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• Espresso is a highly concentrated coffee that serves as the foundation of drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, but you'll need a good machine (or device) to do it right when making it at home.
• We've tested over a dozen espresso machines to find the best ones you can buy, considering budget, convenience, user-friendliness, longevity, and more.
• The espresso machine that will suit most people's needs is the Gaggia Classic Pro thanks to its compact design, relatively short learning curve, and rich, full-bodied shots. 
• Check out our other coffee and espresso guides.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

Espresso is a very strong form of coffee and the prerequisite for any cappuccino or latte. Velvety, viscous, and foamy, espresso is made by using pressure to force near-boiling water through tightly-packed coffee grounds. To achieve that perfect pour, you'll need a good machine that can produce and maintain roughly 8 to 10 bars of pressure, and hold up after being turned on and off hundreds of times.

For our guide, we looked at semi-automatic machines as well as manual and fully-automated pod-based devices that are made for home use. In order to find the best for most people, we consulted a handful of experts and baristas, conducted extensive testing, and held multiple blind taste tests. We also tested budget semi-automatic machines and professional units, but we passed on these because they didn't meet our criteria. (Read more about our methodology.)

It's important to note that making quality espresso can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition to the machine, you'll need a good burr grinder, which can cost at least $250 for one that is suitable for espresso. You'll also need to factor in top-grade beans, accessories, and lots of trial and error if you're a newbie. Expect to pay at least $400 for a capable automated machine, not including the grinder; a manual device is cheaper, but it will still add up.

When it comes to picking the gear that's right for you, "you get what you pay for, but you should also take your own level of experience into consideration," said Jordan Rosenacker, the executive creative director of Atlas Coffee Club. "If you're just learning the ropes, get an affordable machine that won't break your heart when — and yes, when — it breaks down."

The best espresso machines you can buy:

• Best overall: Gaggia Classic Pro
• Best with a grinder: Breville Barista Pro
• Best manual device: Flair Espresso
• Best pod machine: Breville-Nespresso Pixie

Updated on 1/13/2021: We are currently testing Breville's new Bambino, an affordable, single-boiler, semi-automatic machine that we have high hopes for based on our experience with the pricier Bambino Plus. We're also looking into the Cafelat Robot as an option for a manual device. Lastly, we are in the process of recommending a commercial-grade home machine and are currently considering the La Marzocco Linea Mini, the Lelit Bianca, the Profitec Pro 500, and the forthcoming Rancilio Silvia Pro PID.

SEE ALSO: The best stovetop espresso makers and moka pots you can buy

The best espresso machine overall

The Gaggia Classic Pro is compact, powerful enough to turn out rich, full-bodied shots, and is as simple as espresso machines get without compromising quality. While it takes some practice to nail the perfect pour, it's well worth the short learning curve.

Pros: Affordable, compact, simple design, produces full-bodied shots

Cons: No dedicated hot water spout, could have fewer plastic parts, learning curve, portafilter basket sticks in machine if you don't remove while hot

The Gaggia Classic Pro— an updated version of the original Gaggia Classic, which has been around for almost three decades — is slightly less forgiving than our recommendation for the best machine with a built-in grinder, but it's also markedly more capable of producing a flavorful, nuanced shot.

If you're just starting out, this is about as basic as espresso machines get without compromising quality. There are three buttons with corresponding lights (letting you know when the machine is primed) and a steam valve. The fact that there's no adjusting can seem a bit limiting at first, but fewer variables are a good thing for the budding barista.

It's a single-boiler model, which means it's going to take a while to switch between pulling shots and priming the steam wand (although this shouldn't be a problem if you're only making a few drinks at once). And while Gaggia claims that this machine puts out 15 bars of pressure, you really only need nine to achieve true espresso. 

It also includes a small dosing spoon and a plastic tamping device, which — I have to admit — feels a little cheap considering that the Classic Pro used to come with a nicely-weighted stainless steel tamper. That being said, you don't need to put much muscle behind tamping in the first place, and those plastic parts do get the job done. 

Testing notes

While the Gaggia Classic Pro was a little less forgiving than the Breville Barista (both Express and Pro), I found that when I took my time, I was able to get a much more sophisticated shot. On my first few tries, I produced some bitter over-extractions — which at least prove that the machine is up to task when it comes to pressure — but when I nailed it, which was around the 30-second mark for a one-ounce pour, I was rewarded with some of the best espresso I've ever made. Here I should mention that I've also tested machines in the $2,000 range.

That's not to say that this model isn't without its shortcomings. The plastic tamping device I mentioned earlier falls a couple of millimeters short of fitting the portafilter baskets (although tampers are easy to upgrade). I also wish there was a dedicated water spout, but you can get water out of the steam wand and the brewing head, provided you purge them of milk and coffee grounds first.

One last gripe: The portafilter baskets tend to stick to the group head if you don't remove your portafilter right away. This is a bit annoying, but it does show what a great seal you get between the group head and basket, and it's nothing you can't manage: If you do end up forgetting to remove it, just turn the machine on when you're ready for another shot, let it warm up, and it should come off easily enough.

You get a two-year limited warranty with this machine, but it doesn't cover user error. It's important to descale — or remove limescale deposits from — the Classic Pro regularly, which goes for all espresso machines and can be done at home with a simple vinegar solution. 

If you want to put time and effort into learning how to make espresso like a professional, if you don't have a lot of counter space, and if you're on a relatively tight budget, invest in a Gaggia Classic Pro and a good burr grinder and you'll have a long way to go before you outgrow your setup. 

Read our full review of the Gaggia Classic Pro, including detailed specs

The best espresso machine with a built-in grinder

Equipped with Breville's Smart Grinder Pro and everything you need to make espresso save for the beans, the Breville Barista Pro is among the easiest and fastest ways you can get a close-to-café-quality pour at home.

Pros: No need to buy a grinder, user-friendly, quick prep time

Cons: Doesn't include the pressure gauge found on other models, built-in grinder could have more settings, probably not repairable out of two-year limited product warranty

A faster, quieter, and more digitally advanced version of its predecessor the Barista Express, the Barista Pro is equipped with the brand's excellent Smart Grinder Pro, which would run you $200 on its own. A high-quality burr grinder is essential when it comes to making espresso, and this conical, stainless steel version comes with 30 fine grind adjustments, not to mention the dozen-plus internal grinder adjustments you can make if the fine ones don't do the trick. (Note: This is something you'll only have to do if you drastically change the beans you're using.)

In addition to a burr grinder, the single-boiler Barista Pro has all the basics: 15 bars of pressure (again, you really only need nine), a 67-ounce water tank (enough for a week's worth of espresso), a convenient water spout, a half-pound sealed bean hopper, a steaming wand, a frothing pitcher, and a satisfyingly heavy magnetic steel tamper that fits into a slot beside the grinder. For more detailed stats, you can check out my full review at the link below. 

While the Barista Pro should last up to 10 years on your countertop, outside of the two-year limited product warranty, repairing it is probably out of the question, and you'll simply have to buy a new one. Breville does have several other options, and while upgrades are on the pricey side, they're worth it if you have the budget. 

The LCD interface includes a timer and single- and double-shot volumetric control for both the grinder and the brewing head, while the ThermoJet heating system quickly brings the Barista Pro to the optimal extraction temperature and allows for smooth shot pouring. Still, if you want to save a few bucks and prefer the experience of using a pressure gauge — which is, in my opinion, a valuable learning tool — the Barista Express is a little more affordable, if slower.

Testing notes

In my blind taste tests, one of the tasters who tends to prefer coffee over espresso favored this machine over the top two contenders, which were the Flair Espresso manual device and the Gaggia Classic Pro. While the Breville Barista Pro was consistently rated "good," it rarely won out against the others due to the shots' relative lack of complexity. Still, everyone enjoyed the espresso it produced, and by putting slightly finer grounds through it compared to other machines, we were able to achieve results nearly on par with the Gaggia's. 

Some minor pitfalls: Having the hopper over the boiler is a potential problem, since coffee needs to be stored in a cool dry space, and while we appreciate the built-in grinder for convenience, there could be more grind settings to accommodate different beans. Again, a pressure gauge is a very helpful learning instrument, and we wish it was included. Still, the timer is handy, and you'll be able to dial this machine and your grounds to produce an espresso that's to your liking.

In the end, while you might not get a shot of espresso's full potential from the Barista Pro, you'll come pretty darn close, with very small margin for error. 

Read our full review of the Breville Barista Pro, including detailed stats

The best manual device

If you want to make the best espresso you possibly can at home (or on the road) without breaking the bank, a manual device like the Flair Espresso maker is an excellent option. 

Pros: Budget-friendly, portable, comes with a case, five-year limited warranty

Cons: Takes longer to prep a shot, not great for making more than one or two espressos at a time

Manual espresso makers like the Flair Espresso are not only affordable, they offer more control than most budget machines that don't allow you to adjust temperature or pressure. 

Just know this before buying: using the Flair is slightly more time-consuming than making espresso with a machine by about two minutes. And, you'll still need a grinder. Again, though, if time is a real constraint, you may want to look to pod machines, or perhaps the Breville Barista Pro, which offers a relatively quicker shot.

When I mentioned the Flair to Dan Kehn, former SCAA Barista World Championship judge and founder of Home-Barista.com, he agreed that it's an excellent bet for anyone new to the espresso world who wants to learn how to pull a full-bodied shot. Why? Again, it's about control. You pour water directly from a kettle and adjust the pressure manually until you get a steady golden flow of thick, crema-rich java. Machines in the same price bracket as the Flair often start out with excessive pressure and end a little on the light side. 

What makes this device relatively foolproof is the fact that the cylinder has a maximum water capacity of 60ml, so controlling extraction time for somewhere between 30 and 45 seconds (for espresso and more concentrated ristretto, respectively) is actually much easier, and you can get the hang of maintaining the right pressure pretty quickly. 

This maker weighs just under five pounds and it's portable, which means you can use it anywhere so long as you have a way to boil water. And, unlike most of the machines we tested, the Flair comes with an impressively long five-year limited warranty.

Testing Notes

Sure enough, Kehn was right. During a series of five rounds of blind taste tests, the Flair won four times — three unanimously. There's something about being able to control the pressure with your own hands that allows you to deliver a steady flow. Everyone involved in the blind taste test agreed that the intensity of flavor, viscosity or texture, and strength was favorable to almost every other shot we pulled from the other machines, save for the Gaggia Classic Pro a couple of times.

The only caveat here is that when we adjusted the grinder to finer settings to find the threshold of each device, the Flair was the first to choke and we could not physically pull a shot without breaking the machine — a sticker on the lever warns not to exceed 70 pounds of pressure. (Even if we had, the resulting espresso would have been unpalatably bitter from the drops we were able to manage.)

Yes, the Flair requires a little more effort and time to operate than your average espresso machine, but it is the easiest and most budget-friendly way to get the best possible shot you can, especially if you're new to the espresso game. The fact that it doesn't take up much counter space is another bonus. If you want to step up and spend a little more, Kehn recommends the Cafelat Robot, which he says is the "same animal," but heftier and made with all metal components.

The best pod machine

If you want to keep your investment low and save time, there's no better way to go than the Breville-Nespresso Pixie.

Pros: Easy, convenient, affordable, small footprint

Cons: Pods can get expensive, on the lower end of espresso, pod grounds are not fresh

Turn the Nespresso Pixie on, pop in a pod, press a button, and within under a minute you will have an espresso-like drink, foamy crema and all. 

The Pixie has just two settings: one for espresso, and one for a lungo, which is just a long, or more diluted pour of an espresso. Take it easy on this machine and don't demand more than a few shots at a time, and it will last you. 

Nespresso claims that this machine offers 19 bars of pressure, but our TDS readings fell consistently around the 5% to 7% mark, which is just shy of espresso. In other words, you can't expect "true" espresso from this machine, but you can count on a strong, frothy drink. That is, in fact, quite a feat. And with the added convenience and price point for the machine, we were willing to make an exception.

Further to that point, the machine is primed (heated up) within 25 seconds, and all told, your shot is ready in under a minute. To save energy, the machine turns itself off automatically after nine minutes. 

These machines come with a one-year limited warranty through Breville, but I have personally (and simultaneously) owned two for over five years and haven't had a single problem to date.

Testing Notes 

Against the other machines and the lone device in our testing, the Pixie didn't really stand much of a chance where intensity and texture or viscosity were concerned. Even if you buy the freshest pods you can, they're no competition for freshly roasted (and ground) beans from a good local roaster.

Still, the crema was certainly present. And everyone in the testing group agreed this machine does the trick in a pinch, which is how most coffee is made at home anyway. 

Of course, when you use the Pixie you're mostly limited to what comes in pods, which is where the device falls short of espresso machines with group heads and portafilters. There are refillable capsules (see our guide to coffee and espresso pods), and you can of course get much better results by using fresh beans and grinding them yourself, but you're getting into the realm of spending a whole lot of time doing so, which starts to eliminate the point of a pod machine. That said, if this is the route you want to go, it's manageable, if somewhat frustrating to fill and tamp tiny little capsules with a teaspoon of grounds. 

Take this machine for what it is, considering its compact size, convenience, and price. Sure, using pods can be expensive, and select ones can cost up to a dollar each, which adds up, but there's no way you're going to get espresso (or espresso-like drinks) into a demitasse any faster than this, which, for the convenience crowd, is almost certainly the way to go.

Check out our guide on the best coffee pod machines.

Also recommended

Breville Bambino: If you already have a good grinder, it's a great machine for making espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Also, the frother is easier to use than the one that comes on the Barista.

Breville Barista Express: It was almost a tossup between the Express and the Pro, and while we lament the loss of the pressure gauge on the Pro in favor of an LCD interface, it's a faster, smoother machine. That being said, if you want to save a couple hundred dollars (price varies on this machine a lot), the Barista Express is a great alternative.

La Pavoni Europiccola: Lever machines with built-in boilers are among the best on the market for two reasons: they're affordable (relative to commercial machines) and they're built like tanks, so they'll outlast just about everything. The problem is, it is a bonafide challenge to learn how to pull a good shot of espresso out of one of these things, and it takes time. If you're willing to go through the motions, we recommend it, but you have a long journey ahead.

What else we considered

Over the past several years, we have tried about a dozen of the most popular espresso machines and another handful of Nespresso and Illy pod machines. Since there are currently more options in the way of third-party pods and refillable capsules for Nespresso machines (there are, to date, no refillable Illy capsules), you should go with Nespresso. 

Aeropress: Aeropress is a great coffee-making tool that many a coffee snob keeps on their kitchen counter, where it is their sole coffee-brewing device. What you get out of an Aeropress is something like a finely pressed French press coffee with a generous layer of foam, but not quite espresso. For many, this simple little plastic device will suffice. Plus, its portability makes it handy for outdoors use.

Smeg: This is a cute little machine and certainly has counter appeal, but it pumps out more watery shots than we'd like, and for the price, it's just not competitive.

Rancilio Silva Pro PID: This is a professional machine for the home, but much like a professional race car, it operates best in the hands of a pro, and might be something you're better off working up to, not starting out with.

Gaggia Brera: We found this automatic machine to be fairly good, but its shots didn't compare to the Gaggia Classic Pro's. Still, if you want an all-in-one automatic machine that can do it all in the way of espresso drinks, it's affordable and passable, if large and clunky.

Saeco: We've tried a couple of machines from Saeco, and while they did what they were supposed to, the price, especially compared with the Gaggia Brera, didn't seem warranted. For something along the lines of a programmable machine that's borderline automatic, Decent Espresso is a favorite, and recommended by Dan Kehn of Home-Barista.com.

Cuisinart EM-200: This machine almost made espresso, but we couldn't produce the thick elixir we got out of machines in the $450 and up range. If you're going to top out around $200, it's best to go with a manual device, or a pod machine. That said, some might find it passable in a cappuccino or latte.

De'Longhi Stilosa: This machine replaced the De'Longhi 155 15-Bar, which made decent, foamy coffee. However, like the Cuisinart, the Stilosa delivered something a little more watery than espresso, and more akin to French Press or AeroPress coffee. Like the Cuisinart EM-200, it might be passable in cappuccinos or lattes, but a pod machine or a manual device will get you better espresso for the same price.

Our testing methodology

To test a machine's performance, we put each through the following. In addition, we factored in pricing to determine a machine's overall value.

Noting TDS measurements

We wanted to make sure we were getting true espresso, which is generally agreed to be somewhere between 7% and 12% total dissolved solids (TDS). To measure this, we used a device called the Atago Pocket Barista, which gave us concrete proof that some machines are better able to churn out a thicker, richer, more viscous potion without over-extracting than others. 

Holding taste tests 

We held several side-by-side blind taste tests and used the freshest roasts we could get our hands on from Atlas Coffee Club, Stone Street Coffee Company, and Counter Culture Coffee. These taste tests involved dialing a grinder to prepare grounds for 30-second extraction times, then having five participants taste shot after shot, side by side, from the three machines (of six) that became our final contenders.

Pulling shot after shot to check for consistency

Dozens of hours were spent grinding and pulling shots from over 10 pounds of fresh coffee beans. We paid close attention to the consistency of brewing: Could we pull the same four shots in a row? With almost every machine, we got very close, but the machine that seemed to work the best was not a machine at all, but the Flair Espresso Maker, a manual lever device. Chalk it up to the fact that we were better able to control the flow of pressure ourselves.

Considering prices

We found that the sweet spot for a reliable entry-level home espresso machine is around $400-$500. But remember, you'll still need a good burr grinder. 

Anything less, and you're probably investing in a machine that might be able to produce the standard nine bars of pressure, but won't necessarily maintain it throughout the brewing process. We did test several machines in the $100-$300 range but found that they fell short in producing thick, full-bodied, and crema-rich espresso. Likewise, step up into the four figures, and, as one of our coffee experts Dan Kehn said, "at some point there are diminishing returns."

What do you need to make espresso?

The coffee: The coffee is front and center here. Freshly roasted coffee is as good as it's going to get. 

Paramount to making espresso are coffee oils. If you're buying store-brand, months-old coffee and putting it through an espresso machine, you're not going to get a lot of the coveted foam, called crema, or any of the nuanced flavors associated with espresso. Simply put, get the best, freshest coffee beans you can find. If you like traditional coffee with chocolatey-nutty flavors, go with a medium-dark roast. If you like brighter, more nuanced flavors with floral, citrus, and fruit profiles, go with a light roast.

You, the barista: There's a reason baristas go through training at coffee shops, and the best espresso bars will often spend up to half an hour dialing machines and grinders based on seemingly subtle changes in ambient conditions, namely temperature and humidity.

The (burr) grinder: Okay, here's where many of us make our most crucial mistake. Any old grinder simply will not do.

The coffee grinder you choose is possibly more important than the device itself. For espresso, you'll want a burr grinder, which is made up of two serrated pieces of ceramic or steel that uniformly grind in a way that blade grinders, which indiscriminately chop like blenders, do not. Uniform grounds are always superior, but they're paramount when it comes to espresso. Our guide to coffee grinders is in the process of being updated, but we like the Baratza Sette 30 or Baratza Sette 270 for now.

No matter the beans you use, you want to wind up with grounds that are somewhere between white flour and table salt. In other words, if it's so fine that it's almost comparable to dust, the machine is likely going to choke and pour nothing or next to nothing. If your grounds are too coarse, you'll get something more like watery coffee, which will have no crema.

The machine: Here's the thing: If you're not willing to put in the time to learn how to pull a shot like the professionals, you don't want a machine like the ones professionals use. Consider something more pared-down, like our top recommendation, the Gaggia Classic Pro (don't let the "Pro" intimidate you here, though), or something completely automatic.

Why you might not want a home espresso machine

The best way to approach home espresso is to consider it an investment in a new hobby. On top of the financial commitment, it's going to take time and patience. Be prepared to dedicate a good section of your kitchen counter to your kit, accept that you're going to make plenty of mistakes along the way, and know that it is part science, part art, and dedication is everything.

If you're just getting started, expect to spend a lot of time pouring bad shots down the drain, fussing with settings as you learn to dial in your machine, and cleaning up coffee grounds. It costs about $700 to $800 just to get up and running with a machine and a burr grinder. If you're willing to go the manual route, you can get a portable device and a burr grinder for under $500, but that's still costly.

Making espresso is one of the most time-consuming and messy ways to produce a cup (let alone demitasse) of coffee. If, in the end, you need something quick and easy on your way out the door in the morning, you may want to consider the Nespresso system. On the flip side, know that are few things as rewarding in the world of home coffee as achieving an immaculate shot of velvety espresso all on your own.

Glossary

Espresso: A concentrated form of coffee made by forcing near-boiling water through finely-ground coffee using roughly 7-9 bars of pressure. A 1-ounce shot of espresso has 60 to 65mg of caffeine and a standard 8-ounce cup of coffee has anywhere from 95mg to 120mg.

Burr grinder: A set of two abrasive surfaces capable of uniformly crushing coffee beans to a much finer form than a blade grinder.

Group head, brew group, or brew head: The fixture on the front of an espresso machine that brings water from the machine and into the portafilter

Portafilter: The holder for the basket and coffee grounds that attaches to the group head.

Portafilter basket: The basket that fits into the portafilter, and into which beans are ground and tamped.

Portafilter basket (non-pressurized): Lined with a grid of tiny pinholes, these baskets allow the tamped grounds to generate their own pressure resistance to the group head, resulting in rich, foamy espresso.

Portafilter basket (pressurized): Specially designed for pre-ground coffee and ESE pods that don't pack as tightly as fresh grounds, these have fewer holes and help build pressure resistance.

Shot: A pour of espresso.

Tamper: The device used to tamp down grounds into the portafilter basket.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): This is the percentage of solids dissolved into a solution. In the case of espresso, 7%-12% TDS is generally considered the threshold.

Who we consulted

To determine non-negotiable espresso machine features and narrow down my list of recommendations, I asked these coffee professionals to lend their expert advice: 

• Dan Kehn, a former SCAA Barista World Championship judge and founder of Home-Barista.com
• Peter Guiliano, co-owner of Counter Culture Coffee and director of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA)
• Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh of Coffee Project NY
• Jordan Rosenacker of Atlas Coffee Club

Check out other great coffee gear guides

The best coffee makers whether you want drip coffee or espresso

The best French presses

The best stovetop espresso makers

The best coffee grinder

The best espresso tamper

As the US braces for more pro-Trump extremism in the weeks leading up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration, the Pentagon has approved armed National Guardsmen to be deployed to the US Capitol, Politico reported.

The Department of Justice said Tuesday that it has opened 170 subject files and charged 70 cases in relation to last week's insurrection at the US Capitol.

Law enforcement faced criticism for an apparent lack of preparedness after pro-Trump rioters who had attended a March for Trump gained control of the building, which should be one of the most secure spaces in the world. 

Five people — four who attended the march and one Capitol Police Officer — have died. 

The day of chaos likely isn't the end to political violence, as alt-right followers have already pledged organized violence in DC and other states beginning on January 17 and leading through the inauguration on the 20 th.  

By Tuesday evening, Guardsmen who secure the Capitol were authorized to carry lethal weapons.

On early Wednesday morning, Capitol staff and reporters arrived to work and found dozens of the Guardsmen resting on the floor of the government building. 

Many of them shared surreal photos of the large military presence. 

Hundreds of National Guardsmen arrived for duty at the Capitol on Wednesday

An increased security presence is expected through the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

Some guardsmen tried to get some rest on the floor of the building.

Outside of the Capitol, Maryland National Guardsmen carrying rifles secured a perimeter.

Guardsmen are typically deployed with an M-9 handgun, Politico reported. Last week they only carried protective gear.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday is expected to vote to impeach President Donald Trump.

Law enforcement around the US, including in DC, are working to ensure the Jan. 6 chaos doesn't happen again.

• Having a stocked emergency kit on-hand can help you be prepared in the event of an unexpected natural disaster, power outage, or big storm. 
• There are generally two emergency kit options, as you're able to either purchase a pre-assembled kit or piece together a custom one of your own.
• Many pre-assembled kits are designed for specific use cases such as those for handling natural disasters or others that are meant to be highly portable. 
• Our top pick, the Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit, covers vital needs like water, sustenance, first aid, and warmth, and has plenty of redundancies which are highly useful in an emergency kit.

Editor's note: With inventories in constant flux, we're keeping up with providing links to products and goods that are in stock and priced appropriately as best we can. Some recommendations may link to products that are currently out of stock, available via a third party, or aren't able to ship for several weeks. 

Though it's unlikely you'll find yourself in a situation calling for an emergency preparedness kit, preparedness is the operative word. Should a disaster strike in the form of an earthquake, tornado, civil unrest, a major storm, or something similar, you might find yourself cut off from outside help, relying on your wits and whatever rations and supplies you have on hand.

If this does happen, rations with a multi-year shelf life and any supplies included in a first aid kit like light sources, fire-starting tools, and other such essentials could be literal lifesavers. But remember, buying an emergency preparedness kit is only the first step in readying yourself and your household to respond to a crisis properly.

It's important to remember that being in a stressful situation can impact your problem-solving, so it's vital to take the purchase of an emergency kit seriously and to know exactly what's in it. If you already own one, take some time to make an inventory list of what's included and where exactly it is in the kit. We also recommend storing some cash and some specific first aid items a family member might need.

Above all, you want the kit to allow you to be self-sufficient for whatever amount of time you're relying on it. With that in mind, we compiled the following guide to the best emergency kits currently available. Though we've not been able to legitimately test each one during an emergency situation, we've included picks that have been deeply researched or that we've been able to spend even a little bit of time with in person. 

Here are the best emergency kits:

• Best emergency kit overall: Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit
• Best for natural disasters: Black Hawk Survival 2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit
• Best for severe weather: Complete Earthquake Bag
• Best budget: Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit
• Best portable: Monoki First Aid Survival Kit

Updated on 1/13/2021 by Rick Stella: Updated the intro for relevancy, selected the Black Hawk Survival Kit as the best for natural disasters, added links to other Insider Reviews emergency preparedness coverage, checked the availability of each recommended kit, and updated the prices and links where necessary.

Best overall

The carefully curated Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit overs basic needs and offers redundancies in critical areas such as hydration and warmth.

