The Wirecutter Show

We’re demystifying what separates luxury boxed chocolates from standard supermarket candy. Gabriella Gershenson, Wirecutter’s taste test editor and author of our boxed chocolates guide, explains what ingredients to look for on labels, the textures that separate the great from merely mediocre, and why good chocolates cost so much. 
 
Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves a classic toffee or an adventurous eater seeking mind-bending flavors, this episode serves as a masterclass in how to choose the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
 
This episode covers:
Ingredients to look for: High-quality chocolate should consist of cocoa butter and/or cocoa mass, and sugar. Avoid boxes containing vegetable oils or artificial flavorings, which compromise both texture and taste.
What makes a great boxed chocolate: The coating should be uniform with a visual sheen and the texture should have a pleasing “snap” (a sign of proper tempering). The filling should accurately match the description in the box's key—if it says "hazelnut," it should taste like an actual hazelnut, not synthetic.
Why premium boxed chocolates are expensive: Luxury chocolates are expensive ($50–$90+) due to fluctuating global cacao prices, small-batch production, and the use of skilled manual labor rather than factory automation.
What to get if gifting to people with food restrictions: There are now far more options than ever for vegans and people with nut allergies. Our testers even preferred many vegan chocolates (often nut-based) over traditional dairy versions.
Gourmet bars make a great budget gift: If you don’t want to spend $50 to $90 on boxed chocolates, high-end artisanal bar chocolates make a great, affordable alternative.
 
Products we recommend:
Recchiuti Confections Black Box 16: With perfectly executed flavors and an eye-popping array of shapes and textures, the Recchiuti Black Box chocolates were our tasters’ all-around top choice.
Valerie Confections Baby Grand Assortment: The toffees, caramels, and truffles from Valerie Confections are deceptively simple, combining classic fillings with beautiful technique—and some unexpected flavor combinations.
Stick With Me Sweets 12 pc Bonbon Box: This New York–based chocolatier harnesses flavors in full force within delicate hand-painted shells. A vegan box and a nut-free box are also available.
Ragged Coast Milk & Dark Chocolate Truffles: The Maine-based chocolatier woos with sophisticated fillings, single-origin chocolate, and a focus on local and organic ingredients.
Melissa Coppel Bonbons: Melissa Coppel’s marbled bonbons and hand-dipped chocolates are impressively well crafted, with layered fillings that reminded us of a plated dessert.
Melissa Coppel Vegan Bonbons 12 Piece: Melissa Coppel’s vegan chocolates are as impressively crafted as the originals, with memorable and dynamic flavor combinations.
Richart Initiation: The two-tiered Richart Initiation box offers a chocolate experience that’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is palate-teasing.
Dandelion Chocolate Single-Origin Truffle Collection: Dandelion Chocolate’s truffles, crafted by the San Francisco bean-to-bar chocolate maker, demonstrate the subtlety and distinct terroir of excellent single-origin chocolate.
Chocolat Moderne Vegan Victory: The selection of filled chocolates from Chocolat Moderne features cordials, marzipans, jellies, caramels, and other festive fillings in dark and vegan milk chocolate shells.
La Maison du Chocolat Fruit Naturally Gift Box: The French chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat infuses smooth vegan ganache with vivid fruit flavors in this elegant selection.
Amore di Mona Assorted Mignardise Red Gift Box: The Amori di Mona chocolates are elegantly executed, with subtle flavors and complex texture. Vegan and free of common allergens, these are a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
 
Additional reading:
13 Best Boxed Chocolates of 2026
The 36 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him
41 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her of 2026 
39 Best Cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts (Mostly) Under $25 of 2026
 

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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We’re working on an episode about the worst household smells and we want to hear from you! What smells are you plagued by? What odors have you tried and failed to remove? Tell us about them and our experts will offer their best advice. 
 
Record a voice memo on your smart phone telling us about your smell scenario and email it to us at [email protected]. Don’t forget to tell us your name and where you’re calling from. We may answer your question on the show!

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Your workout shouldn’t stop after you’ve finished your cardio or weightlifting session. What you do right afterward can make the difference between feeling good for the rest of the day or dragging with soreness and fatigue. 
 
We brought in two experts to break down what recovery really means, why it matters, and how to approach it without overcomplicating things. First, Dr. Leada Malek, a licensed physical therapist, explains what’s happening in your body after a workout, why your nervous system needs time to calm down, and which recovery habits actually help you feel better between sessions. 
 
Next, Seth Berkman, Wirecutter’s fitness gear expert, walks us through the tools he’s tested that can support recovery at home: what’s worth using, what’s optional, and where you can save your money.
 
By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to recover in a way that supports your workouts, fits into your routine, and helps you feel better—not just immediately after exercise, but in the days that follow.
 
This episode covers: 
What “recovery” actually means—and why it’s not just stretching. Recovery is about giving your body time to come down from the stress of exercise. Dr. Malek explains that after a workout, your heart rate, nervous system, and muscles are still in overdrive. Recovery helps dial all of that back so you feel less sore, less fatigued, and more prepared for your next workout—not just physically, but neurologically too.
Why cooling down helps you feel better, even if it doesn’t “prevent” injury. A proper cool down won’t magically stop injuries, but it can make your muscles feel more comfortable after exercise and plays a big role in how you feel 24 to 48 hours later.
Static vs. dynamic stretching—and when each one makes sense. Dynamic stretching works better before workouts because it helps warm you up, increase coordination, and boost blood flow. Static stretching—holding a stretch for 30 seconds or more—can be useful after workouts to reduce stiffness and help you feel less sore in the days that follow.
How to build a simple recovery toolkit. Seth walks through recovery tools that can help—like mats, foam rollers, massage sticks, and optional gadgets—and explains which ones are actually useful, which are optional, and how to think about cost versus benefit.
The truth about massage guns. Tools like the Therabody Theragun have grown in popularity, and they’re not cheap. But research shows the benefits of massage guns may be mostly psychological.
 
