• Even the most ardent wardrobe minimalists will still have a sweater or two in their closet. 
• We can't tell you what the objective "best sweater" is, but we can tell you about the best places to shop for them. 
• Our favorite places to buy women's sweaters include Everlane, L.L. Bean, and Cuyana, and our guide outlines our top picks from each brand. 

It may be a little cliché to call a sweater a wardrobe staple, but in this case, it's true. Even if you're the most ardent wardrobe minimalist who lives in a perpetually warm climate, you likely have at least one sweater in your closet. These cozy toppers are great layering pieces, adding a bit of warmth and comfort to pretty much any outfit. 

Sweaters come in a wide variety of fabrics, from wool to cashmere to cotton, and each provides its own benefit and downside. Cashmere, for example, is super soft and tends to last, but it can be expensive to buy and to care for. Cotton, on the other hand, is much sturdier, but might not be as warm as wool. It's probably a good idea to have multiple sweaters in a variety of fabrics and fits, so you can always have one to match whatever dress code, activity level, or climate you may find yourself faced with.

A note on fit

This guide is focused on sweaters that were designed for cisgender women. What the industry calls "women's sweaters" has everything to do with the fit, shape, and style of how these pieces are designed. Sweaters that are designed for women tend to be smaller and less boxy than those designed for men. However, we think anyone should feel free to wear any type of sweater, regardless of gender or how the clothing is labeled. They typically nip in a bit at the waist and are usually more cropped, or if they're labeled oversized, they tend to have shorter arms. If you're more interested in a boxy, oversized style, you might want to shop for sweaters designed for men. 

And if you're talking about button-down sweaters, it's important to note button placement. On men's sweaters, buttons lay on the right. On women's sweaters, they lay on the left. And while experts note that this is a relic of a time when wealthy people didn't dress themselves, there isn't a clear reason as to why fashion companies continue to make this distinction. 

Here are the best places to buy sweaters:

Everlane

The sweaters you can buy from Everlane are economical and stylish, especially when it comes to typically-pricy cashmere, making them surefire staples in your closet.

Sizing options: XXS-XL

Ever since Everlane dropped the prices of its cashmere crewnecks and V-necks to a flat $100, it's been a go-to destination for cute, cozy, and affordable sweaters. The company claims that if the same sweater were sold through traditional retail channels, you'd be paying somewhere in the $215 range, which makes sense when considering the prices of this expensive material elsewhere. Other styles that utilize cashmere are slightly more expensive, but you'll never pay more than $200 for this type of fabric at Everlane.

But just because you're getting a deal doesn't mean you're getting less-than-sterling quality. The brand uses only Grade-A cashmere (grades go from A to C, with A being the best). Grade-A is stronger and doesn't pill as easily. It's also much more resilient when it comes to washing, and doesn't require dry cleaning. Just hand wash them in cold water and lay them out to dry. 

Everlane doesn't just do cashmere well, however. The Italian Merino Wool Turtleneck is a chic and classic option, with an oversized neck that doesn't feel scratchy at all. Its silhouette is slim enough to slip under other sweaters, making it a clutch layering piece. The Cotton-Linen Crew, on the other hand, is fantastic for transitional weather, thanks to its light and breezy fabric blend. 

The best part is that Everlane doesn't just rest on neutral hues. You'll find sweaters in cream, black, and navy, but also in vibrant mustards and dreamy lavenders. Regardless of the style of sweater that you're looking for, Everlane delivers at a wallet-friendly price point and in a range of sizes. 

What to buy:

Naadam

Naadam is focused on making cashmere more accessible, so it's a go-to spot for sweaters that won't break the bank.  

Sizing options: XXS-XXL

There are few better additions to your fall wardrobe than a cashmere sweater. And while you may think that such a purchase will cost you a significant proportion of your paycheck, Naadam wants you to think again.

You might think of it as a cashmere-focused version of Everlane. "Naadam's mission is to offer ethical luxury designed for the way you want to live," Naadam cofounder and CEO Matt Scanlan told Business Insider. "Everything we do, from our supply chain to our design, is thoughtful and considered. We blend luxury with sustainability for an audience who knows you should be able to have both at a fair price."And when it comes to the sweater collection, you'll have plenty to choose from.

Naadam separates its clothes based on the type of cashmere used, and whether it's blended with other materials. This variation allows for slightly different styles and levels of softness. For example, on the 100% cashmere front, there's The Essential $75 Cashmere Sweater— the piece that put Naadam on the map. It's as classic as a cashmere sweater can get, and comes in a rainbow of hues. 

The company also peddles cashmere blends, like the Wool-Blend Drop Shoulder Cowl Neck Hoodie. The hoodie combines cashmere and wool for a cozy sweater/hoodie hybrid will a trendy cowl neck. Or, there's the Cropped Cable Knit Cardigan, a chunky knit that you can wear over a tee or on its own. 

Each style comes in a wide variety of colors. And if you're afraid of your sweater being scratchy, don't be. Naadam rates each piece on a softness scale, from "soft" to "heavenly soft," so you always know how it will feel.

What to buy:

Eloquii

With sizes ranging from 14-28, Eloquii provides gorgeous sweaters in a more inclusive range of sizes. 

Sizing options: 14-28

Eloquii is a one-stop-shop for size-inclusive clothing, and the brand's sweaters are a favorite among customers. These cozy toppers are always trendy and cool, and the majority of them ring up for under $100. Couple that with the regular sales Eloquii loves to put on, and you're always able to score a chic sweater at a sweet price. 

Eloquii has an amazing range of styles, so you can build out your wardrobe with just a click. Take the Ruffle Sweater with Sheer Sleeves. It may not look like your typical sweater, but with its sheer sleeves and sweet ruffle details, it's a perfectly feminine piece for your wardrobe.

The Slit Sleeve Sweater is another great buy, with its minimal shape and eye-catching sleeves. It's a perfect piece to help dip your toe in this trend without dropping major coin. 

If you're interested in something a little more classic, then check out the Button Cuff Turtleneck. It's perfect for layering or wearing on its own. And the button-cuff details add a little something extra to an otherwise minimal piece. 

Eloquii sizes range from 14-28, and each piece comes in a variety of colors, so you can customize your look. And if you're not ready to commit to a piece, Eloquii offers an Unlimited membership that allows you to rent pieces you don't plan on keeping forever. 

What to buy:

Loft

Loft provides an amazing range of sizes and styles, including their Lou & Grey line, making this a surprisingly inclusive place to shop for knits.

Sizing options: XXS-XXL

Long-heralded as the go-to spot for smart work attire, Loft has had a bit of a renaissance in its casual wear department — and its sweaters are a shining example of that. 

The brand has a bevy of adorable styles for just about any sensibility. The throwback-inspired Polo Sweater may look like something your mom wore in high school, but it's surprisingly modern, thanks to its deep V-neck and textural ribs. 

The Stitched Dolman Sweater, on the other hand, is a classic topper that's ideal for layering. All of Loft's sweaters are available in a range of neutral hues, making them pieces that will last for ages. 

Loft may not appear to be a place where you can buy trendy toppers, too, but its Lou & Grey brand provides just that. Consider this offshoot as the younger sister Loft — with all of the fun patterns and prints that entails. The Fringe Fair Isle Sweater provides major texture and flare, while the Drop Shoulder Cardigan is a work-from-home staple. 

And while the brand's cashmere offering will run you upwards of $250, most of Loft's knits ring up under $100. The site also has regular sales, so you can stock up when the price drops. 

What to buy:

M.M. LaFleur

M.M. LaFleur provides tailored, chic options in a handful of textures and cuts, allowing you to incorporate your sweaters into a variety of looks. 

Sizing options: XS-XL

While you may love a slouchy, crewneck sweater most days of the week, some occasions call for something a little more polished and tailored. That's where M.M. LaFleur comes in. The brand is known for its tailored, office-appropriate sweaters that are still cozy enough to wear on the weekends.

One of those pieces is the Morandi Sweater.  It's made of a super-soft and machine-washable Merino wool and comes in a trio of neutral hues. The Morandi Sweater boasts a tie waist, which can be wrapped around your middle, tied up behind your back, or left open for a more effortless look. Insider Reviews executive editor Ellen Hoffman calls the Morandi her go-to desk sweater for when the AC is a little too high. 

If you prefer a more classic cut, the Sophie Sweater is a near-perfect option. It has a plunging V-neck and loose bell sleeves that create a silhouette that can be dressed up or down. The Sophie is a more cropped style, with the hem sitting just above your hip. This makes it perfect for tucking into pants or skirts — no more dealing with too much fabric bulking up when you try to tuck. 

M.M. LaFleur offers up Bundles, where you can choose two or more styles and receive 20% off of your entire purchase. This is useful, considering the brand's cashmere and wool prices are in line with other luxury brands on the market. The majority of their knits are wrinkle-resistant, too, so you can wear them all day long without looking rumpled. 

What to buy: 

L.L. Bean

For affordable sweaters that can stand up to the elements, you'll want to go back to the basics with the ever-dependable L.L. Bean.

Sizing options: XS-XL

It's one thing to have a sweater that can stand up to the chill of your office AC. It's another thing altogether to have a sweater that can stand up to the chill of the winter air. And if you're an adventurer looking for the latter, you should be looking to L.L. Bean.

L.L. Bean has long hung its hat on the time-tested quality of its products. Things that you buy from L.L. Bean are designed to last a long time, if not forever. When it comes to L.L. Bean's selection of women's knits, you may be pleasantly surprised to find how extensive and varied their styles are.

The Mixed Cable Sweater is L.L. Bean's essential crewneck, and it's made of premium combed cotton and a mix of cables and stitchwork. It's just fitted enough that it'll keep in your body warmth, but not so fitted that you can't wear something underneath the sweater for extra insulation. And while other knit sweaters often begin to pill after just a few wears, L.L. Bean's yarns are carefully spun to prevent pilling, and the tightness of the knit helps the sweater keep its shape.

Or, there's the Signature Cotton/Linen Ragg Sweater, a decidedly sleek piece. It's super cozy and combines cotton with linen for unrivaled softness and a truly unique texture. Unlike other sweaters, which tend to be a little more cropped, the Cotton/Linen Ragg Sweater sits lower on the hip, making it great to pair with leggings. 

L.L. Bean's sweaters are also extremely affordable, with most pieces coming in at well under $100. In other words, this is a great place to stock up on the classics. 

What to buy:

Cuyana

For minimalists looking for just one or two pieces to hang onto forever, Cuyana is a great place to start.

Sizing options: XS-XL

Cuyana's goal is to create capsule collections for today's woman by utilizing carefully selected fabrics, classic silhouettes, and distinct attention to detail. The concept is simple: You won't feel the need to buy duplicates if the originals completely serve your purpose. (The brand's philosophy is actually "fewer, better.")

Consequently, Cuyana is extremely careful in selecting its suppliers, leveraging Italian and American craftsmanship, Argentinian leatherwork, Peruvian alpaca wool and pima cotton, Ecuadorian straw, and Turkish cotton-poplin.

The attention to detail is apparent in Cuyana's sweaters, all of which are simple, yet truly beautiful. They're a bit surprising in their silhouettes, and despite being extremely minimalist, are interesting enough to draw eyes. The Alpaca Oversized Sweater is a draped piece that looks like it would be made out of silk, not 100% alpaca wool. While it's oversized, the piece comes in both petite and regular fits.

The Cotton Cashmere Square Neck Rib Sweater is another winner, thanks to its vintage-inspired neckline and beautifully muted hues. The ribbed design adds modernity and comfort, and the hemline hits below the hip. Plus, its slim silhouette makes it easy to tuck into pants and skirts without the bulk. 

The social mission of Cuyana is one you can easily get behind, too. With every purchase from the brand, you have the option of adding the "Lean Closet card." If you choose to do so, Cuyana will send you a reusable bag to fill with items that you no longer wear. All donated clothing will be given to women in need via Cuyana's partnership with H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Ease Abuse-Related Trauma).

What to buy:

Uniqlo

Uniqlo offers up good-quality sweaters at a budget-friendly price point, making it a go-to place for stocking up on knits. 

Sizing options: XXS-XXL

You may not expect a fast-fashion destination like Uniqlo to offer up quality sweaters, but you'd be surprised. The retailer offers up cashmere and wool sweaters in a variety of styles, and they're all under $100. In other words? Uniqlo is your go-to spot if you want to stock up on some chic basics without emptying your bank account. 

Now, it's important to note that Uniqlo sweaters tend to be on the thinner side — but that's to be expected given the price point. So on especially chilly days, it's a good idea to wear these as a layering piece, either with a tee under or cozy topper over your sweater. But that lightweight, thin silhouette has its benefits, too. These sweaters are fantastic transitional pieces and can be worn most of the year whenever the temperatures get a little chilly. 

A favorite style is the Women 3D Knit Lambswool-Blend Crew Neck Sweater. It provides the typical neckline of a crewneck, but with oversized balloon sleeves for a modern twist. And the 3D knit gives this topper some seriously cool texture, making it one of the more unique basics you could add to your wardrobe.

Uniqlo also offers up surprisingly soft cashmere pieces, like its Women Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater. It's on the pricier side of the brand's offerings, but it is made out of 100% cashmere, so that price hike is understandable. And the color selection is fantastic, with offerings in everything from classic navy to baby pink. 

The brand also thinks a little outside the box for knitwear, too. Case in point: its "coatigan," which is an incredibly soft and warm cross between a coat and cardigan. The Hooded Knitted Coat is a perfect example of this hybrid, with its oversized hood and knee-grazing hem. 

What to buy:

• We have tested and extensively researched dozens of smartwatches to find the best makes and models for all sorts of users.
• After much testing, we find that the Apple Watch Series 6 is the best smartwatch overall, thanks to its ease of use, and extensive health-related features.
• Of course, the Apple Watch is exclusive to iPhone owners, so we have many options for Android users as well from the high-end to the more approachable.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

Smartwatches may not be a necessity, but they can be great for keeping you active — especially as we've been spending more time at home — and making sure you don't miss anything when you're away from your phone. 

Smartwatches have vastly improved in recent years as device makers have launched more comprehensive health features and introduced designs that are thinner, lighter, and more attractive. 

There's a smartwatch for everyone on this list, whether you're loyal to iPhone or Android,  want a watch primarily for fitness tracking, or are looking for something that looks more elegant than your average smartwatch.

I've been reviewing tech products for nearly a decade, and that includes testing smartwatches over the course of the past seven years. That means I've tested and researched many wearables from companies like Apple, Fitbit, Samsung and others over the years and have a strong sense of what makes a good smartwatch for the price.

Here are the best smartwatches you can buy:

• Best smartwatch overall: Apple Watch Series 6
• Best smartwatch for Android users: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
• Best feminine smartwatch: Fossil Julianna HR
• Best stylish smartwatch for men: Fossil Q Carlyle HR
• Best fitness smartwatch: Garmin Forerunner 935 Running GPS Watch

Updated in December 2020 by Lisa Eadicicco: Updated links for accuracy. Added Apple Watch Series 6 as our top pick. Updated the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 section with details on newer features. Updated our favorite feminine smartwatch to the Fossil Julianna HR. Updated the section on other watches we considered to include newer models from Fitbit and Garmin.

SEE ALSO: 10 Apple Watch bands that look great and cost under $25

SEE ALSO: The best smartwatches for women

The best smartwatch overall

The Apple Watch has long been our favorite smartwatch for its ease of use, comprehensive health tracking, and polished design, and the Series 6 is the best iteration yet. 

Pros: Large always-on display, polished design and software, wide variety of health-focused and smartwatch-oriented features

Cons: Expensive, shorter battery life than some rivals, only offers basic sleep tracking

The $400 Apple Watch Series 6 is Apple's most expensive smartwatch, and for good reason. With an always-on display that's brighter than the Series 5's, fast charging, new color options, and blood oxygen monitoring, it's the best Apple Watch you can buy. 

Apple also sells the less expensive Apple Watch SE for $280, another great choice if you want an Apple Watch that still feels new and fast at a more reasonable price. But you'll be missing out on advanced health features like blood oxygen level monitoring and the ability to take an ECG from your wrist.

Those features may not matter for everyone; if you're the type of person that just wants to stay active and challenge yourself with fitness goals, the  SE will do just fine. It's these features combined with the Series 6's always-on display and faster charging that make it our top choice in the lineup.

More broadly, the Apple Watch stands out from other smartwatches for its modern design that easily fits with any style, broad customization options, smooth performance and wide variety of apps, and polished software. Our writers and editors have tested dozens of WearOS and Fitbit watches over the years, and the Apple Watch has consistently been the best when it comes to the overall experience.

The Apple Watch checks all the boxes when it comes to all the features you'd want from a smartwatch. In addition to more targeted health features like ECG and blood oxygen level measurements, the Apple Watch can track dozens of workouts — including  wheelchair-based exercises —  can measure your heart rate, monitor calorie burn, remind you to stand each hour and more. These features aren't unique to the Apple Watch, but Apple's smartwatch generally combines the experience of both a fitness tracker and a general purpose smartwatch better than most.

That doesn't mean it's perfect, though. The Apple Watch's biggest drawbacks compared to rivals from Fitbit and other companies are its high price tag, shorter battery life, and lackluster sleep tracking. The Apple Watch usually needs to be recharged every night, unlike Fitbit watches which can last for days. And the data it gathers about your sleep is much less detailed than what you'd get on other devices.

The best smartwatch for Android users

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is a fantastic fitness-focused smartwatch for Samsung fans.

Pros: Sleek design, gorgeous screen, great fitness tracking, heart rate monitor, LTE option, auto workout tracking, sleep tracking, swim-proof

Cons: Requires a bunch of extra Samsung apps to work if you don't own a Samsung smartphone

Samsung's Galaxy smartwatch lineup has been getting better every year as more apps and features are added. While it has the word "Active" in its name, the Galaxy Watch Active2 is perfectly suitable for fitness or general use

Samsung also added a feature to the Galaxy Watch Active2 that helps it better compete with Apple: ECG readings. The feature launched in September after gaining approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration. However, it only works if the watch is connected to a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone. 

You can get it in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm — just like the Apple Watch. It has a slim, sleek round watch case so it looks more like a normal watch than a piece of tech. The bezel is also touch-sensitive, which makes the software easier to navigate since you don't always have to obscure the tiny screen with your finger.

You can get it in aluminum (WiFi/Bluetooth) and stainless steel (LTE) and choose between silver, gold, and black finishes. The watch has a simple silicone band, but you can also get leather bands for the watch. It's rated at 5ATM for water resistance, so you can swim with it.

The Galaxy Watch Active2 can automatically track workouts, which is surprisingly a big plus for the Samsung watch, as Google's Wear OS watches don't have automatic workout detection. The heart rate monitor also helps the watch track the intensity of your workout.

The watch even has sleep tracking built in, a feature that's common on smartwatches but only recently came to the Apple Watch. Based on your metrics, the companion app generates insights to help improve your overall fitness.

Just like with any other smartwatch, you'll also get notifications from your phone and you can access many popular apps. 

But it doesn't have the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa since it uses Samsung's Bixby assistant. And its battery life is decent, with reviewers rating it as lasting roughly between 1.5 to two days, but it's not as long-lasting as Fitbit's watches.

The best feminine smartwatch

The Fossil Julianna HR is a sleek smartwatch with a feminine design, a heart rate monitor, GPS, NFC, and the power of WearOS.

Pros: Classic watch design, stylish color options, lots of compatible watch straps, and it's compatible with iPhones and Android phones

Cons: It's a bit chunky, not as good with iPhone

If you're an Android user who wants a feminine smartwatch, you're in luck. Over the past few years, fashion brands and watchmakers have been making great Wear OS smartwatches. Fossil's smartwatch line continues to grow each year, and we are looking forward to testing its new Gen 5E watches, but until then, we still recommend the Julianna HR.

In the new version, the watch casing is smaller and less bulky, and there's also the latest tech like a heart rate sensor, GPS, and NFC for mobile payments.

Fossil offers several different finishes for the Julianna's watch casing. I love the simple rose gold casing and leather strap option, but you can also get one with a metal bracelet.

If you don't like any of the included straps, Fossil and other brands sell dozens of 22mm watch straps you can choose instead to really make the Julianna your own.

It's a chunky watch, which is great for those who like bigger watches. Even though it's stylish, this smartwatch is also waterproof up to 3 ATM, so you can swim with it on.

As for the tech inside, the Julianna runs Wear OS (previously known as Android Wear) and works with thousands of apps on the Google Play Store. You can answer texts, interact with notifications, and choose your own watch face — just like you would on any other smartwatch. Fossil has lots of nice watch faces in feminine colors, too.

It'll work with both Android phones and the iPhone, but it's best with Android devices. When Android Wear watches are paired to the iPhone, a lot of functions no longer work, and you're left with a pretty watch that only gives you notifications.

The best smartwatch for fashionable men

Fashion-forward men who aren't into the high-tech futuristic look will love Fossil's Q Carlyle HR with its classic design and smartwatch powers.

Pros: Classic watch look, WearOS, use any 2mm watch band you like

Cons: No LTE

Fossil is one of the few fashion brands and watchmakers that's making actively gorgeous smartwatches. The Q Carlyle HR is the ultimate WearOS watch for men who want their smartwatch to look like a high-end wristwatch.

It's a hefty smartwatch that feels luxurious, but it doesn't cost a couple thousand dollars like the Tag Heuer Connected smartwatch. Fossil is selling it for even cheaper now at $199 compared to its regular $295 price. The stainless steel casing paired with a  chunky metal watch band give it a premium look and feel, but you can choose a number of different finishes.

You can get the smartwatch in dark gray, black, and silver finishes with metal or leather straps. The straps are interchangeable with any 22mm watch band you can buy from Fossil and others.

When it comes to tech, the Q Carlyle isn't the most high-end one on this list, but it runs WearOS and it's compatible with thousands of apps. You can send texts, view your notifications, and track your activity — just like you would on any smartwatch. The latest generation also has NFC for mobile payments, GPS, and a heart rate monitor.

Best smartwatch for fitness enthusiasts

The Garmin Forerunner 935 Running GPS Watch is a fitness enthusiast's dream that has long battery life and measures several metrics you won't find on general purpose watches.

Pros: Long battery life, waterproof, durable glass face, built-in barometer and thermometer, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, and the ability to measure more metrics than we can list here

Cons: Expensive, reduced GPS accuracy when running on a track, built-in thermometer only measures temperature right above your skin

Smartwatches running Apple's, Samsung's, and Google's operating systems come with decent fitness tracking features and functionality, but then there are smartwatches that bring fitness tracking to a whole other level. We're talking about smartwatches from Garmin. 

We had a competitive distance runner try the $500 Garmin Forerunner 935 for 1,000 miles — and it's better than any running watch he's ever used. With that testimonial in mind, the Forerunner 935 is our top choice for fitness enthusiasts, at least for those who can allocate up to $500 for a device that's specifically geared towards fitness. 

When you're spending this much on a fitness tracking device, you're better off reading the full review to find out what's good and what's not about the Forerunner 935. And realizing that the Forerunner 935 is expensive, we know of some less expensive fitness trackers that will work just fine for the majority of fitness folk. 

What else we considered

While these are our top picks, there are several other options worth considering based on your needs, preferences, and budget. Here's a look at some other contenders: 

• Garmin Vivoactive 4: Garmin's Vivoactive 4 is a more affordable alternative to its Forerunner and Fenix lines that still offers more in-depth health features than your standard smartwatch. It also comes with many of the other features around connectivity you'd demand from a watch of its price.
• Fitbit Versa 3: Fitbit's Versa smartwatches have always served as an attractive and more affordable alternative to the Apple Watch, and that's no different on the Versa 3. It now has built-in GPS, support for Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant, and the long battery life and fitness tracking features Fitbit is known for. We chose the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 as our top pick because although Fitbit's watch is a strong choice, Samsung has a bit more to offer when it comes to general smart features, such as LTE options and offline Spotify support. 
• Michael Kors Access Lexington 2: Michael Kors has been making smartwatches alongside Fossil for years now. If you like MK, you'll probably like this watch as it has many of the same features.

• We compared dozens of products to find the best dog food brands and formulas for all life stages.
• These dog foods have nutritional profiles and ingredients that are appropriate for the unique needs of different dogs, including puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with food sensitivities.
• Orijen makes the best dog food you can buy with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Every recipe is packed with protein, limited in carbohydrates, and loaded with natural flavor.

Though it may seem like dog food is dog food, not all are created equal. The quality of pet food products varies greatly from one manufacturer to another, and it can be hard to determine what the best dog food is for your furry friend.

While there are many high-quality dog food brands on the market, there are also those that cut corners by bulking up their products with low-quality fillers and artificial additives. These foods are not regulated to the degree that human foods are, so if you want to find a quality product, you'll have to do some digging.

The quality of your dog's diet is directly related to their health, so don't settle for mediocre food, treats, or supplements. All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs, so it's possible to evaluate the quality of one product compared to another in terms of how well each one meets those nutritional needs. In order to make such a comparison, however, you need to have an understanding of your dog's nutritional requirements and some knowledge of how to read a pet food label.

These things can take time and practice but, luckily for you, we've done the research. We have scoured the reviews on sites like Dog Food Advisor and Whole Dog Journal and compared dozens of products to find the top dog food brands in different categories.

