• The best gift ideas for college students are useful, but fun — like comfortable sneakers, new headphones, or a good scented candle.
• As a recent college graduate myself, I can confidently say that this list is a really good place to start your shopping.
• It covers tech gifts, beauty products, and much more for college-aged men and women.
• Need more gift ideas for the younger people in your life? Check out our gift guides for toddlers, teens, and all ages in between.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals

Check out all 58 gifts for college students:

This gift guide includes a sponsored product that has been suggested by Gravity Blankets. It also meets our editorial criteria in terms of quality and value.*

A media streamer that transforms a normal TV into a smart one, so they can watch shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and other streaming services

Roku Ultra 4K/HDR/HD Streaming Player, available at Amazon, $94.94

Most college students aren't forking over a monthly payment to cable. This streaming player is, overall, the best one you can buy, and it transforms an otherwise ordinary TV into one that can stream shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Prime Video, and others all in one spot.  

Their favorite comfort foods

Goldbelly food gifts, available from $17.95

Goldbelly makes it possible to satisfy their most specific and nostalgic cravings no matter where they live in the US— a cheesecake from Junior's, deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati, and more. Browse the iconic gifts section for inspiration.

The world's most comfortable shoes

Wool Runners, Men, available at Allbirds, $95

Wool Runners, Women, available at Allbirds, $95

Startup Allbirds makes wildly popular shoes out of soft, sustainable materials. Their Runners made of super-soft merino wool have been nicknamed "the world's most comfortable shoes." You can find a full review here. 

Great coffee from all over the world to help them stay energized

Atlas Coffee 3-month Subscription, $53

If they drink coffee, they'll likely drink a fair amount of it during college. And it's really nice to have a good cup. 

Atlas Coffee is a monthly subscription that's sort of like a worldwide coffee tour — bringing the best single-origin coffee (with a postcard from its origin country) to your door. They'll also get brewing tips and flavor notes. 

A fun board game they can play with friends

Settlers of Catan, available at Walmart, $43.88

The Settlers of Catan is perfect for nights at home with roommates. It's a fun multiplayer board game that relies upon strategy (and sometimes luck) to amass resources, trade them, and build civilizations — and it can last for hours. 

A weighted blanket

Gravity Blanket, $195, available at Gravity Blankets

Similar to the comfort created by swaddling babies, weighted blankets utilize deep-touch therapy to help users get deeper, more restful sleep, while also helping to reduce anxiety and stress — something that's especially needed during finals week. In addition to its classic weighted blanket, we'd recommend Gravity's Cooling Weighted Blanket for hot sleepers.

*Sponsored by Gravity Blankets

A book that helps them build good habits and break bad ones

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, available at Amazon, $11.98

Many college students are trying to map out what they want out of life and how to build the habits that get them where they want to go. In the popular book "Atomic Habits," James Clear, an expert on habit formation, teaches practical strategies for building lasting habits (and ditching detrimental ones). 

A ten-minute breakfast that will save them money and time

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, available at Target, $14.99

The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker looks gimmicky but is actually deceptively useful. It's compact and makes virtually every kind of egg (hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or an omelet) perfectly, and in under 10 minutes. 

A gift card for new (and fashion-forward) glasses

Gift Card, available at Warby Parker, from $50

As someone who transitioned from contacts to glasses because of increased screen time in college, I can attest that having a good pair of blue-light reflective glasses is crucial. Warby Parker is practically legendary when it comes to eyewear because of its relative affordability, size flexibility, and wide range of styles. 

The most comfortable socks college students can own

Women's Ankle Sock 4-Pack, available at Bombas, $45.60

Men's Performance Running Calf Sock 3-Pack, available at Bombas, $48

Bombas makes the best socks on the market. They benefit from upgrades like a supportive honeycomb stitch, blister tabs built into ankle-height styles, and a Y-stitched heel and "invisitoe" that minimizes annoying bumps. Even if it seems like socks aren't an exciting gift, comfort is pretty much always a hit in college. 

It was also founded to address that socks are the number one most requested item in homeless shelters. Every time customers buy a pair, they give a thoughtfully designed pair to someone in need. The company has donated more than 41 million pairs of socks to homeless shelters since 2013.

Colorful reusable straws that can go through the dishwasher

Reusable Silicone Drinking Straws, available at Target, $8.99

Trying to adopt more eco-friendly habits is one of the great characteristics of younger generations. These reusable straws are colorful, bendable, and convenient. They're also dishwasher-safe. 

A personalized passport cover and luggage tag set

Passport Cover and Luggage Tag Set, available at Leatherology, $65 

Beautiful passport sets are a great gift for plenty of reasons. They're useful, likely something they won't have already bought themselves, and are often associated with the joy and excitement of travel in the future. Sometimes, you want to own one thing for a long time — and luggage tags and the memories that accompany them are one of those items.

Trendy and convenient Apple AirPods

Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case, available at Best Buy, $199.99

If you're after the title of their favorite relative of the year, here's a good place to start. AirPods are both easy to use and functional as well as trendy. The newer generation of AirPods can be purchased on Amazon for $200, but we also liked the earlier generation (which is slightly cheaper).

Popular wireless over-ear headphones for quality noise-canceling during studying and working out

Beats Solo Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones, available at Amazon, $299.95

If there's one thing every college student needs, it's good wireless headphones. This brand-new Beats pair has rich sound, active noise canceling, and up to 22 hours of listening time. And if they let the battery run out, a 10-minute charge converts to three hours of playback. You can also find steep discounts on other Beats headphones now that a new model has launched. 

If they like to study in noisier spaces, you can't go wrong with Bose's pricey but unbeatable QuietComfort II headphones either. And if they're a runner and need something lightweight and in-ear, you should opt for Jaybird Vista.

A portable projector that's the size of a soda can

Anker Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector, available at Amazon, $237.99

Anker's Nebula Capsule is a powerful and versatile mini projector, and its portability makes it a great option for college students who want a cozy movie-viewing experience in the comfort of their own room. It's 1 pound and the size of a soda can, but it has surprisingly crisp image quality and 360-degree sound. It's also quiet and has a continuous playtime of four hours. Find a full review here.

An Amazon Echo Dot for hands-free calls, alarms, music, weather updates, recipes, and more

Echo Dot (3rd Generation), available at Best Buy, $39.99

The Amazon Echo Dot is the most popular Amazon device for a reason — it's compact and has all the capabilities of Alexa (weather updates, recipes, music, news), which is the main reason most people buy an Echo device. A newer version of the Echo Dot was recently released, but the 3rd generation is a bit more affordable for comparable quality.

An inexpensive way to get the iced coffee they love at home

Takeya 2-Quart Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $24.99

The Takeya Cold Brew Maker is an inexpensive, easy way to make cold brew from home — something that can save them hundreds of dollars per year. Find a full review here.

A smartphone-sized travel photo printer

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Bluetooth Photo Printer, available at Amazon, $99.95

Mini portable Bluetooth printers make turning iPhone photos into tangible memories quick and easy — which is especially convenient for decorating their room. All they'll have to do is download the app (which also has internal PhotoShop elements and features like themed stickers and collages) and connect via Bluetooth. 

The most popular Fitbit

Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker, available at Macy's, from $119.95

Fitbits track the wearer's health and fitness to offer insights into their sleep and physical activity. They can set personal goals and get real-time updates during workouts. This one is water-resistant up to 50 meters, and its battery life can last up to seven days. 

College merchandise for school spirit

Shop American Eagle's Tailgate Apparel

Particularly if they're going to a school with a big sports team, you can be sure they'll both need and appreciate all the fan gear. 

A great game for a night in with friends

Cards Against Humanity, available at Amazon, $25

Grab a fun card game they'll inevitably end up pulling out to play with friends on the weekend nights and snow days. Check out What Do You Meme, too.

A professional, versatile, and compact backpack

ICON Backpack, available at Incase, $199.95

A good-qualitybackpack is the most versatile bag for a college student. This model has adjustable padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap; a pocket for everything (including a side-access iPad pocket); and the exterior is professional, sleek, and slim while also being public transportation-friendly. 

A Brooklinen gift card for really nice sheets

Gift Card, available at Brooklinen, from $50

Few things sound so nice as comfortable, beautiful sheets that you don't need to buy for yourself. Brooklinen is one of our favorite startups to shop at, and we ranked their sateen cotton sheets (from $139) the best luxury sheets you can buy.

A funny but useful book full of expert and student advice on everything from finances to relationships and dorm life

The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College, available at Barnes & Noble, $15.99

For everything from sharing a bathroom with 40 strangers to social network do's and don'ts, this funny but useful New York Times bestseller runs the gamut. 

A monthly subscription of personalized new makeup, haircare, and skincare samples delivered to their door

Birchbox Three Month Subscription, available at Birchbox, $45

College students like to look and feel good, but tight budgets aren't conducive to trying a lot of new, (and often expensive) grooming products. Birchbox sends samples of new and beloved products once a month, so they can test out new finds and discover products they may want to buy a full size of in the future. It's also just fun to get a monthly gift that's all about them. 

A laundry hamper with adjustable straps

Dalykate Backpack Laundry Bag, available at Amazon, $14.99

If they have to travel downstairs or across the street to do their laundry, they're not going to want to haul a hamper. This bag comes with comfy adjustable straps to make laundry less of a (literal) drag.

A splash-proof portable Bluetooth speaker for college events that call for music

JBL FLIP5 Bluetooth Speaker, available at B&H Photo, $119.95

Beach days, tailgates, outdoor parties of any kind (once it's safe enough for them to return)— grab this under-$100 Bluetooth speaker for the many occasions when loud music and a spill-friendly speaker are going to come in handy. 

A really nice blazer they can wear to an interview or internship

The Oversized Blazer, available at Everlane, from $170

Bonobos Jetsetter Slim Fit Stretch Wool Blazer, available at Bonobos and Nordstrom, from $225

Most college students probably don't have a wealth of professional clothing to pull from for high-pressure situations like interviews or a big internship. Help them make a good impression, and see your money go to good use, with a blazer they can use repeatedly and for years to come. We've also created a list of our personal favorite workwear stores— plus the best styles to buy from each one. 

An Echo Dot with a built-in clock

Echo Dot 4th Gen with Clock, available on Amazon, $59.99

The newest Echo Dot is more convenient than ever. The all-new design features a larger speaker for better audio, a digital clock to display the time and timer countdowns, and all of Alexa's other skills. 

*This gift is unavailable to ship until December 30, but it's still available to purchase.

A savvy suitcase for traveling on holiday breaks

Carry-On, available at Away, $225

Away's hyper-popular suitcases deserve their hype. Their hard shell is lightweight but durable, their 360-degree spinner wheels make for seamless traveling, and the external (and ejectable and TSA-compliant) battery pack included can charge a smartphone five times over so they never have to sit behind a trash can at the airport for access to an outlet again. It's also guaranteed for life by Away. Find our full review here.

We also recommend Calpak. 

A book about capitalizing on the huge choices to make in your 20s

The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter — And How to Make the Most of Them Now, available at Amazon and Target, $11.89

The decisions you make in your 20s can greatly impact the rest of your life. The best defense is a good offense and your grad should know now, before any life-altering events crop up, how to get the most out of their "defining decade."

One of the all-time best facial cleansers for a clean and effective routine

Luna 2 Facial Cleansing Device, Men, available at Amazon, $169

Luna 2 Facial Cleansing Device, Women, available at FOREO, $169

FOREO's cult-favorite Luna 2 cleansing device gently and effectively cleans with thin, antimicrobial silicone touch points, and it removes 98.5% of dirt and makeup residue without irritating the skin. Plus, it's 100% waterproof and the battery life lasts for a few months per charge. Find a full review from a female reporter and a male reporter here.

An Amazon Prime membership

Gift an Amazon Prime membership, $119

An Amazon Prime membership is one of those things that immediately makes life easier and ultimately better. If you decide to gift one, the recipient will enjoy free two-day shipping; access to the Prime Now app, which provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items; Prime Video, Amazon's streaming video service; Prime Music; the Kindle Lending Library; Prime Reading; Prime Audible Channels; unlimited photo storage, and more.

If you want to see how Amazon Prime ($119 for the year) actually gives you a lot more than free shipping, you can read about the benefits of the service here.

A candle to remind college students of their favorite place or hometown

Homesick Scented Candle, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, from $30.24

If they're away from family or friends, a reminder of home is a wonderful thing to have around. 

An iPad for Netflix-binging in their room, as well as for quick trips that don't warrant a laptop

Apple iPad 128 GB, Latest Model, with Wi-Fi, $329.00

Budget-friendly: Fire HD 10 Tablet, available at Amazon, $149.99

They won't want to lug their laptop everywhere, and they may either already have a TV in their room or not have the space for one. A tablet is small enough to be travel-friendly but large enough for convenient Netflix binging or note-taking. If you want more iPad options, find them here.

The best electric toothbrush

Oral-B White Pro 1000, available at Best Buy, $69.99

We rated this the best electronic toothbrush you can buy. 

Childlike cereal for adults

Four Flavors, available at Magic Spoon, $39

Magic Spoon is a new "childlike cereal for adults" that's high in protein and low in sugar — and all four flavors are delicious. Here's one way to show college kids it's completely possible to transition to adulthood without losing all the joy of being a kid. You can read more in a personal review here. 

Framed memories

Gift Card or Frame a Memory, available at Framebridge, from $25

Help them honor some of their best memories — whether it's from friends now studying across the country, family, or best-loved locales. Framebridge is relatively affordable, but decor is one of the luxuries plenty of college students shirk to save elsewhere — even though it can make their home a much more inviting, happy place.

A monogrammed leather shave bag so students can keep all their things in one place

Leatherology Small Shave Bag, available at Leatherology, from $90 (available for monogram for $10)

The dreaded truth of college is that you'll most likely need to schlep your shower belongings to a communal area if you live in the dorms. No one wants to rely on a plastic shower caddy to do that. Grab them a leather shave bag that they'll use for years to come — they probably wouldn't justify the expense on their own, and they'll be grateful to have it. 

If you're looking for a chic aesthetic, Dagne Dover also makes a great neoprene toiletry bag named the Hunter (from $35) that's built to accommodate makeup. If they have a lot of toiletries, you'll probably want to get the large size for $55.

A battery pack that charges an iPhone twice as fast as the original iPhone charger

Elecjet PowerPie, available at Amazon, $49.99

I said before that college students primarily need a good pair of wireless headphones. They also need a portable external charger. This gift is extremely convenient, and will also give you peace of mind to know the lessened odds of them getting stuck somewhere unfamiliar with a dead phone.

A nice watch they can wear to internships

Gunmetal Sandstone, Men, available at MVMT, $135

Lexington, Women, available at MVMT, $125

MVMT makes beautiful watches for men and women at great prices, and they feel more contemporary to wear than most on the market. It's a versatile, sentimental gift you can feel good about giving because you know they'll feel good — and perhaps more put-together — wearing it. 

A cult-favorite tumbler to keep their drinks just the right temperature for hours spent studying

Hydro Flask 40 oz.Water Bottle, available at Hydro Flask, from $37.46

This HydroFlask will keep cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours with the lid on. 

The most comfortable lounge pants we've ever tried for lazy weekend mornings

The Lounge Pant, Men, available at MeUndies, $68

The Lounge Pant, Women, available at MeUndies, $68

MeUndies is a popular LA startup that makes some of the most comfortable underwear we've ever tried. Their lounge pants, however, are the real hidden gem — perfect for lounging around on weekend mornings, and they're sleek enough to avoid feeling too unkempt.

A key-, wallet-, and iPhone-finder

Tile Mate with Replaceable Battery, 4-Pack, available at Amazon, $68.87

You can't go wrong with a tracker for their keys, wallet, or phone. The Tile Mate is compact, thoughtful, and useful for everyone — especially an oft-frazzled college student. 

Tools they will undoubtedly need and be grateful to own, but likely won't buy themselves

Stalwart 130-Piece Tool Set, available at The Home Depot, $25.97

They're going to need tools at some point, and they're probably going to be underwhelmed by the prospect of spending money on such an unexciting purchase. You could also grab them a First Aid Kit.

The best pillow you can buy

Premium Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow, available at Coop Home Goods and Amazon, from $59.99

Make sure they're optimizing their sleep with the best pillow you can buy. Thanks to the shredded memory foam, they'll get the support and comfortable "sinking in" sensation of a traditional memory foam pillow, but none of the excessive heat or firmness that can be a problem with solid foam. Read more in our Buying Guide here.

A lightweight, business-casual laptop bag

Ryan Laptop Bag, available at Dagne Dover, from $135

Weston Laptop Bag, available at Dagne Dover, from $135

They can take this versatile laptop bag everywhere without batting an eyelash. Which, considering how much college students juggle, is a big convenience. Find a full review of the laptop bags here. 

An undated planner that uses efficiency hacks to break down a 10-year plan into daily stepping stones

BestSelf Co. Undated Daily Habit Planner, available at Amazon, from $25.04

The Best Self Co. Journal breaks down daunting long-term plans into bite-size steps that make forming good habits easy, efficient, and stress-free. College invites you to plan for the rest of your life — a question that can feel ambiguous and daunting. This should help. Plus, it has no dates so you can give it for any occasion — not just the New Year.

A custom poster of their favorite place

Gift a customized Grafomap poster, from $49

Commemorate their college town, hometown, or favorite place in the world with this customizable graphic map so they can keep it with them wherever life takes them.

A hyper-useful extra-long, reinforced phone charger

Native Union 10-Foot Extra-Long Charging Cable with Leather Strap, available at Amazon, $34.99

If they're going to be tethered to devices, you may as well give them a long leash. This long charging cable means no matter where one is, they'll have power — and they won't have to sit at the foot of their bed to reach it. 

An instant coffee maker for busy mornings

Keurig K50/K-Classic Coffee Maker, available at Best Buy, $99.99

Keurig K55/K-Classic Coffee Maker, available at Amazon, $79

If they drink coffee, they're going to appreciate having easy, fast access to some for the many rushed mornings ahead. A Keurig is intuitive and ubiquitous. If you'd rather steer them away from single-use plastic K-Cups, grab these reusable and compatible cups as an accompanying gift.

A comfy Patagonia pullover they'll rely on a lot

Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover, Men, available at Patagonia, $119

Women's Better Sweater 1/4-Zip Fleece, available at Patagonia, $119

It's a good bet that many of their peers will also have this Snap-T pullover from Patagonia. It and the Better Sweater are long-held favorites, and both are comfortable classics that they'll no doubt come to rely upon. 

