Air fryers have proved hugely popular in recent years, especially among people who are looking for healthier ways to enjoy their favorite foods.

This is because the best air fryers are touted as not only having huge benefits to people's lifestyles but also to their diets. Helping them cut back on oil and calories, increasing the versatility of their meals, and enabling them to make healthier choices. But what exactly makes air fryers healthy, and are they really as good for you as the manufacturers claim?

Below we take a look at these claims and the purported health and lifestyle benefits of air fryers. We also debunk some common myths, and get an expert view from Allen Fung, Managing Director of Typhur Inc.

If you're thinking of bringing an air fryer into your kitchen repertoire, learn how to choose an air fryer to make sure you pick the right one.

How do air fryers work?

To understand why air fryers are considered a healthier alternative, it helps to know a little about how they work. 

Air fryers work in a similar way to a standard convection oven, just on a smaller scale. A heating element heats the air inside the air fryer to the programmed temperature. A fan circulates this hot air quickly and evenly around the food. Most air fryers come with a basket where the food is placed for cooking and this basket typically has a design that allows the hot air to circulate freely from all angles. 

This is not only important for making sure the food is well, and evenly cooked, but it's what helps remove the moisture and leaves the outer coating crispy. Mimicking the crispy skin that you usually only get when deep frying, without using the excess oil.

Are air fryers healthy?

Reduced oils and fats

"Compared to traditional frying, air frying is healthier," says Fung. "You almost don’t need to add any oil during the cooking process, which greatly reduces the intake of fat." The Typhur Dome Air Fryer claims to cook fries with "95% less fat compared to deep frying", for example. The Ninja Foodi 10 promises to use up to 75% less fat than traditional methods, and Phillips calls its Airfryer XXL "the healthiest way to fry." 

Any reduction in dietary fat can have positive impacts on your health. A 20-year study of 49,000 US women found that cutting down on fat is linked with a reduced risk of breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease by as much as 30%. 

This reduction in oil also means using an air fryer can help you lower your calorie intake. Eating more calories than your body needs can cause weight gain and, as the Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Diet and Health explains: "There is little disagreement that the heavier you are, the greater your risk of having a heart attack. 

"People who are 5 to 15% overweight have more than twice the number of deaths from heart attacks as people of average weight. For those who are 25% or more overweight, the number of fatal heart attacks is five times higher than normal."

A study from the National Institutes of Health even found that reducing your fat intake is 68% more effective for weight loss than cutting down on carbs. This is because a single spoonful of oil can add around 126 calories and 14g of fat, on average, depending on the oil or fat you add. 

This may seem relatively minimal but the American Heart Association recommends only 5-6% of the calories in your diet should come from saturated fat. If you eat 2,000 calories a day, no more than 120 of them should come from saturated fat, and that equates to around 13 grams per day. 

In addition to reducing the amount of oil that is added manually during the air frying process, some air fryers go a step further and remove excess fat from the food itself. The Phillips Airfryer XXL, for example, uses Twin TurboStar technology to create a "tornado of hot air that melts away fat inside food." The fat added for cooking purposes as well as the fat inside the food is drained away into a container at the bottom of the air fryer for easy disposal. 

As a counterargument, many of the oils used for cooking contain unsaturated fat, which can have a positive impact on your health when used in moderation. It helps absorb vitamins from food and has even been linked with lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease. It's when the levels of fat and calories become excessive that problems arise.

It should also be noted that the percentage comparisons made by manufacturers are comparing air frying with deep-fat frying or pan frying. Not oven cooking. If you don't already regularly use a deep-fat frier, the fat and calorie savings from using an air fryer will be minimal. Similarly, you could cut down on the amount of oil you use for pan frying and it would have similar impact and health benefits. 

Lower risk of undercooked or overcooked food

Beyond lower fat and calorie consumption, air fryers can reduce the risk of eating burnt food or undercooked food thanks to their smaller design, and their precise temperature and timing controls.

Air fryers rarely need to be pre-heated because of the way the air circulates, and the compact nature of the baskets. This means they cook food quickly, evenly, and efficiently, which reduces the chances of over- or undercooking.

Undercooked food can be a source of foodborne illnesses and bacteria, while burnt food or food cooked at extreme temperatures has been linked to higher levels of compounds known as acrylamides. These compounds are produced in certain foods when they're cooked at high temperatures, such as those used in deep-fat frying. Higher levels of acrylamides have been linked with cancers yet one study found that "air-frying reduced acrylamide content by about 90% compared with conventional deep-oil-frying cooking processes."

The precise temperature and timing controls of air fryers take the guesswork out of the cooking process, too. You don't have to turn a dial to the approximate temperature and keep checking on the food until it's ready, as is often the case with frying papns and traditional ovens. Instead, air fryers allow you to pick the exact temperature you need. The Dreo ChefMaker, for example, can be precisely controlled and monitored on an app. It also comes with a Probe Cook mode which will cook your food until its internal temperature reaches the desired, safe temperature.

What's more, air fryer presets have been designed to cook a wide range of foods to perfection and mimic regular frying without any of the downsides. As Fung continues: "Air frying cooks the outside of foods first, which creates a crispy brown coating while still keeping the inside juicy and soft, just like deep-fried foods. However, the coating will be less greasy due to the lower amount of oil used compared to deep frying."

This process further reduces the chances of undercooking your food or having a burned outside and raw middle. Plus, air fryers turn off automatically once a timer ends to avoid you cremating your meal by accident.

Again, if you're not regularly deep frying then the risk is low. What's more, opinion is divided on how much of a risk acrylamides have on human health with Cancer Research claiming there isn’t enough high-quality evidence to show this and, in fact, no "good-quality studies" have shown that acrylamide from food causes cancer in humans.

Fewer nutrients are lost

All of this is before you factor in the benefits that the more efficient cooking times, temperatures, and techniques of air fryers can have on the nutritional values of food. Heat degrades certain vitamins so, thanks to the shorter cooking times of air fryers, fewer nutrients are lost.

Air frying vegetables can also help retain more of their vitamins and minerals compared to boiling, too. This is particularly the case with broccoli, zucchini, spinach, peas, and other vegetables that are high in water-soluble vitamins and minerals, like B vitamins, vitamin C, and potassium. When boiled, these nutrients can leach out into the cooking water which is then drained away. Yet when they're cooked in an air fryer these nutrients and their antioxidant effects remain more stable.

Versatility helps you make healthy choices

And finally, the versatility and ease of use of an air fryer can have a positive impact on the types of food you make. The vast and growing library of online air fryer recipes makes it easy to find healthy recipes at the press of a button. 

I'd never thought to make air-fried chickpeas before and now they're my go-to, high-protein snack. My children are surprising fans of air-fried green beans, having refused to eat them before, and I even managed to get them to eat pumpkin over Halloween by baking it in the air fryer. 

My love for my air fryer, coupled with the novelty of looking for different recipes I can try has meant that my diet has become more varied and healthy by default.

Final thoughts

Air fryers come with a host of health benefits from helping to reduce your fat and calorie intake to retaining more nutrients in vegetables. Yet, while these benefits can have a positive impact, they're not going to be the solution to adopting a more healthy lifestyle on their own. 

Fitbit's flagship health tracker, the Fitbit Sense 2, is an attractive and user-friendly option for health-curious users. However, it doesn't have as much capability as many leading smartwatches, and it locks premium features behind a paywall. This is a shame, because that $249.99 price tag is already an investment. In this Fitbit Sense 2 review I tested both basic and premium membership on the Fitbit app to find out if this fitness tracker really can change your life for the better. 

In short, this fitness tracker has made a big impact on the way I live my life. The main way is actually in tracking my sleep, and Fitbit has also made a big effort in also addressing mental health and external stress factors. This encouraged me to take stock when stress was taking a physical toll. Find out if the Fitbit Sense 2 deserves a spot in our guide to the best fitness trackers below. 

Fitbit Sense 2 : Design

The Fitbit Sense 2 was easy and intuitive to set up. It comes with the montitor separate from the strap, and you can choose your strap size when setting your watch up. 

Then, it's a case of charging your watch up. When fully charged, the battery will last around five days, but in testing I found myself recharging it every four days because I was using the watch quite often and driving the battery down.

The watch is touch-controlled, but there's a side button you can use to toggle between screens or turn the display on. Using OLED technology, the display is bright and colorful. It's a definite step up from some of Fitbit's cheaper and smaller trackers, but it is definitely a little bulky on the wrist, giving it a true smartwatch feel/

Beneath the surface though, this tracker puts fitness first. It has 5ATM water resistance, meaning you can go swimming, and you can also make the most of the heart tracker to monitor stress, fitness levels, or your sleep patterns. 

Fitbit Sense 2 : Features

You pair the Fitbit Sense 2 with a smartphone app, and once you're in you can access a lot more information than you'll get on the phone panel. This includes diet tracking, if you're interested in that, and calorie tracking. There are also mindfulness exercises and various health metrics.

One element I made the most of is custom clock faces. There are heaps to choose from on the app, and it's easy to switch between them. These will display different metrics that can align with your interests. Mine was the time and the step count - plus, I wanted a jazzy and colorful option, so I went for Dreamcicle. 

In day-to-day use, this custom screen froze a few times for a couple of minutes at a time. This was less of an option when using the default setting, but it did make the whole process feel less streamlined when testing. 

Another element is Fitbit Pay, which is a wireless payment you can set up (Apple Watch-style) to pay on the go. I wasn't keen on this feature. I've got Google Pay set up on my Android phone, which I would have preferred to have used on the Fitbit. It's strange that the Fitbit doesn't include Google Assistant and Google Pay by default, seeing as the brand is owned by Google. 

If you opt for premium, with an added monthly cost, you do get a lot more value for money with this watch. This includes a wellness report and Daily Readiness Score based on the relationship between your key metrics, as well as access to apps like Calm for enhanced wellness support. That said, I didn't feel like I was missing out by using the non-premium option. The app won't hound you with reminders that you're on a more basic version of the interface, and you can still monitor activity, weight, sleep and nutrition with your tracker. 

Fitbit Sense 2: Performance

I'll get the gripes out of the way first, because I actually really enjoyed using this fitness tracker. 

First, and most randomly, having the watch on for 24-hours of the day irritated my eczema. I found that I needed to let my skin breathe for at least a few hours to prevent it from getting out of hand, and once the watch was off, I'd often forget to put it back on. 

My partner's main complaint was that the display would light up when I move in the night. I often switch the side I sleep on, and this would trigger the display to light up, often in his face. Oops. There is a night mode which helps with this, but again, I'd often forget to turn the night mode off in the morning. It'd have been nice to have some smart automation when the watch can clearly tell you're sleeping. 

I didn't love the way the Fitbit Sense 2 paired with my phone's messaging service. I could check for Whatsapp messages, but it was slow and would often only show them after I'd already seen them on my phone. This drives home the central point, which is that this is more of a fitness tracker and a less suitable substitute for the best smart watches.

As for the positives though, I was really impressed with the mental health support offered on the Fitbit Sense 2. As someone who is prone to stress and anxieties, it can buzz to suggest you check in with your stress levels when it senses these metrics. It uses continuous EDA measurement, meaning electrodermal activity, as a measure of this. And from experience, it was generally accurate in sensing when I was having a tough time. 

When you do check in, it asks you how you're feeling, and you can track this throughout the day. I used these notifications as an opportunity for reflection and mindfulness. Likewise, when I was struggling to sleep or having a bad moment, I could scroll up on the touch display and do a mindful exercise. This includes guided breathing or meditation, both of which are calming and genuinely really helpful. 

Fitness-wise, the app allows you to select from a number of pre-determined workouts. When going for runs, I was able to start this setting and it would track my route, heart rate, and timings. 

Fitbit Sense 2 : Price and availability

The RRP of the Fitbit Sense 2 is $299.95/£269.99, but it will often go on sale and cost around $50 less when you find it on a good day.

Fitbit Sense 2 : Verdict

If you're looking for a health-conscious wearable without all the extras that come with complete phone compatibility, I'd highly recommend the Fitbit Sense 2. It offers numerous health insights on both premium and regular access, and the battery life is impressive. The lack of third-party apps may be offputting for some, but those conscious both of mental and physical health will definitely benefit from this sleek tracker. 

I'm the first to admit that I'm a skincare addict, so I knew I needed to find some stellar under the sink bathroom organization ideas stat. A disorganized bathroom is one of the quickest ways for you to feel like life is spiralling out of control, and not to mention it's also pretty unsanitary. A bathroom is where you go to keep clean, so it doesn't make sense for it to be a room that is haboring any germs. 

My under sink bathroom drawer was doing just that. It was essentially a catchall for anything from microfiber cloths and spare toothbrushes to my favorite serums. It was hard to find what I needed (especially with soap in my eyes) and the mess also meant that it was never actually cleaned.  

I knew it was time to step into gear, and with some gentle encouragement from my flatmates to clean up my act, I decided to seek guidance from organization professionals at The Spark Joy Collective. I needed to implement a bathroom storage system that would actually be sustainable, so I asked the experts to talk me through the top tips for sorting the daunting under the sink drawer. 

I wasn't surprised to find that I was doing it wrong all along, and that the tips were very simple to introduce. So, I've decided to share them so that you too can try out the best under the sink bathroom organization ideas. If you're eager to spruce up more than just your drawer, these cleaning hacks for the bathroom will leave it sparkling.

Before

The before shot of my under the sink bathroom drawer is something to be ashamed of. It was a dumping ground of random skincare products, empty bottles of mouthwash, random cleaning items and old cardboard boxes. In short, most of it was junk. The only saving grace was that my flatmate and I had vaguely organized our belongings into separate sides of the drawer, which was a system I wanted to continue. 

My main goals for organizing this drawer were to throw away any old, empty products, sort items into specific boxes, and make it easy to keep clean. I wanted cleaning the inside of my drawers to become part of my bathroom cleaning routine, and without any organization system this just wasn't achievable. 

Top under the sink bathroom organization ideas

I spoke to Mimi Bogelund, Organization Expert at The Organised Home and Life & The Spark Joy Collective, to truly learn from the professionals. She outlined a useful step-by-step routine that I undertook on my own under the sink drawer to get it back in tip top state. I first emptied everything out so that I could begin from the very start, and ensure that I was following Mimi's exact advice. Then, I followed her specific tips for the best under the sink bathroom organization ideas. 

1. Don't go overboard  

The luxury of having bathroom storage in a small city apartment is not something I've ever taken for granted, but this meant I went overboard with hoarding products. It's tempting when you have a big space to fill, but keeping it streamlined is the easiest way to keeping things tidy. 

"Don’t overfill it, particularly if it’s a deep drawer. No amount of organising tricks will stop it becoming messy if you keep more than it can hold to be functional and easy to maintain", says Mimi. 

2. Start from scratch 

Like with any good cleaning or organizing task, emptying out a drawer or cupboard is the best place to start. It can sometimes seem counter productive, but it allows you to truly examine the space you've got. Plus, it can be a useful wake up call to see the amount of stuff you've accumulated.  

Mimi advises to, "empty the drawer completely, spread a towel on the floor and then sort into main categories: skincare, makeup, bath and body care, hair care, hair removal, travel, sun care, medicine."

"Within each section, divide again into what you use daily, weekly, very occasionally and back stock. As you’re sorting, discard what’s out of date, broken, or you just don’t love. Toiletries are often gifted and we end up with stuff we never use - now is the time to pass it on."

3. Time to clean 

This was my favorite step in the routine, partly because it was the most satisfying. So much dirt and grime accumulates in a full drawer, so it was eye opening to give mine a wipe down. I also felt inspired to give my entire bathroom a spruce up and repeat what I discovered when I learnt how to clean a shower curtain, to make it as sanitary as possible.

Mimi recommends to "clean the drawer with a damp cloth and a spray cleaner, you want it fresh and inviting to use."

4 . Sort out storage

This was the biggest task in this under the sink drawer reshuffle. My key takeaway from the 'before' shot was that I simply didn't have enough storage in place, so I decided to take a trip around my apartment to see what I could use. I didn't want to buy anything new for this drawer, which is an ethos that Mimi mirrors.

I found two small collapsible crates for my side of my drawer, and my flatmate had a cream storage box that she wasn't getting much use out of, so we decided to put these to good use. While they don't fit the exact dimensions of the drawer, they have just enough room for what we need, so I'm not too concerned about aesthetics.

However, if you do decide to buy new containers, Mimi recommends to "go for clear containers and consider those with lids (if your drawer is deep) so you can stack them. I like clear shoe boxes with lids for sun care, dental and medicine."

5. Rehome your products

As Mimi says, "it's time to move everything back in."

I organized my products into different piles before placing them back into the drawer: my everyday essentials, travel items that don't get used frequently, and items to donate or throw away. I tackled the trash first. There was an embarrassing amount of half empty cardboard boxes and almost-finished toothpaste tubes that were wasting space, so these had to go.

Next, I placed my lesser used items in the box to go at the back of the drawer, as I knew this isn't where I instantly reach. I then placed my everyday items (face wash, moisturizer, toothpaste, serum) into a box at the front of the drawer, so everything is easily accessible, as per Mimi's advice.

6. Make a pledge

Although my under the sink bathroom drawer was now looking significantly less cluttered, and much cleaner, Mimi recommended a more long-term approach.

"Ongoing, think before you bulk buy. This is number one cause of a cluttered overfilled bathroom drawer for my clients. If you do, store back stock elsewhere. A second reason for chaos, is expecting a bathroom drawer to stay tidy forever. Commit to clean it out a few times a year. You’ll thank yourself every day."

So, not only is my task to keep my items contained in their respective homes and to wipe the drawer down regularly, I also need to keep my skincare-hoarding habits in check so that the mess doesn't escalate.

After

Thanks to Mimi Bogelund's expert under the sink bathroom organization ideas, I was more than thrilled with the outcome. It can feel like a really daunting task, and has been one that I've avoided in the past. Now, with a manageable system in place that is easy to use, and to clean around, I know my bathroom storage will be kept neat, ordered, and hygienic. 

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Power outages can be caused by storm surges, earthquakes, or even heat waves. Your first thought probably is, 'How long does food last in a fridge without power?'

When you lose power (and, subsequently, a lot of food), it's annoying (whether you just did a big grocery shop, batch cook meals, or don't like waste). We've researched how long food can last in a fridge without power so you can save as many groceries as possible and make sure you don't get sick from food.

It's easy to tell if you need to call a professional when your fridge turns off because sometimes it's more than just a power outage. Read on for our top tips on how to deal with your food if the power goes out, even with the best French-door refrigerators.

How long will a fridge stay cold without power?

Luckily, a fridge losing power doesn't mean you should immediately panic. Your fridge has likely been consistently at a lower temperature, so it should take a while before it starts to warm up to a dangerous degree. 

Mallory Micetich, Home Expert at Angi, says, "When your power goes out, you’ll generally have four to six hours before food in your fridge could become unsafe. Frozen food lasts longer, usually staying safe for up to 48 hours.

In hot weather, food will spoil quicker, while in colder temperatures, it might stay safe for longer."

How long does food stay good without fridge power?

To avoid foodborne illnesses, discard perishable food above 40°F for over 2 hours.

In a non-functioning fridge, perishable foods (such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy) will not last more than four hours. Likewise, cooked foods such as leftovers will only be kept for about four hours.

For frozen foods, the door of a full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 24 hours, while a half-full freezer will last about 12 hours.

In a non-functioning fridge, fruits, vegetables, and other shelf-stable foods can last 10 hours or more.

How to tell when food has gone bad

One of the challenges of a fridge losing power isn't just fixing it but establishing whether food can be salvaged. You'll want to minimize food waste by trying to hold onto as much as possible—especially non-meat produce that won't spoil as quickly. Some foods will be lost depending on how quickly you catch the power outage. So, how can you tell when food has gone bad? 

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states that you should "throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers) after 4 hours without power." 

You should also "throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture."

It's always best to err on the side of caution regarding food safety, so if it's past the 4-hour mark or starting to smell funky, it's best to wave goodbye. 

How to keep food cold without electricity

If the power outage comes as a surprise and you haven't had time to prepare, the main goal will be to preserve food for as long as possible. Mallory advises, "The best thing you can do is keep your fridge and freezer closed. You're letting cold air out whenever you open one of the doors.

If the outage lasts a while or you’re concerned about food spoiling, you can fill a cooler with ice and transfer your food to the cold cooler. You’ll have to replenish your ice once you notice it is melting, but it can help food last a little longer."

However, if you have had a warning for an emergency that could cause a power outage, it's a good idea to put some measures into place to mitigate a potential food disaster as much as possible. The CDC recommends the following tips to help keep your food safe for as long as possible without a working fridge: 

• Freeze containers of water and gel packs to help keep your food at 40 degrees Fahrenheit 

• Keep a cooler or frozen gel pack handy in case you need to move your food from the refrigerator 

• Buy dry ice or block ice to keep food cold in the refrigerator 

How to diagnose a fridge power issue

Not all power outages are caused by natural disasters, so it could be tricky to understand whether it's a momentary blip or a sign of a significant issue. If there's no obvious reason why the power has gone out, it's always wise to check the plug or fuse box first to ensure there hasn't been a trip in the electricity. 

If this comes back clear, then you could have a more serious problem with the fridge on your hands. 

Mallory Micetich, Home Expert, says, "Knowing the difference between a momentary power outage and a bigger issue with your fridge can be difficult. After a power outage, your fridge and freezer can take around 24 hours to return to a normal temperature. Still, the best thing you can do is monitor your fridge after that period—if the fridge’s temperature is above 40℉, you might be experiencing a bigger issue. I recommend calling a pro to look closer and diagnose the issue."

We've rounded up the best Casper mattress deals available out there, so you can upgrade your sleep setup for less. 

Casper is a reputable mattress brand with a wide range of products to suit any shopper's needs so you can get the best night's sleep possible. Featuring innovative technology to protect your back from pains and keep you cool during the night, there are plenty of options for every budget. 

The brand is running a sale on most of its range, including bedding bundles so you can refresh your entire bedroom. You can even get over $700 off on the Casper Upgrade Bundle, which includes a mattress, a bedframe, and a waterproof mattress protector! There's also a whopping $800 off the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow Mattress, a premium mattress designed to keep you cool at night. 

Whether you have already decided on the mattress of your dreams or you're still browsing to find the perfect fit for you, we've rounded up the best deals you can get this week so you can sleep soundly knowing you've made a good investment.

All Casper products are eligible for free home delivery for the majority of America, and the mattresses and pillows come with a 100-night ‘risk-free’ trial. That trial period still applies when you're shopping with deals or discount codes.

If you're still undecided about which mattress brand to opt for, you can check out our guides to the best Purple mattress deals and the best Saatva mattress discounts.

Casper mattress deals

• Casper: Save up to $800 on mattresses and up to 30% off sitewide

The best Casper mattress deals and discounts to shop now

• Back to the top

Meet the Casper mattresses

We spend more time in our beds than anywhere else, so making the right mattress purchase is arguably one of the biggest decisions you'll make for your home. It can be hard to find exactly what you're looking for, especially if you share a bed with a partner with different preferences. Luckily, we've done the searching for you with this round-up of the best Casper mattresses that all come with different levels of firmness, thickness, and price. They also all have a 100-night trial, so you can sleep easy knowing that if the fit isn't right, you can pick another. 

The Casper Original Mattress has over 20,000 reviews on the Casper site alone and is designed for all types of sleeper. That makes it especially ideal for combination sleepers who switch positions during the night. 

Casper’s entry level mattress is made from premium all-foam. It uses three zones of support to ensure your body is supported from tip to toe, relieving pressure so that you don’t wake up due to discomfort caused by the mattress. 

The foam is softer around your shoulders and firmer under your hips, waist and lower back. Together, this provides relief for your upper body while keeping your spine properly aligned.

Casper also describes the Original Mattress as cooling, so it lends itself well to hot sleepers who often wake up because they feel too warm. This more breathable performance is achieved by an innovation called AirScape, a top layer of perforated foam that reduces heat. Those small perforations within the foam move hot air and body heat away, keeping the mattress cooler to the touch.

The Casper Hybrid Original Mattress is designed to give you the in-bed support you need by using a combination of soft foam at the top and firmer foam from the middle down. Together, they work to keep your spine aligned so you don’t wake up feeling stiff or bent out of shape. 

The Original Hybrid Mattress has the same top layer of Airscape perforated breathable foam as the all-foam Original, with those tiny holes drawing heat away from the mattress. The comfy and supportive premium foam is there too. 

The key difference between the Casper Hybrid Original Mattress and the all-foam version is the layer of springs, there to add lift and increased support, bounce and airflow. The springs are enclosed within a firm border with defined edge support to help you get in and out of bed more easily.

The Hybrid Original Mattress suits all types of sleeper, especially hot sleepers and those with neck pain and who need more targeted support around the upper body. On the subject of neck pain, we’d recommend looking at our guide to the best pillows for different sleep positions, as the right pillow can make a big difference. 

The Nova Hybrid is Casper’s half-way house between the entry-level Casper Original and the all-out luxury of the Wave Hybrid. Whereas the Casper Original has three zones of support, the Nova Hybrid has over double that with seven distinct zones to ensure proper spinal alignment. If you’re sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t keep your spine aligned, you'll develop a greater chance of back and neck pain. 

The softer foam is found around your shoulders, while the firmer foam for ergonomic support is placed in the mattress just under shoulder height. It’s the ideal combination and should boost your comfort for a more relaxing night’s sleep, so definitely one to consider when choosing from among the best Casper mattress deals. 

There are four layers to a Nova Hybrid. The top layer is Airscape, with those same tiny perforations to boost airflow and encourage body heat to escape, and a foam top with a plush, velvety smooth feel. There’s a second layer of Airscape to stop any overheating and within this layer lies supportive foam. 

Under that you'll find Casper's Zoned Support Pro system. This relieves pressure under your shoulders and delivers ergonomic support to your lower back and hips. The base houses springs for extra lift and airflow, with a firmer border for proper edge support.

This is the cream of the Casper mattress crop. It draws upon every innovation found in the Casper Original and Nova Hybrid, and adds in a few extra special touches. As it should, considering how expensive it is.

The Wave Hybrid is also the best Casper mattress for back pain. Based on a randomized survey of Casper mattress owners in January of this year, 9 out of 10 customers said they have less back pain after sleeping on the Wave Hybrid. 

Casper describes it as offering "continuous ergonomic zones" throughout. There’s softer foam around the shoulders to provide relief to your upper body, plus firmer foam elsewhere to encourage better spinal alignment. The top layer uses a thin coating of cooling gel on top of that breathable Airscape perforated foam. There’s more Airscape in layer two and three, along with memory foam and three areas of Zoned Support Max to better align your spine. 

Layer four is where the Casper gel pods live. These are positioned under waist and lower back height to add extra support for your spine. Layer five, the base, is a combination of springs for extra lift, support and airflow, enclosed in a firmer border with good edge support. The latter makes it easier for you to get in and out of bed.

Basically, if you see the Wave Hybrid on offer among the best Casper mattress deals, and you have the budget and need maximum back support and comfort, this is the one to try.

Casper Snow Technology Mattress range

Casper's latest innovation for hot sleepers (and for snoozing in hot weather) is called Snow Technology. It can now be found in the Wave Hybrid Snow (from $2,095) and the Nova Hybrid Snow (from $1,695) mattresses, which are the original Wave and Nova's upgraded with Snow Tech. 

Both models use foam and springs to ensure you stay comfy regardless of what position you fall asleep in, and now they’ve been supercharged with extra cooling functionality.

Casper Snow Technology is a four-part cooling system that begins with a QuickCool Cover infused with phase change material. Casper says this, “delivers an added 24% cooler to the touch feeling upon climbing in bed”.

There's also something called HeatDelete Bands, made from graphite. These create channels within each mattresses foam layer to draw away excess heat. Folks, it's time to say goodbye to overheating in bed. Casper has also released Hyperlite Tencel sheets (from $109) to complete your cooling sleep experience.

We've already seen the Snow range pop up among the latest Casper mattress deals and sales, with discounts of a few hundred dollars when you select this cooling upgrade package.

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Best Casper mattress deals and discounts FAQ

Best Casper mattress deals: Which one should you buy?

When it comes to choosing the deal for you, you need to know that Casper has three mattresses in their range, with distinct features depending on sleep position and posture. As you get older, the amount of support you need tends to change, so be sure to look closely at these features if it’s been a little while since your last mattress.

If you need to max out on support, then the Wave Hybrid mattress should be your first choice, with a design that can assist with aches and pains and help you to wake up feeling considerably less stiff. 

If you want to sink into your new mattress into a whole new world of comfort, and you need something a little more affordable, then the Nova Hybrid can step in to aid your sleep, and often benefits from a discount code to neaten up the price.

Hot sleepers should turn to the cooling mattress for support and temperature control. If you’re unsure of which mattress you want to select, then you can also enjoy the Nova Hybrid on a 100-night trial, and try it out before you invest for good. 

Casper mattress deals and sales: When is the best time to find them?

It really isn't difficult to find yourself a Casper mattress discount code or promo, as there are plenty available throughout the year to reduce the MSRP of these highly rated mattresses.

That said, the best time to grab a brilliant Casper mattress discount is around Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when the brand is competing with many other sleep brands for your attention. That means Black Friday can usually be counted on to serve up some brilliant promo codes to save you a big chunk of money on a new Casper mattress. 

There are definitely other points throughout the year when you can find good discounts on Caspers, and those include Christmas, Memorial Day and Amazon Prime Day, as some Casper mattresses are also sold on Amazon.

Depending on the promo code running at the time, you can save up to 15% off the ticket price of a Casper mattress, so it really is worth keeping an eye out for them.

Where else can you find Casper mattress deals?

If for whatever reason you can't find the right deal for you on Casper's website, you can also shop for the brand's products at Amazon and get free delivery on your new mattress, too.

Black Friday Casper Mattress deals: What we know about the sale so far

Does Casper mattress have Black Friday sales, we hear you ask? Oh yes! In fact, the prior Black Friday sale at Casper served up some juicy discounts across the entire mattress range, as well as select savings and time-limited discounts on Casper bedding, accessories and sleep gifts. The Casper mattress Black Friday sale is good news for those of you looking to snap up one of these affordable mattresses in a box. 

Does that mean you should hang on for this year's Black Friday bonanza to buy a Casper? No, because Casper sales are plentiful throughout the year anyway, with the best Casper mattress deals usually offering up to 15% off any Casper mattress. 

We were pleased to see the same savings for the last Casper Black Friday sale, with up to $521 off the Casper Original Best-Selling Bundle. Sleep has never looked so good.

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If you're on the lookout for a new mattress and bed base, you might want to check out these Purple mattress deals - perfect for your spare room or if you've recently upgraded your bedroom.

These deals crop up across the year, giving you the chance to enjoy the sleep that you've been dreaming of without having to spend a fortune. The best part is that you have nine different mattresses to choose from, each with its unique characteristics, and you can even customize the firmness level to suit your preferences.

Purple is an award-winning bedding brand that specializes in creating the most comfortable products, so you can rest assured that you're getting one of the best mattresses out there. When you sleep on a Purple mattress, your spine will stay aligned, and you'll wake up feeling fresh and ready to start your day.

In fact, our review of the Purple Original Mattress gave it a 4.5-star rating, and it topped our list of the best cooling mattresses.

Purple mattress deals

Where to find the best Purple mattress deals

If you're looking for great deals on Purple mattresses, we recommend heading straight to purple.com. There, you'll find all genuine Purple-brand products, from mattresses to pillows and more.

Alongside other mattress brands like Casper or Tuft & Needle on Amazon, Purple mattresses can be purchased from the retailer as well as elsewhere around the web.

• Purple: shop direct for mattresses, bedding, and frames

When to shop for the best Purple mattress deals

Purple often has offers on its products, especially if you're shopping online, and at the time of writing you can save up to $400. Purple doesn't tend to engage in price hikes throughout the year, so you can expect to pay a fair price for its mattresses, toppers, and other products.

If you're looking for even bigger savings, it's worth waiting for major holiday weekends like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, or Labor Day, as many retailers offer discounts and sales during these times. Purple also typically holds an annual end-of-year sale after Christmas and New Year, where they offer reductions on select products to make way for new inventory.

Is Presidents' Day a good time to find Purple mattress deals?

Presidents' Day is known for being a great time for shopping, with many retailers offering special deals and discounts. This includes mattress companies like Purple, who often use the holiday as an opportunity to promote their products and offer discounts to customers.

Many retailers offer promotions that can save you hundreds of dollars on your purchase, making it an excellent opportunity to upgrade your sleep without breaking the bank. With a little bit of effort, you can find the perfect Purple mattress at a price that fits your budget.

Is Labor Day a good time to find Purple mattress deals?

Labor Day is a great time to shop for Purple mattresses, as the brand typically offers some of the biggest discounts of the year during this time. During Labor Day, Purple often offers significant discounts on their popular models like the Purple Hybrid and Purple Hybrid Premier, allowing customers to save hundreds of dollars on their purchases.

If you're interested in buying a Purple mattress, be sure to keep an eye out for their Labor Day deals, which usually start a few days before the holiday and last through the weekend. It's worth noting that Purple's Labor Day deals are popular and tend to sell out quickly, so it's important to act fast if you're interested in buying a Purple mattress during this time.

Is Amazon Prime Day a good time to find Purple mattress deals?

Amazon Prime Day usually takes place in July, and it is an excellent opportunity for shoppers to save money on various products, including electronics, home appliances, beauty products, and more. However, during this event, many shoppers are eager to find deals on mattresses particularly Purple mattresses.

Purple mattresses are well-known for their unique construction, pressure-relieving properties, and excellent support. They are also known for their high price point, which can be a significant barrier for many shoppers. However, during Amazon Prime Day, shoppers can find exclusive deals and discounts on Purple mattresses, including the popular Original Purple mattress, the Purple Hybrid, and the Purple Hybrid Premier. These deals can help shoppers save hundreds of dollars on their purchases and make it more affordable to invest in a high-quality mattress.

Is Black Friday a good time to find Purple mattress deals?

It's always a good idea to do some research before purchasing a new mattress or topper, especially during Black Friday when there are great deals to be found. If you're considering a Purple mattress, make sure to check out their website ahead of time to see which model and size is right for you. 

Purple's prices are generally in line with other high-end mattress brands, but during Black Friday, they often offer significant discounts on select products. You can pretty much trust that prices aren't artificially inflated before the sale, be sure to shop around and compare prices to ensure that you're getting the best deal possible.

How to find the best Purple mattress deals

Purple mattresses are so-called because of their innovative Purple Grid technology. This nifty design relieves pressures on your back, neck, and hips. Another big draw is that the grid increases airflow and neutralizes body heat.

If you’re looking to take advantage of the Purple Grid technology for less, then look no further than the Purple Original Mattress, which is the cheapest option. Check out the best Purple mattress deals and discounts in our round-up so you can save money on the mattress of your dreams. 

Don’t miss these savings if you’re looking for a mattress that:

• Eases back, neck, and hip pain
• Keeps you cool and comfortable all night long
• Has the bonus of a reasonably decent trial (100 nights)
• Offers free shipping and returns
• Comes with luxury free sleep gifts or a big cash discount

What’s more, you still get the benefits of the 10-year warranty and the 100-night trial period even when you shop the deals to get the same peace of mind. The price of a Purple mattress without discounts is as follows:

• Purple Kids Mattress - $499
• Purple Original Mattress - from $599
• Purple Hybrid Mattress - from $1,499
• Purple Hybrid Premier - from $2,099

Purple mattress FAQs

There are a number of factors that determine a good night's sleep, and many of them will be specific to your personal preferences. This includes whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, as well as your height and weight, which can impact which mattress you choose. Firmness is another consideration: a firmer mattress usually suits heavier sleepers or those who sleep on their front or back. 

Medium firmness is a good choice for those who need extra support on their back and neck. Side sleepers, on the other hand, would benefit from a softer mattress that molds to the body's natural imprint. Here are a few other things that you might need to consider when choosing the best mattress for you: 

Motion transfer control

If you share a bed with someone who sleeps lighter or heavier than you, then look for a mattress with motion-transfer control. This way, you can both sleep undisturbed without waking the other up. This is common in all-foam mattresses, as well as hybrids.

Breathable layers

If you run warm, try a cooling mattress that features multiple layers with materials that are designed to regulate temperature and prevent you from overheating.

Cooling features are also handy if you suffer from night sweats due to peri-menopause or illness. Keep an eye out for mattresses with layers of cooling gel or those that are made with naturally breathable organic fabrics such as cotton. 

Posture support

The wrong mattress can hugely impact your posture and muscle pain, which also means that the right one can greatly improve it. If you tend to wake up with neck or back pain, you most likely need extra lumbar support to help keep you aligned. These will help to support your spine and keep you extra comfortable. The support comes from the core or base of the mattress in the form of a firmer layer, so check that the mattress includes this in its design.

Pressure relief

If you find yourself waking during the night due to soreness at your pressure points (think your hips, shoulders, and knees), there are plenty of mattresses out there that can aid this. Look out for mattresses that feature softer top layers that are specifically designed for the job. 

How thick are Purple mattresses?

To recap on the above, the thickness of each Purple mattress is as follows:

• The Purple Mattress: 9.25 inches
• The Purple Hybrid Mattress: 11 inches
• 3" Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress: 12 inches
• 4" Purple Hybrid Premier Mattress: 13 inches

Is there a Purple mattress topper?

Purple doesn’t currently offer a mattress topper, which is likely due to the quality of their mattresses, which means a topper is not essential. 

If you want to protect your new Purple mattress, though, you may want to consider the Purple Mattress Protector (from $79). There’s an option available for a Kid Mattress Protector (also $79), which will fit the Kid’s Mattress. 

Are Purple mattresses good?

Purple’s three most popular mattresses are the original Purple Mattress, the Purple Hybrid mattress, and the latest model to join the family, the Purple Hybrid Premier mattress. If you’re on a budget, the Purple Original offers great value for money coming in at half the price of the Hybrid mattress. You can take advantage of the brilliant Purple Grid technology without breaking the bank at a very reasonable $649. 

Looking for more customization? Check out the Purple Hybrid or Hybrid Premium mattress, both models taking comfort to the next level with the option to tailor support for your body’s needs. 

It’s what’s on the inside that makes Purple mattresses special with their Purple Grid technology. In essence, each mattress is filled with a gel layer that flexes under pressure to support your body and help you get a restful night’s sleep. It’s designed to cradle your shoulders and hips for the ultimate comfort. The grid design with air channels allows air to circulate, keeping you cool, reducing your chances of a restless night due to excess heat. 

Don't miss out on the best Purple mattresses so you can get all of the benefits for less. 

When it comes to mattress feel, the Original Purple is described as medium. The all-new Purple mattress (which comes in three thicknesses: 11, 12, and 13 inches) is available in options ranging from medium-soft to medium-firm, so you can pick a thickness to suit you. 

Whatever your sleep style is, there is a Purple mattress out there for you. Another great benefit of the technology is that it minimizes motion transfer, meaning that movement at one end of the bed doesn’t affect the rest of it. This could be a game-changer if you’re unlucky enough to share your bed with a restless sleeper, as it can minimize disturbance. 

If you’re apprehensive about buying a mattress online, you can rest assured that all Purple mattresses come with a 100-night trial period. If you decide it’s not for you within that period, Purple will arrange a collection for free, and you’ll receive a refund. 

The TL30 Therapy Lamp is a certified medical device that claims to alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). During darker months, low exposure to natural light can impact mood, energy and hormonal balances. To combat this, SAD sufferers can use one of the best light therapy lamps - lamps that emit light to increase serotonin levels and make people feel happier. 

The TL30 has a 10,000 lux output, and doctors suggest that just 30 minutes a day of using the product can help compensate for the lack of light in the winter. The nifty gadget can also help regulate your circadian rhythm, which makes waking up and going to sleep easier.

Daylight therapy lamps can be used at any time throughout the day, but if you struggle with getting up in the morning when it’s dark, one of the best sunrise alarm clocks can help.

The TL30 is a lightweight, compact, and portable lamp that can be placed anywhere in the house. It can be positioned horizontally or vertically using the green clip band that attaches to the screen.

In this review, we put the light therapy lamp to the test by using it for over a week every day to see if it helped improve our mood. We also looked at whether this is the best product on the market to improve SAD symptoms.

Note: Symptoms of SAD vary from person to person, and what might be useful for you might not work for others. This review is not medical advice - if you need treatment or information, speak to a medical professional.

Beurer TL30: Design and build

• Compact and sleek design makes it highly portable
• Well built and durable
• Simple to use

The TL30 is an easy-to-use device that, despite its light weight and sleekness, seems well-built and robust. The therapy lamp is a similar size and weight to an iPad and looks remarkably like one in its design - it has a thin white border around the main light and a small on/off button at the top. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing product, but given its small size, it’s relatively discreet when placed on a desk or bedside table. 

As there is only one button to turn the device on and one charging port at the back, it’s incredibly easy to set up, and there are instructions to follow to do so. However, it does take some time to adjust to the bright light and figure out where to place it for optimum effect. 

Beurer TL30: Features

• Single on/off button
• Works when plugged into a socket
• Medically certified to help 

The TL30 has no additional features other than an on/off button. Given the price, we thought there would be some brightness settings, a timer or a smart/voice-controlled aspect. 

We believe the product works best on a desk and would suit someone who works from home or spends a lot of time indoors, as the bright light does help improve mood and regulate hormones. It also works well on a bedside table and can be used in the evenings for a period of 30 minutes.

We found the green clip that comes with the light very useful as it can be clipped on any side of the product, meaning you can use it horizontally and vertically. The light’s 45-degree angle, however, is not adjustable. 