Pros: Thoughtful and comprehensive curation, included rations actually taste good, comes with plenty of water and its own filtration system

Cons: Quite expensive compared to other options

I chose the Sustain Supply Co. Comfort4 72-Hour Emergency Survival Kit as my family's emergency preparedness kit because after looking at many different options, it seemed to be the most thoughtfully curated option. There is simply nothing in this kit that feels superfluous, and there's no glaring omission, either.

Many survival kits have items like toothbrushes and hair combs that may make mornings more pleasant but aren't entirely imperative for survival during an emergency. In other words, that means they're just extra weight. The Comfort4 kit is stocked almost exactly as I'd have built a kit from scratch.

When I got the founder of Sustain Supply Co. on the phone, I learned how they pulled that off. Brent Stern explained that they used Amazon analytics to determine which prep/survival products people tended to buy at the same time and then made the leading choices of discerning shoppers the products they included in the kit.

Thus, the Comfort4 comes stocked with foods that may have a 30-year shelf life and that actually taste good once rehydrated and cooked. It includes more emergency drinking water than you'll find in almost any other emergency kit, too. The kit also has all the basics, like first aid supplies, fire starters, emergency blankets, a razor-sharp knife, and more.

But there's another reason I chose the Sustain Supply Co. Four-72 Emergency Survival Kit both for my own home as well as for the top pick on this list: redundancy. The kit comes with two lanterns, two flashlights, and multiple chemical snap lights (AKA glow sticks). As noted, it comes with a lot of drinking water, but it also has a water filter included. It has enough fire starting supplies to make more than enough fires for the three days for which the kit is designed to sustain four adults.

Yes, it's expensive but your safety is priceless. And though it's on the heavy side, if you're with other adults, you can spread the weight around or pass the backpack from person to person as needed.

Best for natural disasters

Black Hawk Survival's 2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit offers a versatile collection of emergency essentials like food and water but also comes stocked with crucial extras like waterproof matches, emergency sleeping bags, and N95 safety masks. 

Pros: Enough supplies to support two people for up to 72 hours, everything comes packaged into seal top bags, can come in a roller bag-style kit or a waterproof dry bag

Cons: Seal top bags don't come pre-labeled, so you'll have to dig through the kit when you first get it to see where everything is 

Fully stocked emergency kits aren't exactly inexpensive, so the one you buy should not only have enough contents to support multiple people, but it should hold-up across multiple use cases, too. Black Hawk Survival's aptly named 2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit does exactly this, and even comes packed in an easy-to-haul, easy-to-store wheel bag. 

The kit is split into seven basic categories: Food and water, light and communication, shelter and warmth, hygiene and sanitation, first aid, tools, and other (think notepads, small pencils, infectious waste bags, etc.). Doing it in this way not only assures that you can quickly glance at the list to make sure you're covered for literally anything, but if you keep a running checklist, you're able to replenish contents more easily.

Black Hawk Survival sends the bag with everything mostly separated into seal top bags and grouped together accordingly; the water is in its own bag, as are the food bars and utensils, toothbrush and toothpaste, and so on. However, the bags aren't labeled, so you may want to take a Sharpie to each one when you first open the kit.

As mentioned above, this kit excels in terms of versatility. It functions well as a quick go-bag but also can support two people over the course of 72 hours in the event of a natural disaster, massive power outage, or anything in between. There's even a deck of playing cards that depict various survival skills intended to educate you but also give you something to do during any downtime. 

At $205, it's certainly not cheap but few comprehensively stocked emergency kits like this are (and you don't want to skimp on something intended to save your life). It's worth the investment and has more use cases than you'll (hopefully) know what to do with it. -- Rick Stella

Best for severe weather

The Complete Earthquake Bag is designed to keep you safe and prepared during natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes, and features enough supplies to support at least four people. 

Pros: Packed in a roller bag-style duffle, has enough capacity to support up to four people for several days, contains a large first aid kit, comes with mylar sleeping bags, food and water included is good for up to five years

Cons: Bag isn't waterproof which would make it susceptible to damage in the event of a flood

If the natural disaster most likely to ravage your hometown is an earthquake, hurricane, or flood, this is the kit for you. Featuring enough supplies for up to four people (variations of the kit can serve up to six, too), the Complete Earthquake Bag is a literal life-saver. 
The kit packs all of its supplies into a portable duffle bag that features an extending handle and roller wheels, making it easy to grab and go (and using it like a roller bag is preferred when the bag is full of contents, too). 

Along with a standard 107-piece first aid kit, it also features hygiene kits, a water carrier, 40 purification tablets, several high-calorie food bars, a 30-hour candle, and a hand-crank flashlight that also acts as a phone charger and radio. There are even hand warmers and emergency ponchos, as well as waterproof matches and four mylar sleeping bags. 

Auxillary items like goggles, a sewing kit, nylon rope, and leather-palmed gloves are also included, allowing the kit to offer respite in a variety of environments and emergencies. Though the bag comes packed full with the included contents, there's still some room to include a few extras of your own. This could include personal medication, additional food, or extra pairs of socks, and the like. 

Don't let the price tag scare you away either. For everything that's included, and how important it is to be this prepared in the event of a natural disaster, the Complete Earthquake Bag is an incredible value. 

Best budget

The Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit has the basics you'll need to shelter in place or cover some ground for a few days.

Pros: Great low price, high visibility backpack, covers basic needs

Cons: Lacking several key items, the backpack itself is low quality

There are some notable items missing from the Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit. It lacks a flashlight or lantern, with the only light source being two chemical light sticks. There's also no blade or tool of any sort and it lacks fire-starting gear — not even a lighter or a pack of matches.

But here's the thing: The basic necessities needed for survival don't actually include a light source, a cutting tool, or even fire. They amount to hydration, nutrition, and protection from the elements, and this low-cost emergency prep kit has you and one other adult covered on those fronts.

The pair of emergency blankets and ponchos keep you relatively warm and dry even in harsh environs, the food and water rations keep you sufficiently nourished, and the first aid kit helps with most minor medical issues. 

Although it's basic, the Ready America 2-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit is sufficient to check the "Prepared" box off your household to-do list. I recommend you go ahead and add a light, a pocketknife, and some storm matches, though.

Best portable

A first aid kit that's portable makes it much easier to grab and go in times of need, and the 241-piece Monoki First Aid Survival Kit is easily stored in a backpack, large bag, or can even be carried with little trouble.

Pros: Features 241 pieces of first aid kit supplies, comes in an easy-to-transport waterproof case, a great companion to a larger emergency kit

Cons: Doesn't feature long-term emergency support supplies like food or water

A cumbersome first aid kit can sometimes make it hard to easily take it while on-the-go. With the Monoki First Aid Survival Kit, not only is it a highly portable emergency kit but it doesn't sacrifice any of the gear you'd need to rely on it in times of an emergency.

At 241 total pieces, this kit includes everything from medical gloves and bandages to a small pocketknife and multi-tool. There's even a pocket-sized flashlight, a compass, and a fire starter kit. Extra items like cotton swabs, fishing line, tweezers, safety pins, and a first aid blanket are also included.

The kit manages to stay small enough to fit into a roughly 8-inch by 5-inch waterproof container that easily fits into backpacks, bags, or gloveboxes (it's small enough to carry, too). This does mean it won't feature any extended support gear like emergency shelters, sleeping bags, or food and water.

Monoki's First Aid Survival Kit is inexpensive, too, costing just $36. So, not only does it pack the first aid supplies you'd need in the event of an emergency but it's a great value, as well. -- Rick Stella

Check out more Insider Reviews preparedness coverage

The best first aid kits

While you never want to need a first aid kit, should that need arise, you'll be glad you planned ahead and kept some high-quality medical supplies on hand. Here are the best you can buy.

The best backpacking food 

Fortunately, enjoying a great "real" meal while you camp, trek, or climb isn't all that hard to do provided you planned ahead. None of the meals on this list require anything fancier than a pot, some water, and a stove (or fire) to prepare, and some don't even require the pot. Find our top picks.

The best survival knives

If you're in the wilderness and can only take a single item with you, then a good survival blade is the one you need. Here are our top picks.

• There are four main types of acne that dermatologists say you can treat at home: comedonal acne, inflammatory acne, pustular acne, and cystic acne.
• Because these acne types differ in appearance and cause, each requires a unique treatment to clear up the skin.
• We spoke to three dermatologists to help identify the various kinds of acne, as well as the most effective treatments for each of them.
• For the purpose of receiving accurate diagnoses and erring on the side of caution, it's a good idea to consult with your doctor or dermatologist before trying a new acne treatment.

Pimples, blemishes, zits, and spots – these are terms that often pop up in conversations regarding acne. However, acne encompasses much more than what you might expect. It may seem obvious that varying types of acne exist, but determining the cause and treatment of each kind of breakout can be difficult. For example, you might experience the common blackhead on a more regular basis and deeper cystic acne around your monthly cycle. But a blackhead and cystic acne are two separate affairs and should be treated as such. 

To better grasp this complex skin condition, it's helpful to first look at its triggers. "Acne is caused by four main factors: oil production, acne-causing bacteria, blocked pores, and inflammation," says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist in NYC. "People with acne make more oil than those without acne, and the quality of the oil is different." According to Dr. Zeichner, oxidation of the oil is thought to contribute to the development of acne. "Oil gets trapped within the pores by cells that stick together, creating a bottleneck," he says. "The oily environment encourages the overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria that promote inflammation."

The most important thing to understand is everyone's skin – and consequently, everyone's acne – varies and should be treated accordingly and with care

Comedonal acne

Comedonal acne refers to both whiteheads and blackheads, which are caused by pore blockage. These two types of breakouts are pretty much the same, except for one large difference. "Whiteheads have skin grown over them, while blackheads do not," says dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain. If the pore remains exposed, the oil inside oxidizes and turns black, causing a blackhead. Whiteheads are different from pus-filled breakouts because the whitehead isn't actually pus — it's hardened sebum. So when you squeeze it (which you shouldn't) it won't pop all over your mirror as a pus-filled whitehead might. You'll typically see comedonal acne on your chin and cheeks. 

Inflammatory acne

Inflammatory acne is categorized as small, angry bumps that don't usually have a whitehead or pustule on top — but they're smaller than cysts, which tend to be dime-sized or larger. Inflammatory zits are also known as papules, and you don't usually just get one. They typically present in a group, and are normally seen on the face, neck chest, and back. 

Pustular acne

If you've ever squeezed a pimple and watched the pus shoot out onto your bathroom mirror, you've had pustular acne. "They have whiteheads and look enflamed," says dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. "They're the ones that people most want to pop or pick." They're caused by bacteria, which is exactly why people tell you not to pick them when you do have them. Once you do, the bacteria can spread, causing more breakouts. 

Cystic acne

Those big, tender, painful pimples that have no head are cysts, and they tend to be caused by stress or hormones. They're also the most serious type of acne and result from oil and bacteria being trapped deep beneath the skin. You'll know if you have them — they're red and painful to the touch. They tend to appear on the chin and jawline. According to Dr. Engelman, you should never attempt to pick or pop these types of pimples. 

In order to figure out how to treat these types of acne, we spoke to our three dermatologists about the best acne treatments they'd recommend. 

Here are the best acne treatments:

• Best treatment for comedonal acne (whiteheads and blackheads): Differin Gel
• Best treatment for inflammatory acne: Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Cleanser
• Best treatment for pustular acne: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
• Best treatment for cystic, hormonal acne: Cortizone 10 Creme

The best treatment for comedonal acne (whiteheads and blackheads)

When it comes to whiteheads and blackheads, there's no better treatment than your classic Differin Gel.

Pros: Effective at preventing and treating acne, gel formula ensures oily skin won't get clogged

Cons: Can be drying at first

"Comedonal acne refers to whiteheads and blackheads," says Dr. Engelman. "Almost everyone will get one every now and then." According to our dermatologists, they're caused by clogged pores. So for these types of acne, you need a product that "opens" the pores, allowing the sebum to drain so the whitehead can diminish.

That's where Differin Gel comes in. "Its active ingredient is Adapalene, which is a retinoid," Dr. Engelman says. "It helps to open pores and decrease sebum." Adapalene is a mainstay in dermatology for a reason — it works incredibly well. (Dr. Zeichner calls retinoids like it "pipe cleaners that keep the pores open so the blocked oil can be released.")

While most people use Differin as a spot treatment, Dr. Engelman says it's actually better as a regular all-over treatment if your skin can handle it. "It can be a bit drying at first," she says. "But it does best when it's used for prevention, not for treatment." While it will clear up breakouts that you already have, it will also go the extra mile in helping to stop future comedonal acne from reappearing.

And since it comes in a gel format, it's well-tolerated by oily skin types, and it won't make you break out further. Just use a pea-sized amount at night, and finish with a moisturizer to mitigate any dryness. In the morning, make sure to use sunscreen.

The best treatment for inflammatory acne

Inflammatory acne needs a treatment that will reduce inflammation while unclogging pores, and Neutrogena's Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash does just that. 

Pros: Clears pores, blunts inflammation, is non-drying

Cons: May not be strong enough for those who don't have sensitive skin

"You can tell when your acne is inflammatory because the zits look super irritated," Dr. Engelman says. They may also be painful to the touch. 

All three of our dermatologists suggest salicylic acid for this type of acne. "It helps to remove excess oil and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin," Dr. Zeichner says. For that reason, he loves Neutrogena's Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash. The salicylic acid helps to keep your pores clear, keeping them from clogging and causing inflammatory acne. Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory — its base is actually aspirin, which helps to bring inflammation down. 

You could use a spot treatment if you wanted, but Dr. Engelman suggests a face wash, especially if you've got more sensitive skin. "Shorter contact would be the way to go in those cases, meaning a face wash or a toner," she says. "Often what we do is use salicylic acid as a spot treatment when you have an active breakout, and then, if you're acne-prone, use it as a face wash for regular upkeep."

If you're looking for a spot treatment, Kate Sommerville EradiKate is the gold standard — and it includes salicylic acid. 

The best treatment for pustular acne

The pus-filled zits that you can't help but pick will disappear with La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo, which contains benzoyl peroxide, an anti-bacterial acid. 

Pros: Exfoliates dead skin, removes excess oil, and doesn't cause bacterial resistant

Cons: More irritating than salicylic acid, so it may be too harsh for sensitive skin types

As satisfying as it is, popping a pustule — which is a pimple with a big white head — is never a good idea. Since these zits are caused by bacteria, popping them can cause the bacteria to spread, which just leads to more pimples. 

Instead, reach for La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo, which contains benzoyl peroxide. "These types of zits do great with this type of treatment," Dr. Engelman says. Most acne becomes resistant to antibacterial treatments over time, which is why a lot of topical treatments don't work on them. "But benzoyl peroxide doesn't cause bacterial resistant," Dr. Engelman adds. (There isn't an exact reason as to why, though — it's just one of those things.)

Dr. Zeichner loves La Roche-Posay's treatment because, along with the benzoyl peroxide, it also contains a Lipohydroxy acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid related to salicylic acid. "This combination can reduce the levels of acne-causing bacteria, exfoliate themselves from the skin's surface, and remove excess oil," he says. 

The drawback is that benzoyl is more irritating than salicylic acid, so you may want to start with baby steps. Don't use this every single night, even when you are breaking out, and then work your way up if your skin reacts positively.

The best treatment for cystic, hormonal acne

Those large, deep, painful cysts are typically the result of hormones or stress. They're best served by a dermatologist, but Cortizone 10 can work in a pinch — so long as you aren't over-using it. 

Pros: Can be used in a pinch, reduces inflammation, makes zits lets painful

Cons: Prolonged use can atrophy the skin

Cystic acne is characterized by large, deep, painful pimples that have no head. They typically occur on the chin — and they hurt. "You should never, ever attempt to pick these," Dr. Engelman says. 

These types of pimples are best healed by dermatologists. They usually inject the pimple with a cortisone shot that helps bring down the inflammation. But if you're in a pinch, and you can't get the dermatologist, Dr. Zeichner and Dr. Engelman suggest a 1% hydrocortisone cream, like Cortizone 10. 

"This shouldn't be a mainstay," Dr. Engelman says. "Prolonged use of these can cause atrophy, which is the thinning of the skin." But the hydrocortisone cream can help to take down the inflammation, making the zits smaller and less painful. It's like a less-intense, topical version of what you would get in the dermatologist's office. 

Cortizone 10 should only be used as a spot treatment, and should only be used once or twice before you contact your doctor. If you aren't seeing an improvement in your cystic acne, make sure to go to your dermatologist. You may need something prescription-grade to get it under control.

Check out our other skincare buying guides

The best exfoliators you can buy for any skin type or budget

The best moisturizers you can buy

The best sunscreen you can buy

The best eye creams you can buy

The best clay masks you can buy

The best body oil you can buy

The best face cream for dry skin

• The best mattress comes down to your personal preferences, but it should still offer an excellent balance of comfort, support, motion isolation, and breathability.
• We tested dozens of mattresses over the years to find the best ones with lengthy risk-free home trials, are easy to unbox and set up, and performed well in our tests.
• TheTempur-Pedic Cloud Mattressis our top foam mattress because it's comfortable and has great airflow and motion isolation while the Leesa Hybrid Mattress is our top hybrid with its great edge support and motion dampening properties.  
• If you're looking to outfit your mattress, check out our guide to the best sheets.
• Check out Business Insider Coupons for potentially even more savings.

Your mattress is the most important part of your sleep set up, so it goes without saying that you need to have the right one. That's why I tested more than a dozen mattresses for this guide, relied on the reviews of colleagues, and consulted with Michael Breus, Ph.D., a board-certified psychologist in clinical sleep disorders and also known as "The Sleep Doctor," and Dr. Luis Javier Peña-Hernández, a lung and sleep health specialist at the Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Disorders Institute of South Florida.

I've been testing mattresses for years now and developed objective tests to determine the best, and while that decision is ultimately subjective, I kept all of my testing and notes as objective as possible. Each mattress I tested was a queen because it's the most popular size that people buy, and each mattress in our guide performed well in our tests, have long risk-free home trials, are easy to unbox and set up, and can be returned — although some brands will deduct certain fees.

For context, I'm a side and stomach sleeper and my wife is a back sleeper — between the two of us, we've got all the major sleeping styles covered. You can find the details of how we tested, models we tested at that missed our cut, and how to shop for a mattress at the end of our guide. 

Best mattresses of 2021

• Best foam:Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress
• Best hybrid:Leesa Hybrid Mattress
• Best for hot sleepers:Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Hybrid Mattress
• Best eco-friendly:Birch Mattress
• Best spring:Saatva Classic Mattress
• Best soft: Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
• Best ultra-firm:Airweave Mattress
• Best budget:Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Prices and links are accurate as of 1/13/21. We added a list of new mattresses we're looking forward to testing and will be updating this guide with their performance.

Check out our other bedding guides

• The best sheets
• The best mattress toppers
• The best pillows

The best foam mattress

The Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress features contouring foam that cradles sleepers of all body types and sleeping styles while offering outstanding pressure relief and heat dissipation.

Pros: Great heat dissipation, outstanding motion isolation, 90-night trial, 10 inches thick with 3 layers of supportive and comforting Tempur foam that caters to all sleeping types

Cons: A shipping charge is deducted from your refund if you choose to return your bed, unimpressive edge support, no white-glove delivery

Rather than coming in a box, the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress arrives in a reusable canvas bag with handles that make the bed easy to carry to your bedroom and set up. You just unzip the bag and pull on the other end of the bag to remove the mattress. Then, cut through the plastic and unroll. Like many foam mattresses, it had an odor that dissipated after a few hours. 

There are three foam layers: a soft and responsive comfort top layer, a firmer support layer, and finally, a supportive and durable base. For a cooler sleep, there's a polyester-blend stretch cover with moisture-wicking properties and excellent breathability. Overall, the mattress is 10 inches thick and weighs a little under 58 pounds for Queen. It's extremely light compared to all the other mattresses I've tested — for context, the AirWeave is 10 inches of foam and weighs 71 pounds, and the 11-inch Leesa Hybrid, which mixes foam and springs, weighs 115 pounds. This makes setting up or relocating the mattress a lot easier.

Sleeping on the mattress, I was struck by how the patented foam contoured to my body and offered impressive pressure relief. I was comfortable on my stomach and my side, and my wife, who is a back sleeper, also enjoyed the feel. While testing the mattress, I was able to fall asleep within a few minutes of my head hitting the pillow.

All-foam mattresses trap heat, but this was not a problem with the Cloud and I never had issues with overheating. When I visited the bathroom at night, the heat dissipated while I was away making it cool enough to fall right back asleep.

The Cloud passed my motion isolation tests, and when my rambunctious terrier jumped onto the bed in the morning, I wouldn't notice until he'd start licking my face.

On a more subjective level, the Cloud supported my back well. I suffer from lower back pain that tends to flare up when I overexert myself through exercise and sleep on an unsupportive mattress. While testing the mattress, I did engage in excessive running and weightlifting, yet I did not experience any back aggravation. If you find yourself in a similar situation, talk to your doctor first before considering a mattress switch.

There were only two negatives I found with the Cloud's performance. The first is the poor edge support. I noticed significant sinking when I sat on the edge of the bed and when I laid right on the edge, I felt like I was going to fall off. Both are issues that would only happen in certain situations, so they aren't dealbreakers. However, couples may want a King or Cal King for more space. 

Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-night trial, which is a must since sleeping on a mattress is the best way to know if it's right for you. White-glove delivery and mattress removal are available for an extra charge, and if you decide to return the Cloud, the company deducts shipping charges from your refund, which many other mattress companies do not.

The best hybrid mattress

The Leesa Hybrid Mattress has great edge support and motion isolation. The mix of memory foam and pocket springs leads to an average firmness that makes it an outstanding solution for many sleeping styles.

Pros: Average firmness that will appeal to a broad range of sleepers, the edge support and motion isolation are ideal for couples, 100-night risk-free home trial, made of foam and  pocket springs for support and breathability, 10-year warranty

Cons: Heavy, hard to move around

For about a year, the Leesa Hybrid was the main mattress I slept on when I wasn't testing others. 

The bed is 11 inches thick and features five layers: a cooling premium foam top layer, a contouring memory foam layer, and 14.5-gauge pocket springs that help with breathability sandwiched by two core foam support layers. The foam is CertiPUR-US-certified, which means it isn't made with a bunch of harmful chemicals and has low emissions. This checked out in my experience when I didn't notice much of the new bed smell after unboxing the mattress.

My wife and I appreciate that its average firmness suited our backs, stomachs, and sides, and I was especially impressed with its motion isolation — I rarely noticed when my wife got up in the night to use the restroom or let the dog out. The edge support is also great thanks to the innerspring coils that go all the way to the very edge of the bed. 

Unboxing the mattress was a task I tackled on my own, but I recommend getting help because the bed is heavy. I tested a King mattress for a previous version of this guide before I exclusively tested Queen sizes — a King is 142 pounds and a Queen is 115 pounds. Unlike the Tempur-Pedic Cloud, it may not be the best option if you relocate regularly. 

That said, you can skip the whole unboxing process with Leesa's white-glove delivery. For $150, a local shipping company will set the mattress up in your room and remove the packaging and your old bed. 

Leesa offers a 100-night risk-free trial period, which should be long enough to determine if the bed is right for you. The company recommends giving it at least 30 nights to let your body and the mattress acclimate. If you decide to keep the mattress, it's backed by a 10-year warranty. And if you decide to return it during the trial period, you receive a full refund without any return shipping costs.

Readers can score 20% off the Hybrid with our exclusive code "INSIDER" at checkout — you can read the full details here.

Read our full Leesa Hybrid Mattress review

The best mattress for hot sleepers

If you spend the night tossing and turning because you can't find a cool spot, the Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Hybrid Mattress should keep you from overheating and allow you to sleep comfortably through the night.

Pros: Medium firmness that suits an array of sleeping styles, excellent motion transfer dampening, sleeps cool, 10-year warranty, white-glove delivery

Cons: Heavy, subpar edge support, expensive, shipping deducted from refund if you choose to return the mattress during the trial period

The Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Hybrid Mattress was made with hot sleepers in mind. There's an outer cover that you can unzip and toss in the wash for better hygiene, and three layers of foam that are all geared toward absorbing excessive heat and improving breathability. Additionally, the foams conform to your body contours. At the base, the mattress has 1,000+ spring coils surrounded by a supportive foam border that provide support, durability, and breathability. All this adds up to a 12-inch thick mattress. 

The PRObreeze is my current "first-string" mattress that I sleep on when I'm not testing other alternatives. As a hot sleeper, I've found it does an excellent job of keeping me from overheating. And my wife, with our little furnace of a rat terrier sleeping close to her, never complains of being too hot. Tempur-Pedic also offers a similar mattress in the series, called the LUXEbreeze, that offers an even cooler sleep at an even heftier price tag (currently $4,999) though I haven't personally tested it yet.

Between my wife and I, we exhibit just about every sleeping style and we both find this slightly-firm mattress works well for our bodies. I also don't feel when my wife or dog are moving around during the night — the motion dampening abilities are outstanding. However, the edge support could use some work. When sitting or lying on the edge, it sinks significantly.

The mattress is heavy at 123 pounds in Queen and it's hard to move around. Fortunately, Tempur-Pedic includes white-glove delivery with the purchase of the PRObreeze so professionals will install it in the room of your choice and remove your old bed. The 90-night home trial and 10-year warranty are the same as the Cloud, which means that if you decide you don't want the mattress within the trial period, a shipping charge will be deducted from your refund.

Read our full Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze Hybrid review

The best eco-friendly mattress

The Birch Mattress is made of sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials and offers firm and soft comfort options so you can rest easy.

Pros: Above-average firmness, soft topper available for an extra cost, very good motion isolation, made of natural materials, Greenguard Gold certified

Cons: Pillow top is slightly smaller than the mattress and doesn't attach to it, not ideal for side sleepers without the pillow top, no white-glove delivery

From the cover to the latex and the wool, the Birch Mattress is made of eco-friendly materials. The cover is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton. Below that is a fire-retardant layer of natural wool fibers with rayon. Next, an organic wool layer offers temperature regulation and comfort.