Editor's Note: The FDA has released a report naming 16 dog food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs. So far, there has not been a recall of dog food from these brands, and the FDA is continuing to investigate. You can read more details in this New York Times report. Several of the brands' grain-free formulas are included in this guide; here's the full list: Acana, Zignature, Taste of the Wild, 4Health, Earthborn Holistic, Blue Buffalo, Nature's Domain, Fromm, Merrick, California Natural, Natural Balance, Orijen, Nature's Variety, NutriSource, Nutro, and Rachael Ray Nutrish.

These are the best dog foods:

• Best dog food overall: Orijen
• Best dry dog food: Canidae
• Best wet dog food: Blue Buffalo
• Best fresh dog food delivery service: The Farmer's Dog
• Best grain-free dog food: Taste of the Wild
• Best freeze-dried dog food: Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets
• Best affordable dog food: Whole Earth Farms
• Best dog food for puppies: Taste of the Wild
• Best dog food for senior dogs: Wellness
• Best dog food for small toy breeds: Merrick Lil' Plates
• Best dog food for large breeds: Blue Buffalo

Prices and links are current as of  12/18/2020. We updated the formatting of this guide and added a full list of products we're testing for a large update to this guide coming in January 2021.

The best dog food overall

Orijen's dog food is naturally grain-free and designed to mimic the natural biological diet your dog is evolved to follow. 

Pros: Made in the United States and Canada, biologically appropriate diets, high-protein formulas, carbohydrate-limited and low-glycemic, formulated for different life stages, minimum 38% crude protein, traditional kibble and freeze-dried options, all grain-free recipes

Cons: No wet food products currently available, some recipes may contain plant proteins like peas and dried alfalfa, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, beef, and fish)

Though all dogs have the same basic nutritional requirements, what makes a certain product the best choice for your dog may vary according to their age, activity level, and specific dietary needs. For a brand that offers dog food designed to suit your dog's natural biological needs, our top choice is Orijen. This brand creates pet foods that nourish your dog's body just as nature intended, and it uses only locally sourced fresh and raw meats in an assortment of formulas catered to dogs in all life stages from puppy to senior.

Each of Orijen's dog foods is designed to mirror the type of natural diet your dog should follow based on their wild ancestry. Orijen dog foods are rich in meat and proteins. Each product contains up to 90% meat, which is is more than three times the amount used in conventional dog food. Furthermore, each recipe contains a guaranteed minimum of 38% crude protein by volume.

While a dog's diet should consist primarily of animal products, dogs do have a limited ability to digest plant materials, so digestible grain-free carbohydrates like fresh fruits and vegetables can be a valuable addition. Orijen dog foods contain no more than 20% carbohydrates and only low-glycemic, highly digestible carbs like lentils, pumpkin, leafy greens, and fresh fruits. 

Orijen only sells dry dog foods at this time, but it offers an assortment of kibbles and freeze-dried dog foods for puppies, adults, and senior dogs as well as a selection of treats made with 100% fresh meat ingredients.

The best dry dog food

Canidae uses premium proteins and digestible carbohydrates in each of its formulas to suit dogs in all life stages and those with unique dietary needs.

Pros: US-based company, independent and family-owned, company-owned manufacturing facilities, fresh regional ingredients, wide variety of high-quality recipes, life stages formulas for puppies through senior dogs, grain-free and limited ingredient formulas for dogs with food allergies, separate brand for dog owners on a budget, recipes for small breed dogs

Cons: Company had one recall affecting four products in 2012, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, rice, and fish)

If you're looking for a brand of dry dog food that offers a wide selection of high-quality recipes, our top choice is Canidae. An independent and family-owned company, Canidae sources its ingredients from other family-owned businesses throughout the US, and the company produces every one of its nutritionally dense formulas in company-owned-and-operated facilities. This brand offers traditional life stages formulas as well as grain-free and limited-ingredient recipes.

The Life Stages line of products features seven unique recipes made with premium proteins and digestible carbohydrates. In addition to three "all life stages" formulas, there are recipes for senior dogs, puppies, and large-breed dogs.

The Canidae Grain-Free PURE lineup includes nine grain-free formulas made with premium proteins such as duck, wild boar, and fresh lamb. Each of these recipes is made with a limited number of ingredients to reduce the risk for food allergies. There are also three recipes specially formulated for small breed dogs.

Another thing that makes Canidae our top choice for dry dog food is the fact that it has an entirely separate brand that is designed to be affordable. The Under the Sun brand is still made by Canidae with its farm-fresh ingredients, but it is available at a more affordable price point for dog owners on a budget.

In the company's 20-year history, Canidae has had only had one recall, in 2012, and it was a voluntary recall issued due to a concern for potential salmonella contamination.

The best wet dog food

Blue Buffalo offers tons of great recipes for both wet and dry dog food, and its formulas are full of natural ingredients.

Pros: US-based company, wide variety of product choices, every recipe starts with high-quality animal protein, all-natural ingredients with no artificial additives, recipes designed with a holistic approach to nutrition, every formula contains LifeSource Bits for a boost of nutrition and flavor

Cons: Numerous recalls in brand history, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, rice, and fish), recent changes in recipe may cause digestive upset in some dogs

If you are looking for high-quality wet dog food, we recommend the Blue Buffalo dog food brand. Not only is Blue Buffalo one of the top manufacturers of natural dog food in general, but it offers four distinct product lines so you can choose the wet food formula that best suits your dog's needs and preferences.

The Blue Buffalo uses high-quality natural ingredients in each of its recipes. Blue Buffalo follows a holistic approach to pet nutrition, choosing each of its ingredients carefully to ensure complete and balanced nutrition without the use of any by-products, fillers, or artificial additives. Every recipe goes above and beyond your dog's minimum nutritional requirements.

In terms of variety, few brands offer as many choices as Blue Buffalo. The Freedom line of grain-free formulas contains 10 recipes and the Basics line of limited ingredient formulas contains nine. There are more than 30 recipes in the Wilderness line of meat-rich formulas and 45 in the Life Protection Formula lineup.

One thing you should be aware of with the Blue Buffalo brand is that it's had several product recalls in its history. This isn't terribly surprising, however, for a brand that was founded more than two decades ago and that manufactures hundreds of products. It is worth noting that, according to Petful, many of the brand's recalls were issued voluntarily as a precautionary measure.

The best grain-free dog food

Taste of the Wild brand makes great grain-free dog food with nutritionally-dense formulas that reduce the risk for food allergies and sensitivities.

Pros: Each recipe features real roasted meat, highly digestible grain-free carbohydrates, multiple proteins in every formula, supplemented with antioxidants for strong immunity, probiotic supplements for healthy digestion, chelated minerals for maximum absorption

Cons: More limited selection of products than some brands, no formulas for large-breed dogs, recipes may be higher in calories than the typical dog food

Though many dogs can digest whole-grain carbohydrates, grains have the potential to trigger food allergies or sensitivities in some dogs. A grain-free dog food should be made with digestible carbohydrates like legumes, fruits, and vegetables, though the focus should always be on high-quality sources of protein. Taste of the Wild offers nine dry food and five wet food formulas, all of which are protein-rich and grain-free.

Taste of the Wild understands that dogs crave natural flavor, which is why each of its recipes is formulated around real roasted meats like venison, bison, and lamb. Real meat is the first ingredient in every recipe, though most recipes contain multiple sources of animal protein. All of this brand's products are also supplemented with highly digestible carbohydrates for energy and fiber, dried fermentation products for probiotic support, and chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption.

What really sets this brand apart is its use of novel proteins like bison and venison, which are less likely to trigger food allergies in dogs and are a leaner source of protein than commercially raised meats.

The best fresh dog food delivery

The Farmer's Dog is a fresh dog food delivery service that provides unprocessed meals customized to your dog's nutritional needs.

Pros: High-quality unprocessed food, customized, prepared in USDA-certified kitchens, recipes developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, complies with AAFCO standards, 50% off first two weeks

Cons: Limited protein options, may not be appropriate for dogs with food allergies, must be thawed, food may go bad if not eaten immediately upon serving, expensive

The Farmer's Dog has led the pack in fresh dog food delivery for more than five years. Its custom recipes are developed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists and comply with AAFCO standards, meaning they are complete and balanced.

What we love most about The Farmer's Dog is that the fresh food plans are customized to your dog's sex, age, breed, and unique health concerns and preportioned by day according to their caloric needs. There are three protein options (turkey, beef, and pork), which could pose an issue for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities, however.

The food is unprocessed, prepared in USDA-certified kitchens, and cooked within days of shipping. It's delivered frozen every two weeks, but the flat packs fit neatly in most freezers. While it's pricey, with plans starting at $2 per day for smaller dogs and as high as $11 per day for large dogs, the quality of the food is worth it if your budget allows.

Read our full review of The Farmer's Dog.

The best raw dog food

Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets dog food tops the charts for quality with the freshest, 100% human-grade ingredients.

Pros: Made with 100% human-grade ingredients, antibiotic- and steroid-free proteins, certified organic produce and supplements, products retain more of their natural nutritional integrity, assortment of raw frozen and freeze-dried products as well as mixes and supplements

Cons: Raw food must be kept frozen or refrigerated, risk for food-borne illness will improper handling, some dogs don't like the texture of raw food, very expensive compared to traditional kibble, calculations required to determine proper feeding amount

Traditional dog foods are cooked at high temperatures in a process that may destroy a significant portion of the original nutritional content of the raw ingredients. Raw dog food is uncooked, which means that your dog gets all of the nutrients he requires without the need for a long list of supplements. Though raw foods need to be kept refrigerated or frozen, no other type of dog food can compare to their quality or nutritional integrity and Primal is our top choice for raw dog food.

Primal offers nine different recipes for raw frozen dog food, each featuring a premium animal protein that is free from antibiotics, steroids, and hormones. Each recipe is made with 100% human-grade ingredients, including certified organic produce. Because the recipes are frozen fresh to retain their nutritional integrity, you won't find a long list of synthetic supplements. This brand also offers freeze-dried formulas using many of the same high-quality ingredients which can be rehydrated to create a nutritious, moisture-rich meal for your dog.

Though Primal's raw food is significantly more expensive than most dog foods on the market, it offers a significantly higher degree of quality as well. You can choose from a selection of raw frozen formulas or freeze-dried recipes or use one of the brand's raw frozen mixes to create your own homemade dog food.  

The best affordable dog food

Whole Earth Farms pet foods are naturally nutritious and cooked in the US, but they're surprisingly affordable.

Pros: Ideal combination of quality and affordability, no low-quality fillers or by-products, no artificial additives, made in the USA, designed to support healthy digestion, made with high-quality animal proteins, formulas for different life stages and breed sizes, wide variety of dry foods and wet foods

Cons: Some recipes could be higher in animal protein, many recipes contain common proteins and other ingredients that may trigger allergies in some dogs (like chicken, rice, and fish)

When shopping for dog food it is important not to shop by price alone because low-priced dog foods are also typically low in quality. This doesn't mean, however, that affordable brands of high-quality dog food aren't out there. Whole Earth Farms, for example, offers quality nutrition at a more affordable price point than most comparable pet food brands.

The Whole Earth Farms brand is manufactured in the U.S. by the Merrick Pet Care Company with fresh, natural ingredients to support your dog's digestion while also boosting their energy levels and improving the health of their skin and coat. Each recipe starts with a quality animal protein and is supplemented with digestible carbohydrates, probiotics, and chelated minerals for maximum nutrient absorption.

Not only is this brand affordable, but it doesn't use any corn, wheat, or soy in its products, and all recipes are free from by-products and artificial additives. 

In terms of its product offerings, this brand sells 11 dry food recipes and 15 canned foods. Whole Earth Farms offers an assortment of original and grain-free products, including formulas developed for specific life stages and breed sizes so you can choose the product that best suits your dog.

The best dog food for puppies

Taste of the Wild Puppy Food is loaded with animal proteins and free from gluten, grains, and artificial additives, making it ideal for puppies.

Pros: Made with novel protein sources, includes fresh meat and meat meals, grain-free carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables for nutrients, dried fermentation products for probiotic support, supplemented with DHA for brain development, chelated minerals for maximum absorption

Cons: Somewhat pricey compared to other brands, only two puppy formulas to choose from, includes some plant-based protein

Choosing the right dog food for your puppy is extremely important because it will impact their growth and development during the first year of his life. Puppies require a higher concentration of protein than adult dogs with healthy fats for energy as well as essential vitamins and minerals. In addition to meeting your puppy's nutritional needs, a high-quality puppy food should be easily digestible, and it should come in small, bite-size kibbles.

Our top pick for the best dog food for puppies is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Food. Made with a variety of novel animal proteins like buffalo and roasted venison, this puppy food comes with a low risk for triggering food allergies.

It features grain-free, digestible carbohydrates like sweet potato with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to provide sources for essential vitamins and minerals. With several fish ingredients, this recipe has an irresistible flavor and provides plenty of healthy fats to support your puppy's skin and coat health.

The best dog food for senior dogs

Loaded with high-quality animal proteins, digestible whole grains, and joint-supporting nutrients, Wellness Complete Health Senior Dog Food is just what your old pup needs.

Pros: Made with fresh chicken and chicken meal, includes whole grains for digestibility, fresh fruits and veggies for natural sources of vitamins and minerals, supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics, free from meat by-products and artificial additives, added sources of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support, supports healthy skin and coat

Cons: May trigger allergies in dogs sensitive to grains, some dogs are allergic to chicken, some dogs developed gas or upset stomach

As your dog gets older, they'll start to slow down. Because senior dogs are less active, they require fewer calories than younger dogs, but they still need a blend of protein and healthy fats in their diet. Joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin become particularly important for dogs in their old age and increased fiber levels will help support gastrointestinal health. Our top pick for the best dog food for senior dogs is Wellness Complete Health Senior Dog Food.

Available in original and small-breed formulas, Wellness Complete Health Senior Dog Food features high-quality proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables to deliver complete and balanced nutrition optimized for senior dogs.

This formula contains fresh deboned chicken as well as concentrated chicken meal, both of which are natural sources of the joint-supporting nutrients glucosamine and chondroitin. The recipe is also supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption and probiotics for healthy digestion.

The best dog food for small toy breeds

Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Dog Food is great for toy and small breeds because it comes in seven grain-free formulas that are made with high-quality proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and healthy supplements.

Pros: Available in seven flavors (two with raw bites), high-quality animal proteins as the first ingredient, gluten-free and grain-free carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables for natural sources of vitamins and minerals, supplemented with chelated minerals and probiotics, small kibble size, made in the USA with USA-sourced ingredients, no artificial additives or fillers, crunchy to clean teeth

Cons: Some dogs developed digestive upset, high protein content not recommended for dogs with liver or kidney issues, somewhat pricey compared to other brands

Many dog owners make the mistake of thinking that small-breed dogs need fewer calories than large breeds when, in fact, the opposite is true. Small-breed dogs have very fast metabolisms so, while they may need a lower number of total calories, they actually require a higher concentration of calories per pound of bodyweight.

Small-breed dog food formulas are rich in protein with higher levels of fat to meet a smaller dog's high-energy needs. Our top pick for the best small/toy breed dog food is Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Dog Food.

While you might think that wet food is easier for a small dog to eat, most veterinarians agree that dry food is better. Eating kibble helps prevent plaque buildup, reducing the risk for dental disease, which is a common problem in small and toy breeds. Not only is Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Dog Food ideally sized for smaller dogs and designed to promote dental health, but it comes in seven different recipes.

This Merrick dog food uses high-quality, animal-based proteins like chicken, salmon, lamb, and beef with grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potato for fiber. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide natural sources for key nutrients while supplements like probiotics support healthy and regular digestion. Kibbles are properly sized for small mouths, and they have a satisfying crunch that helps keep your dog's teeth clean.

The best dog food for large breeds

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Dog Food comes in three flavors, all of which contain high concentrations of protein to keep big dogs happy.

Pros: Fresh meat is the first ingredient, three meat-rich flavors to choose from, whole grains for digestibility and nutrition, fresh fruits and vegetables for natural sources of key nutrients, LifeSource Bits supplement for nutritional balance, chelated minerals and probiotics, no artificial additives

Cons: Some dogs are sensitive to grain ingredients, somewhat pricey compared to other brands, kibbles may be too small for some dogs

Large-breed dogs need an average of 20 to 30 calories per pound of body weight to meet their energy requirements without gaining weight. When choosing a large-breed dog food formula, it is important to make sure you meet your dog's need for protein without going overboard on fat — too much fat typically means too many calories.

Large-breed dogs also require a careful blend of calcium and phosphorus to prevent orthopedic disease and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. Our top pick for the best dog food for large and giant breeds is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Dog Food.

Available in three meat-rich flavors, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Dog Food is designed specifically to meet the nutritional needs of larger dogs. Each recipe is made with high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient with whole grains, fresh fruits, and veggies for nutritional support.

There are no meat by-products or artificial additives, plus each formula is supplemented with Blue Buffalo's exclusive LifeSource Bits. LifeSource Bits contain a proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

What we're looking forward to

We are currently testing dog foods for an update to this guide, including the following:

• Blue Buffalo Life Protection
• Bravo Homestyle Complete Dog Food
• Canidae Grain-Free Pure Real
• Evanger's Classic Recipes
• Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain
• Go! Solutions Senior Recipe
• Grandma Lucy's Pureformance Freeze-Dried Dog Food
• Halo Wet Food
• Holistic Select Adult Health Grain Free
• Instinct Original
• JustFoodForDogs
• Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy
• Nature's Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast
• Nom Nom
• Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Puppy Food
• Nulo Freestyle Senior Dry Dog Food
• Ollie
• Orijen Fit & Trim Dry Dog Food
• Orijen Puppy Large Dry Dog Food
• Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
• Taste of the Wild Ancient Stream with Ancient Grains
• Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy
• Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food

Check out our other buying guides for the best dog gear and supplies

• The best dog treats

• The best nail clippers for dogs

• The best flea prevention and treatment for dogs

• The best dog dewormers

• The best dog shampoos

• The best medicated dog shampoos

• The best dog harnesses

• The best no-pull dog harnesses

• The best dog collars

• The best puppy gear to make your new dog feel at home

• The best puppy potty-training gear

• The best muzzles

• The best snow jackets for dogs

• The best raincoats for dogs

• Giving back is woven into the business and operations of these 27 companies. 
• If you shop from the following style, skincare, home, food, and pet brands, you're also participating in charitable initiatives that range from animal welfare to ocean plastic cleanup. 
• See also: Thoughtful holiday gift ideas from Black-owned businesses

As every Christmas movie likes to remind us, the holidays are really about kindness and the spirit of giving — not the extravagant lights, indulgent treats, or the number of gifts received.

Though the sentiment is overdone, it wouldn't be a proper cliché if it didn't hold a bit of truth. 

Aside from volunteering with or sending direct donations to nonprofits that make our world a better place, one way you can do your part this holiday season is to support businesses that are doing the same. And in a year as tumultuous as 2020, giving back to those in need has never felt more urgent and necessary.

If you're gifting your loved ones, it'll only benefit more parties if you buy from companies with a social and environmental conscience. 

When you buy a gift from these 27 companies, you're also helping to plant a tree, improve livelihoods in underserved areas, save an animal, and more.

Shop at these 27 brands that give back all year long:

Everlane

Shop gifts from The 100% Human Collection at Everlane

Everlane donates 10% from every purchase in this collection of tees, sweatshirts, face masks, and tote bags to the ACLU and has raised over $1 million to date. 

Learn more about the initiative on each individual product page in the collection. 

Bombas

Shop gifts from Bombas

Whether you'd like to gift athletic socks, hiking socks, or holiday socks, Bombas has you — and the feet of someone in need — covered. For every pair purchased, it donates a specially-designed pair to a homeless shelter. It has donated more than 43 million pairs to more than 3,000 giving partners in the US. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

STATE Bags

Shop gifts from STATE Bags

When you buy a STATE bag, the company fills another with school supplies and gives it to a local student in need at a "Bag Drop" rally. It also shines a light on issues like mass incarceration, the Flint water crisis, and Black Lives Matter through its #WhatDoWeTellTheKids initiatives. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Leesa

Shop gifts from Leesa

Leesa donates one mattress to a nonprofit for every 10 sold and has donated more than 37,000 mattresses so far. The gift of a better night's sleep for your recipient (plus someone in need) comes in the form of four different mattresses. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

AUrate

Shop gifts from AUrate

Fine jewelry startup AUrate finds beauty in honestly priced, ethically sourced gold jewelry— as well as the power of reading. Every year, it donates thousands of books to students in need in the US. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Cotopaxi

Shop gifts from Cotopaxi

For colorful outdoor and travel gear they'll be proud to carry, shop at Cotopaxi, the B Corp that puts 1% of its yearly revenue toward grants to nonprofits making sustainable changes in poverty alleviation. So far, it has awarded 42 grants in six countries. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Cuyana

Shop gifts from Cuyana

In line with its "Fewer, Better" philosophy, Cuyana encourages shoppers to clean out their closets by providing shipping labels to thredUP. Send in a box of high-quality apparel they no longer need, and they'll receive a credit to shop at Cuyana. When that credit is spent, Cuyana donates 5% of the profit to H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Ease Abuse Related Trauma). 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Skylar

Shop gifts from Skylar

Skylar is a natural, eco-friendly fragrance company that makes candles and perfume perfect for gifting. It donates a portion of proceeds and time to Step Up, a nonprofit dedicated to mentorship for girls. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Thrive Market

Shop gift memberships from Thrive Market

Thrive Market, a place to shop natural and organic products for less, offers a one-for-one membership program. That means that every paid membership gives a free one to someone in need, like a low-income family, student, teacher, veteran, or first responder. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Parachute

Shop gifts from Parachute

For every Venice percale bedding set sold at Parachute, it donates one malaria-prevention bed net in partnership with the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Causebox

Gift a subscription from Causebox

Causebox stands out among the bevy of beauty and accessories subscription boxes by only featuring socially conscious products and companies that give back. Its main areas of impact are women's empowerment, supporting disadvantaged producers, education and skill development, and poverty alleviation. The company itself also helps various charity partners raise funds and awareness. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Wildfang

Shop gifts from Wildfang

Wildfang, a female-founded and women-run clothing and accessories brand, donates a percentage of profits from full-price goods to a rotating monthly charity. Charities have included Planned Parenthood, Black Girls Code, and Girls Inc.

Learn more about the initiative here.

JUDY

Shop gifts from JUDY

Judy's bright and expert-informed emergency preparedness kits empower you to get your safety plan in place. It just launched earlier in 2020 but plans on donating 1% of sales annually to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which provides essential equipment and training to supplement city resources. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Love With Food by SnackNation

Gift a subscription from Love With Food by SnackNation

Better-for-you snack subscription service Love With Food by SnackNation nourishes both stomach and soul by donating at least one meal to a family in need — through Feeding America— for every snack box purchased. Thanks to its subscribers' healthy appetites for organic and all-natural snacks, it has donated over 1 million meals. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

ThirdLove

Shop gifts from ThirdLove

ThirdLove partners with Good360, I Support the Girls, and more organizations to donate its comfortable bras to women in need. It has donated more than $40 million of bras to date, and in the past, it has also donated a bra to a California wildfire victim for every bra purchased. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Warby Parker

Shop gifts from Warby Parker

If this were like any other year, Warby Parker would give a pair of glasses for every pair sold in two different ways. The first helps train adults to administer basic eye exams and sell glasses for affordable prices, while the second gives vision care and glasses to students in need. Its partners include VisionSpring, the Department of Education in New York, and the Department of Health in Baltimore. 

Instead, Warby Parker has temporarily suspended glasses distribution due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, it's providing PPE and preventative health supplies to healthcare workers and communities in need for each pair of glasses purchased. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Allbirds

Shop gifts from Allbirds

Lightly used shoes from this popular startup known for its use of unique materials are sent to Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that donates shoes to people who have been affected by disasters. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

United by Blue

Shop gifts from United By Blue

The conservation-minded outdoor brand pledges to remove one pound of trash from the planet's oceans and waterways for every product sold. It has removed more than 3.5 million pounds of trash through organized cleanups, while also using more responsible materials like recycled polyester in its products. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Ethique

Shop gifts from Ethique

Gone are the days of wasteful plastic haircare and skincare bottles. Ethique packs the essential ingredients into a concentrated bar that's equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo, then donates 20% of profits to conservation, animal welfare, and environmental groups and "adopts" animals to pay for their care. It has worked with over 170 organizations worldwide and has ongoing partnerships with Rainforest Trust and HUHA, among others. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Avocado Mattress

Shop gifts from Avocado Mattress

These eco-friendly mattresses are made from materials like natural latex harvested from sustainable tree-tapped sources and organic cotton. The company donates 1% of revenue to environmental nonprofits like Plastic Oceans International and Big Green. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Tatcha

Shop gifts from Tatcha

Every purchase from this Japanese beauty-inspired brand helps fund girls' education. Tatcha's Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Future program with nonprofit Room to Read has funded more than 4.6 million days of school for girls in Asia and Africa.

Learn more about the initiative here.

Patagonia

Shop gifts from Patagonia

Since 1985, Patagonia has donated $89 million to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups. It also donates to nonprofits through its Employee Charity Match program, invests in socially and environmentally minded companies through its own venture capital fund, and donates new and used clothing. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Yoobi

Shop gifts from Yoobi

Yoobi partners with the Kids In Need Foundation to donate a school supply to a classroom every time you buy one of its products. We're fans of its sturdy notebooks and weekly calendar planner pads. So far, it's donated supplies to more than 4 million students.  