As the device requires a socket to work, there’s no concern over low battery or the need to recharge it. The lead that comes with the lamp is of decent length, so you won’t have to worry about where to place it.

Beurer TL30: Performance

The small size of the light lamp means it's very portable and easy to carry around to work or whilst travelling. However, the light only works once it's plugged into the mains, so you can only use the device if you are near a plug socket. This slightly reduces its on-the-go usefulness. 

We used the product for 30 minutes at the same time every day (4 pm) for a week. We placed it on our desk at a distance of about 4 inches from us. Overall, we found that the product does work in regulating modes and improving sleep cycles, especially helping us to fall asleep. Using it in the afternoon was the best time, and it worked particularly well on days we spent less time outdoors or working in more dimly lit rooms. 

There are no additional settings other than the on/off button. Although this isn't a major issue, it would have been nice to select the brightness as it was slightly uncomfortable towards the end of the 30 minutes, given how strong the light is. 

Beurer TL30: Price

• $78 / £69.99 RRP

The TL30 retails for $78 / £69.99 and is available to buy at a range of department stores such as Amazon.com and Walmart. It is currently on sale for $37 at Amazon.com and available for about £50 at UK retailers. 

The TL30 is in the mid-range price tier but isn’t great value for money as it doesn’t have any features such as light settings or timer functions that other similarly priced products do. 

There’s a three-year warranty that covers any technical faults or issues. Amazon offers an extended warranty of up to three years on the lamp. 

Beurer TL30: User reviews

Reviews for the TL30 are generally positive, and the item had a 4.5-star rating out of 5 on Amazon at the time of writing. Many people have commented on how impressed they were with the effectiveness of the light given its small size. 

One reviewer said: “I was skeptical that such a tiny lamp could be any good, but I'm happy to have been proved wrong - it's so dinky, it's easy to whip out and switch on anywhere there's a plug socket”. Others commented on how the light therapy lamp helped improve SAD symptoms quickly. “I feel much more active and energized since she started using it just 4 days ago!”, wrote one reviewer. 

The main downfall of the product, according to people who have purchased it, is the lack of additional features. Many reviews on Amazon mention that the light is quite basic compared to others on the market and “doesn’t offer good value for money”. 

Should you buy the Beurer TL30?

If you’re looking for a simple certified medical device that is small and portable, then Beurer’s TL30 is a good buy. However, comparable slightly cheaper products include features such as a timer and adjustable light settings. Therefore, the TL30 doesn’t offer that great value for money. 

Beurer has a range of other light therapy lamps that, although more expensive, come with more features. Some different sizes and shapes may be more visually appealing to the user than the TL30.

If this product isn't for you

If the Beurer TL30 doesn’t sound like the right product for you, then these alternative options may be a better fit.  

For those on a budget, the TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp offers great value. It’s a similar design and size to the TL30 but features three light intensity settings and a timer that goes up in increments of 10 minutes.   

If you’re after an aesthetically pleasing and effective light therapy lamp, then the Circadian Optics Lattis will add that extra something to a room. The large floor lamp is well-designed and looks great in a living room or bedroom. There are three brightness settings and the bulb should last around 50,000 hours. The price does reflect the premium quality of the product.  

The most portable lamp we found was the Circadian Optics light, a pocket-sized gadget that can be used everywhere. It’s charged via a USB cable, so it’s great for travelling. The convertible stand means it can be positioned at any angle. It’s less bright than other lights, but at under $20, you can’t go wrong. 

Looking for more ways to relax at the end of a day? Swimming is known for its physical and mental benefits, helping to calm muscles and the mind. Not only is a swim spa a prime way to melt away the day, but it also provides a spot for water-based exercise in your own yard. Finding a way to incorporate aquatic fitness in your own home is one of the main reasons people search for the best swim spas, with the added benefit of typically costing less than standard pools. These options are also famed for hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, and muscle pain relief, so what if you could find a swim spa with added water therapy benefits? The answer would be one that offers a hot tub combo for that added blissful luxury. 

Popularized by their indulgent feel, the best hot tubs are great for soaking your muscles and joints and replicating a spa-like atmosphere at home. If you’re looking for a slightly larger option that can accommodate room for exercise as well as relaxation, a combo could be the best fit for you. They provide a low-impact fitness solution and are proven to lower stress levels and improve sleep quality - a no-brainer for those wanting to boost their wellness. 

Interested in making some positive changes to your routine and home? Then, let’s take a look into the many mind-body benefits to see if a swim spa with a hot tub combo is a contender for your yard. 

6 surprising health benefits

Swimming has a fantastic array of physical and mental health benefits that are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. For those less interested in exercise, a tub can provide solace for decreasing pain and improving sleep, whereas those with a higher fitness level can reap the rewards of cardiovascular health and strength training. 

There are extensive studies showing the health benefits of a pool on lowering rates of stress, depression, and anxiety, improving flexibility and coordination, building lung capacity and cardiovascular health, decreasing the risk of early mortality, and providing a low-impact workout for those with physical limitations. Let's unpack some of the benefits below... 

1. Relaxation and de-stressing

While it may seem like pure indulgence, studies show that being enveloped in warm water improves mental health. Research conducted by Dr. Bruce Becker, a research professor at Washington State University, found that immersion in warm water put participants' bodies into a deep relaxation state, decreasing stress levels. "The autonomic nervous system responds to warm water immersion the same way it responds to meditation or a number of other relaxed states," Becker said.

Swimming in warm or cold water also triggers a mental state known as Blue Mind, a term coined by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols to describe the way our brains release a flood of neurochemicals that make us happier and less stressed when we hear or come into contact with water.

2. Healthy weight loss

If you suffer from a chronic illness that makes mobility or fitness difficult, or you’ve been encouraged by your doctor to lose weight for medical reasons, a spa tub combo can be a great way to improve your health. When combined with a healthy diet, swimming can help shed excess weight in those who are unable to engage in weight-bearing exercises such as walking or running. 

Being in the water not only gives you a good cardio workout, but you also benefit from the resistance of the water, helping to strengthen and tone muscles. Swimming for 30-60 minutes three to four times a week can help you lose weight safely and reduce your risk of stroke, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

3. Reduced pain and muscle tension

We’re focusing on hydrotherapy here, as some types of in-water spa exercises enable you to better deal with conditions like arthritis. A whole-body treatment that uses the temperature, pressure, and movement of the water to improve physical and emotional health, hydrotherapy is useful for treating pain and inflammation. 

Studies have shown that hydrotherapy is particularly effective in reducing pain and joint tenderness and increasing strength in patients with arthritis, although it has been positively linked to improvements across a wide range of conditions.  

4. Increased mobility

The motions used by the body in swimming lengthen the muscles, resulting in more flexible joints. Because water supports your weight, the risk of injury or exacerbating an existing one is rare. Studies have shown that the strength, coordination, and flexibility training benefits of swimming are linked to increased mobility and functional independence in older adults, reducing the risk of disability by 30-50%.

Researchers at the University of Finland also found that water-based resistance training has long-term benefits when it comes to joint recovery, with those who undertook swim-based recovery programs showing a 50% increase in knee power than those who restricted their recovery to dry land.

5. Healthier, happier sleep

According to a poll by the National Sleep Foundation, roughly 132 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders more than once a week. The good news? Researchers at the University of Texas found that when participants immersed themselves in warm water 90 minutes before bed, they fell asleep quicker, and their sleep quality improved. 

Lead researcher Dr Shahab Haghayegh believes the answer to a good night's sleep lies in lowering body temperature, something that happens when we emerge from warm water.

6. Better blood sugar level management

Research has shown that regular thermal therapy can improve insulin sensitivity and help in the management of diabetes. A further study revealed that hot tub therapy may help patients with diabetes reduce their insulin doses. Eight participants used one for 30 minutes a day for six days per week over a three-week period. The water temperature ranged from 37.8°C to 41.0°C.

While further research is needed, researchers believe this type of water therapy may be particularly useful in helping patients with Type 2 diabetes to better manage their blood sugar levels, especially if they are unable to exercise. 

The best ergonomic office chairs are not only some of the most comfortable chairs you can buy, they're also the most supportive, too. 

This means you can use these chairs for long periods of time while remaining comfortable – ideal for long days in front of a computer screen. Working from home, these are also worth investing in to make sure you are taking care of your back, neck and even wrists when working at a desk for long periods of time. 

The goal is to have your spine sit in the most natural position so that it can rest comfortably. Since everyone is slightly different, there are various types of chairs that can cater to certain needs. Most are highly adjustable too so you can get the correct setup for your build.

Some features worth looking out for include lumbar support, adjustable height and angles, head and neck rests, moveable wheels, armrests and vented materials. It could also be worth investing in one of the best handheld massagers or best standing desks as another way to help ease any pains you may have from long periods of sitting. 

The best ergonomic office chairs

1. Nouhaus Ergo3D: Best ergonomic office chairs for neck pain

With so much adjustability and comfort on offer, the Nouhaus Ergo3D is the best ergonomic office chair to help you work comfortably and to reduce sitting fatigue. Top features include adjustable 4D-Orbital armrests that not only go up, down and backwards, but pivot left and right too.

The Ergo3D's dynamic lumbar support also moves with you to offer enhanced support across your back, no matter what position you're sitting or reclining in. The base is sturdy too, with quiet ‘blade wheels’ fitted to a heavy duty aluminum base capable of supporting up to 275lbs of weight.

If you suffer from neck pain, the adjustable headrest on the Nouhaus Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair offers excellent support and pressure relief. It can be raised or lowered to suit all heights and postures, giving you a more tailored sitting experience. 

Plus, the Super-Lounge Recline feature enables the chair to tilt135 degrees, which is great for back stretches. For proper chair yoga though, see the Gabrylly Mesh Office Chair below. While the Nouhaus Ergo3D isn’t cheap, the support it offers justifies the price as the best ergonomic office chair around right now.

• Read our Nouhaus Ergo3D Ergonomic Office Chair review

2. Ticova Ergonomic Chair: Best ergonomic office chair with a headrest

If you’re looking for extra head support without the extra cost, then Ticova’s affordable ergonomic office chair should give you exactly what you need. Ideal for taller people, the Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair delivers plenty of support with its high back and adjustable and removable headrest. 

The back and lumbar-support height are fully adjustable too, as well as the armrests and seat height. The chair tilts up to an angle of 140 degrees too, so you can find the best position for you to work or relax, depending on your posture needs.

There’s also plenty of comfort on offer with the seat cushion, which boasts three inches of high-density foam and a W-shape and waterfall-edge design for a larger support area to ease pressure points. 

The Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair comes with many positive user reviews on Amazon with lots of satisfied customers happy with the high levels of comfort and adjustability on offer at such an affordable price. If you've been searching for the best ergonomic office chair that's adjustable and cheap, this is the one.

• Read our Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair review

3. La-Z-Boy Trafford Big and Tall: Best ergonomic office chair for tall people

The La-Z-Boy Trafford Big and Tall Executive Office Chair is designed with high levels of sitting comfort in mind. In terms of ergonomics, it features the brand's Flexible AIR lumbar tech, which adjusts as you move so that you don't feel jarred when moving or getting up.

The seat is one of the plushest of all models in our guide as its stuffed with ComfortCore Plus memory foam. It should provide ample cushioning during longer working shifts. Just remember that sitting for long periods without getting up and moving isn't good for your health, so consider using a fitness tracker with move prompts to break it up.

The La-Z-Boy Trafford Big and Tall Executive Office Chair also has a ‘waterfall’ seat to promote better blood circulation in your legs, and to reduce pressure on the back of your thighs.

The chair is adjusted via seat-side controls. This is also where you adjust the tilt and height, so you can find a better sitting position for you. Meanwhile, the weight capacity goes up to 400lbs, making this ergonomic office chair a great option for taller, heavier frames. 

• Read our La-Z-Boy Trafford Big and Tall Executive Office Chair review

4. Modway Articulate Mesh: Best ergonomic home office chair on a budget

The Modway Articulate Mesh Office Chair is a fine example of high comfort without the high price tag. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the other options featured in our best ergonomic office chairs guide, there’s still plenty on offer. 

That includes a breathable mesh back, cosy cushioned seat for sitting comfort, and adjustable back height and seat depth. The armrests can also be raised or lowered to suit your posture.

Even though the Modway ergonomic office chair comes in at a lower price, the all-important lumbar support is still there as an integrated feature that should help reduce back strain and pain during sitting. There’s also a tilt tension and a lock on the recline and incline angles so you can stretch back without fear of toppling over.

Do you have carpeted floors in your home office? The five hooded dual-caster wheels should glide over it with ease.

• Read our Modway Articulate Mesh Ergonomic Office Chair review

5. Gabrylly Mesh Office Chair: Best ergonomic office chair for desk yoga

Gabrylly’s ergonomic office chair provides four supporting points on the head, back, hips, and hands to make sure you get all the support you need for a productive and comfy day’s work. There's also plenty of lumbar support and an easily adjustable seat-height suited to people between 5’5” to 6’2”.

Also adjustable are the headrest and backrest. Meanwhile, the Gabrylly Mesh Office Chair's large mesh seat can comfortably accommodate up to 280lbs of weight. This alone makes it one of the best ergonomic home office chairs for heavier bodies, though it doesn't come close to the La-Z-Boy.

If you need the space to stretch and do chair yoga as you sit, then you’ll love the adjustable flip-up armrests. These give you plenty of room to perform seated yoga moves such as the Warrior sequence, Head to Knee pose, and Half Lotus. Plus, the mesh back and seat keeps the air circulating to keep you cool as you stretch. 

The ergonomic design features include a high back that's curved to support your back and shoulders, while the lower part of the chair is designed to offer targeted lumbar support. Users report that the Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair is easy to put together too. 

• Read our Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair review

6. Gaiam Classic Balance Ball Chair: Best ergonomic balance ball chair

Gaiam’s Classic Balance Ball Chair offers a more stable version of a standard balance ball to help ‘promote micro movements and constant stimulations of the body’, all this with the added convenience of a regular chair to keep things stable. 

It uses the same type of ball used in gym workouts routine, but comes with a back support bar and four wheels (two of which are locking), as well as an air pump. Set up is fairly straightforward, but you'll need to re-inflate the ball once or twice after the first inflation so that it can stretch to the correct size of 52cm to fit the base. 

Designed with the help of a chiropractor, Gaiam's ergonomic office chair with a twist claims to offer all-day ergonomic support while you sit at your desk. How? Because it helps alleviate the discomfort that comes from sitting at a desk for extended periods.

The Classic Balance Ball Chair is recommended for users between 5’0” and 5’11” and can be comfortably used at most desks. While this home office chair won’t appeal to everyone, if you're looking for something to boost your sitting posture, this is the one to check out.

7. Varier Variable Plus Kneeling Chair: The best for varying sitting positions

With its unique look, the Varier Variable Plus Kneeling Chair really stands out, both in style and functionality. The carefully crafted curved runners and specifically-angled seat and knee pads work together to provide an ergonomic seating position that helps relieve pressure on your spine and encourage active sitting. This means your core will be engaged so that your back and abdomen muscles will get stronger which will help prevent back injury. It’s great for those with lower back issues or those conscious about their posture who want to avoid back pain. However, if you are experiencing pains, please seek the help of a medical professional before you make this purchase, as it might not be right for you.

The Varier Variable Plus is more fun than a traditional office chair, with its eye-catching modern design and plentiful customizable fabric options, but what we love most about this rocking kneeling chair is that there are ample sitting positions to swap between. This means you won’t be stuck in one position for too long (your body will thank you) and the movement helps you feel more alert and productive. However, there is a learning curve to find out how to sit properly, and for the first three weeks, you’ll find yourself feeling a little bit achy as your muscles adapt and strengthen. But in the long run, it’ll be worth it.

The main downsides to this Varier Variable Plus Kneeling Chair are the premium price tag and that it’s not adjustable, so it’s not for everyone… But if you fall into that niche market, boy will you love this chair. If you can, we highly advise testing this chair out in person before committing to buying it. 

The best ergonomic office chair prices

What should you look for in an ergonomic office chair?

If you have suffered from any symptoms that may require a posture adjustment, for example, if you have back pain, numb limbs, limited movement, wrist pain, lack of concentration or muscle fatigue, then investing in one of the best ergonomic office chairs may be beneficial. However, an office chair alone likely won’t solve all issues, so make sure to seek professional medical advice to find the best solution for you.

If you have decided you are ready to purchase an ergonomic office chair, below are a few of the things you should look out for:

Adjustability. Possibly most importantly, your new ergonomic office chair needs to have adjustable settings. This means you will be able to find the ideal way to get your body in the most natural and supported position. These adjustable settings should include height, back angle, seat tilt and twist – wheels are also useful in allowing you to vary your position throughout the day.

Lumbar support. Arm rests and lumbar support are also crucial; the first will support your wrists as you type while the second will help your back keep its natural curvature. Both should ideally be adjustable so you can not only get the chair to a comfortable position for you, but also vary it to help your body keep spry.

Cooling. Finally, cooling is worth looking out for. Many chairs offer a mesh back which is strong enough to offer support but breathable enough to allow air to flow. This not only keeps you cool and avoids sweating marks, but also helps keep your muscles cool while working to hold you upright throughout the day. 

Looking to upgrade your home office? Then take a look at our guides to the best home computers and the best all in one printers too. 

The Varier Variable Plus isn’t your standard office chair. In a sea of black and grey plastic, the unique shape and style of this kneeling chair offers an exciting alternative. But is it actually comfortable, or is it all just a gimmick?

If you’re suffering from back pain, or are conscious of your posture, then a kneeling chair could be a great option for you (however, make sure to check with your doctor first). The kneeling design is supposed to help reduce back pain by redistributing your weight. It also develops your core muscle strength due to the sitting position it holds you in, which will help with back pain too.

So, if you want something a little bit different from what’s on offer from the best ergonomic office chairs, then this might be the chair for you. Yes, it’s a bit quirky, but that’s part of its charm. Anyone who visits you will want to try it out – it’s definitely an experience. 

For this review, we tested out the Varier Variable Plus in black ash upholstered in red Dinamica for four weeks. We sat on this chair every day for several hours, alternating between sitting and standing. Forwards, backwards, kneeling, feet flat on the floor – we thoroughly tested out every possible sitting option.

This goes nicely with the best standings desks (we’re using the FlexiSpot E7 standing desk), as you can just push it underneath and out of the way whilst standing. Pair that with an ergonomic home office keyboard and your body will thank you.

Varier Variable Plus: Design

• W 18 x D 31 x H 36 inches 

The Varier Variable Plus kneeling chair is compact and very modern-looking with its sleek curves – one would expect nothing less from a piece of furniture created by Norwegian industrial designer Peter Opsvik. Direct from the Varier Furniture website, we learn that “Throughout his career, Opsvik has attempted to overcome our stereotypical sitting habits with his unconventional seating solutions” - we certainly think he’s succeeded.

Weighing in at just 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg), the kneeling chair is very easy to pick up and move about. The wooden frame comes in natural ash or black ash (layers of beech and ash veneer), both with a clear lacquer finish. Depending on what type of fabric you choose – Revive, Reflect, Re-wool, or Dinamica – there are several color options, like bright yellow, light red, classic black, and more. For example, Dinamica is more expensive as it’s a soft durable fabric (we can confirm it feels amazing) that’s super easy to clean if you accidentally spill anything onto it.

One of the unique aspects of this particular design is that the curved runners/flexible wood base allow for a gentle rocking motion. However, do be careful when rocking if you have pets or small children around.

Varier Variable Plus: Features and performance

• Variety of seating positions
• Rocking motion 
• No adjustable parts 

What we love about the Varier Variable Plus kneeling chair is that it promotes active sitting and it encouraged us to change our posture as we worked. We found that moving about more was better for our lower back and we were in less pain than if we had been sitting on a traditional chair. However, this comes with a caveat… this chair does have a bit of a sitting learning curve and it will take you a while to get used to it. Yes, this chair actually comes with a ‘how to sit’ instruction manual, but this is for your benefit so you can get the most out of its unique design.

Now, the really cool thing about this chair is that it offers so many different sitting position options:

• Kneeling forward (both knees on the pads, feet resting on the runners) 
• Sitting forward (both feet on the floor) 
• One foot on the knee pad, one foot down 
• Leaning back completely (the little kickstand will stop you from falling backward whilst you’re daydreaming or taking a phone call) 
• Turn the chair backward and lean forward with your chest on the backrest (this provides a nice back stretch) 

Moving around is good for your health and keeps you limber, plus the movement helps you stay alert and productive, especially if you’re a bit of a fidgeter. 

The chair encourages active sitting, which means you’re engaging your abdominal and back muscles, so you may feel a bit sore for the first few weeks whilst you strengthen your core – the manufacturer even issues a warning about this. Ultimately, that'll be better for your posture in the long run, but admittedly this ‘breaking in’ period does suck. We recommend that you sit in short bursts and swap out with a more traditional office chair or a standing desk whilst you build your tolerance.

Nothing on this chair is adjustable, it comes as it is. It’s recommended for those who are 5’2” to 5’11” tall, but at 5’2” we found ourselves too short for the chair. We even had a friend of the same height test the chair, and they confirmed this too. Therefore, we wouldn’t recommend this chair for those on the shorter side (or even the taller side as we imagine longer legs wouldn’t fit comfortably). There is an accessory available (distance blocks) to put under the knee pads for those who are shorter, but for the price we would have liked these to be included rather than an extra expense of $78 / £64.

Also, although they’re called knee pads, they’re actually for your shins. It takes some time to learn and adjust so you don’t have your full weight on your shins – you’ll need to strike a balance between distributing your weight between your shins and your rear. If you don’t, you’ll end up with sore shins, like we did after 20 minutes in the same position. Swapping up seating styles is key!

Varier Variable Plus: Price

• From $599 / £589 
• Warranty: 7 years on wood, 2 years on fabrics (when registered with Varier) 

Prepare yourself, because yeah, this chair is expensive. However, it can be argued that all quality specialist ergonomic chairs are, and the Varier Variable Plus is a very well-made chair by a skilled and knowledgeable expert. Plus, it’s an investment for the health of your back.

You’ll tend to find this chair in specialist back stores – find a retailer near you – or stocked by an online shop like Amazon. We highly recommend that you try this chair out in-store if you can.

Generally, kneeling chairs can start from the very low price of $60-$80 (although, honestly, these don’t look very comfortable). You’ll find the more ergonomic ones at around the $150 mark, which seems very reasonable. Honestly, in comparison to all the other kneeling chairs on the market, and some with similar rocking designs like this one, we’re really having a hard time trying to explain why it costs more than double those, except for the fact that it’s made by an artisan designer. That being said, it is made out of sturdy and durable materials, plus it has an excellent warranty (7 years on the wooden frame, 2 years on specific fabric).

If you like the idea of a kneeling rocking chair but the price of this makes your eyes water, then you can opt for the lower-priced Varier Variable Balans from $379 – it’s the same chair but without the backrest. 

Varier Variable Plus: User reviews

This is the kind of chair you’ll find in a specialist back shop, rather than to purchase directly online, so it is surprisingly difficult to find reviews for this exact model on the internet.

It is available on Amazon, but there aren’t very many reviews – only 7 reviews at 3.7 stars out of 5. There are, however, loads of reviews for its sister model, the Varier Variable Balans, which is very similar minus the backrest: this has 718 ratings at 4.3 stars out of 5, with 65% of those being 5-star reviews.

For the Variable Plus, satisfied customers commented on how easy it was to assemble and that it really does take pressure off your lower back. In particular, people loved having the option of moving around and the ample seating positions available. The only real negative comments were about the expensive price tag.

Should you buy the Varier Variable Plus?

We know that a proper ergonomic chair is an investment, but we just can’t get over the high price tag on the Varier Variable Plus. The thing is, it’s not a bad chair as it can really help some people with their back issues. Plus, we really did love the range of movement it offered, and we did feel more productive while using it. However, we think it’s more of a good chair to switch out with from time to time, rather than a ‘main’ office chair, as you’ll find you can’t sit on it for too long without some discomfort.

As a disclaimer, this reviewer did end up returning this chair as it flared up an old foot injury and, ultimately, at 5’2”, we were too short. If we could go back in time, we’d probably buy the Varier Variable Balans instead, although we would miss that satisfying stretch the backrest allowed for. 

But if it’s in your budget and you’re aware that it’ll take a few weeks to get used to, then the Varier Variable Plus Kneeling Chair could be right for you, as many found it did help improve their posture and relieve pressure from their lower back.

If this product isn't for you

If you like the idea of moving and stretching at your desk but a kneeling chair isn’t a suitable option for you, then you might like the Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair. The wide seat and movable armrests allow for plenty of space to perform chair yoga such as sideways bends to help combat stiffness.

Those on the taller side may want to invest in a La-Z-Boy Trafford Big and Tall Executive Office Chair. It offers a thickly cushioned memory foam seat and adjustable headrest that’ll provide support and comfort all day long.

For a more budget-friendly option that still provides targeted support to your back, neck, and arms, we recommend the Ticova Ergonomic Office Chair. With so many opportunities to adjust each feature – like the angle of the headrest or the height of the arms – you’ll be able to find that sweet spot just for you, all at a lower price.

In this Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Toothbrush review, we take a deeper dive into the performance and design of this stylish, Smart toothbrush. We’ve tested battery life, cleaning modes, the connected app, and charging time to give you the lowdown on what it offers, and whether it lives up to the manufacturer’s claims. We’ve also checked out the latest user reviews to see what people like, and don’t like, about their Oclean X Pro Elite. 

The Oclean X Pro Elite is available for $79.99. For this you get a handset, one toothbrush head, a USB cable charger, and a wall-mounted holder. The Oclean X Pro Elite also comes with a free app that you can connect your toothbrush to, allowing you to choose pre-set cleaning modes, or create a unique brushing session all of your very own. 

The handset also features a color touchscreen, noise reduction technology, 4 main cleaning modes, no less than 32 intensity settings, and an impressive 35-day battery life. The accompanying app provides further customizable settings, plus a blind spot monitoring feature, useful for people who tend to miss hard-to-reach spots during brushing.

If the Oclean X Pro Elite isn’t the right electric toothbrush for you, you’re certain to find the perfect fit in our buying guide to the best electric toothbrushes. 

Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Toothbrush: Design

The Oclean X Pro Elite is an elegant, grown-up toothbrush. Its simple yet stylish design has also resulted in it being the recipient of a Good Design Award, one of the world’s four major design awards. 

The matt finish gives a great grip, while the ‘Ultimate Gray’ shade is quietly sleek and stylish. The Oclean X Pro Elite is only available in gray, but other models within the Oclean range are available in other shades.

A black touchscreen with a single power button sits at the front and center of the handset and displays the charging percentage, Bluetooth setting, mode, duration, and intensity level. The toothbrush head itself is slim and elegant, and the chrome rim between the handle and the toothbrush head gives it an expensive look and feel. The toothbrush head also features a dedicated tongue cleaner on the back. 

The charger is made of soft silicone, comfortably housing the handset during charging. It’s a USB-only charging unit, though, so users will need to have a USB charging socket or plug available. 

The Oclean X Pro Elite also comes with a very useful wall-mounted magnetic holder, which securely fastens the handset to any wall. Simply take off the adhesive backing and secure the holder to the wall, then place the handset against it. The strong magnet clicks it into place, away from wet basins or shower spray.

Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Toothbrush: Functionality

The Oclean X Pro Elite comes completely discharged, so it needs charging before first use. For users who wish to follow the accompanying Oclean app, simply download the app and register, then you’re ready to start customizing your brushing experience. 

The app asks you to first choose from one of four settings:

• Normal 
• Smoker
• Braces
• Distorted (for teeth that are crooked or overlapping)  

You can further hone the app to brush for tobacco use, tea, coffee or wine, or set with no preference. We set it to coffee, tea and wine. 

Next, choose your brushing plan. There are up to 12 available, including, but not limited to:

• Standard cleaning - for normal healthy teeth 
• Strong cleaning - for people with periodontitis 
• Super cleaning - for people who want a deep clean 
• Strong whitening - for wine lovers 
• Super whitening - for a deep whitening effect 
• Sensitive cleaning - for people with sensitive teeth 
• Gentle teeth spa - for people with sensitive gums 
• Braces cleaning - for people with braces 

Based on our preferences, the app recommended Strong Whitening as a setting, which is 2 minutes and 30 seconds of brushing time, though some of the settings go up to 3 minutes. 

If you want an even more personalized brushing plan, you can create your own, tailoring the brushing duration, mode, and intensity to suit your brushing style. But with up to 32 intensity settings, and the ability to add extra steps using different modes, durations and intensity, this level of customization feels like overkill.

Overall, we found the app to be unnecessarily complex to navigate. Although it seemed impressive at first glance, there were too many settings to choose from, and it’s likely many of them offer a similar intensity and brushing time to be truly unique.

The tracking system available with the brush that allows you to check mouth coverage isn’t available in real-time either, although this data is available after brushing. So although you can’t adapt your technique on the go while brushing, you can at least improve on it with your next session. After using the app a couple of times during brushing, we’d had enough, and resorted to changing the settings via the handset instead, which seemed much easier.

During use though, it’s hard to fault the Oclean X Pro Elite’s functionality. One can easily switch between four modes and intensity settings, and set brushing duration time, using the handset touchscreen alone. The touchscreen is easy to use and works smoothly, even with wet hands.

However, we found the bristles to be too soft to give a really deep clean feel. The lower intensity levels feel too weak to be of any use in removing plaque, and the in-built self-adjusting feature that reduces frequency when over-brushing is detected seemed much too sensitive in comparison to other electric toothbrushes, such as the Oral B Genius X.

Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Toothbrush: Performance

The Oclean X Pro Elite is undoubtedly one of the quietest toothbrushes we’ve tested at home. Clocking in at around 40 decibels on its highest intensity level and 30 on its lowest, it really is as quiet as its manufacturers claim. That’s somewhere between a quiet rural area and a library, so it’s far from the 70-decibel racket of an oscillating-rotating toothbrush, such as the Oral B Genius X. 

During our testing, we found there was a huge difference in intensity settings. One wonders at the point of having an intensity setting as low as 1, while 32 feels about right for effective brushing. However, people with sensitive teeth and gums may strongly disagree.

We also tested how long it took to achieve a full charge - around 3 hours. We couldn’t test the claim to have a 35-day battery life, but user reviews seem to back this up. However, users who opt for higher intensity levels will find they have to recharge more frequently. 

Finally, we checked how waterproof the Oclean X Pro Elite was by submerging it in water for a full brushing cycle. There was no reduction in performance or functionality after doing so.

Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Toothbrush: Price

• $79.99 / £61.51 

The affordable price of the Oclean X Pro Elite makes it one of the most cost-effective Smart toothbrushes on the market. Most toothbrushes that offer this kind of technology are almost twice the price. The fact that it only requires charging every 35 days makes it cheaper to run too, although you may have to charge it more often if you use a setting with a higher intensity. 

The replacement heads are fairly inexpensive too, retailing from the Oclean website for $19.99 for four refill heads, which require changing every 3 months. 

Oclean X Pro Elite Smart Toothbrush review: User reviews

Users love the Oclean X Pro Elite toothbrush, giving it 4.8 stars out of 5 on the Oclean website. Positive reviews mention quietness during operation and how effective it is at cleaning, and getting to hard-to-reach areas. One user commented their mouth felt cleaner after use than in comparison to their usual $300 toothbrush. Users also like the design of the toothbrush, how light it is and the great grip, even with wet hands. 

Negative reviews mention the complexity of the app, how there are too many intensity levels to choose from, and poor customer service when reporting faults with the handset. 

Should you buy the Oclean X Pro Elite Toothbrush?

If you want a toothbrush that offers you a granular, step-by-step approach to customizing your brushing session, it’s hard to find a more affordable toothbrush to suit your needs. However, the accompanying app is too complex to be truly useful to most users. 

If this product isn’t for you

If you're on a budget and you're after a no-thrills electric toothbrush from a reliable brand, the Oral B Pro 1000 might be the pick for you. It has a pressure sensor and a timer, but that's about it in the way of features - however, if you're just looking for a simple toothbrush that does the job, look no further.

For a toothbrush with an even longer battery life, the Foreo ISSA 2 offers the longest battery life of any electric toothbrush - 365 days. That’s a whole year of brushing, plus the sleek Swedish designs perfect for any bathroom shelfie. 

With the best home gyms, you’ll be able to fit in a workout regardless of the time of day and be able to leave your after-work commute to the gym in the past. Rather than waiting around to finish your set, these machines enable you to progress on your fitness journey at home and offer as much resistance as you need in order to be challenged. More private than the gym and much more hygienic, once you install a multi-gym in your home, you’ll be feeling more motivated than ever. 

If you’ve already kitted out your home gym with one of the best exercises bikes or the best elliptical machines, then you’ve got cardio covered already. What you need next is a space to work on your strength, and these machines can offer just that, with multi-gym designs allowing you to complete a full-body workout from home. 

If you’re a little more pushed for space, then you could opt for a folding weight bench, and get to work with various free weights, and benefit from reclaiming your home space at the end of your workout too. This round-up includes picks from major fitness retailers, including Total Gym, Bowflex, Marcy, and TRX, so that you can make your purchase with peace of mind. With so much choice, make sure to factor in the space you’re working with, and to make a note of the features that really matter to you. 

The best home gyms to consider now

1. Total Gym FIT: Best home gym for full body workouts

The Total Gym FIT is a bit different from a lot of the machines featured in our best home gyms guide. How? It uses a glideboard, which means it's able to create resistance through using your bodyweight. 

This is a good thing as it means the system is much more compact, plus it's light enough to easily fold away and store when not in use, minus weight plates, of course. The Total Gym FIT weighs just 66lbs, and unfolded it measures 93(L) x 18.5(W) x 44.5(H)". The maximum user weight is great too at 450lbs, which is around 150lbs more than most other home multi-gyms.

Being a glideboard design means it can also be used for a host of exercises - over 85, in fact, so you'll get a very comprehensive, full body workout with the Total Gym FIT home gym. 

While all the home gyms we've included here can help tone and strengthen your muscles, the FIT also provides unique cross-training exercises designed to improve your cardiovascular health.

The Total Gym FIT is one of the more expensive home gym systems around, but it comes with a lifetime frame warranty and two-year guarantee on parts.

• Read our Total Gym FIT review

2. Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE: Best home gym for expandable resistance

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym is a relatively compact and lightweight home gym that does away with weights in favor of torsion based resistance up to 210lbs. You can expand this resistance (at an additional cost) to 410lbs. 

The Xtreme 2 SE uses power rods that work like a bow under torsion to offer 210lbs of weight broken down into increments. This makes it easy to swap between exercises, with over 70 different upper body, lower body and core exercises available.

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym weighs 185lbs, which is heavy enough to keep it safely grounded during more intense weights-based workouts, but not so heavy that you and a buddy can't move it around at home if needs be. While the maximum user weight isn't as high as the Total Gym offering, the Xtreme 2 SE supports up to 300lbs and is designed for one person to exercise at a time.

Again, this is one of the most expensive models in our best home gyms guide, especially with the expanded resistance, preacher curl and ab attachments. That said, it's also one of the top home multi-gyms that will grow with you. How come? You can expand the resistance from 210lbs to a whopping 410lbs, making this a good investment for long-term weight training at home.

• Read our Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE review

3. Marcy MWM-988: Best home gym for beginners

The Marcy MWM-988 Multifunction Home Gym is an affordable way to get a full multi-station weight based training system in your home. Because of the price and the instructional materials you get with this home multi-gym, we'd also recommend it to beginners who need more hand-holding when starting out. 

The MWM-988 is a sturdy, 14-gauge steel gym designed to offer 36 different exercises. These focus on key areas including lower and upper body, core and more. In terms of design, for the lower price it's surprisingly sturdy, durable and well put together. It's a shame that the padded seat can't be adjusted for height, but the maximum user weight is on par with the Bowflex home gym at 300lbs.

The weights use a protective stack shielding for safety, and that also means the machine is a little quieter in use. You get up to 150lbs of weight with the Marcy home gym, which can be used with the high pulley, low pulley, curl pad, pec fly, chest press and leg attachment. All in all, this is excellent for a full body weights workout.

The Marcy MWM-988 Multifunction Home Gym also has a separate dual function arm press, so you can perform vertical butterfly and chest presses. In the case of the vertical butterfly, each arm swings separately to provide more balance based work to make sure you avoid pesky muscular imbalances. This is ideal if one side is stronger than the other, as you can set about evening them up.

• Read our Marcy MWM-988 Multifunction Home Gym review

4. Total Gym XLS: Best compact home gym

The Total Gym XLS is arguably the best home gym for anyone who wants a static multi-gym but is short on space at home. Why? Because it can be quickly folded away when not in use. It's also suitable for heavier users, as it can support a maximum user weight of up to 400lbs.

Despite the compact size, the Total Gym XLS multi-gym supports over 80 exercises and comes with a Total Gym TC Basic account for viewing guided workouts online. So you can train along with a variety of body strength, weights and other workouts.

The squat stand works well, with lots of grip for a more stable connection, and the pulley system is smooth for even resistance when using bodyweight. Not great when it comes to building home exercise equipment? Us neither, which is why we love how the Total Gym XLS comes fully assembled, making it one of the top home gyms for exercising right out of the box. Just position it, unfold and go.

Ok so you'll need to learn a few moves first, and decided which ones to include in your full body workout or individual workouts dedicated to upper and lower body. But once that is done, the XLS is one of the easiest home gyms to use.

• Read our Total Gym XLS review

5. TRX Home2 System: Best home gym for body strength beginners 

Working out can feel hard enough at times, without you then having to wrangle a complex home gym system. The TRX systems make body strength training easy and (almost) fun, giving you the means to perform an endless array of core and strength training exercises from a very minimal piece of kit. 

The TRX Home2 System is a suspension trainer, designed to be hooked over a sturdy door in your home, or attached to a sturdy pole or frame outdoors, such as a large tree branch or jungle gym bars. So it’s one of the more versatile home gyms you can find - and one that can easily be packed up and taken into the garden or your local park to get those added benefits of exercising outdoors. 

When you first unpack it, the TRX Home2 System doesn’t look like much at all. It’s basically a series of straps and anchors, and a small black mesh bag to store them in. The TRX app is the second half of the package, as this is where you’ll find guided body strength training workouts led by TRX instructors. TRX Training, the brand’s online fitness program in app form, is also home to cycling, running and yoga workouts, among others. You’ll get a free year’s membership of the app when you purchase the Home2 System.

The TRX Home2 System is designed for building up your core strength, but there are specific ‘lean and toned’ workouts, as well as exercise programs created to boost your flexibility and mobility, and to support healthy and sustainable weight loss. You’ll get a free exercise poster with the suspension trainer, so if you don’t want to use the TRX app, you can refer to this for the most common TRX exercise moves and create your own routines for indoor and outdoor body strength training. 

• Read our TRX Home2 System Suspension Trainer review

6. Bowflex PR3000: Best home gym for cardio

The Bowflex PR3000 home gym is a multifunction system that uses Power Rods to create resistance. You get 210lbs as standard, but this can be scaled up to 310lbs once you start to progress in your weight training.

The home gym is good for over 50 exercises and uses a no-change pulley system. This makes it easy to transition between sets, and is therefore also ideal for HIIT or cardio based workouts. The addition of a row station makes this an even more inviting option for cardio fans.

The seat is adjustable, unlike some others in our best home gyms guide, and is good for up to 300lbs of user weight. The Bowflex PR3000 is a great option if you live with others who also want to use the machine and will therefore need to change the settings easily to suit them. 

While the Bowflex PR3000 home gym isn't the cheapest multi-gym, it's very well made and designed to last many a year. Speaking of years, Bowflex offers a seven-year power road warranty and one-year frame warranty on the PR3000.

• Read our Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym review

7. TRX GO: Best home gym for small spaces

The TRX Go Suspension Training System is very different to any other machine featured in our guide to the best home gyms. Once glance at the system will tell you that, as it has no solid structure like the other home multi-gyms and instead uses straps with grips for hands and feet to create bodyweight resistance. 

Not only does this make it the best home gym for portable use, it's also the top choice for those of you who prefer to weight train using your own body weight and no 'artificial' resistance. 

While the TRX Go may look basic, it's actually the most versatile home gym in this entire round-up. That's mainly because it can be used to carry out a mammoth amount of exercise variations - over 1,000, actually. 

It can be fastened to a huge variety of objects too, from door frames and garage doors to tree branches and park benches. That means you can get your body strength training sessions indoors or in a green space, depending on your mood. The included anchoring options give you a great variety of options to choose from, so you can pitch up pretty much anywhere and train.

When we used the TRX Go Suspension Training System, we discovered seven basic moves that, when strung together in sequence, provide an effective full body workout. These moves are push, pull, plank, rotate, hinge, lunge and squat. Those are brilliant for enhancing general flexibility and mobility, not to mention toning. However, if you are dealing with an injury you must get sign-off from your doctor before starting this or any type of fitness training.

Best of all, the TRX Go comes with a free six-month membership to the TRX app (iOS, Android), so you can follow along with custom body strength and HIIT workouts on your smartphone. 

• Read our TRX GO Suspension Training Kit review

The cheapest prices on the best home gyms

Home gym equipment FAQ

How we chose the best home gyms

We've been reviewing the best home gyms for several years, so we know what to look for when seeking out the top multi-gyms for home use. Buying a home gym is a significant investment, especially if you're considering one of the pro-level multi-stations designed for multiple people to use at once. It’s therefore important to keep in mind that home gyms provide value both in terms of money and time. 

If you invest in a quality home gym, you could save money in the long-term as you won't have to spend money year after year on an expensive gym membership. That, and you won't have to deal with lengthy queues at your local fitness centre either.