Natural Talalay latex certified by several environmental organizations, including OEKO-Tex, makes up the next layer to provide pressure relief and support. The individually-wrapped coils also offer support and limit motion transfer while supplying edge support, and the base is organic wool batting for durability and stability. The mattress is also Greenguard Gold-certified to be free of harsh chemicals and handmade in the US. Overall, it measures 11 inches thick.

When I went to unbox the Birch, I found these materials proved hefty — 114 pounds for a Queen, to be exact. Though it didn't come with special tools or instructions (you can find instructions online), it was a standard unboxing — remove the bed from the box and unwrap and cut through the layers of plastic. Within five minutes, the mattress was resting on the bed frame. Though it dissipated within hours, there was a slight initial odor.  

The Birch Mattress on its own is firm, but for an extra cost, you can add a plush organic mattress topper to make the bed softer. I tested the mattress with the topper since I prefer a softer feel and I was much more comfortable, especially when laying on my side. Though, if you like a firmer feel, you might want to skip the topper. The topper doesn't attach to the bed and it's ever so slightly smaller than the mattress, so you might find that it'll shift sometimes.

The Birch Mattress is an excellent solution for couples thanks to its outstanding edge support and motion isolation. I performed my motion isolation test on the bed four times, and it only failed once. When I sat on the side of the bed, I felt supported, and when I laid on the very edge, I didn't feel like I was going to fall.

After testing the mattress, I gave it to my 6-foot-5, rail-thin, side-sleeping teenager with the topper installed. He deals with joint pain from constantly growing, and he appreciated that the bed helped soothe his pains. We both sleep hot, and the Birch did an adequate job of dissipating heat, but there's room for improvement. Specifically, on hotter nights, the heat-dissipating abilities of the mattress could not keep up, and it would grow uncomfortable.

Lastly, Birch provides an impressive 25-year limited warranty and a 100-night sleep trial, which includes a full refund if you're not satisfied after sleeping on the mattress for at least 30 nights.

The best spring mattress

If you prefer the support and comfort of a spring mattress, you're sure to appreciate the Saatva Classic Mattress with its three firmness options and long 180-night home trial.

Pros: 180-night home trial, three firmness levels to choose from, great edge support, free in-home delivery and mattress removal

Cons: Fees associated with returns

The difference between spring and hybrid mattresses is subtle, and both are considered innerspring mattresses. For this guide, we consider a mattress to be a spring or innerspring if it has a layer of coils as the main support system and less foam than other components, while a hybrid mattress uses a mix of foam and springs to support your body

By this definition, the Saatva Classic Mattress is the best spring mattress. I didn't test this personally, but my colleague Kylie Joyner did and had a positive experience.

The mattress has many unique features, including two layers of coils: a base of durable steel coils and then 884 individually-wrapped, 14.5-gauge comfort coils that move and shift to your body's contours. The coils are surrounded by durable foam for extra edge support. The tufted Euro pillow top has an organic cotton cover with an antimicrobial treatment.

The mattress is available in three firmness levels: plush soft, firm, and luxury firm, which is the best-selling option and meant to be a true medium. This means you can customize the feel more than other mattresses.

Depending on your mattress height preference, you can choose from an 11.5-inch-thick and 14.5-inch-thick style. Both sizes feel and perform the same, the only difference is the 14.5-inch mattress has an extra two turns in the lower coil unit. It also weighs 10 pounds more in Queen at 120 pounds.

Saatva goes above and beyond with its home trial at 180 nights. However, if you decide you want to return the mattress, a $99 transportation fee is deducted from your refund. Another perk with Saatva is the free white-glove delivery and mattress removal included in the price of the mattress. 

Joyner tested the Saatva Classic Mattress in Luxury Firm and enjoyed it from the moment she laid down. It provided an excellent combination of support and comfort. She liked that it didn't sink like an all-foam mattress and that the support didn't waver as she got closer to the edge. Joyner noted that there was some motion transfer, but it wasn't enough to disturb her sleep when her partner rolled over in the night.

Read our full Saatva Classic Mattress review

The best soft mattress

The Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress is ideal for side sleepers who are looking for a plush-comfort bed with great heat dissipation.

Pros: Made with eco-friendly materials, 100-night risk-free trial, good edge support, excellent heat dissipation, the plush comfort is ideal for side sleepers

Cons: Held on to its new bed smell, not the best for stomach or back sleepers, failed motion transfer tests

The Nova Hybrid is one of Casper's newest and softest mattress, which is ideal for my side-sleeping body. When my muscles and joints were aching after pushing my body a little too hard running or lifting, the Nova Hybrid would cradle my body and offer pressure relief along with support in the right areas. This is thanks to the supportive foam layers with ergonomic zones that are firmer around the lower back, waist, and hips, and softer under the shoulders to help align your spine.

The mattress is made of CertiPUR-US certified foam, which is free from harsh chemicals, and the cover is partially composed of recycled bottles making them an eco-friendly alternative. There are two layers of Casper's proprietary "Airscape" foam which are meant to help with the airflow, and the topmost layer has small perforations for extra breathability.

I tend to overheat in bed, but when sleeping on the Nova Hybrid, I never felt hot, which is impressive since I tested the mattress in the summer. When I used the bathroom in the night, the spot where I was sleeping was cooler when I returned, which helped me get back to sleep faster. The base layer of the mattress features individually-wrapped coils surrounded by a firm border of foam. The border helps the bed's edge support. Overall, the mattress is 12 inches thick.

With all of the layers of foam and springs, the Nova Hybrid weighs a hefty 89 pounds and flops around as you try to move it. Fortunately, it comes with handles sewn into each corner to make it more manageable. During set up, the handles make flipping the mattress easier when it unfolded upside down — the only hiccup in the process. If you want to skip dealing with unboxing your mattress, Casper provides an in-home set up for a $149 fee, and the company's delivery partner can also remove your old mattress.

Once freed from its vacuum-sealed confines, the bed had a strong odor to it that took several days to dissipate.

The motion dampening properties also leave much to be desired. The Nova Hybrid failed my motion transfer tests, and when sharing the bed with my wife and dog, I could feel when either of them moved.

If you're interested in the Nova, Wave, or Original specifically (you can check out reviews here), use our exclusive code 'INSIDER' for $200 off any size Nova or Wave, or $100 off any size Original. 

The best ultra-firm mattress

The Airweave Mattress has a breathable and non-toxic polyethylene core that offers ultra-firm support to all parts of the bed, even the very edges.

Pros: Features a soft insert to transform the bed from incredibly firm to just firm, great heat dissipation, outstanding edge support, decent motion isolation, 100-night sleep trial, machine-washable cover

Cons: Some assembly required, hard to move around, not recommended for side sleepers

The Airweave Mattress is one of the most unique beds I've ever tested — it's modular and it requires more assembly than unrolling a vacuum-sealed log.

My Queen mattress arrived in two boxes, instead of the usual one. The modular design made it easy to carry up to my third-floor bedroom without help. Assembling the mattress was different and more involved than previous beds I've encountered too. The polyethylene core is broken into three blocks. You place these on the bottom half of the cover, seal up an inner cover, add the polyester soft layer, and zip on the top of the cover. With this level of assembly, white-glove delivery would be an attractive option. Unfortunately, Airweave does not currently offer this service.

I like that there's a soft layer insert that you can easily remove if you'd prefer an ultra-firm mattress rather than just firm. Even with the soft layer, the mattress was firmer than I'd prefer and sleeping on my side was out of the question. I mainly slept on my stomach and a little on my back when testing this mattress, and I was surprisingly comfortable in these positions. I appreciated how cool the bed slept thanks to the breathable core.

In my experience, mattresses that are less than 10 inches thick are not supportive enough, but at 8 inches thick, the Airweave surprisingly offered plenty of support. With its short stature and light weight – the Queen only weighs 71.5 pounds – you might assume the mattress would be easy to move around, but it's a beast. The blocks cause the mattress to flop around, which adds to the difficulty.

The Airweave is a great solution for anyone who loves firm mattresses. The edge support is excellent on all sides and the bed performed well in my motion transfer tests. When I dropped the bowling ball, the can rarely fell over on the first impact, but the bed is incredibly bouncy and the can would sometimes fall over upon the second bounce.

The best budget mattress

Back and stomach sleepers who are looking for a budget-friendly bed should strongly consider the Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress.

Pros: Affordable, 100-night trial, 10-year warranty, made of cooling gel memory foam, excellent motion isolation, 4 thickness options, great for back and stomach sleepers

Cons: Took a week to expand to full size, poor edge support

The Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress features one of my favorite materials to sleep on: gel memory foam. I've found it does an outstanding job of keeping my hot-sleeping body cool through the night, and the Zinus mattress was no exception.

The memory foam sinks in to comfort the contours of your body while still providing a firmer than average support. Because of this, I felt better sleeping on my stomach during testing, rather than my side. Back sleepers may also like the firmness of this model.

The mattress passed my motion transfer test with flying colors. When I was sleeping on it, my wife and dog were able to sneak into bed without jostling or waking me.

The mattress comes in Twin, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King, and you can choose from four thicknesses – 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches. I tested the 14-inch Queen. In general, I've found that mattresses that are 10 inches or thinner aren't as comfortable so you should consider the thicker styles.

At under $400, you would expect there to be compromises, and there are a few, but they are easy to look past if you want to save a few dollars. First of all, the edge support is awful. It's hard to lie on the edges and not fall off. The mattress also took a week to expand to its full size. Out of the box, it was about half its full thickness. The directions suggest it will only take 72 hours to expand – which is still longer than most — but that was not my experience. It also had an initial odor, but that went away the first night.

At 70 pounds, the mattress is easy to move around, especially since it is firmer and doesn't flop around.

Since the mattress comes with a 100-night trial, it's worth giving it a try if you're looking for a low-cost solution. And, if you decide to keep it, you're covered by a 10-year warranty.

What else we considered

We've tested dozens of mattresses over the years, and here are a few that barely missed the cut:

Casper Original ($931) – The Casper Original was our previous pick for the best all-foam mattress, and we still recommend it. We like the Casper Original because it works well for a wide array of sleeping styles, is made of eco-friendly materials, has excellent heat dissipation, and exhibits great motion dampening. However, it does not have good edge support. Read our full review.

Plank by Brooklyn Bedding ($936.75) – The Plank was our previous pick for the best ultra-firm mattress. I didn't test this personally but based on our writer's review, we think the Airweave Mattress is a better option because of its unique design and heat dissipation. We still think the Plank is a great bed with its two levels of firmness, exceptional edge support, and impressive motion isolation. Read our full review.

Saatva Solaire ($2,595) – As we test more air beds, we will likely give them their own category in our guide. At this point, I've only tested one and like it enough to give it an honorable mention. The Saatva Solaire has a built-in air pump controlled by a corded controller that allows you to pick from 50 firmness options for your ideal comfort level. I found it worked great, but the motion isolation left a lot to be desired. Plus, you can't find the mattress in showrooms to test it out before buying. Fortunately, there's a 120-night home trial period. Read our full review.

Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid ($1539.30) – Amerisleep offers five mattresses, AS1 through AS5, each with a specific benefit. I've tested the AS3, the company's best-selling bed, but I much prefer its softer, luxury mattress, AS5. Due to its soft feel, it's an outstanding solution for anyone who prefers softer beds. Since it sleeps hot, people who get too cold at night may also prefer this mattress. Also, it doesn't have very good edge support and failed my motion isolation tests so it's better suited for people who sleep alone. Overall, though, I like how it cradled my body.

Allswell Supreme Hybrid ($985) – This is one of the best mattresses you will find under $1,000. It features a combination of copper and graphite gel-infused memory foam and pocket coils, which give it a medium firmness that will appeal to many different types of sleepers. The edge support is great but it sleeps hot and is quite heavy. Also, it's only available online and not in showrooms.

Intellibed Matrix Grand ($6,999) – I'm still in the process of testing the Intellibed Matrix Grand so it may make it into future updates of our guide. It's the height of luxury and features seven layers of high-quality materials, including two gel layers that flex to provide localized pressure relief and to help align the spine. However, the King mattress I'm testing weighs 256 pounds so don't plan on moving it, and at 17 inches thick, it's hard to find fitted sheets that are deep enough to stay on the mattress.

Methodology

In addition to sleeping on each mattress for several nights, there are many tests I put each model through. I tested all but two of the mattresses mentioned above. For the Saatva Classic and Plank, I extrapolated the key performance indicators based on my colleagues' testing. The most important factors to consider are comfort, edge support, and motion isolation.

Here are the main attributes we look for and how we test them:

Comfort: This is a fairly subjective characteristic that is based on the firmness of a mattress, how hot it sleeps, and how supportive it feels. My measurement of firmness is based on testing dozens of mattresses and developing a feel for soft, average, and firm mattresses. To gauge heat dissipation, I sleep on the bed, get up for a few minutes, and return to it. I note whether or not the mattress is still hot where I was lying. A bed is supportive if it doesn't leave me with stiffness or aches in the morning after testing.

Motion isolation: If you've ever spent the night with someone who moves around a lot in their sleep, you know how important motion isolation is. Without it, your sleeping partner's movements will jostle you awake throughout the night. To test motion isolation, I place a 12-ounce can of pop in the middle of the mattress. Then I drop a 15-pound bowling ball from 4 feet above the mattress so it lands 12 inches from the can. If the can falls over time and time again the motion isolation is not very good. If the can stays upright, the bed does an excellent job of dampening motion transfer.

Edge support: To test edge support, I lay on the very edge of the bed and slowly roll off — literally. If I feel like I can roll a fair amount before actually falling, then the bed has good edge support. If I fall easily, then the edge support is not very good. I also sit on the side to put on my socks and shoes to assess how much the edge sinks.

Portability: Unless you're constantly relocating or redecorating, it's unlikely you'll need to move your mattress often so this category doesn't weigh heavily in our assessment. Still, it's nice if you can easily rotate your mattress, a task that's important for your bed's longevity. And depending on how your bed is positioned, you may need to move the mattress to put on fitted sheets. I move each mattress several times to see how heavy it feels and if it flops around making it harder to move.

Trial and warranty: I look at the details of the warranty and home trial period, whether the mattress is available in showrooms, and whether there's white-glove delivery. The only way to know if a mattress is right for you is to sleep on it for several nights, so we looked for fine print in the return policy and let you know about them.

What we're looking forward to testing

We're constantly testing new mattresses and re-testing our top picks to determine the best ones. Here's what we're looking forward to testing: 

Idle Latex Hybrid ($1,330): This mattress has individually-wrapped spring coils sandwiched between several foam layers so you can supposedly flip it over and sleep on both sides.  

Purple Hybrid Premier ($2,299): Purple makes one of the most comfortable seat cushions we've tried — the grid pattern is supportive and comfortable. We're interested in seeing if this translates to a mattress. 

Haven Boutique Mattress ($1,349): Thicker than most mattresses at 14 inches, we're curious to test if that has any effect on comfort and support.

How to shop for a mattress

Buying a mattress no longer requires heading to a mattress showroom and having a salesperson lurk over you as you lay on a mattress for 10 minutes to decide if it will suit you for the next decade. Online mattress retailers are getting a leg up on the traditional mattress stores by offering home trials.

To help you shop for a mattress, we spoke with Dr. Luis Javier Peña-Hernández, a lung and sleep health specialist at PCSI.

Peña-Hernández first suggests considering your medical history. "The right mattress is the most comfortable one for each person. However, consumers should consider their medical history, like respiratory diseases, allergies, scoliosis, or sleep apnea when purchasing a mattress; so they can make an informed decision regarding what type of materials are in their mattress or what features might prove to be healthier for them," Peña-Hernández said. "Patients with COPD may benefit from mattresses that are designed for adjustable beds because elevating the head of the bed can sometimes facilitate easier breathing." 

After talking to your doctor, assess your sleeping style and preferred firmness level.

"The most common mattress problem that people report is the lack of comfortability which can result in fatigue or excessive sleepiness," Peña-Hernández said. "It's hard to keep up with the day-to-day when you're not well-rested, and ultimately, it can affect your quality of life. Chronic fatigue can even have implications for your immunity and your health. A good mattress meets the criteria for the specific person's needs and promotes a healthy, well-rested, rest."

Though every person's preferences are different, there are some patterns that certain body types and sleeping styles seem to prefer, according to Peña-Hernández.

• Side sleepers: "Vast research exists to support side sleepers benefit from medium-firm mattresses to support pressure point relief," said Peña-Hernández. "Side sleepers can experience shoulder and lower back pain if the mattress is too unsupportive."
• Back sleepers: Peña-Hernández recommends medium firmness for back sleepers. "Back sleepers should strive to maintain the natural S-curvature of the spine so the best mattress for back sleepers provides spinal support. A medium-firm mattress will help achieve this by redistributing weight and promoting healthy alignment but still contours to the body to provide cushioning where it is needed."
• Stomach sleepers: Firmer mattresses tend to benefit stomach sleepers as well as heavier folks.

In addition to the above, you should also consider bodyweight and heat dissipation.

"Individuals concerned about their weight and weight-related complications should speak to their medical provider when considering a mattress, said Peña-Hernández. "Overweight individuals should consider a thicker mattress of at least 12 inches thick or more. Thinner mattresses won't provide you with the support you need. Coil mattresses also provide a more durable construction."

Softer mattresses are generally better for petite individuals since lighter individuals (under 130 pounds) don't sink into beds as far. Breus also notes that as people get older, they would benefit  a softer bed to address pain issues. "As we age, our skin gets thinner, which means less cushion."

Firm mattresses aren't necessarily more supportive. Instead, support is based on how well the bed cradles your body and allows your spine to relax. Since different parts of your body push down more on a mattress, such as the hips and shoulders, mattresses that offer zoned support in these areas tend to be more comfortable to a broader range of individuals. These beds also tend to cost more as the construction is more specialized.

If you overheat at night, you'll want a mattress and even bedding that does an outstanding job of dissipating heat. "Hot sleepers should consider sheets and materials made of natural fibers for their breathability," said Peña-Hernández. "Bamboo, cotton, linen, and hemp are good options as well as cooling sheets, especially sheets designed to wick moisture."

What kind of mattress should you buy?

There are a handful of popular mattress types to choose from.

• Memory foam– When most people think of a bed-in-a-box, they think of memory foam mattresses. These are mattresses with multiple layers of foam that support and contour your body. However, due to the construction, all-foam mattresses also tend to trap heat.
• Latex foam– This is usually preferred by people looking for an eco-friendly foam that's cooler and more responsive than traditional memory foam.
• Hybrid– These beds combine one of the above foams with spring coils. The coils tend to help with motion transfer and edge support making them a great option for couples. The coils also help with airflow for a cooler sleep.
• Spring– Also called innerspring or coil mattresses, these are your more traditional beds. Due to the responsive coils, they offer good support, edge support, cooling, and durability. However, they are generally more expensive and mostly found in showrooms and not online.
• Pillow-top– Pillow-tops are usually associated with innerspring mattresses but can be found on any of the above options. This is the smart solution for those who like a soft, cushy feel.
• Adjustable or air beds– These beds use an air pump to adjust the firmness of your mattress to suit your needs. They are among the most expensive option but may be an ideal long-term solution since your firmness needs change with time. Couples with drastically different firmness needs would also benefit from an adjustable air bed.

What size bed should you buy?

There are six standard bed sizes. In order from smallest to largest (and usually the least to most expensive), they are:

• Twin– If you are a smaller individual who sleeps alone, a Twin (38 inches wide by 75 inches long) will serve you well.
• Twin XL – This is the same width (38 inches) as the Twin but 5 inches longer, which makes it better for tall people who sleep alone.
• Full – With the same length (75 inches) as the Twin but 16 inches wider, the Full is designed for larger folks or anyone who just wants a bit more space
• Queen– The Queen is 80 inches long by 60 inches wide, and is meant for couples who are smaller.
• King– The King is 16 inches wider than the Queen and better for larger couples. I recommend it if you are choosing a mattress with subpar edge support and you're concerned about feeling uncomfortable near the edges.
• California King– The Cal King is four inches longer but four inches narrower than the King, so it's a smart alternative for taller couples.

For context, my wife and I are both slightly taller and heavier than average, and we share a bed with a dog and a full-body pillow. Queen mattresses are simply too small and uncomfortable for us, though it's the size we test as it's the most popular. We've found a King is more ideal for our needs.

Read more about Insider Reviews' top mattress reviews

• T-shirts are one of the cornerstones of every wardrobe, no matter how fancy or basic it may be.
• There are literally thousands of options to choose from, so we've narrowed it down to the absolute best for every category, from undershirts to athleticwear and loungewear. 
• The Everlane Uniform Cotton Crew is our top pick overall because it's affordable, available in many colors, durable, and backed by a one-year warranty.
• Sign up for Insider Review's weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

If you take a look at anyone's wardrobe, you're almost guaranteed to find T-shirts. As a quintessential item for all, T-shirts are readily available from just about every clothing company. With a countless number of T-shirts readily available, you might be wondering why you'd need a guide to make a decision, but that's exactly why. We decided to cut through the seemingly endless number of options to narrow it down to the absolute best ones.

Whether you're searching for a stretchy moisture-wicking T-shirt to work out in, a comfort T-shirt for working from home and lounging, or low-cost T-shirts to stock up on, you'll find it here. I've selected five of the best T-shirts based on the countless brands I've personally tested or bought over the years. You'll find picks for comfort, affordability, undershirts, working out, and the best overall.

It's also worth noting that while all the T-shirts listed below are in men's sizing, anyone can wear them. If you're unsure of which size fits you best, check each brand's size chart for more details. Speaking of fit, the styles below are what the industry calls "men's t-shirts." What qualifies as a "men's t-shirt" has everything to do with sizing and fit. These tend to be boxier, broader, and longer than tees that were made for women. If you're looking for something shorter and more fitted, check out our guide to the best women's T-shirts. 

Here are the best men's sized T-shirts in 2021:

• Best T-shirt overall: Everlane Uniform Cotton Crew
• Best T-shirt for performance: Rhone Reign T-shirt 
• Best T-shirt for comfort: Brooklinen Prospect Tee
• Best undershirt: Tommy John Undershirts
• Best affordable T-shirt: Uniqlo Dry T-shirt
• Best T-shirt for style variety: Cuts Clothing Crew

Updated on 1/12/2021 by Amir Ismael: Updated introduction. Updated prices and links.

The best T-shirt overall

As part of the Everlane Uniform collection, the Cotton Crew Tee is backed by a one-year warranty and comes in a handful of colors.

Pros: Reasonably priced, backed by a one-year warranty, lots of colors, and also available in V-neck and pocket tee versions

Cons: None to speak of

Sizing options: XS-XXL, runs true to size

The T-shirt is quintessential to casual style, so there's a good chance you already wear one on a regular basis — sort of like a uniform.

Everlane created the Uniform Collection to make getting dressed feel more effortless. Among those styles is the Cotton Crew Tee, which is easily the best T-shirt on the market.

During the design process, Everlane put the Cotton Crew Tee through 25 wash cycles, three tests for fading and pilling, and six measurements for shrinking to make sure it can withstand constant wear.

To fully stand behind the quality, the Cotton Crew and everything else in the Uniform collection is backed by a 365-day guarantee. If it shrinks, rips, fades, or does anything else that compromises the original quality, Everlane will replace it for free. 

Aside from the quality, the variety makes these tees good for any wardrobe. There are more than 10 colors to choose from, and you can also choose from styles that have a pocket or a V-neck. They're fairly inexpensive at $18 for one, or $45 for three ($15 each), so it's easy to stock up on multiple of your favorite or most-worn colors.

Read my full review on the Everlane Uniform collection. 

The best performance T-shirt

Built for performance, the Rhone Reign T-shirt will keep you cool, dry, and comfortable during your workouts.

Pros: Stretchy, moisture-wicking, GoldFusion technology that fights body odor, UPF50+

Cons: Less casual than other options

Sizing options: XS-XXL, runs true to size

Rhone is one of the leading startups in the athleisure menswear space, so it's no surprise they've figured out how to make a really good T-shirt. The brand offers a decent selection of performance T-shirts, some specifically for sports like running, but the Reign T-shirt is its best for all-around performance. 

The brand doesn't make mention of the T-shirts being stretchy (I guess at this point, it's pretty much expected from any performance gear), but its blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex material does have an impressive amount of stretch. The material is also moisture-wicking and features GoldFusion technology to fight body odor. 

I use my Rhone T-shirts exclusively for the gym, and I've found the GoldFusion technology to be effective. This is an important feature for me because washing my gym clothes after one wear is simply unrealistic. The shirt also has built-in UPF 50+, so you're getting extra sun protection for your outdoor workouts and activities too. 

When I do wash my Rhone shirts, they come out of the washer and dryer in perfect condition. At this point, Rhone shirts have been in my gym rotation for about two years, and I've yet to experience fading or shrinking — and at $68 each, that type of quality is expected.

Aside from the stellar quality and fit, I really appreciate the quotes that Rhone incorporates into its shirts. The bottom of the hem on the Reign T-shirt reads, "While living I want to live well." It's a nice touch for people who are working to reach their goals and could use some extra inspiration.

Again, at $68, this shirt is expensive, so I'd suggest going with a cheaper option if you only need something to wear casually or to lounge in. 

The best men's T-shirt for casual comfort

The Brooklinen Prospect Tee is so soft and comfortable, you won't want to take it off.

Pros: Super-soft feel, great fit, has held up well after multiple washes

Cons: Limited color selection

Sizing options: XS-XXL, runs true to size

Before testing the Brooklinen Prospect Tee, I wasn't expecting to have such a positive experience with it. Just about any T-shirt can be considered comfortable to some degree, so I figured Brooklinen's wouldn't be much different. After all, it is just a T-shirt. 

But as soon as I put it on, I was proven wrong. The Prospect Tee is super soft and has a slightly relaxed fit that makes it especially comfortable to wear. I originally wore it around the house and then to bed since Brooklinen technically considers it loungewear, but I've also worn it quite a few times outside. Don't let the word "loungewear" trick you into thinking you can't wear this T-shirt in the real world, because you absolutely can. 