Learn more about the initiative here.

KitNipBox

Gift a subscription from KitNipBox

Each month, this cat toy and treat subscription service donates a portion of proceeds and products to shelters, rescues, and other feline welfare causes. It supports more than 100 animal welfare organizations. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

BarkBox

Gift a subscription from BarkBox

BarkBox has thousands of rescue and shelter partners that benefit from each subscription purchased. Be on the lookout for custom codes from your favorite organization. When you use the code, BarkBox donates $25 to that rescue or shelter. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Sand Cloud

Shop gifts from Sand Cloud

Anyone who loves spending time at the beach should be more invested in protecting marine life. Sand Cloud, which makes Turkish cotton beach towels, donates 10% of profits to organizations that protect and preserve beaches and oceans. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Natori

Shop gifts from Natori

Natori's giving program is unique in that it's customizable and gives you the power to support a cause you care about. When you add one of its bras or lounge products to your cart, you can choose the nonprofit org that will receive 1% of your purchase. There's a whole directory of organizations but some featured ones include The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Equal Justice Initiative. 

Learn more about the initiative here.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but retailers are still offering great discounts all month for the holiday season. Though they won't be as good as the ones we saw during Cyber Week, there are still tons of deals from major players like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy alongside retail startups we love, like The Company Store and Leesa.

We're keeping track of all the holiday sales, so you don't have to. We've listed the best sales going on now below, and we'll make updates as more go live. 

Best big-box retailer sales

• Amazon: Save with new deals added every day. 
• Bed Bath & Beyond: Save on home goods and appliances with new deals added every week.
• Best Buy: Save on computers, TVs, gaming gear, and much more, with limited-time sales added every day.
• JCPenney: Save on apparel, home goods, and more with new deals added regularly.
• Kohl's: Save daily with deals on apparel, home goods, appliances, and more.
• Lowe's: Save with new deals released regularly on home decor, smart home tech, tools, and more.
• Overstock: Save up to 70% sitewide with free shipping.
• Petco: Save daily on pet essentials with new deals released regularly.
• Staples: Save on gaming chairs, office chairs, computers, ink, toner, and more with new deals added regularly.
• Target: Save big on tech, home goods, TVs, and more through with new deals added regularly. 
• Walmart: Save on tech, home goods, and more with new deals added regularly.

Best tech sales

• Adorama: Save big on cameras, computers, and more.
• B&H Photo: Save big on cameras, accessories, and other accessories.
• Bose: Save on headphones, speakers, and more with new deals added regularly.
• Dell: Save on Dell computers, TVs, gaming gear, and more with more new doorbusters being released daily at 8 a.m. ET. 
• GoPro: Save $220 when you buy the Hero9 Black with a 1-year GoPro subscription.
• HP: Save on HP laptops, PCs, and monitors with new deals added regularly.
• Microsoft: Select Surface devices are on sale now. 
• Samsung: Save on Galaxy phones, Galaxy smartwatches, Galaxy Buds Live, TVs, gaming monitors, and more.
• Speck: Take 25% off sitewide through December 24 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Best home and kitchen sales

• 1-800-Flowers: Save 20% on select items with the code XMAS20.
• Allswell: Take 15% off mattresses and 25% off everything else with code HOME4HOLIDAYS through December 22.
• AJ Madison: Up to 50% off on appliances and more.
• Anthropologie: Get 30% off sitewide.
• Branch: Save up to 20% on home office furniture. 
• Brooklinen: Get 20% off sitewide.
• CB2: Save 50% off clearance.
• The Company Store: Get 20% off sitewide with code A21SLEEP.
• Copper Cow Coffee: Get 25% off the Cozy Up Bundle.
• Favor: Get 21% off with code HELLO21.
• Gravity Blankets: Save 30% sitewide with code HOLIDAY2020. 
• Hedley & Bennett: Get 20% off Hedley classic styles through December 14.
• Horchow: Get up to 25% off guest room must-haves.
• Industry West: Get 21% off with code HELLO2021.
• Keurig: Save on Keurig machines and coffee pods with new deals added regularly.
• Magnolia: Get 25% off select holiday items.
• Michaels: Save 20% on all regular price shopping with code 20MADEBYYOU through December 26, and take up to 70% off select items.
• Minted: Get 20% off holiday cards with free priority shipping when you use promo code WINTER20.
• Pottery Barn: Save up to 40% on gifts including candles, personalized frames, and more.
• Pottery Barn Kids: Save up to 60%  with the promo code COZY.
• Pottery Barn Teen: Save up to 50% and get free shipping with promo code MERRY.
• Raymour & Flanigan: Save up to 20% in-store and online.
• Rejuvenation: Get up to 20% off decor, hardware, furniture, and more.
• Society6: Save up to 40% with flash deals added daily. 
• Sur la Table: Get 25% off one item with code WRAP25.
• Vitamix: Save on Vitamix blenders.
• Wayfair: Get up to 80% off home decor, furniture, bedding, kitchen appliances, and more— new deals are added every day. 
• WestElm: Get up to 60% off plus an extra 50% off clearance with promo code GETJOLLY.
• Williams Sonoma: Get an extra 20% off clearance with promo code EXTRA and free shipping on orders $79+ with promo code SHIP4FREE. 

Best mattress sales

• Allswell: Get 25% off bedding, bath, decor, and Littles, and 15% off mattresses (excluding the Allswell Mattress) through December 22.
• Amerisleep: Save 20% sitewide and get 2 free pillows with the code CM30.
• Bear: Get 20% off mattresses and 2 free Cloud pillows with promo code DD20.
• Brooklyn Bedding: Get 20% off mattresses and 50% off sheets with code GIFT20 through December 25.
• Casper: Get 10% off everything.
• DreamCloud: Get a free set including two pillows, a mattress protector, and a luxury sheet set with any mattress purchase.
• Eight Sleep: Get an extra $150 off at checkout with code AFF150.
• Helix: Get $200 off plus 2 Dream Pillows.
• Layla: Get 2 free pillows, a free sheet set, and a mattress protector with every mattress purchase.
• Leesa: Get up to $350 off mattresses with a free organic sheet set. 
• Nectar: Get $399 worth of sleep accessories including a mattress protector, sheets set, and premium pillows with every mattress purchase.
• Purple: Get free sheets and a pillow with every mattress purchase.
• Saatva: Get $200 off orders oof $1,000+ through December 21.
• Tuft & Needle: Save $25 on orders $150+, $100 on orders $650+, and $175 on orders $1,050+ through December 27.

Best fashion and beauty sales

• Adidas: Get up to 50% off during the End of Year sale.
• Aldo: Get up to 50% off sitewide.
• Alleyoop: Get 15% off items orders of 3 items or more and a free cosmetic bag with code BYOB.
• Andrew Marc: Get an extra 35% off sitewide for up to 70% off with promo code HOLIDAY.
• Banana Republic: Get 50% off your purchase
• BareMinerals: Get 20% off orders $100+ with promo code FORYOU.
• Birchbox: Purchase a box and get a second one free plus $5 off with code EXTRAPLUS5. 
• Bloomingdale's: Save on apparel, jewelry, and more with new deals added regularly.
• Blue Nile: Save up to 40% off gifts. 
• Candid: Get $500 off when you pre-purchase aligners.
• Clarks: Get up to 50% off with an extra 40% off sale styles with promo code SNOW.
• Dagne Dover: Get 25% off tech gifts with promo code TECHCHIC.
• DevaCurl: Save 30% sitewide plus a free full-size Melt Into Moisture treatment when you spend $65.
• Express: Get 50% off everything in-store and online.
• EyeBuyDirect: Get 30% off sitewide with free shipping when you use promo code HOLIDAY.
• GlassesUSA: Buy one pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses, get one free with free shipping.
• M.M.LaFleur: Save during the Unprecedented Times sale.
• Nordstrom: Find deep discounts up to 50% on women's, men's, and kids' clothing, beauty and fragrance, and home goods. Read our roundup of the best deals here.
• Nike: Get up to 40% off sale styles.
• Old Navy: Get up to 60% off select styles.
• Outerknown: Get up to 60% on past-season favorites.
• Pact: Get up to 40% off sitewide.
• Parade: Take 30% off sitewide and get a free tiny scarf with purchase.
• Pipette: Get 25% off sitewide with code CHEER with daily deals changing every day.
• Primary: Get up to 40% off family pajamas.
• Richer Poorer: Take 30% off sitewide and an additional 30% off sale items.
• Ritani: Get $100 off a $3,000 diamond with code SAVE100.
• Roots: Save 25% on almost everything now through November 30.
• Sephora: Save during the month-long Sephorathon sale.
• Senreve: Get 15% off with code GIVE15.
• SmileDirectClub: Get an impression kit for $9 (normally $59) with code HOLIDAYGRINS. Return the kit for a full rebate and six months of free teeth whitening.
• Soludos: Save 20% sitewide.
• Stone and Strand: Get 10% off your order with code GIFT10, online only.
• The Children's Place: Save 60 to 70% off sitewide.
• Toms: Save 35% sitewide.
• Ulta: Get up to 50% off with Ulta's Weekly Deals.
• Uniqlo: Save on sweaters, Heattech innerwear, and more with select deals online only. 
• United by Blue: Save an extra 50% on sale items with the code VERYMERRY.
• Urban Outfitters: Get up to 40% off sweaters, hats, scarves, and women's jackets.
• Universal Standard: Buy one, get one for $1 loungewear.
• Vida: Take 15% off sitewide with code JOYOFSMALL.
• Yoox: Get up to 90% off.

Best outdoor and fitness sales

• Arctic Cool: Save 25% sitewide with code CYBERSAVINGS25.
• Gaiam: Get 30% off the Ultimate Balance Ball Chair with code DOTDCHAIR. Save with Gaiam Daily Deals.
• Hydro Flask: Get 25% off sitewide.
• Hyperice: Get $70 off select massage guns, $450 off Normatec recovery systems, and 30% off other recovery tech through November 30.
• Mirror: Get $100 off a Mirror Package, free shipping, and installation with code HOLIDAY20.
• REI: Save up to 40% on gifts.
• Theragun: Save up to $150 on Theragun massagers. 

Best travel gear sales

• Away: Get $125 the Weekend Set.
• Herschel: Get up to 50% off sale styles.
• Lo & Sons: Save up to 70% sitewide.
• Monos: Get 30% off on all luggage and bags and 10% off everything else through December 25 with code HOLIDAY2020.
• Tortuga: Save 20% when you spend $200 or more, 25% when you spend $300 or more, or 30% when you spend $500 or more through December 21.
• Travelpro: Get 20% off sitewide during the Friends & Family sale.

Best toys, games, and collectible sales

• Buy Buy Baby: Save with Holiday Daily deals.
• Crayola: Buy one get one 30% off all toys.
• The Dough Project: Save 30% sitewide.
• Fat Brain Toys: Save up to 70%.
• GameStop: Take up to 50% off select Nintendo Switch games, and new deals are added every day.
• HearthSong: Save 25% sitewide when you spend $75 with code CYBER, 15% when you spend $50 with code MONDAY, and 10% when you spend $35 with code SAVINGS.
• KiwiCo: Get 50% off your first month with code JOYFUL.

Best e-learning sales

• Babbel: Save 35% off a three-month subscription, 45% off six months, and 55% off a year.
• Codecademy: Get 25% off one year of Codecademy Pro with code CYBER25.
• Coursera: Get a select course for free or the first month of a Coursera Plus subscription for free.
• MasterClass: Get one annual membership, get a second one for free to give to someone else.
• Rosetta Stone: You can get an annual subscription for $7.99 a month (one payment of $95.88) or a lifetime membership for $179 (usually $199).
• Udemy: Get courses starting as low as $9.99.

Best sex toy sales

• Adam & Eve: Get 80% off on sale items across the site.
• Babeland: Save during the 10 Days of Deals event.
• Bellesa Boutique: Save 25% sitewide with code CYBERMONDAY. 
• Ella Paradis: Save up to 80% with code CYBER.
• Fun Factory: Save 25% sitewide and get a free mini vibrator with any Stronic purchase.
• MysteryVibe: Save 30% off the Crescendo, Tenuto, or Poco. 
• We-Vibe: Take 20% off bestsellers with code BF20.

• If you're spending hours searching for unique gifts but are finding more generic repeats, here are 15 online retailers that specialize in the unexpected, like Uncommon Goods, Etsy, and Jungalow.
• Still shopping for more gifts? Check out the rest of Insider's gift guides here.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

Choosing the perfect gift can be challenging, and the multitude of options available online can be more overwhelming than helpful. While big retailers like Amazon and Target have plenty of interesting finds, you may have to go off the beaten path to ensure your gift isn't a repeat. 

To speed up your search, we found 15 stores that offer interesting holiday presents. Show your loved ones how special they are with unique gifts they won't get from anyone else. 

Some stores are offering expedited shipping to ensure delivery by Christmas but not all, so be mindful of shipping dates and potential delays. But with cool gifts from such inique shops, we bet they won't mind.

The best online stores for unique gifts:

Uncommon Goods

Shop all Uncommon Goods here

The products available from Uncommon Goods are hard to categorize. Browsing the pages and gifts guides is an exciting and inspiring adventure. You can start with a personalized bedtime story, take a left at a set of BBQ rubs and spices, and finish with a shattered glass ceiling necklace. 

With expedited shipping, you can place your order as late as December 20 for arrival by Christmas Eve, though we never recommend waiting until the last minute. Most of these gifts are so cool, though, we're sure the recipient won't mind if it's a little late.

Leon and George

Shop all Leon and George here

We're stuck indoors more than usual this year, so give a low maintenance piece of the outdoors with Leon and George. This online plant shop is one of our favorites because of its multiple shipping options and online plant care resources. Choose from helpful categories like pet-friendly and low light plants, or browse plant care tools and accessories for someone with a green thumb. 

Standard shipping starts at $9 per order.

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

GlobeIn

Shop all GlobeIn here

The lifestyle goods available at GlobeIn are handmade by female artisans in ethical working conditions and paid fair wages. On each product page, you can read about the artisans responsible for items such as a recycled silk travel bag or a handwoven clutch by artisans in India. Shopping at GlobeIn supports female creators, a gift for the world and your loved ones.

Plan for five to 10 days for shipping and handling, which you still have!

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

Food52

Shop all Food52 here

Thanks to its collaborations with home cooks in the design process, Food52's line of cookware has an answer to almost every kitchen need no matter how small. When we tested its Five Two products, we were impressed by the useful details in each product, like lipped rims on the stoneware bowls and corner potholders on the ultimate apron. 

Beyond the kitchen, the Five Two Shop carries home goods with the same quirky and well-made style. While there is a standard $9 shipping fee, delivery times differ between products, so make sure to check each page when ordering. 

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

Etsy

Shop all Etsy here

One of the best places to shop small, Etsy is home to thousands of independent artisans selling everything under the sun. If you're truly stuck in your search for the perfect gift, try browsing the Etsy listings for an unusual piece of jewelry or a unique item of pop culture merchandise. 

Shipping times and costs vary at each Etsy shop, but we've pulled together a list of shops offering free shipping to narrow down the options.

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

ModCloth

Shop all ModCloth here

Quirky is ModCloth's MO, and their selection of gifts embraces that aesthetic. Clothing ranges from solid color joggers to festive dinosaur print sweaters, wide enough to appeal to everyone's tastes. ModCloth's unique gift guide is a curated collection of its most unusually fun products, like a Jeff Goldblum graphic tee. 

When purchasing, factor into the listed shipping time that ModCloth does not ship on the weekends. For express or expedited shipping, your order needs to be in by 10 am EST.

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

Society6

Shop all Society6 here

Art comes in many forms, and Society6 features almost all of them. Independent artists upload and sell their print work, or receive a commission on products printed with their designs and produced by Society6. Finally, the mushroom superfan on your gift list can wear leggings and gaze upon a canvas print both featuring a mushroom heart design. 

With standard shipping, you must have placed your order by December 14 for Christmas delivery. The cutoff date for rush shipping is as late as December 20, but will not be covered by any free shipping promotions.

Artifact Uprising

Shop all Artifact Uprising here

Celebrate the sentimentality of the holidays with photo books, framed prints, and personalized calendars from Artifact Uprising. Its helpful guides point you towards the best gifts for whoever is lucky enough to receive one, whether it's a modern wall calendar for a dedicated teacher or a baby board book for new parents. 

Consult its holiday delivery guide for Christmas shipping options and rates.

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

The Happy Planner

Shop all The Happy Planner here

The colorful and whimsical designs at the Happy Planner turn everyday items into pieces of art. Give someone a work from home refresh with printed office supplies and planners designed by Black artists. Practical gifts can be just as fun as silly ones, especially when uniquely designed and thoughtfully purchased. 

Shipping can take up to a week and may be impacted by restrictions due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

MoMA Design Store

Shop all MoMA Design Store here

You don't have to be a modern art aficionado to love the MoMA Design Store's catalog. There are many different gifts, both creative innovations like a knife that turns butter into spreadable ribbons and modern art products like Andy Warhol banana bookends. Even the selection for kids embraces the fun and colorful aesthetics of modern art. 

Express delivery is particularly pricy at $25 per package, but the standard shipping is an $8 flat rate and delivers most in-stock merchandise within five days.

Maisonette

Shop all Maisonette here

Bringing a boutique experience to the masses, Maisonette is the spot for hundreds of children's boutique and luxury brands like Meri Meri and O8 Lifestyle. The tasteful toys, apparel, and accessories are from both brands carried at major department stores and lesser-known start-ups. Treat them to an iridescent jacket or a doll that represents their identity.

Ordering early is best, but purchases made by December 17 will arrive in time for Christmas with express delivery for a fee depending on the brand. 

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

Crown and Paw

Shop all Crown and Paw here

Pet owners everywhere will love the comical and adorable products for Crown and Paw. Turn a friend's beloved dog, cat, micro-pig, rabbit, or any other pet into a renaissance portrait, Marvel superhero, and more. Beyond canvas portraits, images can be printed on blankets, mugs, phone cases, and throw pillows, featuring up to four furry friends. 

Gifts will no longer be delivered by Christmas due to extended production times, but if you're not in a rush to exchange gifts on Christmas eve or day, this is a great option for animal lovers.

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

Urban Outfitters

Shop all Urban Outfitters here

Among the cropped cardigans and chenille beanies, Urban Outfitters has a surprising array of funky lifestyle and home goods. Urban Outfitters is like a big box department store with a modern boho flair, featuring constellation pie plates and velvet floor cushions. It may be a well-known brand, but a gift from Urban is unlikely to be found elsewhere. 

Orders placed by 3 am EST on December 19 will arrive by Christmas day and is a flat $5 for purchases under $50.

b.Yellowtail

Shop all b.Yellowtail here

Native American-owned brand and retailer b.Yellowtail embraces storytelling through art and design. The b.Yellowtail collective supports indigenous artists by providing a platform to sell their work. The platform carries beauty products, like this Bison Star lavender set, and a wide range of apparel, from turquoise bracelets to suit blazers. 

Order by December 16 for delivery by Christmas. 

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

Jungalow

Shop all Jungalow here

Anyone who loves color and plants will love Jungalow's bohemian home decor. Two trees are planted for each purchase, and everything is designed and curated by blogger-turned-businesswoman Justina Blakeney with sustainability and good vibes in mind.  

Jungalow does not offer expedited shipping, and it can take up to two weeks for delivery. While Christmas delivery is not guaranteed, Jungalow offers online gift cards and, of course, quality gifts that are worth it no matter when they arrive. 

*Gifts may arrive after Christmas.

• Shopping for coworkers doesn't have to take a lot of time or money.
• You can find a unique, thoughtful gift under $50 without much research (because we've done it for you).
• Below, I've compiled 38 gifts under $50 that will serve you well — some are funny, some are thoughtful, all are affordable, and most are impossible to hate. If you're still looking for inspiration, check out all of our gift guides here.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

Shopping for coworkers can become a never-ending parade of mild pine-scented candles, Hallmark cards, and candy that is destined for retirement in a desk drawer for most of the month. It's easier to buy thoughtful, impactful gifts for your closest loved ones, and it gets harder once you add in the subtleties and professionalism of the workplace.

But there are mountains of great coworker gifts out there. And they don't have to be expensive — in fact, they probably shouldn't be. The ideal colleague present is thoughtful, unique, and lands somewhere in the casual middle ground between re-gifting paperclips from the supply closet and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Caribbean.

A three-month subscription of freshly roasted whole bean, single-origin coffees

Driftaway Coffee Subscription, Three Months, available at Driftaway Coffee, from $44

If they're practically tethered to the coffee pot, they'll probably love the thoughtfulness of a three-month subscription to this cool Brooklyn startup's beans. Driftaway sends freshly roasted, whole bean, single-origin coffees from around the world to their doorstep.

A really nice bottle of olive oil

Alive Olive Oil, available at Brightland, $37

If they like to cook, they probably already know the merits of high-quality olive oil. A drizzle of Alive Olive Oil from Brightland adds a vibrant, zesty flavor to any dish, plus the bottle is designed to be left out on display in their kitchen. 

The most comfortable socks

Women's Fair Isle Calf Socks, available at Bombas, $15

Men's Fair Isle Calf Socks, available at Bombas, $15

Bombas are one gift we find ourselves giving friends and family every year. They're the best socks we've ever tried, and they're a little more expensive than someone is likely to spend on socks themselves, making them a great gift.

Plus, Bombas shoppers can currently take 20% off sitewide. The code "CHEER20" will be automatically applied at checkout through Decemeber 2.

A happy, healthy houseplant

Maranta Plant, available at The Sill, from $42

Order them a houseplant with The Sill. If you choose one of the company's chic potters, the cost is closer to $30 for small plants. 

An Atlas Obscura calendar full of daily photos and tidbits about the world's strangest and coolest places

Atlas Obscura Color Page-A-Day Desk 2021 Calendar, available at Amazon, $14.39

Add some fun to their day-to-day routine with the Atlas Obscura calendar. There are hundreds of photos that celebrate the world's strangest and coolest places, festivals, and foods. Travelers and life-long learners are particularly good candidates for this one.

Mini succulents in ceramic planters

StarPack Home 3-Piece Ceramic Succulent Planter, available at Amazon, $15.97

If your desk-mate doesn't already have a plant, rest assured they would probably like one (fine print: if it requires next to no caregiving). Grab these ceramic planters from Amazon and fill them with an assortment of succulents. According to science, it may make them happier just to see the plants every day.

Fun kitchen towels that rate wines by how well they pair with certain foods

Wine Pairing Towel Set, available at Uncommon Goods, $28

If you've got a wine lover on the team, grab these fun wine pairing towels and a bottle to go with them. They're thoughtful, informal, and unique.

A candle that smells like their favorite state

Homesick Candles, available at Uncommon Goods, starting at $34

Homesick candles are a great gift for pretty much anyone in your life. They're a nice acknowledgment of something important to someone else that you're likely to know regardless of intimacy level. Plus, with a candle, they'll get to enjoy it for weeks to come — and if your gift deals with nostalgia, scent is a great place to start.

A three-month subscription to the book club that put "Gone with the Wind" on the map

Book of the Month, Three Months, available at Book of the Month, $49.99

If your team includes a bookworm, they'll appreciate a gift subscription to Book of the Month. It's been around since 1926, and it's credited with the discovery of titles like "Gone with the Wind" and "Catcher in the Rye". A team of experts and celebrity guest judges curate must-read books — usually new releases, hot topics, and debut authors — and send them to the subscriber's doorstep. If they're more into audiobooks or e-reading, check out a gift subscription to Scribd (full review here).

A funny mug that acknowledges the bond forged by people who have to fix the same defunct printer every week together

The This is Fine Mug, available at Redbubble, from $15.62

A "This is Fine" mug is the perfect gift for the only other people on earth who can truly relate to the particularities of your job: a defunct printer, last night's too-fun team happy hour, and the occasional avalanche of meetings and high-priority emails. Here's a $15 nod to the fond shared stressors.

A charging stand for their desk to keep things organized

Anker Wireless Charger, available at Walmart, $21.99

Help them keep their cluttered wires under control with this wireless charger, which can charge through most protective phone cases. 

A miniature golf course they can escape to from the comfort of their desk

Be Good Company Executive Mini Sandbox, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $15.99

Know somebody who'd rather be at the golf course, or who might appreciate the adult equivalent of doodling in class? Say no more.

A water bottle that keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 6 hours

Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Travel Coffee Flask, available at Hydro Flask, $29.95

It's often the most practical coworker gifts that make the best and longest impression, and this is one stellar candidate. The Hydro Flask is double-wall vacuum insulated and will keep their cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours, with hot drinks staying hot for up to six. We're big fans of the line.

The best portable battery you can buy

Elecjet PowerPie, available at Amazon, $49

If you want to get them something they're sure to love, save them from a dead phone on their next long commute or work trip. We ranked this one as the best battery pack you can buy because of its capacity, charging speed, and affordability.

A self-betterment planner designed using the "best practices" of successful people in history

Best Self Co. Planner, available at Best Self, $19.99

If you work with someone especially ambitious or concerned with self-progress, they'll love this daily planner. It was created by a group of "human performance junkies" after researching the most successful, high-performing humans in history, and it uses their common practices and psychology tips to break down a 10-year plan into doable, bite-sized pieces.