To help you pick from among the best home gyms, we also interviewed industry experts such as Tom Holland, a nationally-recognized exercise physiologist, Nautilus, Inc. fitness advisor and author of Beat the Gym. Holland helped us understand why strength training is so important, and why purchasing a home gym can be advantageous...

“Strength training is truly the fountain of youth, not only adding years to your life but also adding life to your years,” Holland said. “If you have a home, then you have a home gym. Everyone needs to exercise and you can now do so in the privacy of your own home. In the amount of time it takes you to travel to the gym, you can be finished with your workout.”

The best home gyms vs commercial gyms

Unsure whether to invest in one of the best home gyms or to stump up for another annual gym membership? It all depends on how often you hit the gym and whether you can get more out of paying for a monthly subscription than you could with owning your own multi-gym. 

Here we look at the pros and cons of each, so you can determine what works for your budget and lifestyle.

Home gyms
The primary benefit of a home gym is that you get to choose what equipment and accessories are there, and you can set them up exactly how you want. You’ll never have wait for other people to get off the equipment you need to use either, or have to clean up someone else’s sweat. 

A home gym is also open whenever you want it to be, and it doesn’t require a commute. You also don’t have to deal with sudden changes in hours of operation or busy peak periods where the gym is crowded.

Plus, working out on your own has advantages: no random distractions, and no worrying about others waiting to use the machine you're on. It's just you and your workout. You can also listen to or watch whatever you want, wear whatever you want, and puff and grunt all you want if your workout is intense. 

Although buying one of the best home gyms requires an upfront cost, it could be more cost-efficient over time. After only a few years, the cost of those annual gym memberships will outstrip the cost of the home gym.

Commercial gyms Undoubtedly, the best part of having a commercial gym membership is that you have access to all kinds of equipment, accessories, amenities and exercise classes beyond the weight training room. For a monthly fee you can get in a variety of different workouts to hone your body and achieve your specific health and fitness goals, and all without having to maintain the equipment yourself. 

At a gym, you may even have access to a personal trainer, should you need a few private sessions (many of these charge extra on top of your membership fee). You may be able to find people to spot you when lifting heavier weights, and you'll become part of a larger fitness community. The energetic environment, bustle and motivation from fellow gym-goers is also a bonus for some people.

Commercial gyms are also climate controlled, so you'll feel more comfortable working out in a gym than you would at home if you don't have a central air conditioner.

What to look for in the best home gyms

Buying a home gym is a weighty decision, but we’re here to make it easier.

“It used to be that you had two main options when buying a home gym,” says fitness trainer and home gym expert Tom Holland. “Order it from a late-night TV infomercial or go to multiple stores in person. Now you can watch videos, read reviews and truly do your homework before you purchase.” 

On that note, here are the four main things experts recommend you consider in order to choose the best home gym for you... 

Space
Home gyms are big, heavy machines. Because space is such an important consideration, we outlined the dimensions and weights of each model. Along with accounting for your machine’s footprint, keep in mind that you’ll need additional space for range of movement as you extend your arms and legs during your exercise routine. 

If you choose a multi-station home gym system, you’ll also need room to get around the machine as you move from one station to another. You’ll also want to allow enough space away from walls and doors to make your workout as comfortable and convenient as possible, and to ensure you can get in and out of the room.

Resistance technology
Free weights (think dumbbells and barbells) are used for independent weight lifting that doesn’t require a machine. By contrast, most home gyms use either weight stacks or weight plates to create strength-building resistance. Some, like the TRX GO, uses your own body weight to create resistance.

Weight stack machines let you choose your resistance level by adjusting a weight stack built into your equipment’s frame. A cable and pulley system provides the mechanism for you to lift and release the weight. Weight plates are weights you manually fasten to your home gym’s workout components and exchange for heavier weights as you build strength. 

We also reviewed home gyms that use power rods to create resistance. Power rods, like those found on Bowflex home gyms, provide resistance much like the resistance on a bow. The resistance increases as the tension becomes tauter and eases as the rods straighten. 

The best home gyms for beginners

Holland says that weight training newcomers often choose home gyms with weight stacks. These are also called sectorized or selectorized machines because they enable you to build strength more safely than when using free weights. Also, they offer convenience.

Plate-loaded pieces are good for someone who already has a set of weights to use on them, but they are a hassle to change when compared to a selectorized machine. It’s important to determine which style of resistance you would prefer. Also, consider buying a home gym that lets you add more weight or upgrade its resistance as you get stronger and your goals become more ambitious.

As you consider your budget, you’ll also want to think about your current fitness level and long-term fitness goals. It might be worth it, in the long run, to spend a little more money upfront rather than needing to invest in new equipment as you get stronger.

How much do the best home gyms cost?

We found a wide range in the pricing of home multi-gyms. Systems on the low end start from under $150, while the most expensive can reach up to $10,000 when you factor in all the accessories. 

Based on our research, it’s best to budget an average of $1,300 for on of the best home gyms, as then you can hit that sweet spot between price and a great range of features, plus durability and ease of use.

Keep in mind that the price of a home gym depends on the machine's size and capability, what it's made of, and the technology it uses. Luckily, there are plenty of home exercise equipment sales throughout the year, so you may pick up a bargain.

Setting up a home gym

Where to set up your home gym

Considering where you’re going to set up your home gym should be one of your main considerations as you make your purchase. In the best-case scenario, you’ll want to set up your home gym on a concrete floor, to support all of that heavy equipment, including free weights. You’ll want your flooring to be able to withstand accidental drops and to be able to work out without disrupting your neighbors or family members too.

Ideally, if you have a garage or basement, then these spaces can double as a home gym pretty nicely, and offer good temperature control. Those who need to double up their office or spare bedroom as their gym instead should look for features that allow you to reclaim your space when you need to, including castors for portability and foldable designs. 

You can also get inventive, and use closets, shelving and containers to keep your weights stacked up. These small organizational units will keep things from overflowing, and make your home gym an uncluttered space of calm, which is just what you need to get into the right headspace before a workout. 

Easy home gym design ideas: What to consider for all types of spaces

If you have a dedicated space where you can set up different types of home gym equipment, it’s very easy to get excited planning the space and how you can best utilize it. 

But before you begin, get clear on the machines and other types of exercise equipment you plan on putting in there. Why? If you have a large multi-gym, for example, you will need a lot more free space around it then if you are using a static weights station that can be pushed nearer to a wall. 

There are several other key questions you should ask yourself before committing to a home gym design:

• Is the space to function solely as a home gym or does it need to double as an office, living room or bedroom too?
• How much home gym equipment can the space realistically hold without it being too cluttered for you to exercise properly?
• Is there enough natural light or do you need to install extra lighting?
• Does the floor need to be protected by mats or is it fine to have home gym machines placed directly on top of it?
• What type of exercise will you be performing in your home gym, and what equipment will you need to achieve that?
• Have all health and safety needs been addressed?

The space and location, as well as the home gym equipment you own or plan on buying, are the two biggest factors when considering different home gym design ideas. In an ideal world it will be as spacious as possible so that you can easily access your equipment, and perform a range of different exercises. 

However, space is a premium in many homes, especially with so many people working from home as well as working out at home. So you may have to make do with transforming a corner of your bedroom or home office into a gym. If this is the case, you’ll need to pick compact or folding home gym accessories, such as folding exercise bikes, resistance bands, and a yoga mat for online workouts.

Along with proper home gym flooring and the exercise equipment itself, we would highly recommend investing in a proper home gym mirror so that you can keep an eye on your form. This is especially important when you’re lifting weights. You can even buy smart fitness mirrors now that display your workouts and give you real-time feedback on your performance and form. NordicTrack makes a superb home gym mirror system, the Vault,  with Tempo Studio and The Mirror being the other well-known fitness mirror brands.

Do you need special home gym flooring or exercise mats?

Unless you’re using a suspension trainer kit such as the TRX models featured higher up in this guide, it’s more than likely that the home gym system you choose will be heavy. And unless you set yours up in a garage where the floor can be scuffed without consequence, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to protect your floor from your weights.

Furniture pads (they look like drinks coasters) are one option, sure, but if you move your home gym equipment around a lot, these small protective pads will quickly annoy you. Therefore the best type of home gym flooring is a series of thick rubber mats that either connect together like a giant puzzle, or will sit next to one another without moving. 

You can find home gym flooring at plenty of major retailers, including Amazon, Target, Home Depot, and plenty more. The biggest home gym flooring brands include TrafficMaster, Gorilla Matts, ProsourceFit, and LifeProof. 

The cost of home gym flooring such as this ranges from around $2 per tile, up to around $200 for extra large protective rubber exercise mats. Obviously these are a different kind of exercise mat to something you’d perform yoga or body weight training on. Here are some of our favorite home gym flooring options and where to find them:

Budget buy: ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat at Amazon
Spread these 0.5-inch thick foam tiles out underneath your home gym equipment and in any space where you might want to perform free weights training or plyometric exercises. 

For large home gym machines: Gorilla Mats Extra Large Mat at Amazon
Super-popular home gym mats with over xx user reviews on Amazon. Gorilla Mats are non-slip, so you can get those burpees in without fear of your mat flying away from underneath your feet with each jump.

For stylish home gyms: OptiWood Engineered Hardwood Flooring at Home Depot
If you don’t want to cover your home gym floor with a sea of black rubber mats, choose this engineered hardwood floor instead. It’s waterproof and can be installed directly over your existing flooring. 

Looking for the best electric razors? We've rounded up our top picks to help you find the right shaver for you. As a minimum, you’ll want a razor that delivers a close, comfortable shave. You may want to opt for a two-in-one model that can tackle hair on your face and body, including legs, chest, and back.

If you’re looking to save time on your grooming routine, you may like the sound of a waterproof shaver. These models can be used in the shower, taking the hassle out of getting ready in the morning. You can get this convenience without breaking the bank with waterproof shavers for men and women available from about $30. Plus, all of the razors in our review are waterproof.  

While the best electric razors are high-powered, they should also be fuss-free to use and maintain. Look out for self-cleaning options to bypass the nuisance of cleaning your shaver. The high-end models tend to offer cordless models which are practical as they free you up to move around. They’re also perfect for travel though bear in mind that you’ll need to remember to recharge them.

The best electric razors deliver a high-performance shave quickly and gently without the pain of any skin irritation. The process of shaving can dry out the skin’s natural moisture so it’s worth opting for models with features that are kind to the skin and minimize those blotches and nicks.

When it comes to figuring out the best electric razor for you, there are some things to consider. Choosing a well-known brand with a reputation for quality can put your mind at rest. The likes of Philips, Remington, Wahl, Braun, and others are good choices. We’ve also included some lesser-known brands which impressed us with their ability to deliver a smooth shave at a fraction of the price.

Choosing the right personal shaver for you will depend on your personal preferences, whether you’re a fan of a close shave or a more rugged look. Options that are kind to the skin may be a top priority if you’re prone to sensitivity. We’ve also included an option for a shaver for women which can deliver an effective but gentle shave for leg, underarm, and bikini line hair.

If you’re looking to take your entire grooming routine to the next level, check out our round-up of the best electric head shavers for optimal full shaving as well as best hair clippers with beard trimming features. You can also find our top picks for the best hair dryers.

So let’s take a closer look at the best electric razors for a smooth shave.

Best electric razors

1. Braun Series 9 9370cc: Best electric razor for men


If we could take one electric razor onto a desert island with us (and provided that desert island had a power socket), the Braun Series 9 9370cc would be it. Braun describes it as ‘the world's most efficient shaver’, and while that sounds like a bold claim, there's actually more to it than that. In fact, our top pick for the best electric razor is packing a whole arsenal of features to ensure a great shave.

For example, Braun's patented SyncroSonic technology checks the density of your beard no fewer than 160 times per minute. Why? So that it can deliver the right amount of power at the right time to ensure an effective, even shave. And the Series 9 can be very powerful when it wants to be, managing up to 40,000 cross-cutting actions per minute.

Its power is matched only by its agility – with independently flexible cutting elements mounted on a multi-directional pivoting head, the Series 9 9370cc electric razor glides across facial contours like an Olympic gymnast. And with a skin guard, an LED display and a Clean and Charge Station also included, this electric razor surely warrants a perfect 10. Simply the best electric razor money can buy today.

2. Philips Series 9000 Prestige Edition: Best electric face shaver

Unless you happen to be wearing a fluorescent onesie, your face is the first thing people are going to notice when you walk into a room. Therefore it's important that you look after it... And the Philips Series 9000 Prestige Edition is designed to help you do just that.

This top electric shaver for men was narrowly pipped to the best electric razor prize by the Braun Series 9. But its so kind to faces of all sizes, shapes and sensitivities, the Series 9000 Prestige Edition is a very close second.

NanoTech precision blades and multi-direction ContourDetect heads enable it to deliver what Philips describes as ‘the world's closest electric shave’. A BeardAdapt Sensor checks the density of your hair 15 times a second, adapting the shaver accordingly. 

SkinComfort rings, coated with anti-friction pigments, enable the Prestige Edition to glide across your skin like an ice dancer. And you can even personalize your shave by choosing from three different settings. Yes it's one of the most expensive men's waterproof shavers out there, but your face is worth it, right?

3. Bell and Howell TacShaver: Best electric razor for a close shave

If you're looking for the best electric razor that takes no prisoners (but does take on a lot of stubble), the TacShaver is the tool for the job. Despite being super-compact - its smaller than a credit card - it uses a powerful motor to drive three rotary heads.

The TacShaver also has a shaving surface that's twice as wide as your average electric razor, and delivers the kind of cut-throat shear that many other shavers can only dream of.

Described by its manufacturer Bell and Howell as 'military tough', the TacShaver is completely waterproof, so you can use it for wet and dry shaving, in or out of the shower. For added convenience there's a built-in trimmer for properly maintaining those sideburns and neck hairs.

4. Remington Cordless Wet and Dry Lady Shaver: Best electric razor for women

Who'd have thought that something so cheap could leave you feeling like a million dollars? This waterproof electric shaver for women provides a great shaving experience that's kind to skin but merciless on body hair.

Ergonomically designed with an anti-slip grip, the Remington Cordless Wet and Dry Lady Shaver boasts two hypoallergenic floating foils that comfortably trace your body's contours, reducing the risk of painful nicks and cuts. 

An integrated flexible trimmer will catch any longer hairs, and the inclusion of an aloe vera strip means your skin will be left feeling soft and supple, not red and ticked off, once you've hit the off switch. Handily, you also get a bikini trimming comb as part of the price. 

The only real downside to this otherwise sterling shaver is that you get just 30 minutes of battery life from a full charge. If you can live with that, this is one of the best electric razors for women.

5. Braun Series 7 790cc: Best electric razor for sensitive skin

It's annoying when you spend an hour grooming yourself for a night out, only to walk out the door with a face covered in red, painful blotches. That's a regular occurrence if you have sensitive facial skin... but not if you invest in one of the best electric razors designed for a more gentle touch.

The Braun Series 7 790cc falls into this category, containing a plethora of skin-friendly features. Its fully flexible twin OptiFoil heads adapt to your facial contours, ensuring a close (down to 0.05mm) and even shave. Thanks to intelligent sonic technology, this electric razor will automatically crank up the power on denser hair and stubble, so you don't have to chisel away at your cheeks. 

If your skin is particularly vulnerable to a shaving rash, there's an extra-sensitive mode among the three presets, so definitely explore that first.

As with the Braun Series 9, our top pick for the best electric razors, the Series 7 790cc comes with a Clean and Charge Station. Though bulky in design, it's useful in that it cleans and lubricates the shaver during charging, leaving it nicely cleansed and ready your next shearing session.

6. Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 9300: Best electric razor for a wet shave

All of the products in our best electric razors guide are waterproof shavers, but in our opinion none delivers a wet shave quite like the Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 9300. Philips call this premium-looking gadget their ‘most advanced wet and dry electric shaver’, and there are numerous compelling reasons to believe them.

Whether you want to shave with water, foam or nothing at all, this men's electric razor will rise to the task. Self-sharpening V-Track Precision Blades collect hair in the optimal cutting position, resulting in a shave that's up to 30% closer than some of its rivals. And with eight-directional ContourDetect technology on board, you won't miss an inch.

Fancy having a bit of a pamper in the shower? The Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 9300 has three presets including a Sensitive mode that promises a slow (yet no less effective) raze. 50 minutes of battery life from a one hour charge should be more than enough to complete the job, no matter how much facial hair you're dealing with.

7. Panasonic Arc5: Best foil shaver

You can't really write a feature on the best electric razors without featuring Panasonic somewhere in the list. The Japanese company makes some of the best grooming gadgets out there, and the Arc5 foil shaver simply oozes premium quality.

With a high-tech LCD status bar built into its sleek yet muscular torso, this waterproof electric shaver will look fantastic on any bathroom shelf. And you'll look pretty sharp once you've used it, thanks to the Arc5's powerful 14,000cpm linear motor; five precision-honed, hypoallergenic blades and comfortable Multi-Flex pivoting head.

Thanks to something called an Active Shaving Sensor, this bathroom buddy can automatically detect the density of your stubble and adjust its power accordingly. Or if you prefer to get creative with your face sculpting, simply activate the Arc5's pop-up trimmer and get to work.

The Arc5 comes with a cleaning / charging station that quietly rinses the shaver while re-juicing it. And while it's not exactly suitcase-friendly, you'll be thankful for it when you're at home.

8. Wahl Lifeproof Lithium Ion Foil Shaver: Best cordless razor

90 minutes is a long time. That's the length of a soccer match, a pop concert or the latest action blockbuster. It's also the amount of battery life that you get with this men's electric razor from Wahl (from just 60 minutes of charging time), making it an outstanding choice for anyone who prefers cordless shaving.

It's not just the battery life that makes this men's electric razor the ideal tool for people on the move, though. Its high-impact, shock-resistant build will offer protection in the event that it's dropped, while waterproofing to one metre means that you can use it in the bath with complete confidence.

It helps that the Wahl Lifeproof provides a close and comfortable shave, thanks in no small part to its ergonomic rubber grips and flexible foils. There's even an extendable trimmer for when you want to groom sideburns, neck fluff and the like. With all that battery life, you'll certainly have plenty of time.

9. Remington F8 WETech: Best electric razor for value

The Remington F8WETech has dual foil shaving heads with stainless steel cutters that intercept longer hairs during shaving. A rechargeable lithium ion battery provides 60 minutes of use per two-hour charge, with a two-stage LED battery life indicator showing you how much power is left. In a rush? A five-minute quick charge provides enough power for a single shave.

The Remington F8WETech's heads pivot and flex during shaving to avoid nicking your skin. This design works well whether you're shaving wet or dry, and naturally it's 100% waterproof. There's also a pop-up trimmer for more detailed trimming of sideburns and eyebrows. 

This Remington electric razor is washable, but you should brush away any loose hairs before rinsing its head. You’ll also want to deep clean the cutters every month or so.

This shaver has a nonslip grip and a quiet motor, with minimal vibration. It can adapt to international voltages for travel us, and comes with a zippered travel pouch. A charging stand, adapter cord, cleaning brush and blade guard are also included.

The best electric razor prices

Electric razors FAQ

How much do the best electric razors cost?

When it comes to picking a shaver, there can be a surprising amount of options, from the many different types of blades to cleaning features. Here are some things to consider that can help you narrow down your search. 

Budget is a key factor in your decision. Prices range drastically from entry-level models at $30 to mid-level offerings at $100 — $200 and the highest-end devices coming in at over $300. If you’re switching from disposable, even the cheapest electric razors can seem expensive. But over the long term, an electric razor can offer good value as they are built to last.

Are the best electric razors better than disposables?

From a sustainability perspective, opting for an electric razor gives you peace of mind that you won’t be contributing so much to landfill waste. Electric options also have the edge when it comes to delivering an effective shave as well as offering a range of additional features. 

Look for a device that’s high-performing while being gentle to your skin. When it comes to electric shavers, you’ll want to consider battery life and recharging time. This can range considerably. Out of our picks, the Wahl LifeProof 7061-100 delivers an impressive 90 minutes of run time on a 1.5-hour charge. By contrast, the Remington HyperFlex Verso 5 (XR1410) only gives you 45 minutes after a four-hour charge. Yet with both models, they have a clever five-minute quick charge feature so you can get a single shave in a hurry even if you’re out of juice. 

Best electric razors: Foil razors vs rotary shavers

Whether you go for a foil razor or rotary shaver will depend on a few factors. Foil shavers are ideal if you have sensitive skin, plus most models deliver a velvety-smooth shave. If you have thick, coarse hair, however, rotary shavers can make light work of it. 

Size may be a consideration too, particularly if you’re choosing a shaver with travel in mind. Speaking of which, a travel lock is a handy option to prevent your razor from turning on accidentally mid-transit. 

We’ve included a range of options in our round-up of the best electric razors. Other features to look out for are pop-up trimmers for adding definition to sideburns and facial hair. If you’re prone to forgetting to recharge, it’s worth looking for a shaver with a corded option so you’re covered even if the battery is depleted. 

The best electric razors for body hair

While the majority of shavers are marketed toward giving you a fuzz-free face, many of the electric razors on our list also deliver effective results on other areas of unwanted body hair. Many for example make short work of shaving your legs. Remember to follow the instructions for using them either dry or wet. 

For best results, exfoliating before you shave can help the razor to glide across your skin and give a velvety finish. Don’t forget to do a test on a small area of skin first, whether that’s your face or on your body so you can be sure it won’t cause irritation. 

We didn’t include any razors marketed toward women in our testing, though we did research them. On the surface, the women’s razors come in more colors though don’t tend to offer the same quality as the models for men, with many having smaller blades and more plastic parts. 

This is reflected in the price with models aimed at women typically costing about $30, much less than the average razor for men. Women may want to opt for one of our top-ranking razors to benefit from a better quality model. Look out for the smaller razors which are suitable for both men and women especially if you’re in the market for a small personal trimmer.  

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Looking to get fit? The best exercise bikes are a great way to get a heart-pumping cardiovascular workout that helps you burn calories. Compared to other types of cardio, exercise bikes offer a low-impact option which is gentler on the joints, a great choice if you’re new to exercise or recovering from an injury. Even better, you get to work out from the comfort and privacy of your home without the fuss of a trip to the gym. 

While you’ll need to pay for the cost of a bike upfront, you may find that an exercise bike is cheaper than a typical gym membership in the long run, particularly if you don’t go as often as you planned. What’s more, if you’re concerned about cycling on the road, this is a much safer alternative to get similar benefits. Most people find it easy to get the hang of as they’re used to the movement on a road bike. If you already have a regular bicycle, you may want to check out our guide to the best bike trainers to transform yours into a make-shift exercise bike. 

When it comes to figuring out the best exercise bike for you, you’ll want to consider your fitness level. An upright bike makes a sound choice for the majority of people. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, a spin bike allows you to crank up the resistance and enjoy a more intense workout. Alternatively, recumbent bikes come with back support which can promote good spinal alignment and reduce pressure on the lower back. It’s thanks to this feature that they’re a good choice for people recovering from an injury (though, as always, you’ll want to speak to your doctor before starting a new exercise regime). 

Whatever your budget, you can find an exercise bike for you. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand. Some include features like a screen display for tracking information like your calorie burn and heart rate. At the upper-end, brands like Peloton have on-screen video workouts — these feature in our best online fitness programs guide.

The best exercise bikes are a solid option if you want to get fit from the comfort of your home. Even better, compared to other home-gym equipment such as the best elliptical machine, they are relatively compact. If space is at a premium, you may want to consider a fold-up option. 

Ready to hit the pedals? Let’s take a closer look at our top picks of the best exercise bikes to help you get and stay in shape from home. 

The best exercise bikes for home workouts

1. Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX3: Best exercise bike overall

The new Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX3 is a fun way to get in regular fat-burning workouts at home, and to enhance your riding stamina. The smart fitness bike uses Bluetooth to connect to your tablet, via which you can take part in a variety of live and on-demand (3,500+) classes. 

These include spin class workouts designed to help you burn fat, as well as classes geared up to boost your stamina on the bike. On the subject of spin, the Smart Connect Bike EX3 comes with an attachment for you to store dumbbells behind the saddle. To ape cycling outdoors, you can join ‘scenic rides’, which have been pre-filmed, enabling you to virtually explore attractive cycle routes across the globe. 

The bike itself is incredibly well-built, with ergonomic handlebars that feel durable, and a quiet 13kg flywheel, though we did find the bike fiddly to assemble. We’d also recommend choosing your home gym space for this one carefully, as it isn’t the lightest thing to move once built.

Echelon, makers of the Echelon Stride running machine, has designed the Smart Connect Bike EX3 with a competition style-seat, and adjusting it to suit your height (there are 17 different height levels) is a cinch. The supplied pedals give you the option of toe cages if you’re wearing regular fitness sneakers, or SPD-style clips if you’re used to riding a bike clipped in.

When you take part in a class, your username and fitness metrics appear on screen. These show you how hard you’re working, where you appear in the ranking compared to other riders, and how many calories you’ve burned, and so on. For proper tracking, we'd still recommend using one of the best fitness trackers too.

The cost of subscribing to the Echelon Fit Pass costs $39.99 a month, $399.99 for 12 months upfront, or $599.99 for 24 months. That monthly cost is the same as Peloton All-Access and iFit, but the yearly cost for Echelon is $3.99 higher than iFit. We’ve used all three and prefer the Peloton and Echelon offerings (though Peloton charges extra for its NYC studio classes, which stings). 

The warranty isn't as long as other bikes we've tested, but the Echelon Smart Connect Bike EX3 is a superb way to keep fit at home. We’d recommend it if you want a well made piece of home gym equipment that you’ll never tire of, and that will help you have a lot of fun when exercising.

• Read our Echelon Smart Connect EX3 Max Bike review

2. Nautilus U618: Best upright exercise bike

The Nautilus U618 Upright Exercise Bike continues to fly the flag for the brand's stunning home workout equipment. We've chosen it as one of the best exercise bikes you can buy right now not because it has the best video platform or the most modern setup, but because it's a solid bike that would make a perfect addition to any home fitness space. 

By that we mean it's well made, with a generous 15-year frame warranty, and it runs well. We like the quiet and smooth resistance system that uses a heavyweight flywheel to do the job right. 

There are 29 built-in workouts, plus and heart rate strap support so that you can take advantage of zone training to help you melt fat and achieve your wellness goals more easily. Want to add in fancy virtual rides or binge watch your favorite show? Ridesocial is built-in for the former, while a dedicated media stand is waiting to house your preferred device for watching classes and workouts, or for watching movies and shows are you exercise. 

You also get dual drinks holders, a comfy seat, and multi-grip handlebars so that you can find your ideal riding position for your arms. Considering everything you get here, the Nautilus U618 Upright Bike is a well-priced machine from a big name in the home fitness industry - Nautilus also makes some of the world's best treadmills - so you can expect reliable performance for the long-term too. 

• Read our Nautilus U618 Exercise Bike review

3. Schwinn IC4: Best exercise bike for Peloton fans on a budget

The Schwinn IC4 is one of the best exercise bikes bar none, and it's also a super-fun option for Peloton and Zwift training. This Schwinn exercise bike features a large display and 100 levels of smooth and quiet magnetic resistance that makes it ideal for exercising along with live fitness classes, taking virtual rides, or doing a zone training program. 

The spin-style Schwinn IC4 is solid, so you can go all-out without worry of the bike giving in – you are the only limit here. In fact, the bike comes with a 10-year frame warranty and supports riders of up to 330lbs. 

Heart rate monitoring is an option, making this another good exercise bike for zone training. Not that getting out of your saddle will be so appealing, as the seat is very comfortable for an upright bike of this style. 

There are even weights included, along with holders that attach to the exercise bike, so you can get an upper body workout too. For a proper weights workout though, we'd advise checking out the best home gyms instead. 

• Read our Schwinn IC4 Exercise Bike review

4. NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle: Best exercise bike for guided workouts

The NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle is a premium home exercise bike experience with an absolute wealth of features and a dazzling 22-inch HD touchscreen. This means you can take live classes, via the iFit system, or take part in virtual rides, all with proper immersion. 

Of course you can connect your heart rate chest strap via Bluetooth to get more data and see it all via the app, also available on your phone. 

But there are plenty of workout options: 1,500 to be exact, all ready to go if you just want to hop on and get riding. Take a virtual ride with a former Olympian, or get your head down on a virtual slope of up to 22% to really push your stamina and cardio prowess. 

Either way, the smooth resistance of the NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle makes it feel real. The price is steep too, but it's more than justified by everything this brilliant exercise bike has to offer.

• Read our NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle review

5. Assault AirBike Classic: Best air bike

The Assault AirBike Classic, as the name suggests, is an exercise bike that uses a large 25-inch, six blade fan to create air resistance for your ride. As such it has no upper limit, making it the go-to choice for the military. The Assault AirBike Classic is built to last and you get a decent five-year warranty to back that up.

This is for those that want to push their machine, and their bodies, to the limit. That said, the seat is comfortable and you can choose to use the handlebars or just your legs as you work. The display is basic and a Polar heart rate strap is the only brand compatible. But for the price the Assault AirBike Classic really is an impressive exercise bike.

• Read our Assault AirBike Classic review

6. NordicTrack Commercial VR25: Best recumbent exercise bike

The NordicTrack Commercial VR25 is the best recumbent exercise bike in this list as it offers back support with an airy mesh to keep you comfortable. There's also a wide and well cushioned seat that slides back and forward for comfy support with perfect positioning. 

You also get a 7-inch touchscreen with 35 workouts ready to go and the bike works with both chest strap heart rate monitors and grip-bar based tracking. The 10-year frame warranty is reassuring and the use of the iFit app means you get lots of workouts online including live coaching. 

Plus you can check your data on your phone and add more from there. Despite the price this is actually a good level for a recumbent bike, especially one from such a well known brand. 

• Read our NordicTrack Commercial VR25 Recumbent review

7. Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright: Best folding exercise bike

The Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike is the best for smaller spaces or those that need to store their bike away. This folds down easily to pack away and is light enough to move but solid enough for a decent riding experience. This isn't built for heavy stand-up rides, sure, but it'll work for harder seated rides without wobble or torsion. 

The magnetic resistance is smooth and relatively quiet with eight levels of resistance. The computer is basic but does offer data like speed, distance, pace, heart rate and more. Everything is well built, placed comfortably and easy to use. The seat is comfy and the price of this bike is reasonable for its performance level. 

• Read our Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike review

Today's best exercise bike prices

Best exercise bikes FAQ

What are the different types of exercise bikes?

When it comes to figuring out which exercise bike is the one for you, it’s worth understanding the differences between the three main types.

The upright bike is the most common option though spin bikes have seen a surge in popularity. There are also recumbent bikes to choose from. 

Upright bikes most closely resemble ordinary road bikes and activate the same muscles meaning you get a similar workout. They’re a good choice if you’re looking for a small, light bike. What’s more, they’re often the cheapest model so are ideal if you’re on a budget. If you experience mobility or back problems, however, you may want to opt for a recumbent bike instead as there is no backrest. 

Recumbent bikes offer more stability with a chair or backrest meaning they provide more support. Unlike a traditional bike, the pedals are out in front of you and you can adjust how far the seat leans back. They can be more comfortable than traditional bikes plus they’re easier to mount. They make a great choice if you’re recovering from an injury or have problems with back pain. The recumbent bike is also recommended for people who are obese or have neurological conditions. 

Spin bikes are popular among people looking for the challenge of a higher-intensity workout. If your goal is fat loss, a spin session can burn more calories than a typical upright bike and they’re well suited to High-Intensity Interval Training. They closely resemble the ones you’ll find in a spin studio so may be familiar to you. These tend to be the most expensive exercise bikes and often come with subscription-based fitness platforms so you can work out with live and on-demand classes. 

Depending on the model of spin bike you pick, you may need to purchase additional accessories. Some require specific clip-in shoes while others suggest buying other equipment like light dumbbells to maximize the benefits of your spin sessions.

How to choose the best exercise bike for you

Finding the right exercise bike can be tricky. As you’re doing your research, it’s important to consider the type of machine you’d like, your budget and the features you want. There are many options available, and it’s a good idea to become familiar with them before you start shopping.  

“Exercise bikes are great because they are low impact and easy to use at home,” said Nephi Gold, a licensed occupational therapist at Intermountain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, “but there are a lot of different varieties.”

Whatever type of exercise bike you choose, Gold suggests you insist on an adjustable seat, adjustable resistance, and something that's easy to get on and off. “Especially,” he says, “if you’ve had a total knee replacement or if your balance is bad.”

Along with helping to boost your cardiovascular health and fitness, Gold believes that exercise bikes are excellent warm-up tools for rehabilitating most lower body injuries.

How much do the best exercise bikes cost?

The price of home exercise bikes ranges widely from under $350 to nearly $3,000. Based on our research, you should plan to spend around $800-$1,000 if you want a durable machine. but more affordable options suit many households just fine. 

The price you’ll pay for your exercise bike depends largely on its features. Less expensive stationary bikes have minimal programming options and limited tech. Midrange bike are often more solidly built and have more functionality. Smart exercise bikes and spin bikes generally boast the best features and longest warranties.

Common price tiers in the exercise bike market are $300 or less for low-end bikes, $300 to $1,000 for mid-range exercise bikes, and $1,100 to $2,000 for smart exercise bikes. Those priced above $1,000 are generally designed for serious fitness fans and spin class devotees.

What to look for in an exercise bike

Industry experts agree that there are several must-have features to consider before purchasing an exercise bike. Here Gold names his top three: “Look for an adjustable seat and ease of getting on and off,” Gold says. “It’s also nice to be able to control the resistance, to make it easier or hard.”

Other essential features include a heavy flywheel, large pedals with straps or clips, and a console with multiple workout presets and detailed readouts. These include speed, time spent working out, heart rate, calories and distance. 

It’s also beneficial to look for comfort features when choosing the best exercise bike for you. Bikes with fans, sound systems, water bottle holders and device racks are more comfy to use.

Are exercise bikes good for weight loss?

If your goal is weight loss, then the best exercise bikes can be part of your strategy. You’ll reap the most benefits from combining your bike workouts with strength training and eating a healthy diet. 

One review of the research found that indoor cycling may support fat loss and that the best results were when people combined their exercise bike workouts with a healthy diet. A vigorous stationary bike workout can burn significant calories and so can be part of a strategy for weight loss without necessarily needing to dramatically reduce your calorie intake.  

Dr. Erin Nitschke, personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist suggests that exercise bikes can have benefits beyond goals of weight loss. “As with any exercise, individuals will experience improved cardiorespiratory endurance, improved range of motion, reduced stress, improved cognitive focus, and elevated mood (to name a few)." One study even showed that you can significantly reduce your cholesterol levels from working out on an exercise bike for just 45 minutes three times a week.  

One of the key perks of a stationary bike is that you’re likely to be more inclined to work out without the hassle of having to go to the gym. They allow you to exercise when you like from the comfort of your own home. This is a big draw, particularly for people who are busy or whose schedules are unpredictable as you can slot in exercise as and when it suits you.

Exercise bikes vs spin bikes: Is there a difference?

Exercise bikes might look like spin bikes, but there are a few differences between the two types. Both are stationary bikes, but exercise bikes and spin bikes have different wheels. Spin bikes have a flywheel design, this is often heavier than the wheels of a standard exercise bike, and they’re attached to the pedals via a chain.

When you use a spin bike, you often need to work harder to create momentum, and when you stop cycling, the wheels keep turning – just like a regular outdoor bike. You will get a more challenging, more intense workout with a spin bike. 

Spin bikes also look more like regular bikes, with a design that lends itself to leaning over the handlebars. In comparison, many of the best exercise bikes allow you to sit up straight. They also have larger, often more comfortable, seats. You can choose between an upright bike or a recumbent exercise bike – this allows you to lean back.

The question of whether you should get an exercise bike or a spin bike depends on how you want to work out and which type of bike you find most comfortable.

Looking for an all-rounder exercise machine? The best elliptical machines or cross-trainers work every part of your body, including your arms, legs, cores, glutes, and more. Even better, they get your heart pumping which is beneficial for your cardiovascular health. 

Like an exercise bike, elliptical machines offer you the combination of a high-intensity, low-impact workout that’s gentle on your joints. With the cross-trainer, your feet stay planted firmly in the pedals which minimizes strain on your joints and knees as compared to running on the road or on one of the best treadmills. This is great news for people who are just starting out, recovering from an injury or looking to mix up their workout routine. With options to adjust the incline and resistance, you can create a workout that suits your preferences and fitness level. 

Before you invest, it’s worth checking that you have enough space to accommodate an elliptical. If you’re short on room, you may want to check out alternative types of the best home gyms as even the more compact models require space. Another key consideration is budget. You can find elliptical machines for under $500 though the higher end-options come in at about $1,000. The more expensive models tend to offer additional features such as heart rate monitoring and workout tracking. If you opt for a cheaper model, you may want to use the money saved for one of the best fitness trackers instead. 

An elliptical machine is a great choice if you’re looking for a high-intensity, low-impact workout that you can do at your own pace without having to leave home. There’s a lot to consider when figuring out which one is for you, so we’ve rounded up our picks of the best elliptical machines. 

The best elliptical machines we recommend

The best elliptical machine overall

If you’re looking for a versatile piece of workout equipment that combines the movement of an elliptical, treadmill, and stair stepper, the NordicTrack FS7i is the best elliptical machine for you.

This flexible and low-impact cross-trainer offers an impressive 32-inch stride length, glider-like motion, and light to moderate resistance across its 24 levels. The center-drive design promotes balance and also helps keep the footprint of this elliptical small so it’s great if space is an issue.

The FS7i also comes loaded with 35 built-in workout programs, so you can choose a routine optimized for your specific goals, whether that’s calorie burning, endurance training or both. You also get a year’s free membership to iFit, which offers Google Maps workouts so that you can push yourself to your limits all over the globe, from the golden sands of a Hawaiian beach to the challenging climb of Japan’s Mt Fuji.

Want a more personalized approach? Join one of the on-demand workouts and an iFit trainer will use LIVE resistance and incline control to help you meet your goals and make sure you’re getting the best fitness experience possible. 

Granted it’s not the cheapest cross-trainer on the market, but given the versatility and impressive array of programs and features, we reckon you’re getting serious bang for your buck with the FS7i. 

The best elliptical machine for small spaces

High-Intensity Interval Training or HIIT is a popular training technique that involves working out at 100% of your maximum capacity, followed by short bursts of recovery. This hybrid fitness machine combines the smooth, low-impact motion of a cross trainer with the intensity of a stair climber. The result? An intense workout that’s also kind on your joints.

If you like to challenge yourself then the Carbon HIIT H7 is the perfect choice for you. It keeps your heart pumping, burns more calories than a regular elliptical machine, and activates a wider range of muscle groups by simulating stair climbing and boxing. 

Not only is this machine impressive when it comes to helping you burn the maximum amount of calories in the minimum amount of time but it’s also a winner if you’re short on space. Its compact footprint takes up half the space of a normal elliptical, making it a great option for your home gym, and the 24 levels of magnetic resistance offered by the 30lb flywheel create a smooth and silent workout. 

And the perks don’t stop there. Purchase a 3-year iFit membership for up to 4 users ($39/month over 36 months) and the H7 is free. With access to Google Map trails, outdoor workouts with personal trainers, and an unlimited library of workouts, iFit is one of the best online fitness programs, making this a pretty outstanding deal.

The best elliptical machine for multiple users

Bowflex’s top of the line elliptical machine, the beastly BXE216 Cross Trainer is the perfect addition to your home gym. Offering a low impact workout for any skill level, this trainer can accommodate up to 400 pounds in weight and comes with a heavy 35-pound flywheel, a 22-inch stride path, 11 built-in workout apps, and a 0 to 15 percent motorized incline adjustment. 

The magnetic resistance means there’s no friction and makes for a smooth and quiet operation. With a front-drive design that helps maximize living space, an adjustable stride path, and support for up to four user profiles, this is a great trainer for both individuals and families. 

You’ll love the extensive feedback the Bowflex BXE216 elliptical machine offers, including readouts for time, distance, speed, calories burned, and heart rate, along with sprints, intervals, and resistance. It also comes with a generous two-year warranty and if you’re not satisfied, you can return the trainer within six weeks for a full refund.

The best affordable elliptical machine

If you’ve been after an elliptical machine that offers an impressive amount of built-in workout programs, a variety of resistance levels, and an ability to offer you a full-body workout without the huge price tag, then you’re in the right place.

This top of the line model will keep both your waistline and your wallet happy coming jam-packed with features at an affordable price. The solid construction and magnetic resistance make for a sturdy and quiet machine and the SF-E3912 comes with one of the most advanced monitors in its price range, with the large LCD screen offering excellent readability. 

There’s no online connectivity or Bluetooth with this model but you can track your workout data and heart rate and with 24 in-built workout programs, focusing on everything from body fat to watt generations, you’re bound to find plenty to keep you challenged.

We love the double set of handlebars, with the moving set being perfect for full-body workouts and the fixed set being great if you’re a beginner and feel safer with the extra stability. 

The one drawback is the short stride length. At just 14-inches we wouldn’t recommend this if you’re over 6-feet tall but that aside, this cross trainer offers a great array of features without the huge price tag. 

The best elliptical machine for beginners

While the Horizon Fitness EX-59 elliptical machine is a great buy for fitness enthusiasts of any skill level, it’s been manufactured with beginners in mind, making it the perfect choice if you’re new to ellipticals and want to test the waters.

Unlike many other cross trainers in this price range, the EX-59 comes with a comfortable 18” stride and a strong and sturdy frame, ensuring you stay upright as opposed to leaning forward. You have the choice of 10 resistance levels and 10 built-in workout programs so you can focus on anything from calorie burning to interval training.

