ROB MCCARTHY

There is something about a slow glide on a warm evening that makes the whole day feel better. I have spent the last several months testing outdoor gliders on my own porch, comparing eight of the most popular models across materials, comfort, weight capacity, and long-term durability. Whether you have a sprawling back patio or … Read more

After spending six weekends testing 14 different patio conversation sets across two backyards and a covered porch, our team landed on a clear shortlist. We measured cushion depth, checked rust resistance after rainstorms, and timed assembly for each candidate. The result is this guide to the best patio conversation sets you can buy right now. … Read more

I spent the last three months sitting on, dragging around, and weathering eight different patio benches so I could write this guide to the best outdoor benches. After rainstorms, blazing sun, and one accidental sprinkler incident, I have real opinions about which benches actually hold up outside. Whether you want a best dining benches style … Read more

There is something deeply satisfying about sinking into a swing chair on a warm afternoon with a cold drink and nowhere to be. After testing six of the best outdoor swing chairs on the market this year, I can tell you that not all of them deliver that dreamy experience. Our team set up each … Read more

I have been chasing the perfect portable cinema setup for three years now, testing everything from pico projectors that fit in a coat pocket to laser units bright enough for backyard parties. After running our team through 8 of the most popular models on the market this summer, I can tell you the best mini … Read more

If you’ve been squinting at your TV trying to hear dialogue over explosions, you’re not alone. Modern TVs keep getting thinner, and that means built-in speakers keep getting weaker. After spending 90 days testing eight of the best soundbars on the market in our living rooms, home offices, and a 12-by-20-foot basement theater, our team … Read more

I have tested dozens of bluetooth speakers over the past three years, from $30 bargain bins to $400 audiophile gear. My team and I dropped them in pools, tossed them in backpacks, and cranked them up to full volume during a backyard barbecue last summer. The best bluetooth speakers in are tougher, louder, and longer-lasting … Read more

I have spent the better part of three months testing portable Bluetooth speakers in every scenario I could think of. Beach trips, camping weekends, backyard barbecues, shower sessions, and living room movie nights. The goal was simple: figure out which speakers actually deliver on their promises and which ones fall flat when you push them … Read more

Vinyl is not coming back. It never left. Record sales have outpaced CD sales for several years running, and in , more people than ever are shopping for the best record players to spin their growing collections. Whether you are unboxing your first turntable or upgrading from a suitcase player that skips every time someone … Read more

When I set up my first home theater, I made the rookie mistake of buying a cheap fixed mount for my 65-inch TV. The viewing angle from the kitchen was awful, glare was constant, and I ended up replacing it six months later with a full motion model. That decision taught me why the best … Read more