Give A Gift
saved
saved
MOST RECENT ARTICLES BY:

Michael Zhao

Senior writer, the Strategist

Michael Zhao is a senior writer at the Strategist covering appliances, men’s style, and fitness. He was formerly a deputy editor at Wirecutter and writes a newsletter.

  1. christmas gifts
    82 Holiday Gifts for Every Type of HusbandA one-stop shop for your hard-to-buy-for spouse.
  2. air quality
    The 8 Very Best HumidifiersThey’re the ones that are easiest to clean.
  3. vacuums
    The 6 Very Best Cordless VacuumsThey now clean nearly as well as corded vacuums and are much more convenient.
  4. vacuums
    The 10 Very Best VacuumsWhether you prefer the power of a corded vacuum or the convenience of cordless, we’ve tested the best of both.
  5. electronics
    Anker Nano vs. iPhone Air MagSafe: Which Ultraslim Phone Charger Should I Get?Sometimes performance isn’t everything.
  6. coffee
    I Tried the (Almost) Plastic-Free $800 Coffee MakerNo hot water touches plastic as part of the brewing process. It’s just like pour-over, for better or worse.
  7. celebrity shopping
    What May Hong of KPop Demon Hunters Can’t Live Without“It’s important to cuddle; it’s good for your brain. I have adopted nearly all of my sweet children from eBay.”
  8. style
    What We Liked (and What We’d Skip) From JW Anderson’s New Uniqlo CollabThe jeans and jackets are really good.
  9. fitness
    The 9 Very Best Protein PowdersIncluding animal- and plant-based options in different flavors.
  10. cookware and utensils
    The 5 Very Best Carbon-Steel PansIt’s time to replace your nonstick skillet with one you won’t have to eventually throw out.
  11. strategist hunt
    My Hunt for the Ideal All-Terrain ClogsThey’re like the Subarus of footwear.
  12. prime day
    The Best Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals From Apple, Sonos, Anker, and MoreThere are the deals you’d expect on Amazon’s own products but also steep discounts on those from Apple, Anker, and other brands.
  13. prime day
    Apple Products Are Up to 51 Percent Off for the Last Day of Amazon Prime DayIt’s an especially good time to pick up a pair of AirPods or an iPad.
  14. prime day
    It’s the Last Call for Apple AirPods Deals on Amazon Prime DayIncluding AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max, and Earpods.
  15. prime day
    The Magnesium We’re All Spraying on Our Feet Is on Sale for Prime DayIt worked for me, and now you can try it at a discount.
  16. men’s apparel
    I Found the 14 Best Pairs of Sweatpants, and the Favorite Is Just $40For two straight months, I wore nothing but sweats.
  17. men’s activewear
    The Very Best Workout Shoes for MenFor cross-training, HIIT workouts, weight lifting, and more.
  18. air quality
    There’s a New Generation of Window AC Units. We Found the Best Ones.They’re quieter, more efficient, and cheaper to run than the ones most of us have been using.
  19. electronics
    The iPhone Air Is the Phone I Didn’t Know I NeededOur phones already do so much these days; perhaps it’s worth sacrificing a little performance for improved comfort.
  20. this thing’s incredible
    The Instant Matcha That’s Getting Me Through the ShortageEach packet contains all the matcha, milk powder, and sugar needed to create a tasty latte using nothing but water and a fork.
  21. this thing’s incredible
    Yeti, It Turns Out, Makes the Best Wine ChillerIt needs no pre-chilling and leaves no water rings.
  22. air quality
    The 10 Very Best Air PurifiersFor fending off allergens, smoke, and lingering cooking smells.
  23. celebrity shopping
    What Chef Melissa King Can’t Live Without“I have a whole ‘Crying in the Club’ playlist.”
  24. this thing’s incredible
    I Haven’t Lost My Wallet Since Getting This Ultraslim TrackerIt’s the same size as two stacked credit cards and works with Apple’s Find My app.
  25. electronics
    This Tiny Charger Replaced All My Other Chargers (and It Works Around the World)It can charge a laptop and phone at the same time yet is half the size of a MacBook charger.