The built-in Bluetooth speakers are a nice touch for an entry-level model and means you can wirelessly connect your phone or tablet and blast your favorite tunes while you work out. And the USB port means you won’t drain your battery’s juice while you do it. 

We love that by gripping the handlebars you can get a rough idea of your heart rate and you can also track time, speed, distance, and calories burned on the 4.5” screen. The 14lb flywheel is light so you’ll likely want to upgrade to a more advanced machine down the line but the EX-59 is a great budget-friendly cross trainer for beginners that offers more than enough features to get you started on your fitness journey. 

The best elliptical machine for guided workouts

While it may not be the cheapest machine in our lineup, the heavy-duty Nautilus E618 Elliptical Machine offers exceptional value when compared against some of the more expensive models on the  market. Aimed at those wanting to achieve at a higher level, the Nautilus E618 certainly lives up to its description with its 30-pound flywheel that’s a good 5 pounds heavier than other trainers in this price range.

If you’re a data-orientated exerciser, then this elliptical will appeal to you thanks to its Bluetooth connection, wireless heart rate monitor, pulse grips, built-in tracking app, and ability to sync with a variety of fitness apps. The reading rack can also accommodate an iPad or tablet and since this model has two LCD consoles, one will remain visible while you’re reading.

The elliptical machine offers 25 settings and an incline of up to 15 percent. The 22-inch stride is 2 inches longer than most models and while fixed, it’s a great choice for taller users. You can customize the heel support with the adjustable pedals and the console, while not as engaging as other machines, is loaded with useful training programs.

The best home elliptical machine under $1,000

Powerful, durable, and affordable, the Sole Fitness E25 Elliptical Machine offers an impressive combination of functions and features. Sole has earned an outstanding reputation over the years for making high-quality fitness equipment and this cross trainer is no exception.

With a 20” stride length and a 350lb weight limit, this cross trainer will comfortably fit most users. You’ll love that the moving handlebars have built-in incline controls making it super easy to swap between the 20 incline settings on offer and work different muscle groups. 

We like that the oversized articulating and adjustable foot pedals work to reduce stress and injury to the knees and joints by creating a more natural movement and while there aren’t as many built-in workout programs as other models in this price range, the usual mix of strength training, interval training, and fat burning are all on offer. 

The inclusion of Bluetooth means you can connect your mobile device with the Sole Fitness app to store your fitness data and track your progress, and the integrated tablet holder allows you to safely dock your smart device so you can watch shows, read, or follow your workout data.

The best elliptical machine for varied workouts

When you buy a Schwinn you know you’re getting a quality product and this model is no exception. Offering 25 resistance settings and 29 different programs, this is a great choice if you want lots of variety to keep your workouts interesting. It also comes with a 20-pound flywheel, a 20-inch stride length, and 4 different user settings, making it a solid investment for families. 

The Schwinn 470 Home Elliptical Trainer comes with a USB charging port so you can keep your phone juiced up while you sweat and the speakers ensure you can blast your favorite tunes to keep you motivated while you stride it out. If you’re looking to burn calories fast, then this model also has six settings you can choose from and a slope of up to 10% to help you target different muscle groups.

The 3-speed fan will help you keep cool while you workout, and we like that this Schwinn elliptical machine syncs with a variety of fitness apps and is Bluetooth-enabled so you can transfer your data between devices to help you stay on track with your fitness goals.

How to choose the best elliptical machine for your home gym

Before you buy any type of exercise equipment, fitness experts recommend first thinking about what you hope to accomplish. "Is your goal to build muscle? Lose weight? Prepare for a specific sport? Rehabilitate an injury? The machine you choose should reflect your goals,” says physiologist Tom Holland

"Elliptical machines provide a great aerobic workout without stressing your joints." All the ellipticals we reviewed have the most important features we identified – heavy flywheels for smooth momentum, cushioned pedals, moving handlebars, interactive consoles and built-in speakers. 

The best elliptical machines have adjustable stride lengths, adjustable pedals and heart rate monitoring straps. They also have connected consoles that sync with popular fitness apps like iFit and MapMyRun. 

You’ll also want to think about incline and resistance. Varied incline levels target the muscles in your calves, quads and glutes and provide a more realistic trail-training experience.

Best elliptical machines FAQ

What is an elliptical machine?

Elliptical machines are stationary exercise machines that offer you an upper body and lower body workout at the same time. They’re also called elliptical trainers or cross-trainers and you’ll likely be familiar with them from the gym.

With your legs firmly planted on large pedals, you take strides as if walking forward through the air. At the same time, your arms push and pull large handles so you get an upper body workout too. Once you’ve got into the swing of it, you can increase the resistance to add more of a challenge. 

If you’re new to the elliptical, it can feel strange at first. Yet the good news is the movement mimics walking so you can quickly get the hang of it once you get into the rhythm. The position on the machine is similar to running so it’s a good choice for any runners recovering from an injury. It’s thanks to these floating foot pedals that you don’t have to worry about joint pain as there is less impact compared to pounding the pavement.

This is one of the major advantages of cross-trainers which can put it strides ahead of other kinds of home gym equipment. You get the combination of the benefits of a high-intensity cardio workout like a running machine as well as it offering a low-impact workout that’s easy on the joints, as with an exercise bike.

So if you’re looking for a low-impact workout which is gentle on your joints, a cross-trainer can be a great choice. There’s a lower risk of injury on an elliptical and it’s ideal for people rehabilitating after an injury. On top of that, you’ll get a great cardio workout that targets your upper and lower body muscles.

Should you buy a rowing machine or elliptical trainer for a full body workout?

Can’t decide between a rowing machine and an elliptical trainer? Both are great choices for a cardio workout that targets the muscles in both the upper and lower body, all from the comfort of your home. The right one for you will depend on what you’re looking for. 

With a rowing machine, you’ll get an intense upper body workout activating the arms, back and chest as well as your legs. It’s a fast, fun way to enjoy a cardio session while building strength. Be mindful that you’ll need to get to grips with proper form, both to reap the most benefits and to reduce the risk of injury. 

Yet with the best elliptical machines, the workout is more evenly distributed across the body. If you’re looking for a gentler option for a full-body workout then you may want to opt for the cross-trainer. For some, the movement on an elliptical comes more naturally as it mimics walking. 

What are the health benefits of elliptical machine training?

Some research has argued that using an elliptical machine revs up your pulse higher than if you were using a running machine. According to guidance shared by the Mayo Clinic, elliptical training is also less stressful on your knees, hips and back. As cross-trainers come with movable handlebars, not only are you getting your heart rate pumping, you’re also giving yourself an upper body workout. 

You can adjust the intensity of an elliptical machine to suit your energy levels. The fact that it’s low-impact means it could help you rehab an injury if you have your doctor's permission to do so. 

An elliptical machine is a great time saver too. If you have a busy schedule, this single piece of equipment can give you a total body workout in 30 minutes or less.

Finally, there’s evidence that exercise benefits your sleep, helping you to fall asleep more quickly . A good night's sleep also boasts recovery, so check out our guide to the best mattress online to ensure you’re getting the best sleep possible so you can reap the maximum benefits from those elliptical machine workouts. 

A good treadmill helps you walk, jog and run indoors whenever you want. They’re ideal for beginners looking to build up their cardio fitness, as well as for experienced runners wanting to maintain consistent training indoors if the weather is too harsh for outdoor runs. Home treadmills are also suitable for hiking workouts as well as interval training, where you throw in some sprints. The best treadmills monitor your heart rate, calories burned and distance covered.

The deck is cushioned to reduce the impact on your ankles and knees as you run, plus it has interval training with digital incline controls. It supports speeds up to 12 miles per hour and holds a maximum weight of 300 pounds. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 has an EKG grip pulse and tracks time, speed, distance covered and calories burned during each walking or running workout. While the HD touchscreen is relatively small compared to the overall size of the treadmill, the display is clear and easy to view, with two built-in speakers enabling you to exercise along with your favorite workouts. To keep you comfortable while exercising, the Commercial 1750 will blast you with a dual AutoBreeze fan.

Other features of the Sunny Health & Fitness treadmill include an LCD display that will show you how long you've been working out, how fast you're doing, the distance you've walked or ran, and the number of calories you've burned. The display requires batteries to use, but because the rest of the treadmill doesn't need electricity for you to use it, you don't have to use the display. This treadmill is lightweight and compact and folds up to store more easily. It's so easy that only one person can get it folded up.

The LCD control panel displays metrics like speed, distance and calories burned. It also keeps tabs on your pulse.  Surrounding the console  The 50-inch deck holds up to 250 pounds. It isn't the most sturdy deck, so there is a bit more bounce especially during sprints. The console is surrounded by a couple of holders that can keep tabs on your keys and other personal items, and are wide and deep enough to hold water bottles. It also has a rack to hold a magazine or your tablet to look at while working out.

This treadmill can be used as a traditional machine for jogging or running. But the handlebars fold down flat around the deck so it can be used for walking at low speeds. There is a display right above the deck that will keep track of your metrics whether you have it set up in jogging or running mode. With the handlebars up there is a holder for your phone or tablet. You can also connect your mobile playlist to the built-in Bluetooth speakers, and connect the machine to an exercise map to keep track of your workouts.

Choosing the best treadmill for you

"Purchasing a new treadmill can be likened to purchasing a car,” said Pete Schenk, president of LifeSpan Fitness. “You should purchase based on treadmill capabilities first and foremost. Whatever attractive features are built-in should be viewed as a bonus.”

Schenk also said many first-time buyers are swayed by a feature or two and are then disappointed when the treadmill needs repairs just a few months down the road.

Picking the best treadmill for you should include knowing the space available in your home gym, your personal fitness level and goals, and how many people in your home will be using it. 

Running surface

When buying a treadmill, don't pick anything with a running surface that measures less than 20x60 inches. A wider and longer running surface is much more comfortable, especially if there's any impact-reduction cushioning to reduce stress on your joints.

Motor power and speed

While the horsepower is important (most treadmills average 3-4), the key factor here is the continuous speed provided. If a treadmill will only achieve your average pace, you’ll quickly end up burning the motor out. Most treadmills have a top speed of 12mph, which is ample for most people.

Incline/decline

To mimic ascents and descents, choose a treadmill with a decline and incline function. Declines are good for feeling as though you are running or walking downhill at pace, while inclines help you feel as though you are climbing. A good range is -3-15%.

Control panel (console)

This is another important factor, with some of the best treadmills for home use offering large, full-color touchscreen displays, giving you swift access to a range of onboard workout and training modes. Some even offer interactive training via Google Maps, via which you can virtually run anywhere in the world, with the treadmill replicating the terrain to a point (provided you have an incline mode).

Can you lose weight on a treadmill?

Treadmills are a great way to help you shed the pounds. You’ll need to burn about 3,500 calories to lose a pound of fat. A 30 minute run won’t come close to this, but it will chip it away and do it regularly enough and the pounds will soon fall off. 

Not only that, but most treadmills will have a program to fit your needs. Here's a list of basic workouts and what each type entails:

Lose weight fast: If you’re looking to lose weight, you should use interval workouts. Warm up, and then move to a brisk walking pace for about 2 minutes. Then, run as fast and as hard as you can for roughly double that time. Repeat this process several times – but always listen to what your body tells you, and slow down when you need to. 

Build muscle: Use the treadmill’s incline function for an interval workout. Run on a flat surface (0 degrees) before raising the incline to a level where you feel challenged but comfortable; this will really work your hamstrings. Alternate between running on a flat surface and at an incline. 

Increase endurance: Endurance training is an important part of running for a long time, as in a marathon. On a treadmill, start with a jog for a little less than a mile, and then increase your speed to a full sprint. When you need to slow down, start jogging again to cool down. Continue alternating as long as you can.

Aside from helping with weight loss, running (and walking on a treadmill) has numerous other health benefits. Each time you do a cardiovascular workout, your heart is strengthened, which can lower your blood pressure. And you don't have to run as fast as you can either; many treadmills are programmed with workouts that range from light and breezy to extremely strenuous. It's important to figure out what works best for you and talk to your doctor about any health concerns. If you feel lightheaded or experience sharp pain, you should stop your workout immediately.

Treadmills are great if the weather’s wet and cold outside, as you can stick to a training plan without fear of slipping on an icy road or sidewalk. Not everyone likes running in the dark, so a home treadmill means you can run in the comfort of your own home whatever time of day it is.

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For treadmills, we weren't able to get a hold of every brand and model to test personally. However, we did get two that we tried out in our office and sent other testers into gyms to learn about the features and feel of others. This, along with talking to fitness experts, helps us understand what to look for in a good, reliable machine.

Struggling to get up at the moment? The best sunrise alarm clocks can help you get going in these dark months. The clocks work by gently flooding your room with light, starting out with a deep orange color and then slowly working up to a bright, white shade that feels like dazzling sunlight. The theory is that this slow progression replicates a sunrise and should gently wake you as you sense the change in light.

Also known as wake-up lights or sun lights, they usually come with an array of alarm sounds that can be played once the light has reached its strongest point. This should mean that even deep sleepers will be rumbled out of bed, if the lighting trick hasn’t worked.

These devices can be particularly useful during winter, when the sun sometimes doesn’t rise before we do. They’re not to be confused with the best light therapy lamps, which are designed to alleviate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD.) That said, sunrise alarm clocks can have benefits on our sleep patterns, which can improve mood and mental health.

If you’re looking to improve your sleep across the board, you might also want to consider getting one of the best mattresses or best pillows for your body type and sleeping patterns. For now, here’s our guide to the latest and best sunrise alarm clocks for a more natural wake-up call…  

1. Philips SmartSleep Connected: Best sunrise alarm clock overall

The general advice for a good night’s sleep is to switch off your gadgets and leave them out of the bedroom, so it might seem strange that Philips is asking you to stay connected. But with decades of expertise and the backing of a clinical sleep trial, Philips, which also makes some of the best electric toothbrushes, knows what its talking about. 

The Philips SmartSleep Connected is dual light-therapy lamp and sunrise alarm clock packed with features including a built-in smartphone-enabled sensor. That advises on your ideal sleeping and waking environment by measuring the temperature, noise, light and humidity levels in your bedroom. 

There is also RelaxBreathe, a light-guided breathing program that helps the body and mind relax and wind down. Meanwhile, Philips’ SleepMapper app allows you to personalize the alarm, light, sound, and sunrise and sunset themes.

This clinically validated wake-up light is easy to use and also includes an FM radio, power back-up, USB mobile phone charging, AUX dock with quality speaker and smart-touch display. At the end of the day – and the beginning of it too – Philip’s sunrise alarm clock and app makes light work of waking up.

• Read our Philips SmartSleep Connected Sleep and Wake-Up light review

2. Lumie Bodyclock Active 250: Best sunrise alarm clock for heavy sleepers

If you need a little something extra to make sure you rise and shine in the morning, try the Lumie Bodyclock Active 250, which wakes you up gradually with 'light that mimics the spectrum changes of a real sunrise'. 

And if that doesn’t do it, the option of a rooster as a wake-up sound will definitely stir you from your slumber, especially when set at a louder volume. There is also an FM radio if you fancy some news or music too.

The wake-up time can be programmed up to 90 minutes before you need to get up, giving you plenty of time to wake refreshed, and there is also the option to set the light to flash once the sunrise sequence has finished.

The clock also has plenty of gentle options including dimmable lighting and a white-noise setting, plus it also doubles up as a gentle bedtime reading lamp and can be programmed to come on as a security light for when you’re away overnight.

3. HeimVision Sun Alarm Clock: Best sunrise alarm clock on a budget

This smart sunrise alarm clock has all the features you need to sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed, including a soothing red-tinted light that gradually transforms into white light to copy natural sunlight. Meanwhile the dual alarm can be set to four separate wake-up times with seven different types of alarm sounds to choose from.

Other features include a convenient USB charging port, FM radio and a 15-minute snooze option, but we really love the fact this clock doubles up as a bedside lamp with the right amount of glow to read by. 

If you like to stay connected, the HeimVision sunrise alarm clock also pairs with the Smart Life app (available on the App Store and Google Play) so you can control the clock and set the alarms from your phone. 

The clock also pairs with Alexa and Google Home. But if you prefer to keep your phone off the bedside table, then this gadget is just as easy to operate without the app too.

• Read our HeimVision A80S Wake-Up Light review

4. Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60: Best sunrise alarm clock for seniors 

The sunrise simulation, natural wake-up sounds and FM radio on this device offer a pleasant way to start the day. What’s more Philips says its best-selling alarm clock has been clinically proven to help you wake up feeling more refreshed. 

The clock comes with two alarms and a decent range of brightness levels. The snooze function is easy to use with a simple tap, while your chosen wake-up sound will gradually increase in volume. You can choose between the five wake-up sounds of ‘Forest Birds’, ‘Buddha’, ‘Yoga’, ‘Ocean Waves’, and ‘Nepal Bowls’, all of which are as peaceful as they sound.

Philips has more than a hundred years of expertise when it comes to lighting, and, as such, this wake-up light comes with plenty of research and knowledge. In fact, Philips claim that in a test of 477 users, 88 percent say that using their Philips Sunrise Alarm is better than their previous way of waking up.

5. LBell 7: Best sunrise alarm clock with built-in night light

For some, waking up to the radio can be a really great start to the day, and if you agree then this sunrise alarm clock is the perfect choice for you. 

The LBell 7 offers no less than 40 presets for your favorite radio channels. And it’s easy to set up too – simply hold down the FM button for two seconds and it will automatically scan the stations for you to listen to, set as an alarm or use as a sleep aid. 

There are also plenty of other things to love about LBell’s feature-packed sunrise clock, including seven light colors, sunrise and sunset simulation, dual alarm clocks, seven alarm tones, three sleep sounds, adjustable brightness on the time display and a snooze function. 

The clock also gradually dims as you are drifting off to sleep – it’s a dreamy glow that’s hard to resist.

6. Coulax Wake-Up Light: Best sunrise alarm clock with nature sounds 

If you don’t find waking up easy, why make it harder on yourself with piercing beeps from your mobile phone or digital alarm clock? Coulax’s soothing wake-up light offers a lovely way to bring you into the day, with seven gentle sounds that include ‘Bird’, ‘Ocean’, ‘Stream’ and ‘Windbell’ as well as soft music, piano music and beeps. There is also an FM radio for when you are ready to kickstart the day.

In keeping with the natural theme, this Coulax clock has a subtle wood finish, and the sunrise and sunset simulation uses LED light to gradually increase the brightness from warm red to bright white to wake you within your chosen time (from ten minutes up to sixty).

The lamp also features seven different gentle colors, so you can add atmosphere to your sleeping area. And when it’s time to nod off, the light will dim from your chosen brightness level to help you get the sleep you deserve.

This is our recommendation as the best wake-up light for couples because you can set the dual alarms to go off at two different times. That's handy if one of you gets up earlier than the other.

7. Homelabs Sunrise Alarm Clock: Best sunrise alarm clock for kids

The HomeLabs Sunrise Alarm Clock is a firm favorite with kids and parents alike. Not only will the colored lights add a playful element to the little one’s bedroom, but the gentle wake-up alarm is great for getting them up in time for school… and for making sure they don’t rise too early at the weekend either!

The sleep timer gently mimics sunset to dim the lights as your child drifts off to sleep – ideal if they’re not a fan of the dark. Meanwhile the eight colorful light options are easy to switch between, ready to use as a bedside lamp when it comes to stories at bedtime. 

The sound options include birds, ocean and lullaby to make sure sweet dreams are had all round. Extra features are an FM radio and three brightness settings, although a few more brightness levels would be welcome.

Today's cheapest prices on the best sunrise alarm clocks

Sunrise alarm clocks FAQ

Sunrise alarm clocks vs alarm clocks: Key differences

A lot of us rely on alarms to wake us up in the morning – these can be digital, on our smartphone or via a good old-fashioned wind-up clock – either way, they’ll usually have a noise to jolt you out of your slumber. And, as effective as this is, it can be a bit of a rude awakening.

While sunrise alarm clocks also feature alarms, they also introduce the option of light, which gradually brightens or dims, while changing color to mimic the effects of sun and work with your body’s natural patterns of alertness, easing you into the day (or night). 

These clocks also come with handy little extras such as relaxing chimes and nature sounds to help with your sleep routine, plus they usually double up as a radio and bedside lamp too.

Overall, sunrise alarm clocks are a much more natural and effective way to bring you into the day than a regular alarm, and they also come with wellbeing benefits such as increasing focus during the day, while ensuring you get more restful sleep.

Do sunrise alarm clocks work?

Recreating sunrise is a concept that has been around for a little while. The retinas can perceive light even through closed eyes, and the right amount will kickstart the body into its natural waking routine, and by the time the light is at full brightness, you will wake naturally without the need for an alarm.

While any light should do the trick, sunlight lamps offer a much gentler way to wake up in the morning and it’s far better than being awoken by a noisy alarm clock!

The introduction of light also helps keep us in tune with our body’s natural circadian rhythm, with studies showing how this can keep us energized and productive throughout the day. 

This is similar in function to a light therapy lamp, which is used in the morning to offer extra light when sunshine is short due to the season, working nightshift or living in a basement flat for example. It is also an effective relief for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 

However, it is important to note that sunrise alarm clocks are much weaker than light therapy lamps, which shine a far brighter light and shouldn’t be looked at directly. If you have SAD, it is best to discuss it with your doctor, who might suggest a light-therapy lamp as part of your treatment. 

What to look for in the best sunrise alarm clock 

The best sunrise alarm clocks should feature an LED light with the right amount of adjustability for you to personalize your wake-up routine. You need something that ranges from a dim glow through to a brighter beam.

Ideally, you'll be able to wake without any alarm sounding, as the light should be bright enough to trigger your brain into thinking it's morning. If you do prefer some noise too, all of the best sunrise alarm clocks feature nature and white noise sounds. 

There should also be an easy volume control function, or app functionality so you can adjust the volume via your phone. Another thing to look out for is a timer (30-60 minutes is most useful), so you can set how long you want the sunrise or sunset functions to last for.

Looking to upgrade your bed? Save on sleep with our round-ups of the best Purple mattress deals, the best Casper mattress deals, and the best Saatva mattress discounts, many of which offer savings on great bed toppers too. 

The best electric head shavers are a great option if you like the idea of ditching those trips to the barbers to do it yourself. Not only will this save you time but it could save you a lot of money too. That's especially true over the Black Friday period where some fantastic electric head shaver deals can be grabbed.

From brands like Wahl, Panasonic, Remington, Andis, and Skull Shaver, this guide has only the best head shavers laid out for you to pick from. To do that you'll need to first think about how you want to cut – is it a total buzz cut with the same grading all over or do you want to style your hair with varying lengths. Another consideration is if you also want this for tidying facial and body hair. For that reason this list also has models that double as the best hair clippers. Or get one of these and pair it with one of the best electric razors for a clean finish.

Wired or battery powered is another choice you'll have to make. Generally battery is better, lasting up to an hour on a charge and meaning you won't need to worry about cables getting in the way as you cut – it could mean easier clean-up too as you can cut in the bath or shower. That said, wired may be more affordable.

From rotary heads to fixed heads, there are options to suit you. It might be that a quick shortcut using a model like the Skull Shaver does the job, but you may want more. Either way you'll find a range of options and prices in this list.

If you're bald and wet shaves aren't for you, finding the best electric head shaver for you is the key to achieving that perfect smooth finish with every shave. A speedy and smart way to banish your five o'clock shadow and stubble on top, the top of the line electric head shavers justify their price tag by giving you the same result every time from home. If you keep in mind all the money you'll save on disposable razors, cream and other paraphernalia, head shavers can offer a simple, stylish solution.

Skull Shaver and Goldskull Pro are the market leaders for barber-quality electric head shavers, delivering fantastic results with minimum irritation or nicks in no time. A premium price of upwards of $100 is attached, but the likes of Wahl, Panasonic, Remington and Andis also deliver reliable performance on a more affordable budget.

While you can use cheaper, more versatile hair clippers to give you a very short buzz cut, bald head shavers are exclusively for those who want to keep their head looking as smooth and smart as possible with minimum fuss. You can check our picks of the best hair clippers, many of which will deliver a very fine trim on top, cut longer hair and allow you to groom other areas of your body.

And while you can use electric head shavers to attain the same smooth results on your face, you might find it better to check our best electric razors for the more specialized task of taking care of your facial hair.

Like the top of the range electric clippers and razors, you'll want to consider a head shaver that's easy to handle and gives you the closest possible shaves. It's also well worth spending more on a cordless model so you don't have to stoop down to the nearest power outlet to use it, while this will also enable you to take it into the shower.

8 best electric head shavers to buy now

1. Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum PRO: Best electric head shaver overall

Meet the world's best bald head shaver. If there's one thing that's going to give you confidence when it comes to DIY grooming, it's an accessory that looks like it's come straight out of a posh salon. Shiny and robust, Skull Shaver’s flagship Pitbull Platinum PRO electric head shaver oozes sophistication, and backs up its premium aesthetic with a truly mouthwatering spec.  

Thanks to its multi-directional rotary shaving heads, precision hypo-allergenic Japanese stainless steel blades and ergonomic, easy-grip handle, the Pitbull Platinum PRO promises a fast, accurate and comfortable head shave.    

Its 1,400mAh lithium-ion battery is good for 90 minutes of cordless use, and to help you gauge how much time you have left, there's an LCD battery life indicator on the handle. That's likely to come in handy when you're making the most of the Platinum PRO's IPX5 water resistance by shaving your head in the shower. As the best electric head shavers go, this one really is a Platinum choice. 

2. Wahl 5-Star Balding Clipper: Best electric head shaver for bald heads

Trying to rock your finest Dwayne Johnson look? Then you're going to want an electric head shaver that takes no prisoners (and leaves no stubble). As the name implies, Wahl's 5-Star Series Balding Clipper is not only one of the best electric head shavers for bald people, it's one of the top head shavers full stop.

Powered by a heavy-duty V5000 electromagnetic motor that cuts at twice the speed of pivot motors, this foil shaver features zero-overlap blades to ensure skin-tight fading. Meanwhile, the device's ultra-fine teeth enable the smoother feeding of short hair for an even cut all over. 

One thing we should say is that the 5-Star Series Balding Clipper isn't a cordless shaver, meaning you won't be able to stray too far from the plug socket when shaving your head. On the plus side, at least you'll never have to worry about running out of battery.   

3. Andis ProFoil: Best electric head shaver for small budgets

If you're cynical about pricey electric head shavers, this budget charmer may just change your mind. Ok so the Andis ProFoil Lithium Titanium Shaver doesn't have the muscular aesthetic of rival models in our best electric head shavers guide, but don't let that fool you. A lot of professional hair stylists swear by this little device, and for good reason. 

The combination of staggered-head blades and a powerful rotary motor that generates 9,000 strokes per minute delivers an incredibly close shave. On top of that, the shaver's slim and lightweight form makes it a dream to move around your head (and takes up very little room in a travel bag, too). 

The head shaver's gold titanium hypo-allergenic foil minimizes skin irritation, and if you need to shave your head on the move, 80 minutes of battery life will keep you going for a few days. 

4. Wahl Professional 5-Star Finale: Best cordless electric head shaver

If you prefer to be mobile while having your morning shave (and hey, why not – you'll burn a few extra calories, after all), it makes sense to invest in a shearer that's not too heavy to carry around, and won't run out of juice after every session. 

Another electric head shaver from Wahl's impressive 5-Star range, the Professional 5-Star Finale Finishing Tool is both lightweight and long-lasting, buzzing along for up to 90 minutes between each charge. Handily, it comes with its own charging dock for when you need to top it up.

Not only will it outlast many of its rivals, it delivers a closer shave than a lot of similarly priced electric head shavers. That’s thanks partly to a powerful rotary motor and Wahl's distinctive gold foils. Those foils are also designed to be kind to your skin, though we'd argue that they're not the strongest on the market. 

5. HeadBlade MOTO Head Razor: Best head shaver razor

Electric head shavers don't float everyone's boat, and some prefer a more traditional approach to self-grooming. Luckily, there are loads of high-quality head shaver razors out there, and generally they're much cheaper than their electric counterparts. Our pick of the bunch is the HeadBlade MOTO Head Razor. 

Winner of the Red Dot Design Award in 2017, the HeadBlade MOTO Head Razor is one of the most stylish head shaver razors out there, but it's more than just handsome. With a razor blade that pivots up and down to follow the contour of your scalp, a body that leans from side to side, and a dual-active suspension system, it guarantees a smooth and simple shave. What's more, it's often on sale, so you can usually buy it for a discounted price.

6. Braun Series 9 9370cc: Best electric head shaver for sensitive skin

Having to walk into a business meeting or a date with blotches all over your head is embarrassing. Thankfully, the kind people at Braun have stepped in to help people with sensitive skin. The company describes its Series 9 9370cc rotary shaver range as ‘exceptionally gentle’, and it's hard to argue with that. 

An impressive 10,000 sonic vibrations enable this electric head shaver to glide over your skin with ease, minimizing the risk of nicks and cuts. For added peace of mind, the Braun Series 9 9370cc is fitted with a Skin Guard.

The fact that it's gentle doesn't mean the Series 9 pussyfoots around, though. Braun reckons that it shaves more hair in one stroke than any other shaver, while 40,000 cutting actions buzz every hair as closely as 0.05mm. The Series 9 isn't cheap (the best head shavers rarely are), but you can use it on your facial hair too, making it far more versatile.

7. Remington HC4250 QuickCut: Best electric head shaver for travel use

Speed and simplicity are the key features of this little device – one of many quality electric head shavers from the Remington stable. The company claims that the HC4250 QuickCut hair clipper provides the quickest self-cut of all Remington head shavers, thanks to its 57% greater blade coverage.

What makes it even more appealing to those who need a quick trim is the fact that the shaver features a speedy 10-minute charge feature. Otherwise, it takes four hours to charge the device fully, which gives you 40 minutes of run time.

Quick certainly doesn't mean shoddy, though, and the shaver's CurveCut blade technology is designed to give you a cleaner, more even cut. This is helped along by the QuickCut Hair Clippers' ergonomic design, which enables you to easily groom hard-to-reach areas, along with your neck and sideburns.    

Remington's little wonder doesn't boast the bells and whistles that some of the very best electric head shavers have, but if you're looking for a small grooming gadget that’s simple to use, look no further.

8. Wahl Colour Pro Cordless: Best electric head shaver for beginners

The primary colors emblazoned on the front of this electric head shaver should give you a hint as to how simple it is to use. They correspond to the 10 colored comb attachments that come packaged with the device, making it easy to remember how short you like to have your hair. It's a brilliant idea that makes the Color Pro Cordless perfect for families – how we could've done with one during lockdown.

There really isn't anything else to get your head around. Wahl's shaver is a pretty basic device, but it does the basics very well. Precision ground blades and an ergonomic design enable you to perform a quick and easy trim, while up to 60 minutes of cordless use from a single charge means everyone can have a go before it conks out. You can even remove and rinse the blade after each person has finished.  

 9. Pitbull Gold PRO Head and Face Shaver: Best premium head shaver

The four-headed Pitbull Gold PRO will cost you a lot less than the headline-grabbing Platinum PRO, but the differences are slight. The Gold still boasts the Forte Pro4 stainless steel blades that deliver terrific trimming performance, and with more blades per head to cut through stubble with ease it dramatically reduces shaving time over its rivals. The ability to use it on a wet or dry scalp with minimal irritation thanks to the retractable and flexible blades is just what you'd expect from such a superior product. 

The LCD display doesn't indicate when the shaver needs a wash, but does show battery charge. Ultimately if you can do without the extras and chrome finish of the Platinum, the Gold PRO will deliver the same slick shave on your head and face, with maximum control, while saving you a decent wedge in the process. Sometimes it's best to go for gold. 

10. Pitbull Palm Face and Head Shaver: Best pocket-sized face and head shaver

With three blades instead of four, the Pitbull Palm Face and Head Shaver may just fall short of performance of Skull Shaver's PRO range, but that's not its USP. The Pitbull will still give you a smooth shave on your head and face, but without the electronic display and extra blade of its bigger brothers it's considerably cheaper. Add in its USB-charge cable and more durable appearance, and it's the ideal option for travel trips that you might not want to risk with the fancier models. 

You can remove the blades for cleaning, but the most impressive feature is the detachable head. Underneath you'll reveal a mini buzzer to trim those pesky nose and ear hairs. This added extra and all-round no frills approach makes it an ideal travel companion to help you groom on the go. Given its price this Pitbull is also an ideal introductory product to see if head shavers are for you. 

Cheapest prices on the best electric head shaver

Best electric head shaver FAQ

Buying advice for the best electric head shavers

Unlike disposable razor subscriptions, deciding if a head shaver is for you requires a bit of upfront investment. As such it's important to consider a few key factors to help you choose the best shaver for your head. 

The first consideration is the type of blade that's best suited to your skin. The rotary foils and skin guard of the likes of Braun Series 9 9370cc offer less irritation for those with the most sensitive skin, although if you're a bit more resilient you could opt for the rotary blades of the Pitbull range. The more hardened might even opt for the relatively cheaper Wahl 5-Star Balding Head Shaver Clipper with its classic teeth blades. If you're also going to use your head shaver on your face, you'll also need to take the type of blade into consideration. 

While you'll get many years of use from your investment, any blade will dull over time. Therefore you need to consider the cost of replacement heads and blades, and how often you'll have to invest in them. 

If you like to be in complete control or use your bald head shaver in the shower you'll also need a cordless bald head shaver that you can charge. This also helps for traveling with your shaver, but will also mean you have to factor battery life into your equations. 

How to clean an electric head shaver

Replacing the blades on your electric head shaver is important and should be done according to the brand's instructions. Some manufacturers suggest doing this every five months while others say you can wait a year or more. 

Aside from replacing the blades, there are other steps to help you maintain your shaver. Firstly, always clean the shaver after use. This means blowing out any extraneous hairs and running warm water through the blades. Leaving even fine hairs in the mechanism can cause it to work less efficiently over time.

Always keep your shaver dry when not in use to avoid bacteria build-up. Not only can moisture ruin the shaver, it can act like a greenhouse for germs. If you're concerned that the cleanliness of your electric head shaver has been compromised, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol during cleaning. If yours isn't waterproof, stick to using a damp cloth.

Other ways to enhance your personal care routine

The Turonic G5 Massage Gun is an intriguing product on paper, and after spending some time with it we’re suitably impressed with this powerful and compact massage gun.

Turonic isn’t a big name brand in the fitness and wellness industry - in fact, it’s an offshoot of another company that mainly specializes in audio equipment. As a result, we were skeptical when they asked us if we’d like to review a new massage gun they were releasing, but after spending a few weeks with the Turonic G5 Massage Gun, we’re happy to report that it’s able to compete with the best handheld massagers out there, especially when you consider that it’s much cheaper than competing models like the Therabody Theragun Mini.

It’s still not a super budget device though, with an MSRP of around $160, but you get what you pay for here, especially when it comes to power and build quality. If you want something even cheaper, check out the Pado Pado PureWave CM-07 Massager or even the HoMedics Percussion Pro Heat.

Turonic G5 Massage Gun review: Spec

• MSRP: $159.97
• Number of speeds: 5
• Massage modes:
• Accessories: 7 different heads
• Good for: pre and post-workout massage, muscle aches
• Dimensions: : 2.4 x 7.87 x 6.34 inches
• Product weight: 1.68 lbs

Turonic G5 Massage Gun review: Design

The Turonic G5 Massage Gun is a sleek and stylish piece of kit, with a premium build and feel to its design. It has a gunmetal-colored body, with back accent colors for some of the details. There is only a single button on the device, which serves as the power on/off button, as well as the controls for adjusting the intensity of the massage. This gives it a minimalist feel, but it does mean that you have to cycle through all the speeds if you want to turn the intensity down.

You also get a handy carry case that can fit the device and spare heads - this is perfect for taking it down to the gym with you.

Overall, we like the look of the Turonic - it’s small, light, and easy to transport, which makes it ideal if you’re taking it with you to the gym for pre and post-workout massages. It’s also not so ostentatious that you’d feel weird using it in a room full of strangers, like some handheld massagers.

Turonic G5 Massage Gun review: Features

The Turonic G5 Massage Gun is fairly basic in its functions, as most percussive massage guns are. It has five different intensity levels, ranging from 1200 to 3200 RPM with an 11mm depth amplitude, which is great for deep tissue massage.

There are seven different head attachments available with the Turonic G5 Massage Gun, each suited to different areas of the body and types of massage. Two of them have a stainless steel head, which means they can be used with lotions and massage oils. The Turonic G5 Massage Gun is quite light on instructions, but there is a leaflet explaining what each of the heads is best suited to - one of them is apparently an anti-cellulite head.

To make sure you don’t overdo things, the Turonic G5 Massage Gun has a 10 minute shut off switch - if you want to keep going, you can just turn it straight back on, but it’s a nifty feature to let you know that you’ve been going for a while.

Turonic G5 Massage Gun review: Performance

During testing, we stuck with the first couple of intensity modes, only venturing up to the third mode on a couple of occasions. The last two intensity modes are pretty extreme, which some user reviews were big fans of. Personally, I wouldn’t use the top setting unless I needed to knock a wall through, but it’s good to know that the power goes up to ludicrous speeds for people who need it.

We tested the Turonic G5 Massage Gun both as a general purpose massage gun, as well as using it after intense exercise and we were impressed with the results. It’s always going to be a bit subjective discussing these things, but I found that my muscles ached less after using the Turonic G5 Massage Gun when compared to normal.

The battery lasts up to eight hours, but since you’re only going to be using it for 10-15 minutes at a time, this is almost irrelevant. The long battery life does mean it will go a long time between charges though. When it does need charging, the Turonic G5 Massage Gun takes about three hours.

Turonic G5 Massage Gun review: How could it benefit you?

If you’re regularly exercising and find yourself suffering from muscle aches afterward, then the Turonic G5 Massage Gun is a great choice for some pain relief. It also has an anti-cellulite head, which makes it a great choice for people who are having issues there (though we can't vouch for whether this actually works or not).

It’s not just for more active people though - the Turonic G5 Massage Gun is also great for people who spend a lot of time sitting at their desks. If you’re stuck working from home, or in an office then this is a great way to relieve muscle stiffness, especially around your neck and back. Alternatively, you could look into getting one of the best standing desks to help your working posture.

Turonic G5 Massage Gun review: What we don’t like?

The Turonic G5 Massage Gun is a great massage gun, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of instructions if you’re new to using one. There are some small tips about which type of head to use on which body parts, and a few tips on how long to use the gun in a single area for, but it’s hardly comprehensive. If you pick one up, we’d recommend you watch some YouTube videos to learn how to use a massage gun if you’re new to these devices.

Beyond that, the single button system is a little annoying. It’s very intuitive, but sometimes you want to turn the speed down and you’re forced to cycle through them all to circle back around.

Should you buy the Turonic G5 Massage Gun? 

If you’re looking for a good value massage gun then the Turonic G5 Massage Gun is a great choice. It’s easy to use, well-built, and has some serious power that will get out even the most stubborn of knots - just be careful you don’t overdo it with the high power settings and turn yourself into jelly.

It’s generally aimed at fitness fans who need something to soothe the muscles after a hard workout, but the various heads mean that it’s a versatile machine that works just as well for general aches and pains too.

When you have the best pillows for sleeping nestled under your head, drifting off becomes easier and more enjoyable. Not all bed pillows are made equal though, and some are way better than others in terms of support, comfort and sheer snuggliness. On a basic level, a pillow is where you lay during sleep, right? But a good pillow keeps your neck in alignment, so you experience less neck pain upon waking. The trouble is, there are hundreds of pillows for sleeping, so how do you sort the best from the rest?

As with the best mattress online, the simple truth is that there’s no ultimate pillow for everybody. Instead, we’ve divided the best pillows for sleeping into different areas, such as pillows for side sleepers, for hot sleepers, and those for people who need maximum cushioning. It pays to recognize your dominant sleep position (side sleeper, stomach sleeper, etc), as knowing this can help you narrow down the right pillow very quickly.

Do you roll between different sleep positions? The doctor-approved Nature’s Guest Pillow featured below is your best option, as it’s designed to cradle your head as you roll from your side to your back. If you’re unsure whether your current pillow for sleeping is supportive, if your neck tilts when you’re lying on  it, you’re out of alignment so pick another. Good spinal alignment during sleep is vital, and something we discuss further in our guide to good bed toppers.

Hot sleepers would be better off with a proper cooling pillow. These use similar tech to the best cooling mattresses to stop you from overheating. Finally, experts recommend changing your bed pillow every two years, with the American Sleep Association (ASA) explaining that the support you need changes the older you get, or if you gain or lose weight. Nasties build-up in pillows over time too, so if yours is over two years old, it’s time for a change.

The best pillows for sleeping to buy now

1. The Purple Harmony Pillow: The best pillow for sleeping overall

This award-winning latex bed pillow from Purple uses the same cooling Purple Grid Technology as found in the company’s flagship mattresses, which often features in the best Purple mattress deals. In fact, the Purple Harmony is a complete game-changer if you sleep hot. And with three different heights on offer, there’s sure to be one that will support your neck and head, no matter your size or sleep position.

For a high-quality, non-toxic, non-allergenic pillow, the Purple Harmony ticks all boxes. The premium Talalay latex core also provides excellent durability and softness, with plenty of breathability. Meanwhile, allergies are kept to a minimum with a sweat-wicking synthetic-fibre cover designed to keep you cool.

As you can imagine, with all these great features this pillow doesn’t come cheap. It’s $159, but with a one-year limited warranty, plus a 100-night no-pressure guarantee, you can try it out before you fully decide if it really is the best pillow for you.