Fun, collection-worthy socks

Disney Socks Gift Box Set, available at Happy Socks, $32

Happy Socks makes some of the coolest and most elevator-small-talk-worthy socks in the industry. This gift set focuses on Disney, but there are plenty more options to choose from.

A green herbal tea kit that lets them create custom blends

Green Herbal Tea Kit, available at Etsy, $40

If they're more into tea than coffee, they'll love this thoughtful green herbal tea kit. It includes nine herbs and three varieties of green tea, so they can create their own custom blends.

Desk cable clips that keep cords neat and organized

Shintop 6-Piece Cable Clips Set, available at Newegg, $10.93

Pair a few of these cable clips with a nice card and some candy for a low-key, well-rounded gift that's fun and practical.

A beautiful candle from a cool startup

Otherland Candles, available at Otherland, $36

This is one candle they will be excited to receive. Otherland is a startup created by Abigail Cook Stone, a former art buyer for Ralph Lauren. They're some of the most beautifully packaged and best smelling we've seen in a while— and they make great gifts. 

An extra-long charging cable, which is the closest you'll get to gifting never-ending convenience

6 ft Charging Cable, 3-Pack, available at Amazon, $9.99

It's something every one of us will feel grateful for a couple of times per day, but always put off buying for ourselves: a serpentine, 6-foot long charging cable.

A custom portrait that immortalizes their pet

Canvas Pop Custom Pet Portrait, available at Canvas Pop, from $79

If your coworker is a pet parent, you may make the biggest impact by focusing here. Plus, in the days of dog and cat Instagrams, it's not too hard to find your own mini album of options.

A notebook they can wipe clean and reuse

Rocketbook Reusable Notebook, available at Staples, $23.49

The $30 Rocketbook notebook is full of 32 reusable pages that wipe clean with a damp cloth when the owner uses a Pilot FriXion pen (included), so they can keep using the same notebook indefinitely. They can also send hand-written notes to Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, email, and more. I use my own a surprising amount.

An assortment of delicious dipping oils that looks put-together

Mini Dipping Oil Set, available at Williams Sonoma, $24.99

Everyone likes a food gift, and this set of dipping oils is perfect for the coworker who loves to cook or entertain.

A glass Chemex that makes full-flavored coffee every time

Stainless-Steel French Press, available at Williams-Sonoma, from $35.50

Grab a glass Chemex from Williams-Sonoma that will deliver flavorful, sediment-free coffee routinely. The glass is heat-resistant, and the wood and leather collar serves as an insulated handle. 

A to-go sriracha sauce keychain for the hot sauce fiend of the office

Sriracha Keychain Gift Pack, available at Amazon, $18.99

Perfect for the coworker best known for adding hot sauce to anything sweet, savory, or edible. The pack comes with a bottle of Sriracha and two differently sized keychains. 

A brownie pan that only makes edge pieces

Baker's Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan, available at Amazon, $36.95

This is exactly the kind of gift that seems more fun and clever than it is practical — until you're using it once a month religiously.

Tools for a night off and the "Do Nothing" sloth card made by an independent artist

"Do Nothing" Three Sloth Stationery Cards, available at Society6, $12.79

Pair the sloth "Do Nothing" card with a few relaxing accessories (like face masks) to gift a well-deserved night off to a coworker. Like all of Society6's collection, it's also made by an independent artist — making it a bit cooler than what you might pick up from CVS.

A tiny, convenient Bluetooth key tracker

Tile Mate Key Finder, available at Target, $17.99

You can't go wrong with a tracker for their keys that's compact, thoughtful, and useful to pretty much everyone.

A gift card to a popular healthy eating startup

Gift Card, available at Daily Harvest from $50

Daily Harvest is a meal delivery startup that makes healthy fast food that takes as little as 30 seconds to prepare. Meals are delicious, under $10 each, and designed by a chef and nutritionist team for taste and balance. It's great for healthy eaters, busy lifestyles, and solves pretty much all of our main roadblocks to eating well.

A unique cocktail recipe book that matches a famous song with a complementary cocktail

Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks, available at Barnes & Noble, $22.49

Gift your favorite coworker a book that pairs some of the best music from the 1950s to the 2000s with cocktail recipes that match the song's mood, lyrical imagery, or the artists themselves. 

A subscription that sends them cool new snacks

Gift Subscription, available at Love With Food from $7.99/month

Love with Food delivers organic, all-natural, or gluten-free snacks that serial snackers won't feel guilty about eating. The better-for-you chips, candy, and bars come from new and trending food brands. Plus, with every snack box that's delivered, Love With Food donates at least one meal to a family in need through a partnership with Feeding America. 

A nice leather business card holder

Business Card Case, available at Leatherology, $45

Leatherology makes luxe leather goods for less, and their $45 business card case is a great workplace gift for under $50. It has an invisible magnetic closure, holds up to 20 cards, and comes in a variety of leather types and colors. You can also add a monogram for an additional $10. 

A chiller to keep their post-work beer cold

Chillsner, available at UncommonGoods, $15

When all your coworkers get together after work to enjoy a beer, this will be the most-wanted accessory. The stainless steel Chillsner fits easily into the bottle and keeps beverages refreshingly crisp.

A convenient, reusable bag that folds up to the size of a business card

Small Baggu, available at Backcountry, $7.46

Grab a trendy, reusable shopping bag that's perfect for packing lunch, extra shoes, or taking a last-minute trip to the grocery store. This one folds up to about the size of a business card, and its signature version can hold 50 pounds of stuff easily.

A fidget-friendly desk toy that's actually really fun

Speks Original Magnetic Desk Toy, available at Amazon, $24.95

These tiny magnets are one "office toy" we actually liked enough to dedicate a full article to— they're fun, space-saving, and you can fidget without drawing attention to yourself.

A Bob Ross chia pet they can grow

Bob Ross Chia Pet, available at Walmart, $36.90

Do yourself, your coworker, and your section of the office a favor with a Bob Ross chia pet. It will be a great conversation piece for as long as it lives.

An echo dot for the virtual assistant you can afford to give them

Echo Dot, 3rd Generation, available at Amazon, $24.99

If they don't already have an Echo Dot, this is a great tech gift without quite breaking $50.

*Although this product is unavailable to ship until November 26, it is currently available to purchase.

Double condiment bowls that are impossible to hate

Marble Double Condiment Bowls, available at Williams-Sonoma, $26.99

This white marble serving piece can hold the exact right amount of pairings, condiments, and spices. It's small, beautiful, and functional enough to bypass even the pickiest of coworkers. 

• Wine and flowers will always do the trick, but the gifts that truly stand out are unique and practical — and hundreds of them can be found on Amazon's Handmade page.
• We rounded up 35 picks from Amazon Handmade that make for original, thoughtful housewarming gifts. 
• Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all Insider Reviews gift guides here. 
•  Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

If someone on your holiday list this year has recently moved, you're probably trying to figure out something original and thoughtful to gift them. 

Wine and flowers are a typical go-to, but there are more creative options, like those on Amazon's Handmade page, that are both unique and useful. 

Amazon features tons of one-of-a-kind gifts, decor, clothing, and accessories on its handmade page — all of which add a personal touch to any gifting occasion. Typically, shipping can be more of a lengthy process when purchasing from independent crafters, but hundreds of Amazon Handmade products are Prime-eligible for a seamless shopping experience.

Here are 35 housewarming gifts from Amazon Handmade: 

A fancy teak cutting board

Sonder Los Angeles, Large End Grain Teak Wood Cutting Board with Sorting Compartments, $79.95

A ceramic shaving bowl

JaysClay Ceramic Shaving Bowl, $29.99

Handmade felted wool slippers

BureBure Handmade Felted Wool Slippers, $86

A one-of-a-kind ceramic salt cellar

JustGeorge Salt Cellar with Lid, $35

A comfy pillow that will remind them of home

PCB Home Zip Code Throw Pillow, $25

A simple decorative vase to hold fresh flowers

Honeycomb Studio Beehive Vase, $36

A set of handcrafted cards they can use to send notes to friends and family

Ritzy Rose I Miss You Rainbow Cards, $24.95

A monogrammed leather toiletry bag

Personalized Leather Dopp Kit, Men's Toiletry Bag, Anniversary Gift Travel Bag, $59.99

Some art for their new living room

Westbrook Design Studio Abstract Navy Blue Moon Phases Wall Art, $15.95

An engraved cutting board for the newlyweds who just bought their first home

Eat Drink and be Married Personalized Engraved Cutting Board, $37

A throw blanket that will liven any room

Handmade Throw Blankets Geometric Throw, $70

A stamp kit with their new address

Wood Present Studio Custom Stamp, $20.50

Striking coasters that will protect their new table

Renee Redesigns Handmade Black Slate Coasters, $36

A practical and personalized doormat

Nance Industries Monogrammed Rubber Welcome Mat, $70

Cozy blankets that double as decor

PinkUnicornStudio Chunky Knit Blanket, $49

A 'tale of two cities' to hang on the wall

Art for the Masses Heart Map Photo, $34.99

A mail bin to for keeping cards and well-wishes

Country Barn Babe Mail Organizer, $29.99

A key hook that looks savvy and keeps their things in order

Granite City Gift Company Key Holder, $25

A set of beautiful porcelain espresso cups

KAC Studios Espresso Cups, $45

Tea towels for a warm touch

Custom Tee Co. Tea Towel, $14.99

A whiskey-aging barrel that will certainly start a conversation

Sofia's Findings American White Oak Aging Barrel, from $69.95

A macrame hanger that is chic, sturdy, and one-of-a-kind

Vintage Art Merav Macrame Hanger, $54.99

A soft and chic addition to any family room

Eikei Double Sided Faux Fur Blanket, from $95.80

A coffee mat to make mornings more bearable

This Joyful Home Coffee Maker Mat, $16.99

Coasters that work as great table accents

Yoga Coaster Marble Coasters, $36.90

A personalized candle that says you care

Silver Dollar Candle Co. Natural Soy Candle, $22.95

A hanging sign made to match any room

Fran Johnson House Acrylic Hanging Sign, $21.77

A personalized clock for their entryway

Little River Woodcraft Wall Clock, $69.99

A charming piece of decor for anywhere in their home

MRC Wood Products Personalized Family Name Sign, $59.95

A wreath with rustic character

WildRidge Design Mini Farmhouse Wreath, $39

A sign that says it all

Schafer Art Studio Rustic Wood Sign, $44.99

A bathroom reminder that feels like decor

Wall Worthy Prints Unframed Bathroom Decor, $13.99

Placemats for a refined table setting

Hunny Boo Creations Personalized Monogram Placemats, $19

An address sign that's perfectly minimalist

Urban Concrete Modern House Numbers, $79.99

An ornament for their first Christmas in their new digs

"Our New Home" Ornament, $16.99

• A lot goes into picking the perfect robe — ideally, it should fit well, feel comfortable, and last for years.
• The best robe for most people is the Parachute Classic Bathrobe because it has a secure, adjustable fit and it's soft, fluffy, and absorbent.
• We've also highlighted robes more appropriate for lounging and relaxing, including waffle weave, silk, flannel, and linen options.
• See also: The best bath towels

Having a robe to slip on after a shower or cinch over your pajamas on a lazy weekend morning isn't exactly a necessity, but it certainly makes daily life a little more enjoyable. 

"It's important to invest in a nice robe because it's important to invest in yourself," said Rosy Nuboer, the Romance Planning Manager at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. "It is an excellent opportunity to remind yourself to relax and have a self-care day." 

Of course, there are still specific features to consider as you shop for the best robe, including style, fabric, breathability, and durability. 

A kimono-style design is the standard in the robe department. "Kimono robes offer a classic tailored fit, with wrist-length sleeves, and have a streamlined flat collar," Nuboer said. In other words, you can personalize a kimono-style robe's measurements via its waist tie, but you'll still have enough freedom of movement for tasks like putting on makeup, brewing coffee, or picking up the morning paper.

When it comes to material, a plush cotton terry robe allows you to skip toweling off post-shower, while robes made from less absorbent fabrics like waffle weave or silk require a pat-down first. The material also affects the warmth and breathability of a robe, as well as how it holds up over time.

To determine the best robes, we washed all of our contenders three times to evaluate durability and wore each robe while making coffee, washing dishes, reading on a couch, and working at a desk to determine overall feel and comfort. We also noted additional features like pockets and hanging loops. More on our methodology here. 

A note on fit

Many of the picks on our list are designed to be unisex, but our picks from Kim + Ono and Natori follow traditional women's sizing patterns. We believe that all bathrobes can be worn regardless of gender, but keep an eye on sizing charts when shopping to ensure you select the right size for you. You may find that bathrobes designed with traditional women's sizing have shorter sleeves or hit higher on the leg.

Here are the best women's bathrobes

• Best bathrobe overall: Parachute Classic Bathrobe
• Best waffle: Coyuchi Organic Waffle Robe
• Best flannel: L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe
• Best linen: Rough Linen St. Barts Robe
• Best silk: Kim + Ono Silk Kiku Kimono Robe
• Best lightweight: Natori Shangri-La Robe
• Best hotel: Four Seasons Spa Robe

Prices and details are accurate as of 12/16/20. We've overhauled this guide by re-testing previous picks to see if they still stack up, trying new robes, and speaking to experts. Our original best pick, the Parachute Classic Bathrobe, continues to hold up, while the rest of our recommendations are brand new.

SEE ALSO: The best women's pajamas you can buy

The best robe overall

The Parachute Classic Bathrobe is the quintessential cotton bathrobe, featuring a soft, fluffy, and absorbent construction that doesn't weigh you down. We're fans of its secure waist tie, deep pockets, and well-fitting sleeves. 

Pros: Not too heavy or light, can be worn right out of the shower, comes in multiple sizes, great fit

Cons: Sleeves are too slim to wear thick clothing underneath, shawl collar may be too thick for some people, may not be suitable for hot climates

The plush, white bathrobe is a perennial favorite for a reason. A clean and fresh style is exactly what you want to shrug on after you've showered away the day's dirt and grime. Plus, who doesn't want to feel like they're living in a luxury hotel suite? Parachute's iteration comes in more colors than white, but the effect still remains if you choose pink, light blue, gray: you'll instantly feel comfortable and look put-together. 

The Parachute bathrobe is not only the softest of all the 100% cotton robes we tried, but it's also slightly fluffy and absorbent like a towel. It's made from long-staple Turkish cotton, which is exceptionally durable, and it has a 400 GSM (grams per square meter, a measure of fabric weight). That's a middle-of-the-road weight — not the most lightweight and cool, but not heavy and stifling, either. And if you're not in the mood to towel off, you can put this robe on directly after a shower and it'll do the same job.

In a size medium, the robe falls slightly below my knees (I'm 5'6") and the sleeves hit my wrists. The sleeves aren't wide and they fit closely to my arms, so the overall effect isn't sloppy or loose. The downside is that you might not be able to wear, say, a sweater underneath. The robe fits best over bare skin or light PJs. 

To make you feel extra snug and cozy, there's a thick, fluffy shawl collar and substantial, secure waist tie. The front pockets are deep and spacious. 

Since the robe isn't especially heavy, you'll be able to wrap up and get ready at your bathroom sink or do small tasks without any trouble. If you stain your robe with food or makeup, it should wash off easily in the washing machine. If you live in a hot or humid climate, I wouldn't recommend this robe because it still has some weight to it, which will feel doubly apparent on a muggy day. On an uncharacteristically warm fall day in New Jersey, I wore the robe outside on my balcony and I didn't feel like I could wear it for hours on end. 

The best waffle robe

The spongy waffle weave of the Coyuchi Organic Waffle Robe feels soft and light against your skin. Sustainably produced with organic cotton, it's an excellent choice for those who like to shop with their values. 

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable texture, made with organic cotton 

Cons: Shrinks after the first wash, pockets easily weighed down by heavy objects, wide sleeves may be impractical 

If the first thing you do after checking into a hotel is hit the spa, then this waffle robe will transport you there. First, however, you'll want the right fit. We recommend sizing up because this robe shrinks noticeably after the first wash. If you're normally a size small, go for the Coyuchi small/medium. A medium should choose the Coyuchi medium/large, and so on. On me, the medium/large size hits a little below the knees. 

The robe is made from 100% organic Turkish cotton that's GOTS- and Made Safe-certified. A GOTS designation means that the fabric contains at least 95% certified organic fibers and meets environmental and social standards at every stage of processing and manufacturing, while Made Safe signifies that it's free from harmful chemicals. 

Together, the soft organic cotton and textured weave provide airy, cool, and non-slippery coverage. Your waist tie won't come undone and there are large front pockets to hold small, light items like lip balm. Unfortunately, they're not thick enough to carry smartphones without being dragged down by the weight. The sleeves are wide and can get in the way of tasks, but you can cuff them.

The robe is absorbent, though not as much as our cotton terry top pick, above. For those who run hot but still want to dry off, it's a light, attractive, and comfortable alternative to a fluffy cotton robe. 

The best flannel robe

The L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe is surprisingly lightweight, considering its notable softness and warmth. It provides neck-to-calf coverage and is so comfortable you'll want to wear it past the holidays. 

Pros: Cozy feel, enveloping warmth, not too bulky, comes in many sizes

Cons: Picks up lint and pet hair easily 

As dark winter mornings drag on and it becomes increasingly difficult to get out of your flannel sheets, it might be time to consider a flannel robe. It's more than a Christmas morning standby; as long as you value warmth, softness, and coziness, a flannel robe, paired with your favorite hot drink, is appropriate. 

L.L.Bean's is an internet favorite thanks to its classic plaid prints, long-lasting cotton flannel fabric, and a relaxed fit that lets you wrap yourself up into a cozy bundle. Insider Reviews deputy editor Malarie Gokey has owned the robe for almost a year and loves it. As someone who runs cold, she appreciates not only the warmth but the fact that the fabric isn't stiflingly thick (a common problem with winter robes). 

The calf-length robe feels more like a long flannel shirt and it's easy to move around in. It's also worth noting that L.L.Bean offers a wider spectrum of sizes than the other brands in this guide, from regular and petite (both available in XS-XL) to plus (1X-3X).

It has long, wrist-length sleeves that you might need to cuff back for activities, and both interior and exterior ties to hold the robe together. The front pockets are deep and sturdy. 

Like most flannel garments, the robe, unfortunately, is a magnet for stray bits of fuzz and pet hair, so cuddle with your dog at your own risk. Lint aside, however, L.L. Bean's robe is a comfortable, well-fitting option that will get you through many brisk winter mornings.

The best linen robe

The Rough Linen St. Barts Robe is perfect for those who want a breathable warm weather robe with a casual, lived-in appeal. 

Pros: Breathable, "dry" feeling, durable, midweight 

Cons: Not as soft as other fabrics, shows wrinkles easily

Anything made from linen — be it sheets, pants, or a dress — instantly conjures the spirit of a warm summer night. In this linen robe, it's easy to feel like you're enjoying an island vacation, thanks to its simple style and comfortable, breathable construction.

Keep in mind that linen isn't as soft as cotton. It's more textured and has a "dry" consistency that doesn't cling to your skin. Rough Linen's robe feels crisp and cool and is tightly woven to withstand daily wear and frequent washes. It has a substantial, mid-weight feel that's ideal for warmer climates. 

The robe has relaxed, dropped shoulders, so you don't feel restricted, as well as a waist tie that stays securely fastened and large, deep pockets. This was my favorite robe to wear while working and doing household tasks because it felt like the perfect middle ground — it wasn't so luxurious that it enticed me to lay down in bed, but it wasn't exactly something I'd wear in the outside world, either. 

On me, a size medium fell to mid-shin and the sleeves hit my wrists. The sleeves weren't too wide and didn't get in my way, though the brand suggests you can always cuff them if they're bothering you. Unlike robes made from more slippery fabrics like silk, this one's sleeves stayed put when folded back. 

Linen naturally wrinkles, and it's especially apparent with lighter colors. If you're not a fan of the rumpled look but still like the feel of linen, the robe is available in three darker shades (gray, navy, and black) that partially camouflage the wrinkles. It's also best to take the robe out of the dryer while it's still a little damp, so you can smooth out unwanted wrinkles by hand.

The best silk robe

The Kim + Ono Silk Kiku Kimono Robe is a beautiful and comfortable handcrafted garment you'll treasure, although it does require some special care. 

Pros: Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind artwork, lightweight, glossy feel 

Cons: Dry clean only, wrinkles easily, one-size-fits-all style

Kim + Ono, a 30-year-old family-owned shop out of San Francisco's Chinatown, pays beautiful and thoughtful tribute to silk kimonos, which originally come from Japanese and Chinese culture. 

Each 100% silk robe from the brand features original, hand-drawn, and hand-painted artwork that is then printed onto the robe, making each piece distinct and unique. The robe I tried was a soothing jade color adorned with large orange chrysanthemum flowers, and I thought it was almost too pretty to wear. The site offers a large variety of other beautiful designs to choose from, including cherry blossoms and cranes. 

After I stopped admiring the robe to actually put it on, it felt very cool, glossy, and slippery. In addition to an exterior waist tie, there's a thin interior waist tie to help keep everything secure. The robe only comes in one size, and on me, it fell all the way to my ankles. If you're petite, I'd recommend buying one of Kim + Ono's short robes instead. 

Though the robe was long, it did have side slits for ease of movement. The sleeves are short (hitting my mid-forearm), very wide, and airy. These open design features made the soft and smooth silk feel even better as I stood by a window or open door, where the breeze could move freely throughout the robe. 

The downside of owning a silk robe is that it's more difficult to take care of than your standard cotton terry option. All of Kim + Ono's designs are dry clean only, and the silk creases and wrinkles easily; you'll need to steam or iron your robe on the warm setting to maintain its sleek, pristine appearance. On the plus side, if you're wearing a silk robe you're probably not doing anything active enough to cause too many wrinkles. I use my Kim + Ono robe purely for lounging and relaxing — and it doesn't even have pockets, so I feel even more inspired to leave my phone behind and unplug completely. 

The best lightweight robe

If you're looking for a robe with a closer fit, the modal-jersey blend Natori Shangri-La Robe is light, clingy, and stretchy with a flattering drape. 

Pros: Lightweight, very soft, close fit

Cons: Draped and closely fitting fabric isn't for everyone, belongings may fall out of side pockets 

Although several of the robes on this list — waffle, linen, and silk — happen to be lightweight, Natori's robe is hands-down the softest and most comfortable lightweight option we tried. If you don't like the other specialty fabrics mentioned above, chances are modal jersey will win you over; the slightly stretchy material is commonly used to make underwear and loungewear.

Natori's modal jersey is buttery soft, a little stretchy, and drapes close to the body. But it doesn't cling in an annoying way or make you sweat. The collar is barely noticeable since it's not thick, but it provides comfortable coverage. 

This robe is long (about ankle-length on me), and there's an interior waist tie to keep it together. The sleeves are flowy, but they only hit a little below my elbows, making it easy to do everyday tasks. Like L.L.Bean, Natori offers extended sizing, from XS-XXL and 1X-3X.

While the pockets are sizable, they're located on the sides rather than the front, so bigger items like smartphones may fall out. If you stick to smaller belongings, you should be fine. 

The pockets were the only feature I disliked. Otherwise, it was the perfect robe to wear in southern California, where it's warm and pleasant year-round. If you're lucky enough to live in a similar climate or want to switch out your fluffy robe for something more streamlined next spring, this is the robe you're looking for.

The best hotel robe

While the Four Seasons Spa Robe is a splurge, its buttery smooth microsuede exterior and incredibly plush lining make it worth the investment. This is a robe that instantly envelops you in warm, cozy comfort. 

Pros: Very warm, soft, two sets of waist tie loops for better fit, nice gift packaging 

Cons: Less flattering, prone to overheating, expensive

The Four Seasons Spa Robe stands out as the most luxurious robe of the bunch, and you can feel the difference right away. The outside is made from microsuede, which feels like real suede, while the inside is lined with ultra-soft and fine microfiber terry. Wrapping yourself in this robe will instantly warm you up on a cold day, so it's especially suitable for fall and winter. 

This is the kind of robe you'll want to lounge in — not only because of its opulent feel — but, practically speaking, you'll overheat if you do anything else. I found that the Four Seasons Spa Robe was most comfortable when I was simply sitting or laying down. Wearing it while cooking or doing laundry made me start to sweat. That said, it's the perfect robe when you want to embrace a lazy day or two and log a frighteningly low number of steps on your Fitbit. 

This robe isn't as form-fitting as the other options above, due to its thickness and double fabric layers, but it does have a secure waist tie, along with two sets of tie loops for a customizable fit. The Standard/Large size fell to mid-shin and the cuffed sleeves hit my wrists.

Despite the high-end feel, there aren't any special care instructions to worry about. You can just wash it in a cold cycle and tumble dry on low. 

The robe also feels like a pure treat because of its packaging. It comes in a Four Seasons box with a gift tie and it's wrapped in tissue paper bound by a wax seal. Whether the recipient is a loved one or yourself, it's a special and exciting gift to receive and open. 

Our methodology

Here's how we tested the bathrobes over a period of five weeks. Knowing that this is a fairly short amount of time, we'll continue to follow these steps in the upcoming weeks and note any changes. 

1. Washed each robe three times and evaluated it for shrinkage, loose threads, color loss, and roughness. 
2. Wore each robe and noted overall feel and comfort, breathability, length, fit of sleeves, waist ties, and any additional features like pockets or hanging loops.
3. Wore each robe while standing, sitting, and performing regular tasks like making breakfast and working at a desk to evaluate comfort, fit, and freedom of movement. 