A Patagonia sweater is also a particularly good gift for students who are invested in sustainability. The company has been turning plastic bottles into polyester for its clothing since 1993, and continues to do so today.

A gym bag that can transition to a professional setting

Herschel Supply Co. Novel Duffel Bag, available at Nordstrom, $100

Just like bringing a beat-up JanSport everywhere, lugging an old nylon gym bag isn't ideal for anyone looking for versatile use. Herschel Supply Co. makes reliable, long-lasting bags, and this one has a separate compartment for gym or dress shoes. 

A NutriBullet blender for fast, easy smoothies

NutriBullet Pro 13-Piece Set, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $79.99

A NutriBullet is convenient, doesn't require a ton of space, and makes fruit smoothies in under 30 seconds. This is particularly great for the health-conscious, or anyone who can't finish fruit or veggies fast enough; if it gets a little too ripe to eat, throw it in a smoothie to avoid waste.

A microwave-safe ramen cooker for the most stressful or time-crunched nights

Rapid Ramen Cooker, available at Amazon, $10.98

There will be plenty of late nights filled with cheap and tasty ramen. If they're going to eat it anyway, at least let them make it quickly and perfectly every time.

A super soft throw blanket they'll find themselves cocooned time and time again

BEDSURE Sherpa Fleece Blanket, available at Amazon, from $21.99

Grab their favorite candy, this sherpa-lined fleece blanket with over 4,400 five-star reviews on Amazon, and a Hulu gift card to make their nights in actually fun.

Gift cards — perhaps the best gift you can give a cash-strapped college student

What a stressed, broke college student needs most is money and probably a hug. If you're looking for a way to gift maximum convenience, gift cards are a surprisingly thoughtful way to do that — either for their favorite restaurant, transportation, school books, or music to keep them occupied during long study hours. Check out more gift card gifts here. 

Everything: Visa Gift Card / Amazon Gift Card / Gift Amazon Prime Membership

Coffee: Starbucks Gift Card

School books: Amazon Gift Card 

Entertainment: Netflix Gift Card / Hulu Gift Card / Sling Gift Card / StubHub gift card

Transportation: Uber Gift Card

Decoration: Framebridge Gift Card

Furniture: Amazon Gift Card / Wayfair Gift Card

Music: Spotify Gift Card

Sheets: Brooklinen Gift Card

Groceries and food: Whole Foods Gift Card / Chipotle Gift Card

Clothes: Nordstrom Gift Card / Everlane Gift Card

Tech: Best Buy Gift Card

Travel: Delta Gift Card

A gift card to ClassPass so they can go to tons of boutique fitness classes without the expense

Gift Card, available at ClassPass, choose your amount

Boutique fitness classes are expensive. ClassPass makes them less so. If they like to be active, are looking for a newfound favorite class, or like yoga as much as boxing classes, this is a great gift they'll actually use — and applies to virtual classes until in-person ones are safe again.

• Gaming laptops are ideal for PC gamers that are short on desk space or want the flexibility to take their machine with them. 
• The best gaming laptops pack enough power to run the latest games, offer sharp displays with high refresh rates, and come with solid keyboards that you won't mind using for hours at a time.
• Our top pick for the best gaming laptop right now is the Razer Blade 15 Advanced, which combines excellent build quality, top notch performance in a variety of configurations, and impressive battery life.
• If you have the space you might consider one of the best gaming PCs, and we have guides on the best mechanical keyboards, mice, and mouse pads, too.

The best gaming laptops have reached new heights in recent years, with improved hardware, smarter and sleeker designs, and more stamina than ever before. If you're in the market for a portable gaming PC, there's no shortage of options. The top manufacturers are designing gaming laptops to rival desktops, and there's something worthwhile to suit every budget.

While the picks below stand out for their performance, design, and overall value, it's probably best to wait before making a purchase. Several new gaming laptops were just announced at CES 2021, and Nvidia's new RTX 3000 Series GPUs will be arriving in dozens of laptops soon.  

There's no question that gaming laptops have seen big improvements in recent years, but there's still a lot to consider before finding the right one for you. Buttery smooth gaming is top of the list, but you'll also want something that can stay cool under pressure with solid connectivity, a tactile keyboard, and a display you'll want to gaze at all day. All this must be distilled into a compact design that can fit into a backpack at a moment's notice.

To help you seek out your ideal gaming laptop, we've been digging into the best options currently available. We've tested laptops when possible, spoken to gamers and developers about what really makes a great gaming laptop, and researched the most highly-regarded and positively-reviewed devices.

Here are the best gaming laptops you can buy:

• Best gaming laptop overall: Razer Blade 15 Advanced
• Best affordable gaming laptop: Asus TUF A15
• Best thin and light gaming laptop: Razer Stealth 13
• Best high-end gaming laptop: Alienware Area-51m
• Best 17-inch gaming laptop: Alienware M17 R3
• Best gaming laptop for battery life: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The best gaming laptop overall

A simply stunning design backed by top notch performance and strong battery life makes the Razer Blade 15 Advanced the best gaming laptop you can buy right now.

Pros: Excellent build quality, very portable, great battery life, very fast performance, 1080p display with 300Hz refresh rate, lots of configurations, per-key RGB lighting

Cons: Expensive, fans can get loud, fingerprint magnet

The Razer Blade 15 Advanced is a well-crafted gaming laptop that features impeccable build quality, loads of power, and plenty of gamer-focused extras all wrapped up in a truly portable package. This is a balanced laptop that does virtually everything and does it well. While you will have to pay top dollar, there are no major weaknesses with the Razer Blade 15 Advanced and you'll struggle to find anything better.

With a slim aluminum chassis finished in matte black, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced could pass for a professional laptop, if it weren't for the green Razer logo on the back and splashes of green on the USB ports. It's a very compact device and weighs just 4.7 pounds. The only characteristic that detracts from its look is the ease with which it picks up finger smudges.

However, Razer just announced a new version of the Razer Blade 15 Advanced with Nvidia's latest GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs that we'd recommend considering before purchasing this older model. You'll find more details on Razer's new Blade devices below where we discuss the new laptops we're looking forward to testing. 

At the time of writing,  we picked the middle Advanced Edition configuration, which was priced at $2,800 and includes an Intel Core i7, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super with Max-Q, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Performance was excellent, and this laptop can maintain a high frame rate even with very demanding AAA games. The new version should introduce even more improvements on this front. 

The 15.6 inch display on the older model we tested offers a sharp 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution, a 300 Hz refresh rate, vibrant colors, and high brightness (up to 300 nits). The keyboard is decent, with per-key RGB lighting that's easy to configure using Razer's Synapse software. Battery life is impressive, and you can expect close to an hour and a half of game time, or around five hours of mixed non-gaming use.

Cons include the fact that it's expensive and easily smudged with fingerprints. The Razer Blade 15 Advanced also runs hot, which means fan noise, but that's a virtually universal issue for gaming laptops. We'll have to see if Razer has made any enhancements in this regard with its new lineup of Razer laptops.

You can find stellar reviews of the Razer Blade 15 Advanced at PC Gamer, Tom's Hardware, The Verge, and PC Mag.

Ultimately, Razer's Blade 15 Advanced looks fantastic, runs games beautifully, and has all the features a gamer is likely to want, with no compromises. Add all that together and the Razer Blade 15 Advanced earns our recommendation as the best gaming laptop.

The best affordable gaming laptop

Featuring impressive performance and great value for money, the Asus TUF A15 is relatively affordable for a gaming laptop. But the chunky, loud, gaming-centric design won't suit everyone.

Pros: Great value, strong battery life, solid gaming performance, 1080p display with 144Hz refresh rate

Cons: Loud fans, chunky design

To get fast gaming performance in a laptop, you usually have to spend quite a bit of money. But the Asus TUF A15 is a great value, pairing an AMD processor with Nvidia graphics. The machine offers solid specs and impressive battery life, but there are inevitably some trade-offs here.

With an unmistakably loud, angular, and chunky design, the Asus TUF A15 screams gaming laptop. There are transparent WASD keys, honeycomb patterns on the underside, vents with orange accents, and a bold logo on the cover. It's also quite heavy at 5.1 pounds.

Buy direct from Asus, and the cheapest model, which pairs an AMD Ryzen 5 with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, can be had for $800. We recommend the more expensive AMD Ryzen 7 with the GeForce RTX 2060, which has dropped to $1,200 at Newegg. That's a good price for a laptop that allows you to run challenging games at a decent frame rate. But again, new laptops with Nvidia's 3000 Series will be launching over the next few months, so it's a good idea to wait.

You also get a 15.6-inch display with a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate. Brightness hits a respectable high of 250 nits, but color accuracy is lacking. The Asus TUF A15 has a typical laptop keyboard, apart from its unusual look, which means typing is a little mushy and quiet for a gaming laptop. Battery life is really impressive, so you can expect a couple of hours of gaming and an average workday's worth of mixed usage on a full charge.

The main downside, beyond the chunky design, is its loud fan noise, which is a familiar but annoying problem nonetheless. 

The Asus TUF A15 has received very positive reviews from TechRadar,PC Gamer, Tom's Hardware, and Trusted Reviews. 

The best thin and light gaming laptop

With a stunning and svelte design, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is as portable as laptops get. But there are some compromises under the hood.

Pros: Excellent build quality, very compact, decent battery life, 1080p display with 120 Hz refresh rate

Cons: Performance is limited, expensive, gets hot

If you need a gaming laptop that's as portable as possible, then the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is worth considering. Featuring a gorgeous design with a classy black aluminum finish that will fit in comfortably in the office, this ultraportable boasts a gorgeous display and offers solid performance for work or play.

Measuring just 11.99 x 8.27 x 0.6 inches and weighing only 3.1 pounds, this is the thinnest and lightest gaming laptop in our guide. The Razer logo on the lid and green highlights on the USB ports are the only details that distinguish the Razer Blade Stealth from a regular laptop. Unfortunately, like the larger Blade 15, it can be a fingerprint magnet.

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 pairs an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor with a GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. For 2020, there are three options; you can go for the 1080p display with a 120 Hz refresh rate for $1,800, or you can pay an extra $200 to get either a 60 Hz Full HD OLED display or a 60 Hz 4K touchscreen. We recommend the cheapest, full HD display at 120 Hz, which will also be best if gaming is your main consideration.

While the specs are good, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is not the right gaming laptop if you plan to run AAA games on the highest settings. Most games will be playable, but you'll have to play something less graphically demanding to really take advantage of that 120 Hz refresh rate. This laptop will serve just fine for multiplayer games like Overwatch or Fortnite.

The chiclet keyboard is fairly typical for a laptop and there isn't much travel in the keys. Razer has also dropped per-key RGB lighting with this model, instead only offering customizable zones, which is a shame. Battery life is better than average for a gaming laptop but falls short of other popular productivity ultraportables. This laptop can also get very warm.

The Razer Blade Stealth 13 scored well with The Verge, PC Mag, Tom's Hardware, and TechRadar.

While you can get better performance for the money, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is unbeatable when it comes to portability, and it will suit some gamers perfectly.

The best high-end gaming laptop

The Dell Alienware Area-51m is a beastly gaming laptop for those who want some of the benefits of a gaming desktop in a more compact setup.

Pros: Powerful desktop-class performance, upgradeable GPU and CPU, striking design

Cons: Expensive, heavy, requires two power inputs

While many companies are striving to make gaming laptops thinner and lighter, Dell is taking the opposite approach with the Alienware Area-51m: a behemoth of a laptop that's meant to serve as a true desktop replacement. 

The powerhouse of a gaming system weighs between nine and 10 pounds depending on the model, another sign that it's meant to sit on your desk rather than your lap. It runs on a 10th-generation Intel desktop class processor, not to mention the fact that both the CPU and GPU are both upgradeable much like those of a desktop PC. 

The entry-level model runs on an Intel Core i7-10700 processor with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The 17.3-inch display on this model also comes with a 144Hz refresh rate. The starting price for the most high-end configuration comes packed with an Intel Core i9-10900K processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, 32GB of RAM, 2TB of storage, and a 17.3-inch 300Hz display for $3,419.99. 

The Alienware Area-51m features the brand's newer design language with softer edges and is contracted of magnesium alloy. There's also per-key lighting that allows for custom lighting profiles and the ability to create keyboard shortcuts.

Overall, it's the Alienware Area-51m's powerful performance in terms of computing and graphics, its upgradeable construction, and its standout design that impressed reviewers at LaptopMag, The Verge, and TechRadar. 

But beware: this laptop is expensive and heavy, so it's really only ideal for those who are willing to spend a lot to get a desktop-like experience in a computer that's more compact. Some critics also noted that the fan system was loud, which isn't unusual for a gaming laptop but is still worth noting. It's also so powerful that it requires two power inputs, which is another factor to consider.

The best 17-inch gaming laptop

If having a big display is paramount, the Alienware M17 R3 could be your best bet. Alienware offers many screen choices and powerful hardware inside to get the most from them. 

Pros: Excellent build quality, very fast performance, 1080p display with 144Hz refresh rate, lots of configurations

Cons: Poor battery life, loud fans, can get expensive

With a distinctive gaming aesthetic and great build quality, this Alienware gaming laptop has some unique features. But it's the 17-inch screen that has made it our top pick for the best 17-inch gaming laptop. The Alienware M17 R3 stands out for the choice it offers in terms of display options, and all of the 17.3- inch screen options boast specific strengths.

Alienware just announced a new version of this laptop called the M17 R4 that comes with Nvidia's newest graphics cards, HDMI 2.1 output, and faster memory among other improvements. It launches on January 26 starting at $2,149.99, so we'd recommend checking out that model. 

With the previous-gen model weighing between 5.51 and 6.55 pounds, Alienware's M17 line is for those who want a big laptop. But, it maintains an elegant feel and is still slimmer and lighter than the Gigabyte Aorus 17X, our previous pick for the best high-end gaming laptop, thanks in part to its magnesium alloy construction. The black and white Lunar Light option is refreshingly different, though you can also opt for a grey finish called Dark Side of the Moon. The Alienware logo and a few other design elements can light up, and there's per-key RGB lighting with the keyboard.

The base model of the new Alienware M17 R4 includes an 8-core Intel 10th generation processor that's configurable up to a Core i9 at the high end. Memory (RAM) options range from 8GB to 32GB of RAM, and Alienware offers three display options to choose from. 

There's a full HD version with a 144Hz refresh rate, a full HD model with a 360Hz refresh rate, and an ultra HD edition with a 60Hz refresh rate. The two full HD models offer 300 nits of brightness, while the UHD version has a brighter 500-nit screen. Like its predecessor, the top-of-the-line display also comes with Tobii eye-tracking technology built in.  All configurations are powered by Nvidia's next-generation Series 3000 graphics.

While the keyboard has a bit more travel than many gaming laptops, it's still a chiclet design. Battery life was a big disappointment with the previous-gen M17 R3, though, as you needed to be near an outlet for extended use. If you're playing games, you need to be near an outlet. This laptop can also get warm and, consequently, the fans can get loud.

Still, the Alienware M17 R3 picked up great reviews from TechRadar, Tom's Hardware, and PC Magazine, making it a strong choice.

The best gaming laptop for battery life

You can't usually stray too far from a power outlet with a gaming laptop. But the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 has enough stamina to last a typical workday in a lightweight, portable design.

Pros: Excellent battery life, very portable design, comfortable keyboard, fast performance, 1080p display with 120Hz refresh rate

Cons: No webcam, loud fans, backlighting on keyboard is inconsistent

Playing games chews through battery life like nothing else, and it feels like many gaming laptop manufacturers have thrown their hands up in defeat. Given that most people need their gaming laptop to double up as a device for work or school, this typical lack of stamina can be a problem.

Enter the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which boasts enough power to run challenging games but also has enough battery life for a full workday. Asus just updated the ROG Zephyrus G14 with the latest processors from Nvidia and AMD, so we'd recommend considering this new model instead when it becomes available in the first quarter of 2021. 

That model also comes with an improved display panel capable of 144Hz refresh rates, although the company has not announced pricing yet. In one of the more unconventional features to come to the new Zephyrus G14, Asus has added a new virtual pet animation to the lights located on the laptop's lid that you can interact with.

One of the reasons why we liked the previous G14 so much was because it's extremely light at just 3.5 pounds. The small keyboard also felt surprisingly comfortable to type on, and the touchpad is decent, too. Throw in surprisingly robust sound, a reasonable range of ports, and both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 support, and you have a complete package. That is, if you don't need a webcam; Asus opted not to include one to keep the laptop's size compact. It's unclear if the new model addresses this.

Sadly, the backlighting on the previous  model was a bit of a mess, with light bleed and an inconsistent look across the keys. This older G14 also got hot, and the noisy fans can be an irritation. That said, no other gaming laptop is going to give you anywhere near 11 hours of video streaming or a fully productive workday without needing an outlet, and hopefully the new model lives up to that precedent.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 has garnered excellent reviews from PC Mag, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, and The Verge.

If you're seeking portability and stamina for productivity, without sacrificing the performance required for gaming prowess, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 demands your attention.

Other new gaming laptops we're looking forward to testing

With CES 2021 recently wrapping up and dozens of new gaming laptops powered by Nvidia's newest RTX 30 series GPUs on the way, there's a lot to look forward to in the coming months. Here are some of the gaming laptops we're looking forward to testing.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE

Acer appears to be giving Razer's popular Blade lineup some fresh competition with its new Predator Triton 300 SE, which aims to combine the power of a gaming laptop with the portability of a standard business machine. 

The Predator Triton 300 SE runs on the H-series of Intel's 11th generation processors, which are designed for thin-and-light gaming laptops, and is also configurable up to Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3060 when it comes to graphics. It should offer up to a 10% performance boost over its predecessor also, thanks in part to its fan wingtips and wind guide, which the company says increases air intake and redirects air flow toward important components.

The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE comes with a 14-inch FHD screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and is said to last for 10 hours on a single charge. It has a backlit RGB keyboard with three zones and includes Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, and HDMI in terms of connectivity. 

But, of course, it's the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE's portability that makes it stand out. The device is 0.7 inches thin and weighs 3.75 pounds, making it just a bit heavier than Apple's 3-pound M1 MacBook Pro. 

It's launching in North America in March starting at $1,399.99.

Razer Blade 15 and 17 Pro

Razer helped jumpstart the shift toward gaming laptops that are almost as thin and light as regular business notebooks, and it's continuing that trend in 2021 with its latest class of Blade laptops. Razer's new Blade gaming notebooks are getting a big upgrade that brings a wider selection of screen options with higher refresh rates and resolutions thanks to the inclusion of Nvidia's new RTX 30 Series GPUs.

