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With 30 unique sounds, Adaptive Sound Technologies’ Sound+Sleep High Fidelity Sleep Sound Machine aims to help you block out unwanted noise and fall asleep. To really assess whether the device lives up to its hype—and price tag—we gave the machine to a sleepy reviewer, who used it every night for four weeks. She played around with the special features, tested different sound profiles, and evaluated its overall effectiveness and functionality....

Thick Carpet / Underpad Sound bounces off hard surfaces and is absorbed by soft surfaces, so the first thing to do is invest in a thick carpet (or area rug) and make sure it has a good quality underpad underneath it. The carpet will absorb a little bit of sound, but it also helps because it will prevent furniture from making noise when it’s moved around (for instance when you sit down in a chair and it shifts slightly)....

The best thing about Southwestern decor is that you can really make it your own. Whether you decide to go all out with cactus and buffalo motifs or you want to toss a few bold printed rugs here and there, you can easily incorporate these elements into your own decor style.

While Swedish Death Cleaning may sound like some kind of morbid crime scene cleanup, it’s actually a thoughtful and effective approach to decluttering. Okay, so maybe it is a little morbid. But Swedish Death Cleaning can actually provide some real benefits in the here and now, helping you decide what items are truly important and what you’d be willing to part with. Rather than a grim end-of-life task, think of it as a Scandinavian twist on the Konmari Method....

While some terrestrial birds are naturally flightless, others are simply reluctant fliers that may not be able to fly long distances easily. Most terrestrial birds that do fly will stay low above the ground or close to cover when flying, and typically fly only in short, frantic bursts rather than going long distances. Terrestrial birds are also known as land birds or ground birds. Traits of Terrestrial Birds In addition to their preference for keeping low, terrestrial birds also share a range of other physical and behavioral characteristics, although not all terrestrial birds will have every trait....

The Origin: Had Enough of Roomies High housing costs forced Doss to look for a roommate each time she found a new town in which to hang her hat. “After several awful roommates, and sharing walls in apartments with people almost just as bad, I decided I had had enough,” Doss says. “I wanted my own walls, and I wanted something that I could afford by myself. A tiny house was the answer....

We spoke to experts at the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), who recommend whole-house surge protection as a baseline. “The 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) introduced surge protection as a requirement for dwelling units,” says ESFI program manager Daniel Majano. “Dwellings are now required to be protected by listed Type 1 or Type 2 surge protective devices (SPDs), which are typically installed in your breaker box or electrical panel....

With Dr. Broch’s guidance in mind, we purchased 34 weighted blankets and tested them in The Lab, where they were evaluated for their quality, comfort, warmth, ease of cleaning, durability, and value. From taking naps to spilling coffee on these blankets, our testers left no room for questioning whether they were comfortable and durable for busy homes and lives. Here, the best weighted blankets to help you relax—tested by us....

Our top laundry basket pick, the Curver Laundry Storage Basket, is large yet lightweight, stackable, and features a woven pattern that lets damp laundry breathe. Here are the best laundry baskets for your home. We didn’t seek out a laundry basket that would garner compliments, but we found one in the Curver Laundry Storage Basket. Available in white or blue, this laundry basket ticks all the boxes for an ideal laundry basket....

Deane Biermeier, former licensed contractor and current member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board, comments, “Electric pressure washers with various pressure nozzles are the most valuable for the typical residential user. You likely won’t need to spend the money for a professional-grade gas pressure washer for most household chores.” Our top pick, the Sun Joe 2030-PSI Electric Pressure Washer, won the highest accolades thanks to its power, dual detergent tanks, five included nozzles, and overall performance....

But, what actually causes an allergic reaction? “Often a suspected feather allergy is actually an allergy to dust mites, whose proliferation is encouraged on and around feathers,” says Heather Viola, DO, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine. Down-alternative comforters avoid this risk with a fill often comprised of cotton or polyester. We compiled duvets that fared well with our home testers, and researched standout designs for various sleep styles....

We researched the best card games for the whole family, considering the age range, duration, and space required. Our favorite games include the popular classic SEQUENCE, a family-friendly trivia option from Hygge Games, and Gamewright’s Splurt!, a fast-paced call-out card game perfect for large groups. Here are the best family card games. The first person to yell out a word fitting both descriptions (“a movie start starting with w” or a “pizza topping beginning ending with t”) wins that card....

We researched the best high-quality jigsaw puzzles for every age and difficulty level. We love the Mudpuppy Hot Dogs A-Z 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for its captivating design, sturdy pieces, and challenge factor that’s suitable for all ages. Here are the best puzzles on the market. Learn more about different breeds while assembling the furry friends illustrated by artist Carolyn Gavin. The classic 1,000-piece size makes this pick accessible to various ages, whether as a simple warm-up puzzle or a week-long challenge for beginners....

To make your search easier, we researched the best personalized and functional gifts that align with your coworkers’ potential hobbies and interests—whether it’s for birthdays, holidays, or to simply say thanks. Some of our favorite picks include a classic coffee tumbler from Yeti, easy-to-make meals from Daily Harvest, and a modern monitor stand from Anthropologie. Here are the best gifts for every coworker. Functionality When it comes to buying gifts for a coworker who you may not know very well, gift something that makes life at the office (or home office) a bit easier....

We researched dozens of ice scrapers, including options with brooms, brushes, telescoping handles, and other features designed to handle various vehicle sizes and weather conditions. We then evaluated them on their length, blade, ease of use, effectiveness, and value. Our favorite is the Subzero Hopkins Pivoting Snowbroom and Squeegee, because it has soft foam grips, an extendable handle with a pivoting head, and tools to tackle both ice and snow....

We determined that the best overall choice is the Hampton Bay Haymont Wicker Patio Dining Set because it is stylish, comfortable, and durable. Here are the best patio dining sets to buy right now. Our pick for the best overall patio dining set is the Hampton Bay Haymont Outdoor Dining Set. This seven-piece wicker dining set perfectly combines comfort and style and includes two swivel chairs, four stationary chairs, and a beautiful cement-finish steel tabletop that is easy to wipe clean....

Our top pick, the Sunjoy Zero Gravity Chair, is easy to transport, has a smooth reclining mechanism, and is made of sturdy steel and a UV-resistant mesh that promotes airflow to regulate body temperature. This chair can hold up to 300 pounds, and it folds into a compact form, allowing you to bring it on camping trips or to the beach. The stay-cool material doesn’t stick to your skin, even on hot summer days, and its armrests are contoured for maximum comfort....

After 16 hours of testing, the winner is the King Koil Queen Air Mattress, which is easy to inflate and deflate, has a built-in pillow and comfort quilt top, and comes with a one-year warranty. Based on our testing, here are the best air mattresses. After testing it among 10 models in our Lab, the popular King Koil Air Mattress is our best overall air mattress. If you are looking for a comfortable mattress that is simple to set up and easy to carry, this is the choice for you....

“If you wake up feeling worse than when you went to sleep, it’s a sign something is not quite right with your mattress,” says Dr. Samantha March-Howard, doctor of chiropractic at 100% Chiropractic office in Dunwoody, Georgia. “If you have consistent pain, usually in the neck, lower back or hips or the actual structure itself starts to sink in, then it’s time to get a new mattress.” Budget mattresses come in many different types, including innerspring, memory foam, and hybrid versions to suit your sleeping preferences....