For sizing and fit reference, I am 5'6" and a women's size 8. If the robe was not one-size-fits-all, I chose a medium or medium/large. 

What else we considered

Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Robe: We liked the cool, slippery feel of this waffle weave robe, but it was a bit dense, and also shrunk significantly after the first wash. We also thought the sleeves were too wide. 

Frette Shawl Collar Bathrobe: This soft and fluffy cotton bathrobe loved by luxury hotels was very comfortable, but you can get the same feel for half the price with Parachute's robe. 

Four Seasons Bath Robe: Similarly, the Four Seasons robe was comfortable and absorbent, plus the gift packaging was beautiful. Unlike the hotel's Spa Robe, it has a cotton terry construction throughout and other classic features like a shawl collar and double belt loops. Comparatively, it felt less sumptuous and it didn't offer enough distinctive or special features to warrant its price.

What we look forward to testing

Brookstone n-a-p Bathrobe: This plush robe looks very soft and promising, and the price ($50, $40 for Beyond+ members) makes it even more appealing. If it can hold up to frequent use and washes, then we'll be impressed with its value. 

Brooklinen Atlantic Robe: The modal-jersey construction is similar to Natori's, which means we expect it to be smooth, stretchy, and lightweight. It's shorter and only comes in two colors, but could still be a solid and slightly more affordable option for a lightweight robe. 

Riley Hooded Waffle Robe: Riley's robe combines a bunch of features we like — waffle weave exterior, cotton terry interior, a hood, and stylish piping throughout. The question is whether it nails all of them. 

Check out our other bath guides

The best bath towels

The best bath mats

The best women's slippers

• The best throw blankets are soft, warm, and durable enough to last you multiple seasons without showing signs of wear and tear.
• If warmth is what you're after, the West Elm Faux Fur Ombre Throw is the best throw blanket you can buy.
• If you're looking for blankets large enough for your bed, check out our guide to the best bedding startups.

This winter is all about staying in, so you'll want to ensure your space is as comfy and warm as it can be. One of the easiest ways to spruce up your space and create a warm environment is to add a few throw blankets to your couch for you to curl up in at your leisure.

A good throw blanket will be cuddly soft, cozy, and warm yet breathable and durable enough to last you multiple seasons. The best throws will resist holding onto smells, moisture,  or mildew to minimize the number of times it needs to be washed throughout the season.

Many of our picks have been thoroughly tested by Insider Reviews reporters and editors, and these are the ones that have risen to the top — even earning permanent spots on many of our couches. Whether you're looking for faux fur, a weighted blanket, or a lightweight linen throw for the summer months, we've got a pick for you.

Here are the best throw blankets

• Best faux fur throw: West Elm Faux Fur Ombre Throw
• Best fleece throw: L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw
• Best wool throw: Pendleton Motor Robe
• Best lightweight throw: Crane & Canopy Linen Throw
• Best weighted throw: Bearaby Napper
• Best cashmere throw: Williams Sonoma Recycled Italian Cashmere Throw
• Best chunky knit throw: ShepsWool Chunky Knit Merino Wool Blanket
• Best jersey weave throw: Pottery Barn Teen Sweatshirt Blanket

Prices and links are current as of 12/18/20.

SEE ALSO: The best mattresses you can buy

The best faux fur throw blanket

If you're looking for a blanket that will keep you warm and cozy in the winter while not sacrificing aesthetic, the West Elm Faux Fur Ombre Throw is a great choice.

I have this blanket on my couch at home, and it's easily the most fought-over throw we own. When snuggling up on the couch, my partner and I regularly play tug of war with this blanket because of how warm and cozy it is. It's double-sided, with a high-pile faux fur on one side and a low-pile velvety fleece-like underside with both sides of the blanket offering unparalleled softness.

The West Elm Faux Fur Throw so soft that I regularly find my cat curled up on the blanket, and thanks to its faux-fur aesthetic, it easily hides the cat hair, so I don't have to shoo her off of her favorite napping spot. My cat's coloring is almost a perfect match for the blanket, and she often blends right in, so if you have grey or brown animals, make sure to look before you sit. 

Insider Reviews editor Sally Kaplan also owns this blanket, and it's her go-to at home. "The weight of the blanket is just heavy enough to keep me warm without totally overheating me, though I will say that I wish I had bought the larger size so my partner and I could curl up together without one of us having to sacrifice a little coverage," she writes.

Unfortunately, the throw is dry-clean only, so if you spill something on it or just generally want to refresh it, you'll have to plunk down some cash on getting it cleaned. But I've had mine for about a year, and it's yet to get musty or smelly.

The best fleece throw blanket

The L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw is a reliable classic from a heritage brand you can trust — plus it's soft, affordable, and machine washable.

L.L.Bean is a favorite among Insider Reviews. We love the heritage brand's sheets, slippers, and their internet-famous tote bags to name a few. Now we're adding L.L.Bean's Wicked Plush Throw blanket to our list.

Made with the same care and precision that the brand is known for, this fleece plush is an affordable option that will keep you warm in the winter months, but it's lightweight enough that you can use it all year round — especially if someone in your home likes to crank the air conditioning to arctic temperatures. The fleece is brushed on both sides, giving it that extra softness that you'd expect from a good fleece blanket.

The Wicked Plush Throw comes in two sizes. I'd opt for the larger 60-inch by 80-inch option because I'm often sharing a blanket with a partner and a cat, but the 50-inch x 60-inch is a generously sized throw for personal use. If you want something even larger, you could opt for the Wicked Cozy Blanket which is made of the same fleece but is sized for use on your bed.

Unlike some of our other picks, the Wicked Plush Throw is machine washable, but do take care to dry it on a no-heat setting, lest the polyester fleece gets scorched in the dryer. 

The best wool throw blanket

Made in America from 100% virgin wool, the Pendleton Motor Robe is a throw that will keep you warm through years of use.

Pendleton is another heritage brand we love and trust. Former Insider Reviews fellow Ciannah Gin has been using her Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool Blanket on her bed for over four years, and she was so thrilled with it that she bought a second one. She writes, "Although the blanket is made from 100% wool, it's surprisingly breathable. Mine haven't shrunk, faded, or pilled in the four years I've had them."

But the Eco-Wise is intended for use on your bed. If you're looking for something more manageable in size, we recommend the Motor Robe. At 52 inches by 66 inches, the throw is still generously-sized but not so unwieldy that you'll get trapped in it while watching TV.

The Motor Robe is made from virgin wool and the Pendleton brand has over 150 years' worth of pedigree making blankets in the Pacific Northwest. The Pendleton website says the Motor Robe was developed from the tradition of those in need of extra warmth when traveling by horse-drawn carriage, train, or boat, but it will be just as welcome at home in your reading nook.

If you do plan to take this blanket on your journeys, it comes with a leather carrying strap that you can wrap around a rolled-up blanket. It's a lovely aesthetic touch for those who want to store the blanket in sight — especially because the plaid patterns are so eye-catching — but don't want it sprawled out on their couch all the time.

One large downside to this 100% wool blanket is the fact that it can be uncomfortable for those with sensitive skin. Gin found her Pendleton blanket to be too itchy to wrap herself up in without the protective barrier of her bedding.

The best lightweight throw blanket

The Crane & Canopy Linen Throw will be your go-to blanket in the warmer months thanks to its light-weight breathability.

Crane & Canopy has quickly become one of our favorite bedding startups. We love its duvet covers and sheet sets, and its throw blankets are absolutely top-notch. One of our favorite throws from Crane & Canopy is its linen throw, a lightweight breathable option that's perfect for when you don't want to be trapped under layers of wool or faux fur.

Insider Reviews deputy editor Malarie Gokey has this blanket at home and she loves it so much that she uses it on her bed in the summer even in spite of its smaller throw blanket size. She writes, "I can't sleep unless I feel the weight of some sort of blanket on me, and in the summer, that's very problematic — or it was, until I found this linen throw from Crane & Canopy. It's super soft, breathable, and lightweight. It adds just the right amount of warmth on a slightly chilly summer evening when you want a light layer to wrap up in whether you're on the couch, front porch, or what have you."

Linen is known for its breathability, so if you overheat easily, this Crane & Canopy throw will be a lifesaver, especially when it's warm out. Though linen does have the tendency to be a bit stiff when it's new, this blanket will get softer and softer the more it's used, washed, and worn in, eventually becoming one of the coziest in your repertoire.

The best weighted throw blanket

A weighted blanket can help reduce anxiety, and the Bearaby Napper is the perfect size to keep on your couch.

The Bearaby Napper is our pick for the best throw blanket in our full buying guide to the best weighted blankets. I tested it alongside several other weighted throws, and it stood out right away. Not only is it eye-catching with its hand-knit chunky design, but its weight is truly hefty and it provides an even gentle pressure as you lounge on the couch.

Unlike other weighted blankets that are filled with glass beads that can create a sort of beanbag effect, the weight of the Napper comes solely from the density of the organic cotton yarn. The knit design allows for plenty of airflow, so you won't have to worry about feeling stifled by the blanket.

I received the 15-pound version for testing, and it actually weighed in at 24 pounds, which is much heavier than advertised. I didn't mind the extra weight, but it's something to keep in mind if you're sensitive to the additional pressure.

The Napper is machine washable and dryer safe, but it didn't fit in my compact apartment-sized washing machine, so if you don't have a full-sized unit, you may have to take a trip to the laundromat.

The best cashmere blanket

The Williams Sonoma Recycled Italian Cashmere Throw is a high-end blanket at the pinnacle of softness if your budget allows for a splurge.

Cashmere is often regarded as the pinnacle of luxury when it comes to wool. The expensive yet incredibly soft fabric is generated from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats native to the Himalayas where temperatures can drop to -30°C ensuring cashmere is one of the warmest materials on the market.

Naturally, cashmere is an excellent choice for a throw blanket thanks to the material's warmth, softness, and breathability — if you're willing to splurge on the high price tag.

What sets Williams Sonoma's Recycled Italian Cashmere Throw apart from the pack is that key word, "recycled." Instead of utilizing virgin cashmere, Williams Sonoma collects the leftover wool from other knits and reweaves them into new yarn, cutting down on waste and reducing the environmental impact of these blankets by 92%.

The cashmere they collect has already been dyed for other projects. Instead of redying it, they allow the slight variations in color to shine, giving each throw a unique, slightly mottled coloration.

The Recycled Italian Cashmere Throws are produced in Prato, Italy at a mill that has been weaving cashmere dating back to the 12th century, so you can be assured that your throw has been produced with the highest quality of care and skill.

Like all cashmere, this throw is dry-clean only, but thanks to cashmere's inherent antibacterial nature, it will resist smells for quite a long time, so you'll likely only have to clean this blanket once a season or if you spill something on it.

The best chunky knit throw blanket

The ShepsWool Chunky Knit Merino Wool Blanket will warm up any space with its exaggerated knit, and its merino wool construction makes it incredibly cozy.

Chunky knit blankets were all the rage a couple years ago, and it's no wonder the trend has persisted. A good chunky wool blanket draws the eye right away and becomes a focal point of any warm and cozy space. While they're often more form than function due to their tendency to misshape with use, if it's a beautiful piece you're after, the ShepsWool Chunky Knit Merino Wool Blanket is a great throw at a reasonable price.

ShepsWool hand-knits all of its blankets from merino wool roving — a material made using a wool-gathering technique that aligns all the fibers in one direction. The roving has a soft, pillowy feel to it, unlike a tightly wound yarn. While this gives it the perfect look, it does make it more delicate, and blankets made from it can start to pill and shed with extended use.

This 40-inch by 60-inch throw is best sized for decorative use, but it's large enough to cover one person. If you're looking for something larger to share with a partner, ShepsWool also offers 62-inch by 80-inch and 90-inch by 100-inch versions.

The best jersey weave throw blanket

If your favorite sweatshirt is your idea of the pinnacle of comfort, you'll want to add the Pottery Barn Teen Sweatshirt Blanket to your throw collection.

While wool will keep you the warmest and cashmere might be the most luxurious, there's often nothing cozier than an old well-worn hoodie. A jersey knit blanket turns that sweatshirt into something you can spread over your couch and cuddle up with during movie night. But good ones are surprisingly hard to find, and they're often emblazoned with college logos.

The Pottery Barn Teen Sweatshirt Blanket keeps it simple in either heather gray or navy with some subtle seam detailing for visual interest. The underside of each blanket is a lighter shade of the primary color. And don't let the "Teen" designation trouble you; this blanket is sophisticated enough to suit any living room or TV den.

While this Sweatshirt Blanket isn't a true throw dimensionally speaking, the Twin size will easily serve as an oversized throw and you won't have to worry about playing tug of war with kids, dogs, or anyone else vying for blanket space. If you want to go truly oversized or put this one on your bed, it also comes in a Queen/King size.

Check out our other great bedding guides

• The best pillows
• The best weighted blankets
• The best duvet covers
• The best sheets
• The best mattress toppers
• The best bed frames

• A gift that a dad just doesn't have the free time to use can end up being a bigger source of frustration than pleasure, so think carefully when buying holiday gifts this year.
• Practical gifts that make a dad's life easier and more efficient are always welcome, especially if they are an upgrade to a product he already uses.
• Gifts that are consumable are also always welcome, as dads need to eat, so they might as well have some treats on hand.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

I recently got a GoSun Go Portable Solar Cooker, a camping stove that cooks food using nothing more than sunlight, and at first I was thrilled. What a cool product, right? A totally eco-friendly stove I could use to bake food and boil water there at my campsite — no gas, wood, charcoal, or anything else required. Then I started looking at the calendar trying to figure out the next free weekend where my son and I could go camping. Long story short, we don't have a place to fit in a couple nights out in the woods until late summer.

When you're looking for the perfect gift this year, keep in mind that the dad in question may not have time to enjoy most gifts, thoughtful as they might be.

So instead of giving a golf club that's going to collect dust in the garage or a book that's probably going to serve primarily as a paperweight, look for a dad gift the guy can actually enjoy despite having about five minutes of free time in his day, what with the job, kids, yard work, travel, and the rest of it.

Great gifts for busy dads are those products that replace something he's already using, like a new pair of pants or a high-quality tumbler, or that are treats he'll enjoy without having to carve out extra time in the day, like some gourmet snacks.

And ... if you're looking for a great gift for me, keep it simple: I'll gladly accept candies and/or a bottle of gin. Or some socks. Seriously, I know it sounds boring, but great socks are genuinely a great gift.

Shop these 12 gifts for busy dads that are both thoughtful and useful. 

A shirt that can't get stained or wet

Gift the Ably Apparel Lanai Linen Shirt from Ably Apparel for $115

The first time I put an Ably Apparel shirt to the test, I was skeptical at best. The company claims that the Filium-activated coating applied to the linen fibers of its shirts make them all but impervious to water and stains, so naturally I opened the sink tap to full blast and stuck my shirt right into the water. As it turns out, they weren't lying.

Water literally bounces off the fabric, flowing away like the stuff was made from slick plastic. Yet it feels just like any other mid-weight garment out there. As Ably makes polos, T-shirts, button downs, and more, you'll definitely find an option the dad on your list will love. And he'll love getting through meal times, finger-paint sessions, and other messy undertakings with a shirt that looks pristine.

A grill he can use indoors that doesn't get messy or smoky

Gift a Bella Smokeless Electric Grill from Amazon for $49.99

I love grilling, but sometimes the extra 10 or 15 minutes it takes to take the cover off the grill, clean the grates, and pre-heat the thing just aren't worth the effort. Thus my love for our plucky little Bella Smokeless Electric Grill. It uses an electric heating element that warms up fast and, as the name suggests, doesn't produce smoke, but does still produce those satisfying grill lines and more than enough heat to cook steaks, sausages, kebabs, and anything else you would throw on the barbecue outside.

When the cooking is over, you can lift off the copper-coated grate for easy cleaning with a bit of soap and water and dump out the drip tray that collected fats, oils, and other stuff you'd rather have separated from your food.

A multi-tool that can pretty much do it all

Gift a Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool from Amazon for $88.99

Dads are supposed to be able to fix everything, but without the right tools, how can they fix anything? While a 64-piece socket set or a table saw might not be the most practical gifts for dad, a great multi-tool is a must-have whether he's a die-hard DIY guy or a rank amateur still set on tightening that loose table leg. The Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool has a blade, pliers, and other tools, the most notable of which is a center-axis screwdriver that allows for ergonomic rotation.

The tool comes with 12 different bits for the screwdriver, so it can help you with all sorts of building and repair projects. While a bit bulky for a pocket, the overall quality of the Center-Drive makes up for its size and makes it worth keeping close at hand.

A jogging stroller that combines parenting with exercise

Gift a Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller from Amazon for $379.99

Before I had kids, I would go for an afternoon run all five days of the workweek and often on weekends, too. Now, I'm lucky if I get in three jogs weekly. My run is always the first thing on the chopping block when time starts getting too tight, what with school pickups and dropoffs, this or that doctor, gym class, or other appointment, and so on.

With our Chicco TRE Jogging stroller, however, I can log a few miles out there with my daughter enjoying the ride and my wife getting at least a few minutes of child-free time. The stroller has huge pneumatic tires that absorb the impact created by uneven surfaces and a bicycle-style hand brake that allows for deceleration, which is handy when I'm approaching an intersection or heading down hill.

A Harry & David gift box

Gift a Gift Box from Harry & David starting at $19.99 (shipping not included)

If you know of a dad whom won't enjoy receiving a box packed with savory sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh pears and apples, crackers, cookies, mixed nuts, and more, then no problem; you just send a Gift Box from Harry & David on to me instead.

A snack-filled gift box might not seem like the most personal gift ever, but in fact it really is a thoughtful option. Nothing in the gift will end up sitting on a shelf collecting dust, enjoying it doesn't require any extra time or effort, and the selection is varied enough so that at least many, if not all, of the foods included will appeal to the dad in question.

Cupcakes, because cupcakes

Gift Cupcakes from Baked by Melissa, starting at $32

Even the busiest dads will find the eight or nine seconds it takes to consume a mini Baked by Melissa cupcake, which are properly eaten in one ravenous bite. 

Each box comes with 25 little cupcakes and the presentation is lovely, making an already good gift that much more notable. And given the more than two dozen treats in each box, dad might even share a few sweet morsels with the rest of the gang.

Crazy comfortable and flexible jeans

Gift a pair of DU/ER Performance Denim Jeans from REI for $129 (prices vary by style)

I wear jeans just about every day of my life, and whenever they are clean, my DU/ERs are the go-to pair. DU/ER pants look like regular jeans, but they are as stretchy and flexible as workout pants, and they're amazingly lightweight. I wear them whether sitting at my desk, running errands, or on a long walk with the wife and kids, and I've even kept them on while mowing the lawn or cleaning out gutters.

A pair of pants that's ready for travel, yard work, dinner out, or sitting in the office all day is worth its weight in gold, but fortunately you'll only have to pay about $130 for DU/ER Performance Denim.

Mail-order gourmet meat

Gift all sorts of gourmet meats from Snake River Farms starting at $57

Yes, giving a dad the gift of fancy meat he can grill up is a bit of a cliché, but it's also pretty much a slam dunk, unless said dad is a vegetarian. Snake River Farms offers superlative cuts of beef and pork, including Wagyu steaks, baby-back ribs, bacon, and so much more.

The company's meats are a bit more expensive than those you might get from a competitor like Omaha Steaks, but Snake River Farms meats are consistently excellent. I know because I've ordered foods from them myself several times. And don't worry, you can get a perfectly good gift for under $100.

A digital picture frame that plays videos and music

Gift a Nixplay Seed Wave from Amazon for $219.99

About a decade ago, my brother and I both gifted our dad a digital picture frame. I don't mean jointly; I mean we each gave him a frame pre-loaded with a bunch of pictures. Turns out he loved the idea and was perfectly happy to have two, both of which have been on display on a counter ever since. But while the frames we gave him back then use now outdated SD cards, you can give the gift of a frame fit for the modern era: the Nixplay Seed Wave.

This frame features 10 gigs of storage space, it has built-in Bluetooth speakers that play audio during videos, and you can upload videos or pictures right from your phone. It even turns off when it senses there's no one in the room, saving power and being more eco-friendly.

A fitness-tracking watch that helps Dad make the most of his runs

Gift a Smart Watch from Runitopia, starting at $49.99

If a dad only has a few spare minutes a day for exercise, he better make the most of those minutes. Help a father stay fit with a Smart GPS Sport Watch from Runitopia. It features GPS and a compass, so Dad will always know where he is, and it tracks heart rate, calories burned, steps taken, and other metrics that help a guy (or girl, for that matter) optimize his training.

The watch syncs with smartphones and will alert you to calls and alarms, and it can hold a charge for more than three weeks if you leave the GPS switched off. At $50, it's an affordable gift, too.

A smart hose timer that lets him control the watering from anywhere

Gift an Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Timer from Amazon for $51.45

One of the hardest things about planning a trip out of town is worrying about the home left sitting unoccupied. Whenever we travel as a family, my wife and I have to figure out whether or not to stop the mail, if the cats will have enough food or need to be checked on, and if the yard is going to be ok or needs to be watered by a family member or neighbor. Thankfully, I can now check that last item off the to-do list, because we got an Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Timer.

This timer connects to a standard outdoor faucet and can be pre-programmed to turn on the flow when you want. Better yet, it connects to your home Wi-Fi and can be accessed from anywhere. So I can be on vacation a continent away, check the weather at home, and then turn off the flow because of inbound rain. The B-Hyve also tracks how much water flows through it, so I can tell how much water our yard and garden are consuming and adjust as needed.

An oil Dad can use on his face, body, and hair

Gift a bottle of Everyday Oil from Amazon for $14

As much as I hate to admit it, age is catching up with me in a few ways, one of them being wrinkles starting to show up on my face. Another being hair that's drier than it used to be. Also there are the occasional backaches and random grunts when I lift something heavy. While the grunting is probably under my control and the backaches a fact of life, at least I can fight back against the wrinkles and dryness with one product: Everyday Oil.

I used to use several different products on my face and hair, but now I just slather a layer of this stuff over my skin and work it right into my hair and scalp. My skin is better moisturized than ever, and my morning ablutions are more efficient, too. Which good, what with the whole no free time thing.

• A good pair of gloves makes a huge difference on a cold winter day, allowing your hands to stay warm no matter how frigid it is outside.
• Our top pick, the Ozero Thermal -30°F Suede Winter Gloves, are affordable, offer unisex sizing, and keep your hands warm even when temperatures drop below zero.
• If you prefer mittens as your hand-warming method of choice, check out our guide on the best mittens.

The first official day of winter is on December 21, but with freezing temperatures and snowstorms already here, it's safe to say the season started early this year. If those cheap knit gloves you've had for ages are looking a little worse for wear, it's time to consider picking out a dependable pair of winter gloves. 

Winter gloves come in many varieties, including thermal, waterproof, and tech-friendly, so it's important to pick out a pair that fits your intended use. Whether you're planning a fun ski trip, taking work calls for long hours in the elements, or you just need something warm enough to handle quick trips outside, these are the gloves that will keep frostbite at bay.

We did the research to find the best winter gloves you can buy to keep your hands nice and toasty for this year's winter and for many more winters to come. 

Here are the best thermal gloves:

• Best unisex overall: Ozero Thermal -30°F Suede Leather Winter Gloves
• Best gloves in men's sizing: Carhartt Men's W.P. Waterproof Insulated Gloves
• Best gloves in women's sizing: The North Face Women's Etip Gloves
• Best gloves for outdoor activity: Vbiger Winter Warm Touch Screen Gloves
• Best work gloves: Ergodyne ProFlex 817WP Thermal Waterproof Utility Gloves
• Best affordable gloves in women's sizing: IL Caldo Thick Warmer Weather Gloves
• Best Gore-Tex gloves: Burton Gore-Tex Gloves

Updated on 12/18/2020 by Amir Ismael: Checked links and prices, added new pick for best affordable women's gloves, and updated introduction. 

Best unisex gloves overall

If you are looking for thermal gloves that are affordable and warm, the Ozero Thermal -30°F Suede Leather Winter Gloves are your best bet.

Pros: Affordable, warm, true to size, waterproof, unisex, good grip

Cons: Fingers of gloves may be slightly too long for those with small hands

Sizing options: S-XL

The Ozero Thermal -30°F Suede Leather Winter Gloves feature five layers of materials to keep your hands warm and dry in below-freezing temperatures. The outer layers of polar fleece and waterproof TPU provide thermal retention and moisture-wicking, while the middle firm sponge layer keeps the shape of the glove intact.

The inner layers include Heatlok insulated cotton and TR thermal cotton, which both ensure your hands stay warm  — even when the temperature drops down to  -20°F. The gloves also feature a windproof cuff at the wrist that prevents cold air from creeping inside.

The deerskin suede leather gloves are made with a solid grip, so they're the perfect winter accessory for partaking in cold weather activities or even just driving on a brisk winter morning. The gloves come in sizes small to extra large, so they should fit hands of all sizes.

Best gloves in men's sizing

The Carhartt Men's W.P. Waterproof Insulated Gloves are an affordable pair of gloves that are insulated, waterproof, and made to last. 