Razer's Blade 15 Advanced Model will be available in three display options for the first time: full HD at 360 Hz, quad HD at 240Hz with Nvidia G-Sync, and ultra HD OLED at 60Hz. It comes with an 8-core 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and is configurable up to Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, with the entry version of the advanced model running on the 3070 GPU. 

Razer's high-end 15-inch gaming laptop also comes with a 1TB SSD expandable to 4TB and 16GB or 32GB of RAM expandable to 64GB. In terms of ports, you can expect to see USB-C with support for 20V chargers, an SD card reader with UHS-III, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and HDMI 2.1. 

The base model of the new Blade 15 starts with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU and a six-core 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor, with both iterations of the base model offering 512GB of storage expandable to 4TB, 16GB of memory expandable to 64GB, and USB-C, USB-A, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Gigabit Ethernet,  and HDMI 2.1 output. The 15.6-inch display is available in full HD with a 144Hz refresh rate or QHD with a 165Hz refresh rate.

Razer is also bringing Nvidia's new GPUs to its refreshed larger-sized 17-inch laptops as well, which also come in three display options: full HD at 360Hz, quad HD at 165Hz, and ultra HD at 120Hz. 

The 15-inch model starts at $1,699.99, while the 17-inch version begins at $2,229.99. The smaller laptop is available for preorder and is coming to some retailers on January 26, while the 17-inch version is up for preorder and is launching in the first quarter of 2021. 

We loved the previous version of Razer's Blade 15 for its exceptional build quality, sleek design, and fast performance. If the new models live up to Razer's claims, it sounds like the new crop of Blade laptops further improve on what was already an excellent pick for mobile gamers. 

Lenovo Legion 7 

Lenovo also unveiled a slew of promising new gaming laptops at CES 2021, including the Lenovo Legion 7 — a new 16-inch machine that comes equipped with AMD's recent Ryzen 5000 H-Series processors and Nvidia's latest GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs. 

The Legion 7 comes with super-slim bezels framing its screen, which features a QHD resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, resulting in a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. Lenovo is also launching a thinner and lighter version of the Legion 7 called the Legion 7 Slim, which weighs just 4.2 pounds.

Lenovo is trying to differentiate its new Legion laptops from the competition with artificial intelligence and advanced cooling technologies. The company claims its AI system can channel unused energy between the CPU and GPU to allocate resources as needed. Lenovo also says its new thermal system increases airflow by up to 18 percent to better manage heat and noise.

The Legion 7 is also designed to be taken apart for those who want to tinker with and customize their laptop, as the company says the internals contain a new look and a QR code that users can scan to find information about the hardware and service options.

The Legion 7 starts at $1,669.99 and is expected to launch in June 2021, while the Legion 7 Slim is expected to become available in May but pricing hasn't been announced yet. 

What to look for in a gaming laptop

There's a lot to think about when you're hunting for a new gaming laptop.n. We spoke to veteran game developer, Neil Davidson, who works as a Senior Software Engineer at The Multiplayer Guys to get some tips on what to look for.

Processor and graphics

While you'll certainly want a powerful processor, the GPU is more important than the CPU for most games. If you want to play the latest AAA titles in their full glory, then a great graphics card is vital. You'll have to choose between Nvidia and AMD. Generally, AMD is a more affordable option, but you often get more features and potentially better performance with Nvidia, especially at the higher end.Think about the games you want to play, consider whether you need to play them on the highest settings, and look at the recommended CPU and GPU combinations needed to achieve that on sites like PC Game Benchmark. 

Screen

You will be staring at it for hours on end, so your laptop's display is very important. While 4K resolution may be tempting, such displays have a lower refresh rate and work your processor much harder. Consider that 4K is rendering four times as many pixels as Full HD. Combine that with the smaller screen size you generally get in a laptop and it makes more sense for most people to go for a 1080p display with a high refresh rate of 144 Hz or above. This will give you a picture that's sharp enough, and crucially, one that updates more frequently with gaming action for a smoother feel. Just remember that you'll need hardware capable of supporting high frame rates to take advantage of this. If you don't play fast- paced games and frame rate isn't a major priority, then you could consider the middle ground and go for a 1440p display.

Battery life

It's simply a fact that gaming laptops don't tend to have great battery life. You're lucky if you can get two hours of demanding gameplay without having to plug in. The high power demands coupled with a portable design  means battery life is going to be limited. However, we are seeing some gaming laptops that have decent battery life for mixed use. So if you're buying a gaming laptop for everyday use as well, you can reasonably expect it to last a full day for work, web browsing, and streaming.

Memory and storage

Realistically, 16GB of RAM is plenty for most gamers, and  more than that is going to be overkill for most people. If you're a really heavy multitasker that edits video or wants to stream while you play, then you might want to consider 32GB. The handy thing about RAM is that it's easy to upgrade later. 

Storage is trickier because modern games are often huge. While 1TB may sound like a lot, it can fill up alarmingly fast if you play a lot of games and like to switch back and forth. If you're the kind of person who plays a handful of favorites, or plays consecutively and uninstalls when you're done with something, then you can get away with less storage. 

We strongly recommend going for a solid state drive (SSD) over a mechanical hard drive. SSDs are much faster and are less likely to break, which is important in a laptop. A combination of SSD and HDD can also work well. Just like RAM, you can usually upgrade your gaming laptop storage later, so that gives you a bit more flexibility.

Keyboard and extras

The feel of a keyboard is important, so try them out when you get the chance. Gaming laptops

tend to have shallower keyboards to save space, but there are still some options for fans of mechanical keyboards. If you use macros, look out for dedicated keys and consider n-key rollover to ensure all of your key presses register. Backlighting can be handy, but options can range from basic to customizable per-key RGB lighting. 

When it comes to connectivity and ports, just make sure the gaming laptop you're considering  has everything you expect to need. Never assume that a specific port type will be included, always check to avoid disappointment.

• Leesa makes some of our top-ranked mattresses for many different types of sleepers.
• We've tested nearly all of its mattresses, including its most popular Hybrid (use "INSIDER" for up to $380 off) and its budget-friendly Studio.
• Read more: The best mattresses

Buying a mattress is a big investment, but buying one online is something anyone would lose sleep over. There's no way to truly test a mattress without jumping on each one in a showroom or spending a ton of money and time upfront. And if you buy one and decide you don't like it — well, that's a logistical nightmare no one wants.

As product testers who've tested more than 50 mattresses from traditional and direct-to-consumer brands alike, we've developed criteria to objectively assess and rank mattresses on their motion isolation, breathability, edge support, and more. In each test, a Leesa mattress usually won out over the others, earning it the top spot in many of our buying guides.

What is Leesa?

Leesa launched in 2015 to a crowded direct-to-consumer mattress industry and we've been covering it since 2016. Each mattress is made in the US and comes with a 10-year warranty, a 100-night trial, and free contactless delivery in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic. 

Leesa is B-Corp certified, which means it meets certain environmental standards such as using recycled and natural materials, and without harmful materials like ozone depleters and flame retardants. It also means Leesa meets social standards like giving back to the community. A mattress is donated for every 10 mattresses sold, and since 2015, it's donated more than 36,000 mattresses to people in need, and has also donated mattresses, bed frames, and more to hospitals in need.

Below, you'll find short reviews of everything we've tested (so far) with links to read the full review, plus comparisons to competitive brands and any current deals. We're currently testing the Leesa Legend and we'll report back with our experiences soon.

And if you want to do a little extra research on the best mattresses before you shop, these guides will help you out:

• The best mattresses
• The best spring mattresses
• The best mattresses for side sleepers
• The best mattresses for back pain
• The best foam mattresses
• The best air mattresses
• The best mattress toppers
• The best mattress protectors

Leesa Hybrid

Read our full review here.

Leesa's Hybrid mattress is the best hybrid mattress in our buying guide because it balances firm support with cloud-like softness and minimal motion transfer.

It combines several types of foam with spring coils for comfort and breathability. Set up takes around 15 minutes but it takes a few hours for the mattress to fully expand, so be sure to time it correctly if you want to take an afternoon nap.

To test motion transfer, our reviewer dropped a 15-pound bowling ball about three feet above the bed to see if a can of soda would move — it never even shifted. Our tester also noted that the mattress didn't trap body heat, so it's ideal for hot and light sleepers alike.  

If you're interested in the Hybrid, use our exclusive discount code "INSIDER" for 20% off any size. It's the steepest discount you'll find on the Hybrid anywhere online, and it's actually even better than most of Leesa's sales. 

Leesa Original

Read our full review here.

In 2018, Leesa updated its all-foam Original mattress to better support joints and alleviate pressure for side sleepers. Our reviewer tested both iterations (here's the review for the older Original) and thought that the 2018 version supported her shoulders and hips much better. 

The mattress has three layers — a breathable top layer, a memory foam middle that contours around your body, and a supportive bottom layer. These all add up to a 10-inch mattress that offers relief and support for side sleepers.

Leesa Studio

Read our full review here.

If you're looking for the best balance of value, comfort, and support, Leesa's Studio mattress might be your best option. The three layers of foam provided solid motion isolation and pressure relief, especially for our side-sleeping tester.

The Studio is a medium-firm mattress but the edge support left much to be desired — the foam sagged significantly. Solo sleepers might not mind since they're not sharing a bed, but couples might want to get a large bed like a King to avoid falling off during the night.

In terms of price, the mattress is significantly less expensive than other Leesa mattresses and our tester didn't think there was any compromise in terms of support or comfort. The Studio would be a great mattress for anyone on a budget, moving into their first apartment, or needing to furnish a guest room.

Leesa Hybrid Pillow

Read our full review here.

Fans of the Hybrid mattress would love the Hybrid Pillow, which can be customized in four different ways. 

Unlike traditional pillows that resemble a slab of memory foam or a bag of feathers, this customizable pillow has a down-like quilted pocket layer on one side and a firmer gel layer on the other. There's also an insert between the two layers that can be removed to adjust the support level, and an always cool-to-the-touch fabric containing chilling fibers that surround the whole thing. 

It's more complex than a pillow needs to be in terms of construction, but it's worth it for anyone who values the coolness factor and adjustable features.

Leesa Adjustable Base Bed Frame

Read our full review here.

While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that some other adjustable bases do (like a USB charging port or a massaging option), Leesa's Adjustable Base Bed Frame has a whisper-quiet motor that will let you adjust your sleeping position without disturbing your partner (or your cat).

The adjustable bed frame fits any mattress — Leesa or otherwise — and comes with a remote control so you can adjust the foot and head easily. For anyone who wakes up in the middle of the night, there's a handy button on the remote that controls a light that's under the bed.

During our reviewer's testing, she was able to make the most minute adjustments to alleviate pressure on her joints.

How Leesa compares to other mattress brands

Read our comparison between Leesa's and Casper's hybrid mattresses.

The direct-to-consumer online mattress space is more crowded than you'd expect. Here's how Leesa stands up to other brands like Purple, Helix, and more, and how the brand's top-ranked Hybrid stacks up to one from its main competitor, Casper.

The best Leesa deals

Find the best Leesa deals here.

After you've done all the research to find the best Leesa mattress for your sleeping preferences, you'll probably want to make sure you're getting the best deal on it.

In fact, if you're looking to buy the Leesa Hybrid or Leesa Legend, use our exclusive promo code "INSIDER" for 20% off any size of either mattress — it's the best price you'll find anywhere on the Internet and even better than Leesa's current sitewide sale with savings up to $540.

If you're looking for other Leesa mattresses, there are often deals of at least 10%, so we suggest waiting for a sale. Historically, Leesa's biggest sales happen around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but we've also seen great ones throughout the year. 

• Udemy has about 130,000 online courses, covering a range of diverse topics.
• Each course typically offers hours of video, articles, downloadable resources, a certificate of completion, and lifetime access. 
• Below, you'll find a ranking of its most popular classes — from an MBA condensed into a single course to Instagram Marketing for 2021. 
• Right now, the site is discounting courses for as low as $12.99 until January 27.

If you've looked into taking a class online, odds are good you've run into Udemy. The site has around 130,000 courses on topics spanning everything from character drawing to machine learning. Below, you'll find a list of its most popular courses of all time. 

Udemy courses typically include hours of video, articles, downloadable resources, and a certificate of completion.  There aren't any deadlines either, so you can go at your own pace. And you have lifetime access to the materials, even after you finish the course. 

Although listed prices can look daunting, frequent sales mean Udemy courses can often be purchased at a much lower cost, typically ranging from $12-$30, so it's worth checking back if a course is currently listed at its original price. Thanks to these sales, Udemy is actually one of the cheapest online learning options. Right now, for instnace, the site offers discounted courses for as low as $12.99 until January 27.

If you're not sure if a course is right for you, you can start a free trial and watch a handful of lectures before committing. And if you buy it and aren't satisfied, every class purchased on Udemy can be refunded within 30 days of purchase.

Below are Udemy's 25 most popular courses: 

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

1. Complete Python Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero in Python 3

Enroll for $19.99

Udemy's Python Bootcamp will teach you how to use Python 2 and Python 3 professionally. You'll create games with Python and learn how to use object-oriented programming. Complex topics like decorators, the Jupyter Notebook, and .py files are all covered.

Students: 1,208,510

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (343,815 ratings)

2. Machine Learning A-Z: Hands-On Python & R In Data Science

Enroll for $12.99

This course teaches students how to create machine learning algorithms in Python and R from two data science experts. Students will know which machine learning model to use for each type of problem, and how to handle advanced techniques like Dimensionality and Reduction, among other things. 

Students: 739,385

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (139,743 ratings)

3. The Web Developer Bootcamp

Enroll for $16.99

This Web Developer Bootcamp teaches web development such as HTML, CSS, JS, Node, and more. Students will write Javascript functions, write web apps with full authentication, translate between jQuery and vanilla JS, and use NodeJS to write server-side JavaScript, among other things. 

Students: 637,870

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (193,907 ratings)

4. Microsoft Excel - Excel from Beginner to Advanced

Enroll for $20.99

This course is built to take you from beginner to Excel pro. Using Microsoft Excel 2010, 2013, 2016, Excel 2019, and Office 365, you'll learn everything from how to create dynamic reports with PivotTables to dynamic formulas with IF, VLOOKUP, INDEX, and MATCH functions. You'll also learn how to automate your day-to-day tasks.

Students: 624,718

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (194,562 ratings)

5. The Complete Digital Marketing Course

Enroll for $20.99

This digital marketing course goes through the strategy, social media marketing, SEO, Youtube, email, Facebook marketing, analytics, and more that help grow a business online. It's meant to be suitable for various businesses, including digital product, physical product, service, B2B, and B2C.

Students: 538,610

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (126,093 ratings)

6. The Data Science Course 2020: Complete Data Science Bootcamp

Enroll for $14.99

This Data Science Bootcamp covers mathematics, statistics, Python, advanced statistics in Python, as well as machine and deep learning to master data science. 

Students: 363,359

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 (85,119 ratings)

7. The Ultimate Drawing Course - Beginner to Advanced

Enroll for $15.99

This drawing course teaches students how to draw and how to think about drawing. You'll sketch the human face and figure; draw imaginary objects; and focus on fundamentals, realistic light and shadow, and perspective drawings. 

Students: 424,931 students

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (103,758 ratings)

8. Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch

Enroll for $17.99

This course teaches students ethical hacking and security, starting from a beginner's level and working up to high-intermediate. Students will use hacking tools such as Metasploit, Aircrack-ng, SQLmap. You'll learn how websites work, how to exploit web application vulnerabilities, and how to secure systems from all the attacks shown. 

Students: 409,415

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (90,267 ratings)

9. The Complete JavaScript Course 2021: From Zero to Expert!

Enroll for $17.99

Even if you have no prior programming experience, this JavaScript bootcamp walks you through all the fundamentals of Java (variables, if/else, operators, boolean logic, functions, arrays, objects, loops, strings, and more) and gives you six projects to complete for your portfolio.

Students: 399,452

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (95,145 ratings)

10. An Entire MBA in 1 Course

Enroll for $16.99

Taught by Chris Haroun, a venture capital and start-up advisor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, this course is meant to condense an MBA into a single course. Students learn about macro- and micro-economics, investment banking firms, management consulting firms, and how venture capital works. Students also get experience creating financial models from scratch and analyzing company financials. 

Students: 391,453

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (44,702 ratings)

11. Complete C# Unity Game Developer 2D

Enroll for $16.99

If you've always been interested in game design, this in-depth intro course teaches you the C# programming language from scratch and assigns you playable game projects to directly practice what you learned (and eventually add to your portfolio or website).

Students: 379,048

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (82,537 ratings)

12. The Complete 2020 Web Development Bootcamp

Enroll for $17.99

The Web Development Bootcamp will teach you how to build a website. You'll learn how to use Node for backend development, React for frontend development, and learn frameworks and technologies such as Javascript ES6, Bootstrap 4, and MongoDB. By the end, you'll have a portfolio of websites to apply for junior developer jobs. 

Students: 348,622

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (112,309 ratings)

13. React - The Complete Guide (incl Hooks, React Router, Redux)

Enroll for $16.99

For those with some JavaScript knowledge, this beginner, 40+ hour React.js course will teach you how to develop fast, reactive web apps using React code.

Students: 344,968

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (101,399 ratings)

14. The Complete SQL Bootcamp 2020: Go from Zero to Hero

Enroll for $23.99

This course requires no prior technical experience and will give students the skills they need to add SQL and PostgreSQL to their resumes. Students will use SQL to query a database and perform data analysis. 

Students: 335,806

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (89,833 ratings)

15. Pianoforall - New Way To Learn Piano & Keyboard

Enroll for $18.99

Pianoforall is designed to take you from a beginner to an intermediate level in piano in just weeks instead of years. Students will learn to read sheet music while also learning to play by ear. 

Students: 297,592

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (35,923 ratings)

16. Character Art School: Complete Character Drawing Course

Enroll for $17.99

This drawing course focuses specifically on characters. Students will use both traditional pencils and digital art tools to draw faces, hands, and bodies as well as characters from games, films, animation, manga, comics, and more. 

Students: 246,260 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (54,691 ratings)

17. Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography

Enroll for $18.99

This photography masterclass teaches you translatable skills like how the camera truly works, basic photography rules to compose great images, how to take better photos with smartphones, and how to photograph different scenarios. 

Students: 227,128 

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (46,600 ratings)

18. The Complete Financial Analyst Training & Investing Course

Enroll for $12.99

Also taught by Chris Haroun, this course helps students learn how to manage a portfolio, build financial models, pick stocks, and more. 