Brooklinen says that each piece undergoes five separate quality-control checks to ensure it won't warp, shrink, stretch, sag, or pill, and so far I've found that to be true. My Prospect Tee, as well as the Bergen Joggers (a pair of lounge pants I've also tested from Brooklinen), have held up amazingly in the wash. Both pieces are just as soft as the first time I wore them.

If you prefer a V-neck, the York Tee has all the same great features. 

Read our full review on Brooklinen loungewear.

The best men's undershirts

Tommy John is unlike any other undershirt on the market — in a good way. The collar stays flat, it fits closely to your body, and never comes untucked.  

Pros: Close-fitting, comfortable, different material options, stays tucked in

Cons: Can't be worn as a regular T-shirt

Sizing options: S-XXL, fits snug, but as an undershirt, that's how you want it to fit. 

Tommy John started with the mission to bring men's undergarments into the 21st century and its undershirts are, in my opinion, the best example of how it's doing that.

To be completely honest, I gave up on T-shirt-style undershirts a long time ago because they're almost always ill-fitting at the collar, the sleeves become loose, and they rarely stay tucked in. To put it plainly, they look sloppy.

Tommy John's undershirts are the complete opposite. They're close-fitting, but not tight, long enough to stay comfortably tucked into your pants, and they almost disappear underneath your top layer of clothes.

While browsing, you'll find that Tommy John undershirts are available in three materials — Second Skin, Cool Cotton, and Air. I've tried all three and I can't say one is better than the other; it really depends on what you look for most in an undershirt, whether that's softness, breathability, or a lightweight feel.

I especially like Tommy John's undershirts instead of basic tank tops when I'm wearing dress shirts. They're more comfortable (which is important when you're already wearing not-so-comfortable dress clothes), they help prevent sweat stains on the armpits, and they're a lot less visible if you're wearing a white or light-colored shirt.

Read my full review on Tommy John undershirts.

The best affordable T-shirt

If you simply need a good T-shirt without spending a lot of money, Uniqlo's Dry Crew Neck T-shirts are the way to go. 

Pros: Affordable, lots of sizes and colors, great fit when new

Cons: Not the highest quality T-shirt, will wear out eventually

Sizing options: XXS-3XL. Fits true to size. Size up for more of a relaxed fit.

Uniqlo's Dry T-shirts are far from the brand's best-made T-shirts (check out the Uniqlo U Collection if you want higher quality), but they're still essentials in my wardrobe. 

I love them because they're affordable enough that you can stock up on a bunch of colors. You never know when you're going to need a T-shirt in a specific color, so you can buy all of your favorites and have them on deck. 

Something to note is that they come folded and packaged (hence the name), so you'll want to quickly hit them with a steamer to get rid of the creases. 

In my experience with Uniqlo Dry Packaged T-shirts over the years, I have seen fading, shrinking, and pilling after a decent amount of wears, washes, and dry cycles, but I didn't mind. By the time they were worn out, I felt like I had gotten my money's worth.

If you like to buy a T-shirt and wear it repeatedly — not sparingly — then I'd recommend a higher quality pick, but these will certainly get the job done.

The best T-shirt for style variety

The T-shirts from Cuts Clothing are soft, fitted in the right places, and come in a variety of fashionable hem styles and colors.

Pros: Available with different hem styles and contemporary color options, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, buttery soft feel

Cons: None to speak of

Sizing options: S-XXL. Shirts have a close-to-body fit, but they are true to size.

As the self-proclaimed makers of "the only T-shirt worth wearing," I had pretty high expectations before trying the shirts from Cuts Clothing. But, they ultimately lived up to the hype.

Founded in 2016, Cuts Clothing was created for men looking for high-quality clothing that could be worn anywhere. Most T-shirts are more or less the same, but Cuts Clothing's T-shirts have notable differences that give them a unique and elevated feel.

The shirts use the brand's proprietary custom-engineered material, which is just as soft and stretchy as some of the best performance gear I've worn. What makes the shirts special is the contemporary cuts and colors available.

You can choose between fitted or regular; crewneck, V-neck or henley; regular, split, rounded or elongated hems. I had the opportunity to try the crewneck with every hem style and I enjoyed being able to create different looks.

In addition to the great assortment of shirt styles, Cuts is also known for its contemporary colors. You'll always find basic colors like black, white, and grey, but the brand also offers out of the norm colors like Red Rum and Laurel Oak. 

If you like to get dressed with a bit more consideration than whether your T-shirt is clean and if it matches, then Cuts Clothing is a great option.

What else we considered

• Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee ($35): This tee used to hold our "best overall" spot. It's made from 100% Pima cotton. The hem of this shirt also has a curved arc that adds a stylish accent, hides your stomach when you lift your hands, and helps keep the T-shirt in place should you want to tuck it in. Not only is the Buck Mason shirt made with American cotton, but it's made in America, too. I ultimately removed it because, at $32, I don't believe it's substantially better than the Everlane Cotton Crew ($18) or the Brooklinen Prospect Tee ($28). But don't get me wrong; it's still a great shirt if you don't mind spending the extra money.

Check out our other men's style guides

• The best men's shorts
• The best men's sweatpants
• The best men's underwear
• The best men's white dress shirts
• The best men's suits
• The best white sneakers

• Mejuri is a Canadian jewelry startup that makes affordable, fine jewelry meant to be worn every day.
• Bucking the idea that "nice" jewelry is for special occasions and gifts, 90% of its customers are purchasing jewelry for themselves.
• The lean D2C model makes it possible to order a 14K gold diamond necklace for $300, and the company ensures the use of ethically sourced materials.
• Mejuri jewelry is a recurring purchase for Insider Reviews reporters. Keep reading to learn why we love it, plus the pieces we wear every day.

If you're looking for dainty, everyday jewelry that's nice enough to stand the test of time and affordable enough to buy for yourself, then you'll probably want Mejuri on your radar.

It's an online jewelry startup based on the idea that women want to buy fine jewelry for themselves, and without waiting for an excuse or occasion to do so. Looking at the numbers, it's clear that founders Noura Sakkijha and Justine Lançon are on to something.

Mejuri has seen five times year-over-year revenue growth, product waitlists of 100,000 people, a $23 million Series B funding round, and — most unusual for an industry steeped in milestones and big gesture gifts — data that shows that more than 90% of its customers are purchasing the jewelry for themselves. Its core customer base (women aged 18 to 35) also has a monthly repeat purchase rate of over 25%, suggesting its customers are over the practice of saving "nice" jewelry for special occasions and instead regularly choose to "buy [themselves] the damn diamonds."

If you take a look through Mejuri's site, it's easy to see that success and customer retention were inevitable, rather than a stroke of luck. The crowded jewelry industry is made up of two oversaturated markets — very expensive jewelry, and affordable, short-lived costume jewelry — and an ocean in between. Mejuri is one of few islands in the middle. (AUrate and Stone and Strand are others, though Mejuri is, for the most part, more budget-friendly.) 

For starters, Mejuri prices are remarkably affordable relative to the rest of the industry (similar to Everlane's transparent pricing model, there's an estimated retail markup on every product page). You can buy a diamond, 14-karat gold necklace for $300— not exactly pocket change, but accessible for a millennial woman with some expendable income. 

And, Mejuri jewelry isn't trendy. Lançon told Business Insider in 2018, "We design products we, our friends, and our community would actually wear. It's not just something you put on your Pinterest board for 'someday.'" 

In other words, Mejuri is the startup king of fine jewelry you'll wear so often you'll forget to take it off before a shower (which is actually okay, since despite dropping only a few hundred on it, that 14-karat solid gold won't oxidize or discolor). It's the kind of place where product names exist in helpful gradations — using "Between Hoops" ($70) to describe a medium pair, like a cook who deploys a "pinch" of salt as a precise metric rather than a suggestion. There are hoops in every size, thickness, and even texture — from smooth to curved to beaded, to diamond-, pearl-, and gem-set. Most come in pairs, but you can also buy some earring styles as singles. Although teeming with classics, Mejuri doesn't make the mistake of becoming boring. You'll find clever, edgy upgrades to essentials that blend in with the rest of your jewelry collection — like an entire Zodiac collection.

Sakkijha and Lançon have created a bastion of elegant, effortless jewelry that you'll never need to one day pawn off on a younger sister. With Mejuri's roster of Holy Grail basics, it makes sense to buy the "nice" version of each item — you'll wear them often, and own them forever. 

Mejuri also offers meaningful transparency in regards to the ethics of their luxury items. It ensures all diamonds are conflict-free, and it works exclusively with ethical suppliers. You can read more about the materials here. (Some jewelers, like Couple and Clean Origin, actually go one step further, with lab-grown diamonds). 

What we wear from Mejuri

Mejuri jewelry has become a recurring purchase among Insider Reviews reporters. Senior editor Sally Kaplan loves the brand's Tiny Gold Hoop Earrings ($55) because of how small and dainty they are, and explained that "they're representative of Mejuri to me as a brand — they don't try too hard or feel fussed over." Mejuri's now-retired gold safety pin earrings are the only pair senior reporter Connie Chen brings while traveling. Senior editor Jada Wong wears the Sapphire Twin Hoops ($215) every day, though she notes that the sapphires may seem duller and smaller than expected — and may try the solid gold version ($185) next time instead. I'm wearing the Stacker Ring ($75) now, and I do just about every day. 

Here are more of our favorite pieces of jewelry from Mejuri:

Small Hoops

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Diamond Necklace

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Diamonds Team Ring

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Stacker Ring

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Zodiac Necklace Vermeil

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Curb Bracelet

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Sapphire Twin Hoops

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Duo Ring

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The bottom line

Overall, Mejuri is a great option for fine, delicate jewelry you can wear every day and keep forever. And thanks to the direct-to-consumer model, it's affordable enough to buy for yourself — even without the excuse of a special occasion.

While some direct-to-consumer upstarts faced headwinds in 2020 due to the pandemic, others continue to crop up in categories including personal grooming and health and wellness.

Business Insider asked 20 investors which DTC startups they think will take off this year and why.

Most of them picked companies they've invested in. Investors from Forerunner, Greycroft, Lerer Hippeau, and others said they are backing companies that address issues that have been brought to the fore by the coronavirus pandemic, like sleep and personal grooming. 

They include wearable tech device Cove that claims to help people sleep better; and dpHUE, which says it keeps hair color fresh between salon visits.

Health and wellness remains hot as it was in 2020, with investors betting on companies including Found and Sugarbreak. Pet-focused companies like Smalls and Fable are also gaining interest after Bark's SPAC-backed IPO as are kids-focused companies like A Kids Book About and Piccolina.

Here are their picks, listed alphabetically.

A Kids Book About

Company: A Kids Book About

Recommended by: Chris Cantino, co-owner, Color Capital

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: Publishes kids' books on "grown-up" topics like racism, death, and empathy.

Why it's hot: The company talks about subjects like money, racism, climate change, and COVID-19 with kids in a way that's different than anything else in the category, and with its DTC model, it can release books quickly to respond to issues of cultural relevance, said Cantino. "The company has potential to become a top name in children's media."

Clare

Company: Clare

Recommended by: Hayley Barna, partner, Firstround Ventures

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A brand trying to improve paint-buying online with features like designer-picked colors, mess-free paint swatches.

Why it's hot: "As we continue to spend time at home, COVID-19 has dramatically accelerated the growth of Clare's business as it can help simplify the process of upgrading the feel of your space," said Barna. "With dynamic tools like the 'Color Genius' and the 'Paint Calculator,' you can avoid a trip to the hardware store entirely."

Cove

Company: Cove by Feelmore Labs

Recommended by: Courtney Reum, co-founder, M13

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A wearable tech device that says it uses neuroscience to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

Why it's hot: "Reducing anxiety and improving sleep are two essentials to help us thrive in 2021," said Reum. "2021 is the year of mental wellness  when we are still haunted by the ripple effects of 2020, but we are also intentionally managing our health."

dpHUE

Company: dpHUE

Recommended by: Alicia Sontag, partner, Prelude Growth Partners

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A hair-care brand founded by co-founded by celebrity colorist Justin Anderson and Donna Pohlad that says it keeps color fresh between salon visits.

Why it's hot: dpHUE's products are relevant as salons remain closed or people avoid them, said Sontag. "Their products to care for color-treated hair like the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse or products to color-treat hair like Root Touch Up kits are meant to be used between salon visits and go hand-in-hand with stylists, not replace them."

Eight Sleep

Company: Eight Sleep

Recommended by: Peter Pham, cofounder and partner, Science 

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A smart-mattress maker

Why it's hot: "Sleep has been the topic of 2020," said Pham. "They've changed the game with being able to not just track data, but change the temperature on each side of the bed through the night."

Fable Pets

Company: Fable Pets

Recommended by: Sophie Bakalar, partner at Collaborative Fund

Relationship to the company: Investor and co-CEO

What it is: A Scandinavian-design inspired pet gear company.

Why it's hot:"There have been incredible tailwinds in the pet space over the past 9 months that we expect to continue well into 2021," said Bakalar. "This increase in pet adoptions has introduced a lot of pain points, particularly for new pet owners and those in cities. Fable makes gear specifically designed to solve those problems. For example, the product 'The Game' was specifically designed to help treat anxiety and boredom."

Found

Company: Found

Recommended by: Lynne Chou O'Keefe, founder and managing partner, Define Ventures

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A weight-loss program that combines prescription medicine with coaching and community support.

Why it's hot: There's a big market for products dealing with chronic conditions, and while other weight loss programs focus on diet and exercise, Found also addresses biological factors such as genetics, hormones, metabolism, gut health emotional health, sleep and environment, O'Keefe said.

Madhappy

Company: Madhappy

Recommended by: Charlotte Ross, principal, Inspired Capital

Relationship to the company: None

What it is: Streetwear that tries to foster dialogue about mental health online and in stores.

Why it's hot: Madhappy's focus on transparency and mental health awareness speaks to Gen Z consumers who want to buy things that align with their values, Ross said. "Madhappy is the Supreme for Gen Z — but unlike Supreme, it stands for something powerful that resonates with the generation," said Ross.

Maude

Company: Maude

Recommended by: Nik Sharma, independent investor 

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A maker of vibrators, condoms, lubricants and other sexual wellness products

Why it's hot: "We're all spending a lot more time at home, and Maude makes sexual wellness more fun. Sexual wellness as a category hasn't been disrupted in years," said Sharma. "It represents the evolution of DTC brands from those that look trendy, cool and pretty on Instagram to those that actually meet a functional need for people. It's catching on, growing 50% quarter-over-quarter."

Miyoko's Creamery

Company: Miyoko's Creamery

Recommended by: Ryan Morris, principal, Plus Capital 

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A maker of dairy-free butter and cheese primarily using cashews. 

Why it's hot: Miyoko's encapsulates major trends of sustainability and the plant-based movement, and is well-positioned with its retail presence, strong founder and operator Miyoko Schinner, and backing from Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Morris said.

Mosaic Foods

Company: Mosaic Foods

Recommended by: Ellie Wheeler, partner, Greycroft

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: Maker of chef-created, frozen plant-based meals.

Why it's hot: "It's easy, healthy, no-fuss food for people getting tired of cooking three meals a day like young professionals, new moms, or empty nesters — and is eco-friendly to boot, reducing food waste," said Wheeler. "It makes hitting 2021 resolutions easy, and is at the forefront of bunch of quickly growing macro trends, from wellness and plant-based diets to convenience and becoming more eco-friendly."

Olive & June

Company: Olive & June

Recommended by: Brian Sugar, Sugar Capital

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A maker of manicure and pedicure kits and tools

Why it's hot: "With so many people opting to stay home lately, at-home beauty treatments and tools are more popular than ever. Olive & June makes salon-quality manicures and pedicures accessible to anyone by offering kits that include everything you need to get the perfect nails — without having to leave your living room," said Sugar. "A manicure kit is sold every 2.5 minutes and a bottle of polish is sold every 10 seconds."

Parade

Company: Parade 

Recommended by: Caitlin Strandberg, principal, Lerer Hippeau Ventures

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A Gen Z-targeted underwear brand that uses recycled yarns and compostable packaging.

Why it's hot: "The acceleration of e-commerce due to the pandemic has meant that even traditionally offline purchases like underwear have now moved online," said Strandberg. "Parade is primed to take advantage of this. It has sold over 700,000 pairs of underwear and generated $10 million in revenue since its launch roughly a year ago." 

Piccolina

Company: Piccolina 

Recommended by: Angela Lee, founder and CEO, 37Angels

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A mission-driven kids' lifestyle brand dedicated to girls' empowerment.

Why it's hot: "Piccolina's products promote an empowered self-perception in early childhood and lay the foundation for lasting interests in a wide range of important topics, from astrophysics to civil rights," said Lee. "The company's commitment to social justice, equality and inclusion is reflected in its production with female-owned manufacturers and through its giveback programs with non-profits."

Prose

Company: Prose

Recommended by: Nicole Johnson, partner, Forerunner Ventures

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A hair care company that makes products customized based on people's hair type, goals, and lifestyles.

Why it's hot: "The team has built a next-generation CPG supply chain company, re-engineering the personal care model to create hair care that's truly personalized, combining lab R&D, premium and natural ingredients, and proven results," Johnson said.

Rae Wellness

Company: Rae Wellness

Recommended by: Mike Duda, managing partner, Bullish

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A nutrition and supplements brand geared toward women.

Why it's hot: "Go into any store, and walk the vitamins and supplements aisles for women — the legacy brands are tone-deaf to the end consumer," said Duda. "Rae has leveraged its founders' collective 20 year-long merchandising careers at Target to launch a value proposition built around women, not just focusing on vitamins but at the intersection of supplements, nutrition and beauty."

Smalls

Company: Smalls

Recommended by: Soraya Darabi, general partner, TMV

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A maker of nutritious meals for cats

Why it's hot: "Pandemic spending data reads like a secret diary account of what Americans truly care about," said Darabi. "Many pet care companies are benefiting from millennial pet-parents delaying marriage and children while doubling down on their commitment to their pets. Smalls has a promising future."  

Company: Sugarbreak

Recommended by: Nisha Dua, general partner, BBG Ventures

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: Non-prescription products for blood sugar management that use natural ingredients

Why it's hot: Over 100 million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes, and COVID has highlighted their vulnerability. Sugarbreak is a proactive, preventative and affordable way for people to take control of their health on their own terms, Dua said.

The House of LR&C

Company: The House of LR&C

Recommended by: Tim Armstrong, founder and CEO, Flowcode/the dtx company

Relationship to the company: Tech partner 

What it is: A gender- and size-inclusive branded fashion house with two sub-brands, streetwear brand, Human Nation and men's lifestyle label Good Man Brand that promote themselves as using sustainable practices. 

Why it's hot: The House of LR&C, founded by Russell Wilson, Ciara, and former Lululemon CEO, Christine Day, is democratizing retail and redefining the fashion industry with a focus on inclusivity and technology, said Armstrong.

Uniform Teeth

Company: Uniform Teeth

Recommended by: Byron Ling, partner, Canaan

Relationship to the company: Investor

What it is: A technology-backed orthodontic care service

Why it's hot: Uniform Teeth is poised to benefit from rising demand in orthodontic care, with affordable clear aligners and checkup visits handled over the app, Ling said. 

• While cashmere sweaters have traditionally been ultra-expensive, a new class of cashmere startups are offering these cozy toppers at a fraction of the cost
• As is the case with women's sweaters, there is no one cashmere sweater that is the best overall. That said, there are a handful of brands offering up cashmere that are worth noting. 
• Our favorite places to shop for cashmere sweaters include Everlane, Naadam, Quince, and Cuyana. 

There's a reason why cashmere sweaters typically cost a pretty penny. The process of creating these cozy toppers is an intense, time-consuming process, as Business Insider highlighted after visiting a cashmere factor last year. 

But recently, a new class of sweater startups is changing the game, offering quality cashmere at relatively affordable prices. While luxury cashmere is still sometimes worth the cash, these brands are perfect for folks looking to stock up without emptying their bank account. And if you're open to cashmere blends, you can spend even less. 

The brands on this list prioritize sustainability, affordability, wearability, or a combination of all three, making them your new go-to spots for reviving your cashmere wardrobe. 

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. If you're more interested in a boxy, oversized style, you might want to shop for cashmere sweaters designed for men.

Updated on 1/13/2021 by Maria Del Russo: Updated links, prices, and rewrote the intro. 

Here are the best places to buy cashmere sweaters: 

Everlane

Everlane offers subtle updates on traditional cashmere sweater styles with a great $100 price tag.

We talk about Everlane often. The brand's quality and attention to design are unparalleled for the prices. The company's transparency model means you'll get designer-level goods at mid-level cost to your wallet.

Everlane is our favorite place to get women's sweaters in general, and the cashmere range is no exception. Everlane's Grade-A cashmere from Mongolia runs from $100 to $155 and in sizes XXS to XXL. The most popular and versatile style, The Cashmere Crew, is one of the cheapest and best options.

It comes in tons of colors, from basics like charcoal gray and black to fun shades like mauve pink with mustard trimmed sleeves. Insider Reviews reporter Mara Leighton calls this sweater "a foundational closet piece." 

But that's not the only piece of cashmere Everlane does well. The brand put its contemporary spin on other classic cashmere sweater styles like the Cashmere Sweater Tee— which was well-liked when our Insiders Reviews team gave it a test-run. The Cashmere Henley is another sweet spin on a classic cashmere sweater, with its oversized cuff sleeves and darling neck buttons. 

What to buy:

Naadam

If sustainability is a top concern, Naadam is about to become your new favorite sweater brand.

"Democratizing cashmere" is the tagline on the Naadam homepage — and that's what the brand claims to do with its range of sustainable knits. One of Naadam's most popular items is a $75 crewneck cashmere sweater, a price the company says it can offer thanks to a lean D2C business model. Styles such as a long open-front cardigan and a wide-sleeved kimono are priced at $225.

In addition to 100% cashmere, the brand offers blended knits like wool-cashmere, silk-cashmere, and cotton-cashmere. 

The sweaters are mostly simple in design, but their means of production is unique. Sourced from Mongolian goats, Naadam's cashmere is hand-combed and produced in facilities powered by 100% clean energy. The brand also claims to pay herders "50% more than traditional traders." Cashmere that's as ethical as it is cozy? Sign us up!

Aside from the crew, Naadam has also ventured into both more contemporary and classic styles. The Grandpa Cardigan, for example, is a perfectly oversized topper ideal for cozy layering. On the other hand, the Cashmere Cropped Tank is a sexy way to bring your cashmere love into warmer temps. The company also has a wide variety of styles and color options and a size range of XXS to XXL

What to buy: 

Land's End

Lands' End turns its flair for long-lasting classic designs to cashmere sweaters in a wide range of sizes. 

Cashmere sweater options in plus sizes are unfortunately few and far between. Lands' End has a variety of classic styles in a slightly superior size range to many cashmere sweater brands on the market.

Now the brand isn't necessarily known for its trendy styles. But this is the place to go if you're looking to expand your cashmere selection without breaking the bank — or if you're more interested in classic, minimal styles of sweaters. 

A favorite is the Cashmere Crewneck. It comes in a rainbow of colors that will become instant wardrobe staples and fits up to a size 18. The brand's Plus Size Cardigan is another classic and nips into the waist for a more fitted silhouette. 

And while the majority of Land's End's sweaters come in solid colors, there are also a bunch of patterned buys to add to your cart. There's a herringbone version of the brand's crew that would be stunning at the office or at a cozy brunch. 

The cashmere at Land's End typically sits on the more expensive side of the spectrum. But the brand is known for its regular sales, so you can typically score a topper on the cheap.

What to buy: 

J. Crew

J.Crew is your one-stop shop for fun cashmere sweaters that go beyond your average camel-colored pullovers.

If you want your cashmere sweater with a side of embellishment and whimsy, hit up J. Crew. The ultimate business casual purveyor produces some of the most delightfully tricked-out knits in the business.

Yes, you can take your pick of solid-colored turtlenecks and crewnecks at J.Crew's Cashmere Shop, many of which come in under $100. But if it's a pattern you crave, you're also in the right place. Stripes, stars, hearts, tie-dye, leopard — the brand's current offerings have it all.

J. Crew has partnered with the Aid by Trade Foundation to help promote sustainable agricultural development — including sustainable cashmere production. The brand is actually the first US member of the foundation and is certified under the AbTF's The Good Cashmere Standard. This ensures the welfare of cashmere goats, protects natural resources, and improves the working conditions of cashmere producers. So you can feel good knowing that the cashmere in your sweater is being ethically sourced. 

And those cashmere sweaters are straight-up adorable. The Relaxed-fit turtleneck sweater comes in a rainbow of bright, punchy colors and has that perfectly oversized silhouette. The Waffle-knit cashmere crew comes in a fun color block pattern, which offers up a preppy vibe that's classic J. Crew.

But if you're looking for a bit more whimsy, check out the brand's crewneck sweater with bow stripes. It takes a classic Brenton stripe and gives it a feminine twist, adding a bow detail for some visual interest. 

J.Crew also has a surprisingly inclusive size range, with sweaters sizing up to a 3XL, or a size 24. And thanks to the brand's regular sales, you can typically get these cozy tops on the cheap. 

What to buy:

Cuyana

For premium cashmere that costs less than rent, check out Insider Reviews-approved brand Cuyana.

If you're ready to invest in a more premium cashmere but don't want to shell out hundreds and hundreds of dollars for a turtleneck, check out Cuyana.

The brand sells some 100% Italian cashmere options such as its $225 Asymmetrical Turtleneck Sweater and $225 long Open Cashmere Cardigan, as well as a number of cashmere blend sweaters, like turtlenecks, V-necks, and crewnecks.

The brand also offers its own collection of recycled cashmere styles. No matter which you choose, you won't want to take it off once the temperatures drop below freezing. And the styles range from classic cuts to more trend-forward styles. 

We love Cuyana here at Insider Reviews and think you really can't go wrong with its beautiful, simple items that go with everything. The pieces are well-made and completely wearable. The cashmere is definitely on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. Cuyana makes investment pieces you'll want to wear for years to come. 

What to buy: 

Quince

By cutting out the middle man and handling every detail of the manufacturing process itself, Quince is able to market its cashmere for just $50. 