Pros: Affordable, waterproof, insulated, moisture-wicking

Cons: Slightly too bulky for working outside with small materials

Sizing options: S-XXL

There's a reason why the clothing brand Carhartt is synonymous with durable outdoor apparel, as it has been producing high-quality outerwear and accessories since 1889. Carhartt's Men's W.P. Waterproof Insulated Gloves are no exception to the rule.

The gloves are made with a long-lasting polytex shell that features a FastDry lining to wick away moisture as you use them, so you can say goodbye to sweaty palms.

One thing to keep in mind: Some users say they aren't the most practical option if you plan on working outdoors in cold temperatures, because they are too bulky to pick up small items such as nuts and bolts.

Best gloves in women's sizing

The North Face Women's Etip Gloves will keep your hands warm and let you use your phone at the same time.

Pros: Tech-friendly, warm, good grip, variety of colors to choose from

Cons: Not waterproof

Sizing options: XS-L

If you want to be able to check your phone without removing your gloves, try The North Face Etip Gloves. These tech-friendly gloves are perfect for those who still like to stay connected while enjoying the great outdoors.

Your hands will stay warm and toasty as you scroll through Facebook, thanks to the gloves' five-finger touch capability. The gloves also feature extra silicone grip on the palm, so your hands won't slip as you scroll, ski, or shovel.

The sturdy gloves use a lock clip system, so you can store them together and you'll never have to worry about losing one. There are several colors to choose from including purple, gray, and pink.

Read our full review of the North Face Etip Gloves here.

Best for outdoor activities

The Vbiger Winter Warm Touch Screen Gloves are a great tech-friendly pair of unisex gloves that offer warmth and mobility for outdoor sports.

Pros: Unisex, great for outdoor activities, warm, affordable, tech-friendly

Cons: Not waterproof, not long enough for some

Sizing options: M-XL

If you like to stay active outdoors even in the wintertime, you need to find a pair of gloves that will not only offer warmth but also dexterity. Look no further than the Vbiger Winter Warm Touch Screen Gloves. These gloves are designed for winter outdoor sports like snowboarding, skiing, climbing, running, and more.

The gloves are made with windproof, fast-drying, and breathable materials to keep hands moisture-free. They also feature anti-skid palm patches for a better grip. The slip-on cuff fits comfortably on the wrist without inhibiting movements.

The thumb and pointer fingers feature a sensitive touchscreen function to allow you to track your outdoor workouts on your phone, though sadly, they're not waterproof, so if you get your cardio from competitive snowman building, you're out of luck.

While the gloves are made to be short and cut off on the wrist to allow for increased mobility, some buyers are hoping the brand will come out with a longer pair to keep wrists warm as well.

Best work gloves

If your job requires you to work outdoors during the winter, the Ergodyne ProFlex 817WP Thermal Waterproof Utility Gloves have the dexterity you need.

Pros: Waterproof, insulated, breathable liner, extra cushioning

Cons: Tricky sizing

Sizing options: S-XXL. Some users have noted that sizing was not consistent and recommend checking the size chart before buying.

Made with 40g 3M Thinsulate insulation and a Hipora water and windproof breathable liner, the Ergodyne ProFlex 817WP Thermal Waterproof Utility Gloves are highly-rated gloves for those who work outside in the cold winter months.

The padded spandex back and neoprene knuckle pad offer cushioning for extra comfort, while the terrycloth panel on the thumb allows you to wipe sweat from your brow as you work. The flexible gloves have the full range of dexterity that you need when you are on the job. They are also touchscreen-capable on the thumb and index fingers.

Best affordable women's gloves

Super warm gloves don't have to be super bulky, and the Il Caldo Thick Winter Drive Gloves prove it.

Pros: Warm, machine-washable, touchscreen tips

Cons: These gloves are warm enough for city life, but certainly not suited for the Arctic Circle

Sizing options: One size fits most

Just because the weather has taken a turn for the worse doesn't mean that your sense of style has to do the same. Il Caldo's Thick Winter Drive Gloves are not only extremely warm, but also quite elegant.

Lined with both cotton and wool, these gloves are surprisingly warm and fantastic at insulating your hands against the snow and wind. There are a number of different styles available, but all feature unique details that allow these gloves to stand a cut above the rest when it comes to aesthetics. Whether it comes in the form of faux fur lining or the touchscreen finger tips, the Il Caldo offerings combine form with function.

Thanks to the wool and cotton construction, you can run these gloves through the wash without worrying about ripping them to shreds. I was pleasantly surprised to find that even after a few cycles, these gloves did not shrink, nor did they lose their ability to keep my hands cozy. The gloves also feature touchscreen tips, though, like many other gloves, this functionality is somewhat touch and go (no pun intended). — Lulu Chang

Best Gore-Tex gloves

If you're looking to survive subzero conditions with all your fingers intact, Burton Gore-Tex gloves are the way to go.

The best invention of the last few decades may just be Gore-Tex. The waterproof, breathable fabric has the unique ability to block liquids while allowing water vapor to pass through, making for a dry, comfortable environment. When it comes to keeping your hands cozy and protected in seriously harsh conditions (wind, snow, sleet), one of the best options is the Burton Gore-Tex glove.

Pros: Incredibly warm, waterproof yet breathable, Sticky Icky palm technology allows for great grip

Cons: None to speak of

Sizing options: S-XL

Gore-Tex makes up the membrane of this glove, which ensures that it's waterproof, but Burton also includes an integrated Thermocore layer of insulation for extra warmth. The outside of the glove is made from a double layer of DryRide Ultrashell fabric, which is windproof and waterproof, but will still let your hands breathe.

If you're looking to do work in these gloves, that's possible too thanks to the Sticky Icky technology in the palms that allow you to grip onto ski poles, shovels, or your significant other's hand.

One of my favorite things about the Burton Gore-Tex glove is that it's essentially three gloves in one. The fleece liner on the interior of the glove is removable, which means that you can either wear just the fleece, just the outer shell, or put them both together for days when it's especially chilly out. If you opt to wear the fleece on its own, you can take advantage of its touchscreen technology (though to be fair, I've often had trouble using my smartphone without fully de-gloving).

Sizes are available from extra small to extra large, so folks of all genders will be able to buy and enjoy a pair. — Lulu Chang

Check out our other buying guides for cold-weather gear

The best winter coats in men's sizing

The best winter coats in women's sizing

The best beanies

The best places to buy scarves online

The best places to buy winter hats for everyone

The best mittens you can buy

The best snow pants for everyone

• The rise of online learning platforms is democratizing education by allowing people to learn pretty much anything from home. 
• However, there are countless types of online classes and platforms to choose from, which can be overwhelming.
• To make it easier, we compared and broke down the differences between four of the most popular online learning platforms: Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Skillshare. 
• Read more: The 20 fastest-growing skills in the freelance job market, according to Upwork — and the online courses you can take to learn them

Thanks to online learning platforms, education is being democratized, breaking down traditional barriers to access like high costs and location. But also, online classes are a great way to gain new skills and stay engaged while many of us are spending more time at home during the pandemic. You can learn anything, from photography to computer science, anywhere and at any time.

These days, there are countless types of classes and online learning platforms to choose from. You could spend years absorbing the differences in coding languages, strategizing how to most effectively leverage email marketing tactics for your small business, or in a very meta twist, learning how to learn— and then move on to a different platform and do it all over again.

To help you make sense of the different models, we compared four popular online learning platforms: Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Skillshare.

We looked at pricing, course offerings, and the teachers who will be guiding you through it all. We also found the top courses from each platform so you can get an idea of why students flock to each site. 

Keep scrolling to find a platform to suit your particular needs, whether you want to gain the skills necessary for that next promotion or just love learning for the sake of learning.

SEE ALSO: The 20 fastest-growing skills in the freelance job market, according to Upwork — and the online courses you can take to learn them

Coursera

Courserapartners with top universities and organizations to offer more than 3,900 academic courses on its online learning platform. In addition to courses, it offers specializations and online degrees. Its mission is to provide "universal access to the world's best education."

Course categories:

• Arts & humanities, social sciences
• Business, computer science, data science, math & logic
• Life sciences, physical science & engineering 
• Language learning

Pricing: 

• Free or pay-per-course for expanded access. Applications for financial aid are available. 
• $29 to $99 per course
• $39 to $79 per month for specializations (series of courses culminating in a Capstone Project)
• $15,000 to $25,000 for an accredited master's degree 

What you get:

• Free users get access to course materials like videos.
• Paid users also get access to assignments, and will receive a final grade.
• Paid certificate of completion for courses and specializations, or a degree certification. 

Teachers:

• Instructors from top universities and other educational institutions around the world

Apps available on:

• iOS and Android devices

Corporate or team programs available for:

• Business and government 

Languages:

• Video subtitles are available in over 30 languages.

Popular courses:

• Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects | UC San Diego, 4.8 stars from 69,548 ratings
• Machine Learning | Stanford University, 4.9 stars from 152,404 ratings
• Programming for Everyone (Getting Started with Python) | University of Michigan, 4.8 stars from 174,801 ratings
• R Programming | Johns Hopkins University, 4.5 stars from 20,018 ratings
• Grammar and Punctuation | UC Irvine, 4.7 stars from 16,083 ratings

Use Coursera if: 

• You want access to the minds of the world's top universities without having to pay the cost of higher education. 
• You need a scheduled pace to keep you moving and motivated, rather than going at your own pace. 
• You would like to complete an online master's degree, potentially for a lower fee. 

Browse and sign up for courses on Coursera.

Udemy

Udemy is the world's largest marketplace for online learning, offering over 100,000 courses across a large range of categories. Its mission is "to improve lives through learning." 

Course categories:

• Development, IT & software, business, office productivity
• Design, marketing, photography, music
• Lifestyle, personal development, health & fitness 
• Teacher training, academics, language, test prep

Pricing: 

• Pay-per-course. There is no loyalty or subscription program.
• Some classes are offered for free.
• Paid classes range from $10 (when discounted) to $200 per course.
• Huge discounts happen fairly often, so check back often!

What you get:

• Full lifetime access to the course
• Learning tools: videos, articles, PowerPoint presentations, audio, assessments, and online discussion boards 
• Certificate of completion depending on the course 

Teachers:

• Experts in their field who create and manage the course

Apps available on:

• iOS, Android, and Apple TV devices 

Corporate or team programs available for:

• Business 

Languages:

• The website is localized for 16 languages to make it easier for non-English users to browse courses offered in both English and their native language. 

Popular courses:

• Web Developer Bootcamp | 623,987 students enrolled, 4.7 stars from 190,174 ratings 
• Machine Learning A-Z: Hands-On Python & R in Data Science | 725,253 students enrolled, 4.5 stars from 137,164 ratings
• JavaScript: Understanding the Weird Parts |155,326 students enrolled, 4.7 stars from 39,864 ratings
• Angular 4—The Complete Guide | 444,763 students, 4.6 stars from 135,101 rating
• Learn and Understand AngularJS | 86,375 students enrolled, 4.4 stars from 19,352 ratings

Use Udemy if: 

• You like choosing from a variety of options for nearly every topic imaginable.
• You don't plan to take a lot of classes in the same time period. The cost of individual classes can add up quickly without promotions.
• You're an expert who would like to share your skills and make some money. 

Browse and sign up for courses on Udemy.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) is a LinkedIn-owned online learning platform that offers over 15,000 courses, with more being added almost weekly. It seeks to help users "learn from industry experts, and connect with a global network of experience." 

Course categories:

• Business
• Technology
• Creative

Pricing: 

• Free 30-day trial 
• Monthly subscription plan, from $29.99 per month
• Yearly subscription plan, from $19.99 per month

What you get:

• Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning's entire course library
• Personalized course recommendations
• Offline viewing with the mobile app
• Access to LinkedIn's Premium Career features

Teachers:

• Experts in their field who create and manage the course

Apps available on:

• iOS, Android, Windows 8, and Apple TV devices 

Corporate or team programs available for:

• Academic, business, and government 

Languages:

• Courses are offered in English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese.

Popular courses:

• Photoshop CC 2020 Essential Training | 41,380 views
• Online Marketing Foundations | 305,237 views
• Jodi Glickman on Pitching Yourself| 397,636 views 
• Management Tips Weekly |150,449 views 
• The Practicing Photographer | 66,884 views 

Use LinkedIn Learning if: 

• You would like to supplement your current professional or educational experience.
• You plan to consistently take courses in order to make the subscription worth it.
• You are an expert who would like to share your skills and make some money. 

Start your free trial on LinkedIn Learning.

Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers over 20,000 classes, projects, and workshops. Its mission is "to provide high-quality, personalized learning to millions of students worldwide." 

Course categories:

• Animation, design, illustration
• Lifestyle
• Business
• Photo & Film
• Writing

Pricing: 

• Free 30-day trial 
• Many classes are free to access
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Charley Pride played music. William Norwood performed live-saving surgeries. Rosemary Shinohara worked long nights at the newsroom, picked blueberries, ran triathlons, and read mystery novels. Veronica Gutierrez, age 29, liked puzzles.

They all died of COVID-19, their deaths reported this week amid a tragic and unprecedented surge in infections and fatalities across the US. The US recorded nearly 18,000 COVID-19 deaths in the last seven days alone.

Wednesday marked the deadliest day in the pandemic so far, with close to 3,500 reported deaths. That's more American deaths from a single catastrophe than on any other day in the past 100 years, including 9/11, Pearl Harbor, and D-Day.

Below are the names, faces, and a small peak into the lives of just a few Americans whose deaths were reported this week. 

Charley Pride, the first black country superstar, died on Saturday in Dallas, Texas, at age 86.

A month before Pride died, he received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association. He was a three-time Grammy winner and had been a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame since 2000.

"Charley Pride is the epitome of a trailblazer," Sarah Trahern, CEO of the CMA, told Billboard. "Few other artists have grown country music's rich heritage and led to the advancement of country music around the world like Charley."

Pride released his biggest hit, "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'," in 1971. By the mid-1970s, he was RCA Records' best-selling performer since Elvis Presley. 

"How did it feel to be the first Black country singer? It don't bother me, other than I have to explain it to you how I maneuvered around all these obstacles to get to where I am today," Pride told NPR in 2017.

Singer Dolly Parton wrote a tribute to Pride on Twitter.

"I'm so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away," she said. "It's even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you."

Married teachers Paul and Rose Mary Blackwell died holding hands. Rose Mary taught second grade. Paul taught physical education and coached football.

Paul, 62, and Rose Mary, 65, both worked at the Grand Prairie Independent School District in Grand Prairie, Texas. After developing COVID-19, they spent two weeks in intensive care. Their family eventually made the difficult decision to take them off life support.

"Me and my brother came to the conclusion to let them go at peace together," their son, Shawn Blackwell, told CNN. "They were together and holding hands. My brother and I were both holding my parents' hands as well, so all four of us were holding each other's hands as they were both removed from the ventilator."

Paul and Rose Mary leave behind four children and 20 grandchildren.

The Blackwell family created a GoFundMe page to help with memorial and funeral arrangements.

On Saturday, Monmouth College swim coach Tom Burek died in Lake Bracken, Illinois, at age 62.

Burek was the second-longest serving swim coach in the college's history, according to Swimming World. He led the men's and women's swim teams to 12 individual Midwest Conference victories. 

"His laugh and smile were contagious and always turned frowns quickly to smiles," Monmouth assistant swim coach Erin Lafary told Swimming World. "You always knew where Coach was on a pool deck full of swimmers, because you could spot his bright yellow Crocs. Better yet, you could hear him say his well-known 'goggle up!' from miles away."

Weeks before his death, Richard Hinch was elected speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Hinch died at age 71 on December 9, one week into his term. During that week, he voted against a requirement for lawmakers to attend anti-sexual harassment training and in favor of allowing lawmakers to carry concealed firearms on the House floor.

"Dick was very much about a conservative approach to just about everything," New Hampshire Senate President Chuck Morse told The New York Times. He added that Hinch was "nice in how he talked to people."

"If he disagreed with you, he'd get his point across without being stern," Morse said. "He was always happy."

It's not clear how Hinch contracted COVID-19. Three weeks before his death, he attended an indoor caucus meeting where several other attendees were infected. Hinch referred to Republican lawmakers who refused to wear masks on the House floor as the "patriot section" or "freedom group," the Times reported.

"It's so ironic, looking back," former New Hampshire House Speaker Steve Shurtleff told the Times. "I know he was just doing his job as a Republican leader, defending his members and his caucus, but it seems so senseless now."

Veronica Gutierrez died at age 29 in New Mexico. Her family wasn't allowed to say goodbye in person.

On November 16, paramedics brought Gutierrez from her mother's home to a hospital in Lovington, New Mexico. A day later, Gutierrez was flown to Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, more than 200 miles away.

Several of her personal belongings — including her clothes, glasses, and a purple phone case —were lost in the transition, the family told the Las Cruces Sun-News.

By December 9, Gutierrez's condition had declined past the point of any hope. Her family saw her for the last time the next day via FaceTime, but she was unresponsive. Gutierrez passed away 40 minutes after the call.

"All I could say was that I was sorry. She was there alone and we couldn't be with her," Gutierrez's sister, Victoria Corral, told Las Cruces Sun-News. "She was so young."

The family of Ohio native Warner Timmons was not able to visit him before he died, either. "This hurts. It hurts in ways I never imagined," his son, Jay, wrote.

Warner Timmons served in the US Air Force. Jay is president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. 

"As my entire family has been, Dad had been extraordinarily careful in following CDC guidelines, even as others in public places were not," Jay wrote in a statement on the association's website. "Just a couple of weeks ago, my father was perfectly healthy."

He added: "The fact is that my dad — like thousands and thousands of other Americans —would no doubt be alive if someone else had just been a little more cautious and even done something as simple and effortless as wearing a face covering."

"Steel Magnolias" actress Carol Sutton died at 76.

Sutton was a fixture of the theater scene in her hometown of New Orleans. In addition to appearing in local productions, she mentored young actors and playwrights. Her movie credits include "The Big Easy,""The Pelican Brief,""Ray," and "The Help." 

"Carol Sutton was practically the queen of New Orleans theater, having graced the stages across the city for decades," New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell wrote on Twitter.

Sutton volunteered for decades at Total Community Action, an organization that assists low-income New Orleans families.

"She was a person who could take vulnerability and make it seem like a superpower," actress Idella Johnson told The New York Times.

Theodore Mann, an esteemed lawyer and religious-freedom advocate, died at 92.

Mann argued multiple religious-freedom cases before the Supreme Court. In 1963, he won the "Abington School District v. Schempp" case, which ruled that school-sponsored bible readings were unconstitutional in public schools.

Outside the courtroom, he was a staunch advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He was also the founding chairman of the advocacy organization Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, which aims to end hunger in the US and Israel.

"He was at the forefront of social justice in the country generally, and certainly in the Jewish community," Abby Leibman, Mazon's president, told The Washington Post. "You felt that from the moment you were in his presence. There was a force of both passion and compassion that emanated from him in everything he said or expressed."

Mann attended the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial for the in 1963. But the heat got the best of him before Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech: Mann fainted and had to be carried away on a stretcher.

Decades later, in 1984, Mann was arrested while protesting apartheid outside the South African Embassy in Washington, DC.

A few years before that, he had visited Cairo at the invitation of Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin to celebrate the Egypt-Israel peace treaty of 1979. Mann fell asleep during a belly-dance performance but later reminisced on a "remarkable" trip.

"Israelis and Egyptians danced together, clapped hands together and sang together," he wrote in a 2013 essay. "It was simply unbelievable. Even now, 30 years later, I have tears in my eyes as I recall it."

Dr. William Norwood developed a life-saving surgical procedure in the 1980s.

As a young cardiac surgeon, Norwood was troubled by a small group of children at Boston Children's Hospital who had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a birth defect involving an underdeveloped left side of the heart. At the time, it seemed nothing could be done for them. Today, about 1,025 babies in the US are born with the condition each year.

Norwood devised an operation that would eventually become the first of three surgeries to treat HLHS patients. The first "Norwood procedure" was performed in 1981.

"Dr Norwood pioneered the cardiac surgery that transformed the lives of children born with HLHS, giving them a chance of normal life," one parent, Andy Wheatley, wrote on Twitter. "He's also the reason why we were able to have four years with our little boy. Without him, we would've had just a few days."

In the wake of Norwood's death, other parents took to Twitter to express gratitude for his work.

"My 17-year-old son, Danny, would not be with us today if it wasn't for the 'Norwood' procedure, his first of many open-heart surgeries," Claire Evans wrote. "Eternally grateful."

An elder of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe died on Monday.

Jesse Taken Alive died roughly a month after his wife, Cheryl, who also had COVID-19.

"In the end, if we could have listed the cause of death, we would have said he died of a broken heart," his son, Ira Taken Alive, told NBC News.

Taken Alive was chairman of the tribe from 1993 to 1997. He fought for the land rights of Indigenous people, protested the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline, and called for the University of North Dakota to change its Fighting Sioux nickname (which it did in 2015).

In 2019, Taken Alive welcomed climate activist Greta Thunberg to the reservation in North Dakota. He gave her the Lakota name "Maphiyata echiyatan hin win," or "woman who came from the heavens."

"Only somebody like that can wake up the world," he said at the time, according to the Billings Gazette. "We stand with you."

Eight Roman Catholic nuns died at a Wisconsin retirement home.

Two women, Sister Rose M. Feess and Sister Mary Elva Wiesner, passed away on December 9. By Monday, six more sisters had died.

They were living at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, a residence for elderly and sick sisters in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The home required masks and social distancing, but an infection detected around Thanksgiving spread to several residents.

"It was quite a shock in a short amount of time," Trudy Hamilton, a spokesperson for the School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province, told the New York Times.

Award-winning journalist Rosemary Shinohara died in Alaska on Sunday at 73.

Shinohara spent most of her 40-plus years of reporting at the Anchorage Daily News in Alaska. As part of that team, she won a Pulitzer Prize in 1989. 

"Her stories sometimes had a moral compass — she knew right and wrong and her stories reflected that," David Hulen, the paper's editor, wrote on Twitter. "Rosemary wrote simply and clearly and believed in holding public entities and officials accountable. She was drawn to people who were vulnerable and were being overlooked by those entities."

Shinohara got sick just before Thanksgiving, then was hospitalized for the second time on December 6. She passed away about a week later.

"There are pieces of her everywhere: books she has left after her visits, some forgotten reading glasses, a birthday card for my son," her daughter, Michi Shinohara, wrote on Twitter. "All these things that irritated me about her yesterday I am grateful for today."

In a statement to the Anchorage Daily News, Michi lamented the fact that her mother would likely have been among the early groups to get vaccinated.

"We were so close," she said. "We just had to make it a few more months."

COVID-19 has been an accelerant to many industries, from finance through to healthcare, but perhaps no more so than the remote working space.

Companies large and small were forced into what was previously unthinkable — a fully remote workforce.

The trend looks set to become permanent, with one US survey finding two-thirds of firms will be WFH in some form forever. More than 20 blue-chip firms have likewise confirmed permanent remote working in some form, including Google, Microsoft, and Indeed.

That's led a shakeup in the tech stack that companies rely on, with an uptick in software for video meetings and virtual events, as well as changing requirements around HR software.

Business Insider spoke to nine venture capital investors across Europe, asking them to pick out best startups pushing the remote working revolution forward into 2021. 

Check out their picks below: 

Hopin

Cited by: Paul Murphy, partner at Northzone

In the Northzone portfolio? Yes

Total raised: $171.4 million

What it does: Hopin, headquartered in London, allows users to host events and conferences online. The company's business has boomed during the pandemic since most large global events and conferences have moved online. 

Why it's hot in 2020:"For years, event organizers have recognized that their future needs to be fit for a digital-first world, which is how we came to develop our own investment thesis on the market opportunity for remote solutions that are fundamentally built up with that understanding," Murphy said.

"Naturally, the global health pandemic accelerated that interest but the journey of hybrid event formats had already started. The most successful up-and-coming platforms supersede traditional video tools by having a laser focus on engagement and user interaction, and I think one of the reasons Hopin is successful at building this product is their remote culture."

Bear Notes

Cited by: Paul Murphy, partner at Northzone

In the Northzone portfolio? No

Total raised: n/a

What it does: Shiny Frog is an app studio that specializes in the web design and development of apps for Mac and iOS devices, particularly Bear Notes, a note-writing service.

Why it's hot in 2020:"Many investors are pretty bad in terms of what they push people to do with products. With their team of designers spanning across Italy, Ireland, the US, and no VC money, Shiny Frog crafts services that are product-driven, including Bear Notes which is the place I go when I just need to focus on writing."

Cosmos

Cited by: George Henry, general partner at LocalGlobe

In the LocalGlobe portfolio? Yes

Total raised: $2.6 million

What it does:"Cosmos Video is a virtual venues platform that allows people to work, socialize and hangout together remotely, while still enjoying the energy and collaboration that you'd expect to experience in real time.

"By combining games and chat, the platform creates a relaxed, real-world atmosphere that lends itself to catch ups and kitchen chats with colleagues that we're all missing."

Why it's hot in 2020: "While many startups are trying to tackle the idea of virtual offices since the pandemic, for the founders Rahul Goyal and Karan Baweja, who are Indian immigrants, trying to find a virtual space to spend time with family and friends has been something they've been dealing with for years," Henry said. "This perspective has allowed them to capture the magic of being together and create a solution that allows people to connect across borders. This will be incredibly useful for startups taking advantage of the move to remote work to hire talent from across the globe, big companies wanting to bring international teams together, and communities holding virtual meetups."

