equal. 

 

This week, Rosie talks to Wirecutter editor and emergency preparedness expert Jen Gushue about the high-stakes world of car glass breakers. Jen enlisted a firefighter to help smash dozens of real car windows to find out which tools actually work when put to the test on different types of glass. 

 

This episode covers: 

The difference between tempered and laminated glass: Traditional tempered glass is designed to shatter into small, dull pieces for safety, while modern laminated glass consists of a plastic interlayer sandwiched between two glass sheets. Laminated glass is nearly impossible to break with standard tools.

How to identify what’s in your own vehicle: A small key in the corner of your car window should contain information about the type of glass it's made of. You can also look down at the window from above.

The specific tools that work for each scenario: While portable spring-loaded tools are highly effective on tempered windows, only specialized tools are capable of punching through the reinforced laminated glass found in many newer vehicles.

 

Be sure to read Jen’s guide for more details on how to tell what kind of glass is in your vehicle.

 

Products we recommend:

A spring-loaded, hand-protecting tempered-glass breaker: Lifehammer Evolution

A handy keychain that works on tempered glass (with compromises): Resqme

The only practical laminated-glass cutter: Lifeline Evac-Pro

 

Additional reading:

The 3 Best Car Window Breakers, Tested on Real Car Windows

 

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.

Counterfeit beauty products are more common than many people realize, and they’re increasingly difficult to spot. You may think you’re buying an authentic foundation, lip gloss, or moisturizer on Amazon or other big marketplaces, but a recent Wirecutter investigation revealed how easy it is to buy fakes. 

 

In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter senior writer Rose Maura Lorre about her six-month investigation into the world of counterfeit beauty and skincare products. She worked with a cosmetic chemist to test a dozen products, and most of them proved to be questionable. 

 

Rose explains how counterfeit beauty products circulate online, what warning signs shoppers should watch for, and how to make sure the products you’re buying are the real thing.

 

This episode covers:

Why counterfeits show up on legitimate shopping sites: Large marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and Shein allow a variety of sellers to list products. T If the seller actually fulfilling your order isn’t the brand or an authorized retailer, it means the product is being sold by a “third party” seller, and it’s more likely to be a fake.

The most important thing to check before buying: Look closely at who the product is sold by and shipped from. If the seller isn’t the brand itself or a retailer you recognize, you’re taking a risk—even if the listing looks official.

How third-party sellers complicate things: Some products are real but diverted from authorized supply chains. They may have been stored improperly, tampered with, or sold past their intended distribution channel.

Why packaging clues aren’t always reliable: People often look for differences in fonts, labels, or packaging quality, but counterfeiters have become excellent copycats. The seller’s legitimacy is usually a more reliable signal.

The safest way to shop for beauty products online: Buy directly from the brand or from retailers the brand lists as authorized. If you’re shopping on a marketplace, double-check the seller information before purchasing anything.

 

Additional reading:

I Hired a Lab to Counterfeit-Test a Dozen Suspicious Beauty Products I Bought Online. Every Single One Had a Problem.

 

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.

Caregiving can be one of the most meaningful roles you’ll ever take on—but it can also be overwhelming. Between managing appointments, medications, paperwork, and communication with family members or professional aides, there’s a lot to keep track of.

 

In this episode, senior tech writer Rachel Cericola joins us to talk about the tools and systems that can help caregivers stay organized. From shared calendars to smart pill dispensers and even digital fax services, these gadgets and apps can lighten the mental load—whether you’re caring for an aging parent, a spouse in person or coordinating from afar.

 

While this conversation focuses on supporting older adults aging in place, many of these tools can be helpful for anyone managing a busy household.

This episode covers: 

Why organization is critical for caregivers: Managing medications, appointments, meals, hydration, and communication can become life-or-death details if overlooked.

Tools for scheduling and coordination: Shared digital calendars and daily task hubs can help families and professional caregivers stay on the same page.

Communication strategies that actually work: From shared documents to smart speakers and remotely controlled TVs, simple tech can reduce confusion and repeated explanations.

Medication management solutions: Smart dispensers can ensure the right dose is taken at the right time—and alert caregivers if it’s missed.

Paperwork, passwords, and budgeting: Digital fax services, shared checklists, and budgeting software can streamline the mountain of administrative work that comes with caregiving.

 

Products we recommend:

A smarter calendar: Skylight 15-inch Calendar

An aid for people living with memory loss: Relish Day Hub

For reminders and video chat: Amazon Echo Show 11

A TV-based messaging system: JubileeTV

For managing medications: Hero Smart Pill Dispenser

For faxing sensitive documents: Documo

Useful list management: Todoist

For creating and keeping a budget: Moneydance

The best smart light bulb: WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb

The best smart plug: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim (EP25)

Rachel loves: Ninja Air Fryer Pro

 

Additional reading:

Caregivers Juggle Meds, Meals, and Money. Here’s How They Stay Organized

18 Best Smart Home Devices to Help Aging in Place in 2026

The 4 Best Smart LED Light Bulbs of 2026

The 5 Best Smart Plugs 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.