Quince is a minimalist's dream, offering up gorgeous, classic cashmere pieces for wallet-friendly prices. The brand, which was created from the ethos that nice things shouldn't be expensive, is home to the $50 Cashmere Crew. It's soft and cozy without being itchy. And unlike other cashmere crews, this one has a bit more of a fitted silhouette, making it perfect for tucking into jeans or a high-waisted skirt. 

And while the brand leans into more classic styles, there's no shortage of beautiful pieces here. Editor Maria Del Russo calls her Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan one of her favorites pieces in her closet. "I'd be scouring vintage shops for the perfect toss-on-and-go cardigan that I could wear with a tee or on its own, and this was the first one that checked all the boxes," she says. Its soft, relaxed silhouette and darling buttons make this a piece you can wear with anything. 

Just to prove how affordable its pieces are, Quince has a price matching tool on each of its product pages that shows you what you'd pay at a competitor — including some of the brands on this list. And while it's known for its sweaters since it's arguably what the brand does best, but they also have other cashmere offerings, from scarves to beanies. 

And while Quince could stand to expand its sizing (it currently only has XS-XL), it's a great place to stock up on the basics without breaking the bank. 

What to buy:

Check out our buying guides for women's style

The best feminine leather jackets

The best bras

The best feminine winter boots

• A drugstore eyeliner allows you to experiment with a range of formulas, shades, and brands for an inexpensive price, offering the biggest bang for your buck if applied consistently.
• Gel, liquid, and pencil eyeliners each serve a unique purpose, ranging from casual daytime looks to long-lasting evening glam.
• NYX Professional Epic Ink Liner is our sought-after favorite because of its hint of shine with each line for a highly-pigmented finish.
• Check out our best eyeliners guide for options across a wider price range.

Though top-end eyeliners could cost upwards of $30, you don't have to spend big to create a perfect cat-eye. You'd be surprised with the broad range of both quality and quantity offered along drugstore walls. The phrase "drugstore makeup" may be reminiscent of those middle school days when I hoarded a hefty amount of cheap eyeshadow trios and formulas that made my skin break out, but drugstores have come a long way in offering accessible, quality makeup that won't break the bank.

You can snag some drugstore liners for as little as $2.99 and, not only is that a steal, but you can probably purchase 14 great-quality products for the price of one luxury eyeliner at Bloomingdales. And with a little skill, you'll be able to create the exact same look with a budget buy.

We spoke with Lindsey Trop, bridal makeup artist, graduate of the Make Up For Ever Academy in NYC, and 12-year industry expert who agrees. "I don't discriminate between drugstore and luxury," says Trop. "Sure, it may feel nice to purchase a luxury liner and it feels good to put it on, but drugstore eyeliners provide the same quality and same result at times."

We get that eyeliner can be tricky — it's prone to smudging, running, and uneven application — but all of these issues can be improved by purchasing the right eyeliner for the look you're going for. Whether you want a gel liner for a creamy date night look or a pencil for a natural finish to get you through your Zoom call marathon, the eyeliners we've chosen will hold strong. 

"[When recommending eyeliner], I generally look at type [...] as well as skill level," says Trina Albus, Magenta Agency founder and beauty influencer for women 40 and older. "I think a pencil is the beginner, the gel is intermediate (where I can start tight-lining and water-lining), and liquid is, 'you're advanced and know what you're doing' — it's a more dramatic look with a lot of staying power."

So, we've rounded up the best in the drugstore so you can spend more time applying — and less time trying to figure out your next eyeliner purchase.

Here are the best drugstore eyeliners

• Best drugstore eyeliner overall: NYX Professional Epic Ink Liner
• Best drugstore pencil eyeliner: Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer Waterproof Pencil
• Best drugstore gel eyeliner: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner
• Best drugstore waterline eyeliner: Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil
• Best drugstore eyeliner for sensitive eyes: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise All Day Liquid Liner

Updated on 01/13/2021 by Victoria Giardina. Checked links and prices, included more buying options, updated introduction and wrote original copy, and included our pick for the best waterline eyeliner, so you don't have to worry about applying a no-go product to a sensitive part of the eye. She incorporated tips and tricks from beauty experts and added some picks for future testing.

The best drugstore eyeliner overall

NYX Professional Epic Ink Liner provides paint-like pigmentation for a dramatic, precise line that won't budge.

Pros: Long-lasting, flexible tip, great pigmentation, waterproof, vegan, and cruelty-free

Cons: Limited color variety, can be difficult to wash off

When looking for the best of the best, the NYX Professional Epic Ink Liner certainly delivered. Its long-lasting formula with a precise brush tip makes each stroke fluid, customizable, and highly-pigmented — just press down with a little more oomph for a more dramatic, eye-defining look.

"Liquid liners are meant to do something crisp as opposed to being smudged," says Trop. "It would give a more defined line on the skin and can be used on all skin types — mature skin, youthful skin — anyone can enjoy this product."

When browsing the best in beauty for a new liner, you want something that's also resistant to smudging and budging. NYX's formula is waterproof, so if you're prone to some tearing or have watery eyes, this product is one you'll want to add to your shopping cart.

This drugstore indispensable is vegan and PETA-certified cruelty-free and formulated with no animal-derived products or by-products. Though sustainable, sharply-pigmented, and smudge-free, it doesn't come in a wide variety of colors. However, it still delivers exquisite black and brown shades.

The best pencil eyeliner

Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer Waterproof Pencil supplies a sultry smoked-out line that you can blend with an attached sponge.

Pros: Built-in smudger, retractable, decent color variety

Cons: Not the best for a precise line

As Albus notes, "you can't go wrong with pencil," and I certainly agree. Pencil eyeliner is the traditional bread and butter of the eyeliner game, offering an artist-like application with a linear stroke on the eye. And, even though I gravitate more toward liquid eyeliner — I'd rather not keep track of the sharpener needed by most pencils — the retractable capability of the Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer Waterproof Pencil sold me.

As a waterproof liner, the formula won't streak its color-intense pigment. This beauty staple is a double win with a built-in smudger and sharpener that works automatically as you twist to dispense more product, perfect for achieving a smoked-out lash line. Because it's a pencil and doesn't have that super flexible brush tip, it doesn't give the most precise line, yet its ability to be a multitasker when going about your makeup routine makes it the best pencil we've tested. And, it comes in a variety of color options to switch up the rote rhythm of reaching for black.

The best gel eyeliner

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner generated a lot of buzz because of its customizable, creamy application with its included brush.

Pros: Creamy formula; great control when applying' dermatologist-, ophthalmologist, and allergy-tested for sensitive eyes

Cons: Mediocre attached brush, relatively longer application process, packaging may lead to drying out faster

I've always considered applying gel eyeliner to be too tedious of a task (and one I thought I would mess up when applying the product with a brush), but the hype around the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner was too striking to ignore. 

"You can smudge it for a beautiful smokey look and you can make a very sharp, crisp line," Trop recommends. "Really, the sky's the limit with gel liner."

The application isn't so daunting. Gel liners offer rich pigment like liquid, but actually easier to use and manipulate like pencils. It's a great option if you go gaga for nighttime glam looks or strive for more control when applying.

The creamy, oil-free formula claims to offer the longest wear we've noticed (Maybelline notes up to 24 hours) and comes in black, brown, and charcoal shades. The gel liner is also dermatologist-, ophthalmologist-, and allergy-tested, making it a solid choice for more sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. We will be testing the longevity of this product soon and will update this guide with our thoughts.

Insider Reviews' Style and Beauty Editor Ashley Phillips swears by Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($28) but says the Maybelline Gel Liner is a decent dupe of the pricier option. She suggests upgrading to a nicer brush, instead of the one Maybelline provides, for that luxe experience and easier application. She adores Bobbi Brown's Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush ($31).

The best waterline eyeliner

Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil achieves a tasteful line for harder-to-reach water and tight lines, plus an affordable price of under $3.

Pros: smooth formula, waterproof, smudge-free, inexpensive price

Cons: limited color variety

On days when I noticed my eyes bugging me, it was often because I applied a liner to my waterline that was not intended to be there. I completely skip over the waterline at all costs nowadays because of those slightly irritating moments, but the Essence Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil suggests a smooth and steady application.

Its waterproof and silk-like formula provides a smooth glide that doesn't budge, ideal for the waterline. Especially if dealing with black and other dark shades, an eyeliner that will stay on as it is supposed to will prevent noticeable traces of product on the skin.

And, applying a pencil eyeliner to the waterline is perfect for creating a gradient look. Trop shared that applying a black pencil to the waterline, going in with a brown pencil above it, and then buffing it out creates an artistic dark-to-light look.

The best eyeliner for sensitive eyes

Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise All Day Liquid Liner is both smudge- and water-proof with a formula that won't irritate chronically dry or runny eyes.

Pros: Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-approved, phthalate-free, ultra-fine tip for flexible application

Cons: Applicator may dry out if improperly stored

While our favorite gel liner above is approved by ophthalmologists for sensitive eyes, another Maybelline favorite earns high marks here as well — and it's the better choice if you prefer a liquid to a gel. Maybelline's Eye Studio Master Precise All Day Liquid Liner offers a fragrance-free formula lasting up to 12 hours. That's 12 hours you won't have to be rubbing your eyes due to stinging, burning, or otherwise uncomfortable feelings caused by eyeliner.

The dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-approved formula glides on with ease for casual cat eye looks or more done-up grandeur. It doesn't budge or smudge, too, it's ultra-fine tip providing flexibility for thinner or thicker lines.

Some people are sensitive to eyeliners, while some aren't. Trop notes that alcohol is the main ingredient for long-wear liners so, if you're the my-eyeliner-only-lasts-an-hour person because of tearing or slight irritation caused by makeup, check out this key ingredient. 

What we're testing next

• Revlon ColorStay Exactify Liquid Liner ($6.01): While this pizza-cutter style eyeliner claims to create a thin, precise line, they're definitely hit-or-miss. We will test this product in a future update since it is a one-of-a-kind option.
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil ($5.39): These NYX pencils are highly-rated and can definitely pull double-duty as a cream shadow all over the lid. However, the tips are much thicker than your average liner and therefore not as precise as the pencil liners mentioned in this guide. We will test this product in a future update to see if its multitasking capabilities are worth the buy.
• E.l.f. Expert Liquid Liner ($3): This inexpensive option boasts its smudge-proof wear and long-lasting, highly-pigmented formula, so this is one drugstore beauty find we are curious to try to test its much-applauded characteristics.
• Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner ($5.69): Neutrogena is known primarily for its cleansing skincare products, but its makeup is just as popular. It's similar to our Rimmel and Essence picks in this guide for being ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested for sensitive eye wearers, so we're looking forward to testing this product for longevity and potential traces of irritation.
• Wet N Wild MegaLast Breakup-Proof Liquid Eyeliner ($5.99): Wet N Wild is a relatively less-hyped-about beauty brand at the drugstore, but once Trop mentioned that this product lasted all throughout her C-section, we couldn't be more intrigued to add this to our future testing process.
• Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen ($12.00): Though a little on the pricier side for a drugstore buy, Albus raves about these, especially the gorgeous, diverse palette of colors offered. It's one we are excited to test, especially to add a new brand to the mix.

Check out our other buying guides for the best in makeup and beauty

• The best liquid eyeliner
• The best mascara
• The best eye creams and serums
• The best under-eye masks
• The best eyeshadow brushes
• The best makeup primers
• The best foundation
• The best bronze rs
• The best blush
• The best lip balm for dry lips

The House of Representatives on Wednesday impeached President Donald Trump for the second time after he incited a deadly riot at the US Capitol that resulted in five deaths and multiple injuries.

Trump, who has just a week left in his term, is now the first US president to have been impeached twice. He is facing an unprecedented level of legal and political risk after he whipped thousands of his supporters into a frenzy at a January 6 rally and then urged them to march to the Capitol to stop Congress from formalizing President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election.

The pro-Trump mob went on to lay siege to the Capitol, swarming the building, ransacking offices, stealing and vandalizing property, and trying to hunt down Vice President Mike Pence and other lawmakers.

In the wake of the failed insurrection, a slew of Republicans finally broke ranks with the president as congressional Democrats called for his impeachment. 

Watch the proceedings below:

Ten House Republicans voted to impeach Trump

The House voted 232-197 to impeach the president. With 10 House GOP members siding with their Democratic colleagues, this was the most bipartisan impeachment vote in US history.

Here are those Republican lawmakers:

• New York Rep. John Katko
• Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney
• Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger
• Michigan Rep. Fred Upton
• Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler
• Washington Rep. Dan Newhouse
• Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez 
• Michigan Rep. Peter Meijer
• South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice
• California Rep. David Valadao of California's 21st District.

In closing remarks, Republicans reiterated calls for unity and healing while Democrats demanded accountability

Minority Whip Steve Scalise called for both parties to condemn violence. 

"I've seen the dark evil of political violence firsthand, and it needs to stop," said Scalise, who was shot during a congressional baseball practice in 2017. "I oppose this rushed impeachment, brought forward without a single hearing. And, by the way, the Senate will not even take this up until President Trump is out of office. So let's keep that in mind — it will only serve to further divide a nation that is calling out for healing."

Democratic House leaders, meanwhile, argued that their colleagues across the aisle were shirking responsibility. 

"We ask ourselves, what do we do? What is our responsibility? What should we say?" Hoyer said. "In light of only the Civil War as an analogy, it is the first and only physical presence other than the 9/11 attack on this nation, which came from abroad and had a plane aimed at our Capitol dome. This attack was not from abroad, it was, as Liz Cheney said, summoned, assembled, and inflamed by the president of the United States of America."

Hoyer added: "We do this today not for politics. We don't need this for politics. Georgia showed that." 

Democratic Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher accused Republicans of 'gaslighting'

"I rise today in support of the article of impeachment and in opposition to the gaslighting that is masquerading as debate in this chamber today," Pannill Fletcher, a Texas Democrat, said. "I was in this chamber when the president assembled and unleashed a mob to attack the United State Capitol and the United States Congress, the elected representatives of the people. By doing so, he incited an insurrection against our representative democracy itself. If that is not an impeachable offense, then what is?" 

'Blood is on this house' and 'we must do something about it,' said Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell

Sewell, a Democratic lawmaker from Alabama, delivered an impassioned call for accountability after personally enduring the riot. 

GOP Rep. Doug LaMalfa lashed out at Democrats, the 'left-wing media,' and 'big tech'

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second annual impeachment show extravaganza, brought to you by the censors in left-wing media, the fact-check ministers of shutdown and big tech, and the Democrat Party," the California Republican said. 

Democratic Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon said she can't 'take seriously' GOP calls for 'unity' without Trump being held responsible for his actions

"I, too, urge my colleagues to unite, but to unite in love of country and to hold this president accountable," Scanlon said. "What unites our country is respect for the rule of law. Without accountability for those who would shatter the rule of law by overturning a presidential election, we cannot take seriously the cries of being a united people."

The House Speaker's podium, which was stolen by pro-Trump rioters on January 6, was carried back into the Capitol and set up for Pelosi to use on Wednesday

Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1349444057790099458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
We interrupt our coverage of the impeachment debate to bring you this news: Speaker Pelosi's lectern is back at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/PgR5PCVOqG

Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross rebuked Republicans for refusing to seek accountability for the deadly insurrection

Rep. Donald Norcross, a New Jersey Democrat, condemned Republicans for calling for "unity and healing," rather than holding the president accountable for the deadly results of his incitement. 

"A police officer was killed and what I hear is 'time to heal.' He's not even buried yet," Norcross said. "No one is above the law, not the president if he has four years or four days. We must do the right thing for all Americans because he must be held accountable."

QAnon-supporting Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed she's being censored as she slammed Democrats for allegedly supporting violence

Newly sworn-in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Georgia Republican, accused Democrats of encouraging violence in a fiery speech from the House floor during which she wore a mask reading, "CENSORED." 

"Democrats' impeachment of President Trump today has now set the standard that they should be removed for their support of violence against the American people," she said. 

Freshman Democratic Rep. Cori Bush made a fiery speech calling to impeach the 'white supremacist in chief'

Freshman Democratic congresswoman Cori Bush of Missouri gave an impassioned speech calling to impeach Trump, who she referred to as "the white supremacist in chief."

"If we fail to remove a white supremacist president who incited a white supremacist insurrection, it's communities like Missouri's First District that suffer the most," Bush said, referring to the district she represents.

She continued: "The 117th Congress must understand that we have a mandate to legislate in defense of Black lives. The first step in that process is to root out white supremacy starting with impeaching the white supremacist in chief."

Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler: 'My vote to impeach our sitting president is not a fear-based decision'

Republican congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington state made a highly-anticipated floor speech announcing that she would vote to impeach Trump.

"I am not afraid of losing my job, but I am afraid that my country will fail. I'm afraid patriots in this country have died in vain. I'm afraid injustice will prevail," Herrera Beutler said.

"But truth sets us free from fear," she added. "It has no shadows where darkness can hide. My vote to impeach our sitting president is not a fear-based decision. I'm not choosing a side, I'm choosing truth. It's the only way to defeat fear."

Democrats in the chamber broke into applause after Herrera Beutler finished speaking. She is one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach the president.

House minority leader Kevin McCarthy: 'The President bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters'

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy gave one of his sharpest condemnations of Trump yet when he spoke on the House floor.

"The President bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters," McCarthy said. "He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding."

The California Republican went on to shoot down conspiracy theories that antifa agitators infiltrated the pro-Trump demonstrations to spark violence.

"Some say the riots were caused by antifa. There is absolutely no evidence of that," McCarthy said. "And conservatives should be the first to say so."

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz's speech went off the rails as he ranted about the 'Biden crime family'

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, another one of Trump's most stalwart defenders in Congress, gave a meandering and off-topic floor speech in which he complained about the so-called Biden crime family.

• Fact check: No one in the Biden family has been charged with a crime, though the president-elect's son, Hunter, is under criminal investigation over his financial activities.

Gaetz went on to congratulate Trump for pointing out "unconstitutional behavior, voting irregularities, concerns over tabulations, dead people voting," and other purported issues with the 2020 election.

• Fact check: The 2020 election was the safest and most secure in US history. The vast majority of concerns raised about voting irregularities and election fraud have come from Republicans themselves and have been thrown out by courts across the country, including the Supreme Court. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud or irregularities in the election, and every state has certified its results, the Electoral College cast its votes, and Biden's victory has been formalized as of last week.

Gaetz also compared when pro-Trump insurrectionists "tore through" the Capitol to when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "tore through" Trump's State of the Union speech.

• Fact check: Pelosi's decision to tear up Trump's speech did not result in anyone dying, any theft, or destruction to property other than the speech.

McConnell's aide confirmed he will not have the Senate reconvene to hold an earlier impeachment trial

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will not bring back the Senate early to kick off an impeachment trial, his press secretary confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

That means a Senate trial would not start until after Biden takes office, at the earliest.

Rep. Cedric Richmond said some Republicans are 'co-conspirators' in the insurrection and urged them to 'man up, woman up' and defend the Constitution

In his last floor speech before he leaves Congress to join the Biden administration, Democratic Rep. Cedric Richmond of Louisiana said Trump "put the domestic terrorists on notice by saying, 'Stand back and stand by.'"

Richmond was alluding to Trump's response when he was asked during a presidential debate last year to condemn white supremacists for their role in trying to incite violent riots during the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer.

"Proud Boys, stand back and stand by," Trump said, referring to the far-right neo-fascist group that supports him. "But I'll tell you what, I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left because this is not a right-wing problem."

Speaking on Wednesday, Richmond said that Trump "summoned" extremists to Washington, DC, "directed them to march on the Capitol, and then he sat back and watched the insurrection."

"Some of my colleagues, some of which may well be co-conspirators, in their latest attempt to placate and please this unfit president, suggest that we shouldn't punish Trump for his actions in order to unify the country," Richmond continued. "That is the climax of foolishness. Stand up, man up, woman up, and defend this Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, including Donald J. Trump."

Republicans embarked on a misleading crusade against 'cancel culture'

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan spent most of his time decrying "cancel culture."

"The double standard has to stop, and frankly the attack on the First Amendment has to stop," Jordan said. "Do you have a functioning First Amendment when the cancel culture only allows one side to talk? When you can't even have a debate in this country ... it needs to stop, because if it continues, it won't just be Republicans who get canceled, it won't just be the president of the United States, the cancel culture will come for us all."

GOP Rep. Tom McClintock of California echoed Jordan, saying, "If we impeached every politician who gave a fiery speech to a crowd of partisans, this Capitol would be deserted ... suppressing free speech is not the answer."

He continued to say that the president "simply told the crowd" at his rally "to protest peacefully and patriotically, and the vast majority of them did."

Fact check: At the January 6 rally, the president called on his supporters "to fight" and march to the Capitol, adding, "You'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong."

It's also unclear what Jordan was referring to when he said the president had been "canceled," given that Trump has full access to the podium at the White House briefing room and a press corps dedicated to reporting what he says to the public.

Republicans repeatedly claimed that social media companies want to "cancel" them in the wake of the Capitol siege, pointing to Twitter's decision to permanently ban Trump from its platform, and Facebook and Instagram's decision to block him from posting until at least the inauguration.

Twitter did not ban Trump to "cancel" him. In a statement announcing its decision, the company said it suspended the president because his supporters were actively using his tweets to plan domestic terrorist attacks on the US Capitol and state capitols across the country.

The far-right app Parler was also booted from the Apple and Google app stores and Amazon's web hosting service after the companies determined that violent extremists, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists were using Parler to plan more armed insurrections.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi teared up while recounting the 'day of fire' when Trump supporters besieged the Capitol

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the floor around 12:30 p.m. ET and delivered a passionate plea for lawmakers to hold the president accountable.

The California Democrat's voice appeared to shake as she recalled the "day of fire" on which Trump supporters besieged the US Capitol last week.

"Those insurrectionists were not patriots," she said. "They were not part of a political base to be catered to and managed. They were domestic terrorists and justice must prevail."

Pelosi then turned her attention to Trump, saying the mob was "sent here by the president with words such as a cry to, 'Fight like hell.'"

"Words matter," she said. "Truth matters. Accountability matters."

As the House debated impeachment, CNN reported that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 'hates' Trump

The top Senate Republican has grown more and more furious with the president in the days since the Capitol siege. That anger was compounded because many Republicans believe Trump played a central role in costing the GOP its majority in the Senate and paving the way for a Democratic-controlled legislative and executive branch.

On Tuesday evening, The New York Times reported that McConnell believes Trump committed multiple impeachable offenses and is "pleased" at the prospect of his impeachment. Axios later reported that the Kentucky Republican is inclined to vote to convict Trump following a Senate trial. If McConnell does vote to convict, it would be a remarkable ending to the two men's relationship after years of moving in lockstep with one another.

Last week, as Congress convened to finalize Biden's victory in the November general election, McConnell sharply condemned Trump's efforts to overturn the results and said his own vote to certify the results was the most important one he had ever cast in 36 years of public service.

The House began voting on rules surrounding the article of impeachment

After initial statements were made, the House moved to vote on the rules surrounding the article of impeachment.

Once the rule was passed, the House moved on to two hours of debate over the article, with a final vote coming around 4:30 p.m. ET.

Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern: 'If this isn't an impeachable offense, I don't know what the hell is'

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern responded to Republican claims that Democrats objected to finalizing Trump's victory in 2017 just as GOP lawmakers objected to finalizing Biden's this year.

Democrats objected "as a protest vote" in 2017, McGovern said, adding that Democrats all accepted Trump's victory the day after the election, and that then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton conceded the day after as well.

"None of us pushed conspiracy theories ... that somehow the president won in a landslide," McGovern said, referring to Trump's lie that he defeated Biden in the 2020 election.

"The bottom line is this: this Capitol was stormed. People died because of the big lies that were being told by this president and by too many people on the other side of the aisle," he said. "Enough. It was unforgivable. Unconscionable. And coming up on this floor and talking about whataboutism and trying to make these false equivalencies, give me a break."

He continued: "The president instigated an attempted coup in this country. People died. Everybody should be outraged, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican. If this is not an impeachable offense, I don't know what the hell is."

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan spouted a fountain of lies and misinformation about the election

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who has long been one of Trump's staunchest congressional allies and recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, used his time to call Democrats out for what he said was hypocrisy given that they objected to counting electoral votes in January 2017, as Congress was set to finalize Trump's victory of Hillary Clinton.

Jordan then went on to parrot Trump's lies and misinformation about the 2020 election in Pennsylvania.

Among other things, he claimed the state's Supreme Court "unilaterally extended the election to Friday," that the secretary of state "unilaterally changed the rules, went around the legislature in an unconstitutional fashion," that "county clerks in some counties, and you can imagine which counties they were, let people fix their ballots against the law, cure their mail-in ballots in direct violation of the law," and more.

Fact check: None of these claims are true. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court did not extend the date of the general election, it extended the deadline by which mail-in ballots could be received provided that they were postmarked by Election Day. The secretary of state also did not "unilaterally" change the rules surrounding election administration in Pennsylvania, as multiple judges ruled.

And Jordan's claim that country clerks allowed people to cure their ballots "in direct violation of the law" also holds no water because it is perfectly legal to "cure" ballots in Pennsylvania.

Freshman GOP congresswoman quoted Martin Luther King Jr. before equating the violent insurrection with Black Lives Matter protests

Mace was recently sworn in for her first term after winning a congressional race in South Carolina with Trump's endorsement. But she has sharply criticized the president in recent days over his role in inciting the deadly insurrection.

Mace said Wednesday that while the House has "every right" to impeach the president, she believed the way this impeachment was proceeding raised "questions about the constitutionality of this process."

She continued: "I believe we need to hold the president accountable. I also believe that we need to hold accountable every single person, even members of Congress, if they contributed to the violence that transpired here."

Mace then quoted Martin Luther King Jr. before attempting to draw an equivalence between the violent attempted coup at the Capitol last week and the anti-racism demonstrations that swept the country last year after the police killing of George Floyd.

"If we're serious about healing the divisions in this country, Republicans and Democrats need to acknowledge that this is not the first day of violence," she said. "Our words have consequences ... there is violence on both sides of the aisle."