Products we recommend: 
A bargain mat that holds up: Yoga Accessories 1/4″ Extra Thick Deluxe Yoga Mat
The best mat for more flexible usage: Lululemon The Mat 5mm
The best softer foam roller: Gaiam Restore Total Body Foam Roller
The best portable foam roller: Tiger Tail Original
A smaller portable massager: Therabody Theragun Mini 3rd Generation
A more powerful, multi-grip handle massager: Therabody Theragun Prime 4th Generation
A less intense massage gun with lots of attachments: Mebak 3 Massage Gun
The best mini-band set: Synergee Mini Loop Bands
Seth loves: Nintendo Switch 2
 
Additional reading:
The 3 Best Yoga Mats of 2026
The 5 Best Foam Rollers of 2026
The 4 Best Massage Guns of 2026
Massage Balls Are Better Than Foam Rollers, Actually
Strength Training Is for Everyone 
 
More from Dr. Leada Malek here.

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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Winter is brutal on skin and most moisturizer advice online is either oversimplified, wildly inconsistent, or driven by marketing.
 
So we brought in Jenn Sullivan, senior editor of Wirecutter’s beauty team, to explain what moisturizers actually do, and how to use them in a way that makes a real difference. Jenn breaks down the ingredients that matter, the mistakes that leave skin feeling drier, and why timing and consistency matter more than price tags or hype. 
 
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer sense of how to choose a moisturizer—and how to make the one you already own work better for you.
 
This episode covers: 
What moisturizer actually does. Jenn explains that moisturizers aren’t adding water into your skin so much as helping your skin hold onto the water it already has. Their main job is to support and protect the skin barrier, which naturally loses moisture throughout the day—especially in cold, dry weather or after washing.
Why timing matters more than quantity when you apply moisturizer. Moisturizer works best when skin still has some water on it. Jenn explains why applying it shortly after washing—when skin is slightly damp, not dripping—helps lock in hydration more effectively.
The real difference between face moisturizer and body lotion. Jenn breaks down how much of the distinction comes down to texture, sensitivity, and marketing. In many cases, a well-formulated body moisturizer can work just fine on the face. But it depends on your skin.
Why oils and petroleum jelly don’t hydrate on their own. Jenn explains that oils and petrolatum don’t add moisture—they prevent water loss. Used correctly, they can be helpful; but used alone on dry skin won’t fix the problem.
When an expensive moisturizer might make sense—and when it won’t. Higher price tags can reflect formulation, texture, or packaging, but Jenn explains why cost alone doesn’t determine effectiveness—and why many affordable options work just as well.
 
Products we recommend:
Our favorite luxe moisturizer: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Our favorite reliable moisturizer: The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturizer
Our favorite simple drugstore moisturizer: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
Our favorite body moisturizer for all around hydration: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Jenn Loves: FitFlops F-MODE Leather Flatform Chelsea Boots
 
Additional reading:
The 7 Best Moisturizers of 2026
The 8 Best Body Lotions of 2026
CeraVe’s Moisturizer Is Under $20. Augustinus Bader’s Costs 10 Times as Much. We Love Both.
Repeat After Me: Aquaphor Is Not a Moisturizer. 
The 6 Best Humidifiers of 2026
 

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Wirecutter Social and Website
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Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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January is peak return season. Maybe you got holiday gifts that weren’t quite right, or you’re just clearing out the things you over-ordered. But where does all that stuff actually go?
 
In this episode, Deputy Editor Annemarie Conte walks us through her investigation into the hidden world of returns. For her reporting, she bought a 450-pound, six-foot-tall pallet of returned goods to see what really happens to the items people send back. She explains how the secondary market works, why so many returned goods never make it back on shelves, and the pure chaos she found inside her return pallet.
 
This episode covers: 
Why returns don’t always go back on shelves. Items may be reshelved, sent to clearance, or liquidated for pennies on the dollar. Annemarie describes what actually happens inside return centers, including Amazon’s claim that all returns are inspected—something her pallet contents cast doubt on. 
The size and growth of the secondary market. Nearly 16% of retail sales were returned in 2025—about $849.9 billion worth of goods. Annemarie walks through how these items trickle down into liquidation warehouses, bin stores, flea markets, and discount shops. 
What a pallet of returned goods actually looks like. Annemarie explains how she bought a 450-pound pallet of returns containing 430 packages and 582 individual items, including 68 pounds of pure trash. She breaks down the categories of what ends up on pallets—unclaimed mail, overstock, returned goods—and why so much of it is “excess” that never gets resold. 
How fraud shows up in the returns pipeline. From boxes filled with rocks to pallets layered  with junk on the bottom, Annemarie explains how both retailers and resellers get scammed—and why the whole ecosystem is vulnerable to bad actors.
How to be a more thoughtful online shopper. Annemarie shares simple ways to reduce unnecessary returns like reading product descriptions closely, checking one-star reviews, and pausing before buying multiples just to try them on. She also emphasizes that some categories (like plus-size clothing) still require online shopping, and returns aren’t a moral failure.
 
Additional reading:
We Bought a 450-Pound Mystery Pallet Packed With Returned Goods From Amazon and Beyond. Here’s What We Found Inside.
We Sent Ralph Nader Some of Our Favorite Pens. He Dismissed Them All.
Ralph Nader Has a Pencil Eraser Problem. We Investigated.
 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.