Students: 197,798

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (24,140 ratings)

19. Complete Guitar System - Beginner to Advanced

Enroll for $20.99

This course helps beginners quickly master chords, scales, and guitar theory. Students learn how to play songs step-by-step and sharpen their chord transitioning, strumming, fretting, picking, and fingerpicking.

Students: 195,196

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (27,408 ratings)

20. Reiki Level I, II and Master/Teacher Program

Enroll for $19.99

This course teaches you how to perform Reiki sessions. Students will learn the history of Reiki and how it's changed over time, different methods for performing Reiki at a distance, and how to heal unwanted patterns to manifest goals.

Students: 142,826

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (42,155 ratings)

21. Instagram Marketing 2020: Complete Guide To Instagram Growth

Enroll for $22.99

This course focuses on how to effectively build a brand or business on Instagram. Learn key skills like how to drive sales and garner long-term engagement. 

Students: 140,148

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (26,762 ratings)

22. Life Coaching Certificate Course - Beginner to Advanced

Enroll for $21.99

This life-coaching class teaches students a practical life-coaching process that can be used for career and relationship goals. It also shows students how to structure sessions with other people. 

Students: 125,166

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (28,556 ratings)

23. Graphic Design Masterclass

Enroll for $20.99

The ultimate graphic design course, this masterclass covers Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and design theory (typography, color theory, layout, etc), along with branding and logo design. Students will also learn a few of the upcoming design trends for 2021 and how to implement them. 

Students: 79,966

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (21,308 ratings)

24. The Ultimate Digital Painting Course - Beginner to Advanced

Enroll for $12.99

Students will learn digital painting techniques and how to create concept art in this course, learning character design, color theory, and more. 

Students: 51,275

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (8,237 ratings)

25. Ultimate AWS Certified Developer Associate 2021

Enroll for 12.99

Complete with all the relevant, up-to-date information you'll need to pass the 2021 AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional exam, this 13-hour course is for students who already passed the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate and have AWS experience.

Students: 36,301

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (3,838 ratings)

• Nashville is loved for its music scene, bustling nightlife, and authentic eateries. 
• Experts and the CDC note that private Airbnbs are a safer option than hotels right now. 
• We gathered some of the best cheap Nashville Airbnbs, priced between $82 to $167 per night.
• Read more: Are Airbnbs safe? We spoke to experts, a company representative, and an Airbnb host to share everything you should know before booking someone's home

Nashville is widely known for being country music's North Star, a go-to bachelorette party destination, and home to legendary fried chicken and barbeque.

And there's still so much more to discover beyond honky tonk, with hidden gem neighborhoods, beautiful murals painted across the city, adorable shops in 12th South and Hillsboro Village, and decades of history and diversity. 

For those wondering whether Airbnbs are safe, experts say staying at an Airbnb as opposed to a hotel is actually one of the safest travel options right now. Airbnb also implemented new Enhanced Clean procedures, which include mandatory guidelines for hosts on cleaning and sanitization procedures.

Nashville is currently limiting restaurants to 50% capacity and after 10 p.m., no one can enter establishments and all food and beverage service must stop. Still, keep in mind that crowded streets and packed music venues may not be the best places to be right now. So it may be wise to put Nashville on hold for now and consider a more remote getaway instead.

There's never a guarantee of safety when it comes to travel right now. We always recommend following advice from organizations like the CDC and WHO, practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently, and wearing a mask in all public areas. 

All that said, whether you're a music connoisseur looking to explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, a foodie ready to indulge your sweet tooth, or simply in need of a cozy weekend getaway, Nashville is an enticing destination. Regardless of what you plan to do once you arrive down south, you'll need a place to stay. 

I chose top Nashville Airbnbs based on the following criteria:

1. Airbnb listings are for the entire home (no unwanted noises, only the music you choose to hear).
2. The homes are all affordable and under $200, ranging from $82 and $167 per night to start. 
3. All are highly-rated Airbnb listings in Nashville with a review score of 4.7 or higher.
4. Properties are unique, modern, and accessible to area attractions such as music and nightlife, shops and attractions, or popular restaurants.

SEE ALSO: 12 cozy and affordable Airbnb cabins in Upstate New York

Condo in East Germantown, $82

Book this East Germantown condo starting at $82 per night

A homey spot for families, this condo can fit up to four guests with two beds. The hardwood floors and mesmerizing "Tennessee" light in the living room are eye-catching, and the balcony makes it easy to soak up some much-needed sun. Or, take a dip in the shared community pool, which is one of many shared features, including a gym and fire pit as well. 

The cleanliness and prime location stand out among reviewers, with one stating: "The location is super central; we were able to walk to downtown very easily. The apartment itself is clean, has a great layout for a small group of people, and has nice amenities to make it feel like home."

Located within walking distance from buzzy Downtown Nashville, entertainment is easily accessible. 

This home has wide open availability.

Rating: 4.76 

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

Chic cottage in East Nashville, $92

Book this East Nashville cottage starting at $92 per night

This sleek home is meticulously decorated with designer touches such as exposed brick, hardwood floors, minimalist black-and-white bathrooms, and polished mirrors in nearly every room. Quirky yet sleek lighting fixtures and statement pillows add character and the fireplace, patio, and in-unit washer-dryer are appreciated amenities.

The cottage-style home accommodates up to six guests in two bedrooms, and self-check-in is available for those who like to function on a more flexible schedule. 

Suitable for all ages, one reviewer notes: "We absolutely loved our stay here! We were traveling with friends and even a 6-week old, and this spot made us all feel comfortable and at home. The extra blankets, comforters, and pillows were much appreciated and we really enjoyed hanging out."

Located a mile and a half from Downtown, it's a short drive from Nashville's most notable spots. 

This home has availability starting in March.

Rating: 4.91

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

Retro studio on Music Row, $95

Book this Music Row studio starting at $95 per night

This studio has somehow managed to strike a delicate balance between modern comfort and vintage appeal. Although renovated last year, the roots of its 1915 origins remain visibly intact with a black and white kitchen complete with a retro microwave and woven dining chair, to midcentury modern low slung armchairs, and intricate toiletry dispensers in the shower.

The studio is also neighbors with the iconic RCA Studio B and Warner Music Nashville and is just a 20-minute walk from Downtown's live music scene.

If you'd rather stay in, you'll be equipped with all the major basics: heat and air conditioning, TV and Wi-Fi, and an in-unit washer-dryer. 

This home has nearly every day available currently.

Rating: 4.84

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

Cheerful tiny house in South Nashville, $97

Book this South Nashville tiny house starting at $97 per night

Some of our favorite Airbnbs in other cities have been tiny houses, due to their cozy nature and seclusion. This tiny house cottage looks like it was specifically designed with couples in mind with a woodsy fairytale-like location and lofted bed under a romantic vaulted ceiling. Young families will also be comfortable, with child-friendly amenities such as a provided travel crib, high chair, children's toys, and baby bathtub.

While tiny in size, the decor is larger than life with arched doorways, baby blue counters, and a rustic wooden bathroom door hiding a clawfoot tub. The yard is complete with patio seating, a play area for kids, and a tranquil garden. 

Though this property is not as centrally located as some others, it's off the beaten path charm is well worth a look, especially since it's only a 10-minute drive from Downtown Nashville, and rideshare services make the trip incredibly easy. 

This home still has scattered dates open over the next few months and is wide open from April on.

Rating: 4.93

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

Newly renovated apartment in Hillsboro/12th South, $98

Book this Hillsboro/12th South apartment starting at $98 per night

The bright blue door initially caught my eye when browsing, but this trendy apartment's minimal yet mod interiors are equally appealing. A great fit for small families, this two-bedroom apartment can accommodate up to five guests with newly renovated bedrooms.  

The pops of color don't stop at the front door — they're tastefully dotted throughout the home with bright lamps, pillows, and vibrant art. The modern furniture, spacious kitchen stocked with kid-friendly dinnerware, and cozy seating areas both inside and outside of the apartment give a nod to the recent investments the hosts made in this home. 

This property is centered between Hillsboro Village and 12th South, so it's easily accessible to the great shopping, dining, and culture found in both neighborhoods. 

This home is wide open starting in mid-February.

Rating: 4.92

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

Spacious home at 12th South, $99

Book this 12th South home starting at $99 per night

This generously-sized home can fit up to 10 guests with four bedrooms and six beds, but the high ceilings, open spaces, and natural light make it feel even larger.

Wooden floors and detailing feels simultaneously historic, cohesive, and calming, while fireplaces, stacked bookcases, an upright piano, and supple leather sofas and chairs lend a regal air. The kitchen boasts new appliances and the marble master bathroom feels spa-like infusing the home with modern comforts. Though, you might spend a good portion of your stay outside on the wide porch with Adirondack chairs, or the expansive back patio with a wooden deck and brick courtyard outfitted with a fire pit and chaise lounges.

12th South is one of favorite Nashville's hot spots, dotted with adorable boutiques, brightly colored murals, and often, the presence of a flower truck. This property sits in the heart of it, which 100% of guests raved about in their reviews.

This home has availability starting in March.

Rating: 4.87

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

A guesthouse to unwind in Greenwood, $110

Book this Greenwood home starting at $110 per night

Complete with a hot tub, this cozy guesthouse is especially appealing to those looking to relax and unwind on their next trip to Nashville. The soft cream color scheme is backed by a gray headboard in the bedroom for a sophisticated hotel-like feel, but for far cheaper, and with the added convenience of a kitchen with a Keurig and large fridge. The steep slotted staircase adds a contemporary touch to this home as well, and the entire space feels clean, bright, and modern. Self-check-in and an in-unit washer-dryer are added perks. 

The home sleeps six guests though there's technically only one bedroom; additional beds are found in a lofted sleep nook. And while the guesthouse is completely private, it's important to note that the hosts of this property live on-site.

The location in emerging East Nashville is one of the city's most coveted and is a short drive to more popular areas. 

This home still has several open dates over the next few months.

Rating: 4.96

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

12th South: Sleek guesthouse, $116

Book this 12th South home starting at $116 per night

This converted garage is industrial but sleek with an all-neutral color scheme, contemporary lighting fixtures, and an open kitchen, all bathed in streaming natural light. While the interior design shines in this well-sized one-bedroom home, I was especially impressed by the peaceful patio with a fire pit and chairs overlooking a sprawling green lawn. Two beds can accommodate four guests, though there is just one spacious bedroom. 

Located in 12th South, this property reaps all the benefits of being within walking distance from the top highlights of the neighborhood. While reviewers note this, they also recognize standout details within this home, like the kitchen that is "well stocked with cooking items." 

This home has a few open dates in February, with more availability starting in April. 

Rating: 4.84

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

Rutledge Hill: Trendy loft, $151

Book this Rutledge Hill loft starting at $151 per night

I'm admittedly enamored by the fire engine red spiral staircase, vaulted ceilings, and wood-paneled wall, but this loft's uniquely chic design doesn't stop with these bold accents. Plenty of adorable small details are tucked throughout the home, including a vintage typewriter in one of the bedrooms, and a nook with a hanging chair on the balcony.

The airy two-bedroom home includes an in-unit washer-dryer, grill, and self-check-in. The host has received a 5.0 rating for communication, check-in, and accuracy, with one reviewer stating: "The owners were extremely responsive and provided many thoughtful amenities not typically seen in other Airbnbs, such as toothpaste, q-tips, coffee, oatmeal, tampons, lotion, razors, etc."

Rutledge Hill is within walking distance from many of Downtown Nashville's most notable landmarks. 

This home still has plenty of open dates over the next several months.

Rating: 4.91

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

Charming guesthouse in Cleveland Park, $167

Book this Cleveland Park home starting at $167 per night

This home is quintessentially Nashville, with nostalgic hints to the city's notoriety such as the record player and guitar in the living room lined with books, the Jack Daniels poster in the bathroom, or plant-covered chandeliers. Americana prints mingle alongside tribal textiles for a hip feel throughout the two-bedroom home, which is warmed by an electric fireplace or the inviting outdoor fire pit. 

Cleveland Park is described by the hosts as one of the more laid-back areas of Nashville, so this private guest house accommodating four guests is best suited for those planning a more relaxed getaway. If you do get a hankering for Downtown nightlife though, it's only a 10-minute drive.  

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

Rating: 4.91

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

There seems to be a lot of interest in moving to Texas within the corporate world as well as among everyday Americans.

Oracle is moving out of Silicon Valley to Austin, and Elon Musk also moved from California to the Lone Star State. Dropbox CEO Drew Houston also is moving to Austin, as some people in the tech industry seek to move out of Silicon Valley to cities in Texas and Florida.

Jeff Tucker, a senior economist at Zillow, told Insider's Natasha Solo-Lyons that the appeal of places like Austin comes from the city being "a burgeoning tech hub paying high wages, while still remaining much more affordable than coastal markets like San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle."

And tech workers like software engineers in Austin tend to be offered good pay, according to an analysis of reported salaries from visa applications by Insider's Maddy Simpson.

Read more: Elon Musk and other tech powerhouses are flocking to Texas, pushing an already bonkers real-estate market to new heights. Take a look inside Austin, which is quickly becoming the next Silicon Valley.

Additionally, medical jobs often pay well in Texas. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment Statistics program, we found the 30 jobs with the highest average annual salaries in Texas as of May 2019, the most recently available data. Eight of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in the Lone Star State were medical professions, making it the most lucrative industry for Texans.

Some non-medical occupations that made the list include petroleum engineers, air traffic controllers, and geoscientists. All of the occupations made over $128,000 a year on average, with anesthesiologists earning the most at $241,090.

The following are the 30 highest-paying jobs in the Great State of Texas. We also included a brief definition of the occupation, when available, from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) and the number of people employed as of May 2019.

SEE ALSO: I moved my family from California to Austin, Texas, and regretted it. Here are 10 key points every person should consider before relocating.

DON'T MISS: The 30 highest-paying jobs in America

30. Computer and information research scientists make an average of $128,970 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 1,520

What they do, according to O*NET: They conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors.

29. Natural sciences managers make an average of $130,490 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 2,880

What they do, according to O*NET: They plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

28. Air traffic controllers make an average of $132,700 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 1,890

What they do, according to O*NET: They control air traffic on and within the vicinity of airports and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. They also authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.

27. Purchasing managers make an average of $137,670 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 6,150

What they do, according to O*NET: They plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

26. Lawyers make an average of $144,110 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 44,700

What they do, according to O*NET: They represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

25. Financial managers make an average of $145,700 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 46,710

What they do, according to O*NET: They plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

24. Postsecondary health specialties teachers make an average of $146,000 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 17,920

What they do, according to O*NET: They teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

23. Sales managers make an average of $146,230 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 30,420

What they do, according to O*NET: They plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals, and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

22. Podiatrists make an average of $146,370 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 470

What they do, according to O*NET: They diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.

21. Marketing managers make an average of $149,420 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 16,290

What they do, according to O*NET: They plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

20. Chemical engineers make an average of $150,510 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 7,260

What they do, according to O*NET: They design chemical-plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

19. Geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) make an average of $154,330 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 7,240

What they do, according to O*NET: They study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in the exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.

18. Computer and information systems managers make an average of $156,590 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 26,980

What they do, according to O*NET: They plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

17. General internal medicine physicians make an average of $160,180 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 4,520

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. They provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.

16. Nurse anesthetists make an average of $167,020 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 4,300

What they do, according to O*NET: They administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

15. Architectural and engineering managers make an average of $171,120 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 14,500

What they do, according to O*NET: They plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering, or perform research and development in these fields.

14. Petroleum engineers make an average of $172,890 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 18,720

What they do, according to O*NET: They devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production, and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

13. Obstetricians and gynecologists make an average of $177,970 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 1,500

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who provide medical care related to pregnancy or childbirth and those who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases of women, particularly those affecting the reproductive system. May also provide general medical care to women.

12. Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers make an average of $183,000 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: Not available

What they do, according to O*NET: They pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport Pilot certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

11. General dentists make an average of $183,510 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 8,590

What they do, according to O*NET: They examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.

10. General pediatricians make an average of $186,410 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 2,250

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent children's diseases and injuries. They examine children regularly to assess their growth and development. They also prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury in infants and children.

9. Orthodontists make an average of $195,270 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 570

What they do, according to O*NET: They examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

8. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons make an average of $199,330 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: Not available 

What they do, according to O*NET: They perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.

7. Physicians and surgeons (all other) make an average of $200,590 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 23,490

What they do, according to O*NET: This job category includes allergists and immunologists, dermatologists, neurologists, pathologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, radiologists, and urologists.

6. Psychiatrists make an average of $209,980 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 1,480

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent disorders of the mind.

5. Dentists (all other specialists) make an average of $215,250 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 670

What they do, according to O*NET: This job category includes periodontists, pediatric dentists, and prosthodontists, among other dental specialists.

4. Family medicine physicians make an average of $222,900 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 8,380

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

3. Chief executives make an average of $231,310 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 6,170

What they do, according to O*NET: Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public-sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

2. Surgeons make an average of $237,240 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 3,480

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation.

1. Anesthesiologists make an average of $241,090 a year.

Number of people employed in Texas: 2,550

What they do, according to O*NET: Physicians who administer anesthetics prior to, during, or after surgery or other medical procedures.

• Speakers with good performance can be pricey, but they often go on sale.
• We've compiled all the best speaker deals for January 2021.
• Right now, you can buy a Yamaha YAS-209 Soundbar for $300 – that's $50 off its full price.

Great speakers can make listening to music far more enjoyable — and speakers have been getting a whole lot better over the past few years. These days, even relatively inexpensive speakers can deliver well-rounded bass response, a well-tuned mid-range, and plenty of clarity and detail in the high end. 

Of course, if you're in the market for a new speaker or speakers, you'll want to think about exactly what kind of speaker best matches your needs. There are a number of different types of speakers, and they can all serve drastically different purposes. 

If you want something to take to the beach or use on the go, then a portable Bluetooth speaker is probably your best option. If you're looking to enhance your TV-viewing experience, then home theater speakers or a soundbar will do the job. If you want to bring a digital assistant into your home, then consider a smart speaker. If you just want speakers around the house to listen to music on, then perhaps it's worth considering bookshelf speakers. And, last but not least, if you want a more immersive computing experience, then consider buying a pair of computer speakers.

It's also a good idea to take the brand into consideration when purchasing speakers. Depending on the type of speaker you end up buying, you'll want to seek out different brands. For example, if you're buying a smart speaker, then it's definitely worth looking at options from companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple. Vizio and Samsung, meanwhile, are both safe bets for soundbars. If you're setting up a surround sound system, then brands like Klipsch and Focal will be a better fit for your needs. 