Fact check: The overwhelming majority — 93%, according to one report— of Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 were peaceful. And while a small minority of protesters engaged in rioting and looting, both rioters and thousands of peaceful protesters were met in many cases with a hyper-aggressive police response.

In perhaps the most notorious example, Secret Service and law enforcement authorities were seen using tear gas and pepper spray on peaceful protesters in Washington, DC, to clear the way for a presidential photo op.

But last week, the pro-Trump mob laid siege to the Capitol building as Congress attempted to ratify the presidential election. This was a direct attack on democracy but Republican lawmakers tried to conflate looting and skirmishes with police at social justice protests and a coordinated, violent attack instigated by the president.

At the siege, one Capitol Police officer was seen taking selfies with violent pro-Trump insurrectionists, while another was seen directing them around the Capitol as they swarmed the building. Additional reporting since the riot revealed that many members of the mob itself were active law enforcement officers and ex-military personnel.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer lashed out at Jim Jordan for being 'Trump-like' and denying reality

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer gave a fiery speech on the floor in which he highlighted the statements from three out of the six Republican lawmakers— Reps. John Katko, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger — who came out in favor of impeachment before the proceedings kicked off.

And then Hoyer turned his sights to Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, a longtime conservative and one of Trump's most loyal attack dogs on Capitol Hill.

"I see that the gentleman from Ohio is on the floor," Hoyer said. "He likes to say that we Democrats were elected and the first thing we wanted to do was impeach this president. And he's shaking his head in agreement because like the president of the United States, he denies the facts. Trump-like. Fake news."

The Maryland lawmaker went on to point out that in 2017, 2018, and early 2019, Democrats repeatedly voted to table motions to impeach the president. He said that even though some Democrats shared the view that Trump was dangerous, they were not confident that a solid case could be made.

"There was no rush to judgment," Hoyer said.

"The reason I rise today ... is to recognize the contributions that Al Green of Texas has made to getting us to this place," he said, referring to the Democratic lawmaker who brought forward multiple impeachment resolutions that were tabled before Trump was first impeached in late 2019.

"Is there little time left? Yes. But it is never too late to do the right thing," Hoyer said.

Republicans call for unity while Democrats call for accountability

After the House convened on Wednesday, a theme immediately emerged: Republicans argued against impeachment, saying it would be too "divisive" and that the country needed "unity." And Democrats demanded accountability.

"We need to recognize we are following a flawed process," said GOP Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma. "We need to recognize that while the House may be done with this matter after today's vote, it will not be done for the country, it will not be done for the Senate, and it will not be done for the incoming Biden administration. The House's action today will only extend the division longer than necessary."

Democrats struck a different chord, with Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts saying in his floor speech, "Every moment Donald Trump is in the White House, our nation and our freedom is in danger. He must be held to account for the attack on our Capitol that he organized and he incited."

"The damage this building sustained can be repaired," he added, "but if we don't hold Donald Trump accountable, the damage done to our nation could be irreversible." 

National Guard troops were seen sleeping in the halls of the Capitol as the House convened

As the government grapples with the chaos that gripped the Capitol last week, thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to Washington, DC, to protect the Capitol and President-elect Joe Biden leading up to Inauguration Day.

On Wednesday, as the House convened to consider impeaching the president and as violent Trump supporters continue threatening lawmakers online, photos posted online showed scores of troops sleeping in the hallways of the Capitol.

Pence refused to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office

The House passed a resolution late Tuesday calling on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove the president from office. The resolution said that if Pence did not act within 24 hours, the House would move forward with impeachment.

Pence sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before the resolution was passed indicating that he would not take that drastic step because he believed it would be unconstitutional and divisive.

The FBI and DOJ are focusing on 'significant felony cases tied to sedition and conspiracy' after the riot

FBI and Justice Department officials said Tuesday that the "scope and scale" of criminal conduct they're investigating from the rioters is "unprecedented."

The acting US attorney in Washington, DC, said investigators are focusing on "significant felony cases tied to sedition and conspiracy" in the wake of the siege.

• With winter cold weather here, many travelers are daydreaming about warm and passport-free vacations like Hawaii. 
• All travelers to Hawaii must present a negative COVID-19 test from a trusted testing partner or they will be subject to a 10-day quarantine upon arrival.  
• Airbnbs are an attractive option for lodging since they're safer than hotels right now, and often more affordable.
• Read more: Are Airbnbs safe? We spoke to experts, a company representative, and an Airbnb host on everything you should know before booking someone's home.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, chilly winter days have many travelers looking for a warm-weather escape. And with US tourists currently still banned from a lengthy list of countries, a passport-free island getaway is even more attractive. Even if you're not quite ready to take a long flight just yet, there's a good chance Hawaii is on your bucket list. With vaccines beginning to roll out and hope on the horizon, you can always start planning a trip to paradise for the future.

Keep in mind that you will still need to present a negative COVID-19 test to enter. The test must be from an approved testing partner no more than 72 hours before departure to Hawaii. If you are unable to present an accepted test, you will subject to a 10-day quarantine upon arrival. If you are planning a trip to Hawaii soon, be sure to read up on the latest regulations here.

If you're wondering if staying at an Airbnb right now is safe, experts largely agree that vacation rentals are a safer option than hotels due to the ease of social distancing and lack of interactions with other guests or staff. Airbnb also recently implemented new policies, including the Enhanced Cleaning Initiative, which includes new safety guidelines for hosts, as well as optional booking buffers.

However, it's important to note that there is no guarantee to safety right now. You should always follow guidelines and advice from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and practice safety measures including wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining social distancing. 

With all that in mind, from its beautiful beaches, scenic ridges, lush foliage, and double rainbows, to the endless supply of tropical fruits and water activities, Hawaii is an idyllic place to vacation. But hotels are notoriously pricey and you can easily spend over $500 per night for a typical double room in a name-brand resort. Airbnbs present a more affordable option.

I combed through hundreds of Airbnb listings and selected a final list based on the following criteria:

1. The Airbnb listing is for the whole house or a separate private space with its own entrance in line with expert recommendations for safe social distancing. Many Hawaiian homes have an "Ohana" attached to it, which refers to an attached unit that is similar to a "mother-in-law" unit. 
2. I kept affordably top of mind, and listings are currently priced between $99 and $375 per night to suit a range of budgets. 
3. Every listing is highly rated with a 4.8 review score or higher and is hosted by an Airbnb "Superhost," meaning it is a highly-rated listing with an experienced host that tends to provide exceptional customer service.
4. The Airbnb listings are located in or near the major towns or cities on islands such as Honolulu, Haleiwa, Kailua-Kona, Hawi, Captain Cook, Kihei, Paia, Princeville, and Kapaa, for a diverse offering.

Keep reading to discover the best Airbnbs in Hawaii, sorted by price from low to high.

SEE ALSO: The best hotels in Maui

SEE ALSO: The best Airbnbs in Florida

SEE ALSO: Cozy and affordable Airbnb cabins in Upstate New York

Islander's ocean view condo in Honolulu, Hawaii, $99

Book this oceanview studio starting at $99 per night

This colorful studio isn't huge and has a kitchenette rather than a full kitchen. But with a prime location just two blocks from the ocean and a starting price of $60, it's a fantastic deal for a couple or solo traveler. Centrally located in Waikiki, guests are steps away from great local food trucks, restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, and more. 

The property's chic but whimsical decor will instantly put you in vacation mode from the pink couch and turquoise accents to the leafy bathroom wallpaper. The balcony and its Lanai bar look out at the ocean waves, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or a sunset.  

This home still has scattered days available over the next few months.

Rating: 4.95

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Tiny home on volcanic lava field in Pāhoa, Hawaii, $115

Book this tiny home starting at $115 per night

This custom-built tiny home is loaded with chic and unique design choices from the steel tub sink to the brightly painted ocean landscape mural behind the bed.

Though small and sleeping just two guests, the lofted space is highly functional with a comfy couch, full kitchen, wooden writing desk, and a Queen-size bed upstairs. The home sits right in a lava field so the view is one you'll only find in Hawaii.

This home has plenty of availability beginning at the end of October and into November and December.  

Rating: 4.88

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Private guest house in Kihei, Maui, $128

Book this one-bedroom home near the beach for $128 per night

Some of Maui's best beaches are located in Kihei and Wailea-Makena, and this one-bedroom cottage makes it easy to take advantage while paying a fraction of what it costs in an area hotel.

The space is bright, light, and sparkling clean with a convection oven and enough kitchen space to easily cook meals, a coffee maker, air conditioning, a memory foam Queen-sized bed, and indulgent blackout curtains for excellent sleep. The private courtyard space includes a BBQ and hammock surrounded by lush plant life including organic papayas, mangoes, avocados, lilikoi, guava, lemon, and lime, depending on the season.

Additionally, the living room has a mounted smart TV to stream your favorite shows and movies after a long day at the beach.

This home has scattered dates available, with more opening up in April.

Rating: 4.89

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Charming riverside cottage in Kapaa, Kauai, $160

Book this one-bedroom cottage on Kauai starting at $160 per night

Centrally located in the town of Kapaa, only one block from the beach, this riverside canal cottage overlooks the peaceful banks of the Wailua River, which guests can paddle with host-provided kayaks and SUPs, or take bikes out for a spin on a lovely path.

The plantation-style cottage was built in 1953 but renovated to feature beautiful paneling and beam details, bamboo accents, air conditioning, a vaulted ceiling with fan, sustainable wood floors, and a well-appointed outdoor area with a grill and water views. 

Beach chairs and umbrellas are also provided, and likely, some whimsical welcome treats, too.

This home has wide open availability over the next few months.

Rating: 4.92

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Magical bohemian retreat in Captain Cook, Big Island, $166

Book this two-bedroom bohemian home starting at $166 per night

This open-air, two-bedroom bungalow merges the comforts of a well-appointed, bohemian-inspired home, with the outdoors. Kind of like glamping, the kitchen and living areas are partially outside and open to the elements, but protected from rain, and eclectically adorned with vintage and tribal-inspired decor.

A lofted bedroom places you eye-level with a lush canopy of trees through floor-to-ceiling windows and a 30-foot stroll down a secluded path leads to an open-air bathhouse. It's scenic and lovely, like staying in a jungle treehouse, but best appreciated by those who are comfortable with such rustic accouterments, especially the occasional cameos from birds, insects, and lizards.

But it's not totally roughing it; modern amenities include Wi-Fi and a washer and dryer and town is a short 20-minute drive. Certainly, however, it's a place to unplug. Set on an organic mango orchard and surrounded by plumerias, the home is located amid Kealakekua Bay, known for some of Hawaii's best snorkeling and wild dolphins.

This home has some availability in January and February with plenty of open dates from March on.

Rating: 4.87

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Modern condo in Princeville, Kauai, $185

Book this condo in Princeville starting at $185 per night

Located in a well-kept apartment complex, this Princeville condo offers the amenities of a larger resort with the privacy and amenities of staying in a fully-equipped home. Located on a quiet ocean bluff, guests enjoy the use of a shared community pool, grilles, and easy access to scenic hiking and cycling paths and breathtaking beaches. Farmers' markets and great restaurants are also located close by.

The design exudes a luxury lean, with a soothing palette of calming blue and grey hues that creates a very Zen-inspired space. The kitchen is full-size and the living room has a smart TV, ceiling fan, and beach views from a lovely patio. The modern Queen-sized bedroom includes an additional fan, blackout shades, a bathroom with walk-in shower, and the option for a Pack 'N Play crib, if needed.  Past guests mention that a cool breeze runs through the space, giving it an airy, laid back feel and rave over the excellent amenities and ocean views.

This home has plenty of availability in the next few months.

Rating: 4.89

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Tropical North Shore cottage in Haiku, Maui, $193

Book this North Shore cottage starting at $193 per night

For a tranquil stay on Maui's scenic North Shore, this garden cottage places you amid green grass, waterfalls, and gentle breezes, perfect for lapping up sounds of nature and stargazing. Hookipa Beach and the town of Paia are both a 10-minute drive away.

The one-bedroom space is airy and bright with a smart TV, ceiling fan, convection oven, dishwasher, a washer and dryer, a memory foam Queen-sized bed, an additional Queen-sized daybed, as well as both a picturesque terrace and a separate, full-screened in porch with ocean views. The backyard overlooks fruit trees, and the host also provides boogie boards, snorkeling gear, and the added bonus of an outdoor shower.

It's worth noting that the unit is attached to another home, and some guests experienced noise from a shared wall.

This home has scattered dates open in January and February and is completely open from March on.

Rating: 4.93

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Luxury B&B with private entrance in Lahaina, Maui, $349

Book this luxury B&B starting at $349 per night

For those looking for something closer to a hotel stay that's still a standalone accommodation with a private entrance, this B&B offers the best of both worlds.

This room includes a luxurious spa-like ensuite bathroom complete with rainshower and a deep soaking tub, plus a King-size bed and golf course views. Right outside your door a gorgeous swimming pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, and sauna await. Did we mention there's a free daily breakfast served poolside each morning?

However, keep in mind that the pool and other amenities are shared with another listing on the same property. If you want a completely private space, you can rent out both guest suites.

This home has scattered dates available over the next few months and is wide open starting in May.

Rating: 5.0

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

Modern, 3-bedroom beach house in Kailua-Kona, Big Island, $375

Book this three-bedroom beach house starting at $375 per night

With three bedrooms, this sophisticated beach home is a solid deal given the excellent location, sleek design, and excellent amenities. It's located just 10 minutes from the closest beach and the bustling tourist town of Kona.

Select a record for the turntable or queue up something to screen on the living room projector and sink into a hanging wicker chair while admiring the serene atmosphere of this beach home with concrete floors, midcentury modern furnishings, and tropical plants. The neutral design feels curated out of a magazine, with a full kitchen, air conditioning (in all rooms but one bedroom), surf and bamboo accents, essential oil diffusers, and playful palm print wallpaper. Each of the three bedrooms has a Queen-sized bed, and tranquil porch and backyard blend indoor and outdoor living seamlessly.

Other extras include beach gear, a grill, two bicycles, free parking, and a slew of family-friendly perks such as a travel crib, high chair, stair gates, changing table, baby monitor, baby bath, and more, for no added fee. 

This home has plenty of availability over the next few months.

Rating: 4.91

COVID-19 policies: This home participates in Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, meaning the host is committed to a rigorous cleaning protocol developed with leading health and hospitality experts.

We rounded up the best sales and deals happening online today, with savings at Nest Bedding, Silpada, and more. 

Deals in this story are subject to change throughout the day. The prices listed reflect the deal at the time of publication. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out Business Insider Coupons.

The best deals available right now

• Visit Insider Reviews' deals page for more sales.

The best on-going sales and exclusive discounts happening right now

Get 10% off sitewide from Nest Bedding

Shop the Nest Bedding New Year Sale now.

For the whole month of January, Nest Bedding is offering shoppers 10% off sitewide. Furniture, bedding, and much more is on sale from the brand, making now a great chance to upgrade your sleeping situation. We've reviewed a ton of Nest Bedding products, with some even making it as picks in our guides to the best latex pillows and foam mattresses. 

Get 20% off sitewide at Silpada

Shop the Silpada sitewide sale now. 

Now through January 18, Silpada is offering an extremely rare, sitewide sale. Everything is 20% off with free standard shipping, as always. The brand makes high-quality silver jewelry, perfect for gifting, or just treating yourself. This is the first sale we've written about from Silpada, so if something sparkly catches your eye, don't miss out on this rare chance to buy at a discount. 

Get up to 60% off from Casper

Shop the Last Call Sale at Casper now.

If you've ever shopped online for bedding and mattresses, Casper needs no introduction. Right now, the mattress start-up is offering up to 60% off select bedding and mattresses, including 60% off the Airy Linen Quilt and 30% off the Casper Hybrid. To figure out which one is best for you, check out our reviews of the 5 most popular Casper mattresses.

Get up to 40% off Valentine's flowers from 1-800-Flowers

Shop the 1-800-Flowers Valentine's Day sale now.

Just over a month is left before the big day, but it's never too early to plan ahead for Valentine's Day, especially with deals this good. Right now, flowers and gifts including bouquets, plushes, gift baskets, and more are up to 40% off, no code necessary. The retailer is one of our favorite online flower delivery services, especially for last-minute shoppers.

Get up to 60% off at Lovehoney

Shop the Lovehoney sale now.

Valentine's Day is coming, and Lovehoney is ready to help you prep with deep discounts on sex toys, lingerie, and more. Sales from the retailer aren't very common, and with deals as good as only $24 for a 4-piece vibrator set, it's hard to pass. For more shopping inspo, check out our guides to the best vibrators and the best sex toys. 

Save on pet essentials at Chewy

Shop the Chewy End of Season Sale now.

Though Chewy may not be your first thought for seasonal goods, right now the retailer is ringing in the new year with deals on essentials for cats, dogs, and more. Some of the ongoing specials include 25% off orders of $50 or more and buy 3 get one free select toys. Chewy has sales pretty regularly throughout the year, but if you own a pet, you know that it's always a good time to stock up on food and toys. 

Get up to 50% off at Adidas

Shop the Adidas End of Season Sale now.

Right now, Adidas is offering up to 50% off a selection of shoes, tops, activewear, and more for the end of the season. It's one of many sales from the brand, and it's worth a look if you're in the market for some new apparel. We've reviewed a ton of different Adidas styles, including the Pulseboost HD, and found them to be among the most comfortable shoes you can buy. 

Get 40% off at Madewell

Shop the Madewell End of Season Sale now.

Now through January 13, Madewell is offering 40% off tops, bottoms, shoes, and more with promo code GIGANTIC. Sales from Madewell aren't uncommon, but these are still some worthwhile deals on styles that will be rotating out with the season. If you see something you like in your size, don't miss out on the sale. Madewell has some great indie brands we love, and you can even recycle your jeans for a discount on new ones. 

Get men's outerwear from JACHS NY for $29

Shop the Outerwear Blowout Sale now.

Winter has only just begun and JACHS NY is offering a big sale to keep you warm. Right now, you can get select men's outerwear — including sherpa jackets and puffer vests — for only $29 apiece with promo code OT29. It's not the first sale we've seen from JACHS NY, but it's one of the deepest discounts for sure, with some items up to 85% off. If you're not in the market for a new jacket, the rest of the site is also 70% off with promo code NEWYEAR. 

Get up to 60% off at Lululemon

Shop the We Made Too Much Sale now.

Lululemon made too much this year and has been offering athleisure apparel for men and women at discounts all season. Right now, you can save big on everything from the brand, including tops, leggings, socks, and much more. It's one of our favorite athleisure brands for women, and we don't expect to see sales as good as this throughout the rest of 2021, so don't miss out. 

Get 30% off graphic hoodies, tees, and more from The North Face

Shop The North Face's Winter Sale now.

Though the sale features discounts on graphic hoodies and tees, The North Face's Winter Sale also includes 30% off select jackets, pants, and other cold-weather gear for the whole family. Stock is limited, so even though the sale doesn't end until January 20, make sure to act fast if you see something you like. 

• The COVID-19 pandemic has created new mental health challenges and changed how we cope with them.
• I asked my colleagues to share the things that have helped them manage their mental health throughout quarantine. You can find 18 of them below.
• Read more: The professor behind Yale's popular online course, The Science of Well-Being, shares tips on how to feel happier right now
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

Whether you're an essential worker, a parent juggling full-time work with caregiving responsibilities, or currently unemployed, the pandemic has likely introduced significant mental health challenges into your life. On top of that, going through months of isolation and political stress without our usual self-care tools (like spending quality, in-person time with loved ones) can make it all the more difficult to cope.

Getting through such a year is accomplishment enough, and putting pressure on ourselves to reach big self-improvement goals during this time risks leading to more burnout. But taking care of our mental health is a necessity. It's what helps us get through everything else, even if we've had to redesign how we tend to our emotional wellbeing while staying at home.

In place of social outings or in-person therapy, small, affordable, and convenient options have become good tools in strengthening our mental health: taking a walk, calling friends, or challenging ourselves with an achievable task like a puzzle or a language-learning app. So have remote therapy and more accessible books, classes, or podcasts about therapy or psychology.

The conditions that made life so strange and difficult in 2020 unfortunately won't vanish in 2021. So I asked my colleagues to share some of the things that have helped them feel better over the last year. You can find our favorites below, in case any of them may pique your interest, too.

18 things that helped our mental health in 2020:

Dear Therapist Podcast

Listen to the Dear Therapists podcast here

I first learned of this podcast by one of its hosts, Lori Gottlieb, while interviewing her for a very similar resource: Her book, "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone".

Both the book and "Dear Therapists" allow you to step inside of actual therapy sessions without going yourself. In "Dear Therapists", Gottlieb and her co-host, Guy Winch, receive letters from listeners detailing someone's personal challenges. Gottlieb and Winch then record a joint therapy session with the letter-writer and end it by giving them actionable steps to take in the following week. Then, they record a follow-up call to see how it went.

With the podcast, and the book, you get to hear what a real therapy session is like, as well as benefit from other people's "aha" moments; As Gottlieb told me, "they're different situations, but what you see is that it's all about relational issues — and everything is relational. So, sometimes, you'll see your very own issue in one of [those different situations]."

It's incredibly useful for anyone looking to understand themselves and their motivations better. It's also made me feel more connected to other people, since the themes remain consistent even if the problems change. – Mara Leighton, senior reporter

Cheryl Strayed's Substack

Subscribe to Cheryl Strayed's newsletter on Substack

Having read "Wild" and "Tiny Beautiful Things," I love Cheryl Strayed and her Dear Sugar series, which is now back on her Substack! Cheryl's ability to blend sensible advice with unflinching vulnerability is what makes her such a role model to me, and her new columns are just as stunning as they've always been. This is exactly what we all need in 2021, and I'm so glad we have Dear Sugar to get us through.  — Julia Pugachevsky, e-learning editor

Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler

Original Dropcloth Embroidery Sampler, available at Etsy, $18

Without social plans, my evenings mostly revolve around TV shows and movies to fill the time. When I'm watching "Love Island" for the fifth night in a row, the banality and unproductiveness start to make me feel really anxious. I found that embroidering with TV on in the background helps me feel constructive without having to use any brain power. I started learning with kits, but to save money, I often just play around on old canvas bags or t-shirts. This sampler pattern is awesome to learn new stitches (15 total) and you can use it as reference when you're stitching other items. — Rachael Schultz, health and fitness updates editor

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb, from $17.29, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop

"Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" is one of the most useful books I've read in a long time. In it, psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb outlines her firsthand experience in therapy as well as sessions from a few of her patients — a Hollywood producer, a young newlywed with a terminal illness, a twenty-something with dissatisfying relationships, and an isolated senior citizen. Gottlieb leads us through these intimate vignettes with candor, wit, and a conversational tone that makes therapy feel approachable.  

This book seemed to be on the nightstands of everyone I knew for a while — and for good reason. It helps you learn useful truths, as well as face some of the fears we all harbor — without putting your own skin in the game. It's one reason why I finally decided to actually go to therapy. – Mara Leighton, senior reporter

The Atlantic's How to Build a Life column by Arthur C. Brooks

Read The Atlantic's How to Build a Life column here

I originally became a daily Atlantic reader because of Lori Gottlieb's Dear Therapist column (also a must-read), but the new-ish How to Build a Life column (bi-weekly every Thursday; yes, I wish it was every week) has consistently given me "I have to tell three people about this immediately"-level takeaways. They're written by Harvard professor and social scientist Arthur C. Brooks, who always provides a blend of convincing data and personal anecdotes to prove his point. In particular, his columns on setting meaningful New Year's resolutions, the importance of movement during quarantine, "success addiction," and how to find the right professional path have all had a profound impact on me. — Julia Pugachevsky, e-learning editor

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill

NordicTrack Commercial 1750 Treadmill, $1,799, available at NordicTrack

I love to exercise simply because it makes me happy — and having a treadmill at home during the Minnesota winter has been a huge help in motivating me to work out this year. I save the best podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks that I can't listen to during the workday for my nightly run or walk; I get to crank out some endorphins, enjoy some "me time" that breaks up my day, and enjoy my favorite entertainment. It's also nice to lounge with pleasantly sore muscles after a shower each night. And, it's helped me fall asleep faster and sleep deeper, which has noticeably improved my mood. – Mara Leighton, senior reporter

The Science of Well-Being Course

Sign up for Yale University's "The Science of Well-Being" on Coursera

I first completed the Science of Well-Being a few years ago, but quarantine made it worth revisiting to map out better, happier habits with reduced resources. Professor Laurie Santos, who I interviewed about how to be happy during quarantine, is a thoughtful and warm authority — shot in Santos' own home, her lessons were so practical and thoughtful that the class never felt like work. It was relieving to hear how to make concrete improvements to everyday life, and to understand what our misconceptions about happiness are and what can make us happier from a scientific standpoint. 

This class is also low-pressure. It's meant to be enjoyed — and there's zero required reading. – Mara Leighton, senior reporter

"Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson

"Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents" by Lindsay C. Gibson, from $12.99, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop

I read and wrote about this book in 2020 because of how much it blew me away. No matter your situation, this book gives you tangible advice on how to cope with strained familial relationships (and, IMO, any relationships). The writing strikes a great balance between being highly empathetic and offering concrete tips to improve how you communicate and deal with unhealthy relationships. It's something I'd recommend to anyone, especially parents or people who'd like to be parents someday. — Julia Pugachevsky, e-learning editor

Just Between Us Podcast

Listen to Just Between Us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

The intersection of digital media and mental health is incredibly fascinating to me, so whenever others in the industry share those passions (and back them with knowledge and empathy), I'm almost always interested. Such is the case with Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn's podcast, "Just Between Us." The podcast is friendly and joyful in nature, but the duo doesn't shy away from vulnerability.

