Make
Plan

Don’t let moving stress you out. Here’s everything you’ll need for a seamless move, expert advice on creating a move-in checklist, how to pack your stuff, and the best things to outfit and organize your new home.

Piles of cardboard boxes bearing labels like "Bedroom" and "Dishes" sit in an empty, sunny room. In the foreground, a man in a blue tracksuit sits on a stack of pizza boxes, working at a makeshift desk made from milk crates.

Prepare

Creating a financial and logistical plan before moving will save you money and reduce stress down the line. We’ve collected our best, expert-backed advice for what to do—and what to avoid.

Young couple packing and checking stuff by using checklist before moving to new residence.

The Ultimate Moving Checklist

by Dorie Chevlen and Kit Dillon

Our expert-backed moving checklist has all the tips and advice you need to make moving less stressful.

Before you move

People carrying a coffee table near a moving truck.

Most Moving Hacks You See Online Are Terrible. Here’s What to Do Instead. 

by Rose Maura Lorre

Most of the quirky moving hacks you see on TikTok aren’t worth the trouble (we’re looking at you, knives-in-oven-mitts). Here’s why and what to do instead.

A stock photo of a person working on their taxes using a calculator and their laptop.

Moving is Wildly Expensive. These 8 Tips Will Help. 

by Paulette Perhach

Moving requires a shockingly large outlay of resources in both time and money. Here’s how to set a realistic budget—and stick to it.

Move

Between packing up, schlepping your stuff, unpacking, deep cleaning, and even painting walls or buying appliances, moving can take weeks. Here’s how to make the process smoother.

Two people lifting a dresser into a moving van.

4 Easy Tips for Packing a Moving Truck Like a Pro

by Rose Maura Lorre

Wirecutter’s resident relocation expert talks you through the toughest part of a DIY move: loading up the truck. But have no fear! It’s a lot like playing Tetris.

Must-haves for the move

A TP-Link Archer A8 router sitting on a beige background.

The Gear to Get Reliable Wi-Fi in Any Home 

by Ivy Liscomb

We've spent hundreds of hours testing dozens of routers, mesh kits, and extenders to find the best gear to get strong Wi-Fi throughout your home.

A toilet brush cleaner, a hand broom and dust pan and a robotic vacuum cleaner

90(ish) Wirecutter Picks to Clean Just About Anything 

by Wirecutter Staff

These are 90(ish) of our favorite Wirecutter picks to help you tackle a deep clean of your home.

Everything You Need to Paint a Room 

by Harry Sawyers

Good paint tools make your work look better with less effort—here's what it takes to improve what you can do.

A stack of boxes and miscellaneous household items ready for moving.

Essentials to Help You Conquer the First Week After Your Move 

by Dorie Chevlen

Avoid scrambling for essentials after a big move and set these items aside for a painless transition into your new home.

A close-up of the Anvil Homeowner's Tool Set, our pick for best basic home toolkit.

Essential Tools for Basic Home Repair 

by Doug Mahoney

Our favorite things for building your own toolkit for minor home repairs.

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

Here's everything we recommend. Read the review 

Surprising things you should clean

A clean and shiny stainless steel showerhead, that is installed in a bathroom and turned on.

How to Clean a Showerhead 

by Joshua Lyon

If your showerhead isn’t working as well as it used to, it’s probably time for a cleaning. There are some crucial dos and don’ts to know along the way.

Caulk, paper towels, ant traps, and cleaning solution used to get rid of ants and bugs.

How to Get Rid of Ants, Mice, and Other Pests 

by Doug Mahoney

With basic cleaning products, traps, and a dab of peanut butter, you can conquer the pests invading your home.

A close-up of white bathroom tiles in a corner that are grimy and stained, especially in between the tiles.

How to Clean Bathroom Tile and Grout 

by James Austin and Ellen Airhart

Once you identify the type of tile and grout stain you’re dealing with, you can be more effective and targeted while cleaning.

An array of cleaning products for cleaning an oven.

How to Clean an Oven 

by Rachel Wharton

We tapped experts to help us refine an approach to cleaning ovens that reduces labor and eliminates the use of harsh chemicals.

A shallow basin with cleaning supplies including cloths, vinegar and washing machine cleaner tablets.

How to Deep-Clean Your Front-Loading Washing Machine 

by Andrea Barnes

A deep clean of your front-loading washing machine will keep it running and smelling fresh.

Close-up of a person using a sponge to clean the top rack of a dishwasher.

How to Clean a Dishwasher of Mold and Other Suspicious Stains 

by Ellen Airhart

Got mold on your dishwasher? We discovered that it might not technically be mold after all, but it’s still important to clean off. Here’s how.

Settle in

We’ve tested gear for every room in your home so you can avoid overthinking your purchases and prevent buyer’s remorse.

The eames coat rack with bags, hats and coats on it.

Coat Racks to Declutter Your Entryway

by Alex Arpaia

After rigorous testing, we found six wall-mounted coat racks and two freestanding racks that impressed us with their functionality and style.

Gear for every room

Browse by category

A standing desk decorated with laptop, lamp, and some plants

The Best Standing Desks 

by Kaitlyn Wells and Melanie Pinola

After testing more than 25 standing desks over nearly a decade, we recommend the Uplift V2 due to its customizability, wide height range, and stability.

Four chairs we recomend, clustered close together on a green rug.

The Best Office Chairs 

by Melanie Pinola and Kaitlyn Wells

The impressively supportive, adjustable, and durable Steelcase Gesture is still our pick for the best office chair for most people, as it has been since 2015.

A top down view of a living room with a rug we like.

The Best Area Rugs 

by Shannon Palus, Gregory Han, and Daniela Gorny

We tested 42 rugs and found several different styles to suit a variety of price ranges and preferences.

A stainless steel dishwasher flanked by yellow kitchen cabinets

The Best Dishwashers 

by Andrea Barnes

We stress-tested 12 dishwashers and continue to recommend the Bosch 300 Series for its strong cleaning performance, features, and reliability for the price.

Several floor lamps we tested.

The Best Floor Lamps 

by Gregory Han

We researched hundreds of lamps and tested dozens to find the five best floor lamps, in various styles, under $300.

A mattress tester sitting on the edge of the Novilla Bliss Memory Foam Mattress.

The Best Mattresses for 2024 

by Joanne Chen and Caira Blackwell

The perfect mattress is highly individual. We’ve researched and tested dozens of mattresses, in a range of prices, to help you find your best night’s sleep.