Last but not least, you'll want to think about your budget — and your budget might again depend on the type of speakers you're looking for. You can get decent Bluetooth and smart speakers for under $150 – but that probably won't be enough if you're looking for a soundbar or multiple home theater speakers.

Thankfully, you may be able to stay on budget and save some cash thanks to these awesome deals. After combing through the web, we've rounded up the best speaker deals out there for a variety of needs.

Here are the best speaker deals in January 2021:

Best Bluetooth speaker deals

Portable Bluetooth speakers make it easy to take your music on the road with you. Many of them are water-resistant, meaning you can use them near the pool or at the beach, and while they're usually not as great-sounding as more expensive home theater speakers or soundbars, they'll definitely get the party started at your next BBQ.

Best soundbar deals

If you're looking to enhance the sound quality in your living room without going all out for a full-sized surround sound system, then it's worth considering a soundbar. Soundbars range in price and audio quality, but the best of them allow for full-bodied audio in a relatively compact package. Some models even include wireless subwoofers and separate satellite speakers for more immersive performance.

Best smart speaker deals

Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple's Siri have gotten a whole lot smarter over the past few years, and they can now help you with a huge range of tasks, including controlling smart home devices, finding out information from the web, and more. There are often deals on smart speakers too – so you might be able to pick one up at a super low price. So models even include screens, enabling video playback to go along with audio. 

Best home theater speaker deals

Soundbars are great, but if you truly want the most immersive movie-watching or gaming experience, it's worth looking into home theater speakers. Home theater speakers can be set up as a simple pair of stereo speakers next to your TV, or a full surround sound system. It should be noted, however, that home theater speakers typically require a separate AV receiver for power and processing, which can make purchasing a full system pricey. Thankfully, the below discounts can help cut down your costs.

Best computer speaker deals

Want to avoid having to use headphones all the time when you're at your computer? A great pair of computer speakers can make for a better PC gaming experience, or simply make listening to music and podcasts more enjoyable. Sometimes, computer speakers even come with a small subwoofer to help enhance bass performance.

• Fall boots are a perfect transitional shoe for when it's too cool for sneakers, but not cold enough for heavy-duty winter boots.
• Which boots you choose to wear has everything to do with where you plan to wear them. 
• Some of our favorite pairs come from Thursday Boot Co., Timberland, Clarks, Dr. Martens, Frye, and L.L. Bean.

Although we typically assign boots to cooler temperatures, the truth is that fall boots are great for the transitional weather between winter and spring. They aren't as heavy-duty as winter boots are, but they still offer plenty of coverage for those in-between spring days when it could rain at any second. Fall boots also have the benefit of looking seriously slick. They can be dressed up or down, making them one of the more versatile pairs of shoes you can own. 

With so many styles of fall boots out there, it's hard to nail down one pair that's the absolute best. So instead, we're pointing you in the direction of some of the brands making the best fall boots in 2021. 

Here are the best places to buy fall boots for men in 2021:

Updated on 1/26/22: Removed Red Wing boots, as a system outage has caused low stock among retailers. We still stand behind the brand if you can find in-store, and will add them back into the guide once the stock increases. 

Thursday Boot Company

Thursday Boot Co.'s boots are sleek enough for the office, but rugged enough to handle the snottiest of cold, wet weather.

Somewhere in the crux between metropolitan and cowboy, Thursday Boot Co.'s boots would not be out of place in any closet, from those of country-boy wranglers to city-slicking dandies and everyone in between.

Most of the brand's boots can either be dressed down with jeans or paired just as well with a pair of pleated khakis. The soles vary as much as the styles, so there's everything from delicate cork (which we wouldn't necessarily suggest wearing to trudge through winter) to hardy Goodyear Welts and Vibram outsoles. The same goes for the leather.

The Insider Reviews team reviewed Thursday Boot Co.'s line back in early 2017 when the company was just getting going, and sentiments around the office, I can safely report, have not changed.

Timberland Courma Guy Boot

Timberland has been making sustainable footwear since long before it was an industry trend — and there are plenty of styles to choose from.

Let's face it, as positive as sustainability is for consumers and the environment alike, it's very clear that many brands are hopping on the environmentally-conscious train because it's an industry trend, rather than stemming from a true appreciation for the planet. Timberland, on the other hand, has been quietly producing sustainable footwear long before it was trendy, and now it's starting to toot its own horn.

In 2007, the brand launched the Original Earthkeeper Boot, which featured interior linings made from recycled plastic bottles and recycled rubber soles. While that has become standard protocol for almost all sustainable shoes made today, it had never been done before when Timberland introduced the shoe 12 years ago.

Today, Timberland's environmental responsibility efforts are more sophisticated than ever before. There are a handful of sustainable styles for men, ranging from the Original Earthkeeper Boot and the Garrison Field Hiker to the 100% recycled plastic EK+ Brooklyn sneakers and even organic cotton apparel.

In terms of sustainable fall boots, the Courma Guy Boot is by far my favorite style. Drawing inspiration from the iconic 6-inch Premium Boot (commonly referred to as constructs or 10061s), the Courma Guy has that unmistakable Timberland look with a rounded toe, durable rubber sole, and padded ankle collar. The brand also released fleece-lined pairs for added warmth that you can wear well into the winter. 

The key updates include an overall lighter design, recycled plastic interior linings and laces, recycled rubber outsoles, ethically sourced leather uppers from Silver-rated tanneries, and stacked foam in the soles for added comfort and style. As a huge fan of Timberland's classic designs (I currently own at least 18 different pairs), I'm happy to say that this fresh and sustainable take on their classic fall boot didn't disappoint. 

Frye Boots

Frye's boots will never go out of style because they are classic, high-quality, and made from durable leather.

There's hardly another boot out there that comes anywhere near as close as Frye does to speaking to the heart of Americana. The brand has been making boots for a century and a half, staying true as glue to everything the company and its boots ever stood for. It's done custom work for everyone from Gene Autry to Carole King and Richard Nixon.

Still, the company hasn't shied away from modernizing, which comes welcome to those of us who wish we could rock fully ornate cowboy boots in the office, but just can't quite pull it off.

I have a pair of Sam Harness boots from Frye that I bought more than a decade ago. Everything on them has stayed perfectly intact, though heavy wear on cobbled streets for a few years put the hurt on them. Luckily, a trip to the cobbler was all that was needed to have these boots looking brand new. 

Frye might not make the trendiest boots on the planet, but the boots sit atop a throne of timeless simplicity that no ephemeral fashion trend or season will ever usurp. 

Clarks

Clarks has a wide array of timeless classics and new silhouettes for casual style and comfort.

Founded in 1825, Clarks is a nearly two-century-old brand — and that should say enough about its position in footwear. The UK-based brand is easily one of the best places to buy fall boots because it has choices for everyone. While styles like Wallabees and Desert Boots from the Originals line will appeal to people looking for timeless designs, the brand has collaborations and unique colorways down to a science. 

If you're a sneakerhead, but really need something to wear other than your sneakers, Clarks probably has a pair you'll appreciate. They've teamed up with brands like A Bathing Ape, Bodega, Todd Snyder, and plenty of other cool companies. On top of that, they've got a wide array of fashion-forward colorways — not just your basic black, brown, and tan colors.

As a sneaker collector, Clarks has always been the natural choice for creating just as much variety in my boots collection as in my sneaker collection. The last time I counted, I had about 13 pairs of Clarks. 

Beyond the variety, Clarks are great because they last an impressively long time. I got my first pair of Wallabees in 2009, and they're still in great shape today. The leather has held up well with basic care and the crepe soles have many more years of life left in them. Although I have a bunch of other pairs to wear, I won't be getting rid of my first pair until they're no longer wearable — and I've got a ways to go before that happens. — Amir Ismael 

Grenson

Grenson Boots have been around since the 1860s, and they've clad the feet of British Armed Forces through not one but both world wars. These are not soft-soled boots.

If you're looking for boots that will handle a few thousand country miles but look good, and keep your feet dry all the while, Grenson is a heritage brand out of England that's been running the same factory for over 100 years.

William Green was just a kid when his mother taught him how to cobble a boot, and he simply took off running. Within about 15 years, he'd hired some of the best shoemakers in the business and built his own factory.

That factory, as it happened, turned out to be one of the first in the world to turn out a Goodyear-welted shoe, which is the most durable, but also among the easiest to replace because the welt makes a buffer between the insole and the outsole, so while it's sturdy, when it comes time to replace the outsoles (the uppers will last forever), it's an easy separation. Read more on welt construction here.

These boots are probably a little too rugged to pull off with a suit, but that doesn't mean they couldn't handle a vaguely formal affair. In our opinion, though, a good fall boot should be built to last.

L.L.Bean

Bean Boots will serve you well through both fall and winter, and they go with most outfits.

L.L. Bean's Boots were introduced in 1912, and haven't changed much since. That's because they haven't had to.

Leon Leonwood Bean did anglers and hunters a serious solid by tacking together these remarkably warm and dry boots. The Bean Boots went onto become the genesis of his stardom over a century ago. Today, you'll find them everywhere from the backwoods of Maine to the boroughs of the Big Apple.

While many of L.L. Bean's products are being made offshore these days, the company continues to craft a select few of its products stateside, including the beloved Bean Boots.

Constructed using rubber bottoms and soles, a steel shank, full-grain leather uppers, and 3M Thinsulate, these boots have hardly changed since the start. Of course, there was no 3M nor Thinsulate in the early 20th century, but the design, the leather, and the rubber have all remained the same.

One thing that has changed L.L. Bean's boot game is variety: There are more than 30 styles of Bean Boots to choose from with an array of linings so there's a pair for each season.

Dr. Martens

Doc Martens are made with top-notch materials, handled with love, and rife with history.

Dr. Martens' AirWair is an emblematic piece of footwear synonymous with the predominant sub- and counter-cultures of every decade since their introduction in 1960: the skinheads in the '60s, the punk rockers in the '70s, the new wave artists of the '80s, and the grunge scene in the '90s. Today, they may be more ubiquitous than ever. 

Recent years have shown the company its fair share of hardships, and the brand briefly shuttered most of its production houses and stores in the UK in the early 2000s. The company seems to have bounced back in recent years, however, and in early 2018 Business Insider reported that Dr. Martens has been producing some 10 million pairs annually.

Dr. Martens' AirWairs are some of the most durable and versatile kicks around, thanks to the air-cushioned soles. They're not glued but melted to the welts using hot blades and rollers so that as both components cool, they forge one single piece of inseparable PVC. If the de facto black is a little too punk rock or goth for your taste, there's always cherry red, navy, green, and white. Not a fan of the AirWair boots? The brand has a bunch of other styles that also rock. 

Check out our other men's style buying guides

The best places to buy men's jeans

Jeans are personal, and buying them can be intimidating, but fear not, gentlemen. We're not here to hold your hand, but we will point you in the right direction.

The best men's undershirts

If you've been looking for the best undershirt for managing your sweaty pits, then the search is over. We've done the research and smoked out the best undershirts for men that you can buy today.

The best men's shorts

Finding the perfect pair of men's shorts can be challenging, so we've sorted through a bunch of options to find the best places to shop for men's shorts and selected our favorite pairs from each brand.

The best men's workout shirts

Ask any routine gym goer about their preferred workout attire, and they'll likely spend a few minutes talking about moisture-wicking fabric, innovative cooling technology, or sweat-activated fabrics. While these may sound like industry buzzwords, the application behind these concepts are staples — and, frankly, must-haves — in the world of workout apparel.

The best men's underwear

If there's one article of clothing that you ought to care about, it's your underwear. Our top pick is the Tommy John collection because you can choose from many different styles of underwear and all of them are seriously comfortable.

The best suits

For your go-to workhorse suit, you simply can't beat a single-breasted, two-button classic style charcoal gray suit.

The best ties

No suit is complete without a great necktie. For your staple tie, it's hard to beat a black silk tie.

The best white dress shirts for men

Every one needs at least one good white dress shirt. Here, you'll find the best of the best. 

With online sports betting being allowed for the first time in Michigan last Friday, the US sports-betting and iGaming industries have stepped further into what Morgan Stanley analysts call a "once-in-a-generation-shift for what was a mature gaming industry."

Since the Supreme Court in May 2018 overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA — a law that banned sports betting outside of Nevada — 23 states have legalized placing wagers on the outcomes of games. 

The legalization of sports betting is a trend set to continue, with Morgan Stanley analysts led by Thomas Allen estimating that another 12 states could act in 2021. 

In states where sports betting is already legal and live, the momentum has been strong in part due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

According to Morgan Stanley, the total US sports-betting handle, which refers to the amount of money wagered by bettors at a sportsbook over a given period, reached $3.6 billion in November 2020, up from $3.3 billion in October and $2.9 billion in September. 

Gross revenues have also grown significantly to more than $300 million in November 2020 from $110 million in November 2019, although "some of the growth was driven by favorable sporting results," which boosted sports book hold rates to 9% in November last year versus 6% in 2019, Allen said. 

Because of strong recent sports betting trends and legislative tailwinds, Allen and his team have raised their 2025 US sports betting total addressable market forecast from $8.5 billion to $10 billion. The raise is on the basis that 39 states will legalize sports betting, of which 27 will allow online betting by then. 

The team also raised its total addressable market forecast on the iGaming industry to $5 billion in 2025 from $3.5 billion prior, based on the expectations that 11 states will have legalized iGaming and obtained annual revenue of $104  per adult. 

"2020 stood out for revenues outperforming expectations, and 2021 should stand out from incremental states legalizing and the beginning signs of profitability," Allen said.

As a result of multiple favorable trends driving the online sports-betting market, the team has upgraded DraftKings(DKNG) — "the market share leader, pure-play on US sports betting and online gambling" to overweight. 

But DraftKings is not the only company set to benefit from the positive catalysts and significant growth of the combined industry ahead.

As such, Morgan Stanley rounded up nine stocks ranging from pure-play online betting companies to casino operators and gaming-focused real estate investment trusts.

The stocks, along with their tickers, market caps, price targets, and analyst commentaries are listed below. 

SEE ALSO: An engineer-turned global macro investor breaks down why bitcoin is so volatile – and shares 3 reasons why she remains bullish about the digital asset

1. Boyd Gaming Corporation

Ticker: BYD

Market cap: $5.58 billion 

Price Target: $58

Morgan Stanley rating: Overweight

Commentary: "BYD has and should deliver strong flow through given lower industry reinvestment dynamics. BYD appears to have made a good decision partnering with FanDuel to offer sports betting as FanDuel has had dominant market share in legalized states."

Source: Morgan Stanley

2. DraftKings

Ticker: DKNG

Market cap: $20.51 billion 

Price Target: $60

Morgan Stanley rating: Overweight

Commentary: "We expect legal US sports betting & iGaming to increase from <$1.5B in 2019 to $15B in 2025, with COVID-19 increasing the mkt opportunity as states look for new sources of tax revenue. Forecast DraftKings to maintain top 2 share, 25% in sports betting and 15% in iGaming in 2025."

Source: Morgan Stanley

3. Gaming and Leisure Properties

Ticker: GLPI

Market cap: $9.48 billion 

Price Target: $42

Morgan Stanley rating: Overweight

Commentary: "Regional casino markets should recover relatively quickly from COVID-19 headwinds. The outlook for tenants' credit quality will meaningfully improve. GLPI's 6% dividend yield is higher than most Triple Net REITs, which we believe could differentiate the stock during periods of economic uncertainty."

Source: Morgan Stanley

4. VICI Properties

Ticker: VICI

Market cap: $14.12 billion 

Price Target: $26

Morgan Stanley rating: Overweight

Commentary: "VICI has the largest, most visible growth pipeline in Gaming REITs, with multiple Right of First Refusal (ROFR) and Put/Call Properties representing attractive growth opportunities. Given VICI's lack of conflicts and lower cost of capital, it has been the buyer of choice in Gaming. However, there is risk given Blackstone's recent entrance into the space."

Source: Morgan Stanley

5. Wynn Resorts

Ticker: WYNN

Market cap: $11.57 billion 

Price Target: $129

Morgan Stanley rating: Overweight

Commentary: "While WYNN's business is currently severely impaired due to COVID, we don't see LT structural threats while the mkt appears to be concerned around high-end Macau play. We expect WYNN to outperform expectations in 2H21 once a COVID vaccine is widely disseminated and high-end trends in Macau and Vegas rebound faster than mass."

Source: Morgan Stanley

6. Caesars Entertainment

Ticker: CZR

Market cap: $16.53 billion 

Price Target: $89

Morgan Stanley rating: Equal-weight

Commentary: "Regional casino markets (60% of mix) were recovering quickly from COVID-19 but new closures/restrictions are a near-term risk. Vegas (40% of mix) will take longer to recover, but CZR has preferable exposure there (lowest convention mix, highest gambler). CZR's acquisition of William Hill positions it well to capture US sports betting/iGaming market share."

Source: Morgan Stanley

7. Las Vegas Sands

Ticker: LVS

Market cap: $41.25 billion 

Price Target: $54

Morgan Stanley rating: Equal-weight

Commentary: "LVS continues to be the best positioned for the longer-term Macau China penetration story given its scale of hotel rooms. However, Macau market recovery from COVID-19 headwinds could take time, and regulatory developments could alter mkt dynamics."

Source: Morgan Stanley

8. MGM Growth Properties

Ticker: MGP

Market cap: $4.10 billion 

Price Target: $31

Morgan Stanley rating: Equal-weight

Commentary: "Strong tenant liquidity / balance sheet. Las Vegas casinos could take time to recover from COVID-19 headwinds, but Regional casinos should recover more quickly. Stable and predictable cash flow generation, with set rent increases."

Source: Morgan Stanley

9. Penn National Gaming

Ticker: PENN

Market cap: $16.96 billion 

Price Target: $98

Morgan Stanley rating: Equal-weight

Commentary: "We see Regionals / PENN as uniquely positioned to recover to 2019 EBITDAR again in 2021, benefitting from strong expense mgmt. and drive-to demand. We see PENN as one of the best positioned for US sports betting given its partnership with Barstool, strong market access partners, additional skins, and small current market cap vs. the opportunity's size."

Source: Morgan Stanley

Every day, we round up the 5 best deals and bargains available on tech, home goods, fashion, and more. 

We've sorted this list with the latest deals first. The prices and discounts are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change without warning. For even more deals and savings across the web, check out the best online deals and sales happening now and Business Insider Coupons.

1. Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones

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Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones.