Introspective conversations from the pair and their guests dive deep into anything from imposter syndrome and boundaries to sex and gender identity, and it's always validating to hear takeaways I've discussed with friends or my therapist while learning something new at the same time. Topics and guests are diverse and informative, and even in the episodes that don't cover mental health, listening leaves me feeling a bit more educated and much more seen. — Emily Hein, story producer

Adobe Fresco

Adobe Fresco App, free to download

While I didn't have access to my art supplies during remote quarantine, I was able to draw and paint using the terrific Fresco app from Adobe. Available for iPhone, iPad, and Windows PCs with pen support, such as the Microsoft Surface and Wacom Cintiq Pro, I could create everything that I would normally do on paper — from line doodles to watercolor paintings. I'd spend hours getting lost in making art and forgetting the world's troubles for the day. — Les Shu, guides senior editor

"Zen as F*ck" by Monica Sweeney

"Zen as F*ck" by Monica Sweeney, from $8.99 available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and Target

Check out our favorite journals for processing and managing anxiety here

Journaling is one of the healthiest, most productive ways I'm able to make sense of my thoughts, and it takes on many different forms. When I often have anxious thoughts that seem to pile on top of one another, it can be easier to physically write everything down in a blank journal, or to brain dump thoughts into a note or a Google Doc when my brain is moving faster than my hands can write.

Guided journals like "Zen as F*ck" can be helpful when I've been feeling generally anxious, but I can't pinpoint it to something specific. I especially love this journal because the tone of it encourages journalers to approach their thoughts with a bit of humor without being invalidating — an approach I have trouble with on my own. Plus, fun exercises like coloring and doodle spaces are interspersed between the guided prompts, which adds a bit of catharsis while giving my brain a break from introspection. — Emily Hein, story producer

"Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes

"Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes, from $9.69, available at Amazon and Bookshop

Shonda Rhimes has been receiving a lot of press for her hot, new production, "Bridgerton," and "Year of Yes" is just as deserving of the attention. Though it is important to say "no" every so often to hold a sense of balance when it comes to your mental health, Rhimes advocates being open to every opportunity that presents itself. I read this book last year and saying "yes" lingers in my mind whenever I'm hesitant about jumping into something out of my comfort zone. She targets how the many "yeses" she challenged herself with enabled her to "explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self." It's a top book to kick off 2021, too, and especially enlightening when it comes to celebrating the tiniest things in life that ultimately bring us newfound joy. — Victoria Giardina, buying guides fellow

"The Body Is Not An Apology" by Sonya Renee Taylor

"The Body Is Not An Apology" by Sonya Renee Taylor, from $16.79, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop

As an adult, I've noticed how much of the world pushes loathing of yourself or others — be it in the service of politics (us vs them) or marketing (you vs them). I've been trying to avoid and unlearn as much of it as possible. 

"The Body Is Not An Apology" is one of the best salves. It's activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor's self-love manifesto, and, in it, Taylor discusses the origin and impact of our human-made, indoctrinated body-shame. She writes about the liberating power of "radical self-love"— and how it can create a more equitable society. She also includes prompts and a "toolkit" for reflecting on your own life, which was especially useful for pinpointing body-shame, which is so pervasive it can feel invisible. 

Like radical self-love, this book is an invitation to experience something infinitely happier, healthier, and more enriching: a society where we celebrate and affirm our differences rather than hate or simply tolerate them. That world takes work to build, but Taylor's book is a lovely peek into it. – Mara Leighton, senior reporter

Dr. Norton

Follow Dr. Norton on Instagram here

Dr. Marquis Norton is one of social media's quarantine treasures, in my opinion. He's a licensed professional counselor based in Virginia, and he's grown a following on Tik Tok and Instagram (@drnortontherapy for both) for disseminating bite-sized mental health insights and aggregating infographics on topics like anxiety, relationships, and naming your emotions. Seeing him use his expertise for good — often accompanied by goofy TikTok dances — has made me happy. The content has been a nice daily reminder to prioritize my mental health, without requiring me to create a "new" space for it in my day (it lives on Instagram, where I already spend too much time). It's also helped facilitate conversations in real life with friends and family. – Mara Leighton, senior reporter

@emotionalsupportlady

Follow @emotionalsupportlady on Instagram

Along with "Just Between Us," Allison Raskin's Instagram account and corresponding Patreon page have allowed me to feel so supported and far less alone with my anxious thoughts. Allison is currently in the process of receiving her Masters in Clinical Psychology, and our shared interest in digital media, mental health education, and advocacy make me even more inspired by her work than I'd ordinarily be.

Her vulnerability shines through by appropriately including personal experience to validate those who engage with her page, which typically features a doodle of a major takeaway with a caption further explaining the sentiment. Many of Allison's posts mirror conversations I've had with myself, my therapist, and my friends, in some cases almost exactly (her Patreon blog post on positive self-talk was especially resonant). — Emily Hein, story producer

Anboor French Fries Slow Rising Squishy

Anboor French Fries Slow Rising Squishy, $6.99, available at Amazon

If there's such a thing as a stress ball enthusiast, I'd consider myself to be one. They're a healthy way to release pent up energy and relieve tension. I received this one as a gift from a close friend upon receiving personal news, and while it's definitely had its fair share of ripping after two years (and I never caught onto a scent), the smiling French fries make me smile each time I reach for it. If you're looking for something a little more compact, I also highly recommend Speks magnetic toys— I keep a set at my desk and a set in the living room for whenever I need something to do with my hands while thinking. — Emily Hein, story producer

"Love Does" by Bob Goff

"Love Does" by Bob Goff, from $7.84, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop

Read this book. These three words sum up Bob Goff's memoir to a T because it is seriously a sensational read for its promotion of restful living and encouragement to fervently love others. I read "Love Does" last year while on vacation and finished it in a day (and, even though I'm a speedy reader, I was likely on double speed going through each word). It was the perfect book to read while lounging by the pool in Italy, and it was just as refreshing to read at the start of a new year. Goff is an author and speaker with a passionate, faith-driven perspective on life that is simply delightful to discover across the pages. I contacted Goff after reading his best-selling book and he, not to much surprise, responded with even more encouragement. I guess that's what 'love does' — it consistently circles back once you're in a peaceful headspace to give to others. I can't recommend this one enough; it's undoubtedly my favorite book I've ever read.

For another encouraging read (that I'm currently flipping through now) is "Love Lives Here"by his wife, Maria Goff. — Victoria Giardina, buying guides fellow

"Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert

"Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert, from $11.04, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop

 If you're looking for a book that captures practical wisdom and advice to unleash your inner creative genius, Elizabeth Gilbert's bestselling book "Big Magic"should be at the top of your reading list. If you've never considered yourself a creative, don't fret — you don't have to know every shade of paint Hobby Lobby offers or how to write a haiku to relate to Gilbert's nuggets of wisdom. It's for the dreamers, the doers, and everyone in between, especially for workers of all kinds and people who aspire more mindfulness and drive in their lives. Her words are a great example of understanding mental health from a fresh, new angle. Each chapter entwines for a fuller understanding of inspiration and how creativity is worn differently, depending on personality. For a book to read in the "Live Your Best Life" section (as titled by Barnes & Noble), this one is a five out of five stars, for sure. — Victoria Giardina, buying guides fellow

The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an uptick in subscriptions, as people spend more time inside and on entertainment. 

The average European is spending €333 ($405) a month on 11 subscriptions. That is predicted to increase to €508 ($618) a month on 17 subscriptions by 2025, according to research by Minna, a startup that partners with banks to offer simple subscription ending and switching tools to customers. 

Minna, founded in 2016, has just raised €15.5 million ($18.9 million) in Series B funding in a round led by Element Ventures. The company has recently partnered with Lloyds Banking Group and claims to have saved more than €40 million ($49 million) for retail banking clients at other partners Swedbank and ING. 

"We've raised this Series B because we are having even faster traction now outside of Europe, from Turkey, Brazil, the UAE, and in North America," CEO Joakim Sjöblom told Insider in an interview. "Being in front of the wave is very important and the subscription economy is a key trend."

MiddleGame Ventures, Nineyards Equity and Visa also joined the fundraise. 

"Over the past four years the subscription economy has exploded from Spotify and Netflix to even iPhones and cars. It's becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to keep track of the payments and harder for banks to handle inquiries to shut them down," Sjöblom added. 

The funding will go towards expanding Minna's offering further in Europe and expanding its global footprint while scaling its technology infrastructure. "How can a bank compete with big tech when they enter fintech?" Sjöblom said. "We help them to compete with neobanks by adding new revenue streams from their existing customer base because we want to avoid them becoming another Kodak or Nokia."

Check out Minna's pitch deck below:

SEE ALSO: Finance software startup Rapyd just hit a $2.5 billion valuation and says it will focus on bigger acquisitions

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• If you have a laptop with only one or two USB-C ports, you need one of the best USB-C hubs with lots of ports to expand your connectivity options.
• The Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 is our top pick for best USB-C hub because it has all the ports you need to make your laptop more versatile.

If you have a laptop that only has only one or two USB-C ports — whether it's a Mac, PC, or Chromebook, as well as newer iPad Pros and even select Android smartphones — a USB Type-C hub or dock is a great way to add more ports.

Before you purchase a USB-C hub, you'll want to consider exactly how many more ports you need and what kind of ports you'll use most. For example, you might simply want more USB-A ports. Or, you might want a combination of an HDMI port, SD card reader, Ethernet port, USB-A ports, and USB-C port with power pass-through (to charge a laptop).

You'll also want to think about the size and style of the hub since it'll be plugged into your laptop quite often. The more ports a USB-C hub offers, the more expensive it will be, but whichever you choose, make sure it has the ports you need and that it works seamlessly with your computer.

Here are the best USB-C hubs you can buy:

• Best USB-C hub overall: Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2
• Best budget USB-C hub: HooToo 6-in-1 USB-C adapter
• Best USB-C hub with cable management: Twelve South StayGo
• Best basic USB-C hub: Anker 4-port USB-C to USB 3.0 hub
• Best USB-C hub for MacBook Pro: HyperDrive 8-in-2 hub
• Best USB-C hub for iMac: Satechi Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub

Updated on 1/14/21 by Christian de Looper: Added two new product recommendations for 2021 and checked all prices and links for accuracy.

The best USB-C hub overall

The Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 is well-designed, supports pass-through charging, and has a large variety of ports.

Pros: Lots of ports, variety of port, nice design

Cons: Only one USB-C port

If you're looking for a versatile USB-C hub and want one of the best out there, then the Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2 is the way to go. It may be a little bulky, but the trade-off is that it features a ton of ports.

You'll get three USB-A 3.0 ports, as well as one HDMI port, one USB-C port, and one Ethernet port. You'll also get an SD card slot and a microSD card slot, so those of you who are looking for something to easily transfer data from your camera or phone will appreciate this hub. The HDMI port supports 4K monitors and the Gigabit Ethernet port can handle speeds of 10/100/1000Mbps.

For those with only a single USB-C port on their laptop, this hub supports pass-through charging, so you can plug your computer's charger into the hub's USB-C port to charge your computer. It may not charge quite as quick as it does when you plug the charger directly into your computer, but rest assured that you can still charge your laptop with this hub.

We tested it out on a MacBook Pro so we could transfer photos from an SD card and it worked like a charm. However, it won't support SD card speeds faster than UHS-I. (Check out our guide on the best SD cards.) 

The downsides are that it's a little pricey and it only has one USB-C port, so if you're looking for additional USB-C ports specifically, this may not be the way to go (although there aren't many USB-C-only hubs to recommend at this time).  

The best budget USB-C hub

The HooToo 6-in-1 USB-C adapter is a great way to add more ports and a card reader to your computer at an inexpensive price.

Pros: Three USB ports, card reader, HDMI port, inexpensive, lightweight and pocket-friendly design

Cons: USB ports on both sides of hub would have been nice, no Ethernet port

Not everyone wants to spend a ton of cash on a USB hub for their computer. That, however, is where the HooToo USB-C Adapter hub comes in. It increases the number of ports on your laptop without a super high price tag.

The hub has three USB-A 3.0 ports, is lightweight, and works natively with Macs and PCs. In addition, there is one SD card reader, one HDMI port that supports 4K monitors, and a USB-C port for power up to 100 watts, which is pretty remarkable considering the price.

HooToo upgraded this hub with heat-reduction tech to prevent overheating, while the use of copper wiring and other metals helps to create more efficient data transfers, according to the company. 

Another option to consider is this 5-in-1 adapter from Anker, which provides three USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet jack. You don't get a card reader, but it's ideal for those who need Ethernet connectivity. This is the device that's used by most Business Insider staffers.

The best with cable management

The Twelve South StayGo is stylish and portable, plus it comes with two detachable cables that ensure excellent cable management.

Pros: Stylish, multiple detachable cables, lots of ports

Cons: Expensive

If you're looking for a solid USB-C hub that can keep its cable out of the way when you're not using it, then the Twelve South StayGo is worth your attention. This hub comes with a 1-meter cable that you can stow away in the hub when it's not in use. The cables are detachable too, which makes it a great option for use at home and on the go.

This hub offers a series of helpful ports. You'll get an HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, an SD card slot, a MicroSD card slot, and a USB-C port that can be used for power delivery. In other words, this hub should have everything you need on a daily basis.

The Twelve South StayGo is pretty well-designed too. It's built from a sleek black plastic with icons  on the top to help you find the ports you need. It also comes with two cables so that you can use the right-sized cable as needed.

There are downsides to this hub, such as the fact that it's a little expensive. That said, it's worth the cash if you can swing the cost. In fact, Pocket-Lint included it in its roundup of the best USB-C hubs, and MacRumors' review noted that it was portable, stylish, and highly functional.

The best basic USB-C hub

The affordable Anker 4-port USB-C to USB 3.0 hub brings back some of the USB-A ports your laptop might be missing.

Pros: Nice design, inexpensive

Cons: Only one type of port

If you're looking to add some USB-A ports to your computer, then the Anker 4-port USB-C to USB 3.0 hub is the way to go. The simple hub only offers four USB 3.0 Type-A ports — the ubiquitous ones you'll find everywhere — and nothing else, but for some people, that might be all they need.

With this hub, you'll be able to connect peripherals like mice, keyboards, hard drives, and so on. This way, you can reuse your existing gear without needing to buy USB-C accessories.

Another great thing about this hub is that it's affordable. Anker makes a lot of different types of USB-C hubs, and many Business Insider employees use them with our MacBook Pros. They work well, but there are reports of failure from time to time. Anker offers an 18-month warranty period as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're unhappy.

The best USB-C hub for MacBook Pro

The HyperDrive 8-in-2 hub looks more like an extension of your MacBook Pro than a standalone hub, plus it adds a huge selection of ports to your device.

Pros: Sleek design, great port selection, matches your MacBook Pro

Cons: Expensive

If you want a USB-C hub that can act as an extension of your MacBook Pro, then the HyperDrive Pro 8-in-2 is the choice for you. This hub takes up two of your MacBook's USB-C slots but it's worth the trade-off since you'll get access to a huge range of ports.

For starters, you'll get back one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports you used for the hub itself, along with a USB-C port that can be used for power delivery, a Mini DisplayPort, a HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card slot, and a MicroSD card slot. 

That's all in a device that's sleek and stylish – and you would be forgiven for thinking that it's actually built by Apple, thanks to the sleek aluminum design. The hub is even available in Silver or Space Gray, meaning that you should be able to find an option that matches your laptop. The hub is also compatible with the MacBook Air, as long as it's a model from 2018 or later with USB-C ports on the side.  

The hub has gotten some pretty excellent reviews too. It has an average rating of 4.1 stars, and ReadWrite hailed it for its excellent value and top portability. The only real downside is that despite the good value, the hub is a little expensive at $99.99.

The best USB-C hub for iMac

The Satechi Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub for iMac is well-designed and offers a good selection of ports.

Pros: Well-designed, good port selection

Cons: More USB-C ports would be nice

The iMac is a great computer, but it can be a little tricky to access all the ports on the computer because they're located on the back. The Satechi Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub for iMac solves that problem by putting the ports front-and-center.

The monitor stand is the perfect size for the iMac, so you can place your iMac on top of it and gain access to ports without needing to swivel the computer around. The hub also fits perfectly with Apple's design sensibilities, and you can choose between silver and space gray.

When it comes to ports, the hub offers three USB 3.0 ports, USB-C port, SD and microSD card slots, and a headphone jack. It's a solid lineup and should make day-to-day access to your computer's ports a lot more convenient.

The hub isn't perfect. For example, a few more USB-C ports would have been nice, and it is a little expensive. Still, we've been using the hub with a Mac Mini for some time and find it to be well worth the price. It's not strictly for the iMac, either.

Check out our guide to the best USB-C cables

The best USB-C cables for your Android phone or laptop

We've tested and researched dozens of cables to find the best ones for your devices. Whether you need a long cable, a short one, a cheap one, one that has USB-C on both ends, or one that has USB-C to USB-A; we've got a cable for you in our buying guide. 

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2020 was a gamechanger for e-commerce.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on brick-and-mortar retail, more consumers have moved their shopping online, leading to opportunities for companies that either sell goods online or create products that make it easier for other businesses to do so. 

In a sense, the pandemic has accelerated the rise of e-commerce by several years' time, with eMarketer analysts estimating that US online sales reached $794.5 billion in 2020, a year-over-year increase of 32.4%.

Read more: The new owners of Brooks Brothers, JCPenney, and Pier 1 Imports reveal what makes a bankrupt retail brand worth buying, and it's all about playing the long game

While 2020 was a relatively slow year for venture capital investments in consumer retail, and many companies initially delayed their fundraising due to the pandemic and the uncertainty around the election, investors are optimistic about the opportunities that are arising as consumer habits change. 

Business Insider reached out to the top VC firms investing in e-commerce to get their take on where the sector is headed. We emailed the top 25 firms that have made the most deals in e-commerce, based on data from PitchBook. Of the 25 we reached out to, 20 responded with their thoughts. 

The investors told us where they've placed bets this year, what they look for in an investment, and what they're excited to invest in next year:

SEE ALSO: Digital leaders at Gap and Levi's say omnichannel offerings will be more important than ever as they gear up for an unpredictable holiday shopping season

Forerunner Ventures partner Nicole Johnson says the e-commerce "landscape has been turbo-charged in 2020."

Location: San Francisco

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 66

When it came to e-commerce this year, Forerunner Ventures focused its investment efforts on companies that are "reimagining the future of retail" and demonstrate a "disregard for the status quo," Johnson said. 

The firm led a Series A funding round for Dumpling, a platform that enables individuals to launch their own personal grocery shopping businesses. It also upped its investment in Sunday, a startup that delivers customized lawn and garden products, as well as in Faire, the online wholesale marketplace.

Looking forward to 2021, Johnson said Forerunner is looking to fund companies that fit consumers' evolving needs. 

"We're holding people in the driver's seat of our investment strategy: where are their needs evolving to with respect to things like food, globalization, sustainability, family, health; and what are the tech-driven platforms to deliver on these needs while facilitating the most loyal relationships?" she said.

500 Startups partner Clayton Bryan says his firm is looking for "big markets" and "big growth rates."

Location: San Francisco

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 55

In 2020, 500 Startups made more than a dozen investments in e-commerce companies like Invidica, a platform that helps businesses find trustworthy suppliers and get products to market, and EcoCart, an extension that enables online shoppers to offset the carbon footprint of their purchases, Bryan said. It also invested in an influencer-driven skincare marketplace called Apothecary. 

"We spend a lot of time thinking about the large markets of tomorrow, spaces where companies can grow at record speed and how today's trends and preferences will evolve to transform mainstream standards," he said. 

Bryan added the firm is on the lookout for companies that can provide "innovative solutions" as the e-commerce sector continues to grow at a rapid speed. 

"The acceleration in demand across e-commerce has helped to force the need for greater efficiencies through innovation," he said. 

"We have a deeply rooted global network of founders and investors, which has allowed us to closely observe market movements, and helps us source the best teams from around the world."

Founding Partner Fabrice Grinda says FJ Labs is bullish on the future of food and e-commerce.

Location: New York

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 53

Grinda says he doesn't expect consumer habits to ever return to the way they were before the pandemic hit. 

When it comes to food, he sees a bright future in delivery powered by dark kitchens, robotization, and autonomy. FJ Labs' portfolio includes pizza ordering app Slice and alcohol delivery startup Drizly. 

"We are only at the very beginning of the food revolution," he said. 

Grinda is especially passionate about investing in marketplaces because "they create a lot of value by taking opaque, fragmented markets and making that transparent."

He expects the opportunity for marketplaces will grow further as the millennial generation pushes for more of their lives to be brought online, both professionally and personally.

He is especially interested in companies that are "highly differentiated, have a very strong value proposition" and "ideally have no inventory and are therefore capital efficient."

Lerer Hippeau is looking for "mission-driven founders building authentic brands," principal Caitlin Strandberg says.

Location: New York

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 52

Strandberg said Lerer Hippeau is particularly interested in companies in "the caring economy," or that give back in some way. The firm is also looking to invest in startups that can bolster e-commerce, like those involved in headless commerce, reverse supply chain, and logistics. 

Lerer Hippeau made 13 deals in e-commerce in 2020. Strandberg said that the firm has invested in companies bringing traditionally offline categories online, like Corro, which sells horse and stable supplies, and Autofi, an online auto financing company.

They are excited to invest in Gen Z's interests and in companies that can make out-of-home experiences more feasible for consumers at home. 

She said the firm is also considering "the big Amazon question." 

"What types of businesses can effectively compete with such a large player and where might there be white space opportunity? For us, we're seeing it in deeper vertical marketplaces," she said. 

New Enterprise Associates General Partner Liza Landsman says the firm is "excited to invest in companies that create critical change."

Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 44

Landsman said that NEA is "looking for solutions that don't just automate the old ways of doing things, but rather reimagine them for the emerging e-commerce landscape and ever-increasing consumer expectations."

This "could mean anything from tech-enabled logistics to payments to marketing software," she said.

As an example, Landsman said that while many digitally native companies easily adjusted to the shift to e-commerce that happened due to the pandemic, there were many small businesses that needed help building digital infrastructure, and new companies arose to meet that need. 

NEA also invests in e-commerce brands and marketplaces, including fine jewelry company Mejuriand luxury furniture startup Burrow.

"In online brands, we look for differentiated products that consumers love and a distinct voice with a point of view," she said. "It's also very important to us that the company has sustainable unit economics and a strong team that can scale."

It made five investments in e-commerce-centric startups in 2020. 

Catherine Lu, managing partner at Alumni Ventures Group's Basecamp fund, says the firm has invested both in DTC brands and the tech and infrastructure helping them grow.

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 43

Alumni Ventures Group manages investments in families of funds, which are geared towards certain interests or alumni of specific universities. AVG as a whole invested in 20 e-commerce companies in 2020. 

Lu and Michael Madden, who is managing partner of the firm's Harvard-centric Yard Ventures fund, said that Alumni Ventures is excited about the opportunity for growth in three areas: DTC consumer products, online marketplaces, and the tech and infrastructure that power them. 

"That third bucket of infrastructure and supporting technology has had to really catch up quickly to support all of the increased activity," Madden said. He has invested in JUMP, Simplisafe, and Getaround.

Lu, who is the managing partner of AVG's seed and pre-seed venture fund, Basecamp, pointed to a few qualities she looks for in a DTC investment. She has invested in Anycart, Mighty Buildings, and Lily AI.

"The team is very important, and if they have some sort of marketing or a customer acquisition background, that's a huge plus," she said. "If they have some kind of star power or influence, that's also a plus."

Greycroft principal Elaine Russell says the firm is "excited about companies that are empowering individuals and families to improve their physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being."

Location: New York

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 41

Greycroft made six new investments and 11 follow-on investments in e-commerce in 2020.

Its portfolio includes organic wine distributor Avaline, grocery marketplace Mercato, and healthy grocery shopping site Thrive Market.

Russell said the firm expects the "good for you" theme to dominate even when the pandemic has ended, particularly when it comes to beauty, fitness, and diet, as consumers have adopted healthier lifestyles at home.

Grocery shopping moving online is another important theme. Russell says the impact of e-commerce in grocery will be felt not just by consumers, but by the entire grocery supply chain. 

When it comes to evaluating potential investments, Russell says Greycroft looks for "membership models with strong repeat cohorts and marketplaces that are bundling products and services together."

Accel partner Ethan Choi says that the firm is excited to back platforms that enable e-commerce's rapid acceleration.

Location: Palo Alto

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 40

"The brands that will not only survive but thrive in this new era of e-commerce need to build strong, direct relationships with their customers, and as such, we look for products that enable merchants to own and drive more value from these relationships," Choi said.  

Accel made two e-commerce investments in 2020: Shogun, a platform that enables businesses to build faster websites and storefronts with little-to-no code, and Klaviyo, a marketing automation company. 

"We believe the same things that make a brick-and-mortar retail operation successful have analogies in e-commerce," he said, pointing to beautiful storefronts and merchandise, personalized experiences, and good customer service as examples. 

Accel is also focused on investing companies that are geared towards merchants on Shopify and BigCommerce, which he says have benefited from the recent explosion in e-commerce entrepreneurship. 

General Catalyst takes a "a long view to investing."

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 40

General Catalyst has invested in a number of successful DTC brands, including Outdoor Voices, Warby Parker, and Great Jones. It's also invested in grocery delivery service Instacart and Rebag, a resale service for preowned handbags. 

In 2020, the firm has focused more on marketing and sales tools that support e-commerce businesses. But, its investors predict that more innovation is on the way.

"The well-worn phrase 'this is a marathon, not a sprint' could not fit a sector better than it does ecommerce. While it may feel that we've seen a large-scale consumer shift to online shopping, this decades-long transition is far from complete," General Catalyst Managing Director Larry Bohn wrote in a recent blog post about portfolio company BigCommerce's IPO.

Bohn continued: "From the first secure ecommerce sale on the internet in 1994 — a compact disc of the pop artist Sting — until now, more than 25 years on, just 10% of global retail spending has migrated online. More is coming."

Brand Foundry Ventures invests in "early stage companies that emerge into the brands you can't live without."

Location: New York

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 38

Brand Foundry Ventures invested early in DTC brands like the shoe company Allbirds, low-alcohol brand Haus, and online plant seller The Sill. 

Founder Andrew Mitchell was also an early investor in Peloton.

Brand Foundry describes itself as a "consumer-only venture fund" but primarily views e-commerce as a distribution channel for goods and not a sector of its own. 

It has also prioritized relationships with micro-influencers as a way for its portfolio companies to engage with their audience.

Y Combinator Group Partner Aaron Epstein says the accelerator firm is looking to bet on "incredible founders who are building startups in any field."

