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We researched the best backyard water toys, considering age recommendations, material, and entertainment. Our favorite picks include Sunny Day’s bubble machine that doubles as a boombox, H2OGO’s triple lane water slide, and a wet and wild take on Hasbro’s classic Twister game. Here are the best water toys to keep kids cool and entertained all summer long. One thing to keep in mind is that some of the spouts may face the ground if the ball is not positioned correctly, which could cause lawn damage over time....

We researched the best gift options on the market, considering the price, practicality, and sentimentality of each one. Based on those factors, we especially love Breville’s The Barista Express Espresso Machine, West Elm’s Mid-Century Jewelry Box, and Lunya’s Washable Silk Robe. Here are the best anniversary gifts for her. Users warn that this machine takes a bit of getting used to and will definitely take up some counter space. Luckily, the design is modern and simple enough to match any kitchen decor style....

While researching and testing the best options available, we considered each pick’s recommended age, educational value, and longevity. Our favorites include a Play-Doh kitchen set, My Little Pony dolls, and a Paw Patrol bike from Schwinn, perfect for beginners. Here are the best gifts for 4-year-old girls. Your 4-year-old will love watching Snow Dragon’s glittery wings flap open and closed as her moods change based on the interaction. Multiple ages can enjoy this toy and never grow bored, thanks to the 50 included sounds she can make....

We researched dozens of the best bar carts available online, assessing them on ease of assembly, sturdiness, style, and value. Our top pick, the 17 Stories Arturs Bar Cart, is durable, portable, and has two spacious shelves. Here are the best bar carts. With its clean lines and sleek, neutral appearance, this cart can complement industrial, minimalist, midcentury, rustic, or modern farmhouse design schemes. It is 36 inches high. Its shelves are 30 inches long and 14 1/2 inches deep....

We researched trash compactors from the most popular appliance brands, evaluating ease of installation and use, efficiency, and overall value. Our top pick, the Whirlpool 15-Inch Built-In Trash Compactor, has fully-integrated controls, a touch-toe opener, and quiet pack sound. Here are the best trash compactors. What do buyers say? 100+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. Our top pick is Whirlpool’s 15-Inch Undercounter Trash Compactor because it has a powerful 4-to-1 compression ratio that reduces household waste by 75 percent and turns garbage night from a weekly chore to a simple once-a-month affair....

Besides the obvious question of size, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to finding the right double vanity for your bathroom. Luckily, there are tons of options to choose from, including budget-friendly double vanities that look way more expensive than they are and plenty of farmhouse, modern, and mid-century designs that can help your bathroom blend in with the rest of your home’s decor. Here, the best double vanities to consider to help you make this oh-so-important decision....

We researched dozens of generators, considering size, wattage, fuel source, battery life, and maintenance. Our top overall pick, the Generac Guardian 24kW Standby Generator (Model 7209), is Wi-Fi enabled for easy monitoring and is one of the largest air-cooled generators on the market. Here are the top home generators. This popular generator model maximizes power output but minimizes space requirements. The housing of the unit is 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, which is larger than the most compact generators available but on par with typical whole-home generators....

Our favorite random orbital sander is the Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander, which our product tester put through its paces at his home, evaluating it for power, ease of use, effectiveness, durability, and overall performance. Here are the best random orbital sanders for a variety of needs. Sanding is dusty work, but with the Bosch ROS20VSC Palm Sander, you won’t have as much to contend with once the job is done....

We researched the most popular fountain pens available online, evaluating ease of use, quality, and value. Our favorite, the Dryden Designs Fountain Pen, is a hand-assembled writing tool that comes with ink refills and a converter. Here are the best fountain pens. Dryden Designs achieved the perfect combination of luxury and affordability with its Modern Classic Collection. For a reasonable price, this fountain pen glides across the page—no blotching, skipping or bleeding—while still looking stylish....

