To find the best vacuums for every household’s needs, we tested over 100 vacuums in our Lab and at home. Each vacuum was evaluated on its effectiveness, maneuverability, ease of emptying, portability, noise level, setup, and value. For expert tips on choosing a vacuum, we tapped Kathy Cohoon, director of franchise operations at Two Maids & A Mop. “More expensive doesn’t always mean better, so take inventory of what you need,” says Cohoon....

To come up with these recommendations, we thoroughly researched gift ideas for new moms and rounded up the best options. We also spoke to Karen Reardanz of Babylist for expert tips on how to shop for new moms. “It’s always nice to get something for a new mom that is for them, not the baby, no matter the season,” says Reardanz. And it makes sense, because new parents probably have enough onesies, burp cloths, and bottles from their baby shower to last them a long time....

To find the best grills, we consulted three grilling experts: Jake Wood, owner and chef at Lawrence Barbecue; Christie Vanover, competitive pitmaster and founder of Girls Can Grill; and Ray Rastelli, Jr., butcher and president of Rastelli Foods Group. We also spent hours researching top-rated grills, assessing them for size, cooking capacity, and ease of use. “When buying a grill, think about what you are grilling and how many people [you’re cooking for],” Wood says....

We also found Cyber Week deals on kitchen and tech products, like this Ninja air fryer that you can snag for 38 percent off. It has more than 4,000 five-star ratings, with reviewers calling it “easy to clean, use, and store.” For techies, you’ll find this Fitbit for $100 and Bose, Sony, and Beats earbuds and headphones starting at $38. With these deals, you can shop everything from pillows to vacuums to air purifiers starting at just $20....

We researched dozens of different home espresso machines, evaluating their size, price, efficacy, and reliability. We also asked Jiyoon Han, co-owner of Bean & Bean Coffee and a Coffee Quality Institute-certified Q grader (basically, a sommelier for coffee), for her advice on how to take care of an espresso machine. Charlie Eisenstat, head roaster at Edda Coffee, also weighed in on how espresso machines work and what to look for when you’re shopping....

To find the best grill cleaners, we interviewed three experts—Christie Vanover, competitive pitmaster and founder of Girls Can Grill, Ray Rastelli Jr., butcher and president of Rastelli Food Group, and Roger Sitrin, chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education—to learn how to choose the best grill cleaners for different types of grills and messes. Using their recommendations as a starting point, we spent hours researching grill cleaners, assessing them for strength, ingredients, and ease of use....

First are the obvious gadgets and appliances, like tower fans and air conditioners. These seasonal products are essential for cooling down targeted areas of your home in the summer months. Then there are lesser-known products, such as this clever fan that’s designed to fit under your bed to keep you cool as you sleep. If you typically run hot while sleeping, it’s a total game changer. Moreover, you can upgrade all of your sleep essentials to ensure a sweat-free night’s rest....

“Factors to consider when choosing a cookware set include your cooking preferences, culinary techniques, and the types of dishes you prepare most often,” says Hector Ruiz, the President and Founder of BBQ Grill Academy. “The equipment you most often use to cook on should also be considered.” Alison Cayne, cooking expert and founder of Manhattan cooking school Haven’s Kitchen, believes that when it comes to how many items your cookware set should have, less is more....

To find the best dryer balls, we evaluated the most popular options on their materials, effectiveness, size, and value. We also spoke to two experts—Adam Morris, engineer and founder of Appliances Made Simple, and Taylor Barefoot, cleaning expert, editor-in-chief, and founder of Snug Sensations—for tips on how to maximize the usage of dryer balls and what to look for when buying them. With plenty of appliance knowledge, particularly with dryers, Morris says that “dryer balls are a great solution to cut drying time and save money on your energy bill....

If you’re not sure you’re up to the task, your best bet is to hire a professional. To get a better idea of the average cost to paint a room in each state, we contacted the professionals at HomeAdvisor. Also, keep reading for HomeAdvisor’s home expert Dan DiClerico’s top tips for making sure a paint job stays on budget. Average Costs Before you hire a pro, it’s a good idea to figure out how much the project will likely cost you, as well as the variables that will affect the total cost....