Location: Mountain View, California

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 36

For Y Combinator, a strong founding team is paramount. Epstein says that the firm likes to see teams that have at least one technical founder, that have already built or launched a product, that are "growth-oriented without burning a lot of money," and that are persistent. 

He said Y Combinator funded about 20 e-commerce-oriented startups in 2020, including Carupi, Bikayi, and DahMakan. 

"We've seen an explosion in the number of new creators and people starting side hustles during the pandemic, so we've funded many companies building e-commerce tools to help them run their businesses," he said. 

Epstein said the firm has also targeted companies that are helping businesses that are traditionally offline and have been hit hard by the pandemic to enter the digital age. Y Combinator has funded startups that are helping Shopify merchants grow their businesses and others "working on products to help any online merchant compete with Amazon by offering faster delivery, better recommendations, improved conversions through A/B testing, and more.'

Kevin Dick, managing director at Right Side Capital Management, says the firm is looking for revenue traction at a very early stage.

Location: San Francisco

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 38

Right Side Capital Management makes investments in pre-seed startups across all sectors that incorporate tech. It typically makes investments in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. 

Dick says that the firm is "unique" in that it focuses on companies' revenue traction.

"Naturally, some of those turn out to be e-commerce companies — and our portfolio then reflects that," he said. 

Right Side has more than 1,100 companies in its portfolio. Its active investments include Gorgias, which provides customer service for e-commerce stores, and Silverback, a predictive sales platform for sellers on online marketplaces.

GGV Capital Managing Partner Hans Tung says the firm believes "the best time to start a company is during times of uncertainty because both the cracks and innovation become more evident in a given sector."

Location: Menlo Park, California

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 36

GGV Capital made 12 e-commerce investments this year, six of which were new. 

Tung said there were two major themes to these deals: the continued rise of marketplaces and the verticalization of e-commerce. 

"As e-commerce matures and consumers look beyond the transaction for a more differentiated experience, vertical markets such as real estate, insurance such as with Turtlemint or sneakers such as with StockX" will have an even bigger opportunity, he said. 

Tung has also invested in Wish, Airbnb, Poshmark, and Peloton. 

When deciding whether to invest, the firm looks at a founder's ability to grow and scale a team and their understanding of consumers' needs, as well as the size and scale of of their chosen market. 

And while 2020 has been a big year for e-commerce, Tung said the changes in the market have not affected GGV's investment strategy. 

"If e-commerce is growing, then it's only logical that new demand for infrastructure and analytics will be there," he said. 

M13 partner Gautam Gupta says the firm is "looking for a unique product that inspires consumer love with an unfair distribution advantage."

Location: Santa Monica, California

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 35

M13 made seven e-commerce investments in 2020, including four in marketplaces like Shef and PopShop Live, two in e-commerce infrastructure companies like Passport, and one in supplement brand Rae Wellness. 

"M13 is very bullish on the e-commerce market long term," Gupta said. 

At the same time, he said, the firm is more excited about investing in infrastructure than in DTC brands themselves.

"We're spending more time on technologies and companies that enable sellers with the view that the growth in e-commerce will produce many pick and shovel winners," Gupta said. 

Looking ahead to 2021, he said the firm is excited about investing in companies that blend media and commerce, in companies that create marketplaces for services that haven't existed before, and in companies that can help drive customer acquisition outside of Facebook and Google. 

Khosla Ventures invests "more in people than in a specific plan, because plans often change."

Location: Menlo Park, California

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 34

Khosla Ventures separates its investments into two funds: one seed fund oriented towards experimental tech, and one main fund focused on more traditional ventures. 

The firm describes its philosophy on its website, saying that it seeks "unfair advantages: proprietary and protected technological advances, business model innovations, unique partnerships and top-notch teams."

The e-commerce companies in the firm's portfolio include Everlane, Instacart, and Teespring, as well as Casca, a shoe company, and Because, a personal care company for older adults.

When it's deciding on an investment, the firm says it's looking for "'A' teams and founders — entrepreneurs who know what they know (and are the best in the world at it) but also know what they don't know and are open to building strong teams to fill in those knowledge gaps."

Social Starts looks to fund companies that offer "unique solutions based on science or technology so that our investments have a competitive advantage," partner Charles Smith says.

Location: San Francisco

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 34

Social Starts was more cautious than usual when selecting investments in 2020, due to the unusual environment created by the pandemic. Smith expects the firm to continue being selective into 2021.

Social Starts' approach is driven by analytics; it aims to find all of the companies investing in its areas of focus, then selects the strongest leadership team of those companies. 

The firm made eight e-commerce investments this year. Its portfolio includes Mantl, a personal care brand geared towards bald men, and Hamama, which creates kits for microgreens to be grown at home. 

"We see the Health and Happiness sector as the most robust and fast-growing early-stage investment opportunity in decades, touching every part of our bodies and minds, and every person on earth," Smith said. "We're excited to find ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs attacking huge emerging markets in that space using excellent science and technology."

Enabling e-commerce has been a big theme of BoxGroup's investments in 2020, investor Adina Davis says.

Location: New York

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 34

When selecting investments, the firm likes to see "technology that can scale with a business over time and deliver as much value to small operations as it can to enterprises," Davis said. 

Most importantly, though, BoxGroup looks to fund companies led by founders who are "passionate, curious, and ambitious." 

The firm made four e-commerce investments in 2020, primarily focused on tools and services that can make it easier to start and grow online businesses. Their interests span from software and financing solutions to third-party logistics, warehousing, and checkout innovations. 

Davis mentioned BoxGroup's investment in Alloy as an example of its thinking around e-commerce, as it allows businesses to "easily automate and customize previously cumbersome workflows across fulfillment, marketing, customer service, and more."

"An offering like Alloy's enables e-commerce teams to operate with precision, speed, and a higher degree of customer centricity," she said. 

AF Ventures is looking to fund "emerging brands with omnichannel distribution strategies at the forefront of CPG innovation," Managing Partner and President Jordan Gaspar said.

Location: New York

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 33

For AF Ventures, it's important for potential investments to align with the firm on core values like health and wellness, sustainability, and authenticity. 

Investors look to see that a company's product is actually resonating with customers, "often measured through repeat purchase rates and retention," Gaspar said. 

"In addition, understanding the sustainability of the underlying business model is of critical importance, so we typically perform a deep dive into a brand's unit economics, both at a product and customer acquisition level," she added. 

AF Ventures invested in "a handful" of new direct-to-consumer brands in 2020, all of which are either growing their omnichannel retail presence or considering how to do so.  

Those investments have included snack company Skinny Dipped Almonds and feminine care startup Lola, which launched a retail partnership with Walmart this year. 

In 2021, the firm will be looking to fund startups that drive personalization, sustainability, and omnichannel strategies. Gaspar said it's a plus if those companies' products are "better for both people and the planet," too. 

BAM Ventures' cofounder and managing director Brian Lee says his mantra is that "we have to love the founder and not hate the idea."

Location: Los Angeles

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 33

Lee said that all of BAM Ventures' investments have an e-commerce component. In 2020, that meant investments in dog-food company Sundays for Dogs, holistic beauty startup WTHN, and cookware brand Great Jones.

"There's a unifying theme across consumers wanting more transparency around the products they're purchasing, and caring more and more about what they're putting inside their bodies and homes and giving to their loved ones, including pets," Lee said.  

BAM Ventures is particularly interested in companies that show the ability to build emotional resonance with their product. 

"What separates the great from the good for us are those that can really help you communicate the person you want to be to the world," Lee said.

For 2021, the firm sees opportunity in e-commerce tools that can improve efficiency for sellers and accessibility for consumers. 

Founders Fund invests in "smart people solving difficult problems."

Location: San Francisco

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 32

Founders Fund says in its online manifesto that its investors see the most promise in companies that have a few qualities in common: they're unpopular, they are "difficult to access," they carry "technology risk, but not insurmountable technology risk," and their technology would be extremely valuable if successful. 

"The entrepreneurs who make it have a near-messianic attitude and believe their company is essential to making the world a better place," the firm's manifesto continues.

Founders Fund's portfolio includes e-commerce-centric companies like online wholesale marketplace Faire, wholesale cannabis marketplace LeafLink, and e-commerce site Wish, which went public this month.

Lightspeed Venture Partners says its mission is to "serve the world's most extraordinary people who are building tomorrow's companies today."

Location: Menlo Park, California

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 32

Lightspeed's portfolio comprises more than 400 companies in the consumer and enterprise sectors. Its focus is on disruptive innovations and trends.

Its e-commerce investments include the DTC cereal brand Magic Spoon, the shoe brand Rothy's, healthy frozen food startup Daily Harvest, and the wholesale marketplace Faire. Lightspeed was also an early investor in Stitch Fix.

Its investors have recently pointed to discovery in livestreaming and multi-functional "super apps" as business trends they are excited about. 

"Beyond discovery, we're eager to support the emergence of the overall live streaming ecosystem and would be excited to invest in platforms and creator tools, in addition to discovery tools," partner Ashley Braiser wrote in a recent blog post.

Revolution Ventures Managing Partner Tige Savage invests in companies "disrupting the business models of traditional industries and appealing to new generations of consumers through the use of technology."

Location: Washington, DC

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 32

Revolution completed a dozen investments in e-commerce in 2020, most recently leading a $6 million Series A round in Good Buy Gear, a secondhand marketplace for baby and kid gear.

A common theme across Revolution's deals is the use of technology to power "new business models, consumer value propositions, or specialized approaches to customer acquisition, complemented by a strong, adaptable supply chain," Savage said.

"While the world was already experiencing a massive shift in consumption prior to the pandemic, COVID has led to the 'great catching-up,' a forced acceleration for companies to become more dynamic and agile in how they meet consumer expectations," he said. 

Savage added that the pandemic has changed the VC landscape in that investors working remotely seem to be betting on companies they already know well. He said Revolution sees opportunity in investing in what he calls the "have nots" in this equation. 

The firm is also excited about opportunities in food and hospitality in 2021. 

While Mark Cuban says he is "not a big-ecommerce investor," he's excited about the impact that AI could have on the sector.

Location: Dallas

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 30

Cuban told Business Insider his "favorite" e-commerce investment is Pricestack, a startup that uses machine learning to optimize prices for DTC brands. The idea is to help brands manage inventory, prevent shopping-cart abandonment, and create a positive experience for customers. 

Cuban said he thinks AI will be a gamechanger for the e-commerce sector. 

"When AI is done right, and it's not easy to do right, it can have a huge impact on e-commerce," he said. "It can consider all variables and optimize for results."

He has also invested in Cultivate, an extension that highlights American-made goods, and CarSnoop, an online auto marketplace.

Upfront Ventures partner Greg Bettinelli says the pandemic caused e-commerce investing "to skip second base and head straight to third."

Location: Santa Monica, California

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 29

Bettinelli said that while the pandemic didn't change the firm's strategy dramatically, it did bring certain themes to the fore. 

For example, there was "possibly a little more interest in opportunities related to the friction caused by the unexpected acceleration of commerce in areas like shipping and delivery, returns, customer service," he said.

"It's probably more accurate to say that these themes existed before but became more urgent during the pandemic due to transforming shifts in buyer behaviors and brand development," he added.

Upfront led investments in four new e-commerce companies in 2020. Its portfolio includes Parachute Home, Adore Me, and inVia Robotics. 

In 2021, the firm is looking to invest in "great teams innovating in consumer and B2B marketplaces, intent-driving video shopping and community activation commerce, where brand development is driven by vertical interests or other existing affinity groups," Bettinelli said. 

Maveron looks to fund companies that have a "differentiated product," an "authentic founder story" and an ability to become a leader in a category, partner Jason Stoffer said.

Location: Seattle

Total e-commerce deals in last five years: 29

Maveron made five investments in e-commerce companies in 2020. Its portfolio includes Switch, a subscription jewelry rental platform, as well as healthcare company Thirty Madison and direct-to-consumer brands Everlane and Allbirds. 

Stoffer said that COVID-19 "massively accelerated e-commerce adoption," but that investors "wanted to see past the fog" to determine which new behaviors will last even after the pandemic  is over. 

Maveron wants to invest in community in 2021. 

"The country is more divided than ever — from wealth to ideology — and people are finding their divisions and tribes online," Stoffer said. "We see opportunities for brands to stand for those tribes, to build platforms that can host them, and to harness the good that digital tribes can offer."

WarnerMedia has taken big steps to adapt its storied Hollywood studios and businesses for the streaming age since being acquired by telecom AT&T in 2018.

Those steps include industry-shaking moves like streaming Warner Bros. films on HBO Max the day they hit theaters, and internal changes like uniting its once siloed TV, film, and streaming businesses.

The shake-up also means some key WarnerMedia leaders who are experienced in navigating tremendous changes have exited the company and are now free agents.

Insider identified six respected former WarnerMedia executives on the job market who have all have helped the company through transformational moments. The list is based on our reporting and nominations we received. It includes former WarnerMedia veterans and rising stars.

Read more: WarnerMedia has lost at least 35 top execs since Jason Kilar became CEO and began a massive reorg focused on streaming. Here are all the leaders who have exited.

The leaders are listed below, in alphabetical order.

WarnerMedia isn't the only legacy-media company rethinking its businesses. Disney, Comcast, and others have also made big changes to leadership structures. 

Read about other respected media leaders on the market: 24 media leaders who are on the job market: The TV, film, and streaming free-agent execs who could make big moves in 2021

David Levy

David Levy ran Turner Broadcasting's sports and entertainment networks as president until shortly after the company was acquired by AT&T through its acquisition of Time Warner.

Levy was president of Turner Sports for a decade before taking on the bigger job in 2013.

During his tenure at Turner, Levy led deals like Turner Sports' acquisition of Bleacher Report, which became the company's first digital sports destination. He spearheaded a pact with CBS that brought the March Madness finals to cable TV. And the company launched new niche streaming services that leveraged the classic catalogs Turner owned, such as Boomerang for traditional animation and FilmStruck, which was popular among cinephiles for streaming the Criterion Collection before it was shuttered in 2018. He left Turner in March 2019, after 33 years at the company. 

Since then, Levy has advised firms including The Raine Group, an investment bank in the media, tech, and telecom sectors, and founded Back Nine Venture, which invests in early-stage startups.

Chris Linn

Chris Linn put WarnerMedia's reality network truTV on the map as president of the cable network.

Under his leadership, the reality-focused network that used be Court TV found its lane with hit franchises like "Impractical Jokers," which helped it reach a younger and more affluent audiences. Linn left truTV in May 2019, after its operations were merged with Turner's other entertainment networks TBS and TNT.

He joined truTV from Viacom, where he oversaw programming and production for eight years, and developed reality shows like "Jersey Shore" and "Catfish." He also worked at Spike TV and Nickelodeon. 

John Martin

Former Turner chief and chairman John Martin ran the cable-network group for four years, as the traditional TV landscape was being upended. His tenure at Turner ended after parent Time Warner was acquired by AT&T in 2018.

During his time at the helm, Martin oversaw Turner's full suite of news, sports, and entertainment brands, including CNN, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and Turner Sports, and helped kicked start their digital transitions. He also vocally defended the AT&T-Time Warner deal as the Department of Justice was moving to block it. 

Martin spent more than two decades at Time Warner, even as the company spun off cable business Time Warner Cable in 2009 and print division Time Inc. in 2014. He was chief financial officer of Time Warner, from 2008 to 2013, under former chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes. Martin was the financial chief of Time Warner Cable before that.

Martin joined Time Warner in 1993, and left for a two-year stint at the equity-research firm ABN AMRO Securities. He was a senior accountant at Ernst and Young earlier in his career.

Christina Miller

Christina Miller was a top Turner Broadcasting exec.

She most recently led Turner's kids and young adults networks as president of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and Boomerang for five years. She took on oversight of Turner Classic Movies during that time, as well.

She helped build shows like "Rick and Morty,""Steven Universe," and "Adventure Time" into blockbuster franchises during her run there, which ended in late 2019.

Over her 15 years at Turner, Miller was also digital manger of the NBA digital portfolio and senior VP in charge of Turner Sports' marketing programming an strategy. She started her career at the company at Cartoon Network, where she built the network's first global consumer products business. 

She was also an executive at children's TV distributor HIT Entertainment, where she was responsible for brand management and licensing, before Turner.

Kevin Reilly

Kevin Reilly developed HBO Max's early content strategy before exiting WarnerMedia in August as part of the legacy-media company's ongoing management shakeup.

Reilly, the former chief content officer at HBO Max, ushered in projects for the fledgling streaming service including its first successful original,"The Flight Attendant."

He also led Turner's entertainment networks, TBS and TNT, during his time at Turner and later added truTV to his purview. Reilly spearheaded an effort to cut back on the number of commercials in shows when he was president of TNT and TBS, and chief creative officer of Turner Entertainment.

Before Turner, Reilly headed up entertainment programming at major TV networks including Fox, FX, and NBC, for several years each. He oversaw the launch of shows like "Glee,""Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and "Empire" at Fox; championed series like "The Office" at NBC; and shepherded in series like "The Shield" and "Nip/Tuck" at FX.

Blair Rich

Warner Bros. marketing exec Blair Rich exited at the end of last year the Hollywood studio where she spent much of her career. 

Rich oversees worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures Group's theatrical and home entertainment divisions in the current post of president. She helped boost some of the studio's biggest recent successes, like "The Joker" and "Crazy Rich Asians," since taking on that role in 2018.

As live events stalled this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Rich also helped launch the virtual DC fan convention, DC FanDome, which included star-studded panels and new details about "Wonder Woman 1984," the upcoming Snyder Cut of the "Justice League," and other DC titles.

Rich helped drive franchises like Harry Potter and the DC film universe during her more than 20-year tenure at the studio. She began her career at Warner Bros. as a marketing trainee in international marketing.

Rich, based in Los Angeles, is also on the board of the non-profit LA Family Housing.

• For $6 a month (ad-supported) or $12 a month (ad-free), Hulu offers access to its entire streaming catalog of TV shows, original series, and movies.
• While movies often aren't the main draw ofHulu, its collection of around 2,500 titles is nothing to sneeze at.
• Standout new releases include "Palm Springs,""Parasite,""Babyteeth," and "The Assistant."
• If you're looking for a reliable device to stream Hulu on, check out our guides to the best cheap TVs and the best streaming players.
• Read more: The 17 best TV shows that you can stream on Hulu right now

Though Hulu originally launched as a platform aimed at bringing TV series to streamers, over the years it's built a sizable movie catalog, with an estimated total of around 2,500 titles across genres. I've often viewed it as a nice supplement to my Hulu subscription rather than what drives me to the platform, which is still its collection of my favorite shows and its host of original content. 

But as I was browsing their film selection, I kept finding myself saying, "I didn't know Hulu had this," and adding it to my watch list. It's become clear to me that I have to turn my attention away from watching "30 Rock" over and over again and start streaming some of Hulu's vast movie collection. Clearly, I have a lot of content to catch up on.

If you don't yet have a Hulu subscription, the ad-supported option remains one of the most affordable streaming services on the market at $5.99 a month, or you can upgrade to the ad-free option — which I think is well worth it— for $11.99 a month. For those who want even more content, the ad-supported Hulu is also available as a bundle with Disney Plus and ESPN+ for $12.99 a month ($6/month less than buying each separately). 

Each tier gives you access to Hulu's entire movie catalog as well as the platform's entire collection of shows and Hulu Originals. And it couldn't be easier to stream. The Hulu app already comes installed on most smart TVs, so all you have to do is log in and start streaming. If you don't have a smart TV, most streaming boxes or sticks will have Hulu available as an app as well. Or you can always stream on your phone or laptop.

Once you get set up, here's our list of the best movies available for streaming on Hulu. Our selection features a mix of recent releases and classic titles across multiple genres, ensuring that all viewing needs are accounted for. All of the movies we've selected are categorized as fresh by critics on the review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. 

Updated on 01/14/2021 by Ben Blanchet: Removed films no longer available on Hulu. Added "Chicken Run,""Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,""Babyteeth,""Buffaloed," and "The Assistant."

'Palm Springs'

"Palm Springs" is a romantic comedy with a sci-fi spin. The film stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as two strangers who get trapped in a time loop. No matter what they do, every morning they wake up at a wedding in Palm Springs living the same day over and over again. The Hulu Original movie is directed by Max Barbakow, and features a script written by Andy Siara. Jason Guerrasio, senior entertainment reporter at Insider, gave the film an A- grade in his full review.

'Parasite'

Winner of the 2020 Academy Award for Best Picture, "Parasite" is a dark comedy that deals heavily with social and economic themes related to class. The story centers on a poor family, the Kims, who are in need of work. When the Kims trick a wealthy family into hiring them all for various jobs, it looks as if their money problems are solved. But complications soon arise that could reveal the family's con. "Parasite" comes from director Bong Joon Ho ("Snowpiercer") and is presented on Hulu with its original Korean audio mix. English and Spanish subtitle options are available.

'RBG'

Over the past several years, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent a transformation from legal expert and Supreme Court Justice to the Notorious R.B.G. — an unlikely pop culture icon and feminist superstar. This critically acclaimed documentary tracks the groundbreaking, revolutionary career of a political powerhouse and her rise to prominence as the second-ever female Supreme Court Justice

'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'

Comedian Mike Myers' groovy character is the center of this spoof of spy movies. After over three decades spent frozen away from society, British spy Austin Powers emerges to take on Dr. Evil (also played by Myers) who is bent on world domination. This first film in the "Austin Powers" franchise is riddled with sex jokes and humor poking fun at the playboy's misplacement in time.

'Mission: Impossible - Fallout'

Paramount's "Mission: Impossible" franchise has been going strong since 1996, and the latest installment in the series just might be the best yet. "Mission: Impossible – Fallout" picks up after the events of the last film, and focuses on Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as he and his team of spies attempt to track down a criminal who has stolen plutonium. Filled with thrilling visuals, the movie is a perfect fit for action junkies.  

'How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World'

If you're looking for an entertaining family film on Hulu, then Dreamworks' "How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World" is a great fit. The third film in the animated trilogy finds Hiccup and Toothless embarking on a journey to find a secret land where dragons live in peace. The movie stars the vocal talents of Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett, Craig Ferguson, and F. Murray Abraham. 

'Babyteeth'

Director Shannon Murphy's debut film tells the story of Milla, a teenager fighting cancer, who meets Moses, a man in his early 20s who is addicted to drugs. Her parents aren't fond of the relationship between the two although it appears to bring Milla a new outlook on life. The coming-of-age tale is based on the play of the same name.

'I, Tonya'

This dark comedy mockumentary follows the infamous scandal in which Tonya Harding's ex-husband hired a goon to attack and injure rival ice skater Nancy Kerrigan prior to the 1994 Olympics. Harding's involvement in the plot ruined her career and got her banned from ice skating competitions for life. Margot Robbie earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Harding, and the great Allison Janney took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Harding's mother

'Little Monsters'

In this Hulu Original movie, Lupita Nyong'o plays a school teacher who must protect her kindergarten class during a zombie apocalypse. The film also stars Alexander England as a struggling musician, and Josh Gad as a kids' TV personality. Blending horror and laughs, "Little Monsters" offers a gory twist on romantic comedy sensibilities. 

'Sorry to Bother You'

Cash is finding his job as a telemarketer to be nearly impossible until his coworker lets him in on the secret to success: "white voice." When he excels at the skill, he rises quickly through the ranks only to discover the company he's working for has a freakish dark side. This sci-fi satire takes on race, class, and labor themes in a truly unique way.

'Chicken Run'

This British stop motion animated film tells the tale of a group of chickens who attempt to escape from a pair of sinister egg farmers who wish to make a meal out of any bird that doesn't meet their demands. The film comes from the Academy Award-winning creators of "Wallace & Gromit" and features the voice of Mel Gibson, who stars as an American rooster who falls in love with a hen on the farm.

'Three Identical Strangers'

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, the documentary film "Three Identical Strangers" presents a classic instance of "truth is stranger than fiction." This unlikely true story examines the peculiar case of identical triplets who meet each other as young adults after being separated at birth. As the three brothers attempt to piece together how this could have happened, they discover surprising twists and turns that gradually expose a complex mystery.  

'Buffaloed'

This comedy-drama originally premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. The story follows Peggy Dahl (Zoey Deutch), a young woman who wants to leave her life in Buffalo, New York behind. She decides to pivot to a career in debt collection and tries to hustle her way into paying for an Ivy League education.

'The Cabin in the Woods'

More than just a typical horror flick, director Drew Goddard's "The Cabin in the Woods" acts as a clever satire on typical horror movie tropes and clichés. The film starts off with a standard premise as five friends encounter a deadly threat in a secluded cabin – but as the story develops, the movie playfully turns that common plot on its head. Funny and thrilling, this is a slasher with some genuine smarts and laughs on top of a healthy helping of scares.

'Booksmart'

Following in the footsteps of similar coming-of-age teen comedies, "Booksmart" offers ample laughs and heartfelt insights in equal measure. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein star as a pair of high school seniors who suddenly realize they've spent their entire lives focusing on grades without having any fun. Before their graduation, they attempt to make up for lost time with a night of partying they'll never forget.  

'Missing Link'

Winner of the 2020 Golden Globe for Best Animated Motion Picture, "Missing Link" is a beautiful stop-motion film from the same studio who produced "Coraline" and "Kubo and the Two Strings." The story follows a Sasquatch named Mr. Link who seeks the help of an explorer to help him find his Yeti relatives. Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, and Zach Galifianakis all lend their voices to the cast.

'The Assistant'

Julia Garner ("Ozark") stars in a drama built for the #MeToo era. Garner's character, Jane, plays an assistant to a film producer whose typical work consists of coffee runs and minor office tasks. When she begins to see signs of an abusive workplace, she decides to take action.

'Big Time Adolescence'

"Big Time Adolescence" focuses on a high school student named Monroe (Griffin Gluck) as he follows the unusual guidance of his best friend, a college dropout named Zeke (Pete Davidson). The coming-of-age comedy also stars Jon Cryer, Emily Arlook, Colson Baker, and Sydney Sweeney. "Big Time Adolescence" is written and directed by Jason Orley. The movie originally premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.