2. Apple Watch Series 6

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Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 6.

3. Vizio 65-inch 4K TV

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• Colorado is a scenic year-round destination, but ski season sees its mountain towns truly come alive.
• Airbnbs across the state are particularly popular during winter months, so it's best to book early.
• There are currently no travel restrictions to enter Colorado, but the situation continues to evolve.
• Read more: Are Airbnbs safe? We spoke to experts, a company representative, and an Airbnb host to share everything you should know before booking someone's home

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado remains a popular travel destination, especially during the winter months in the heart of ski season. With the Rocky Mountains stretching across most of the state, it's possible to ski, snowboard, or snowshoe in almost every corner of Colorado. But these mountains are equally popular the rest of the year.

Hiking them during warmer weather has proven to be a major draw for travelers craving the freedom of the great outdoors. In autumn, watching the Aspen trees change colors is a major highlight. Even city slickers can enjoy plenty of buzzy restaurants and world-class art in Denver, making Colorado an ideal year-round vacation for just about anyone.

Amidst the pandemic especially, Colorado's wide-open, natural surroundings presents an even more attractive proposition. There are currently no restrictions for entering the state, but be sure to read up on the most recent rules and regulations, paying close attention to any restrictions implemented by the individual county you're interested in visiting. If you do plan to ski, read up on what experts say about potential risks and the best precautions to take right now. Additionally, there is still no guarantee when it comes to safety with travel right now. We always recommend following guidelines from the CDC, including social distancing, wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, and taking extra precautions when traveling to or from a hot spot area.

Whether you're considering a road trip to the Rockies now or getting a head start on planning a trip for the future, it's never too early to consider your lodging options in a place as popular as some of Colorado's most iconic mountain towns and urban sprawls. In fact, due to Colorado's popularity, some of the best vacation rentals here should be booked several months in advance, so keep that in mind.

We selected top Colorado Airbnbs based on the following criteria:

1. Listings are for exclusive use of the entire home, cabin, condo, or stand-alone apartment, per current expert recommendations.
2. While affordability was an important factor in selections, we also wanted a range of options to appeal to different traveler needs. These rentals have starting rates ranging between $73 to $979 per night in the current peak winter season.
3. All are top-rated properties, with a review score of at least 4.85.
4. Each property has a variety of appealing features, from whimsical decor and amazing views to standout amenities like hot tubs and saunas.

Here are the best Colorado Airbnbs, sorted by price from low to high.

A cozy carriage house in Colorado Springs, $73

Book this cozy carriage house starting at $73 per night

Despite its smaller square footage, this thoughtfully decorated carriage house packs in a lot of personality. Located just outside Colorado Springs' newly blooming downtown core, this is also a convenient accommodation choice if you're looking to experience the region's more natural attractions such as Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.

The "bedroom" of this studio is actually a sleeper loft accessed by a pipe ladder, which could potentially pose some mobility concerns. The main floor of the unit is nicely furnished with stylish elements like the original carriage-house door from the 1900s, faux fur couch throws, quirky framed artwork, and a midcentury console in the living room. There's also a fireplace for cozying up during the colder months. The bathroom comes with a tub surrounded by subway tiles and the kitchen is small but has all the necessities, including a mini-fridge stocked with local beers.

The adjacent garden is accessible to guests. There's a fire pit, and herbs grown on raised planters are yours for the picking.

This studio has plenty of availability over the next several months.

Rating: 4.95

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A historic city home in Denver, $122

Book this historic home starting at $122 per night

This playfully decorated one-bedroom carriage house, which dates back to the 1800s, is the ideal home base for exploring Colorado's booming capital city thanks to its central location. Parks, shops, restaurants, and public transportation are all within walking distance; sightseeing venues like museums are a quick drive away.

Despite its historic bones (there are beautiful exposed bricks throughout), this home has been updated with plenty of modern elements, including a dishwasher, air conditioning, Netflix access, and heated floors (including in the bathroom). Perks like garden access, a hot tub, and a gym (shared with other homes on the property) elevate the experience.

But it's the quirky interior decor that truly makes this carriage house special. A repurposed dresser is now the bathroom counter, a license plate collage hints back at the property's previous life as a garage, and wood-frame windows act as a wall that separates the bedroom from the living room.

This property has scattered availability over the next few months with more dates opening up for spring and beyond.

Rating: 5.0

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A tumbleweed tiny home in Fairplay, $125

Book this tiny home starting at $125 per night

Designed and built by Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, one of the planet's leading tiny home companies, this all-pine-wood property is located in an RV and cabin site in Fairplay, the mining town made famous by the show Southpark. (In fact, not far from the rental is an open-air museum dedicated to the show.) But Breckenridge is also just a 30-minute drive away.

Like most tiny homes, this one is chicly designed to make the most out of its limited size via clever storage spaces and a loft bedroom with a queen-size bed. There's also a bench that serves as the unit's main seating area that can be expanded into a twin bed for additional sleeping space. Heat, air-conditioning, and a decent kitchen with an induction stove are included as is access to the community hot tubs (seasonal from Memorial Day to Labor Day).

Off-site, outdoorsy pursuits from hiking to fishing are never too far away. And considering the region's history as a mining town, visitors can also try their hand at gold-panning.

This tiny home has plenty of open dates over the next few months.

Rating: 4.88

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A midcentury hygge chalet in Grant, $165

Book this midcentury chalet starting at $165 per night

One of Colorado's most popular Airbnbs, this 1,400-square-foot, two-bedroom cabin is full of relaxing features that make for a relaxing and self-contained vacation. Located in a semi-secluded forested pocket of Grant, a Platte Canyon town about an hour away from both Denver and Breckenridge, this home is as tasteful as it is tranquil.

The A-frame construction in vibrant blue only hints at the design-forward interiors of the property. But before you even enter the cabin, you might spot the steam sauna on the deck —one of the cabin's signature amenities. Inside, there's a midcentury lean to the decor. Furnishings are minimalist, textured, and have just enough rustic touches to match the natural landscape outside. There's a fireplace in the living room, memory foam Queen beds, and walk-in showers.

Outside, in addition to the sauna, seasonal add-ons include a grill and hammocks. Wi-Fi can be spotty given the more tucked-away location, but there is a cabinet full of board games to keep guests entertained. Or just hang out in the back deck, looking out at the pretty mountain views.

Because of this rental's popularity, it's currently booked until August, but travelers who like planning ahead can find plenty of open dates this fall and into winter.

Rating: 4.98

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A modern cabin in Woodland Park, $202

Book this three-bedroom cabin starting at $202 per night

This newly renovated cabin in Pikes Peak Resort is a marriage of modern luxury and secluded rusticity. In 2019 and 2020, the cabin was treated to a comprehensive facelift to match the stunning Rocky Mountain views that surround it.

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom hideaway in the middle of Pike National Forest, the cabin is perched along a ridge overlooking a picturesque lake and meadow. The cabin's log construction offers up the ultimate in bucolic charm. Even the bed frames throughout are constructed with what could be blonde tree trunks and branches. The recent renovation included updating the outdoor deck, the bathrooms, plumbing, and flooring as well as installing a brand-new kitchen and the outdoor hot tub, which is perfect for star-gazing.

Considering the cabin's location in a national forest, staying here means quiet and seclusion. But more intrepid thrillseekers won't have to venture far to find activities like mountain biking, ATV riding, fishing, and snowshoeing.

This cabin has very limited availability in March, but dates open up starting in April.

Rating: 5.0

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A cozy four-bedroom cabin in Grand Lake, $242

Book this family-friendly cabin starting at $242 per night

Surrounded by a few different lakes (including Columbine Lake and Grand Lake), this four-bedroom cabin-in-the-woods is especially great for larger groups like multi-generational families or pods of friends looking to get away. And its location near Rocky Mountain National Park makes it an equally ideal booking for outdoors enthusiasts.

With four bedrooms and two bathrooms, this cabin can fit up to 12 people. The bedrooms feature different bed configurations to accommodate as many people as possible. One, for instance, is set up with three Twin beds, while another has a King bed and a Twin bed. The rental also has plenty of lounging spaces, such as two living rooms and large decks on both the front and back sides of the house. You can move the portable fire pit to either side. Convenient amenities like a washer/dryer and indoor fireplaces make long-term stays possible.

When it comes to interior decor, there's a homey but global feel to this home. The leather pouf ottoman, the Native American-inspired textile throughout, and the patterned rugs are complemented with deer antler wall fixtures and minimalist coffee tables.

It's important to note, however, that while this property is part of a residential community, on-site features like the clubhouse, the horse pasture, and the gazebo can't be used by renters.

The cabin has plenty of open dates over the next few months.

Rating: 4.97

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A ski cabin with a hot tub in Durango, $253

Book this cabin with hot tub starting at $253 per night

In southwest Colorado, near the border of New Mexico, this rustic-chic two-bedroom cabin is conveniently located right next to Purgatory Ski Resort, a 1,500-acre ski destination popular among locals. In fact, the slopes are so close, guests can watch lift chairs swinging just over the deck. Though it's not quite a ski-in/ski-out property, other active pursuits can be done right at its doors, including hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing.

While the cabin technically has two bedrooms, one is a lofted sleeping area. Its interiors toe the line between vintage and rustic, with wood snowshoe wall accessories, pendant lights of exposed bulbs tied to thick knots, and lots of wood treated in a variety of finishes. There are also plenty of windows that provide spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The cabin's list of amenities also includes an indoor fireplace, a hot tub, and a cedar sauna. 

This cabin has limited availability in February, but dates open up from March on.

Rating: 4.86

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A riverside A-frame in Basalt, $288

Book this riverside cabin starting at $288 per night

For a more discreet getaway, consider this red-roof A-frame cabin in the quaint town of Basalt, located 20 miles north of Aspen. It's the epitome of country charm.

This cozy one-bedroom refuge is nestled along the Frying Pan river on Dallenbach Ranch, a 140-acre expanse that is regularly visited by deer, big-horn sheep, and turkey. In addition to the cabin, guests are given access to a mile-long private section of the water, where catch-and-release fly-fishing for trout is permitted.

The accommodations are thoughtful but modest. There is a Queen-size bed, plus a pullout sofa in the living room, making it an ideal choice for a couple or a small family. The cabin comes with a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor grill, and Direct TV. While cell reception is available, note that there is no Wi-Fi here.

This property has scattered availability now, but is fully booked for most of spring and summer.

Rating: 4.93

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A ski-in/ski-out condo in Breckenridge, $585

Book this ski condo starting at $585 per night

As one of the country's top ski resorts, Breckenridge's accommodation pool fills up quite often. And as far as rental options go, this stylish three-bedroom, two-bathroom condo (big enough to fit up to 10 people) is among the most popular, especially because you can ski in and out of the building.

For this condo, just yards away from Breck's downtown core and Quicksilver SuperChair, location is the biggest selling point. But within its four walls, there's still a lot to complement a day on the mountain. Handsome decor includes wooden ski wall fixtures, vibrant area rugs, and lots of wood surfaces to reinforce the chalet inspiration. Both bathrooms have tubs, including a larger soaking tub in the master bathroom, there's a fireplace in the living room, and there are outdoor patios that look out to the Rockies.

Recreational amenities like the gym, an outdoor fire pit, as well as sauna and steam room are shared with the building.

This condo has scattered availability now but is more widely available starting in April.

Rating: 4.92

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

A modern glass house in Winter Park, $979

Book this glass house sanctuary starting at $979 per night

This sprawling, three-bedroom mountain house is a splurge-worthy booking for families or traveling pods. Its location just outside Winter Park's ski resort means the property is perched over gorgeous views of the trails and boasts easy ski access. For those hoping for some city time, Denver is just 70 miles away.

The property's striking interiors mean there's much to enjoy before you even set foot outside.  The Glass House's floor-to-ceiling windows offer round-the-clock visual access to Winter Park's stunning natural landscapes, not to mention tons of sunlight during the day. The open floor plan is layered with countless modern furnishings, such as bright, high-end leather couches and top-of-the-line kitchen appliances.

All three bedrooms come with en-suite bathrooms. Plus, the loft area is outfitted with a queen-size pullout bed, allowing the house for a maximum occupancy of eight guests. Other perks here include outdoor lounges, a hot tub, and grilling equipment.  The host also makes himself available to assist with guests' needs during their stay, from shuttle services to grocery delivery.

This property has scattered availability in February and March, but there are plenty of open dates starting April.

Rating: 5.0

COVID-19 policies: This home is committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Clean program, a five-step cleaning process developed in partnership with health and hospitality experts.

Stanford Graduate School of Business, the best business school in the world, according to global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds, accepts just over 6% of applicants. Even if you don't want to compete with the best of the best, top programs such as the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, ranked No. 14 in the world, or New York University's Stern School of Business, ranked No. 19 in the world, still only accept around 20% of those who apply.

That said, there are ways to give yourself an edge over the competition, such as knowing who's who in the MBA space who can help make connections and offer advice.

Insider collected nine prominent figures, based on recommendations from industry experts, who have strong ties with admissions teams, long legacies in the business school community, and expertise on the process and what it takes to succeed.

The following influencers are listed in no particular order.

SEE ALSO: How to send the right credibility signals in order to shape people's perceptions of you and your work, according to a 'hype' expert

Andrea Sparrey, founder and CEO of The Sparrey Consulting Group

Andrea Sparrey founded The Sparrey Consulting Group in 2007. With an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, Sparrey has celebrated countless client successes as they earned admission to elite business schools including Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Chicago Booth, and Kellogg. 

She and her firm continue to support clients in school and after graduation through the 100 Week Sprint, which helps MBA candidates make the most of their investment in graduate school. She and her team also sponsor an annual MBA Women's Weekend for networking, bringing together MBA matriculants, students, and alumni from top schools to ensure that the next class of students has the best possible experience. She also offers post-MBA career coaching. 

Sparrey served as co-chair of local alumni groups for Chicago Booth and is past president of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC), the leading organization for graduate admissions consultants, and has co-chaired global conferences. 

Follow her on Linkedin or contact her at partner@sparreyconsulting.com.

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting

Stacy Blackman launched Stacy Blackman Consulting in 2001, and told Insider back then there were almost no services of its kind. Since then, Blackman, who earned an MBA from Kellogg, has grown her team to over 60 former MBA admissions officers and graduates. 

According to Esther Magna, principal MBA admissions consultant at SBC, Blackman's consulting firm is the only one in the industry that has on their team a complete panel of former MBA admissions officers from the M7 US programs as well as London Business School and INSEAD. 

Blackman's firm is also the only large firm that's exclusively focused on MBA admissions that's led by a woman, according to Magna. 

"10% of SBC's consultant pool is either hispanic or Black, 25% of its consultant panel is of minority background, and SBC has five consultants who identify as and specialize in LGBTQ+ candidacies," Magna said. "This reflects the company's mission to further diversity in the MBA applicant pool." SBC has also been selected by the GRE General Test as their business school admissions partner.

"I'm a firm believer that every weakness can become a strength, and that each applicant should celebrate what makes him or her unique," Blackman said. "I believe in exploring the 'white spaces' on a resume, the journey that took a candidate from point A to B to C."

Follow her on Twitter or contact her at info@stacyblackman.com.

Roy Cohen, executive coach and author

Roy Cohen is an executive coach and graduate of Columbia Business School whose work focuses in large part on coaching MBAs for finance industry career management, as well as helping early career professionals contemplate their next steps. 

He's advised clients who've applied and been accepted into a range of MBA programs, including Columbia, MIT Sloan School of Management, Wharton, Kellogg, Chicago Booth, Michigan Ross, HBS, Stanford GSB, and NYU Stern.

"One of my clients, at the time, was the youngest student in Stanford business school history," Cohen said. "Fast forward: He was not long ago selected as a Forbes' '30 Under 30.'"

In addition to having advised countless clients on strategy and best practices for MBA admission, Cohen is also a frequent speaker at events for MBA students and alumni. He routinely delivers workshops, including upcoming events at Columbia Business School and Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Cohen added that his bestselling book, "The Wall Street Professional's Survival Guide," is in virtually every business school library and career office.

Check out his website or LinkedIn or contact him at roycohen@careercoachny.com.

Shaifali Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Ivy Groupe

Shaifali Aggarwal is a graduate of HBS and has been an MBA admissions consultant since 2012; in 2017, she founded Ivy Groupe, a boutique MBA admissions consulting company. 

Her goal is to help candidates maximize their chances of gaining admission to the most prestigious MBA programs. Her clients have been admitted to a long list of top schools, from HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, and Kellogg to Columbia Business School, Chicago Booth, MIT Sloan, INSEAD, and LBS. 

In 2020, Poets & Quants ranked Aggarwal #1 in client satisfaction among MBA admissions consultants, noting that she was the only one in the top 20 consultants who received a perfect score in this area.

"I work with clients to turn their stories and their passions into their success," Aggarwal told Insider. "Essentially, I consider myself to be a master weaver who ties together the unique threads of candidates' stories to help them craft the most authentic and compelling MBA applications possible."

Follow her on Twitter or contact her at info@ivygroupe.com.

Barbara Coward, founder and principal of MBA 360 Admissions Consulting

"I've worked with successful applicants who have struggled with impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and lack confidence," Barbara Coward, founder of MBA 360° Admissions Consulting, told Insider. "This includes supporting applicants who did not think they had a shot at a top-tier school but were ultimately accepted."

Coward has helped applicants secure admission to a wide range of MBA programs, including Wharton, Stanford GSB, Columbia, INSEAD, and LBS, through her expertise in strategic and influential messaging.

The name of her firm comes from her "360° perspective" as a former admissions director at Loyola University Maryland and a marketing consultant for business schools across the globe. She explained that this background enables her to understand the full range of options available for graduate management education, as well as an appreciation of how an application comes across to the admissions reader.

"Most of all, I understand the importance of finding fit," Coward said. 

Follow her on LinkedIn or contact her at bcoward@enrollmentstrategies.net.

Linda Abraham, founder of Accepted.com and cofounder and former president of AIGAC

Linda Abraham has been focused on the MBA admissions space for over 25 years, having founded Accepted in 1994 and launched its website in 1996.  Among Abraham's other notable achievements was cofounding AIGAC in 2007 and serving as its first president. She earned an MBA from UCLA's Anderson School of Management.

"She is a true pioneer in our field and continues to be an insightful and impactful source for MBA applicants," said Natalie Grinblatt Epstein, who was previously an admissions director at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management. 

"While I definitely prefer to encourage and support an applicant's dreams, when appropriate I also tell clients and prospective clients when they have a lot of work to do to become a competitive applicant at the schools they are most interested in," Abraham said. "I won't pander to them or merely tell them what they want to hear. Most of the time, applicants appreciate the constructive candor."