• Read our Purple Harmony Pillow review

2. Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow: Best pillow for sleeping in hot weather

The Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow feels just like the fluffy, full down pillows you often find in plush hotel rooms. But the hypoallergenic filling means it’s suitable for allergy sufferers, and it’s much cooler than traditional down pillows too. That’s good news for those of you who are considered hot sleepers.

We love how snuggly this bed pillow is, and the fact that you can get two of them for such a reasonable price only increases their attractiveness. But hey, can you actually sleep well using this pillow? Well, it depends on your sleep style and if you’re looking for any back or neck support, and if you have any existing sleep health issues. 

The reason we mention that is because one of our testers uses a CPAP machine to help with his sleep apnea. He found this pillow to be comfortable and supportive for his back sleeper style, and crucially it didn’t interfere with the CPAP machine. 

Our stomach sleeper wasn’t so fond of the Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow because of just how dense and fluffy it is, which made them feel like they were suffocating a bit. While there’s no warranty on this bed pillow, you do get a 30-day window to try it out and return it if you don’t like it.

• Read our Beckham Collection Gel Pillow review

3. Birch Organic Pillow: Best organic pillow overall

Birch’s premium pillow is made with certified organic natural materials for a healthy and eco-friendly sleep experience. All the materials used in the pillow are sourced ethically and sustainably, and include Birch’s own cruelty-free wool, which comes direct from New Zealand farms and offers excellent breathability and wicks away moisture.

Supreme comfort and support for all types of sleeper is provided with the pillow’s crushed natural Talalay latex core, which is seven times more breathable than standard latex. And if you’re after a soft surface, the pillow’s 100% organic cotton cover is a dream to sleep on.

Other great qualities of this pillow includes the natural flame resistance of the wool, as well as its temperature-regulating qualities. The wool fibers also provide plenty of bounce, plus helps the pillow keep its shape.

If you like your pillows super soft and squishy then the Birch Organic Pillow may not be for you, as this one tends to fall on the firmer side, but if you are looking for something firmer to give your neck and head plenty of support, then this eco-friendly choice will be for you.

• View the Eco-Friendly Organic Pillow at Birch

4. Tempur-Cloud: Best pillow for sleeping with neck pain

When it comes to healthier sleep, Tempur-Pedic is a brand you can rely on, especially for its bed pillows. The extra-soft TEMPUR-Cloud Original has a low profile and conforms to your head and neck to keep it comfy and supported. It’s especially suited to people who sleep on their back or stomach.

The TEMPUR-Cloud Original Pillow has a hypoallergenic removable cover that can be machine washed, with the pillow itself made from a single piece of TEMPUR covered with a polyester knit cover. It’s easy to compress too, so you could use it while traveling. Simply roll it up, then secure it with a belt or scarf before packing it in with your luggage.

At around $79 a pillow, this isn’t the cheapest option in our best pillows round-up, but for the comfort on offer we think it’s worth the price. The TEMPUR-Cloud Pillow also comes with a five-year warranty, which is a decent coverage period.

A word of warning: firmer pillows like this one do take some getting used to, so it may be a couple of weeks or longer before you’re used to it, especially if you have a history of sleeping with softer pillows. 

• Read our Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud review

5. Saatva Latex Pillow: Best organic pillow for side sleepers

Saatva’s hotel-quality Talalay latex and cotton pillow is a superb choice if you’re after the highest levels of design, comfort and support. And while the high price tag matches the highly quality, you won’t be disappointed, especially if you’re after a sleeping pillow made with certified organic materials. 

The Saatva Latex Pillow offers chiropractor-approved support for your head and neck. It’s made with 100% organic cotton, which has been filled with down-like microdenier fiber that’s not only hypoallergenic, but breathable too. 

At the core lives Talalay latex, which is responsive, hypoallergenic, and dust mite and mildew-resistant. But the proof is in trying it out. Right? That’s why Saatva is offering a 45-night trial on its luxury latex pillow... But we reckon you won’t want to give it back.

• View the Latex Pillow at Saatva

6. Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft Pillow: Best pillow for all sleep styles

Get the perfect pillow for you with this ultra-convenient adjustable bed pillow that can be made as deep or as flat as you like. Simply add to or reduce the filling to get the height you need to suit your sleep position or body size. The hypoallergenic fill is a non-toxic blend of memory foam and microfiber. 

To add to the versatility, this pillow comes with an extra half-pound of fill, plus it can be machine washed. Meanwhile, the removable pillowcase is made from a super-breathable polyester and viscose rayon blend.

Over time the pillow does flatten, but the extra fill will come in handy should you need to plump it up again. Also, if you’re not a fan of fuss and just want a sleep pillow that you can use straight away, then you might want to stick to one of the more conventional choices in our list of the best pillows for sleeping.

7. Casper Pillow: Best down-alternative pillow

More than just your typical pillow,  the Original Casper Pillow uses ‘adaptive innovation’ via a surface that responds to movement. That means you stay supported and comfy all night long 

With a pillow-in-pillow design, Casper says its Original Pillow is suitable no matter what your sleep position, making it ideal if you tend to shift around. It’s also convenient in other ways too, as it can be cleaned in the washing machine – simply separate the inner and outer pillows and place both in the machine. 

The pillows are filled with 100% polyester, while the breathable cover is 100% cotton so you can stay cool. If you prefer to sleep on natural fibers, this might not be the best pillow for you. But if you’re looking for an easy all-rounder, then this is a great choice.

If you're looking for a new mattress and like the Casper brand, we'd also recommend taking a look at our guide to the best Casper mattress deals.

• Read our Casper Original Pillow review

8. The Emma Pillow: Best memory foam pillow for pressure relief

Get the perfect pillow for you with the customizable Emma Pillow. It offers three layers, any of which can be removed to suit you better depending on whether you’re a side sleeper, stomach or back sleeper.

The three layers (adaptive memory foam, firm support foam and breathable soft comfort foam) can be removed or changed to your preferred firmness. They also fit within the removable, non-toxic and non-allergenic machine washable cover. 

If you sleep hot, the breathable top cover of the Emma Pillow should provide cooling relief, as will the cold foam support layer. Meanwhile, the middle Airgocell foam layer adds a nice amount of ‘squish’ for premium coziness and support for your neck and head. 

Finally, the visco-elastic memory foam layer is ideal for comfort, enabling the weight of your head to be evenly distributed. At $99.99 this isn’t cheap, but the versatility here more than makes up for it. Other highlights include a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty.

9. Layla Kapok: Best pillow for molding to your neck

Layla makes a beautiful range of more natural sleep products, including a down-alternative comforter, pillows, sheets and other bedding and accessories. As well as pure comfort, Layla’s Kapok Memory Foam Pillow is big on sleep innovation, and feels as cool as it looks. 

For the ultimate in natural materials, Layla takes responsibly harvested kapok fibers and uses them to fill its luxurious pillow for a super-light and airy feel. What’s more, the Layla Kapok Memory Foam Pillow comes over-stuffed, leaving you free to remove any filling to get the perfect pillow height for you.

The cover is woven with CuTEC, a copper-infused yarn that helps minimize odor and improve hygiene. The copper fibers also keep things cool with the CuTEC naturally pulling heat away from your skin to prevent overheating.

This pillow comes with a generous 120-day trial (with a money-back guarantee), which is plenty of time to figure out if it’s the right fit for you. The Layla Kapok Memory Foam Pillow is also covered by a five-year guarantee. One downside, if you do decide to commit, is that this pillow is not machine washable, so always use it with a protector and cover.

10. Tuft and Needle Down Alternative: Best pillow for natural sleep

For all the luxury and coziness this pair of medium-soft pillows offers, you’ll be surprised to hear how affordable they are. Made with a polyester down-alternative, this makes the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillows hypoallergenic as well as easy to machine wash.

The synthetic fill maintains the super-soft feel of sleeping on feathers, making this an ideal pillow choice for back and side sleepers. However, if you want something firmer or with a little more oomph, then try one of the other great options in our guide.

Because this pair of sleep pillows are such great value, they’d make a great addition to the guest bedroom, or to keep as a spare if you occasionally need a little extra cushioning. Tuft & Needle’s Down Alternative Pillows also come in two sizes: Standard and King.

11. Nature’s Guest Cervical Pillow: Best pillow for headaches

Falling asleep isn’t easy if you suffer from neck pain, so it helps to have the best pillow for the job. And with its adjustable cervical pillow, Nature’s Guest offers exactly that.

Ideal for back sleepers (or if you shift from back to side), the unique gusseted design of the Nature’s Guest Adjustable Cervical Pillow for sleeping comfortably guarantees full support and stability to keep you aligned and comfortable. 

There are high levels of adjustability here too, with a dual-zippered design giving you access to the hypoallergenic microfiber polyester filling, so that you can remove or adjust it to a firmness that suits you. 

If you’re after a soft pillow, the Nature’s Guest Adjustable Cervical Pillow won’t be it. Because it’s specifically designed to provide added support for your neck, this Cervical Pillow has been recommended by chiropractic and orthopedic practitioners as a way to ease pain. 

You can try the pillow for up to 30 days to ensure it’s right for you. If you’re not satisfied, you can get your money back, no questions asked.

12. Avocado Molded Latex Pillow: Best organic pillow for hot sleepers 

Avocado Green excels at making eco-friendly bedding that’s not only better for the planet, but great at helping you sleep too. With its Molded Latex Pillow, the brand takes 100% certified organic natural latex to create a pillow that's big on comfort and support.

A charcoal-infused latex core serves to regulate temperature and eliminate odors and excess heat. For an extra layer of hygiene, the sleep pillow also comes with a removable cover that’s easy to wash by hand or in the machine. 

We’d recommend the Avocado Molded Latex Pillow for back sleepers in particular, as it offers a firmer surface to lay your head on. So if you are after something softer, it might not suit. 

Of course, as expected with such high-quality vegan materials on offer, this pillow doesn’t come cheap, with prices starting from $99 for the Standard size, and rising to $119 for the King size.

• View the Molded Latex Pillow at Avocado

Today's cheapest prices on the best pillows for sleeping

Best pillows FAQ

Can a good pillow really make a difference to your sleep?

Finding the right pillow is important if you want a comfy night’s sleep. Choosing the wrong pillow can lead to neck, shoulder and back pain, as well as headaches. We talk about this more in our feature discussing why is sleep important.

The first thing to think about is alignment. A good pillow keeps your head, neck and spine in a neutral line no matter your sleep position. If you change positions a lot during the night, a pillow made with an adaptable material (memory foam) will support your head as you move around.

To keep this neutral alignment, pillow height is crucial. Some bed pillows will be taller or flatter than others. Modern pillows for sleeping are adjustable too, which means you can remove or add layers of filling to suit. 

Once you’ve found the right firmness and height, other extras to think about include breathability, and whether it's hypoallergenic and suitable for machine washing.

What is pillow loft?

‘Pillow loft’ refers to the height of the bed pillow when it’s positioned flat, with nothing resting on top of it. Generally speaking, sleep pillows are split into three different ‘lofts’ or heights. This includes low, medium and high. 

A low loft pillow is three inches or less in height, while a medium loft pillow is around three to five inches in height. Anything higher than five inches tall is considered a high loft pillow.

When determining the ideal pillow loft for you, consider the following:

Your sleep position

Do you sleep on your stomach? If so, a low loft pillow is best suited to you. Those who sleep on their backs prefer low or medium loft pillows. Side sleepers might benefit from a high loft pillow to align their neck and shoulders, and to plug that gap between their head and shoulders when snoozing on their side.

Your mattress

Softer mattresses don’t require much pillow loft because your body sinks into the mattress. A low or medium loft pillow for sleeping should provide all the support you need. Firmer mattresses need a high loft pillow to ensure your neck and head are properly supported. 

Your body weight

The more you weigh, the higher loft pillow you might need. That’s because your weight determines how much you sink into your mattress. Those on the lighter end usually prefer lower lofts. 

The best way to discover your ideal pillow loft is to try a few at different heights - many of the best pillows for sleeping featured above, such as the Emma and Casper, are available on a trial basis. 

What are the different types of sleep pillows? 

There’s more to pillows than just their loft height. Here are the different types of sleep pillows available to buy right now to help you have a dreamy night’s sleep.

Memory foam pillows

This type of pillow can be suitable for all different sleepers. Why? Because memory foam pillows molds to the contours of your body. Memory foam pillows therefore offer brilliant support to your head and neck. However, many memory foam pillows tend to retain heat so work better for the colder months. 

Down pillows

If soft, cushiony and moldable pillows are your thing, down pillows might help you catch a good night’s sleep. Made from the soft fibers found under the exterior of a duck, goose or swan, these pillows are sometimes mixed with feathers for extra fluffiness. Down pillows are ideal for stomach, side and back sleepers because they offer brilliant head and neck support.

Latex pillows

Latex pillows are one of the most cooling pillow materials to buy. So if you’re looking for a breathable and cooling fabric, this type of pillow could be your best bet. 

Latex pillows offer a high level of support while coming with durable and moldable qualities. However, it’s important to note that latex pillows are quite expensive, so make sure you aren’t allergic to the fabric before you buy. 

How often should you change your pillow?

If you’re still sleeping on a pillow you bought two years ago, now is the time to think about buying the best pillow for your weight and sleep style. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing bed pillows every 18-24 months. 

This is because the filling in your pillow can become flat and unsupportive, putting unwanted strain on your neck. It’s not just about comfort either, as the material in some pillows retain sweat and dust mites, making them unhygienic after a while. 

What are the best pillows for sleep made from?

If you’ve bought a cheap pillow from a local department store, it’s probably made of synthetic polyester. These tend to flatten out quickly and absorb heat easily, making them an absolute no-no for hot sleepers. 

Feather and down pillows are a more traditional. These sleep pillows tend to be soft and luxurious, and mould around your neck. However they are prone to clumping and will need to be plumped regularly. Feathers often poke through, which is irritating, and they need to be professionally cleaned. If you suffer from allergies, avoid down pillows at all costs.

Memory foam pillows for sleeping are hypoallergenic and designed to contour to your body. Because they're quite firm, they're popular among people suffering with neck pain. They do retain heat though and they can be pretty heavy.

Premium microfiber pillows are as soft as down, as supportive as memory foam, and they won't trigger allergies. They’re also good at dissipating heat and don’t trap perspiration, though you do pay a premium for this sleep wizardry.

Latex pillows are everywhere in the organic pillows market. These have a similar feel to memory foam pillows, but stay cooler for longer and hold their shape well. Durable and naturally hypoallergenic, they are an ideal choice of non-toxic pillow for sleeping but they are expensive.

What is a natural, non-toxic or organic pillow?

When shopping for an eco-friendly sleep pillow, you will often see terms such as ‘organic’, ‘natural’ or ‘non-toxic’. Here, we run through what these terms mean, so you can make more informed choices when deciding which of the best pillows online to buy.

Organic pillows

This applies to natural materials – such as latex, cotton and wool – which have been grown without using any prohibited substances in the manufacturing process. 100% organic materials do not contain harmful chemicals that can trigger reactions and affect breathing. 

Some top organic brands include Avocado Green, Birch and Saatva, with prices usually being around the $100 mark, and often higher. True organic materials are usually certified, so look out for accreditation such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). 

Natural pillows

As it sounds the materials have been taken from natural sources such as animal and plant fibres – so wool, cotton and latex, for example. The benefits of these are mainly comfort and breathability, but it’s worth noting that just because a material is natural, it  doesn’t mean it’s organic. 

What we mean is, pesticides and other chemicals may still be used in the growing process, so watch out for this if you suffer from allergies. Brands that used certified organic natural materials include Avocado Green, with its Avocado Green Pillow ($89) and Birch with its Organic Pillow ($99).

Non-toxic pillows

Non-toxic materials contain no or minimal nasty chemicals, and can also be synthetic too. If you want to guarantee that your natural pillows are non-toxic, then look out for organic certifications, such as GOTS and GOLS, as detailed above. 

Organic pillows vs normal bed pillows: Which should you buy?

As with a lot of things sleep-related, whether you choose organic over standard, is down to personal choice. If you suffer from an allergy, organic is recommended, as the materials are more likely to keep allergic reactions at bay. 

Also, if you like to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, then you should also choose organic, as no toxins are used in the manufacturing process, so it’s kinder to the earth too.

Pillows filled with organic wool are a great option, as this material is naturally hypo-allergenic, dust-mite resistant and anti-microbial too. And contrary to popular belief, many natural fibers can be easily washed in the machine.

However, the downside is, with all the care and attention put into making organic pillows, the price is often higher. So if you are looking for affordability or occasional use, then there is still plenty of choice to be found among normal bed pillows. 

To help you sleep, use one of the best sound machines to produce soothing sounds, and for a more natural way to wake up, consider one of the best sunrise alarm clocks.

Summer is here and so is the blazing sunshine. While now is the time for many of us to (safely) top up our vitamin D levels, we also need to stay sun-safe. That means protecting our eyes as well as our skin. Happily, there are many eye health tips that can help.

And this goes for our time spent indoors, too, plus some key lifestyle factors. Excessive screen time, high levels of stress and a diet full of processed, convenience foods can each impact eye health, for example. So, what can we do to help keep our eyes healthy and safe this summer and beyond?

Optical expert Dr Andy Hepworth, BSc FBDO, of leading-lens manufacturer Essilor, has some top eye health tips at the ready, including what vitamins you could take to nourish your eyes. Plus, he shares some eye-boosting recipes you can make with ease. Good news: dessert is on the menu. 

For other ways to ensure better eye health, take a look at our guides to the best eyeglasses online, and the best online contact lenses for various eye conditions.

1. Eat antioxidant-rich foods

“Certain antioxidants help to promote good eye health,” explains Dr Hepworth. “These include omega-3 fats and beta-carotene; vitamins such as C and E (which reduce the risks of developing AMD), and zinc and carotenoids. Sources of vitamin A, lutein and zeaxanthin also promote good eye health.”

Healthy eating is important for your whole health, but Dr Hepworth suggests a few fruits and veggies in particular for nourishing your vision. “If you’re looking to add more eye-boosting benefits into your meals, kale, butternut squash, blueberries, apricot and salmon are a great place to start.”

2. Protect your eyes properly in the sun

When the sun is shining, it’s tempting to stay out in it for as long as possible, but protecting for your eyes is a must. “Overexposure to UV light can lead to premature aging, plus serious eye health issues such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Excessive UV exposure also has been linked to corneal sunburn and retinal tissue damage. It can also cause eye strain and headaches.

“UVA rays are less damaging than intensive UVB rays, but eyes need to be protected from both,” continues Dr Hepworth. “Make sure your sunglasses have proper UV protection. The minimum should ideally be UV 400 protection, which blocks nearly 100% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, with UVA and UVB protection.”

3. Cut your screen time to stave off dry eyes

According to research shared by the National Eye Institute, roughly 16 million Americans have Dry Eye Syndrome. It causes red, itchy, tired eyes, and screen time is one of the major culprits behind it.

“These symptoms can also be exacerbated by eye strain – another eye condition that has become more common in tandem with an increase of time staring at screens.” Dr Hepworth says.

“Follow the 20:20:20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a break for 20 seconds and look at objects that are 20 feet away. Following this rule will help prevent eye fatigue.”

If you wear contacts, you’re at increased risk of Dry Eye. Here’s what to do: “Make sure that you don’t wear them for longer than recommended and give your eyes a break by wearing glasses instead of your lenses on some occasions.”

4. Wash your hands, towels and bedding often

As a society, we have never been more aware of the importance of good hand hygiene (and hygiene in general). Regularly washing your hands, and avoiding touching your face, can help reduce your risk of contracting all sorts of viruses and nasties. Your eyes are no different.

Eye infections are varied, but thankfully most can be easily treated at home. That said, if you are experiencing weeping of the eyes, or have sore and red eyes that aren’t easing, visit an eye doctor as soon as possible. 

Dr Hepworth says that one of the most common eye health conditions is conjunctivitis. “Conjunctivitis is where the conjunctiva becomes inflamed as a reaction to outside influences, causing it to become sore or irritated.

“Most types of conjunctivitis tend to clear up within one or two weeks, often without needing any medical treatment. If treatment is needed, eye drops or antibiotics will normally be advised depending on what type of conjunctivitis you have.”

You can also minimize your chances of infection by doing the following:

• Avoid rubbing your eyes 
• Wash your hands frequently
• Regularly wash your towels and bed linen
• Allergy sufferers, always have antihistamines at hand

5. Avoid and alleviate allergens

“Itchy eyes occur due to irritation from pollen or another allergen landing on or near your eye. Once your eyes are itchy, they tend to become red due to an inflammatory response trying to fight off the irritant.”

You can also cause redness in your eyes by rubbing them. Wondering why your eyes are watering? It's because they're trying to flush out those pesky irritants. To reduce your exposure to allergies, wash your bedding, towels and clothes regularly. This is especially important during summer when allergens are rampant.

“You should also wash your face and hair at the end of the day too and save your pajamas for when you go to bed,” advises Dr Hepworth. “This will avoid them picking up any particles which could affect your eyes while you sleep.”

Another tip is to wear your glasses on days when the pollen count is high, and to leave your contacts in the case. “Wraparound sunglasses can also provide additional protection, to help keep allergens away from your eyes.” 

6. Get an eye exam

There are many triggers for poor eye health, with a number of seemingly everyday things that can impact it too. These range from too much screen time, to a sub-par diet (remember those antioxidants, folks!) and periods of stress. 

On top of reducing your stress levels (we’d recommend using a meditation app) and improving your diet, getting regular eye exams will also help you better protect your eyes. Read our feature on how often should you get an eye exam for more.

“Regular eye appointments are not just about keeping our eyesight in check. Our eyes can provide an early warning to a number of other health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even brain tumors,” says Dr Hepworth.

“Maintaining regular eye examinations is the best and most straightforward way to look after your eye health and vision. It is recommended you visit an optician every two years, unless you have a more complicated eye health history (your optician will recommend how regularly you should be seen).”

The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is a hybrid home fitness solution that combines a cross-trainer with a stair climber. It’s designed for zero-impact, high-intensity aerobic and anaerobic workouts, suitable for everybody including beginners. 

Nautilus is the company behind the world’s best elliptical machines and it’s also the parent company to Bowflex, so the Max Trainer M6's pedigree is strong from the start. In fact, of its siblings the Bowflex BXE216 Elliptical Trainer is highly rated for user comfort and a range of exercise modes. 

The benefit of cross-trainers is that they offer nearly a full body workout from just one machine, however while some can be bulky, the M6 is relatively more compact. In our Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review, we look at the machine's spec, features and design, and analyze user reviews to see what existing customers say about it. 

If you're looking to focus more on pure weight training, take a look at our guide to the best home gyms. 

Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review: Overview  

Each product in the Bowflex Max Trainer range combines the motion of a cross-trainer with the intensity of a stair climber, resulting in a workout that burns a high amount of calories in a relatively short space of time. More importantly, it gives you close to a full body workout from just one machine, saving you space at home.

Like its stablemates, the mid-range Bowflex Max Trainer M6 comprises pedals and handlebars that move back and forth with the motion of the user. It can also be set at various resistance levels to work both your upper and lower body.

Since there's little impact during this type of motion, these machines are seen as being kinder on your joints than something like a home treadmill. However, if you haven’t used high-intensity fitness equipment before, it’s always a good idea to slowly work your way up to avoid straining yourself.

Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review: Design

The first thing you’ll notice about the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is its compact size. At just 46" long and 26" wide, it shouldn't encroach on your space too much. And if it does get in the way, use the integrated rollers to push it into a corner once your workout is finished. 

Just be aware that the ceiling in the room where you use the Max Trainer M6 will need to be taller than your height plus 15 inches (otherwise you might end up with a sore head).

Built for comfort as well as convenience, the M6 features wide and grippy pedals for a solid footing as you work out, plus multi-grip handlebars so you can place your hands in a variety of positions. 

Just inside these handlebars are a pair of static handlebars with dual heart-rate receivers, a central console (more on that in a moment), a magnetic media rack for your smart device, plus a bottle holder.

Though it's a solid well-built machine, the Max Trainer M6 will only carry individuals of up to 300lbs. That's not terrible, but there are cross-trainers designed to support a higher max weight. For a higher weight capacity, read our NordicTrack FS7i FreeStride Cross-Trainer review.

Another thing: you'll need to assemble Bowflex's machine before you can start working out. Don't let that be a dealbreaker, though, as it's not a particularly complicated process and should take no more than about 30 minutes.

Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review: Features

As with any piece of home gym equipment, the Bowflex Max Trainer 6 gives you the opportunity to climb on and get some exercise whenever you please. And as well as this convenience, it's packed with plenty of great features to keep you motivated. 

The machine offers 16 levels of resistance – almost as many as the top-of-the-range Bowflex Max Total (20) – as well as five pre-programmed workouts, enabling you to tailor your session to your own capabilities and requirements. 

As you train, your speed and distance will be displayed on the centre console, and there's also a Burn Level display that shows how many calories you're burning per minute and sets you targets throughout your session. 

However, there are considerably more options available through Bowflex's subscription-based JRNY and Explore the World apps. Note that you'll need your phone or tablet for these, as, unlike the Max Total, the Max Trainer M6 does not come with a screen. 

Bowflex's JRNY offers features such as training videos, real-time feedback and streamable music playlists, while Explore The World enables you to train virtually in some of the world's most spectacular locations. 

While both of these apps cost money, you get an optional two-month trial of JRNY when you purchase the machine. Handily, you can also sync your workout data with other fitness apps, including MyFitnessPal, Google Fit and Apple Health.    

If you get to the end of your workout but want to keep going, you’ll welcome the Add Time feature – simply hit the button and your session will continue for a little longer. 

Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review: How could it benefit you?   

If you lead a busy life but still want to exercise regularly, then the Max Trainer M6 could be for you. Offering a variety of short, high-intensity workouts, it'll enable you to burn a good few calories, even if you've only got a few minutes to spare each day. 

Being a low-impact machine, it's kinder on your joints, reducing the risk of injury. And the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is also ideal for couples or friends who live together, as it memorizes up to two user profiles at a time. Here are some other benefits:

• Enables you to work out more of your body from just one machine
• Guided workouts are available so that you don't injure yourself
• Various exercise modes tailored to your current fitness levels
• Upper body focus mode for when you want to give your legs a rest
• Fast yet energizing workouts ranging from 4 to 30 minutes
• Get the cardio health benefits of a stepper and elliptical in one

Bowflex Max Trainer M6 review: User reviews

At the time of writing, there are no reviews of the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 on Amazon. However, 619 people have rated it on the Bowflex site, generating an overall score of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Of those 619 ratings, 77% award the cross-trainer the maximum five stars.

One reviewer confirmed that the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is great for a high-intensity workout, writing: “I use the 14 min interval max training and it definitely gets your heart rate up.”

Another user hailed the convenience of the machine: “As a parent that also has to work from home, time is limited, so to be able to jump into a workout and be done in 20 minutes while getting a tough workout is awesome.”

Not everyone sang the Max Trainer M6's praises, though. Some customers said they were "disappointed because it is too flimsy", while others said that "some parts did not align well", and how, "there are better-designed machines for a lot less.”

Should you buy the Bowflex Max Trainer M6?

While the Bowflex Max Trainer M6 might not be the cheapest home cardio machine on the market – especially if you subscribe to at least one of the Bowflex apps – we still think it's worth the price. For a cheaper alternative though, read our Sunny Health and Fitness SF-E3912 Elliptical Trainer review.

Boasting a solid build, smooth and virtually silent functionality, and a range of motivational features, this Bowflex cross-trainer could prove invaluable in your various health and fitness goals. 

The Bowflex Max Trainer M6 is also smaller than your average elliptical, making it a great option for people who don't have much room to spare at home, yet want to get in regular full body (or near enough) workouts.   

The best fitness trackers are designed to help you keep tabs on your workouts so you can see how effective they are. Activity bands also track aspects of your sleep if you wear them in bed, plus some track menstruation, stress levels and body temperature. Proper fitness watches, made by the likes of Apple, Garmin, Fitbit and Polar, are next-level wearables capable of taking a deep dive into your exercise metrics. These are favored by fitness enthusiasts, but much of that tech is now trickling down to basic, cheap fitness trackers.

And not everyone needs the same features in an activity band or watch. So if you just want to track steps and daily activity, the best fitness tracker for you is a simple band that displays those numbers on its screen. If you want to accurately track heart rate, stress response and VO2 Max (how much oxygen is delivered into your bloodstream during exercise), you’ll need a more premium fitness watch.

Activity trackers can be used for a range of outdoor and home gym exercises, from swimming and HIIT, to cycling or full body elliptical machine workouts. The best fitness trackers auto-recognize not only when you’re exercising, but which type of exercise you’re doing. When paired with your phone, they can also be synced with apps like Google Fit and Apple Health. This gives you extra insight into your health and fitness goals. But remember: if you have any concerns about your health, speak to your doctor and do not rely on a fitness tracker for diagnosis. 

When it comes to using the sleep tracking function on activity bands, we’d advise taking the results with a pinch of salt. Not all of them are accurate and a huge number of factors affect their ability to track your slumber. Finally, the best fitness trackers from brands like Fitbit also offer (on a subscription basis) access to online fitness programs, so you can enjoy a variety of fun ways to move your body and stay active.

 Fitbit Luxe: The best fitness tracker overall

If you’re shopping for the best fitness tracker to help you get out of an exercise rut and to really overhaul your health and fitness, the Fitbit Luxe is the one to buy. It’s the newest addition to the Fitbit range and it’s as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside. 

It’s waterproof, offers up to seven days’ battery life, and dishes out 24/7 heart rate monitoring. The Fitbit Luxe keeps tabs on your everyday activity, including steps taken and distance covered, as well as your workouts. There are 20 exercise modes here, covering most popular exercises, such as running and cycling. 

All of your fitness data is shown on a bright, color AMOLED display, and you can fire up the companion app to dig deeper into various workout and wellness metrics. In short, the Fitbit Luxe encourages you to take a good look at your overall health to see how you could enhance it, day by day. 

This includes your shut-eye, with the Fitbit Luxe generating a Sleep Score based on how much sleep you got the night before, plus what type of sleep (Deep, REM, etc) you enjoyed. If you haven’t downloaded a dedicated meditation app for breathwork, there are guided breathing sessions on offer too. 

These tie-in with the Fitbit Luxe’s Stress Management Score feature, and could be the friendly reminder you need to take a few moments out each day to reduce any stress you’re feeling.

2. Apple Watch Series 6: The best fitness watch overall

Apple's focus with the Apple Watch Series 6 has been on improving its health tracking functionality. It hit the bullseye thanks to a powerful OS upgrade and a series of new features that outpace all other fitness watches, with the exception of Fitbit’s smartwatches.

These features start with a blood oxygen sensor for on-demand readings. Blood oxygen represents the amount of oxygen carried by your red blood cells from your lungs to the rest of your body. Apple states that measurements are “not intended for medical use and are only designed for general fitness and wellness purposes”. Here is what a cardiologist thinks of the app’s accuracy. 

The Apple Watch Series 6 also sports an ECG app, which has been generally well-rated by health professionals. It records your heartbeat and rhythm, then checks that for atrial fibrillation (AFib). Data can be exported and shared with your doctor. 

Sleep tracking is here too, though, as with most trackers, it’s quite basic. Wear the Watch to bed and you can create a custom sleep schedule and view your sleep history. In terms of fitness tracking, the Apple Watch Series 6 utilizes an altimiter to measure the height of your runs or walks, and it carries over the excellent heart rate sensing, step counting and GPS-tracking of the Apple Watches before it. 

The only real issues are short battery life, which means it needs to be charged daily, and that it's only compatible with iPhones. Android users, see below.

3. Fitbit Charge 4: Best activity band for period tracking

When you first look at the Fitbit Charge 4, you might quickly mistake it for the Charge 3. However, there are some key differences under the hood. Namely, the Fitbit Charge 4 has on-board GPS, which means you can leave your phone at home when heading out for a run, walk or hike and your exercise will still be tracked. When you’re out, you could also use Fitbit Pay for contactless payments.

We also love Fitbit’s new feature called Active Zone Minutes, a form of heart rate training. Based on your age and current fitness level (gauged by the fitness tracker and your ongoing workouts), it encourages you to exert yourself a little harder or for longer to strengthen your heart and elevate your fitness. 

Every bit of activity counts here too, so you may find that you’ll feel more encouraged to stay active throughout your day. If you sign up to Fitbit Premium, the brand's online fitness program, you'll gain access to a variety of workouts too.

In terms of design, the Fitbit Charge 4 is slimline and lightweight. It’s also so comfy you’ll probably forget you’re wearing it. While it doesn’t have a color screen, the icons and apps viewable on the display are well laid-out and easy to see at a glance. Swiping through them is also fast and simple. 

The sleep tracking and period tracking features are decent too, though we would still recommend using a period tracking app in the beginning if you have an irregular cycle. Overall, the Fitbit Charge 4 really is the best fitness tracker for the majority of people, and is simple to use even if you’re new to exercise and the world of fitness bands.

4. Polar Ignite 2: Best fitness tracker for varied workout routines

Like the Fitbit, the water-resistant Polar Ignite 2 also has strong GPS functionality, tracking your movements via a number of different positioning systems to record an accurate depiction of your runs. It also tracks your running cadence and heart rate zones during running workouts to help you maximize your gains, showing all those metrics on its always-on display. 

Other types of exercise are covered too, including swim-tracking, plus workout modes for up to 130 other sports. This makes it the best fitness tracker for monitoring a gargantuan range of exercise types, whether you’re into yoga or boxing.

One of the most interesting health features is the Polar FitSpark system. This clever technology offers suggestions each day for different workouts based on your recovery, fitness level and training history. It’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist, taking the guesswork out of how to make your fitness regime more varied and whole-body centered. 

The Polar Ignite 2 will also guide you through each session and keep you motivated until you finish. The recovery program is excellent too. Polar’s Nightly Recharge measurement gives you an idea of how quickly you recover from workouts and the day in general. To boost your post-workout recovery, take a look at our guide to the best handheld massagers too. 

5. Fitbit Versa 3: Best fitness watch with GPS

Fitbit's position as market leader might be challenged by Apple, but the the Fitbit Versa 3’s features set is impressive considering it’s more affordable. This stylish fitness watch comes with integrated GPS to track the pace and distance of your runs, walks and rides, whether you’re cycling outdoors or racking up the miles at home with a bike trainer. 

The 40mm AMOLED display is big and bright, and is attached to a strap that’s easy to remove for cleaning or switching out for a different look. While the Fitbit Versa 3 doesn’t have as much health-tracking clout as the flagship Apple Watch Series 6, there’s more than enough here for most users.

The Versa 3 with GPS is designed for 24/7 activity and heart rate monitoring, plus there are premium features such as an SpO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen levels during sleep. Basic tracking covers steps, calories and snoozing, and you can view workout intensity maps (to pinpoint where you really gunned it) in the app. There are 20+ activity modes, including circuits and running, and you can soundtrack your exercise courtesy of the Spotify watch app.

You should be able to tease around six days' battery life out of the Fitbit Versa 3 per full charge, depending on what you’re using it for. Feeling stressed? Take advantage of guided breathing sessions on the device, though more mindfulness options are available on subscription - read our Fitbit Premium review for more.

6. Garmin Vivofit Jr 3: Best fitness tracker for kids

If you'd like your kids to be more physically active, the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 could be just the thing to help. It's a fun fitness tracker for kids with the option of a Marvel or Disney-themed ‘skin’ to make it fun to wear.

The watch and associated app should (in theory) encourage your little one to enjoy being active, and in a variety of cool ways too. For example, 60 minutes of daily physical activity unlocks mobile games, and they can collect points over time to unlock badges, images and icons.

As you'd expect from a kids activity tracker, the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 also includes a host of functions designed to help them through their day. These include reminders to brush their teeth, through to a chore-tracking system with rewards for house jobs well done. All of these features interact with a parent-controlled app.

Garmin's Toe-to-Toe challenges encourage kids to playfully compete against their buddies and family members (the app works with grown-up Garmin fitness trackers too). Great battery life (via a replaceable cell) eliminates any pesky charging issues, though it's mainly so long because the tracking functions on the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 are basic.

7. Whoop Strap 3.0: Best fitness tracker for athletes

While the Whoop Strap 3.0 is without question one of the best fitness trackers around, it doesn't quite fit into the same category as the others here. There's no screen for a start, and it doesn't cover all of the same health and fitness metrics. 

So instead of things like steps taken and running pace, the Whoop Strap 3.0 watches your entire activity and vitals. We’re talking heart rate, respiratory rate, your commute, walks, house chores, sleep (and naps) to get a robust picture of what your body is doing. It then gives you personalized feedback across recovery, strain and sleep. 

All of this taps into Whoop's comprehensive activity plan to give you the ultimate workout... and to ensure your muscles rebuild well afterwards. It’s ideally suited to people who want to perform at their best with each workout, and to rest equally as well. In short, it’s the ideal activity band for helping you avoid exercise burnout. 

The Whoop Strap 3.0 certainly isn’t for everyone (you’ll hate it if you desperately need a screen and a constant influx of smartphone notifications) and it’s only available directly from Whoop and on a subscription. But for serious fitness fans ready to push themselves to new limits in terms of exercise, recovery and sleep, this is worth a look.

8. Fitbit Inspire 2: Best activity tracker for swimming

While we highly recommend the Fitbit Inspire 2 for use in the pool - it's fully waterproof, and dishes out stats on how long you've been swimming - that's far from the only reason it made our list of top-rated fitness trackers. This slimline band is laser-focused on helping you to enjoy feeling fit and healthy, and it has some very smart features to get the job done.

One of the major attractions is Fitbit’s Active Zone Minutes. These are based on your personal target heart rate zones, so the Inspire 2 will buzz when you enter “peak, cardio and fat burn” during exercise. 

We also love Fitbit’s SmartTrack functionality. This automatically recognizes a number of different exercises and starts tracking your effort as soon as you begin working out. As standard, the Fitbit Inspire 2 also keeps tabs on your steps, distance, and active minutes. 

Wear it to bed and you’ll be on your way to creating a personalized Sleep Score. This is only available via a Fitbit Premium subscription, but it could be of interest if you want to see metrics such as how long you sleep for, and how much of that time was spent in Deep and REM sleep.

If you misplace the Fitbit Inspire 2, you'll be able to track it down via the Tile app. And with up to ten days' battery life, which is very impressive for a fitness tracker, it'll stay ‘findable’ for quite some time.

9. Garmin Vivoactive 4: Best fitness tracker for running

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 has everything you'll need for tracking your runs and treks. It's a fantastic GPS fitness watch, with an on-board workout coach to keep you moving. It even includes a safety function that automatically sends your live location to selected contacts if it detects you have fallen while out running or hiking.

Switch off GPS and it'll follow your exercise and daily activities for a solid eight days straight. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 works very well without a phone, capably hosting things like music and NFC payments, so if you want to go for a hike or run without taking your bank card, you're all set here. 

There are tons of health and fitness features to dig into here, starting with animated on-screen workouts. These enable you to follow along with cardio, yoga and pilates workouts, though we wouldn’t recommend doing so on such a small screen. Over 20 GPS and indoor sports apps (including walking, running, golf and swimming) are included, and there’s an on-wrist running coach.

You can also build your own workouts via Garmin Connect. Much like the Apple and Fitbit trackers, the Vivoactive 4 monitors your blood oxygen saturation and stress levels. It’ll also track your period, hydration levels and respiration. Our favorite feature is called Body Battery Energy Monitoring. Quite simply, this enables the fitness watch to figure out your best time for a workout and when to rest. Clever.

10. Amazfit Bip U Pro: Best fitness watch for Apple fans on a budget

The Amazfit Bip U Pro is one of the cheapest fitness watches on the market, with a huge range of features, including Alexa Voice Control. You also get GPS, estimated VO2 max, sleep tracking, heart rate tracking, and multi-sport tracking.

There’s also no denying the Amazfit Bip U Pro has taken some design inspiration from the Apple Watch. Sticking with the design for a second, this fitness watch tracker uses an always-on display, and it has a superb battery life too. 

Some might find it a bit chunky, and users have also reported issues with the tracking function not pausing automatically during a break in a workout. Still, for the much, much lower price, you get an awful lot of fitness tracking tech for your money here.

11. Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6: Best fitness tracker on Amazon

Xiaomi's sixth bite at the smart tracker apple is definitely its toothiest yet, because the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 is one of the best looking fitness bands we've seen. Part of this is thanks to its bright, high-resolution AMOLED screen, with gorgeous curved edges. Part is due to its silicon case and band, available in one of six colors. 

It's super-cheap too, making the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 a perfect choice if you're just looking to try out a fitness tracker to see how well it would suit your health and fitness goals. There's plenty of functionality on board here, including some very detailed sleep tracking options and breathing exercises on board which can keep you feeling calm.

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 even tacks on 19 new fitness modes for a total of 30, covering all kinds of varied exercise. Whether you're playing basketball, getting down to some Zumba, or even strapping on the skates and hitting the ice, you'll be able to activate specialized tracking.

Best fitness tracker deals

Best fitness trackers FAQ

How much do the best fitness trackers cost?

On average, you can expect to pay between $60 and $650 for a fitness tracker, which is a very wide price range. It starts from the basic step-tracking wearables at the entry level end of the market, and goes right up to the all-singing, all-dancing GPS and VO2 max-tracking devices that pack in music and Bluetooth headphone connections, contactless payments, Wi-Fi, LTE and so much more.

There are plenty of options in between these two extremes, meaning there's sure to be an ideal fitness tracker out there for you. Before you shop, jot down the main features you're looking for, especially the absolute must-haves. These vary for each of us, but could include robust heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking or automatic workout recognition for running, cycling or aerobics so that you don't have to fiddle around with any menus.

How do fitness trackers work?