  26. men’s shoes
    I Tried Birkenstock’s New All-Terrain BostonThey’re grippier, more flexible, and more rugged than the original.
  27. celebrity shopping
    What Jay Duplass Can’t Live Without“You can’t throw a rosary away, you know what I mean?”
  28. the strategist 100
    The Strategist’s Menswear 100Our ideal complete wardrobe from button-downs to boots.
  29. men’s shoes
    I Went for It and Wore the Keen Uneek Loafers to a WeddingAnd put 40,000 steps on them walking all over Vancouver one weekend.
  30. labor day
    All the Best Menswear on Sale for Labor DayDeep discounts from J.Crew, Patagonia, Gap, and more.
  31. men’s apparel
    The Very Best Men’s ChinosIncluding a vintage-inspired Buck Mason option, a classic pair for around $50, and a very on-trend relaxed fit with pleats.
  32. large appliances
    Ooni Koda 2 Pro vs. Gozney Arc XL: Which Pizza Oven Should I Get?Both of these larger gas-powered pizza ovens can make a great pizza, but only one of them consistently makes many crisp-bottomed pies in a row.
  33. men’s activewear
    The Very Best Men’s Swim TrunksFlattering, comfortable, and quick-drying trunks you can wear in and out of the water.
  34. air quality
    Our Favorite Portable Air Conditioner Is Quiet, Compact, and Easy to InstallThe Dreo AC319S is a well-made and relatively affordable portable AC that’s easy to use and a bit more portable than others I’ve tested.
  35. air quality
    The Very Best Portable Air ConditionersThey’re powerful, easy to use and install, and pretty efficient (even if they can’t match a window unit).
  36. men’s apparel
    I Wore This $346 Suit Everywhere This SummerIt’s machine washable, wrinkle resistant, and made of natural fibers.
  37. food and drinks
    Turns Out You Actually Want Some Plastic in Your Water-Filter PitcherPlastic gets a bad rap but is actually the best material for filtering out contaminants from drinking water.
  38. testing testing
    Are There Any Ways to Make Coffee That Don’t Involve Plastic?Eliminating plastic from your coffee routine is difficult but not impossible. Here’s some of the best brewing gear to help you get there.
  39. video
    The 5 Very Best Portable Mini-ProjectorsPortable mini-projectors are perfect for movie nights both indoors and out. We tested the top models to find the best.
  40. prime day
    The Comfiest Noise-Canceling Headphones Are the Cheapest We’ve Ever SeenThey sound as good as other high-end models, block unwanted sounds well, and don’t hurt my head.
  41. prime day
    A Rare Prime Day Yeti SalePrime Day 2025 brings steep discounts on some of Yeti’s best products, including coolers, mugs, and a celebrity-favorite water bottle.
  42. prime day
    Every Peloton Product on Amazon Is at Its Lowest Price Ever for Prime DaySome of our other favorite exercise machines are deeply discounted, too.
  43. outdoor leisure
    The Very Best Portable FirepitsFor marshmallow roasting, meat-grilling, and everything in between.
  44. shoes
    I Designed the Merrell Jungle MocMerrell co-founder Clark Matis talks about the origins of this iconic shoe.
  45. fitness
    The 10 Best Energy GelsIncluding gels that actually taste like real food.
  46. men’s activewear
    The Very Best Men’s RaincoatsCoats that stand up to everything from rainy hikes to errands in thunderstorms.
  47. air quality
    Replace Your Recalled Midea AC With an LGThere are quieter ACs with more features, but the LG is quiet enough and incomparably reliable.
  48. vacuums
    The Dyson Gen5Detect Is the Most Satisfying VacuumIt’s like watching a Zamboni at work.
  49. organization
    Simplehuman Makes the Only Shower Caddies Worth GettingThey are adjustable to hold all kinds of bottles and built to last, unlike the typical wobbly wire kind that mildew and rust over time.
  50. men’s apparel
    15 of the Very Best Men’s SocksFrom cozy cashmere to moisture-wicking merino.
More Articles