Brandon Foster

I used to spend 15 minutes a day scooping litter and my apartment still smelled like a litter box. After six months rotating through seven of the most popular automatic litter boxes on the market, I can tell you which ones actually work, which ones scare cats, and which ones are worth every dollar. The … Read more

When I moved into my 480-square-foot studio with a 14-pound tabby named Mochi, I quickly learned that floor space and cat happiness were fighting for the same square footage. After three months of trial and error, I discovered what apartment-dwelling cat owners everywhere already knew: the best cat towers for small spaces aren’t smaller versions … Read more

When my 18-pound Maine Coon launched himself onto a standard cat tree, the whole thing toppled sideways and nearly crushed my dog. That was the day I stopped wasting money on flimsy furniture designed for kittens and started hunting for the best cat trees for large cats that actually hold up under real weight. If … Read more

After testing over a dozen elevated dog beds with our own dogs, I can tell you these raised cots make a real difference for pets that run hot or struggle with joint pain. The best elevated dog beds keep your dog off hot surfaces, allow airflow underneath, and resist chewing far better than traditional plush … Read more

I have rolled more duffels through more airports than I care to count, from the slick floors of Tokyo Haneda to the gravel lots of remote safari airstrips. After three months of hands-on testing with eight different models, I can tell you which best rolling duffel bags actually hold up and which ones give out … Read more

I have been hunting for the best laptop backpacks for commuters since I started taking the train to work five years ago. After ruining two cheap bags, watching a third rip during a rainstorm, and carrying a too-small pack on a bike commute that bruised my shoulder for a week, I learned that the right … Read more

If you have ever watched $60 disappear at the gate for an oversized personal item, you already know why the best underseat carry-on bags matter. I learned this the hard way on a Spirit flight to Las Vegas, where my “carry-on friendly” rolling bag was rejected at the jet bridge. The gate agent measured it, … Read more

Choosing the best electric shavers for men feels harder than it should. Walk into any drugstore or scroll through Amazon and you’ll find dozens of models promising the closest shave, the smoothest skin, and the longest battery life. After 90 days of testing 8 different foil and rotary shavers across beards ranging from light stubble … Read more

I live in a converted attic in a 1920s walk-up, and my landlord has very clear opinions about drilling holes in window frames. So for the last three summers, I have been running every portable air conditioner I can get my hands on through the same punishing routine: a 12×12 bedroom with afternoon sun, a … Read more

Looking for the best window air conditioners to keep your home cool this summer? Our team spent 90 days testing 8 of the top-rated window AC units in real bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices, and the results surprised us. We measured noise levels with a decibel meter, tracked energy consumption over a full month, … Read more