Functions vary by tracker, but virtually every fitness device will employ a three-axis accelerometer to sense movement. That accelerometer's output is interpreted by software to infer what you've been doing; if it senses the bump of a footstep tied to the swinging of an arm, it knows you're walking.

More advanced trackers will add GPS, which can sense your position in the world. In conjunction with the accelerometer they may be able to sense the difference between a walk and a run. Trackers with more advanced software can even determine the length of your stride, helping you to run more efficiently or make minute tweaks to your gait.

Those trackers which can track heart rate typically use optical sensors, which shine an infrared light on your wrist and measure variances in its reflection to sense your heartbeat. Again, the quality of these is often down to the quality of the software which interprets them, but they'll generally get very close to your actual pulse.

How to choose the best fitness tracker for you

We covered a lot of this in the introduction, but essentially choosing the best fitness tracker for you depends on what level of fitness you currently have, what types of exercise you enjoy, what level of stats you want available to you, and whether you're interested in sleep tracking and period tracking smarts too. 

Most of today's fitness trackers offer contactless payment support, while a good range offer GPS, either integrated or when connected to your phone. 

Also think about how you want the fitness tracker to feel on your wrist: whether a lightweight tracker that you can leave on at night for sleep tracking is your top priority, or whether you need a super-robust tracker that can withstand any rough and tumble during outdoors exercises and bootcamps. 

Are fitness trackers worth it?

Virtually anyone can benefit from a fitness tracker. Even if it's just a case of having a curious look at what you've been doing in the day, having that data readily available is a great motivator.

More advanced trackers are a real plus if you're doing any kind of serious exercise, because they can clearly show improvements in your health and fitness over time, helping you to set and reach goals. Some even act as a coach, suggesting the best next step for your plan. 

Those with medical needs might find them useful, too - particularly if your pulse rate or blood oxygen are important, or you need to track your sleep.

But if all you want to do is track your steps, bear in mind that virtually every modern phone can do just that without the need for a separate fitness tracker. Yes, you'll need your phone in your pocket at all times, but you'll save money and keep your wrist clear.

Are fitness trackers FSA eligible?

Although fitness trackers can be used to improve one's general health, an IRS ruling means they are usually not FSA/HRA/HSA eligible - although in certain circumstances you may be able to get them reimbursed. 

If they have been properly designated as a medical need, for instance to treat obesity, you will require a Letter of Medical Necessity and the appropriate FSA/HRA/HSA account to secure funding. Dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA) and limited care flexible spending accounts (LCFSA) are not eligible.

Learning how to wake up early means overcoming one major hurdle: the dreaded morning fatigue. We’ve all heard about ‘miracle mornings’ and how getting up at the crack of dawn to enjoy your hobbies, eat a leisurely breakfast or get some exercise in before work can help you feel as though you’re winning at life. But… morning fatigue. So how do you overcome that and not duck back under the covers? 

Here’s the short answer: Get up, drink some water, throw those curtains open wide and get out of your bedroom, away from the temptation of your warm bed. By now we all know why sleep is important, so getting up early also involves figuring out the best time to sleep so that you’re still getting your seven, eight or nine hours (whatever works for you). 

Handily, we’ve done the research to help you figure out how to wake up early and not feel tired(-ish). And yes, it involves our old pal sleep hygiene. We’ve also spoken to sleep expert and Chartered Psychologist Dr Lindsay Browning about sleep inertia (grogginess) and how to tackle it.

Don’t forget, your bed plays a role in how rested you feel, so if you need to upgrade, read our guides to the best mattress online and the comfiest pillows.

How to wake up early and not feel tired: Quick tips

• Wake up at the same time each day to strengthen your circadian rhythm
• Get out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off - try not to lie there
• Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake to hydrate and ease grogginess
• Expose yourself to daylight straight away - open the curtains or go outside
• Eat breakfast as soon as possible after waking so that your body knows it’s morning (and time to get going)
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol at night - both lead to poor sleep and tiredness

What is morning fatigue, and what causes it?   

You feel groggy and lethargic... Your bed is warm and is tempting you to stay tucked under the duvet for just ten minutes longer... You are not alone, as waking up and getting up out of bed is a struggle for many of us. Grogginess is usually a perfectly normal part of waking up, and just a matter of the brain taking its own sweet time to wake up. 

So don’t worry if, for example, you wake up feeling tired but feel fine during the day. If you do experience tiredness throughout the day but feel better after a good night’s rest, there’s also no need for alarm. In both cases, the chances are you’re experiencing normal sleep inertia rather than fatigue, which is more likely to have a medical basis. Now go tell your friends, “I’m not lazy, I’m ‘sleep inert’!”

What is sleep inertia, and does it cause morning grogginess?

Dr Lindsay Browning gets asked about sleep inertia a lot, and she talks about it in detail in her new book Navigating Sleeplessness. “Where you wake up in your sleep cycle has a huge impact on how you feel. 

“If you wake up from the lightest stage of sleep (dreaming sleep), you are very close to conscious and you’ll wake-up feeling quite awake because your brain was already pretty much in that frame of mind. If you wake up from a deeper sleep, you’ll feel groggier and experience sleep inertia; its whole purpose is to pull you back into being asleep again.”

How to wake up early and not feel tired

1. Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary

To drift off as effortlessly as possible, make sure your bedroom is set up for sleep. That starts with banning screens from the boudoir. If you really must take your phone into your room (for example, if you use it as your alarm), make sure you switch it to airplane mode and use its blue light filter in the evenings (switching it off at least an hour before bedtime). If you have trouble drifting off, read our tips on how to fall asleep faster.

Your room should be cool, dark and quiet, so lower the temperature, consider investing in blackout curtains, and ditch your devices at the bedroom door. To prevent your brain associating your bedroom with wakefulness, use the room only for sleeping and sex.

2. Wake up at the same time every day

Matthew Walker is Director of the Centre for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley and the author of Why We Sleep, the best-selling book in which he shares the findings of his scientific research. 

“If there is one piece of advice I would give everyone,” says Walker, “it is regularity. If it is the weekend or a weekday, even if you’ve had a bad night of sleep, wake up at the same time.” Walker also recommends that you not only wake up, but get up out of bed too. So try not to lie there once your alarm has sounded.

3. Keep an eye on stimulants

Avoiding caffeinated drinks in the evening might seem like an obvious thing to do if you want to drift off easier, but did you know that nicotine can also affect the quality of your sleep (and should be avoided close to bedtime)? 

Energy drinks, tea, coffee and cigarettes are all stimulants, but what about their opposites, depressants? Sleeping pills should be used only for a short period of time, and while you would think that pouring yourself a nightcap is a good way to unwind, alcohol leads to broken sleep (it can also make you feel dehydrated), so you won’t wake up feeling as rested as you should.

4. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day

Regular exercise can improve the quality of your sleep, so if you don’t already, make sure you’re getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. While the mainstream literature on sleep hygiene recommends avoiding exercise late in the day, a review of the evidence on exercise’s effect on shut-eye found no link between evening workouts and disrupted sleep. 

So go ahead and exercise at a time that suits your schedule. That said, if you find that working up a sweat close to bedtime does affect your sleep (because some people are more sensitive to its effects), experiment with training a bit earlier in the evening or afternoon. You know your body and your sleep best, and what works for others might not be the right approach for you.

5. Get a bright start to the day

While it is important to establish a regular sleep pattern (see tip two), waking up at the same time every day may be more critical than getting to sleep at the same time every night. So make sure your alarm goes off at the same time and that you get up when it goes off, ideally heading outdoors as soon as you can. 

Mornings are the perfect time to head outside and get at least 30 minutes of sunlight, if you can. In the darker months, you could try using one of the best sunrise alarm clocks to simulate natural morning light in your bedroom.

Grogginess, sleep inertia, and how to handle it

Common causes of morning grogginess

“Most of the time that grogginess is sleep inertia, but it could also be that your circadian drive is in the wrong time zone. Especially if you are someone who isn’t keeping a regular bedtime and wake time. So if some days you go to bed really late, and some days you go to bed earlier, your circadian drive is confused.” Dr Browning explains. 

“If you slept until 10am on Saturday and Sunday, but on Monday you have to be up at 7am, that’s a three-hour time difference. So therefore if you set your alarm for 7am, you will feel groggy upon waking because your body will think it’s 4am. So it’s about making sure that your circadian drive is boosted so that you know it’s morning.

“Have breakfast very soon after waking, and have lots of bright light coming in. You could use a light therapy lamp or simply get those curtains wide open first thing to help your body wake up.”

Why does morning grogginess make us feel blue?

“If you wake up and you think ‘I feel dreadful. I must not have had a good night’s sleep last night because I feel really bad right now and so groggy and sleepy’, that will frame your thinking for the rest of the day,” Dr Browning explains. 

“And there have been so many studies to prove that if you think you slept poorly, you will be more sluggish. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy, and you won’t have a good day because you think you slept poorly.”

Do sleep tracking apps really wake us during the lightest stage of sleep? 

“You can get apps that monitor where you are in your sleep cycle and try to wake you up from what the app guesses is the lightest part of your sleep. However, I’m not a fan of those because they rob you of sleep – they’ll figure out where your peak is (your lightest part of sleep) before you actually need to wake up, and they’ll wake you then. 

“I would much rather have an extra half hour of sleep, wake up in a perhaps groggier part of sleep, but I’ve had that extra half hour that I need. As long as your circadian rhythm is in the right place, and you wake up – yes perhaps feeling a little groggy to start – but get up, have a cup of tea and a bit of breakfast, and  shake it off, you’ll be ok.” 

If you are upgrading your bed, check out our money-saving roundups of the best Saatva mattress discounts, the latest Purple mattress deals and discounts, and the biggest Casper mattress deals.

The best curling irons can create a range of hairstyles in just a few easy twists, whether you wear curly, wavy, or somewhere in between. You have a lot of choices when buying a curling wand, and some are better suited to certain hair types and lengths than others. To help you pick the right one, we’ve compiled a list of the top-rated curling irons for thick, long hair, and short and fine hair. We’ve also tracked down the best hair straightener for curling hair.

How much you spend on a curling iron is up to you, and plenty of affordable wands are priced from as little as $18. But if you want the best curling iron bar none, prepare to fall in love with the Dyson AirWrap Styler. Not only does it curl hair, but it also smoothes, waves, and banishes frizz. Also, prepare yourself for a hefty bill on this one - $549, to be precise. 

Other trusted curling tong brands include Remington, BaByliss, and Conair, all of which also make great hair dryers packed with features catering to different hair types. Speaking of features, our picks for the best curling wands have plenty of nifty design elements, such as temperature control to protect your hair and an automatic switch-off. Other neat touches include an extra-long cord so you can easily reach the back of your head.

When it comes to grooming for other members of your household who have short hair, check out our guides to the best electric head shavers and hair clippers. Here’s our list of the best curling wands for all hair types and budgets…   

The best curling irons we recommend

Top Ten Reviews is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.

The best curling iron overall

If you’re a Dyson Supersonic blow dryer fan, you will love the Dyson Airwrap. This do-it-all hair styler makes light work of creating curls and waves, but it can also dry and smooth (but not properly straighten) your hair. It does all this without using extreme heat, making it an ideal investment for the long-term health of your hair. The Dyson Airwrap is suitable for the majority of hair types, whether yours is thick or thin, frizzy or poker straight, and hard to curl.

The Airwrap is available in three editions: Complete, Volume+Shape, and Smooth+Control. Each edition includes different attachments, apart from the Complete, which contains them all. Attachments include interchangeable brushes and barrels and a dryer attachment to ensure your hair is ready for curling, waving, or smoothing.

As you’d expect, the Dyson Airwrap uses a high-tech design to achieve all this magic, centering around an ‘aerodynamic phenomenon’ called the Coanda effect that curves the air around it. As a result, any hair placed near the barrel is attracted and then wrapped around the Airwrap. That means Dyson’s hair styler does all the waving and curling for you - you don’t need to do anything other than hold it near whichever section of hair needs styling. 

It’s fun to use, though we admit it takes a few years to get used to it. We’ve achieved different looks with our Dyson Airwrap, from loose and glossy waves to big and bouncy curls and even a smooth blow-dry with minimal frizz. Yes, it’s the most expensive model in our best curling irons guide, but it’s an award-winning device and the best money can buy now. If you have the budget and need such a comprehensive curling iron, don’t hesitate to buy the Dyson Airwrap.

The best curling iron for all hair types

Conair’s curling wand has features to help you create salon-standard curls and waves at home. It heats up to 400°F with 20 heat settings suitable for every hair type and includes a five-foot professional swivel cord that makes it cinch to use. Meanwhile, the titanium barrel guarantees less damage, helping reduce frizz and add shine with its easy-glide surface.

With such hot temperatures on offer, this Conair curling iron also considers safety and includes an auto-off function and a thermal glove for added precaution. This wand is easy to use, whether you’re after tousled waves or tighter curls. Simply wind a section of hair around the barrel, leaving more space between the wraps for a looser effect. 

The Conair InfinitiPro Rainbow Titanium Curling Wand comes in three barrel sizes: 1 inch, 1.5 inches, and the tapered 1.25-0.75. If you're shopping for the best curling iron to achieve a range of looks, we'd suggest this one and the Dyson above.

The best curling wand for long hair

Anyone with long hair will know it can take a little while to curl it, but luckily, the award-winning haircare brand GHD is here to make light work of styling with its GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron, which is why it's made our best curling irons guide.

Keeping things simple, the Soft Curl only has one heat setting—a 365°F optimum styling temperature, which GHD claims is suitable for all hair types. Using the device is easy, too: simply wrap hair around the 1.25-inch barrel and hold for a few seconds before releasing the spring-activated lever for beautiful, soft, bouncy curls with plenty of volume at the root. 

Safety features on the GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron include a cool tip, built-in stand, and automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use. For tighter curls, GHD also offers a 1-inch version with the Classic Curl and a tapered barrel version with its Creative Curl Wand.

The best curling iron for beach waves

This dedicated wave-maker from Bed Head instantly creates tousled and effortless-looking beach waves. The Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver II is easy to use, too—just place your hair between the tourmaline ceramic clamps for deep waves, and within seconds, you’ll be rocking the look. Start at the root and lightly clamp the hair before working down. 

The Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver II has several neat features, including 30 heat settings and an auto-off function. Tourmaline ceramic technology also ensures the clamps add plenty of shine to your hair for a smooth, frizz-free effect. It's hands-down the best curling iron for mermaid waves.

There are plenty of five-star reviews from existing customers for the Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver II, especially from users with longer and thicker hair. The Deep Waver II is ideal for looser, more tousled waves, but if you want more defined waves, check out the Bed Head’s Makin Waves ‘S’ Waver instead, or try the Dyson Airwrap. 

The best curling iron for short hair

The fun Bed Head Skinny Pop Curling Wand takes shorter hair from straight to great. Its 0.5-inch narrow barrel creates neat curls or looser waves alike. If you have longer hair, you can also use the Skinny Pop to get beautiful ringlets. 

The clamp-free wand is straightforward to use and heats up to a toasty 400°F for quick results, while a tangle-free swivel cord guarantees you get to those tricky-to-reach sections. 

The Bed Head Skinny Pop Curling Wand's tourmaline ceramic technology is kind to hair and offers a frizz-free option for natural-looking, long-lasting curls. Bed Head also includes a heat-protective glove to safely style with the wand without burning your fingertips. As ever, Bed Head has delivered the goods with this well-made, easy-to-use device that has plenty of glowing user reviews on Amazon.

The best hair straighteners for curling hair

Many different gadgets are available for getting great curls and waves for your hair, but if you want the option to straighten and curl your hair, you might only want one device that does both. Step forward to the Remington SS550 1-inch Flat Iron, the best hair straightener for curling and waving.

While straightening irons can only achieve a limited range of curling, if you find the right pair, you’ll be surprised at the fantastic results you can get. Narrower plates, like those found on the Remington SS550 1-inch Flat Iron, create texture on medium—to longer-length hair.

The Remington SS550 flat iron also features anti-static technology and long plates that create loose curls and gorgeous waves in just a few smooth glides. We love the quick heat-up time and a digital display screen that lets you monitor the temperature to suit your hair type. There are six heat settings, ranging from 310°F to 410°F, so you can pick the right one for your hair.

The best curling iron with a large barrel

If you want glamorous, larger-than-life curls fast, look no further than the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron. This device uses far-infrared temperatures to ensure your locks heat evenly, and there are 50 heat settings (up to 450°F) to suit every hair type.

The spring barrel clamps down the hair to effectively control whether you’re after tight curls or loose waves, with shiny and smooth results every time. There is also a turbo heat button that instantly boosts the temperature for faster results and more defined curls. 

There are plenty of great Amazon reviews for the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron, including those of people with thicker, longer hair who found the BaBylissPRO particularly effective for their needs. Other comments, including those from Walmart customers, stated how this device curled in ‘half the time’ and had lasting results, with one satisfied customer stating their curls ‘lasted for days.’ 

The best curling iron for fine hair

When applying heat to fine hair, it’s always best to go gently with lower temperatures and use ceramic technology. Ceramic surfaces distribute the heat more evenly, and you will also get a smooth curl with lasting results. 

The affordable Conair Double Ceramic Curling Wand has 30 heat settings up to 375°F to guarantee complete control over your hair. It also gets great results with minimal frizzing, which means it's one of the best curling irons for protecting your hair from heat damage.

Use low-temperature settings 1 to 5 for fragile to fine hair or settings 6 to 10 for thin hair. Of course, it’s suitable for thick and coarse hair, too—just switch the settings up to 21 to 30 to see what suits you best.

Extra handy features include a turbo heat boost, should you need it, and a cool tip for safe handling. There is also an auto-off feature and dual voltage, which makes the Conair Double Ceramic Curling Wand one of the best curling irons for holidays and general travel.

How to choose the best curling iron for you

The barrels on curling irons or curling wands can be made from different materials, such as ceramic or tourmaline. Ceramic barrels distribute heat evenly by emitting negatively charged ions, and this type of barrel will not strip your hair of its natural oils, making curls look smoother. But it’s also worth remembering that ceramic has a rougher surface, so while hair is less likely to slip off, it is also more likely to catch or snag.

Tourmaline curling irons are ceramic but feature a layer of tourmaline around the barrel and plate. This protects the ceramic while also leaving your hair shinier.

Another thing to consider when choosing a curling iron is barrel size, as this will determine the tightness of your curls. The shape of the barrel is also significant, as uniform, spiraled, or tapered barrels will give different results. If you’re looking for natural waves, a curling wand might suit you better than a curling iron, which typically comes with a clip to hold your hair tight against the barrel.

Safety 
When left on, a curling iron is not likely to start a fire in your home, but bad outcomes are possible if fabric or tissue falls on it or someone grabs the hot barrel. A feature such as automatic shut-off can reduce the danger. Curling irons that provide safety gloves or a heat-resistant shield also help prevent burns.

Ceramic vs Tourmaline vs Titanium curling irons
Ceramic curling irons distribute heat evenly by emitting negatively charged ions. They don't strip your hair of its natural oils, which will make your curls look smoother. Ceramic irons also have the roughest curling iron surface, which means your hair is less likely to slip off and more likely to catch and snag.

Tourmaline curling irons also heat your hair by emitting negative ions. This kind of curling iron is ceramic but has a layer of tourmaline wrapped around the barrel and plate. This protects the ceramic place and will leave your hair looking shinier after you use it.

Performance
When considering the type of curl you hope to achieve, the size of a curling iron or wand’s barrel is important because it determines the tightness of your curls. The shape of the barrel is also significant. Whether uniform, spiraled, or tapered, it can yield different results. If you’re looking for more natural waves, you might like a curling wand better than a curling iron. Defining your style before shopping can help you find the right product for your needs.

While using a curling iron it's important not to leave the iron in your hair for too long. Read the directions for the product you buy and follow them. The hotter the curling iron, the less time you'll need to leave it in your hair. You should only use a very hot curling iron on thick or coarse hair. Thin hair is more likely to break or burn.

Convenience
Look for curling irons that have a longer power cord.  Anything over 6 feet is a good place to start. A long cord keeps you from feeling attached to the wall as you curl your hair. A digital screen is nice, so you can easily monitor the temperature of the curling iron. 

Storage
If you travel a lot, consider a heat-resistant storage pouch for your curling iron. These bags protect curling irons from unnecessary wear and tear while you travel and other items from your still-warm curling iron. Just make sure you've purchased a bag that is heat—and water-resistant. You can toss the curling wand in the bag while it's still warm and head out the door without waiting for your curling iron to cool down.

Curling iron FAQs

Do curling irons damage your hair?

If you use your curling irons carefully and at the right temperature, they should not damage your hair. You should only use a very hot curling iron on thick or coarse hair, as thin hair is more likely to break or burn at higher temperatures. There are plenty of heat protectants available to prevent hair damage, but the best advice is to exercise caution and keep a constant eye on your hair in the mirror as you curl it. 

Plenty of devices come with adjustable temperature controls. If you have finer hair, try to keep the temperature below 200°F, and if your hair is thicker or coarser, you should be able to go up to 300°F at home. Many devices go as high as 400°F, but a professional best handles these temperatures in a salon setting.

Another tip to protect your hair is to avoid passing the irons over the same section of hair repeatedly. If you have the temperature set correctly, one pass should be enough. The hotter the curling iron, the less time you'll need to leave it in your hair – particularly important if you have fine hair. And talking of frequency, it’s best to limit how many times per week you use your curling iron. The more often you use it, the more likely you are to cause heat damage to your hair. Try not to use the irons every day, for instance.

When away from the device, using a hair mask to repair any heat damage and replenish moisture will not only improve the quality of your hair but also give you a well-deserved treat.

Are curling wands suitable for all hair types?

Unless your hair is short, there should be a curling wand or iron to suit most hair lengths. People with shorter hair often find a thinner barrel (0.5 to 1 inch) easier to use, as you can wrap more hair around it. If you have long hair and use a thinner barrel, you can achieve tight corkscrew curls. For larger, bouncier curls on long hair, try a wider barrel for more volume and a glamorous look.

It’s important to note that finer hair generally requires lower temperatures, so try to choose a device that has plenty of temperature control options and a quick-release option if things get overheated. Thicker hair can generally withstand higher temperatures.

Curling irons are a great choice for frizzy hair, as the heat will smooth out the hair and create sleeker waves and curls. However, if your hair is damaged or brittle, then applying any sort of heat to it is best avoided.

Curling irons vs hair straighteners: What’s the difference?

As it sounds, the best hair straighteners straighten hair into sleek, smooth styles while curling irons and tongs add curls, waves, and texture. But with a little practice, they can be used interchangeably.

The best straightening irons can also create waves and flicks to straight hair while giving the hair a lovely smooth finish. Choose narrower plates and experiment with manipulating the hair as you move the plates down to create curls. These waves and curls may not be as uniform as using a dedicated curling iron, but this effect can look great and natural. For precise uniform curls, though, you will need a dedicated curling iron or wand.

Curling irons can tame coarser, more frizzy hair into smooth styles while keeping volume and bounce. Again, experiment with the irons to see what works for you. A continuous movement, rather than holding the irons, may also be more suitable for a straightening effect.

Achieving curls with a curling device is easier and faster than straighteners, as each section will be set immediately rather than in sections. If you like to mix and match straight, curly, and wavy styles, then you might want to consider buying both curling irons and straighteners – plenty of affordable options.

The best electric toothbrushes are designed to keep your teeth shining and your gums healthy, while offering a more thorough clean than a manual toothbrush. When used everyday, it’s easy to see the difference a good electric toothbrush makes, not just at dislodging plaque and food between your teeth, but also when it comes to convenience too.

Most rechargeable toothbrushes in our list have a two-minute timer to keep you brushing for the designated time advised by the American Dental Association. Some of the very best electric toothbrushes not only have a built-in signal to remind you to shift to a different section (quadrant) of your mouth every 30 seconds, they'll chart your cleaning power via an app.

Other great features that you’ll find in our recommended electric toothbrushes include a whitening mode, ideal for maintaining the work done by the best teeth whiteners. Many have a gum health mode too, and come with accessories such as spare heads and a travel case (luxury ones double as a charger). The best electric toothbrushes are essential for gently cleaning your gums, as research shows how gum disease can lead to serious health problems including heart disease. 

Luckily, there are plenty of trusted rechargeable toothbrush brands to rely on, such as Oral-B, Philips and Waterpik. Different brands use different technologies too, with Oral-B favoring rotating-oscillating brush heads to ‘hug’ each tooth, while Philips’ vibrating sonic brush heads gently buzz against the tooth’s surface for an effective clean. Both methods are great at cleaning, so finding the best electric toothbrush style for you is just a matter of personal preference (and budget).

8 best electric toothbrushes to buy now

1. Oral-B Genius X 10000: Best electric toothbrush overall

With truly innovative tech and a slew of extensive research behind it, Oral-B’s 10000 Genius X goes above and beyond to provide you with the best possible experience you can get from a rotating-oscillating electric toothbrush. 

There are six brushing modes on offer: Daily Clean, Pro Clean, Sensitive, Whitening, Gum Care and Tongue Clean. Those, plus a sensor to protect your gums if you apply too much pressure. This is hands-down the best Oral B electric toothbrush you can buy, as it uses artificial intelligence to recognize your brushing style. 

It even connects, via Bluetooth, to the Oral-B app to analyze your brushing habits and give you feedback on how to improve your oral care, though you don’t have to use the app if you don’t want to.

While it’s fair to say not all the features will get used, even if you take away the fancy extras you are still left with a brilliant electric toothbrush that excels at cleaning away debris and plaque, and helps reduce staining. 

While the added features mean the Oral-B 10000 Genius X comes at a premium price, the included USB charging case and three brush heads help seal the deal, especially when you consider each brush head lasts up to three months. The toothbrush’s handle can also be used with a wider range of brush heads beyond the three provided.

2. Gleem Rechargeable: Best electric toothbrush on a budget

This smart and simple electric toothbrush gives you what you need for healthy teeth and gums, and doesn’t bother with any unnecessary frills. The rechargeable handle includes two modes: one standard, and one with a little extra power. These clean your teeth with sonic bristle vibrations. There’s also a built-in timer to keep your brushing on track.

The action of the brush is smooth and quiet, and, with only two options on offer, it’s straightforward to use. The Gleem Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush should also keep you brushing twice a day for two weeks before it’s time to charge it again.

Included are one brush head, one charging base and a basic travel case. The compact nylon brush replacements are inexpensive, so combined with the initial spend, this makes the Gleem a smart choice if you’re on a budget. 

This cheap electric toothbrush might be low on fancy features, but it’s high on style, with a pleasingly streamlined handle and four colors to pick from: Coral, Aqua, Slate or Pearl. 

3. Oral-B Kids: Best electric toothbrush for kids

Because not all children have the manual dexterity (or patience) to thoroughly brush their teeth, this Oral-B electric toothbrush, aimed at kids aged 3 years or older, is designed to make light work of brushing. 

The colorful Toy Story design and extra-soft brush head means it’s fun and easy to use, with a special gentle mode ideal for super-sensitive gums (or wobbly teeth). 

The handle is nice and grippy and comes with a set of interchangeable stickers as a cool little touch. There is also an interactive Disney Magic Timer app so kids can brush along with their favorite characters. In addition to the fun stuff, there is a charger and brush head included, as well as a two-minute timer. 

The small rotating brush head provides a thorough clean, but very young kids might find the handle a little bit too noisy. 

4. Foreo ISSA 2

It’s always frustrating when your electric toothbrush runs out of charge halfway through a cleaning session, or, worse still, when you’re running late for work. While it’s a fact that rechargeable electric toothbrushes need to be topped up regularly, it’s always a bonus when you don’t have to do it very often.

The Foreo ISSA has an astonishing 12 months on a single charge – yes, you read that right – which will soon banish any frustrations associated with running low on battery. 

With a sleek Swedish design and soft silicone brush, this medium-priced electric toothbrush is a joy to use. Add in the fact there are 16 intensity controls, and the brush only needs replacing once a year, then it’s fair to say this brush doesn’t do things by halves. 

Also included is a charging port, USB charger and travel pouch. Brush head longevity is great, too, although this would be more impressive if the brush heads were cheaper to replace.

• Read our full Foreo ISSA 2 review

5. Waterpik Sonic-Fusion Flossing Toothbrush: Best for water flossing too

Waterpik makes some of the best electric toothbrushes money can buy, and we love the Sonic-Fusion Flossing Toothbrush, as it really doubles down on your tooth and gum cleaning. 

This particular electric toothbrush is designed to be used in addition to flossing your teeth, and could help to remove up to twice the amount of plaque compared to normal brushing and flossing alone.

Waterpik has designed it with three cleaning modes: Brush, Floss, or Brush and Floss. When flossing, it moves water between your teeth and below the gumline where the bristles on the toothbrush can’t reach. The water pressure can be controlled via ten different settings, depending on the level of cleaning you need.

It comes with one patented flossing brush head, plus a luxury toothbrush case for travel use. Oh, and the American Dental Association (ADA) like it too.

6. Oral-B Pro 1000: Best electric toothbrush for gum health

The Oral-B Pro 1000 rechargeable electric toothbrush is a great option when it comes to providing a really thorough clean. Included is a CrossAction brush head that not only rotates, but oscillates and pulsates, to remove plaque and keep your teeth shining. 

And if all that sounds like it’s a bit too much, rest assured a pressure sensor will cut out the pulsation feature if you press too hard. 

This brush only has one mode – Daily Clean – which, as the name suggests, provides a straightforward no-nonsense action. There is also a timer, for the standard recommended two minutes. 

One of the biggest draws of this toothbrush though is its ability to fit a wide range of Oral-B replacement brush heads, so you can use heads with different functions such as ‘Floss Action’ and ‘3D White’. The handle itself is relatively inexpensive, which leaves you free to treat yourself to some of the fancier brush heads if you wanted to.

• Read our full Oral-B Pro 1000 review

7. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300: Best electric toothbrush for whitening

Philips claims its Sonicare DiamondClean Smart is 'the world’s most intelligent toothbrush' and to add to this buzz, it also delivers an impressively thorough clean.

The DiamondClean has sensors and a dedicated app to help you perfect your brushing technique. Also included is a stylish charging glass, as well as a deluxe travel case to keep your electric toothbrush fully protected.

The experience of using this sonic brush is undeniably smooth, and the ability to control the intensity (choose from High, Medium or Low) of the brush makes it ideal for even the most sensitive of gums, with cleaning modes that range from Clean to Deep Clean with options for White and Gum Health in the middle. 

The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300 comes with three premium brush heads, which makes up a little for its higher price point. But, if you wanted to ramp things up even further, the DiamondClean Smart also comes in 9500 and 9700 versions that include extra features such as tongue care and USB charging – top-notch options that are great for your oral hygiene.

• Read our full Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300 review

8. Philips Sonicare Protective Clean 5100

The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 is a reasonably priced electric toothbrush capable of cleaning your teeth and gums effectively, but without aggravating them. It has plenty of smart features to its name, include a pressure sensor that alerts you if you're brushing too hard. 

One of our favorite features is the BrushSync Notification, which not only recognizes when you have fitted a new brush head, it also lets you know when it's time to change your brush head so that it's more effective at cleaning. 

The number of accessories in the box is a little stingy compared to some of the more luxury models in our best electric toothbrushes line-up, and we particularly don't like the lack of a decent travel case with charging function, but overall there's enough here to justify the price

• Read our full Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 review

Today's cheapest electric toothbrush prices

Best electric toothbrushes FAQ

How to choose the best electric toothbrush for you

Beyond the research and testing we conducted in our lab, we reached out to dentists and dental hygienists to learn what’s important to consider when you’re looking for an electric toothbrush. Dr James Doll, of Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, advised the following...

"Talk to your dentist about your particular situation," he said. "If you’re more prone to gum recession, I’d suggest something that cleans well but is ultra-gentle to the gums. At the same time, some people may build up plaque or debris that is thicker or more difficult to remove, and a different brush may work better to get between the teeth or to remove difficult types of build-up. 

"There are a number of excellent choices out there and a number of excellent brush heads. Asking your dentist or hygienist is always an excellent way to go."

How to use an electric toothbrush

If you’ve never used an electric toothbrush before, it could take a few days to get used to the cleaning movements – unlike a manual toothbrush it’s best to avoid any scrubbing motion, as this could irritate your gums. Simply hold the brush to your teeth and gently move it along the surface. It’s as easy as that.

The handle of your electric toothbrush should have a comfortable grip that feels steady in your hand. Meanwhile, the brush heads should be easy to swap, especially if you plan on sharing handles with another member of your household. 

If you have specific needs for your toothbrushing, such as to accommodate dental issues, sensitive gums or orthodontic hardware, choosing an electric toothbrush with different cleaning modes will be helpful. But, if you just need a regular brushing routine, a single cleaning mode should work just fine. 

Higher end electric toothbrushes, including those from Philips Sonicare and Oral-B come with technology such as Bluetooth and downloadable apps – features that are reflected in the premium price. Other add-ons to consider include interdental brush heads, tongue cleaners, flossers, smartphone-integrated travel cases and rinsing glasses.

Electric toothbrushes vs manual toothbrushes

When choosing which electric toothbrush is right for you, it’s worth deciding beforehand which technology you prefer. Rotating-oscillating brushes clean your teeth by hugging each tooth in fast-rotating spins to ensure the surface is thoroughly covered. 

Sonic wave toothbrushes, by contrast, use a brushing mechanism powered by high-frequency vibrations to clean your teeth. This action drives the water and toothpaste between the teeth to clean beyond where the bristles actually touch.

The American Dental Association has given specific toothbrushes with both these technologies its seal of approval. This accreditation means a product has passed lab tests and met standards to demonstrate that, based on the ADA’s guidelines, it "is safe and has shown efficacy in removing plaque and helping to prevent and reduce gingivitis, when used as directed."

As a result, you can feel confident that each technology is as effective as the other, leaving you to base your choice on personal preference. If you’re not sure which style is right for you, then both types of electric toothbrush have cheaper options to help you decide. 

Either way, the biggest benefits of using an electric toothbrush over a manual toothbrush is more thorough and effective cleaning. Also look out for models with a built-in two-minute timer, as this is a sure-fire way to make sure you are getting your recommended quota of cleaning time.

The best bathroom scales track your body weight and, depending on their design, other measurements such as BMI and bone density. This is ideal if you want to monitor your data as part of a health and fitness regime, or if you want to keep an eye on your weight for other health reasons such as pregnancy. So whether you’re looking to lose, gain or maintain weight, investing in bathroom scales could help. 

In fact, a study discovered that daily weigh-ins helped some people manage their weight better, but that won't be the right approach for everyone. If you do want to track your measurements regularly, we'd recommend buying smart scales. These are app-connected and designed to generate various graphs showing your progress over specific periods of time. Some can also be used with the best fitness trackers, giving you an overview of how effective your entire health and fitness routine is. 

Many of the best bathroom scales store readings for several different users, making them a good choice for families. Most are battery powered too so they don't require mains power. You could stash one in your home gym, for example, or keep it in the bathroom for regular weigh-ins. All of the mechanical and smart scales featured below have clear displays with large, easy-to-read numbers. Most offer a choice of imperial or metric units to suit. 

Some smart bathroom scales claim to record temperature, but we wouldn't rely on this and would instead recommend using one of the best digital thermometers. In terms of brands, Withings, Fitbit and QardioBase are just a few of the big names you’ll come across when shopping for smart scales, while Salter is the best choice for mechanical scales. A good set of bathroom scales needn’t cost a packet, but you can expect to pay over $100 for the premium models. Let’s take a look at the top-rated options now...

1. Withings Body+: Best bathroom scales overall

When it comes to accuracy, innovation and style, Withings is one of best bathroom scales brands, followed closely by the likes of Fitbit and QardioBase (see further down). And its Body+ Smart Scale certainly maintains that reputation by offering plenty of features that go far beyond measuring just body weight. 

Up to eight users can use the Withings Body+ Smart Scale to track factors such as body fat, water percentage and bone mass. Via the Withings Health app, each of you can create an individual profile, within which you can view historical data for your weigh-ins.

The Body+ syncs well with other wellness services including Apple Health and Google Fit. The Health Mate app also includes weather info and reminds you of your previous day’s step-count too, giving you an extra little nudge of encouragement to get out for a walk or run... and whether to pack an umbrella or not. If you want to keep your fitness indoors, using one of the best exercise bikes in an easy way to boost your cardio. Or, if you don't have space for exercise equipment, try one of the best online fitness programs. 

2. Fitbit Aria Air: Best bathroom scales for Fitbit users

With its excellent range of wearable technology, US company Fitbit is synonymous with health tracking. And the Fitbit Aria Air smart scale is just as easy to use (and just as reliable as Fitbit's other wellness gadgets) when it comes to monitoring your weight and BMI, and charting your body goals progress.

Setup is a cinch too: simply connect the Aria Air scale to the Fitbit app via Bluetooth (wireless technology), then step on the scale. Your weigh-in data will automatically sync with your smartphone whenever your phone is nearby.

The Fitbit Aria Air automatically recognizes several different users, tracking stats for each of you and all while keeping all of that body weight and BMI information private inside each user's private user area in the Fitbit app. The app is laid out clearly too, and offers easy-to-read graphs and long-term trends data so that you can gain greater insight into your weight journey.

The Fitbit Aria Air is incredibly easy to use and set up, making this the best bathroom scale for those who are kickstarting a healthy and active lifestyle.

3. QardioBase 2: Best bathroom scales for pregnancy

Smart scales are great for tracking health and weight, but if you are pregnant it's wise to pick bathroom scales that don't use Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), a technology that some smart scales use to monitor weight and other health metrics. 

BIA doesn’t have any known health risks (though if you have a pacemaker, check with your doctor before using a scale containing this tech), but as an added precaution it is still recommended for pregnant women to avoid it. 

That's why the QardioBase 2 smart scale includes an in-depth pregnancy mode, which enables moms-to-be to track their weekly weight. That, and you can add in photos of your growing bump for a quick and fun visual reference that you can look back on. Simply connect to the free Qardio app and you’ll be good to go in terms of monitoring your weight and documenting your changing body.

Another plus with the QardioBase 2 bathroom scale is that it's powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts 12 months between charges. That's plenty to see you through a pregnancy and beyond, making it the best bathroom scale if you don't want to fuss around with batteries. Ever.

4. Renpho Digital Scale: Best smart scale 

This stylish smart scale by Renpho has a wide range of functions to keep you informed of your from body weight, water percentage, muscle mass and - here comes the scary bit - your metabolic age. The latter is how your basal metabolic rate (BMR), or how many calories your body burns when at rest, compares to the average BMR for people of your chronological age.  

Download the Renpho companion app to your phone, then connect the Renpho Digital Bathroom Scale to app via Bluetooth. The bathroom scales will then automatically ping your weight data to the app so you can begin tracking it over the weeks and months. The Renpho also syncs with Samsung Health, Fitbit Health, Google Fit and Apple Health, so you can create a joined-up picture between your exercise and diet.

This Renpho bathroom scale also looks great with the sleek-looking ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) coating technology. What's that? ITO is designed to more sensitively and accurately detect body compositions and track any changes.

Available in black or white, Renpho’s do-it-all scale is a great option if you’re looking for reliable bathroom scales that are smart without commanding a small fortune. At over 12" square the platform is also spacious, though it might be too bulky for some.

5. Etekcity ESF24: Best bathroom scales for measuring body fat

If you need to monitor body fat, the Etekcity ESF24 Digital Bathroom Scale will make light work of it for you. The affordable ESF24 scale keeps track of several useful metrics including BMI, body fat, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.

The scale itself has a steady surface and a clear, easy to read display. Step on with your bare feet and you will get accurate measurements picked up by the high-sensitivity sensors and electrodes within.

The Etekcity ESF24 Digital Bathroom Scale only displays weight, which is disappointing and means you have to load up Etekcity’s free VeSyncFit app to view the rest of your body tracking data, including body fat percentage. 

However, even if you are not synced, the scale will still store up to 20 sets of data in a row, ensuring your weigh-in info doesn't get lost. And the data it collects is very accurate, with the body fat measurements being the most reliable out of many of the best bathroom scales.

The Etekcity ESF24 Digital Bathroom Scale scales are designed to measure up to 400lbs, and also come with a tape measure if you'd like to see how many inches you are losing or gaining on your waist, hips, arms and legs.

6. Salter Professional: Best mechanical bathroom scales

Salter’s Professional Analog Scales are tough, reliable, and have been put to use in bathrooms across the globe for many decades. So naturally it was our top choice for the best mechanical bathroom scales by some distance.

These ‘doctor’ style scales are accurate, no-nonsense and extremely sturdy. After an initial calibration (which involves removing a disposable key on the underside, then stepping on and off the scales a few times, before setting the pointer to zero), the scale is good to go.

Neat touches include an easy-to-read 7.5” diameter dial, with measurements displayed in both kilos and pounds. There's also a non-slip mat on a wide platform. Salter’s mechanical scales have a capacity of up to 400lbs too, making them ideal for users with a heavier body weight.

The obvious advantage with mechanical scales is that they will never run out of battery, so it’s always worth getting a virtually indestructible one like the Professional Analog Scales that are designed to last and last.

7. Weight Gurus Smart Scale: Best affordable bathroom scales

When it comes to weighing up your options in terms of functionality and price, the Greater Goods Weight Gurus Bluetooth Body Fat Smart Scale offers a lot of bang for your buck. At a fraction of the cost of some of the luxury models in our best bathroom scales guide, this sleek-looking smart scale accommodates up to eight users and provides tracking for body fat, weight, BMI, muscle mass and water mass.