Oyster

Cited by: George Henry, general partner at LocalGlobe, and Sitar Teli, partner at Connect Ventures

In the LocalGlobe portfolio? No

In the Connect portfolio? Yes

Total raised: $4.2 million

What it does: At a time when remote working is the new normal, Oyster enables companies to hire, manage payroll and give local benefits to their full-time employees, wherever they may be in the world. 

Why it's hot in 2020: "We believe remote working is a trend that's here to stay as companies realize their employees can be as productive outside of the office, not to mention the benefit of recouping expensive real estate costs," Henry said. "However, in order for this to be effective, companies need smart tools like Oyster to ensure that teams are supported and can receive the usual benefits and perks without any cross-border friction or pain."  

Useberry

Cited by: Pietro Bezza, Connect Ventures

In the Connect portfolio? No

Total raised: $250,000

What it does: "Useberry is a codeless prototype analytics where users test feedback and rich analytics."

Why it's hot in 2020: "The switch to remote work has seen an explosion in remote usability software. One of my favorites is Useberry, which offers testing tools purposefully built for prototypes. It offers seven types of tests and results, including heat maps, user flows, video recordings, time bars, and timestamp notes." 

StarLeaf

Cited by: Stan Laurent, partner at Highland Europe

In the Highland Europe portfolio? Yes

Total raised: $40 million

What it does:"StarLeaf enables seamless collaboration through intelligently engineered, reliable meeting room systems, superior PC and mobile-based video conferencing, and secure messaging."

Why it's hot in 2020:"Video calls have been one of the most in-demand tools as a result of the pandemic, and Cambridge-founded StarLeaf saw demand increase 10x with customers including NHS trusts, Parliamentary committees and businesses of all sizes needing a secure communications platform," Laurent said.

"Whilst many have questioned if the demand for video platforms will continue after the arrival of a Covid-19 vaccine, we believe the future of work will be about flexibility, with some staff returning to the office and others staying remote. Demand for universal communications solutions like StarLeaf will only increase." 

Bubble

Cited by: Stan Laurent, partner at Highland Europe

In the Highland Europe portfolio? No

Total raised: $4 million

What it does: Bubble is an on-demand mobile app that provides trusted, flexible childcare for working parents.  The platform connects parents with babysitters that their friends and family already know and trust. 

Why it's hot in 2020:"Parents have spent at least nine months wishing for some babysitting support and platforms like Bubble have been a godsend — when it's been legally permitted of course" Laurent said.

"The app verifies a nanny's qualification and lets parents book a babysitter at 30 minutes' notice. It doesn't just come in handy at the weekends - Bubble for Business offers flexible childcare to staff at companies including Uber, TeachFirst and Vitality. For parents who are continuing to work from home or remotely over the next 12 months, Bubble will allow them to be at their most productive, whilst knowing their children are being safely looked after." 

Remote

Cited by: Hannah Seal, Principal at Index Ventures.

In the Index Ventures portfolio? 

Total raised: $46 million

What it does: Based in San Francisco, Remote was founded by two European entrepreneurs to organize payroll and compliance for distributed workforces. 

Why it's hot in 2020:"Remote.com takes care of all the complexity and bureaucracy of hiring workers around the world," Seal said. "For one monthly fee it handles compliance, tax, benefits, payroll and all other paperwork for companies hiring workers abroad. In a way, Remote is removing country borders allowing companies to access top talent wherever they are, and that has been a very appealing proposition, fuelling Remote's growth."

Riff

Cited by: Hannah Seal, principal at Index Ventures.

In the Index Ventures portfolio? 

Total raised: $1.5 million

What it does: Riff is a voice-first chat tool for teams to communicate when working remotely.

Why it's hot in 2020:"Riff enables distributed teams to collaborate in real-time," Seal said. "Riff makes it feel like your team is back in the same room. Less distracting than Slack or Email, and faster than having to schedule and wait for a video call. Riff exists so that your team can regain peak efficiency, whilst keeping track of all the siloed conversations across different platforms."

Flexa

Cited by: Robert Walsh, managing partner at QVentures

In the QVentures portfolio? Yes

Total raised: $337,000

What it does: Flexa helps companies promote flexible working practices within its hiring process.

Why it's hot in 2020:"This year, we've seen the demand for flexible working accelerate as workplaces are becoming increasingly digitized. Having reviewed a number of HR tech startups for the QVentures pre-seed fund, the Flexa team's vision for Flexification stood out to us as the seal of approval for candidates looking to find flexible companies that work with their lives and for companies to attract the best talent as the hiring market continues to shift."

Whereby

Cited by: Robert Walsh, managing partner at QVentures

In the QVentures portfolio? No

Total raised: N/A

What it does: Whereby is a collaboration tool for easy video meetings.

Why it's hot in 2020:"As people are working remotely, we believe that video technology companies such as Whereby are helping workplaces communicate more effectively. Whereby's platform allows users to host meetings and collaborate seamlessly which is crucial when so many minutes can be lost to poor connection and UX."

Element

Cited by: Itxaso Del Palacio, Notion Capital 

In the Notion portfolio? Yes 

Total raised: $18 millon

What it does: "Element is the leading provider of secure decentralized collaboration solutions, letting governments, companies, teams, and individuals run and control their own secure chat apps rather than being beholden to centralized or unencrypted comms services like Slack, Teams, and WhatsApp." 

Why it's hot in 2020:"The firm has raised $18 million so far and has benefited significantly from the global shift towards remote collaboration, providing communications for organizations who don't want to entrust their data to Facebook, Google, or Slack." 

Radical

Cited by: Itxaso Del Palacio, Notion Capital 

In the Notion portfolio? No

Total raised: Undisclosed 

What it does: "Radical brings collaboration into the software where we actually do work."

Why it's hot in 2020: "The concept is simple. Radical allows you to add comments, mentions, and annotations across tools, so teammates can easily get on the same page." 

Workvivo

Cited by: William McQuillan, Frontline Ventures 

In the Frontline portfolio? Yes

Total raised: $16.6 million

What it does: "Workvivo is your Swiss army knife for employee communication, combining an internal social network, employee app, community spaces, and quick links to your existing tools, all in one." 

Why it's hot in 2020: "Workvivo is a new breed of employee communications platform created for 'the new normal'. It's beautifully designed to bring remote teams together, helping companies connect, engage, motivate, recognize, and update their employees, wherever they work from, in ways that traditional tools wouldn't allow.

"Organizations using Workvivo consistently see much higher levels of employee engagement." 

Hofy

Cited by: William McQuillan, Frontline Ventures 

In the Frontline portfolio? No

Total raised: Undisclosed

What it does: "Hofy is an online platform that enables businesses to make remote working work in just a couple of clicks. Among other things, Hofy helps you manage health and safety, equipment provisioning, and remote onboarding." 

Why it's hot in 2020: "Hofy can deliver extraordinary experiences at home, including remote onboardings. Picture a corporate-branded box arriving your new hire's home at 8am on their first day.

"When the box is opened, three helium balloons fly out, reading: 'Welcome to your new job!' How could they resist tweeting how awesome their first day was?" 

Hiya

Cited by: Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, Balderton Capital 

In the Balderton portfolio? Yes

Total raised: $18 million

What it does: "Hiya is a developer of a caller identification application designed to offer a better phone experience to mobile users worldwide."

Why it's hot in 2020: "The shift to remote work has made Hiya's voice performance service more critical than ever before. 

"The firm itself has had a distributed workforce for year, so adjusting to remote work was fairly seamless ... They've also donated to local charities in lieu of holiday parties, and I love how the team look at this opportunity to help those in need during unprecedented times. 

Aura

Cited by: Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, Balderton Capital 

In the Balderton portfolio? No

Total raised: Undisclosed

What it does: "Aura products offer a powerful shield safeguarding the digital lives of those you love. Their digital threat protection platform unites best-in-class privacy, identity, and security products that enable customers to manage disparate cybersecurity needs with ease and maximum effectiveness." 

Why it's hot in 2020: "As we've embraced working from home in a year like no other, everyone is living remotely, and all our digital activity is happening from the perceived safety of our homes. 

"Unfortunately, identity thieves and fraudsters are taking advantage. That's why Aura is special. Trusted by millions of customers, Aura is a technology company dedicated to simplifying digital security for consumers." 

Grin, the influencer marketing software platform based in California, recently raised $10 million in Series A funding backed by e.ventures. 

Founded by former Red Bull marketing manager Brandon Brown in 2014, Grin software helps e-commerce brands access a wide network of online influencers, artists, athletes, and more. 

The firm is working to disrupt the influencer marketing industry, which, according to a Business Insider Intelligence report, could be worth as much as $15 billion by 2022. 

In Brown's own words, the influencer marketing industry is "painfully broken", with big name brands "using several messy systems and tools that don't work well together." 

Business Insider got an exclusive look at the pitch deck Grin used to bring investors on board. Check it out below: 

Across the last decade, 2020 stands out as the best year for online-gaming stock performance, according to Simon Davies, an equity analyst at Deutsche Bank.

A recent client note dove into how European online-gaming stocks performed in 2020 and assessed whether the trend is set to continue into the new year.

"The UK Online Gaming sector delivered a 40% average share price rise, outperforming the UK market by an impressive 53%," Davies said.

The online-gaming sector features companies which enable consumers to bet on an outcome of an event or game online. This can range from online poker to casino games to sports betting.

Outperformance in 2020 has been down to a number of reasons. First, there has been little movement on the regulatory front due to the pandemic. Second, there has been a boost in customer acquisition due to shifting behaviors around COVID-19. And third, mergers and acquisitions activity has been a positive industry-wide share prices, Davies said.

This is despite facing challenges with retail closures and the pandemic impacting sports fixtures.

Overall, the UK equity market has been one of the worst performing markets this year, marked by soaring COVID-19 death and hospitalization rates, growing concern of the UK's ability to reach an agreement with the European Union by December 31, and a heavy market weighting towards sectors considered pandemic losers, like energy and financial services.

But in the case of online gaming, the sector outperformed the UK All Shares Index by 53% as share prices soared from reratings triggered by M&A and "market exuberance" in the US, Davies said.

The trend looks set to continue into 2021 as retail shops reopen and a full 12 months of sports fixtures will be on the calendar, benefitting sports betting, Davies said. Although some headwinds will be present next year.

Here's a look at the four factors Deutsche Banks says will shape the industry next year:

(1) Regulation

2020 was a "benign year" for regulation, Davies said. However, 2021 is set to be more "regulatory-rich".

Germany will lead the way, introducing a new regulatory framework for the industry in July.

"Share prices responded positively to the certainty/clarity, with German regulation having previously cast a long shadow on the sector," Davies said.

The next focus point will be a review of the 2005 Gambling Act in the United Kingdom, which could introduce more regulatory taxes and costs for the sector. 

However, a recent government statement on the review was encouraging, Davies said. It referred to the need to "give those that gamble safely the freedom to do so", which represents a rhetoric shift.

The timing of the review does concern Davies as it coincides with the return to normality. The online gaming industry could be an easy target as the government searches for more tax revenues to recoup pandemic costs.

This could actually be a risk for the industry right across Europe in 2021, Davies said.

At the moment, the cost of German regulation is factored into the bank's forecast whereas the UK Gambling Act review is not as it will not be implemented until 2022.

(2) Post-pandemic life

As COVID-19 vaccines roll-out both across the UK and US, sports betting should benefit from a full 12 months of sports fixtures in 2021.

"While football fixtures were merely postponed (creating tougher comps in July/August), there will be the summer boost from the postponed European Championship football, equivalent to a one-month or c.8% boost in betting volumes,"  Davies said.

Companies with physical gaming stores will also see a considerable boost as society returns to normal, Davies said. Though he does not expect a return to pre-pandemic levels based on ongoing structural pressures and a permanent shift to online.

(3) US market

2020 has also been a huge year for the US sports betting and iGaming market. Deutsche Bank estimates the US market value will be $14 billion by 2027, making it the world's biggest online gaming market.

By the end of 2022,  Deutsche Bank expects sports betting to be legal in states that account for 45% of the US population.

The opportunities within the US market is being reflected in the stock price.

"With DraftKings, the current number two player, up almost 350% YTD since being injected into a Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation (SPAC)," Davies said. "It now has a market value of $19bn (materially greater than Entain, despite never having delivered positive Ebitda), and a valuation of 16x FY22E EV/Sales."

Despite the exuberance, the two main players in the market DraftKings and Flutter, who own FanDuel, are not expected to achieve profitability until at least 2024.

"It is still too early to say who the market winners will be, but judging by Europe, we expect four or five dominant brands in each major state, comprising a combination of state-specific and national brands. FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM all look likely to be in the running," Davies said.

In terms of opportunities for 2021, Davies believes there are significant value gaps in the valuation of US operations of the European listed online gaming companies. If these gaps aren't narrowed organically then some operators might look to IPO their US unit after gaining critical mass, he said.

(4) M&A

One of the driving forces of stock price performance this year has been M&A. In fact, the online gaming sector has seen £30 billion of large-scale M&A over the past six years, Davies said.

This is due to ongoing regulatory pressure from European regulators, Davies said, as smaller operators have struggled to absorb cost increases. 

The research team expects another wave of sector M&A in 2021, reflecting rising regulatory costs, material economies of scale, and corporate players positioning themselves to maximise the US opportunity.

"We envisage another busy year for corporate activity," Davies said.

Stock Picks

Outperformance is set to continue into 2021 with M&A and US market opportunities acting as the driving force, Davies said.

There are significant valuation gaps remaining relative to US-listed online gaming companies, which creates opportunities for European investors, Davies said.

"Nonetheless, while headline European valuation multiples look stretched, if we strip out Flutter (inflated by FanDuel), the European online gaming companies are on a FY22E EV/Ebitda of 7.7x, below their average long-term forward EV/Ebitda multiple," Davies said.

Listed below are the three European online gaming stocks Deutsche Bank thinks will continue to benefit into 2021.

1. Entain (GVC Holdings)

Ticker:ENT

Target Price:£13.51

Upside: 28%

EV/EBITDA: 8.3x

Analyst commentary:"Entain offers a good spread of geographic and product markets, reducing risk, and will be 100% exposed to regulated markets by end 2023. It has the sector's best operational track record and is set to report its 20th consecutive quarter of Online revenue growth at its FY20 trading update on January 21st. And leverage should be down to 2.2x Debt/Ebitda, providing a war chest for bolt-on acquisitions. Finally, we see significant unrecognised value for its fast-growing US joint venture with MGM. BetMGM has targeted 15% to 20% market share in betting/iGaming, across the US states where it operates (17 by the end of 2021)."

Source: Deutsche Bank

2. 888 Holdings

Ticker:888

Target Price:£3.20

Upside: 17%

EV/EBITDA: 7.6x 

Analyst commentary:"888 delivered the highest top-line growth in the sector in 2020. We see 2021 as a flat year, with an impact from rising US start-up costs and German/Austrian regulation. It should have over $120m of FY21 year-end net cash, providing scope for special dividends or bolt-on deals. But primarily, we see 888 as an attractive play on prospective consolidation. Our 320p TP is based on an 8.5x FY22E EV/Ebitda (10x for regulated, 6x for unregulated). "

Source: Deutsche Bank

3. Gamesys

Ticker: GYS

Target Price:£10.96

Upside: 28%

EV/EBITDA: 5.9x

Analyst commentary:"Gamesys is the value play in the sector. Despite one of the strongest share price performances in the sector, it still trades on a FY22E EV/Ebitda of just 6.0x, a material discount to its peers. And the JPJ/Gamesys combination has worked strongly, driving premium growth in the UK and providing a vertically integrated business, with its own technology platform, and strong brands."

Source: Deutsche Bank

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In July 2019, Google Cloud set the goal of tripling its salesforce over the next few years, but it has since gone on a hiring spree in other areas as well. 

The unit has signed on a slew of executives to help it target specific industries like finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, and healthcare, as well as leaders to focus on expanding its operations worldwide — including in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia — as it tries to win market share from Amazon and Microsoft, which it still trails behind significantly. 

This year alone, Google Cloud has hired industry executives like Lori Mitchell-Keller as vice president of industry solutions, Derek White as vice president of global financial services, and Abdul Razack as vice president of engineering strategy.

Meanwhile, Google Cloud has seen some departures, too, including former CFO Steffan Tomlinson and Tariq Shaukat, former president of industry products and solutions.

SEE ALSO: Google Cloud is raising the partner discount on Google Cloud Platform to 12%, helping resellers boost their margins

Departure: Tariq Shaukat, former president of industry products and solutions

In February, Google Cloud underwent a reorganization to streamline operations in international markets, its partner ecosystem, and customer engagement, sources told Business Insider at the time. As part of this reorg, the president of industry products and solutions, Tariq Shaukat, left the cloud division entirely, while a "small number" of employees had their roles eliminated. 

Shaukat spent over four years at Google where he led initiatives to target specific industries like finance and healthcare, including a major deal with the IT-services giant Accenture.

Shaukat left Google altogether in July and to join dating app Bumble as president. 

Departure: Steffan Tomlinson, former CFO and vice president of technical infrastructure

In June, the $4.5 billion startup Confluent nabbed Google Cloud CFO Steffan Tomlinson, CNBC's Ari Levy first reported. Tomlinson took the position as Confluent's new CFO as the startup prepares for an IPO.

Tomlinson joined Google Cloud in 2019 and served as its CFO and vice president of technical infrastructure. Prior to that, he served as Palo Alto Networks' CFO, where he took the company public in 2012 and worked for over six years. He had also served as Aruba Networks' CFO, where he led the company through its IPO in 2007. 

Departure: Dr. Nicole Forsgren, founder and CEO of DevOps Research and Assessment

Nicole Forsgren founded DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA), which does research on how developer teams can be more productive. After Google Cloud acquired DORA in 2018, Forsgren helped lead research and strategy there. 

In March, GitHub announced that it had hired Forsgren as vice president of research and strategy to conduct research on the open source community, developer productivity, and related topics. With a background in academia, Forsgren is seen as a leading expert in DevOps – a term that blends of "development" and "operations" and is intended to help programmers deliver software faster. 

Hire: Paul Wilson, managing director of public sector for Asia Pacific and Japan

Paul Wilson, based in Singapore, joined Google Cloud in February as its managing director of public sector for Asia Pacific and Japan.

Before Google Cloud, Wilson spent his career leading sales and services organizations as well as developing strategies for the public sector. He has worked at Autodesk, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft.

Hire: Karan Bajwa, managing director for Google Cloud India

Karan Bajwa joined as Google Cloud India's managing director in March after working as a managing director at IBM for nearly four years. 

Prior to that he worked at Microsoft, where he led its business in India, as well as Cisco, where he led the public sector business in India.

Hire: Sanj Bhayro, EMEA vice president of operations and customer growth

Sanj Bhayro, who is based in Ireland, joined Google Cloud as its vice president of operations and customer growth for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in March. He is responsible for leading sales, operations, customer engineering, business development, technology, and its Workspace collaboration software suite in that region.

Before Google, Bhayro spent 14 years at Salesforce in various leadership positions in EMEA, most recently as COO.

Hire: Anil Bhansali, vice president of engineering for Google Cloud India

Anil Bhansali joined Google Cloud India in April as its vice president of engineering.

Bhansali is a Microsoft veteran, having spent 17 years there, most recently as a corporate vice president. He had also served as general manager of Microsoft's cloud and enterprise division.

Hire: Brian Hall, vice president of product and industry marketing

Brian Hall left his post as vice president of product marketing at Amazon Web Services in April and joined Google Cloud as its vice president of product and industry marketing in May. Hall had spent nearly two years at Amazon Web Services, and prior to that, he was a long-time Microsoft veteran.

When Hall joined Google Cloud, Amazon filed a noncompete lawsuit against him, arguing that his move to Google put Amazon's confidential information at risk. In July, Hall posted on LinkedIn that he has been cleared to work.

Hire: Lori Mitchell-Keller, vice president of industry solutions

Under the leadership of CEO Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud is targeting six industries: retail, financial services, health care, manufacturing, media and entertainment, and the public sector. And in May, Google Cloud hired Lori Mitchell-Keller as its vice president of industry solutions to lead the strategy of all six, as well as work with their sales and marketing teams. She reports to Rob Enslin, Google Cloud's president of global customer operations. 

Prior to Google, Mitchell-Keller spent 13 years at SAP, where she led sales and partner strategy for 20 industries, including financial services, healthcare, and retail. 

Hire: George Nazi, vice president of industry solutions in telecommunications, media, and entertainment

In May, Google Cloud hired George Nazi as its vice president of industry solutions in telecommunications, media, and entertainment. He leads the strategy for those sectors and also collaborates with Google Cloud's artificial intelligence team to develop new products. 

Before Google, Nazi spent seven years at Accenture, including as the global communications and media industry lead. He had also worked at a British telecom company for almost seven years, bringing to Google Cloud experience that can help in winning over telecom customers and partners – something Google Cloud announced would be a priority this year. 

Hire: Andi Gutmans, vice president of engineering, databases

Andi Gutmans joined Google Cloud in May as a general manager and vice president of engineering for Google Cloud's databases. Previously, he was vice president of analytics at Amazon Web Services, where he worked for over four years.

At AWS, Gutmans was instrumental in building out its cloud-data-warehousing and analytics capabilities. He helped lead initiatives like Open Distro for Elasticsearch, its open-source version of the popular Elasticsearch search project.

Hire: Abdul Razack, vice president of engineering strategy

Former SAP chief product officer Abdul Razack joined Google Cloud this June as its vice president of engineering strategy. 

Razack is a SAP veteran, having spent a total of 15 years there helping to lead its cloud strategy, with a three-year stint at Infosys splitting his tenure. 

Now, at Google Cloud, his goal is to help cloud customers find value in its products and bring "resiliency and scale to businesses in these uncertain times," according to a statement Google made at his hiring. 

Hire: Yolande Piazza, vice president of financial services

In June, Google Cloud hired long-time Citi executive Yolande Piazza as its vice president of financial services. Piazza spent over three decades at Citigroup, most recently as the CEO of Citi Fintech, which leads mobile efforts for Citi's consumer bank.

Now, Piazza heads North American financial services sales and customer engineering teams at Google, where she creates new solutions specifically tarted at Wall Street customers. She reports to Kirsten Kliphouse, president of North America for Google Cloud. 

Google Cloud has been sharpening its efforts to bring on Wall Street and banking customers. Already, it has signed on clients like HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and KeyBank.

Hire: Jose Pastor, vice president of product management for the Workspace

Jose Pastor joined Google Cloud in July as vice president of product management for Workspace, Google Cloud's suite of office collaboration and communication software.

He brings in experience working with video and voice conferencing tools, having spent over eight years at RingCentral, most recently as senior vice president of product management, where he led its Voice, Video, and Collaboration product lines.

Hire: Hans Thalbauer, managing director, global supply chain, logistics, and transportation solutions

Hans Thalbauer spent over two decades at SAP before joining Google Cloud in August. Thalbauer works as the managing director of global supply chain, logistics, and transportation at Google Cloud.

Before Google Cloud, Thalbauer served various executive positions at SAP. Most recently, he was senior vice president of industrial transformation initiatives, where he worked with the manufacturing industry.

Hire: Paula Natoli, director, global supply chain, logistics, and transportation solutions

Paula Natoli has spent over two decades working in supply chain solutions with manufacturing, retail, and wholesale distribution companies before joining Google Cloud as its new director of supply chain, logistics, and transportation industry solutions in July. She reports to Thalbauer. 

Currently, she sets the strategy for products for supply chain, logistics, and transportation customers in North America and Latin America. She also works closely with the product, engineering, and sales teams to build out and sell these solutions. 

Before Google Cloud, Natoli worked at Blue Yonder as group vice president of product management.

Hire: Laurence Lafont, vice president of EMEA industries

Laurence Lafont, who is based in France, joined Google Cloud in September as its vice president of industry sales for the EMEA region. She leads the industry sales organization to target customers in specific industries.

Prior to Google Cloud, Lafont spent over eight years at Microsoft, mostly recently as a COO, but having held other roles, like public sector lead for France, where she worked with public companies, local and regional governments, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions.

Lafont had also worked at Nokia and Oracle and, in 2000, was the COO and cofounder of a French startup called Woonoz, according to her LinkedIn. 

Hire: Derek White, vice president of global financial services

In September, Google Cloud added former US Bank exec Derek White to its team as the vice president of global financial services. 

White joined Google Cloud after serving as chief digital officer at US Bank, a role he held since July 2019. Before that, he was the global head of client solutions for Spanish financial firm BBVA and also spent over eight years at Barclays, where he held various senior roles focused on tech and the customer experience. 

White will be key to Google Cloud's push to win over financial firms and reports to Lori Mitchell-Keller.

Hire: Joe Miles, managing director of healthcare and life sciences

Long-time SAP veteran Joe Miles joined Google Cloud in September as its managing director for healthcare and life sciences industries, managing products for those sectors. 

Before Google Cloud, Miles spent 17 years at SAP, where he led strategies for those same sectors and learned how to build tools that comply with various healthcare regulations. 

Hire: Samuel Bonamigo, vice president of Southern Europe

Samuel Bonamigo, who is based in France, joined Google Cloud as its vice president of Southern Europe in September.