We purchased top picks and put them through a series of tests in The Lab and real world, evaluating suction strength, maneuverability, noise level, and overall value. The Shark IZ462H Vertex DuoClean Cordless Stick Vacuum is our top pick, after hours of testing. It’s lightweight, has a long battery life, and folds up for easy storage. Here are the best hardwood vacuums for gently cleaning up messes in your home....

Here are the best places to buy kids’ bikes. Not only does Walmart offer a wide selection of well-priced bikes for kids of all ages, but they also feature helmets, bike pads, and other accessories at low prices. If your choice is available in-store, you can even check it out in person before you buy. Dick’s offers free one-hour pickup on bikes sold in-store, so you can purchase and pick up on the same day....

Please note that Richard Epstein, licensed master plumber and The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board member, stresses that drain cleaners can be very damaging to your plumbing over time. He recommends not using them and instead calling a professional who can fix the clogged drain with an electric snake. In addition, Katie Berry, cleaning expert and The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member, warns against combining products or using different cleaners one after the other, as they may contain ingredients that are not compatible and extremely harmful....

We researched and tested some of the top smoke detectors available online, evaluating safety features, battery life, and ease of installation. Home inspector Dave Mitchell, who has seen many incorrectly installed detectors, recommends having a professional take care of even simple installs if you are unsure. Our top pick, the First Alert Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm, detects smoke and carbon monoxide (CO), uses a voice alert system, and is easy to set up....

We researched top options on the market and evaluated them on their battery life, installation, and extra features. Our top pick, the Honeywell Series 9 Portable Wireless Doorbell, has a flexible 450-foot range, and the receiver supports up to six additional doorbells. Here are the best wireless doorbells. The square receiver, which can last for up to five years on four C batteries, has a range of up to 450 feet for flexibility when installing the push button....

John Crouch, the director of public affairs for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, sums up the benefit of this home appliance this way: “Electric fireplaces are primarily decorative, with some having a heating option. Most of the heating-option units will be designed to warm a single room and generally with 5,000 BTUs.” He adds that electric fireplaces are generally considered safe for home use, “as long as you have them installed to the specifications of their owner’s manual....

After speaking with Mannes, we evaluated the most popular choices to find the easiest to set, remove, and clean that can keep your living space vermin-free. Our top choice is the Victor Electronic Mouse Trap trap because of its ease of use and handy LED light that lets you know a mouse is trapped inside. Here are the best mouse traps you can buy. Electronic mouse traps use high-voltage shock to deal with mice quickly and efficiently....

Our best overall pick is the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair in Black, which stands out for its soft cushioning, lower lumbar support, sophisticated design, and overall durability. Here are the best office chairs for a comfortable workspace. A good office chair should facilitate productivity and comfort whether you’re working from home or in the office—and that’s exactly why the Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair is our best overall choice....

We researched the best patio tables available online, evaluating size, fabrication, ease of care and cleaning, and value. Our top picks include a wooden option, like the Pottery Barn Indio X-Base Extending Dining Table, a glass-top style, like the StyleWell Mix and Match Outdoor Patio Dining Table, and a concrete table, like the Outdoor Prism Dining Table. Here are the best outdoor patio tables. Price at time of publish: $749 Price at time of publish: $1,699 Price at time of publish: $399 Price at time of publish: $2,099 Price at time of publish: $286 Price at time of publish: $296...

We researched the best propagation kits evaluating design, size, and ease of use. Our top overall pick, The Humble Roots Woodworks Wooden Propagation Station, is affordable, customizable, and can be wall-mounted or displayed on a tabletop. Here are the best propagation kits for your home. This top-choice propagation kit has a modern, sleek look with a rectangular shape, clean edges, and translucent glass vessels so you can track your trimmings’ rooting progress....

What Happened to the Detached Garage? Integrating the garage structure into the home itself as an attached structure began to become popular in the late 1940s, as greater prosperity led to larger cars—and more of them. In the 1950s, many families found themselves in a position to own two cars, and using the attached garage as the main entry point to the home became a common practice. By the 1960s, 60 percent of new homes were built with garages (and at a much higher percentage in non-urban areas), and by the 2000s, fully 80 percent of all homes had garages....