It also works in tandem with Google Fit, Apple Health, My Fitness Pal and Fitbit Health, among other fitness services. The Weight Gurus Bluetooth Body Fat Smart Scale is also quick and easy to set up, and the display is bright and clear to read. 

If you're looking for a reliable set of smart scales to use with your health apps and fitness tracker, and you don't have a big budget but still want some pro features, then Weight Gurus Bluetooth Body Fat Smart Scale is the best bathroom scale for you.

• Read our Weight Gurus Body Fat Smart Scale review

8. Inevifit Digital: Best bathroom scales for unlimited users

Unlike mechanical scales, where any number of people can be weighed, smart scales often have a limit to the number of users they track on their apps. The Inevifit Digital Bathroom Body Weight Scale sees no such barrier and will track body weight, BMI and more for an unlimited number of users. 

The scale auto-calibrates with each weigh-in, so it's always ready for the next person, and the next person, and the next...

Ideal for larger communal bathrooms or bigger families, the Inevifit Digital Bathroom Body Weight Scale also comes with a five-year guarantee. It's superb value, and is just as economical when it comes to saving battery - it automatically switches off when not in use.

The Inevifit has a capacity of up to 440lbs and comes with a large display so you can read the numbers clearly. This is a smart, simple scale that does exactly what you need it to, and for everyone in your house.

The best bathroom scales prices

Best bathroom scales FAQ

How we chose the best bathroom scales

In order to test accuracy, we had our testers carry free weights onto the scales to see if the numbers accurately displayed the change. All of the scales except one measured within one pound of the user's weight. The more accuracy a scale achieved, the higher it scored in our evaluation. We also scored scales higher if they could handle more weight. The typical weight limit for most scales is around 400 pounds.

Since consistency is the only way to get accurate readings, we had our testers repeatedly step on the scales in quick succession to see if they gave the same weight each time. The most consistent products scored higher than the others. 

We looked for various features, such as the number of user accounts a scale allowed, the various fitness metrics it recorded and the length of the warranty it came with. Scales that worked with both Apple and Android devices scored higher.

While evaluating an app's ease of use, we looked to see which health data was visible in chart and graph form. The more options it provided, the better. We looked for calorie and fitness trackers, as well as any additional body stats like BMI, muscle mass, bone density and hydration levels. 

We also scored scales on their overall appearance. We scored scales higher if they were aesthetically pleasing while not drawing attention to themselves.

How to buy the best bathroom scales for you

Over the years, we have tested bathroom scales ranging in price from around $20 to over $250, with an average price coming in at around $140. Pricing is often based on a scale’s biometric readouts, its tracking capability, connectivity and associated apps. 

Generally speaking, the more features and smarts a bathroom scale offers, the more it will cost you. Here's what to keep in mind when shopping for the best bathroom scale for you... 

Connectivity
Most smart scales connect to your Wi-Fi in order to sync to your mobile device. Some only allow you to use the scale's proprietary app, while others can also sync to popular third-party apps such as Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, Amazon's Alexa app and Google Fit. You typically need to create a user account for a smart scale to work properly. 

The user account maximum can vary from as few as one to an unlimited number, so you should make sure the scale you buy can accommodate your household. These scales can sometime identify who you are the minute you step on them and send the data to your phone, making updates incredibly easy.

Biometrics
In addition to measuring your weight, many smart scales measure body fat, lean mass, BMI, water weight and bone mass. Some even provide graphs and charts of your progress as you use them. 

Some apps are more user-friendly than others, but most of them allow you to set goals and reminders to help you stay on track. These scales are designed to protect your privacy from other users, so your information is only shared if you want it to be.

Aesthetics
You should look for a scale that doesn't look out of place in your bathroom and won't get in the way of your day-to-day tasks. Most scales are around an inch tall, but they vary when it comes to length and width. Smaller scales can fit easier in a room, but they might not feel as comfortable for people with larger feet. The best warranties typically last for five years or more.

Bluetooth bathroom scales vs Wi-Fi scales

There are two wireless connectivity options for sending information from a smart scale to a mobile app: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The primary advantage of using a smart scale with Wi-Fi connectivity is that you don’t need to have your phone or fitness tracker near the scale to log a weigh-in.

Some of the Bluetooth scales we tested save the data until the next time you sync the device, but most of the cheaper Bluetooth scales do not. Wi-Fi scales send all the data a smart scale collects to fitness-tracking apps, regardless of where the device is located.

Another advantage of Wi-Fi scales is connection stability. Although the setup is a bit more involved for Wi-Fi smart scales, once these scales are connected to your home network, Wi-Fi connections are much more reliable than Bluetooth syncing. We noticed a huge volume of customer complaints about constant syncing issues with Bluetooth scales, even the ones that save data.   

The only reason to consider a Bluetooth smart scale over a Wi-Fi scale is the cost. The best Bluetooth scale we tested is less than $50, and there are several cheaper models available. In contrast, the best Wi-Fi scales in our test group range from $100 to $200. 

If you're serious about tracking your weight using a smart scale and companion fitness app, we suggest using a Wi-Fi-enabled scale because it will ensure consistent tracking without requiring you to keep your devices close by.

Best bathroom scales: What is body composition?

Some scales measure more than just your body weight. Body composition is an important aspect of your overall health, as your weight is made up of not just fat, but muscle, liquids and other things that are an important part of keeping you healthy. 

Some scales measure your body composition and will tell you how much fat, protein, minerals and water your body is made of. This way if you're trying to shrink your waistline you can watch for your fat mass to decrease while your muscle mass increases. Seeing your overall weight increase a little isn't always a bad thing, as muscle mass weighs more than fat.

Having a very high percentage of fat in your body can cause health problems including hypertension, respiratory issues and gallbladder disease. Using a scale to tell you how your body weight is broken down can be an extremely important tool for staying healthy and avoiding doctor visits. 

Using a body composition scale to monitor your muscle growth can also be extremely helpful for athletes or those participating in professional bodybuilding. Knowing what’s going on inside your body is key to meeting your weight or fitness goals, and body composition is a big part of that.

How to clean bathroom scales

It's easy to forget about your bathroom scale once you find a place to keep it. However, you should keep it clean so that it continues to be accurate and quick. Use a small brush or cloth to wipe away dust weekly, and keep the surface of the scale clean. If this doesn't quite do the trick, try using a damp cloth. 

It’s important not to get the scale too wet, particularly if it has batteries. Clean gently; pressing too hard on the scale's pan can mess up the weighing mechanism and cause your scale to display incorrectly. 

Never turn it upside down and apply a lot of pressure. If you've removed the batteries for a while, it's important to calibrate the scale when you reinstall the batteries. Some scales do this automatically, but others include instructions for how to do so. 

Finally, to make sure your scale gives you an accurate readout, weigh the same item repeatedly and ensure the readings are identical. As with any household appliance, keeping your scale clean and free of debris will give it a longer and more useful life.

Enjoy keeping fit outdoors? Then take a look at our guides to the best bike trainers for turning your road bike into a fitness machine, and the best bike computers for tracking your rides.

It’s amazing how many sleep myths are still doing the rounds. In fact, it’s high-time we sorted sleep fact from fiction. Did you hear the one about how you need to sleep for eight hours each night? Us too, and it’s a myth (we’ll explain why below), though we can see some take it as gospel.

Sleep facts are just as fascinating, and while you’ll probably have heard some of them, others may surprise you. Our favorite is how long the average person dreams for each night. We did not expect that number!

Good sleep is something we’re all entitled to. If you’re struggling, get a handle on your sleep hygiene and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet at night. If it’s too warm, noisy or light is leaking in, you’ll have a hard time sleeping well. Also, check out our best mattress online guide if your bed has seen better days. 

For now, here’s 10 of the most surprising sleep facts and myths.

1. Sleep myth: Everyone needs eight hours sleep

According to National Sleep Foundation guidelines, most healthy adults need seven to nine hours sleep a night. Over 65s should aim for seven to eight hours a night. This figure is different for newborns who need up to 17 hours a day.

A 2015 study by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine cited that adults consistently getting fewer hours than recommended were more likely to suffer from health conditions including weight gain and hypertension. Try to create a sleep schedule and stick to it, as prioritizing sleep is a smart move for your health.

2. Sleep fact: We dream for around two hours a night

According to stats published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, we dream for around two hours a night. While we can dream at any point during our sleep, vivid dreams are more likely during REM sleep when our brains are most active.

The average human has four to six sleep cycles a night. These include a 10-minute REM stage in the first cycle, building to longer stages of up to an hour in the following cycles. That's where the vivid dream magic happens.

3. Sleep myth: If you can’t sleep, it's best to stay in bed until you drop off

Nope! If you can’t sleep, get up and go into a different room. That way you won’t build a negative association between your bed and not being able to sleep. If you're dealing with racing thoughts at bedtime, learn how to stop anxiety ruining your sleep.

If after 20 minutes you're still wide awake, Sleep Education, powered by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, advises low-impact activities such as folding clothes or reading a boring book in a chair. These should help you feel sleepy again.

4. Sleep fact: Tech can be a major sleep disrupter

Sleep.org shares several ways in which tech can keep you awake. First, the blue light emitted from phone screens can suppress the hormones that control your sleep cycle. So switch your device to night mode. 

Ideally, you’d ditch your phone completely an hour before bedtime, but if playing a game or reading on your phone relaxes you for sleep, that’s fine. Just don’t forget to use night mode to dampen that pesky blue light. Similarly, checking emails or watching an exciting movie before bedtime can also trick your brain into being alert.

5. Sleep myth: Alcohol before bed improves sleep

While alcohol can make you sleepy, it also leads to bad-quality sleep. The Cleveland Clinic shares how booze can prevent you from hitting the deep sleep part of your sleep cycle, leaving you feeling groggy the next morning. 

But it’s not just the quality of sleep that’s at risk – alcohol can also give you vivid dreams, including nightmares, plus some people are more likely to sleepwalk too. This doesn’t apply to everyone, so don’t panic, but the general point is that if you think alcohol helps you sleep better, think again. 

6: Sleep fact: Most people experience the effects of sleep deprivation after 24 hours

Among the health effects of sleep deprivation listed by Harvard Medical School's Sleep Division, your immune system takes a hit when you’re sleep deprived. If you cut back on your sleep, or you’ve been unable to sleep, it could lead to lack of concentration, irritability, short-term memory problems and muscle tension.

The CDC also warns how dangerous it can be to drive if you've been awake for 24 hours. Reaction times and decision-making become severely impaired, similar to the effects of drunk-driving.

7: Sleep myth: Older people need less sleep 

As we get older, we experience changes in our circadian rhythm, the process that controls our sleep-wake cycle. While older people still need between seven to nine hours of sleep a night, depending on age and health, it may feel as if they are getting less.

That's because they're experience more broken sleep due to health conditions or hormonal disruption such as menopause. Exercise and a regular sleep schedule can help you enjoy good sleep as you get older.

8. Sleep fact: Falling asleep takes up to 20 minutes 

It can take between ten and 20 minutes to fall asleep. If it takes over an hour, it might because you're drinking too much caffeine, or eating a heavy meal close to bedtime. Jetlag and excess screen time are culprits too, as is over sleeping. On the flipside, if you fall asleep straight away this could be a sign of sleep deprivation. 

Going to bed and waking at the same time every day, and sticking closely to it on weekends, should help you manage your sleep better. Experiment with different times until you find your ideal amount of sleep, and don’t feel guilty if it’s different to your partner’s. You can still have cuddle time before your partner drifts off, then go back to enjoying your pre-bedtime routine.

9. Sleep myth: Your body gets used to sleeping less

This is perhaps the most frustrating sleep myth of them all. Any sleep expert will tell you that a consistent lack of sleep takes its toll on your body and brain. You may think you’re getting by ok, but your brain and body won’t be firing on all cylinders compared to how they would on optimal sleep. 

Your body needs regular, good quality shut-eye in order to repair itself and carry out some pretty heavy-duty functions. Speak to your doctor if you’re experiencing short or broken sleep. Our feature on why sleep is important looks at the effects of long-term sleep deprivation and how to deal with it. 

10. Sleep fact: Your temperature drops during sleep

Unless you’re sick, are taking certain medications or you’re dealing with hot flashes, your temperature drops by one to two degrees Fahrenheit during sleep. Harvard Medical School says your temperature and blood pressure drops naturally while you’re asleep: “It has been hypothesized that one of the primary functions of sleep is to conserve energy in this way."

As a result, you'll be using less energy maintaining your body temperature. During REM sleep is when your body falls to its lowest temperature. It’s enough to make us reach for our comforter… 

Looking to upgrade your bed to enjoy better sleep? Then check out our roundups of the latest Purple mattress deals and discounts, the best Casper mattress deals, and the best Saatva mattress discounts.

The best treadmills enable you to walk, jog and run indoors. Maybe you want to run outside but don’t want to brave the weather, or you don’t feel safe running outside. Whatever your reasons, a running machine will help you get fit from the comfort of your home. In short, they’re ideal for improving cardio health, building stamina and losing weight. Treadmills are also good for helping you transition from walking to jogging, as they offer different speeds to suit your progress.

If you enjoy interval training and hiking, you can do both of those too. Two critical factors when choosing the best treadmill for home workouts are space and budget. You can buy running machines for under $500, but the higher-end models cost $1,000 or more. 

These include our best-rated treadmill overall, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, as well as the super-popular ProForm Smart Pro 9000.

Size-wise, there are folding treadmills, like the Mobvoi Home Treadmill, that slide under a sofa or bed. These are compact, lightweight and perfect for small homes. In comparison to something like an exercise bike, you’ll need ample space to set up a treadmill at home. If you have hard flooring or new carpet, we'd recommend investing an exercise mat to protect your flooring from the running machine's base.

The very best treadmills track your distance covered, plus metrics like heart rate, calories burned and minutes spent working out. This is handy if you don’t own one of the best fitness trackers to monitor your exercise. Let’s take a look at the top-rated options now to help you find a good-value running machine for your home… 

Best treadmills: Our top three picks

What the experts say

"Purchasing a new treadmill can be likened to purchasing a car,” says Pete Schenk, President of LifeSpan Fitness. “You should purchase one based on the treadmill's capabilities, first and foremost. Whatever attractive features are built in should be viewed as a bonus.”

Schenk also says that many first-time buyers are initially swayed by a cool feature or two, but are often disappointed when the treadmill needs repairs only a few months down the road. 

“While budget models may look attractive from a price standpoint and may work for a very casual user, an owner will likely run it into the ground within a year or two with moderate to heavy use,” says Schenk.

Working out your budget is important so that you can buy the best treadmill you can afford, rather than just opting for the cheapest. While cheap treadmills with a good build quality do exist, you normally get what you pay for in terms of materials, durability and warranty.

Best treadmill for home overall

NordicTrack is a well-known home fitness brand, making pro-level cardio machines including some of the best elliptical machines for a full body workout. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill is a gym-grade running machine for your home, and is consistently among the world's best-rated treadmills. 

It’s designed to be quiet in use, and loaded with features to help you develop as a runner, or to progress if you’re a seasoned runner. 

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill comes with a free one-year membership to iFit Family, which enables you to create profiles for up to four users. iFit Family is an online fitness program that gives you access to over 16,000 on-demand fitness classes with some of the fitness world’s most popular running coaches and personal trainers. 

The membership is worth $468, so it’s a great extra to have when first buying the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill. iFit Family membership costs $33 a month outside of the free trial period, or $15 for iFit Individual.

If you don’t fancy continuing with the iFit membership once your free year’s subscription has ended, use the treadmill in manual mode and devise your own walking or running workouts. Or, to mix up your home exercise routine, use any of the the 38 built-in workout programs.

The treadmill itself is pretty much faultless. The Commercial 1750 is well made and durable, which means it's also heavy, so don’t think about trying to move it around your home unless you have fitted the wheels (rollers) first.

NordicTrack has designed this home treadmill to accommodate a maximum user weight of 300lbs, and have fitted it with adjustable FlexSelect deck cushioning to reduce impact on your ankles and knees as you run. For interval training, there’s digital incline control (-3 decline to -15% incline), plus speeds of up to 12mph.

Like other models in our best treadmills guide, the NordicTrack Commercial 1750 has an EKG grip pulse, and tracks time, speed, distance covered and calories burned during each walking or running workout.  

While the HD touchscreen is relatively small compared to the overall size of the treadmill, the display is clear and easy to view, with two built-in speakers enabling you to exercise along with your favorite workouts. To keep you comfortable while exercising, the Commercial 1750 will blast you with a dual AutoBreeze fan.

• Read our NordicTrack Commercial 1750 review

Best treadmill for training

The ProForm Smart Pro 9000 Treadmill is great for interval training because it has deck cushioning with an air compression chamber designed to minimize impact on your hips, ankles, knees and feet when you switch between sprinting and running.

The treadmill also has balanced 2.5-inch rollers and is built to be stable and sturdy enough for full-pelt sprints. The SmartPRO 9000 has a 4.0 continuous-drive horsepower motor built to work hard without overheating - that's powerful for a treadmill for the home. 

It also has a 22x60-inch running deck, as with four of the other models in our best treadmills guide, and provides you with automatic incline and decline control depending on the workout you're doing. ProForm describes the tread belt as maintenance-free, though we didn't test the machine for long enough to know if that's the case longterm. 

Like the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill above, this ProForm treadmill has 40 onboard workouts. Unlike the NordicTrack, the Smart Pro 9000 won't cost you the earth. However, you also don't get that glorious 21.5-inch HD touchscreen display as you do on the NordicTrack.

The ProForm Smart Pro 9000 Treadmill sports two EKG hand-grip sensors, plus it comes with a wireless chest strap to accurately track your heart rate during each workout. 

The ten-inch HD touchscreen display feels somewhat small compared to the giant NordicTrack offering, but it's actually fractionally larger than most standard treadmill display sizes. Overall, this is a great choice if you want a treadmill for home use but don't want to spend a crazy amount to buy one.

• Read our ProForm SmartPRO 9000 review

Best cheap under-desk treadmill

The Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation is very different to the rest of the machines featured in our best treadmills guide. That’s because it’s designed for walking, and for use underneath a standing desk. So don’t go anywhere near this machine if you plan on progressing from walking to running - it isn’t designed for it and you’ll have wasted your money. 

With that out of the way, there are definitely uses for such an under-desk treadmill like this one. Namely, they help you stay physically active while working a desk job. 

By now we’re all more aware of the dangers of sitting too long, so the Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation Slim Flat Treadmill could help you avoid that. Especially if you team it with a height adjustable desk or converter.

For what it’s designed to do - help you walk more indoors - the Walkstation does it well. It’s also compact and designed with transportation wheels so you can easily move it to a new spot. Many customers push it under furniture when not in use, if they don’t have a desk to leave it under. 

So if you want a walking treadmill to get up your daily steps, whatever the weather, this could be a cheap solution. That said, the maximum speed is just 3.75mph and there’s no incline mode, so it won’t ever challenge you or get your heart rate up. It’s a machine built for steady plodding along. 

We can definitely see its use for walking-working sessions, and for absolute beginners who would like to get fit through walking but need to take a slow pace. But if you want a treadmill to help you progress from walking to running, look elsewhere in this guide because the Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation Slim Flat Treadmill just isn’t built for it.

• Read our Sunny Health & Fitness Walkstation Slim Flat Treadmill review

Best folding treadmill

The LifeSpan TR4000i Folding Treadmill enables you to get in walking and running workouts at home whenever you want. The running surface measures 22x60 inches, which is a standard size among most models in our best treadmills guide. 

There’s also a six-inch color touchscreen display, though it isn’t as high-res as the displays on the more expensive running machines. Still, it's enough to easily follow along with a guided running workout.

The LifeSpan TR4000i Folding Treadmill utilizes eight compression shocks to reduce vibration as you run. In theory this should reduce impact on your ankles, knees and other joints, as well as helping to keep the noise down as you run. This is vital if you plan on keeping your new running machine in an upstairs bedroom, or if you live in an apartment above another person.

LifeSpan has also designed the TR4000i Folding Treadmill with integrated Bluetooth so that you can sync the running machine with your phone to listen to music or a podcast. Of course you could skip that and use your favorite workout headphones instead. 

There are 21 preprogrammed workouts for weight management, healthy living and sports training, plus contact heart rate sensors. The console readouts give you nine points of workout data, including calories burned, distance covered, number of steps, pace and elevation change.

The max user weight is 350lbs, while the treadmill itself weighs just under 240lbs. An EZfold hydraulic folding system plus four mounted wheels makes for easier folding, moving and storage. We also like the three-speed cooling fan, and how if you step off the deck for more than 20 seconds, the belt pauses for safety reasons.

• Read our LifeSpan TR4000i review

Best treadmill with high weight capacity

The Bowflex BXT216 Treadmill looks and acts like a gym-grade cardio machine, but is priced for home use instead. It's one of the best treadmills for hitting that sweet spot between generous features and a more affordable price tag, and is built by one of the biggest names in home exercise equipment.

The running surface is the same as the LifeSpan and NordicTrack models, measuring 22x60 inches, and the treadmill uses a hydraulic system to make folding and unfolding easier. While we're not mad about the nine-inch color LCD display, we're pleased to see a media rack, within which you can dock your tablet.

The one-touch speed and incline adjustments are super-easy to use, so you won't have to slow down to fiddle around with any incline levels. We also like how the Bowflex BXT216 supports users of up to 400lbs, rather than the standard 300lbs found on many other treadmills.

This is important because many treadmill brands recommend choosing a running machine than can support 50lbs over your body weight in order to avoid running the treadmill belt into the ground.

Overall, the Bowflex BXT216 is a powerful treadmill for home use, and offers enough to tempt serious runners as well as small families all looking to use the same treadmill - it can be programmed for up to four individual users. 

Wireless heart rate monitoring is here, and the BXT216 will also display your calories burned, distance covered, steps taken and elevation. You'll find these metrics on the Burn Rate console. 

We also liked the cushioned side rails and variable response deck cushioning, which not only reduced impact and the sound our our feet hitting the deck, but also produced a more realistic run feel.

• Read our Bowflex BXT216 review

Best treadmill for guided workouts

The NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill has 40 onboard workouts, so there's plenty here to keep you occupied right out of the box. This running machine comes with a year's free iFit Family membership, enabling you to stream over 16,000 studio level exercise classes in your own home.

You can also virtually run anywhere in the world with GoogleMaps, and get real-time performance stat tracking to see how hard you're working during each of your runs (or walking workouts). The Commercial 2950 Treadmill for home use has pulse grips to monitor your heart rate, and also comes with a wireless chest strap for more accurate heart rate tracking. 

The 21.5-inch HD touchscreen is one the most impressive treadmill displays we’ve seen. Watching guided workouts on the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill's display is so easy, and the screen is big enough that you can follow along with mat-based workouts, including yoga, when you're exercising away from the machine.

The NordicTrack Commercial 2950 Treadmill has a 4.25 continuous-duty horsepower motor, which is powerful for a home running machine. It also has the same size running surface as the Bowflex BXT216 and the NordicTrack Commercial 1750. The maximum speed is a standard 12mph, and you can adjust the incline and decline for a varied or more challenging workout. 

The Commercial 2950 is by far the heaviest running machine in our best treadmills guide, so you won't be moving it around too often once it's installed in your home. It does have a hydraulic shock mechanism to help you fold it away, though this treadmill is so stunning, we'd leave it out constantly. 

The Commercial 2950 also has an integrated accessory tray, dual workout fans to keep you cool as you exercise, and digitally amplified speakers. That way you can loose yourself in the soundtracked workouts on offer via iFit if you haven't created your own running soundtrack just yet.

• Read our NordicTrack Commercial 2950 review

Home treadmill buying advice

How much do the best treadmills for home cost?

Treadmill price points are driven by many factors. These include the quality of the materials and the design components, the type and size of the treadmill's display, and the features it has on offer (such as built-in speakers and onboard workouts). 

If you want to get the most out of a treadmill, you’ll want to consider the size of its running surface, the quality of its belt, the cushioning of its deck, and the power of the motor. It’s also important to determine how many people in your household will use the running machine, how intensely each person exercises, and whether you need in-depth fitness tracking from the machine.

If the stability of the machine is what matters most to you, you might not need to spend additional money on an upgraded console. However, if connectivity is your priority, you'll have to pay more for a larger display and Bluetooth connectivity. 

Investing in the best treadmill you can afford right from the start may save you repair and replacement headaches in the future. You can can expect to pay anywhere from $700 upwards for a good treadmill, though real top-flight running machines can cost thousands. 

These come with lifetime warranties though, so over time they do become more cost-effective than a cheaper treadmill with a small warranty and that constantly needs replacing.

Treadmills vs running outside: Which is best?

Whether a treadmill or running outside is better for you depends on how you prefer to exercise. Some runners enjoy outdoor running for fresh air, sunlight and variety, and find treadmills boring. 

What’s more, you’ll activate more muscles when you run outside because you’re not running in a straight, reasonably fixed way. Instead, you’ll turn, move, navigate corners, run up hills and generally have more freedom. 

It also makes sense to run outside if you’re training for a specific race because you need to get used to the wind, how the ground feels, and different temperatures.

Other people love the structure of running on a treadmill. They like to see exactly how well they’re performing on the screen, or enjoy the flexibility of running in their home whenever they want.

The best treadmills are also designed to better protect your joints from the impact of running. This is vital if you’re recovering from an injury. It also suits people who don’t find outdoor running accessible or safe.

So when it comes to treadmills vs running outside, both have pros and cons. Either will help you get faster, stronger and fitter, though for race training you should focus more on running outside.

Are treadmills bad for your knees?

Any high impact physical activity can take a toll on your knees. So yes, running creates stress for your knees, but it’s not always bad news. Especially if you add variety, go slow in the beginning, and warm up and down properly. The best handheld massagers, especially percussive models, are ideal for helping you to warm up before a run, and to boost post-workout recovery.

Many runners benefit from the solid ground of outdoor running. It provides more ground reaction forces, which can strengthen knees and joints. In contrast, running machines absorb ground reaction forces. This means they are better for your joints if you want to go easy on your knees or you’re recovering from injury.

However, even the best treadmills for home use can cause aches and pains because many people don’t run with a natural stride. That’s why it’s best to start by walking and jogging to get used to it. It would be best if you also aimed to run with your whole feet rather than on your tiptoes – a bad habit some people develop when they run on a treadmill.

So treadmills aren't bad for your knees – especially for people starting out and recovering – but, like all kinds of exercise, it’s best to start slow. If you choose outdoor running, add variety and weekly strength training to protect your knees and joints. And if you encounter any pain, stop running and speak to your doctor.

Can you lose weight on a treadmill?

Treadmills are a great choice of cardio machine to help you lose weight if a doctor has advised you too, but only as part of a varied exercise and nutrition plan. That involves cardio and weight training, and a healthy diet. 

Here are the best treadmill exercises to help you achieve different health and fitness goals...

Build muscle
Use the treadmill’s incline function for an interval workout. Run on a flat surface (0 degrees) before raising the incline to a level where you feel challenged but still comfortable. This will really work your hamstrings. For fast results, alternate between running on a flat surface and at an incline.

Increase endurance
Endurance training is a vital part of being able to run for long periods of time, such as in a marathon. We'd recommend using a proper running app or training plan to help you build up stamina, starting with shorter runs of 20-30 minutes, then progressing, over a series of weeks to much longer runs.

Lose weight
If you’re looking to lose weight, you should use interval workouts. Warm up, and then move to a brisk walking pace for around two minutes. Then, run as fast and as hard as you can for roughly double that time. Repeat this process several times, but always listen to what your body tells you, and slow down when needed.

How to choose the best treadmill for you

Picking the best running machine for home use involves many different factors. For example, the space available, how much budget you have to spend on a treadmill, and how many people will be using it. Here are some specifics to look at...

Running surface
When buying a treadmill, don't pick anything with a running surface that measures less than 20x60 inches if you want to really stretch your legs. Not only is a wider and longer running surface more comfortable, it's needed for you to properly run. This is especially important if you are tall or have long legs.

Motor power and speed
While the horsepower is important (most treadmills average 3-4), the key factor here is the continuous speed provided. If a treadmill will only achieve your average pace, you’ll quickly end up burning the motor out. Most models in this best treadmills guide have a top speed of 12mph, which is ample for most people.

Incline/decline
To mimic ascents and descents, choose a treadmill with a decline and incline function. Declines are good for feeling as though you are running or walking downhill at pace, while inclines help you feel as though you are climbing. A good range is -3-15%.

Control panel (console)
Some treadmills are designed with large, full-color touchscreen displays, giving you swift access to a range of onboard workout and training modes. Some offer interactive training via GoogleMaps, where you can run anywhere in the world virtually. The treadmill will replicate the terrain to a point, provided you have an incline mode on your machine.  

How to clean a treadmill to help it run better

Like any piece of home exercise equipment, it’s important to keep your treadmill clean and working properly. This can involve cleaning down the treadmill after each use to prevent moisture and bacteria buildup on the handrails and controls. 

Make sure it's running centered without any snags, and listen for scraping sounds. You should also vacuum the area around the treadmill. If dirt and dust builds up on the floor, it could migrate to the delicate mechanical parts at the base of the running machine and cause problems. 

Every month, double check the bolts and make sure the treadmill frame is secure. If you notice any strange noises or the machine feels shaky when you run, stop immediately and check the bolts again.

Because of the high build quality of the best treadmills, large scale maintenance only needs to happen once a year. We recommend vacuuming the motor compartment carefully to remove built-up dust and grime. You should also lubricate your running machine once a year to keep it running smoothly.

If the electrical components start glitching, take advantage of your parts warranty and call the manufacturer to service it and make any repairs.

Treadmill glossary

• Alternating current (AC) motor – powerful motors most commonly found on commercial grade treadmills, though some top-end home treadmills also use them.
• Accessory tray – where you can place certain small objects such as your phone, headphones and water bottle (if the treadmill does not have a water bottle holder).
• Belt – the treadmill belt. This is what drives the treadmill and is also the surface you run and walk on.
• Console – the display upon which you’ll see various fitness metrics such as calories burned, distance covered, and elevation.
• Cooling fan – a fan or fans built into the treadmill to cool you down during exercise. You often find these on mid to high priced treadmills.
• CHP – Continuous duty horsepower, with the number indicating the amount of power a motor generates. Most home treadmills’ CHP is 3.0 to 4.0.
• DC motor – Direct current motor, commonly found on treadmills for home use. These run via a constant power source.
• Deck – the running surface of the treadmill (also known as the belt). Deck sizes vary, but all of the decks featured in our best treadmills guide are 20x66-inches or larger.
• Decline – often displayed as a percentage, and indicates the point to which a treadmill will descend to create the sensation of running downhill.
• Drive train – a mechanical system transmitting power from one place to another, and comprising a drive belt, motor and rollers.
• Handrail – one on either side of the treadmill, these are the places where you hold onto the treadmill to steady yourself when transitioning between running and walking, or stopping.
• Heart rate monitor – built-in sensors, usually in the handrails, to monitor your heart-rate as you workout on the treadmill.
• iFit – a digital exercise program found on many treadmills and exercise bikes. You usually get the first year’s membership for free, giving you access to a variety of workouts.
• Incline – often displayed as a percentage, and indicates the point to which a treadmill will increase vertically to create the sensation of climbing or running up a hill.
• LCD screen – Liquid Crystal Display, commonly found on cheaper treadmills.
• Media stand – while some treadmills have built-in displays, others have a media stand so that you can safely insert your tablet to watch along with workout videos.
• Power switch – the main on/off button for the treadmill.
• Pulse grips – usually found on treadmills with heart rate monitoring, these grips have built-in sensors to measure then produce a readout (on the console) of your beats per minute.
• Safety key – a device designed to stop the treadmill instantly if you stumble or fall.
• Speaker system – built-in speakers through which you can play music or listen to the exercise video you are playing through the treadmill or your mounted tablet.
• Tracking – keeps the belt centered on the treadmill. 

More fitness guides

Over the past year alone, home exercise equipment has been flying off the shelves. If you’re ready to buy too, and you want a cardio machine, one of your biggest decisions could be between exercise bikes vs ellipticals. But there are two challenges ahead of you: finding enough space for using and storing your machine, and sticking to a budget. 

While we’d all love to take our pick of cardio machines regardless of cost or size, that isn’t an option for most people. So how do you pick between the best exercise bikes and the best elliptical machines? We have answers!

In our exercise bikes vs ellipticals comparison, we look at the pros and cons of each home cardio machine. The aim? To help you figure out which one is better for your fitness goals, home and budget. Either would make a great addition to a home gym weights system, so you can then cover off strength training and aerobic exercise.

Exercise bikes vs ellipticals: Quick pros and cons

This is a tough one to call, as there are plenty of pros to both machines. On the flipside, neither are perfect. Here’s a run-down on the main benefits and drawbacks to each…

BIKES

• Pro: Low-impact, making some a good choice for injury rehab
• Con: You can get a little ‘saddle sore’ during endurance rides
• Pro: Can be used with online classes for guided workouts
• Con: May get boring after a while unless you subscribe to online cycling workouts
• Pro: Folding designs available for small homes

ELLIPTICALS

• Pro: Good for people who want a one-and-done workout
• Con: Heavy, bulky machines that require more space
• Pro: You’ll need less other fitness equipment for training
• Con: Not as sleek or sexy as a bike
• Pro: They combine aerobic and strength-training exercises

If you already prefer cycling outdoors, you might be better off with one of the best bike trainers instead. These transform mountain and road bikes into indoor cardio machines, so you could save yourself some money. 

Exercise bikes vs ellipticals: Brands and prices

Cross-trainers used to be more expensive because they are bigger, and designed to offer a greater variety of workout. However, the price tide is now turning as more people favor bikes as the home workout machine of choice. 

This is particularly true for the Pelotons and Echelons of the world, which often come with time-limited free subscriptions to online fitness programs. These include cycling workouts, plus yoga, HIIT and more. Once the free trial is over though the subscription costs will add to your overall cost of your chosen bike. Something to keep in mind before buying.

That said, you can buy cheap cross-trainers for less than $500. The Sunny Health and Fitness SF-E3912 Elliptical Trainer is a good example of an affordable machine that’s good for beginners, but not for advanced workouts.

The prices do shoot up quite a lot though, with the real top-end ellipticals costing over $1,800. The sweet spot is around $700-$1,200, so we’d recommend looking in that price bracket if your budget allows.

Exercise bikes used to be much cheaper, but popular brands are pushing the prices up for proper smart (connected) bikes. You can buy basic stationary bikes for as little as $120 (read our Exerpeutic Folding Magnetic Upright Exercise Bike review for an example), but these don't give you an effective workout.

Again, we’ve found that $700-$1,000 is the sweet spot for affordability versus performance. Our top choice, the Echelon Smart Connect EX3 Max Bike review, comes in at $999 but has everything you’ll need for on and off-bike training.

Exercise bikes vs ellipticals: Key considerations

Because both stationary bikes and cross-trainers offer similar benefits, it’s essential to consider how these machines differ from each other. For starters, the way they’re designed is completely different. That means the movements required when you exercise are very different too. 

Exercise bikes are just that: stationary bikes for cycling indoors. They come in different styles, like recumbent (where you sit back in the saddle) and spin bikes. Most enable you to pedal and change the resistance too, depending on how hard you want to work out. You could also use a fitness tracker to keep tabs on your workouts.

In contrast, ellipticals have two handles that you move back and forth with your arms, while your legs make big striding motions on two large pedals. You can also change the resistance for a more challenging workout. The important thing about cross-trainers is the difference in motion – it’s a little like running in mid-air, but not as natural as running along a road.

Exercise bikes vs ellipticals: Space at home

As well as design and movement, size plays a role when choosing between exercise bikes vs ellipticals. There are plenty of compact cross-trainers, but overall they take up far more room than bikes. That’s because they are naturally much bigger machines, designed to work your arms and legs simultaneously. 

The other space consideration with ellipticals is ensuring you leave enough room around it so that you can workout comfortably without hitting any furniture or walls. These machines are very heavy too, so you’ll need an exercise mat beneath to protect your floor. And once your elliptical is in place, you won’t be able to move it as easily as a bike.

If you have a small space for fitness at home, you may struggle with anything other than an exercise bike. We would advise against a recumbent style, as these are very long and take up acres of floor space. Instead, look for a folding stationary bike that can be leaned flat-ish against a wall when not in use.

Don’t forget that some spin bikes also come with small dumbbells, so you can get an upper body workout in too, though perhaps not as effectively as with an elliptical.

Result: If you are short on space, choose a folding bike. If space isn’t an issue, and you want to work out your arms and legs, go for a cross-trainer.

Exercise bikes vs ellipticals: You want a whole body workout

You can get an intense workout on an exercise bike, especially if you push up the intensity or choose a spin bike. However, it’s mostly your legs that are doing all the hard work. So if you’re looking for a cardio machine that works your legs, glutes and arms, an elliptical is the better option. 

You could still choose to work your legs more on some days than others – some people use cross-trainers by holding onto a bar at the front, which allows their arms to rest and just puts their legs to work. But it’s great to have the option to move almost every muscle in your body every time you work out. 

Result: Ellipticals will win over bikes every time when it comes to a proper, full body workout. Why? Because they are designed to work a far larger number of muscles in your body compared to bikes. 

Exercise bikes vs ellipticals: You’re rehabing an injury 

Many people need to consider their personal health history when choosing between the exercise bikes vs ellipticals. Luckily, both of these cardio machines offer low impact workouts. That means there’s no pounding of your foot against the floor that could cause a problem for your joints or exacerbate knee or ankle injuries. 

What’s more, both machines enable you to drop the intensity right down and go slow whenever you like. That way, you can slowly build up your stamina, strength and speed over time. However, it largely depends on the nature of your injury - and don’t attempt any exercise without speaking to your doctor first. 

Although cross-trainers are kinder to your joints than, say, a treadmill, they still require a stepping motion, and your weight is pressed down onto your feet. For some people with knee or ankle problems, cycling is better because you’re still pushing down on the pedals, but not with all of your body weight. 

For others though, their knee coming up to a right angle as they cycle can hurt. In that case, an elliptical trainer would be a better option.

Result: If you have your doctor’s permission to exercise again, a recumbent-style bike could be the better choice depending on your injury. That’s because you sit far back in the saddle, placing less pressure on your legs.

Exercise bikes vs ellipticals: Which machine should you buy?

The choice between an exercise bike or an elliptical machine is a tricky one. That’s because both pieces of home fitness equipment offer you a similar kind of cardio workout, and there’s not much in it when it comes to price.

However, there are several differences. For example, ellipticals need more room and give your arms a better workout. Whereas bikes are great if you want to work your legs, train for road cycling, or you’re recovering from injury. That latter is important, because even a low impact cross-trainer might put too much pressure on your joints.

Ultimately, pick the machine you think you’ll enjoy using the most. There’s no point spending several hundred dollars on a bike or elliptical for it to just gather dust and take up space. 

If you have cycled before and you love keeping fit that way, choose the bike. Bikes also win if you have limited space and budget. For people with little time to workout and want to target most of their body with one machine, the elliptical is a better choice. Just remember that they are bigger and generally more expensive.

Many of us wish we could sleep for longer and stop waking up so often – whether that’s because every little sound disturbs you, nature calls, or something else is to blame. Waking in the night is common, and most people wake briefly when one sleep cycle ends, yet they might not remember being awake before falling asleep again. 

A 2016 study showed how sleep continuity is a good indicator of your overall quality of sleep, so if you're waking frequently and for long periods, speak to your doctor to see what could be causing it.

So the question of how to sleep for longer at night depends on your on age, health, and what’s happening in your bedroom. One sleep expert-recommend approach is to practice good sleep hygiene, which includes going to bed at the same time each night, even on weekends.

Keeping your bedroom clutter free, quiet and dark at night can also help you fall asleep easier - and stay asleep for longer. Being comfy in bed also helps you feel more cozy, relaxed and ready to drift off.

How to sleep for longer at night: 8 tips to try

1. Avoid caffeine
You don’t need to cut caffeine out completely, but experts suggest limiting your caffeine intake to the morning is a good idea for restful sleep. It’s also a good idea to limit alcohol intake to just one drink too, as more than that can disrupt your sleep.

2. Exercise often
Regular exercise is great for all aspects of your mental and physical wellbeing. It can also help you to sleep for longer without interruption and enables most people to get a better quality of sleep too. However, avoid any intense workouts late at night as these can make you feel alert rather than snoozy.

3. Keep a regular sleep schedule
Sleep advice that comes up time and time again is to stick to a regular sleep schedule, which means getting to sleep and waking up at similar times most days – even on weekends. This enables your body to get into a sleep routine, where it knows when it's bedtime and when it's time to get up and seize the day

4. Create a relaxing bedtime routine
Everyone’s ideal bedtime routine will be a little different, but we recommend dim or warm-hued lighting, taking a bath with relaxing essentials oils (lavender is good) and reading a book rather than staring at a screen. That said, if playing a game of sudoku on your phone relaxes you before sleep, just switch your device to night mode. We discuss bedtime routines more in our feature on why is sleep important.

5. Get up if you can’t sleep
If you can’t sleep, rest is still important. If you feel like you’re able to lay calmly, stay in bed for a little longer. But if you’re irritated by your lack of sleep, or if it is making you anxious, go into a different room. Keep the lights dim and try reading a book or doing some light stretching. By leaving your bed when you’re unable to sleep, you’ll avoid creating a negative association between your bed and not sleeping.

6. Ask your doctor about your medication
Some medications disturb sleep, while others make you sleep for longer. If you take medication that you think might be affecting your sleep, ask your doctor if taking it at a different time of the day could help. Taking it in the morning instead of the evening could be beneficial if you suspect your medication is stimulating you in the evenings, but check with your doctor before making changes.