Follow her on LinkedIn or contact her at lindaa@accepted.com.

Nupur Gupta, founder of Crack The MBA and president of AIGAC

Nupur Gupta launched her boutique consulting firm Crack the MBA in 2012. 

"I personally work with my clients to understand their academic strengths, their leadership skills, their personality types, their financial needs, and more to create a winning MBA application strategy that is best suited for them," Gupta, an MBA graduate from The Wharton School, told Insider. 

In 2015, she signed on as social media manager of the AIGAC Conference. Today, she's serving her second term as president at the organization, and has also served as conference co-chair for the past four years. 

Follow her on LinkedIn or contact her at nupur@crackthemba.com.

Hillary Schubach, founder and president of Shine/ MBA Admissions Consulting

Hillary Schubach earned an MBA from HBS in 2001 and founded Shine/ MBA Admissions Consulting, a boutique consultancy serving top business school candidates around the world, in 2008. She's been an MBA admissions adviser since 1999 and has helped her clients gain acceptance to every top 20 school year after year.

Schubach explained to Insider that her background, which includes 25 years of marketing and brand management experience at world-class companies such as Kraft Foods and Unilever, has proven to be the "ideal foundation" to help aspiring MBAs market themselves to the schools of their choice.  

"As a lifelong marketer, I see the application process as a marketing exercise at its core," Schubach said. "Of course, an applicant must be authentic. Yet I believe an applicant should truly understand his/her personal brand: what they stand for, what differentiates them, where they are strong — and where they are not."

Schubach is also an active member of AIGAC and speaks internationally on the topic of MBA admissions.

Follow her on LinkedIn or contact her at hillary@shineadmissions.com.

Candy Lee LaBalle, founder of LaBalle Admissions

As an independent MBA admissions consultant with over 15 years of experience, Candy Lee LaBalle describes herself as "on a mission to take the mystery, and the misery, out of the MBA application process." 

In addition to being a former board member of AIGAC who organized six of their conferences, LaBalle has also helped over 600 people enter into the most elite MBA programs, including LBS, INSEAD, MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School, Wharton, Chicago Booth, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, and Kellogg, as well as HBS and Stanford GSB.

LaBalle said that she takes a "head and heart approach" to her clients, helping applicants make strategically smart decisions about where to apply, how to manage the letters of recommendation, and what stories to tell in their essays. 

"Despite the avalanche of content produced by admissions teams, advisors, and content providers, the application process remains a very personal, demanding, difficult process," LaBalle said. "That's where I shine with my applicants."

Follow her on LinkedIn or contact her at candy@laballe.co.

• If you have a home that heats unevenly, a space heater can keep you comfortable without wasting energy.
• After testing eight space heaters, the Lasko Ceramic Portable Space Heater is our top pick thanks to its affordable price tag and ability to churn out heat quickly.
• It's also compact, lightweight, and perfect for heating up a small home office.

Temperature is incredibly subjective: I see this in my own home, where I am perpetually hot and my husband is always cold. It's an objective fact, however, that my furnace does a bad job of heating certain recesses of my house. Space heaters can help warm the chillier bits of your home, reduce friction if you're constantly fighting over the thermostat with your housemates, and (building codes permitting) offer you some control over the temperature of your surroundings in places like offices or dorms where the heat is not adjustable. They're also a good solution in between seasons where it's not quite cold enough to turn on whole-house heat, and an obvious choice for garages, RVs, boats, and other places that may not have access to gas-powered heat. 

In addition to testing portable outdoor heaters and writing our guide to the best patio heaters, I've been testing and reviewing products for nearly half a decade, covering everything from fitness gadgets to kitchen appliances. For almost two months, I put eight space heaters through various tests to see how they would affect the ambient temperature in my home office. I evaluated their performance, ease of use, settings, noise level, and safety features. I also interviewed Matthew Griffith, fire prevention section chief with the Montreal Fire Department, and Dan Mock, brand manager of Mr. Sparky, an electrical services company, about space heater safety. At the end of the guide, you can find a breakdown of my testing methodology, along with information about what to look for in a space heater and tips on space heater safety. 

The best space heaters in 2021

• Best overall: Lasko Ceramic Portable Space Heater
• Best full-size: Lasko Cyclonic Digital Ceramic Heater
• Best high-end: Dyson Pure Hot+Cool
• Best that's also a fan: HoneyWell Versa Two Position Heater

The best space heater overall

The Lasko Ceramic Portable Space Heater is a practical, no-frills miniature heater with enough juice to turn your chilly home office into a cozy, warm nook of productivity. 

Pros: Compact, incredibly efficient, easy to use, housing stays cool to the touch, overheat detector 

Cons: No tip-over safety switch, no temperature display 

This unit is the first space heater I tested and the one that I keep coming back to for my own personal use. It's one of the smallest heaters on this list at just about 10 inches tall, but pulls a powerful 1,500 watts of power to heat efficiently for its miniature size. There are three settings (low, high, and fan) and an adjustable temperature dial. The temperature dial uses dots instead of specific temperatures, so it took some time to figure out how to adjust the unit to my preferred temperature — I ended up watching a YouTube video to get the gist — but once I got it working, the heat cycling feature kept me comfortable for hours. It's relatively quiet and I didn't feel the need to shut it off during Zoom calls. 

That said, it's definitely not a whole-room heater: the unit only increased the overall temperature in my office by about 3 degrees Fahrenheit in my testing. However, sitting close to the heater and feeling the warmth blowing directly at me, I felt much, much warmer. (It's also worth noting that how well any space heater will heat depends on the size of your room and the ambient temperature.)

The heater has cool-touch housing, which didn't heat up during use, but the front grille does get hot (though this is par for the course with most space heaters). It'll also shut off automatically if it detects overheating. The manual didn't specify at what temperature this function triggers, and I didn't encounter it during my testing, but it's a must-have safety feature for any space heater. There's no tip-over safety switch, but if you're only using it under supervision (as safety experts say you should with any space heater), I don't think it's a deal-breaker — especially since the unit is so stable. I really had to shove it off my desk for it to tip over. 

I can see myself using this frequently when I'm unwilling to turn on the furnace. It's easy to store and tote around the house. I recommend this unit to anyone who works in a chilly office (home or otherwise). 

The best full-size space heater

The Lasko Cyclonic Digital Ceramic Heater is a full-size space heater that takes up minimal space and delivers an effective dose of warmth. 

Pros: Lightweight, accurate internal thermostat, overheat protection

Cons: No fan-only option, no tip-over shutoff 

When my grandfather was looking for a space heater to warm up his bedroom, which doesn't seem to heat as well as other areas of his apartment, this was the model I decided to recommend to him. At almost two feet tall, it's a full-size floor model but it is surprisingly lightweight, so it's easy to move around from room to room. The light-up control panel is legible from afar and allows you to choose your desired room temperature, select high or low heat settings, and set a timer. You can also adjust the angle of the airflow, which is helpful if you don't want hot air blowing directly on you. 

By selecting the room temperature, the unit will automatically know to cycle off (and eventually back on) when it senses that it reaches the right temperature. This function was very accurate when I compared its temperature display to my reference thermometer. It's a lot quieter than I expected for such a large machine, and it does a great job of heating up a room quickly without blowing uncomfortably hot air. On a chilly morning, the heater was able to warm the air by 6 degrees Fahrenheit in under an hour. 

Unfortunately, this unit doesn't have a fan-only option, and while there's a thermal overload detector to prevent overheating, there's no tip-over shutoff. Unlike other space heater models I tried, this model purports to be safe to place against a wall because of the way the air enters and exits the machine. Safety experts usually recommend keeping the backside of a space heater clear, but I did confirm that no hot air was blowing out the back of the machine and it never overheated during use.

The best high-end space heater

The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool's features like air purifying, app compatibility, and some cooling capability make it an expansive home appliance that does much more than heat. 

Pros: Air-purifying feature, all parts stay cool to the touch, 360-degree oscillation, automatically shuts off after nine hours or if overheating is detected, beautiful design, app compatibility and controls, smart assistant compatibility, tip-over switch

Cons: Onboard display is difficult to read, replacement filters are expensive

This Dyson unit is the mac daddy of space heaters. It's a full-size heater with a unique oblong, donut-shaped design. Setup is super easy; just click in the filters and plug it in to get started. You can use the remote or an app (available on iOS or Android) to control and adjust the airflow speed, oscillation, temperature, airflow direction, and turn on the sleep timer or night mode — a feature that darkens the display and reduces the airflow speed to prevent night-time disturbances. There's also a "cooling" mode, which is really just a fan. In testing, the cooling mode barely made a dent in room temperature, though the breeze did make me feel more comfortable. 

The heating function on the Dyson works really well. The room starts warming almost immediately and the heat is effectively dispersed throughout the room. Within the first hour of testing, the temperature increased by 6 degrees Fahrenheit — a welcome bit of warmth on a particularly cold day. To run the heater, you select your desired room temperature in degrees. On auto, the heater will run at the ideal speed to quickly heat your room (and purify the air), but you can override that and select your own airflow settings.

The noise level depends on the selected airflow speed, which runs from settings one to 10. Setting 10 will require some volume adjustment on your TV while one or two is barely noticeable and didn't disturb me at all while I was working. The heater has an auto-shutoff that prevents it from overheating and it will automatically turn off if falls over or detects that the heating mode has been active for more than 9 hours. It's also the only heater where no part of the exterior is hot to the touch, making it safe for use around kids. 

In my opinion, the air purifier is the main advantage of this device over other heaters. I quickly became obsessed with tracking my home's air quality and love the detailed info I get from using the app. The machine reacts quickly and automatically to air contaminants I had never really thought about. For example, while I was preheating my oven for dinner, the unit automatically adjusted to its maximum airspeed to help purify the "contaminated" air caused by my dirty hot oven. Other users report it ramping up airflow when you're using household cleaning products, to help dissipate the chemicals.

Since initial testing, I've been running the air purifier function (often along with the heater) for nearly four months straight, and I have to say that it's really improved my allergies and asthma flare-ups. While I was initially flabbergasted by the cost of this device, the benefits I've experienced have made me a full convert to the Dyson as a year-round appliance that makes my environment feel cleaner and more comfortable.

Unfortunately, the air-purifying feature means that, unlike the other heaters on this list, the Dyson requires some maintenance. In addition to the initial cost, you'll have to spend more on filter replacements, which don't come cheap at almost $80 each. While the rate at which you replace them depends on usage and air quality, I don't expect I'll need to replace mine for at least another year. For reference, I've been running mine for almost four months now and the app says that the HEPA and carbon filters have 90% life remaining.  

Another drawback is that Dyson's onboard display is almost totally useless; it's so small that it's impossible to read from across a room. You really have to have your nose right up to the unit to peek at the tiny, round screen. However, you can access the same information in the app. 

The Dyson is also, by far, the most expensive space heater we tested. It comes loaded with tons of extra features that might justify the price tag if you're concerned about air quality in your home or want a connected device that can be used with an app or virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. However, if you're just interested in warming a chilly space, you'll get similar heating power from the cheaper picks in this guide.

Read our full review of the Dyson Hot + Cool

The best space heater that's also a fan

The HoneyWell Versa Two Position Heater is a space-saving heater with a powerful fan and thoughtful safety features not usually found in most space heaters. 

Pros: Powerful fan, cool-touch housing, overheat protection, unique safety features intended to prevent electrical fires 

Cons: Noisy, no heat cycling, no tip-over switch

The "two position" feature of this heater means you can place the unit upright or on its side, so you can use it in a variety of spaces and situations. I primarily used it in the upright position and was impressed by how this little rectangular heater warmed my office by 3 degrees very quickly. It uses a fan to push heat around, and the warmth spread evenly throughout my office instead of being concentrated in one area. Since the heat disperses so well, it didn't leave me sweating while I was waiting for my office to warm, unlike some other models I tried.

In addition to being a good feature for dispersing heat, the fan can also be used to keep you cool. While the fan is powerful when used on its own, this feature does make a fair bit of noise, which I could hear from adjoining rooms. 

I also appreciated the thoughtful safety features of this space heater. While it doesn't have a tip-over sensor, the unit stays cool to the touch and the wiring is thermally insulated to prevent the cord from overheating. It also has an overheat sensor and an ALCI plug like those found on many blow dryers, which reacts quickly to shorts like a surge protector does. Overall, it's a great space heater for those who are safety conscious and those who want a product they can also use in warmer weather.

What else we tested

All the heaters I tested worked as intended, quickly raising the temperature in my office by several degrees. A few just missed the mark for inclusion in our top picks. Here are the others we tested:

What else we recommend

Honeywell Uberheat Ceramic Heater($36.44): This is a sleek little heater with an attractive aesthetic that looks more like a designer speaker than a space heater. It takes up minimal desk space and has several key safety features like a highly sensitive tip-over switch and an overheat detector. It has one control knob to select both the setting (high or low) and the temperature, which was pretty easy to use after a quick peek at the instruction manual. However, the cycling function didn't do a great job at maintaining a consistent temperature. More often than not, I felt uncomfortably hot. The unit would cycle on when the room temperature hadn't dipped at all. This leads me to believe that the internal temperature sensor isn't particularly accurate or the machine turns on and off at preset intervals. The front grille also gets very hot, so I had to be extra careful when handling the unit, though the rest of the housing does stay cool to the touch. Still, if you use the heater without the cycling function, it produces a fair bit of warmth and looks good doing it. It's a great little heater for the design-conscious individual. 

What we don't recommend

Taotronics Space Heater($68.99): The moderate size of this heater was surprising, especially since marketing photos on Amazon make it look much bigger than it actually is. In reality, it's a little under a foot-and-a-half tall: too small for a floor heater, but too tall for a tabletop heater. When I used it on the floor, I felt like only my lower legs were warmed, and when I used it on my desk, it was impossible to adjust and check the heat settings while seated, since the controls are at the top of the unit. It's likely why the unit comes with a remote, but if I'm using this in my home office, a remote is a silly extra thing to have on hand and only serves to clutter up my workspace. It heats fine, looks sleek, and swivels, but it's an awkward size and shape for a space heater.

Trustech Ceramic Space Heater ($29.99): Straight out of the box, this unit intrigued me with its streamlined design, but as soon as I put it on my desk I changed my tune. The heater has an oscillation feature with a spinning disc on the bottom of the unit, but it makes the heater wobble and feel unsteady compared to other models I tested. While it does have a tip-over switch, I never quite felt comfortable using this heater because of how much it wobbles. It heats up just fine, but no better than other heaters I tried, and not enough to justify the design concerns.

Vornado Velocity 5 ($166.99): This square-shaped heater looked rugged and powerful with its large fan placed prominently on display, but it was surprisingly underpowered. It didn't do a good job of dispersing heat, and I often felt chilly sitting right near it if it wasn't pointed directly at me. The crisp display is one of the most legible of all the heaters I tested, but the built-in thermostat is very inaccurate. Anytime I checked my reference thermometer, the reading on the heater's display was at least 3 to 4 degrees off the mark.

Testing methodology

In addition to interviewing two safety experts about space heaters, I relied heavily on my own experience reviewing heating devices like patio heaters and portable outdoor heaters for this guide. I put all eight space heaters through the same set of standard tests and used a reference thermometer to collect temperature data. Here's what I looked for with each test:

Ability to heat: This is the most important function of a space heater. I tested every heater in my 100 square foot office. I used a reference thermometer that was always positioned on the corner of my desk, smack dab in the middle of the room. I placed the heaters diagonally from the thermometer — compact units sat on my desk while full-sized ones were placed in the far corner of my office. I tried each heater's various settings and took notes about the accuracy of internal thermostats. I was also looking for how well the heaters could hold the room at my desired temperature — usually around 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit — without surrounding me in a nauseating heat cloud. To the best of my ability, I made sure that I didn't turn on my thermostat throughout testing except when there was a risk of pipes freezing or danger to my parrot's health. Most of the time, testing began when the temperature in my office was hovering somewhere between 60 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Time to heat: I used an indoor thermometer and a timer to evaluate how long it took for the space heater to bring the room up to my ideal temperature. Some models operate by blasting heat higher than your target temperature to get the room hot faster, but I found these left me feeling hot and sweaty. Units that were too slow left me still feeling the shivers a few hours later. I was searching for the sweet spot in the middle. Units with an accurate cycling feature received bonus points for maintaining comfort levels in my office. 

Easy-to-use controls: It's a space heater, not a spaceship. While safety experts recommend reading the manual cover-to-cover before using a space heater, I put myself in the average consumer's shoes and tried to figure out the unit on my own before referencing any manuals. I looked for controls that were intuitive and easy to figure out.

Size: In a small office, there's not a whole lot of extra room for a device like a space heater. Extra points went to units that were powerful, but still compact, lightweight, and easy to fit in a confined area. For those who have larger spaces to heat, we did include picks for full-size heaters.

Noise: Every space heater made some noise, which is to be expected, but some were a bit quieter than others. I docked points from units that I felt needed to be turned off for Zoom meetings or phone calls. 

Safety features: I verified whether safety features were functional (except for the overheating functions, since that would have presented a safety hazard), including tipping the units over to test for automatic shutoffs.

What to look for in a space heater

Space heaters convert electricity into heat and contain a fan that helps propel and disperse the heat throughout the room. Most space heaters all share a few standard functions, like a power button and high or low temperature settings. However, we've found a few key features to consider when shopping for a space heater:

Power: Most heaters in our guide have 1,500 watts of power, which is pretty standard for space heaters. More powerful heaters are usually marketed as "garage heaters" and either need to be hardwired into your electrical circuit or run on a special appliance circuit. Fortunately, a heater with 1,500 watts should be enough to heat a room of about 150 square feet. 

Heat cycling function: For comfort and energy efficiency, you'll want a space heater with a heat cycling function — this allows you to select the desired temperature that the unit then attempts to maintain by cycling on and off when the temperature dips above or below the threshold. This is similar to how a built-in thermostat works in your home and prevents you from having to manually turn the unit on and off to maintain comfort levels. Not all cycling features work well, however; our picks above outline models with cycling features that are accurate and easy to use. 

Size: You can also choose between compact models and larger full-size units. A small space heater is great for desktop use in a home office, dorm room, or office building. It'll usually heat just the area right around the heater comfortably, which is good enough if you're just looking for a small bubble of personal comfort. A space heater with a bigger footprint has a larger fan, which helps blow air around the room and is ideal for heating large spaces like garages or full rooms. Opt for a full-size heater if you have a lot of space to heat.