This bath caddy is designed to be a universal fit for almost any bathtub size or shape on the market and extends on either side to reach 43 inches across for wider tubs. It’s made of solid bamboo wood that’s sturdy and water-resistant to hold up to splashes over the years. Plus, the bath caddy has a built-in wine glass holder, a space for a book or tablet with a back to prop up whatever you’re reading, and compartments to safely store your cell phone and a bar of soap....

Editor-Loved Travel Finds Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger, $30 Adwaita Packing Cubes Six-Pack, $13 (was $16) Copper Fit Easy On Compression Socks, $12 Gemice Travel Toiletries Bottle Set, $14 Packism Clear Toiletry Bag Set, $14 (was $16) Bondir Air Guard Premium Reusable Face Mask, $8 Mossio Shoe Bag, $23 Hycoo Travel Duffel Bag, $28 (was $34) Awsaccy iPhone Vintage Camera Case, $12 (was $13) Vans Old Skool Sneakers, $64 (was $69) Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $26 Vlando Small Travel Jewelry Organizer, $9 (was $20)...

But going to the gym isn’t always feasible. A busy schedule makes shlepping to the gym a chore; group workout classes can get expensive; and not everyone likes to do burpees in a hot room with 25 strangers. And these are just a few of the factors that make a consistent, in–person fitness routine hard to sustain. Of course, taking good walks and learning how to start running are both great (free!...

I received free products from Oriental Trading Company for this post. All ideas and opinions are 100% honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. One of my favorite nights of the year is New Year’s Eve! There’s just something about saying goodbye to the year and hello to the new one that makes me happy....

Is there anything better than a soft and chewy brownie? There’s just something about brownies that they always sound good to me. My current obsession however is these chocolate peanut butter brownies because hello, peanut butter and chocolate is one of the best combinations ever. It’s easily my favorite brownie recipe right now! If the chocolate peanut butter combo is not your thing, you may want to check out this easy brownie recipe or these cookie Oreo brownie bars instead....

As part of the Real Simple Smart Money Awards, we’re highlighting the best shopping apps of 2020. From offering cashback to finding discounts, these shopping apps can do it all—and they work at some of your favorite retailers or with services you already use. Read on for the best shopping apps of 2020, or click here to see the other 2020 Real Simple Smart Money Award winners. What it is: Acorns made a name for itself with investment accounts that grow when users round up purchases and toss the difference into the market....

The Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe When I first met my husband we were in college in Utah and lived near a couple of his cousins. One of his cousins in particular loved to cook and invited us over to dinner on a regular basis. One of those nights he made us spaghetti. I’ll be honest, I’m not normally the biggest fan of spaghetti because often times homemade spaghetti sauce comes complete with my least favorite ingredient, onions....

The Best Ways to Pack Your Clothes Think Big, Then Edit Gather all the garments you anticipate needing—then put half of them back. Select clothes in the same color family, packing more tops than bottoms. For a five-day trip, you’ll likely need five shirts, two pairs of slacks or jeans, and one skirt, says Kathleen Ameche, author of The Woman Road Warrior ($15, amazon.com). The average 22-inch carry-on bag fits roughly two pairs of jeans, three sweaters, two dresses, and five shirts....

With its sturdy, rust-resistant aluminum pole and eight ribs, the patio umbrella holds steady whether it’s set around lounge chairs or the center of an outdoor dining table. And you can easily open and close the umbrella with its hand-crank system. It even tilts with a push of a button. To buy: $52; amazon.com. The 9-foot tall outdoor umbrella has a canopy that spans between 42 to 54 inches of shelter to cover a dining set of four to six chairs....

Scenario 1: Your refrigerator smells like leftover lasagna. Solution: Give your fridge’s shelves a quick wipe-down with an all-purpose cleaner to make sure there are no lingering spills producing odors. Soak a cotton ball in the liquid (we like vanilla here) and place it in a dish near the back of one of the shelves. The sweet scent will permeate your refrigerator’s interior until the cotton ball dries up. When it does, replace it with a fresh batch....