7. Don’t obsess over numbers
We all like the idea of having more sleep, but it could be that the seven or eight hours you’re getting most nights are perfect for you, so you don’t need to sleep longer. Obsessing about how much sleep you get each night can actually make your sleep worse.

8. Consider what you’re sleeping on
Your bed can impact how well you sleep and for how long. Generally speaking, mattresses have a longer life span of around eight years on average. If your bed has seen better days, check out our best mattress online guide, and make sure you grab a decent pillow for sleeping too.

A good bed topper can tide you over if you don’t have the budget to upgrade, yet you think your current bed is too firm or too soft to support you during sleep. Investing in airy bedding is worth it too, as breathable sheets keep you cool as you snooze, stopping you from waking up because you're too warm.

Is sleeping longer the key to a good night’s sleep?

There are many ways to get a better night’s sleep, including heading to bed early if that’s the time you naturally feel yourself nodding off on the couch. But it’s not all about sleeping longer. Good quality sleep, in which you properly rest, is just as important as clocking up the hours. 

Many of the top tips for sleeping well, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding looking at screens in bed, will help you sleep for longer at night and get a better quality of shut-eye. 

Try to relax though, as clock watching and becoming preoccupied with sleeping for longer can stop your brain from switching off (so you'll have a harder time sleeping). 

Sleeping well on a regular basis is important, as according to the National Institute on Aging, “An ongoing lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep increases your risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and obesity.”

Does our sleep cycle change as we get older?

As we age, much about our health and bodies changes, including how much sleep we need and are able to get without interruption. As people get older they can sometimes – but not always – feel refreshed on a little less sleep. That’s fine, but getting a good night’s sleep is still vital to mental and physical wellbeing regardless of a person’s age. 

When publishing advice on how to sleep through the night, the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School explained that one of the biggest differences is that our sleep cycles change as we get older, and people spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep. Lighter sleep also means you might wake up more easily to sounds or temperature changes in your bedroom. 

"Research has shown that your sleep needs stay constant throughout adulthood," explained Dr. Lawrence Epstein, Associate Physician with the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Instead, it's your sleep patterns that change, and that is what can interfere with sleep quality."

Is it possible to sleep through the night without waking?

Some people tend to wake up during the night more often than others and take a while to fall back asleep again, while others wake up briefly between sleep cycles then fall asleep quickly. If you are frequently waking during sleep and find it difficult to go back to sleep quickly, it’s time to speak to your doctor. 

Frequent waking during the night could be a sign of underlying health conditions including sleep apnea and depression. It could also be a side effect from taking certain medications or from drinking too much caffeine throughout the day. In fact, Sleep Education tells us that caffeine has a half-life of up to five hours, so that late afternoon cappuccino could be the culprit behind your disturbed snooze.

To sleep for longer at night, limit your water intake before you go to bed to avoid a full bladder, give caffeine after midday a large swerve, and ease yourself into a frame of mind more ready for sleep by adopting a relaxing bedtime routine. This could include firing up a meditation app, doing some deep breathing exercises or yoga nidra before bed, or soothing tense muscles with a handheld massager. 

How much sleep is too much – is 9, 10 or 12 hours too much?

The CDC tells us that different age groups require different amounts of sleep. Most adults tend to need around seven to nine hours sleep. Sometimes people sleep more if they’re pregnant, unwell or taking certain types of medication. But if adults regularly sleep too much it can also lead to health problems, including headaches and heart disease.

If you oversleep occasionally, there’s nothing to worry about. But regular oversleeping could be the sign of an underlying health condition, such as depression. If you often find yourself sleeping for longer than the recommended amount for your age range, you should see a doctor.

There are various brands running Sleep Week sales. To see how much you could save, check out our roundups of the best Purple mattress deals and discounts, the latest Casper mattress deals, and the best Saatva mattress discounts. To get you started, we’ve also included the latest prices on some popular brands below. 

Learning how to clean a comforter properly is something all of us need to do, as it can make a huge difference to keeping pesky dust mites and bed bugs at bay, not to mention dealing with all that dead skin and sweat build-up. Even the best comforters need cleaning from time to time, but the material it's made from will determine how hard or easy it is to clean. 

If your comforter has a synthetic filling, it should be fairly easy to machine wash and many can be tumble dried too. However, one of the main concerns with machine cleaning a comforter is that the filling will stick together, leaving it feeling lumpy. 

Other comforters with natural fills, such as wool or feather, can also be cleaned, but these need a little extra care. We take a look at the ins and outs of how to clean your comforter. In this guide on how to clean a comforter, we walk you through the process step by step, and look at how to clean different materials too.

For other ways to enjoy fresh and healthy sleep, check out our guide to the top mattresses online, as well as the best bed toppers for maximum comfort.

How to clean a comforter: Why it's important

Anything that sits next to your skin as you sleep should be washed regularly, whether that’s your pajamas, bedsheets or your favorite pillow for sleeping. Not only will this fabric quickly get dirty from your sweat and natural oils, it provides a place for allergens to settle, as well as for dust mites to breed.

These little critters love nothing more than feasting on dead skin, before leaving droppings (twice their size!) that will only worsen your allergies. One of the best ways to keep nasties at bay is by washing your bedsheets, duvet cover and pillowcases once a week. You could also invest in a breathable, hypoallergenic bed, as covered in our best cooling mattress guide.

If you aren't using your comforter with a duvet cover, place a bedsheet between you and the comforter, then wash this sheet once a week. You will then only need to wash your comforter every six to 12 months. If you are using the comforter next to your skin, it will need to be washed weekly.

How to clean a comforter in five easy steps

Washing a comforter is a household chore that many of us tend to put off. After all, who wants to deal with washing a large cumbersome item that may or may not survive a cycle in the machine? However, it may not be as tricky as it seems, as long as you always read the label, and follow the instructions precisely.

Generally, it will be easier to wash a comforter with a synthetic fill, and these can often be machine dried too. Here are some steps you can follow to help you clean your synthetic-fill comforter:

Step 1: Read the label. This will tell you what your comforter is filled with and the best way to wash it. Not all comforters need to be dry cleaned

Step 2: Treat stubborn stains first. You can spot clean accidental spillages before you send it off for dry-cleaning or place it in the machine.

Step 3: Make sure loose threads are snipped or tears are fixed before washing, in case they get further damaged.

Step 4: Make sure your washing machine is big enough. There should be some spare room for the comforter to move around inside the machine. If you struggle to fit it in, then consider taking your comforter to a laundromat.

Step 5: Go gently! This applies to the washing machine cycle as well as the detergent. The cycle should be cold or gentle, while the detergent should be natural or mild.

If you decided your current comforter has seen better days, here are three of our favorites to consider instead...

For cleaning appliance inspiration, also check out our guide to the best front load washers, and the best dryers with large capacity drums.

How to wash a comforter without it getting lumpy

One of the risks of washing your comforter in the machine is that the filling could clump together, meaning your comforter will come out lumpy and uneven. If you go for a lower-grade fill, then this is more likely to happen. 

However, there are plenty of affordable comforters with decent-quality filling that shouldn’t bunch upon washing. You can also follow these steps to help prevent clumps:

Step 1: Make sure your washing machine is big enough – the bigger the machine the more room the comforter has to move around. We'd recommend a good top load washer with lashings of space.

Step 2: Use a front-loading washing machine if possible. The twisting action of a top-loader is more likely to cause your comforter to clump. If you have a top loader, consider taking your comforter to the laundromat instead.

Step 3: Select an extra spin cycle to make as much water is squeezed out as possible. After washing, shake out your comforter to make sure the filling stays even.

Step 4: If you want to dry the comforter in a tumble dryer, make sure it is large enough, and use a low heat setting, with a couple of dryer balls (or tennis balls). Check every so often to make sure the comforter isn’t getting too hot.

Step 5: Make sure the comforter is completely dry before storing.

How to clean a down comforter or duvet

If you prefer the cosiness of an all-natural down duvet, it’s worth knowing they may need to be cleaned in a different way to their synthetic counterparts. As ever, read the label first and follow the instructions exactly. The following is also advised:

Step 1: Limit washing your down comforter or duvet to once a year. Using a duvet cover or placing a sheet between you and the comforter will keep your bed fresher for longer.

Step 2: If your comforter can be machine washed, make sure the machine is large enough and that your comforter can fit with plenty of room without being folded or creased. 

Step 3: Adding tennis balls placed in socks provides gentle friction so that sweat, oil and dirt can be more easily removed from the fabric.

Step 4: Use gentle washing detergent only, along with a gentle cycle on the machine. Make sure the comforter is properly rinsed - soap can cause down to clump.

Step 5: If you dry your comforter in a machine, use the lowest setting. You can also put the tennis balls (in socks) in with the comforter, as this will ensure the feathers stay fluffy. Check every 30 minutes to make sure your comforter isn’t getting too hot.

Step 6: Make sure it is thoroughly dry before using it or storing it away.

While you're at it, why not spruce up the rest of your bed with our tips on how to clean pillows for fresher sleep, and how to clean a mattress properly. 

How to clean a comforter without a washer

If your comforter is too big for your machine, or it needs to be spot cleaned by hand,  there are still ways you can keep your comforter fresh and hygienic.

Spot cleaning is best for any obvious spills, but if you want to freshen up the entire comforter, gently submerge it in the bath tub, making sure you use only mild detergent and cold water. 

Do not wring or distort the comforter in any way, but gently press on it, before letting it sit for ten minutes in the water.

You should then drain the bath, gently pressing out as much excess water as you can from the comforter. When this is done, fill the bath again with cold water to rinse the fabric, press and drain as before. Repeat these steps until the water runs clear and is free of suds.

How to dry a comforter at home

Drying a comforter isn’t always practical and takes a little bit of planning. But after washing, the comforter must be completely dry before you store it or place a duvet cover over it, otherwise it will be prone to mold and other nasties.

While some comforters can be dried in a tumble dryer, this should always be done on a low heat setting, and check every 30 minutes or so in case the comforter feels too hot. Placing tennis balls in the dryer also helps with the drying process and keeps the fill from clumping. If there’s room, you can also place a towel in with the comforter to speed things up.

If you do not have a machine for drying (check out our recommendations for good washer dryer combos), you can dry your comforter naturally outdoors. In fact, sunlight is a great way to kill off any lingering dust mites and make sure your comforter is properly aired and dried.

To overhaul your bed for less, check out our round-ups of the latest Purple mattress sales and promo codes, the biggest Saatva mattress sales and discounts, and this month's Casper mattress sales and promo codes.

The best comforters help you enjoy a good night's sleep whatever the weather. Durable and warm, without causing you to overheat, fluffy comforters are the perfect finishing touch to your bedding collection. While choosing a comforter may not seem like a decision that’s going to influence your sleep quality hugely, it plays a more important role than you might think. 

In our mattress online guide we talk extensively about selecting a mattress that suits your sleep type, and the best comforters are no different. If you’re a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate, lightweight comforters can be a lifesaver. Just like the best pillows for sleeping, these are made from moisture-wicking fabrics that give you the soft and snuggly feeling you’re after while being breathable enough to keep you cool and comfy all night long. 

For all cold sleepers, the best comforter for you is one that’s heavyweight with a filling of between 500 to 700 grams per square meter (GSM). This measurement refers to the amount of fiber used in the fabric and the higher the number, the thicker and toastier your comforter will be. Look for materials such as goose down and wool to give you a warm, secure, wrapped-up feeling as you drift off. If you travel a lot, lightweight comforters function in much the same way as the best bed toppers, rolling up for easy portability.

Whether you’re a hot sleeper looking to cool down or a cold sleeper needing to keep warm, our guide to the best comforters has you covered. With options to suit every sleep type and budget, let’s now take a closer look at our picks of the top comforters lining the shelves this year...

The best comforters to buy now

1. Brooklinen Down Comforter: Best comforters overall

The best comforters are luxuriously warm and fluffy without being too hot, and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you purchase the Brooklinen Down Comforter. Buttery smooth with a 400-thread count sateen shell, this allergy-friendly comforter is free of harmful chemicals so you can sleep soundly.

Insulating but not too hot, it’s ideal for warmer climates and hot sleepers, and the baffle box construction ensures the microfiber fill is distributed evenly. With loops on every corner, this comforter will remain secure within a duvet cover, and it can be spot cleaned or dry cleaned as often as needed. 

While the microfiber fill has been designed to mimic the warmth and texture of natural down and can be used all year round, the lightweight design means cold sleepers or those who prefer a heavier feel may prefer to look elsewhere. That preference aside, the Brooklinen Down Comforter ticks all the boxes when it comes to quality, comfort and design. 

• Read our Brooklinen Down Comforter review

2. Buffy Breeze: Best comforter for hot sleepers

If you’ve already invested in one of the best cooling mattresses, then the Buffy Breeze Hypoallergenic comforter is the perfect finishing touch. Made from 100% eucalyptus, this temperature-regulating comforter will keep you cool and comfortable all night long.

The unique eucalyptus fabric breathes when you’re warm and warms when you’re cool, ensuring you never overheat and making it one of the best comforters for hot sleepers and climates. Hypoallergenic, and naturally resistant to dust, mites, and mold, it contains no essential oils and is a great choice for the whole family.

Grown in renewable forests in Austria, the eco-friendly eucalyptus uses 10x less water than cotton and is free from bleach and harsh chemicals. While it’s one of the more expensive comforters in this guide, if you’re after an earth-friendly comforter that’s soft on you and the earth, the Buffy Breeze is hard to beat. 

• Read our Buffy Breeze Comforter review

3. Bedsure Down Alternative Quilted Comforter: Best comforter on Amazon

For outstanding value and superior comfort, the Bedsure Down Alternative Quilted Comforter is hard to beat. Featuring a 300GSM microfiber fill with baffle box stitching to minimize shifting, this year-round comforter provides the perfect level of warmth for all seasons.

Holding up well to wear and tear with good resistance to shrinkage and wrinkles, the choice of six stylish colors makes it ideal for use on its own or to match with your favorite duvet cover.

Snuggly and soft, the Bedsure Down Alternative Quilted Comforter features a three-dimensional structure that traps air to keep you warm while still being breathable, and the microfiber filling is ideal for those with allergies. Fully machine washable, this is one of the best comforters for those who like low maintenance, easy-to-care-for bedding.

• Read our Bedsure Down Alternative Quilted Comforter review

4. Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert: Best comforter for value

When it comes to the Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert, almost everything you need to know is right there in the name. A superb choice that's very well rated among existing customers, this is one of the best comforters money can buy when it comes to mixing affordability with quality.

Made from 100% microfiber, it has a 350GSM filling and piped edges for a crisp and elegant look. Box style stitching ensures the interior doesn’t shift and the corner tabs make it easy to secure the comforter in place. 

We love the wide range of color choices that this comforter comes in and the extremely soft material provides a cozy and comfy feel. Durable and machine washable, the Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert can also be tumble dried for added convenience.

• Read our Utopia Bedding Comforter Duvet Insert review

5. Egyptian Bedding Siberian Goose Down Comforter: Best goose down comforter

Wrap yourself in luxury with this 600 thread count goose down comforter that will leave you feeling like you’re sleeping amongst the clouds. The Egyptian Bedding Siberian Goose Down Comforter is found in world-class hotels around the world thanks to its opulent look and feel, and now you can get that same holiday feel at home.

Featuring stunning needle-stitched edges, this medium-weight comforter provides year-round comfort and is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for allergy sufferers. The premium box construction ensures the fill retains its volume and keeps the goose down from shifting. 

While it’s not the quietest comforter we’ve come across, the Egyptian Bedding Siberian Goose Down Comforter is certainly one of the most luxurious. The ultra-plush feel, high-quality workmanship, and elegant look makes this one of the best comforters for anyone looking for a 5-star sleep experience. After all, the more comfortable you are in bed, the easier sleep will be. If you're issue is waking up easily, read our guide to the best sunrise alarm clocks for a natural wake-up call.

• Read our Egyptian Bedding Siberian Goose Down Comforter review

6. Silk Camel Luxury Allergy Free Comforter: Best comforter for allergies

Say goodbye to excessively hot or cold sleep with the Silk Camel Luxury Allergy Free Comforter that will ensure you stay dry and comfortable all night long. Made from 100% long-strand natural mulberry silk, this comforter has an airy and fluffy loft with moderate puffiness that creates a lightweight feel.

One of the best comforters for allergy sufferers and those with rheumatoid arthritis, the silk gently conforms to the shape of the body while allowing heat to escape through the fibers. While air purifiers can help make the air you breathe in any room cleaner, this little beauty will take care of your health while you sleep, naturally repelling bugs, dust mites, mold, and mildew, so you can rest easy.

We love that this comforter comes with a well-designed bag for portability, allowing you to take it with you whenever you travel. While the mulberry silk isn’t treated with chemicals, there can be a strong natural silk smell when you first start using this comforter, so we recommend airing it before use. 

7. Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet: Best lightweight comforter

One of the best comforters for hot sleepers, the lightweight Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet is filled with down and has a merino wool layer that wicks away moisture so you can sleep comfortably all night long. 

Say goodbye to bunching with a sewn-in chamber design that mimics your favorite puffy jacket, keeping the fluffy down in place and helping you fall and stay asleep. With ethically sourced materials, this duvet provides all-natural comfort you can feel good about, and it’s also machine washable and able to be tumble dried.

While it may ask you to part with more of your hard-earned cash than other comforters on the market, the good news is that the Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet is often on sale thanks to ongoing Casper mattress sales and discount codes. An outstanding comforter from a high-quality brand, the soft and cozy texture is designed to help you feel like you’re cocooned in a cotton-soft cloud.

Today’s cheapest prices on the best comforters

Best comforters FAQ

How to choose the best comforter for you

Choosing the best comforter is a bit like choosing the perfect pair of shoes, you want something that fits your style and needs, a comforter that guarantees you’ll get the refreshing sleep you need so that you can leave the house each morning with a spring in your step. But with so many comforters on the market, how can you make sure you’re getting the right fit for you? 

Before you hand over your hard-earned cash, it pays to do a little research on the kind of comforter that will best suit your nighttime needs. From material and design choices to weight and price, here are our top tips on what to look out for when choosing a comforter:

Material - you’re going to be spending a lot of quality time with your comforter, so look for high-quality materials that feel soft and cozy. If you go for a snuggly down filling, check to make sure it’s well stitched to prevent bunching or leakage. If you’re a hot sleeper, look for breathable fabrics that wick away moisture.

Weight - do you feel like you’re in an inferno the minute you hop under the covers or do you spend the night burrowed deep in an attempt to stay toasty? Paying attention to whether you’re a hot or cold sleeper will be a key factor in how happy you are with your comforter selection. Hot sleepers will do best with a lightweight comforter of no more than 350GSM that can be used year-round, while cold sleepers might prefer a heavyweight design of between 500-700GSM. 

Design - while most comforters come in crisp and clean white that can be used alone or in a duvet, manufacturers are starting to branch out with stylish solid colors and even prints. Comforters that have been designed for use with a duvet cover will often feature loops that make them easier to secure, while others have beautiful hand-stitched trim to give an elegant finish to your bed.

Price - as with everything, comforters range in price from budget buys to luxury picks, but just because your favorite one might be affordable doesn’t mean it isn’t a quality purchase. 

Some of the best comforters that feature in this guide have thousands of happy customers, proving that a low price doesn’t always equal compromise. While ethically sourced materials and a higher GSM can drive up the price, there are plenty of affordable options for both hot and cold sleepers

Temperature regulation - the shell and fill of a comforter will influence how warm or cool you stay while sleeping. While down can help regulate temperature, it’s naturally fluffier and cozier than other materials, making it the ideal cuddle buddy for colder sleepers. 

If you sleep hot, cotton, silk, and eucalyptus, all do an outstanding job of being lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. 

What is the best type of comforter material?

The quality of the material and fill of a comforter will play a key role in how much enjoyment you get from it, so you want to ensure you’ve carefully weighed the pros and cons of each. When it comes to the outer shell and internal fill, the best material comes down to personal preference. Let’s take a look at the most popular options...

Cotton: Highly effective at absorbing sweat and moisture, cotton is light, breathable, and easy to clean. Helping to keep the body cool and comfortable, cotton is a popular choice with hot sleepers and those looking for a low-maintenance material.

Silk: Lightweight and luxurious, silk offers a high level of comfort and can absorb as much as one-third of its total weight in moisture, allowing excess heat to escape. Silk is 100% hypoallergenic, so it’s ideal for those with allergies, but it’s more expensive than other options and the delicate fabric requires greater care.

Wool: For cold climates and sleepers, wool has a texture that allows it to both retain the warmth from your body and allow excess heat to pass through. High in a fat known as lanolin, sheep’s wool has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease muscle and joint pain. Like silk, wool can be expensive and most wool comforters aren’t washable. 

Eucalyptus: The newest kid on the block, eucalyptus is leading the eco-friendly bedding movement. Ethically sourced and free from harsh chemicals, eucalyptus requires less water to produce than cotton and has a soft and cooling effect that makes it a dream for those with sensitive skin. It also resists mold and dust, is temperature-regulating, and machine-washable fills are currently being developed.

Down: Soft and fluffy, down comforters typically contain either duck or goose down. Duck down has smaller clusters and provides slightly less insulation than goose down but is more affordable, so it’s great if you’re on a budget. 

Goose down has larger clusters and traps more heat so it’s more expensive but a worthwhile investment for colder climates. When well cared for, both types of down are highly durable, providing years or even decades of comfort.

Down alternative: Made from a synthetic fiber that gives a similar feel to down, comforters made from down alternatives aren’t as fluffy or durable as duck or goose down but they’re ideal for allergy sufferers as they’re usually hypoallergenic. 

While down alternatives aren’t as warm or breathable as down comforters, they’re more affordable and can be thrown in the washing machine, making them much easier to clean. 

Where to buy the best comforters

While choosing a comforter may feel challenging with all the different options available, the good news is that finding places to purchase one is much easier. From Brooklinen and West Elm to Pottery Barn and Casper, shopping in-store lets you peruse all the different options so you can find the fit and feel that’s right for you.

Not able to get to a physical shop? No problem. Major online retailers such as Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and IKEA all stock comforters, and most big-name shops, like Brooklinen, also have easy-to-navigate websites so you can get everything delivered to your home with the click of a button. 

Whether you’re buying in-store or online, check the returns policy to make sure you can swap your new comforter over if it’s not quite right. 

To save on better sleep, read our round-ups of the latest Purple mattress sales and promo codes, plus the biggest Saatva mattress sales and discounts. 

Sleep initiation is a fancy term for how long it takes you to fall asleep, and it's something you’ll hear sleep experts mention when discussing various sleep issues. It also crops up when people talk about how to fall asleep faster at night, because what they’re really asking is, “How can I initiate sleep?” 

The truth is, you can’t make yourself fall asleep, but you can put steps in place to help you fall asleep quickly, as our Top 10 tips below will show you. In our feature on why is sleep important, we discovered that it’s normal to take up to 20-30 minutes to fall asleep. Interestingly, if you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow you may be experiencing sleep deprivation.

In this article, we cover some easy tips you can follow to help you fall asleep faster at night, and many of them take place before you even hit the bedroom. 

How to fall asleep faster: The Military Technique

The military technique for falling asleep, also known as the military sleep method, is a set of steps that reportedly helps people fall to asleep within 120 seconds. 

It’s called the military technique because it’s allegedly used by the US military with high success rates, and was shared in a 1981 book called Relax and Win: Championship Performance by Lloyd Bud Winter.

According to The Independent, this is how you should perform the Military Technique for falling asleep faster: 

• Relax the muscles in your face, your jaw and the muscles around your eyes
• Drop your shoulders down, then your upper and lower arm on each side
• Breathe out, then relax your chest and legs
• Spend ten seconds clearing your mind, then think about one of these images: Lying in a canoe on a calm lake with clear skies above you; or lying in a black velvet hammock in a dark room
• Finally, say “don’t think, don’t think, don’t think”. Repeat it to yourself for ten seconds

How to fall asleep faster at night: Top 10 tips

1. Lower the temperature
If your bedroom is too warm, you may find it harder to fall asleep. This is why many struggle to sleep when it’s hot. Setting your thermostat to a cooler temperature could help. The best temperature for sleep is between 60–67°F (15.6–19.4°C)

Think about body temperature too. Taking a warm bath or shower will encourage your body to cool down after you get out, which can signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep.

2. Get comfy in bed
A comfortable bed makes all the difference to how well you sleep. While medium-firm mattresses are superb for most people, pillows for sleeping vary wildly. You need to pick one carefully as they can affect your sleep comfort and your body temperature.

For inspiration, read our guide to the best mattress online for different sleep positions and health needs. You might also benefit from a bed topper.

3. Take a walk early in the day
Light can influence your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) which regulates sleep and wakefulness. Blue light exposure at night from digital displays can disrupt your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep. Getting outside for a daily walk around midday, when the sun is high, helps regulate your circadian rhythm, making it easier for you to fall asleep quickly at night.

4. Watch what you eat and drink
Several studies have looked at how different foods and drinks affect our sleep. Caffeine and alcohol are common culprits behind poor sleep and could make it hard for you to fall asleep quickly. Caffeine has a half-life of up to eight hours, while alcohol dehydrates you, causing you to wake up regularly.

High carb meals should also be avoided in the last four hours before bed because you won’t have enough time to digest your food. And if your body is hard at work digesting, your temperature will be raised and you won’t be focused on sleep.

5. Create a bedtime routine
Good sleep hygiene includes creating a calming pre-sleep routine, such as ditching tech an hour before bed, or taking a warm bath with essential oils. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day is another important aspect.

You don’t need to start your pre-bedtime routine more than an hour before bed. So if you want to lie down to sleep at 11pm, start your routine at 10pm. Don't let it dictate your entire evening or it will overwhelm you.

6. Practice a body scan meditation before bed
Body scan meditations are good if you're stressed about how long it takes you to fall asleep, as scans get you out of your head and into your body. This is because you have to focus on different parts of your body, relaxing them in turn. 

You could download one of the best meditation apps for guided scans, or you try one yourself, starting at your feet and moving up through your body, loosening any tension as you go. Here’s how to do it… 

7. Visualize calming imagery
If the body scan meditation is too much for you, research also suggests that imagining calming imagery could help you fall asleep faster. For example, visualize being near lapping waves on a beach. This works for some because it distracts the mind from unwanted thoughts. If you’re grappling with the latter, learn how to stop anxiety ruining your sleep. 

8. Try a breathing exercise
The Bhramari pranayama breathing technique can be highly relaxing and might aid sleep, science says. To do it, cover your ears with your thumbs. Then place your first and middle fingers over your eyes and breathe in and out through your nose while making an “om” sound. 

9. Use white noise to mask other sounds
Some studies have shown that white noise can help people fall asleep faster. There many reasons why it works, but one is that a constant, predictable sound (like white noise) stops other sounds from disturbing your sleep. If this appeals to you, read our guide to the best sound machines and white noise generators.

10. Journal your worries
Journaling could help you fall asleep faster at night. It's effective because it gets your worries out of your head and onto paper, lessening their hold on you. Always journal in a different room and before bedtime, so your worries don't follow you into bed. Also try a gratitude journal, as this ends your day on a positive note.

Products to help you fall asleep faster at night

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, $29
This popular sleep spray contains a mixture of essential oils, including lavender and chamomile, which help some people fall asleep easier. To use it, simply spritz your pillow a few minutes before going to sleep, and the spray will continue to work throughout the night. 

• View This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray at Amazon

Marpac Dohm Classic Sound Machine, $44.95
If you find white noise soothing, consider investing in a small, dedicated machine that produces different types of white noise, such as this Dohm classic. You can also use it to help you regain calm and focus throughout the working day, so it's versatile beyond the realm of sleep too.

• View the Marpac Dohm Sound Machine at Amazon

Calm app
This super-popular mindfulness app has an entire section of guided meditations, visualizations and soundscapes dedicated to helping you sleep better. It includes Bedtime Stories for adults, narrated by celebrities including Harry Styles, Kate Winslet and Matthew McConaughey, to help you fall asleep easier and faster.

• View Calm on the App Store (iOS)
• View Calm on Google Play (Android)

Why do we have trouble falling asleep?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder, but there are different types of insomnia, some short-term, some long-term, yet one of the main symptoms of every type is not being able to fall asleep - or taking ages to drift off. There are many reasons why people might have trouble falling asleep. Some are easily explained, like drinking too much coffee, jetlag, or feeling stress. 

Other reasons or insomnia triggers might only cause a problem now and again. For example, people who menstruate might have difficulty falling asleep in the week leading up to their period. Depression and anxiety also affect sleep in that anxious or intrusive thoughts make it harder for a person to fall asleep at night.

What’s more, if you have trouble falling asleep, it might be to do with your age. Studies suggest younger people tend to have the most trouble falling asleep. This could be due to phase delay syndrome, which means sleep is delayed by a few hours compared to the average person.

Is it really possible to fall asleep in two minutes?

Some people are naturally able to fall asleep much faster than others, and researchers believe this is genetic. However, if you’re keen to learn how to fall asleep faster at night, there are a number of different techniques you can try, and there are people who have found success with these step-by-step methods. 

That said, others find they don’t make much of a difference – especially people with health issues or long-term insomnia. If that’s you, we recommend first speaking to your doctor to see if CBT-I training is appropriate for you, and to discover the small steps you can take to improve your sleep over time. 

A good approach to sleep hygiene can help you snooze better generally, but keep in mind that if you focus too hard on how to fall asleep faster, all that fixating and worrying about your sleep will only make things worse.

If you are considering upgrading your bed, take a look at our guides to the latest Purple mattress deals, the best Saatva mattress discounts, and the latest Casper mattress deals.

Mobvoi has launched its latest health tracker, the TicWatch E3, one of only two sports watches currently using the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 platform. The Mobvoi TicWatch E3 is designed for enhanced health and fitness tracking, and comes with a suite of apps including TicCare for tracking not just your health data, but that of your family members too. 

The TicWatch E3 also offers Vo2Max tracking to gauge your overall cardio fitness based on how well your body uses oxygen when you’re gunning a workout. Another common addition to the latest breed of fitness trackers is SpO2 monitoring (oxygen saturation), and the TicWatch E3 is equipped with a sensor to offer 24-hour SpO2 monitoring via the TixOxygen app.

The Mobvoi TicWatch E3 has ported over many health features from the existing TicWatch Pro 3 GPS, including sleep tracking and stress monitoring, but focuses more directly on mental wellbeing in addition to physical health. 

While we’re yet to review Mobvoi’s newcomer for our best smartwatch guide, the TicWatch E3 looks promising on paper and should be a step-up from the generally well-received E2.

Mobvoi TicWatch E3: Spec, price and release date

The TicWatch E3 is available to buy now from Mobvoi as well as from Amazon. Even though the E2 is $40 cheaper, the TicWatch E3 is one of the most affordable Wear OS watches you can find right now. If you want a cheaper wearable, check out our roundup of the best Amazon Prime Day Fitbit deals too.

• Price: $199.99 / £179.99
• Battery life: Two days
• OS: Wear OS by Google
• Waterproof: IPX68 (swim-proof)
• Workout modes: 20+
• GPS: Yes, built-in GPS, GLONASS and Beidou positioning
• Music playback control: Only with TicPods
• Dimensions: 44 x 47 x 12.6mm
• Display: 1.3-inch High Intensity Display
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 410

Mobvoi TicWatch E3: Design, features and apps

The TicWatch E3 is the tenth addition to Mobvoi’s growing smartwatch range, and while basic in its design, it’s better-looking than the budget E2 and not as bulky or heavy (only 32g) as the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS ($299.99). 

The E3 comes in a choice of strap colors, including blue, black and neon yellow (which doesn’t look so neon to us), with a 1.3-inch High Density Display (2.5D curved glass) for viewing all your stats and smartphone notifications. The interchangeable sweat-proof strap is a 20mm silicone rubber number.

In terms of features, the TicWatch E3 offers 24/7 heart rate tracking, with a weekly graph generated in the companion app. If any changes are detected, you’ll be notified on the watch. There are plenty of other sensors at work too, including all-day blood oxygen saturation monitoring. But this isn’t a new innovation - Samsung, Apple and Fitbit already do it. 

The 20+ workout modes include climbing, swimming, pilates, running (Mobvoi also makes a folding treadmill), and indoor cycling on exercise bikes. The TicMotion app automatically detects your workouts and starts tracking heart rate, calories, and Vo2 Max among other metrics. If you love cycling outdoors, take advantage of the TicWatch E3’s built-in GPS and GLONASS positioning to help you track your route and find new trails to explore.

For us, the most interesting new health app for the E3 is TicCare, which enables you to help your family members or housemates to get a picture of their current health. This includes heart rate, daily steps, and sleep quality. 

Details are scant on this particular feature right now, but it sounds promising - especially for older family members who have no means to track their own wellness.

In terms of mental wellbeing, the TicWatch E3 is home to TicZen, which monitors your stress levels then uses the TicBreathe app to bring your stress levels back down to normal. For guided breathing to help you de-stress, we’d also recommend the best meditation apps.

The TicWatch E3 is available to buy now, priced $199.99, from Mobvoi and from Amazon. 

Learning how to clean a mattress properly is one of the best things you can do to keep your entire bed feeling and smelling fresh, ensuring it remains a haven for healthy sleep. Over time all sorts of nasties can build up on our beds - we’re talking anything from dust mite poop to dead skin and rivers of sweat - so it’s important to give everything a thorough, deep clean a few times a year. 

And don’t go thinking you’re off the hook if you recently shelled out on one of the best mattresses online either, as sooner or later that beauty will also need to be freshened up. Learning how to clean a mattress properly will help yours last longer too, saving you money in the long run. 

Removing stains is one of the main reasons people start searching for mattress cleaning tips, with coffee, tea and pee stains among the most common offenders. But, as we’ll cover in this feature, there are plenty of other reasons why you should opt for cleaning your mattress every few months too. To keep your bed fresher for longer (and to instantly boost its comfort and support) we’d also recommend investing in one of the best bed toppers, most of which are machine washable.

Why do you need to clean your mattress?

Besides stain removal, there are other good reasons why you should learn how to clean a mattress, including to keep bed bugs at bay and to prevent bacteria from building up. A study by mattress retailer Amerisleep found that up to 16 million Colony Forming Units (CFU) of bacteria accumulate in a mattress over seven years. 

What type of bacteria? Bacilli and gram-positive cocci, both of which can be a source of sickness and infection. That’s gross, and here are some other reasons to back-up why you should deep clean your mattress regularly...

• Old sweat. We all sweat when we sleep, and all that lovely body moisture has to go somewhere. In this case, straight into your mattress. Over time, and if the sweating is profuse enough, it can lead to unsightly stains on your beautiful pillow-top bed. All the dampness from your sweat, plus dead skin cells (see below), create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
• Dead skin. When lying in bed, the dead skin from your body drifts down in microscopic flakes, creating a delectable feast for dust mites. Feed them often enough and they will colonize your entire mattress. As if they weren't bad enough on their own, dust mites (which measure less than a millimeter long) also leave behind poops that are twice their size!
• Bed bugs. These are fairly easy to spot, and they generally love hanging out in older mattresses, so it's very important to clean yours regularly if it's a few years old. 
• Allergies. House dust mites live mainly in mattresses as they provide all the food and moisture a happy mite could want, but these teeny critters are a common trigger for allergy issues including asthma, eczema and rhinitis. 

How to clean a mattress: The tools you need

When it comes to cleaning a mattress, and depending on if there are stains or smells involved, you’ll need the following tools:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Sponge scourer
• Cleaning cloth
• White vinegar
• Baking powder
• Steam cleaner
• Dedicated upholstery cleaning spray (optional)

So whether there's a nasty stain you want to remove, or you’re just looking to freshen up your mattress, our expert tips below on how to clean a mattress will help. Let’s get started…

How to clean a mattress: Six simple steps

Once you’ve decided how often you need to clean your mattress, be sure to make a thorough job of it by following our six-step guide. Let’s freshen up that mattress now… 

1. Strip the bed
Remove all bedding and mattress covers from the mattress and put them in the washing machine. Washing your bedding will be done more often than cleaning your mattress, but it’s still nice to fresh linens on a freshly cleaned mattress.

2. Vacuum the mattress
Gently vacuum the surface of your mattress. If your vacuum cleaner has an upholstery attachment then put it to use, although a lightweight stick vacuum with plenty of attachments, or one of the best handheld vacuums is perfect for this job.

3. Steam clean (optional)
For a really thorough clean, consider the purchase of a steam cleaner such as the PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner. Steam cleaning a mattress helps kill any dust mites that might be lurking. Some of the best steam mops come with attachments to clean upholstery, making them a versatile addition to your cleaning arsenal.

4. Apply baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda or vinegar diluted in water can help freshen up your mattress as well as clean it. Baking powder is our go-to for spillages and bodily fluids. As you vacuum up the excess baking soda, check the mattress for any stains you may have missed.

5. Spot remove stains
Individual stains can be tackled with the spot-removal methods mentioned above, using either household solutions or a dedicated stain removal product.

6. Air the mattress
Drag the mattress off the bed and lean it against a wall so that fresh air is able to reach both sides. Leave it this way for at least a couple of hours to dry and air itself. A well-ventilated room is adequate for this but, if possible, haul it outside and leave it in the sun. Direct sunlight helps kill bacteria and dries out any moisture build-up in the mattress from sweat and more.

If you do decide that your mattress is beyond saving, take a look at our guides to the best Purple mattress deals, the latest Casper mattress deals, and the best Saatva mattress discounts. 

Mattress cleaning essentials

How to remove mattress stains: Read this first

We know there are other ways you’d rather spend your time, but cleaning stains out of a mattress is important for helping it stay clean and odor-free. Our biggest tip here is to tackle the stain as soon as it happens. In other words, don’t let it seep in for too long or it will damage your mattress. 

Remember these golden rules for how to remove stains from a mattress:

• Dab the stain initially with paper towel to soak up any liquid
• Check the mattress label to see if it’s safe to use cleaning products on it
• For drinks spillages, use a baking soda mixture (see below)
• Mattresses aren’t waterproof, so don’t get it too wet

How to clean a mattress with baking soda

Spilt your morning coffee or tea on your mattress? Don’t panic. First, move your comforter out of the way. Dab the excess liquid away with water, then head to the kitchen and mix 4oz of baking soda with one pint of water. Dab at the stain again, this time with baking powder solution. 

Leave it for half an hour before rinsing the stain through with a clean, wet cloth. If a stain is proving particularly persistent, it might be necessary to call in the big guns and order a dedicated stain remover such as the ones featured below. 

Be sure to test any new product on a small area of the mattress before using it liberally, and always check the manufacturer's guidelines before using chemically based stain removers.

How to clean blood stains on a mattress

Blood stains should be dabbed with cold water (never hot) first. If that doesn’t shift it, try the baking soda method or, once again, use washing-up liquid diluted in water. 

Other bodily fluids like sweat can also be tackled with a dishwashing liquid solution on a clean cloth, although for something like a vomit stain, we’d recommend using white vinegar mixed with water to tackle the smell and the stain.

How to clean a mattress of urine stains

At some point or other, we’ve all been faced with cleaning urine stains from a mattress. Whether it’s courtesy of your pet, your child or you, mattresses are prime turf for pee stains to occur. 

To clean a mattress of urine stains, try diluted washing-up liquid in water. Again, gently dab the stain with a cloth or sponge. If the stain is proving to be particularly stubborn, you may have to break out an upholstery cleaner. 

Read the label on your mattress first to ensure it’s safe for use with chemical cleaners. If you’re unsure, dilute the cleaner with water and dab it onto the mattress a little at a time - don’t spray or pour it on all at once, just in case it ruins your mattress.

How often should you clean a mattress?

There are no hard and fast rules about how often you should clean your mattress, as it often depends on the type of mattress and the sleeper. If you have a breathable mattress or a cooling mattress, it’s less likely to hold sweat and will stay fresher and cleaner for longer. 

If you're an allergy sufferer, symptoms like a runny nose or itchy eyes may mean that you’ll need to reach for the vacuum and baking soda more frequently. 

You may also have heard advice about cleaning your mattress when the seasons change, but whether you choose twice a year or quarterly is entirely your decision. We certainly wouldn’t recommend cleaning it less than twice a year though.

How to stop your mattress from smelling

Sometimes when you buy a new mattress it can smell a little funny, just like the best pillows for sleeping do when they’re fresh out of their packaging. Don’t worry, this will fade over time. 

Older mattresses can pick up smells through spillages, accidents or just general use, but you can keep it smelling fresh and clean by using some simple household ingredients.

Firstly, pour some white vinegar into a plant spray bottle (or similar) and spray it over your mattress. Next, sprinkle baking soda or bicarbonate of soda (it’s the same thing) over your mattress. Let it bubble, then cover it with a towel for two hours. 

Once the two hours have passed, vacuum up any residual baking soda and let the mattress air dry. Don’t worry about the vinegar smell as this will fade as it dries, leaving your mattress free of odors. It should look cleaner too, but if there are still visible stains after trying this method, then move on to the next step… 

Do you need to buy a new mattress?

Both The Better Sleep Council and The National Sleep Foundation recommend that any mattress over seven years old is ready for landfill or recycling. So if yours is reaching that age, consider replacing it. These are the 5 signs you need to replace your mattress.

One of the first tell tale signs that your bed has reached the end of its life will be visible signs of wear like dips or trenches in the surface of the mattress. 

Other indicators include waking up sore, stiff and still tired or just realizing that you sleep better elsewhere. If you're not sure which mattress would suit you, take a look at our guide on how to choose a mattress, including the best cooling mattress.

To take home a new mattress for less, we'd also recommend taking a look at our round-up of the best Casper mattress deals, and the best Saatva mattress discounts for luxury sleep at more affordable prices.