He's a veteran of Salesforce and Oracle, serving most recently as senior vice president and deputy general manager at Salesforce, where he spent over a decade. Before Salesforce, he was sales director at Oracle, where he worked for 12 years. 

Hire: Suchitra Bose, director of process manufacturing for the Americas

In October, Google Cloud hired Suchitra Bose as its director of process manufacturing for the Americas. Bose previously led Accenture's digital manufacturing and operations practice.

Currently, she's developing Google Cloud's manufacturing industry strategy and focusing on sales, partnerships, customer support, and more. 

Google Cloud has been investing heavily in selling to specific industries, including manufacturing. It's a major opportunity, as Gartner predicts that by the end of 2026, at least 80% of manufacturers worldwide will have adopted cloud applications built specifically for their industry. 

Hire: Daniel Holz, vice president of EMEA North

Daniel Holz, who is based in Germany, joined Google Cloud in October as its vice president of EMEA North. Prior to that, Holz spent over 10 years at SAP, most recently as the managing director of SAP Germany. 

Before SAP, Holz worked at IBM as a business unit leader and Oracle as a senior sales manager.

Hire: Ruma Balasubramanian, managing director of Southeast Asia

Ruma Balasubramanian just joined Google Cloud in December. As the managing director of Southeast Asia, she's responsible for sales strategy, operational execution, and building customer and partner relationships in the region.

Balasubramanian, who is based in Singapore, has worked with businesses in various industries, including financial services, automotive, healthcare, and education. Before Google Cloud, Balasubramanian worked at Cisco for eight years. Most recently, she was a vice president and chief transformation officer at Cisco.

Phil Venables, chief information security officer

Phil Venables joined Google Cloud this month as its chief information security officer, leading the unit's cybersecurity and more.

Prior to Google Cloud, Venables spent two decades at Goldman Sachs, most recently as an operating partner who provided support for companies in cybersecurity, IT risk, and more.

Americans are becoming increasingly intolerant of those with opposing views, and our increasingly digital lives are part of the problem.

Between 1975 and 2017, animosity between Democrats and Republicans nearly doubled, according to researchers from Stanford University. And that survey was conducted before most of Donald Trump's presidency, before the COVID-19 pandemic, before George Floyd's death, and before the 2020 US presidential election.

But polarization is a complicated topic, and the ways that technology influences our politics and democracy aren't as simple as we're often led to believe. There are multiple ways to measure polarization, for example, with each explaining a different way we're divided. And "filter bubbles" vastly oversimplify the forces that shape how we interact online.

Documentaries like "The Social Dilemma" and "The Great Hack" have awakened many Americans to some of the powerful ways tech companies can, intentionally or unintentionally, influence our behavior in the "real" world. Yet these explain only some of the economic, psychological, technological, and political forces at play.

Of course, the tech industry is only partly to blame — we play a significant role as users, consumers, and citizens as well. But that requires a deeper understanding of how the internet is designed so that we can navigate both our online and offline worlds in ways that humanize others, make us better informed, and help us find common ground.

To pull back the curtain on some of the internet's invisible hands, Business Insider spoke with 11 experts whose backgrounds include, among other things, ethnography, misinformation, political science, cognitive psychology, media, and mental health.

Here's what they had to say:

Individuals, communities, and the digital village

Jolynna Sinanan, University of Sydney

So far, that conversation has been "all about the technology, according to Jolynna Sinanan, a digital ethnographer at the University of Sydney in Australia, "whereas it should be the other way around." The internet and social media have only become widely used in the past decade or so, meaning we're just beginning to establish norms around how people should or shouldn't behave online.

Instead, she said, we should be asking "what does being a person in a community mean?"

In Trinidad, where Sinanan has spent the last few years researching social media usage, there are stronger desires to fit in with one's community, while in America there is a stronger sense of individualism. Those values play out in people's online behavior, she said.

"All the sorts of extremes we've seen this year [in America] is very much the externalization of the 'I matter as an individual," she said, adding that Americans' tendency to engage in political conversations with complete strangers or share conspiracy theories is partly because they place more value in their individual identity.

Interestingly, young people, Sinanan said, are "the first group to figure out" how social and cultural norms map to online spaces like TikTok and Snapchat, and "they learn about privacy, community, and the village, and how to negotiate that very, very early on."

The internet, it turns out, may just need to grow up a bit.

Economic incentives

Samantha Bradshaw, Stanford University

No conversation about social media's impact on our politics and democracy is complete without talking about their business models.

"One of the main tensions," according to Samantha Bradshaw, a researcher at Stanford who studies that exact intersection, "is this tension between the economic incentives of platforms, and then democracy."

When Facebook designs its news feed, Twitter identifies trending topics, and YouTube recommends videos, their first goal is keeping us online longer because it helps them sell more ads and make more money, Bradshaw said, which can "conflict with more democratic design choices."

As criticism of that business model has grown, companies have reframed that goal slightly. Instead of prioritizing content that keeps us online longer, they're now boosting posts and videos that drive "engagement," or in Facebook's case, "spark conversations" and lead to "meaningful social interactions."

However, as Bradshaw pointed out: "things that are meaningful for conversation and for Facebook might not actually be meaningful for democracy."

Research shows that people are more likely to engage with content when they're angry and scared, and as a result, Bradshaw said, prioritizing engaging content reinforces "affective polarization."

Affective polarization

Dr. Karin Tamerius, Smart Politics

The word "polarized" probably makes many Americans think about political polarization — that is, a wide gap between our political beliefs and preferences.

But in the US, it's not our policy preferences that are growing farther apart, according to Dr. Karin Tamerius, a political and social psychologist who started Smart Politics, a progressive group focused on changing how people talk about politics.

"It's emotional polarization, it's what political scientists call 'affective polarization,'" she said. "Most of all, it's negative feelings about each other, so people on the left don't like people on the right and people on the right don't like people on the left, even though they're not actually that much farther apart on policy than they were in the past."

Social media has helped fuel that animosity by creating a space without a "clear set of norms," which has in turn brought out people's worst behavior, Tamerius said. As hard as it is to have political conversations with people offline, she added, having them online without those norms "can really explode."

"And if that's the only interaction that people have with someone who thinks differently from them, it's going to feed these perceptions that the other is bad or evil in some way," she said.

Shades of gray

Joel Benenson, Benenson Strategy Group

Joel Benenson, a pollster who consulted for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012 as well as Hillary Clinton's in 2016, said that surveys his polling firm has conducted support the idea that Americans' political beliefs actually haven't shifted that dramatically in the past decade.

While those nuances often get lost on social media, Benenson said that's one advantage of the survey methods that pollsters use  — including online surveys, phone calls, text, and in-person focus groups — to learn about people's beliefs and attitudes.

"What you have to do is continually ask questions that are provocative in ways that allow you to look at the answers not always as black-and-white questions," he said, because "there are few attitudes or values that people bring to the table that don't have shades of gray… they are not absolutist."

Cognitive echo chambers

Mohsen Mosleh, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One dimension where Americans are particularly divided, at least in terms of their social media habits, is their personality traits.

Mohsen Mosleh, a data scientist and cognitive psychologist at MIT, said that his research has identified "cognitive echo chambers."

"People who rely more on their intuitions," Mosleh said, tend to follow more promotional accounts and get-rich-quick scams. "Those who are analytical thinkers tend to avoid" those types of accounts, he said, instead favoring weightier topics such as politics.

Personality traits, like the "big five" (often referred to as OCEAN), are often more predictive of how we use social media than our political ideologies, Mosleh said.

Perceptual filtering

David Sabin-Miller, Northwestern University

People may perceive the same political content differently based on how they view the world to begin with, and that can shift how they react to it.

David Sabin-Miller, a graduate student at Northwestern University, built a mathematical model to help explain how those subjective responses — a psychological phenomenon known as "perceptual filtering"— can fuel polarization online.

"Perceptual filtering is how we're all participating in constructing our own distribution of content that is either comfortable to us or enticingly uncomfortable," Sabin-Miller said, referring to content we disagree with but may enjoy consuming because it gives us a "sense of righteousness."

As a result, even if society itself isn't becoming more polarized, Sabin-Miller said, "individuals have a sort of feedback with the environment where they can push themselves farther and farther to one side of the other just because they're fed different information."

Conspiracy entrepreneurs

Russell Muirhead, Dartmouth University

Before social media, most Americans got the bulk of their news from a handful of cable news stations, radio shows, and print newspapers or magazines. For economic reasons, those outlets often catered their content to broad audiences, meaning there was a larger common set of facts on which people based their opinions.

But social media platforms have created "information flows that fit our preferences pretty precisely," according to Russell Muirhead, a political science professor at Dartmouth University.

In doing so, he said, they've created "conspiracy entrepreneurs."

Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have made it possible for creators to make money by attracting a much smaller number of people to their page or channel, even if they're peddling dubious ideas or products, Muirhead said.

"If people can sell QAnon to a fairly narrow audience, they can make money doing that," he said. "That didn't used to exist, there was no occasion for that kind of entrepreneurial activity."

Selective thinking

Helen Lee Bouygues, Reboot Foundation

Fake news and misinformation has undeniably been on the rise in recent years. But our susceptibility to it is, in part, actually a symptom of a lack of critical thinking skills suitable for the digital age, argues Helen Lee Bouygues, who launched her organization, Reboot Foundation, to tackle that exact problem.

Social media platforms and search engines use algorithms and design choices that promote "selective thinking"— where we gravitate toward information that confirms our existing beliefs — rather than critical thinking, Bouygues said.

For example, Facebook makes it difficult to distinguish between a link from a reliable news source or government agency versus a random blogger, while Google surfaces sites you've viewed in the past and designs its results page so people rarely make it past the first few results.

Bouygues said we need more tools and skills to help us "fight against the challenges of digital learning and gathering information through visual media."

"One of the biggest liberties is liberty of thinking," she said. "If we can't do our own metacognition and thinking about our own thinking, which is what critical thinking helps you do, then we're just a little bit like the number in 'Men In Black.'"

User-driven filter bubbles

Francesca Tripodi, University of North Carolina

Algorithms don't just influence us, however, we also influence them.

"Users drive these filter bubbles as well," according to Francesca Tripodi, a professor of sociology and media at the University of North Carolina.

Many people think of Google — which accounts for 90% of all online searches— and other search engines as neutral providers of information, but really they're designed to return the results that are most relevant based on our search queries, Tripodi said.

"The keywords that we enter are driven by us, not by the search engine that we choose," she said, giving the example of how searching for "undocumented workers" versus "illegal aliens" will return wildly different results about the topic of immigration.

"Because we come to these search engines with such drastically different ways of seeing the world," Tripodi said, we're essentially "keeping ourselves bubbled in information that only reaffirms what we already think we know about a topic."

There's a lot of focus on assessing the bias or credibility of an information source, but we also need to assess our starting point, Tripodi said.

Performative activism

Tina Harris, Louisiana State University

After George Floyd's killing sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism in America, social media became a major outlet for people to express their views on the topics.

That has exposed a lot of explicit racism, but also subtler — and sometimes more harmful — racism, according to Tina Harris, a professor of race, media, and literacy at Louisiana State University.

Harris described a phenomenon of "performative activism," where people say they support social justice on public social media profiles, but their words and actions in their private, social, and professional lives at times have the opposite impact.

"'It's not just, what are they presenting on social media, but what happens when the camera is away," she said. "Their public face and their private face — do they actually match up?"

Harris said the Kardashians come to mind as one example of this because, while they've used their social media followings to push for things like prison reform and protest hate speech, they've also engaged in lots of cultural appropriation.

Offline recovery

Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, Massachusetts General Hospital

There's a growing body of research showing how social media networks exploit our psychology and emotions to keep us online longer. But just as important is what that keeps us from doing instead.

Jenkins, who helps everyone from athletes to first responders to executives develop mental strategies to cope with stress and anxiety, said that a key focus of his coaching is mental and physical recovery. Addiction to social media, he said, can also keep us from recovering properly.

"It takes away time that people could be resting and recovering and building their mental health or their emotional health and resilience," he said. An hour on social media could be spent meditating, taking a nap, reconnecting with family and friends, planning for the next day so it's not so stressful, or just relaxing.

Fortunately, Jenkins added, "you don't need it as much as you think you do. You existed completely in a healthy way before social media."

The pandemic has had a devastating toll on millions of Americans this year, putting many families in difficult financial situations.

Lockdowns, pandemic-related closures, and the spread of the disease itself have put millions of Americans out of work and uncertain about when they will find a new job. Millions of households are behind on rent and at risk of eviction, with some experiencing food insecurity for the first time. Businesses across the entire economy are struggling to stay afloat.

The US lost around 22 million jobs in the spring. Although around half of the jobs have been added back as of November, recovery in the labor market has been slowing. Over 10.7 million Americans are still unemployed, around double the number of people out of work in February. 

State lockdowns and restrictions early in the pandemic led to the closure of non-essential businesses. As a result, a record 11.4 million people were laid off in March. Some retailers and restaurants filed for bankruptcy this year as they struggled to stay afloat, like J.Crew and FoodFirst Global Restaurants. And looking ahead, some companies are looking to make job cuts as they struggle financially. For instance, Disney recently announced a round of layoffs of 32,000 workers next year due to revenue loss.

Additionally, a majority of small businesses reported that the pandemic has negatively impacted their firms. Per Census data, 30.7% of small businesses in the Small Business Pulse Survey said the pandemic has caused a large negative effect to their business. The accommodation and food services, education services, and arts and entertainment business sectors were especially hard-hit according to that survey. And almost 100,000 businesses have permanently closed so far as a result of the pandemic.

The extra $600 in unemployment benefits and the $1,200 per person stimulus checks from the CARES Act this spring helped some Americans financially. But, more Americans fell below the poverty line in the summer after that extra federal aid expired.

Some Americans were disproportionately hit more than others by the pandemic, such as women and non-white workers. Within industries, recovery has not been equal, where sectors that pay less than others, such as certain parts of the leisure and hospitality industry, have been affected by business closures and a decline in demand amid the pandemic.

And the road to recovery in the US will likely take years. Moody's Analytics predicts it will take four years to recover from the millions of jobs lost in March and April.  

But there is hope on the horizon, as vaccines are starting to be approved and have already distributed to some healthcare workers.

As we head into next year with hopes of job recovery and a successful roll out of the vaccines, Insider looked back at changes in unemployment and employment during 2020:

SEE ALSO: How COVID — and the vaccines — will shape hiring in 2021

DON'T MISS: We asked recruiters who've helped candidates land dream roles in tech and finance how to job-search in 2021. Here are the 3 themes we heard over and over again.

The US lost 22 million jobs in the spring, and in each month since June, the number of jobs added has been less than the previous month.

The US lost a record 20.8 million jobs in April as businesses tried to adjust to pandemic-related lockdowns and temporary closures. After the US economy shed 22.2 million jobs in March and April, the country saw job gains in each month since, but has only recovered around half of the jobs lost. 

June had the highest monthly gain, at 4.8 million jobs added, when some businesses started to reopen per The New York Times. Job gains have been slow since then, and only 245,000 jobs were added in November. This makes the total number of nonfarm jobs in November 142.6 million, 9.8 million less than the level in February. 

"The slowdown is hugely problematic for those people who are not able to get work, but also just for the recovery itself," Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, told Insider. 

Gould said that there needs to be more money not only to help Americans be able to pay for food and bills, but to stimulate the economy. 

"When [people] don't spend money in the economy, there's much slower job growth because they're not buying goods or services, and therefore more people don't have to be hired to produce those goods or provide those services," Gould said.

Some companies are still announcing layoffs and furloughs as businesses still deal with the pandemic's effects. This includes WarnerMedia, which announced job cuts on October 8, and United Airlines, which cut 13,000 jobs on October 1. The Wall Street Journal in October noted that jobs gains have slowed as some layoffs have turned permanent.

The labor force participation rate dropped to 60.2% in April and hasn't changed much since rising to 61.5% in June.

The labor force participation rate, which shows the share of the US civilian population who are either working or actively looking for work, dropped to levels not seen in decades. The rate dropped from 62.7% in March to 60.2% in April, the lowest since January 1973, as previously reported by Business Insider.

Business Insider notes that this low rate may have been a reflection of people on layoffs who did not have to actively look for work while receiving the expanded unemployment benefits. 

This means that not only is the number of people out of work increasing, but there is a higher share of Americans who have entirely stopped working or just stopped looking for work.

The rate increased in June again as lockdowns started to ease, but has not changed much since then. The rate in November was 61.5%, the same as the rate in June. The last time labor force participation was this low was in June 1976.

Initial unemployment claims skyrocketed in the spring and have since come down but are still much higher than historical norms.

Initial unemployment claims, or the number of people filing jobless claims for the first time, spiked in the spring, reaching a historically high peak the week ending April 4 at 6.2 million initial claims. The seasonally-adjusted claim of 6.6 million for that week is about 10 times higher than the previous seasonally-adjusted record of 695,000 in October 1982.

Per the latest unemployment claims report, in the week ending December 12, the number of seasonally-adjusted claims was at a 14-week high, worse than economists had predicted. 

Heidi Shierholz, an economist at EPI, wrote in a blog post that another round of $600 in extra unemployment benefits would help create or save 3.3 million jobs per analysis by EPI's Elise Gould and Josh Bivens. 

"To get the economy back on track in a reasonable timeframe, policymakers should pass roughly $3 trillion in fiscal support, with the first $2 trillion hitting the economy between now and mid-2022 and, to avoid a fiscal cliff that causes unemployment to drift back up after that, another $1 trillion over the following couple of years," Shierholz wrote in a blog post about the latest unemployment claims.

Gould also said more policy action is needed to aid the millions of Americans as the pandemic and its economic effects continue. 

"People are exhausting their unemployment insurance benefits every week. If policy makers don't act, there's going to be 12 million more people that have exhausted their benefits on December 26 in just less than 10 days now," Gould said. 

The headline unemployment rate peaked this year in April at 14.7%, but the underemployment rate also shows just how much Americans were affected by the pandemic.

The unemployment rate skyrocketed by more than 10 percentage points in April, from 4.4% in March to 14.7% before steadily declining to 6.7% in November, still about double the 3.5% rate in February.

But other labor market measures besides the main unemployment rate can give a better understanding of the employment status of Americans.

A more expansive measure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics often referred to as underemployment gives another picture of the state of the labor market. This figure includes not only those who are unemployed, but also marginally-attached workers who want a job but haven't been actively seeking one, and employees who are working part-time but want full-time work.

Using this U-6 figure from BLS, the underemployment rate shows a similar spike and decline that is seen in the unemployment rate. However, the underemployment rate in November is 5.3 percentage points higher than the unemployment rate and was above 20% in April.

Additionally, the number of permanent job losers has also been gradually growing amid the pandemic and stands at 3.7 million in November, but is not as high as the 6.8 million seen at its peak in the Great Recession. 

The employment-to-population ratio dropped this year to the lowest ratio since this figure was first recorded in 1948.

Another measure beyond the unemployment rate that shows the employment situation of Americans is the employment-to-population ratio.

"The employment-to-population ratio is a really important measure because a lot of people have left the labor force because of the pandemic, because there's no opportunities, because they're trying to protect their health. So the unemployment rate doesn't accurately measure the kind of economic pain," Gould said.

This ratio dropped to 51.3% in April, the lowest level since this figure was first recorded. This means that only about half of working-age Americans had a job. As of November, the employment-to-population ratio is 57.3%, which is 3.8 percentage points lower than in February.

When looking at this figure among racial groups, Black Americans have the lowest ratio. Before the pandemic, the ratio for Black Americans was 59.4% , and was 54.1% in November. Among white, Black, and Hispanic or Latino working-eligible Americans, Hispanic or Latino Americans had the highest ratio in November at 59.9%.

The unemployment rate for women has been higher than men for most of 2020, but those rates have reversed since October.

Women have been especially negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, making up a large share of the jobs that have been hardest hit or are considered essential. This includes jobs like teachers, hospital workers, and beauty or nail salon workers. The pandemic and attendant lockdowns has also been especially hard for working mothers who have taken on more child care responsibilities in the age of virtual education.

"With virtual school happening, a lot of the burden falls on mothers," Gould said. "They've been pushed out essentially of the labor force because they have to take care of their children. That burden has disproportionately fallen on women historically, and now is no exception."

About four times as many women than men left the workforce in September. Some women left due to the difficulties of balancing child care demands and work amid school closures.

As seen in the chart, unemployment rates for women and men were about the same before the gap widened in April. The unemployment rate for men reached single digits in July, a month earlier than for women. Right now, the unemployment rate for women is lower than that of men.

Non-white workers had higher unemployment rates throughout this year, and recovery has especially been hard for Black men.

While women overall have been disproportionately affected, Insider previously reported that BIPOC women have been especially negatively impacted by the pandemic. In one LeanIn survey of over 2,600 workers, Black women were more likely to say they were laid off than white men because of the pandemic.

All racial groups saw a spike in unemployment in the spring but some were hit harder than others and are still seeing higher rates. Hispanic and Latina women had the highest unemployment rate in April, reaching almost 20% before gradually declining to 8.1% in November.

The unemployment rate for Black men is still high, at 11.2% in November, only 4.9 percentage points lower than the rate in April. 

Gould said that improvement has been slow for Black men even after the horrific April jobs report, with an unemployment rate peaking at 16.3% in June.

Gould said that rate for white workers now is about the same as the unemployment rate for Black men before the pandemic. This can also be seen in the chart where the most recent unemployment rate for white men is about the same as the pre-pandemic rate for Black men. 

"We know that when the unemployment rate is high and in particularly economically bad times, more vulnerable workers are hurt even more. So they become even more marginalized," Gould said.

Younger workers have been especially affected by the pandemic.

The pandemic has been especially tough for young workers, as they work in a lot of the hardest-hit sectors, such as leisure and hospitality. One in 4 young US workers lost their job between February and May as a result of the pandemic, according to data from Pew Research.

However, the unemployment rate for people between the ages of 16 and 19 years old has gradually dropped. November's rate of 14.0% is about the same as that in March. The unemployment rate for people age 20-24, however, is still 1.8 percentage points higher than that in March.

High school graduates and those without a high school diploma have been especially hard hit this year.

Similarly, we can look at the unemployment rate by education level. Based on this, those who are at least 25 years old and have at least a bachelor's degree have not taken as big of a hit as some of the other education levels. 

The unemployment rate for those without a high school diploma was higher than for other educational attainments throughout this year, but especially during its peak in April at 21.2%.

For each level of educational attainment, the unemployment rate at the end of 2020 is higher than that at the beginning of the year.

The amount of time people have been out of work this year has increased over the past few months.

As of November, 10.7 million Americans are unemployed, about double the level in February. But beyond this number is the growing number of people who have been out of work for a long period of time.

As the pandemic progressed, the share of people who were unemployed for 5-14 weeks has gone down as the share of people who have been out of work for at least 27 weeks increased toward the end of this year. 

During the spring, most people unemployed were on temporary layoffs, hoping to be called back to work once restrictions lift and businesses reopen. However, the share of people who have spent months out of work or have permanently lost their jobs is steadily creeping up.

Evercore ISI economist Ernie Tedeschi previously told Insider that it is likely that business closures and a shortage of job openings contributed to the rising number of Americans who are considered long-term unemployed. He said the economy needs to be stronger for the number of people who are long-term unemployed to decline. 

Not all sectors took the same major hit in the spring, but all are still below their pre-pandemic levels of employment, although some more than others.

Although April was a hard month for the US, some industries were more negatively impacted than others. For instance, leisure and hospitality, the industry that saw the biggest drop in employment, had only about half as many jobs in April as in February.

And although employment in the sector has increased in the following months, it's still 20.4% below February's level of employment. 

Unlike some of the other industries that have seen growth in employment since losses in the spring, the mining and logging industry has actually seen a decline in employment overall through the summer and fall. 

Transportation and warehousing has been doing well in terms of recovery. After declining in April and May, June employment was 8.9% below pre-pandemic level and was 2.2% below its February level in November.

One reason for this is because couriers and messengers, one subsector in this industry, has actually seen growth amid the pandemic as more people are shopping for goods online. One particularly hard-hit industry in the transportation sector is air transportation, which has seen a decline in employment through the fall after some employment gain in the summer.

Some other hard hit industries have recovered more quickly. Retail trade's employment in April was 15.2% below its pre-pandemic level, but by November was just 3.5% below February's level. There were still about 550,000 fewer jobs in retail in November than in February. But when you look at the subsectors that make up retail trade, you can see that recovery has not been equal. 

Lower-paying sectors have been especially hard hit and are taking longer to get back to pre-pandemic employment levels.

Within sectors, we can see that recovery in individual industries has not been equal. And as previously reported by Insider, this unequal recovery looks more like a "K", where many typically low-paying jobs are struggling to recover as fast as those that are high-paying.

"There are a fair number of American workers who have recovered already, but they tend to be higher wage. Whereas the overwhelming brunt of the burden of this downturn have been borne by low-wage workers," Tedeschi told Insider's Joseph Zeballos-Roig in October.

But Indeed notes in their own analysis of the year that these higher-paying industries that did not see major losses, like in the finance sector, have also not seen many job openings. Indeed categorizes these industries as "paused" amid the pandemic. 

Indeed economist Nick Bunker told Business Insider that job postings on Indeed are similar to what the labor market has seen this year, where jobs postings saw a decline early on in the pandemic, reached a low in late April to early may and has since "seen a slow and steady but very much incomplete recovery."