Safety: We outline more safety features to look for in the section below, but overheat protection is a must.

Space heater safety

Sure, space heaters are ultra-convenient, but the safety experts we spoke to said they can also be dangerous if not used properly. According to a 2018 report from the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters cause 43% of U.S. fires due to home heating — and 85% of related deaths. 

Both Matthew Griffith, fire prevention section chief with the Montreal Fire Department, and Dan Mock, brand manager of Mr. Sparky, an electrical services company, said the number one rule for using a space heater is to never leave it unattended. 

Beyond that, experts said that space heater safety starts with buying and unboxing the unit. Griffith said customers should look for a space heater that's certified by the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL, or ULC in Canada) and has safety features like an auto-shutoff and tip-over switch. Mock also recommends reading the instruction manual cover-to-cover and inspecting the device before running it. "A lot of times things can get cracked or broken or the plug gets pulled loose or gets dirt in the heating element. You just want to make sure it's nice and clean," said Mock. The best way to dislodge trapped dust is to use a combination of canned air and a dry cloth. It's also a good idea to keep the packaging so you can store the heater and keep it dust-free during the warmer months. 

Where you place the space heater matters, too. Griffith said not to put a space heater too close to walls or flammable materials, and keep the backside of the heater clear, as the unit can overheat if blocked.

Additionally, paying attention to what you're plugging into electrical outlets can help prevent fires, said Mock. The average circuit breaker is rated at about 15 amps, but a powerful space heater can take up the entire power load of the circuit. "A circuit breaker is really only supposedly safe up to about 80% of its maximum capacity, which is about 12 amps," he said. "So if you think about it, a 15 amp electric heater on a circuit is drawing everything it can out of one circuit breaker. So if you add a lamp, if you add anything else to that circuit, you're overloading the circuit and you're standing a good chance of causing an electrical fire." While circuit breakers provide some protection from electrical fires, it's important to be mindful of repeatedly overtaxing the circuit. Mock also warns against using extension cords with these types of appliances (as do most space heater instruction manuals) because they can heat up significantly, which increases your risk of starting a fire.

The bottom line

Keep an eye on your space heater. Think of it like a candle. You'd never leave the house or go to bed with one burning; treat your heater the same way.

Check out our other winter guides to keep warm

• The best fire pits
• The best winter boots for women
• The best winter coats for women
• The best winter coats for men
• The best beanies

Poshmark is the latest resale platform to go public. And some experts say it's a trend that could continue for other e-commerce marketplaces.

In its IPO earlier this month, Poshmark sold 6.6 million shares for $42 apiece, raising a total of $277 million. The peer-to-peer shopping platform now joins the ranks of other resellers that have gone public in the last few years.

San Francisco-based online luxury consignment retailer The RealReal became the first resale company to go public in June of 2019. In October of 2020, resale marketplace thredUp filed paperwork for its US IPO.

"A few things that we have typically seen ahead of some of the big tech IPOs are companies significantly growing their digital market share," said Ed Lavery, the director of investor solutions at SimilarWeb, which provides global digital traffic insights about websites and apps.

"We have also noted market-leading customer engagement compared to incumbents in their industries," a factor he noted that distinguished Poshmark from its competitors. Poshmark.com has the largest traffic share among the top five fashion resale sites in terms of number of visits, according to SimilarWeb. ThredUp, The RealReal, Grailed, and StockX are the other most heavily visited resale sites.

Across the board, resale is on the rise. 

According to research from ThredUp, the total secondhand market is projected to grow from $28 billion to $64 billion by 2025 despite current headwinds faced across the entire retail industry. Outside of resale, other marketplace platforms like Faire, an online wholesale B2B marketplace, and Jane, a marketplace that partners with boutique retailers, are also finding success.

According to analysts and experts, the market is right for promising marketplace-based companies to head towards an IPO. To get there, being able to prove profitability is essential, explained Forrester analyst Sucharita Kodali.

"The investors need to see that there's topline growth," Kodali said, adding that a path to reduce spending and proof of organic traffic is also important. 

In the case of Poshmark, there was precedent for success, given the success of IPOs for similar marketplaces like Farfetch and Etsy. Additionally, many resale marketplaces like Poshmark have the added bonus of not carrying any inventory, Kodali noted.

In the wake of Poshmark's successful IPO, Insider asked various experts what similar marketplace companies to expect to go public in the near future. Here's what they said:

SEE ALSO: A reseller sold $100,000 worth of clothing on Poshmark last year. Here's how she turned her side hustle into a full-time gig after getting furloughed from her job during the pandemic.

StockX

StockX, a leading resale platform for sneakers, streetwear, and other collectibles, announced in a July report that it had surpassed 10 million lifetime sales and had its two biggest sales months ever in May and June. The company also announced in a recent report that it broke even in Q3 2020.

StockX's niche in streetwear and sneakers is proving to be beneficial. A Cowen & Co. analysis from July said the sneaker and streetwear resale industry was worth $2 billion in North America and could reach $30 billion globally by 2030. 

According to managing intelligence analyst for CB Insights Thomas Sineau, StockX's niche in the exploding sneaker and streetwear category makes the platform a likely candidate to launch a successful IPO in the near future.

In October of 2019, StockX CEO Scott Cutler told CNBC that the company was aiming to go public. StockX recently raised $275 million in a Series E investment that closed late last year, valuing the company at $2.8 billion.

According to SimilarWeb data, Stockx.com is one of the top five fashion resale sites according to the number of visits, pulling in over 20 million monthly visits in the last two months of 2020.

As with any company, proving profitability is one of the most important elements needed for a company to go public. For StockX, Kodali said that a possible IPO would depend on the company's model for growth and inventory management. For a StockX IPO to be successful, the company would have to prove that limited sneaker and streetwear drops will continue to drive the platform's growth for the long-term.

Faire

Faire is an online wholesale B2B marketplace that helps businesses buy merchandise to sell in their stores. Kodali said Faire is one of the marketplaces she is watching for a possible IPO in the future, especially given the company's latest funding venture.

The company hit unicorn status — or a valuation of more than $1 billion — in 2019 and was valued at $2.5 billion in October after closing a Series E funding round led by Sequoia Capital.

After experiencing an initial dip in sales at the start of the pandemic, Faire managed to stay afloat by creating a "2020 crisis strategy document," Insider previously reported. When the pandemic hit, Faire offered small businesses a credit line of up to $20,000 to be able to stock their inventory. The money could then be paid back through a payment plan over a few months with an interest fee of 3% or within 60 days with no interest or fees.

Faire, which currently employs 325 people, plans to almost double its employee base in 2021, a company spokeswoman previously told Insider. When asked in December about the possibility of an IPO, Faire co-founder and CEO Max Rhodes told Insider he is considering it and that the company's recent funding from Sequoia, which has public market experience, was strategic for the purposes of going public.

GOAT

Like StockX, GOAT is another marketplace platform that specializes in sneakers and streetwear, a category that is predicted to grow. The company recently secured an investment from Groupe Artemis, a lead shareholder of luxury fashion leader Kering, of an undisclosed amount.

In September, GOAT closed a series E funding round of $100 million, which brought the company's total valuation up to $1.75 billion, a source familiar with the deal said.

Sineau of CB Insights highlighted GOAT as an ideal candidate for an IPO.

"The traction they get right now is kind of tightly correlated to the fact that streetwear is in vogue," Sineau said about platforms like GOAT and StockX. "I think for them, the key part is either going to be able to sustain that demand for streetwear or to be able to attract a much wider pool."

Jane

Jane is an online marketplace that partners with boutique retailers to sell everything from home goods to apparel.

Kodali highlighted Jane as a relatively small marketplace that has stood out, given its recent funding. Jane announced a $40 million investment from private equity firm Tritium Partners in December. 

"The last year has been a really, I think, a transformative one for us," Jane CEO Taleeb Noormohamed told Insider in a recent interview. "My focus has been on growing and building the company in the most efficient, successful way possible. And we'll look at whatever options come our way." 

When asked about the likelihood of an IPO for Jane in the near future, Noormohamed said that "everything is on the table" and that he will continue to examine and weigh all options for the future.

Genies

Genies functions a bit differently than a typical martketplace. The company lives in the emerging world of "virtual goods," a sector in which the items for sale are non-physical products, such as online games or digital avatars. 

Despite its digital focus, Genies is still a marketplace of sorts. The company, which specializes in designing digital avatars, partners with a variety of celebrities to help them virtually interact with their fan bases. Genies then allows celebrities to sell digital goods via their avatars, which is where the marketplace factor comes into play.

For this marketplace function, Genies also partners with Gucci to integrate its technology into the retailer's app. This allows celebrities to create exclusive products to sell to other avatars.

According to Sineau, Genies is an example of how the virtual goods market is growing and moving beyond of the gaming sector.

"You can use your avatar across different platforms and you can dress them with certain pieces of clothing," he said, calling out Genies as a company that has done particularly well in this sector.

To date, Genies has raised a total of 41.8 million, according to Crunchbase, and is looking to expand into the Asian market.

Back Market

Back Market is a marketplace that sells refurbished electronics across Western Europe and the US. The company previously estimated the refurbished electronics market to be worth about $80 billion annually.

Back Market raised $120 million in a late-stage funding round that closed in May of 2020, bringing the company's total funding to $175 million.

"The company trajectory has been spectacular and this raise is about continuing that," Serge Verdoux, managing director at Back Market, told Insider's Callum Burroughs in a May interview regarding the company's latest funding. "Demand has never been so strong because confined people need electronics more than ever."

As demand for consumer electronics grows, Sineau highlighted Back Market as a company he could see going public in the next few years. The analyst sees the company's recent late-stage investment as a sign that they could be preparing for a future IPO.

"What they do is somewhat close to The Real Real but for consumer electronics," Sineau said, drawing a comparison to the luxury good consignment site that went public in June of 2019. "So smartphones, smartwatches, smart speakers, all these types of things, they kind of take it, recondition them or refurbish them, and then resell them on their platform."

OfferUp

OfferUp is a marketplace that connects local buyers and sellers. In June, the company said it saw an increase in users, sold items, and posted items since the pandemic began.

OfferUp has raised $380 million to date, with its most recent round of $120 million closing in May of 2020. OfferUp describes itself as the largest US mobile marketplace for local buyers and sellers.

CB Insights has had OfferUp on its lists for tech IPOs in the pipeline from 2017 to 2019. 

"It's definitely one that could get into the public market," Sineau said.

• Jewelry is always a great gift, especially for Valentine's Day. 
• We rounded up 17 beautiful pieces that fit every budget and style.
• Check out Valentine's Day 2021 gifts for her for even more inspiration. 

When in doubt, jewelry always makes a great gift. Whether it's a luxury necklace that can be saved for once-in-a-lifetime events or a simple pair of hoops that can be added to their everyday rotation, great jewelry has a place in nearly every wardrobe no matter the occasion. 

If you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift for a special someone in your life, don't worry — we've got you covered. We looked all over the internet to find an assortment of pieces that'll show off their style, spunk, and unique personality. Plus, we covered a huge price range — so you can be sure you'll find something in your budget. 

Here are 17 Valentine's Day jewelry gifts:

Missoma Round Signet Ring

Round Signet Ring, available at Missoma, $103

This simple but elegant ring might be the staple jewelry piece they've been looking for. It comes in gold and silver, with a wide range of sizes. Add a personal touch by engraving initials, a favorite number, or a significant year. You can customize the size of the engraving, and the best part is that it's complimentary.

Gorjana Parker Necklace

Parker Necklace, available at Gorjana, $65

Worn alone or layered with other gold chains, this 18-karat link chain necklace offers a retro, trendy vibe. The hinge closure lets you easily adjust the necklace to your styling.

Missoma Gold Mini Tidal Hoop Earrings

Gold Mini Tidal Hoop Earrings, available at Missoma, $103

You can't go wrong with a pair of gold hoop earrings. They're a classic that never fails to elevate casual outfits. The twisted design is chic and elegant, mixing well with stacked earring looks. 

Gorjana Parker Heart Layering Set

Parker Heart Layering Set, available at Gorjana, $108

Although heart-themed jewelry can sometimes be a little too on-the-nose, this simple set is the perfect balance for showing your love while gifting something that can be worn beyond Valentine's Day. The pearl necklace adds a casual, feminine touch they can pair with any outfit. 

Mejuri Pavé Diamond Round Studs

Pavé Diamond Round Studs, available at Mejuri, $325

Every woman needs a simple pair of diamond studs — they transition seamlessly from everyday to elegant and look great with pretty much everything. This pair has a 14-karat gold setting and a simple pavé design that shows off the sparkling diamonds. 

Mejuri Editor Hoops

Editor Hoops, available at Mejuri, $70

This gold pair of hoops from Mejuri is so lightweight, the wearer will hardly even notice they're on. They're made with 18-karat gold vermeil and perfect for everyday wear. 

Catbird Zodiac Ring

Zodiac Ring, available at Catbird, $124

The traditional signet ring gets a modern update with whimsical astrological imagery. Each brass ring is adorned with a zodiac sign — just make sure you pick the right one. 

Jennie Kwon Lexie Emerald Ring

Jennie Kwon Lexie Emerald Ring, available at Catbird, $1,195

This splurge-worthy ring is sure to dazzle. The rich, green emerald sits between two dainty three-point diamonds, all on a 14-karat yellow gold band — it's a simply stunning piece she'll want to slip on right away. 

AUrate Connection Bracelet

Connection Bracelet, available at AUrate, $300

Solidify your connection with this aptly named bracelet. It features two interlocking loops on a 14-karat gold chain (white, yellow, or rose), meant to symbolize harmony. It's a delicate piece that'll add a sweet meaning to her next outfit. 

Stone and Strand In the Stars Ring

In the Stars Ring, available at Stone and Strand, $195

This 14-karat yellow gold band is dotted with conflict-free diamonds for a celestially-inspired ring that looks great alone or stacked with others. 

The Last Line Rainbow Huggie

Tiny Yellow Gold Rainbow Huggie, available at The Last Line, $210 each

A rainbow of precious stones line this 14-karat yellow gold, lobe-hugging pair that's sure to add a pop of color to all of her ensembles.

Bittersweets Lil ID Bracelet

Bittersweets Lil ID Bracelet, available at Catbird, $425-$645

With room for up to 12 characters, this little ID bracelet can be customized in endless ways. You can even add a diamond or a stamped heart for an extra-special, personalized piece they'll never want to take off their wrist.

Missoma X Lucy Williams Coin Choker

Lucy Williams Legion Coin Choker, available at Missoma, $214

Gold coin stations make this classic choker look effortlessly cool. Plus, it can be layered right on top of a favorite long necklace. 

Vrai & Oro Solitaire Diamond Necklace

Solitaire Round Diamond Necklace, available at Vrai & Oro, from $500

Like diamond earrings, a diamond necklace is a timeless addition to any wardrobe. This singular diamond in a simple, minimalist setting is a beautiful piece that adds just enough sparkle to each day.

Edge of Ember Initial and Birthstone Necklace

Initial & Birthstone Necklace, available at Edge of Ember, $200

Combine their initial and birthstone on this gold chain for a personalized gift that feels one of a kind. 

The Last Line Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Perfect Diamond Tennis Bracelet, available at The Last Line, $4,250

If you're looking for something really special to splurge on for your loved one this Valentine's Day, this tennis bracelet is a great choice. It features a 14-karat gold chain that's laden with diamonds.

Sydney Evan Martini Glass Studs

Sydney Evan Martini Glass Stud Earrings, available at Shopbop, $770

Light-hearted and quirky, these studs are the perfect pair for anyone who loves to have some fun with fashion. The little martini glasses are made out of 14-karat yellow gold studded with diamonds, and each one is topped off with an emerald olive. 

Check out even more of our Valentine's Day gift ideas

• Thoughtful gifts to give your wife this Valentine's Day
• Thoughtful tech gifts that she'll love to get on Valentine's Day
• The best online flower delivery services
• Cute Valentine's Day gift ideas for kids
• Last-minute Valentine's Day gifts that are Amazon Prime-eligible
• Unique, low-key gifts to celebrate your first Valentine's Day as a couple
• Perfect last-minute Galentine's Day gifts to show your friends a little extra love

• YouTube has produced a new generation of celebrities and influencers that have turned posting videos online into lucrative full-time careers.
• The most popular YouTubers include video game commentators, makeup artists, and vloggers.
• These are the 26 most-subscribed YouTube channels from independent personalities who got their start on the video-sharing platform.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

YouTube has become the de-facto launchpad for the next generation of celebrities, personalities, and big stars.

Well-known names like PewDiePie, Shane Dawson, and Smosh have racked up millions of subscribers over the years by uploading videos on YouTube and forming seemingly personal relationships with their fans. From comedians to gamers to vloggers of all kinds, YouTubers have harnessed the video-sharing platform to build their followings and brands from nothing more than a video camera and a solid internet connection. 

To get a closer look into which stars rule YouTube, we looked at the SocialBlade rankings to see which channels have the most subscribers. We focused on independent YouTube creators, disregarding YouTube channels from music artists and record labels, multi-channel networks, and those without a face to the name.

These are the top 26 YouTube personalities with the most subscribers:

SEE ALSO: Take a closer look at Instagram Reels, Facebook's TikTok rival coming to the US next month

30. Smosh — 25.1 million subscribers

AKA: Ian Hecox and the Smosh cast

Location: United States

Video type: Smosh was started by comedy duo Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla, and the channel was one of the first YouTube sensations. The channel is known for its various written sketches and comedy series spinoffs. It's since expanded into other channels dedicated to video games and Spanish language content.

Smosh has been active since 2002, and has grown tremendously since then. One of the founders, Anthony Padilla, left the channel in June 2017. Smosh has expanded beyond Hecox to include other personalities that host the channel's series and appear on Smosh's spinoff channels. The Smosh brand was acquired in early 2019 by Mythical Entertainment, a company owned by YouTubers Rhett & Link.

29. James Charles — 25.3 million subscribers

Location: United States

Video type: James Charles came to fame for his beauty content, but he also posts a number of vlogs, musical covers, and activities that bring in a number of other influencers. He's notably been involved, or tangential, to some of the biggest YouTube and TikTok drama over the course of the past several years.

28. VanossGaming — 25.4 million subscribers

AKA: Evan Fong

Location: Canada

Video type: VanossGaming is a gaming commentator, but what sets him apart are his compilations of funny moments while he's playing that are stitched together. 

27. Atta Halilintar — 26.2 million subscribers

Location: Indonesia

Video type: Atta Halilintar typically posts vlogs, house tours, and interviews with celebrities, the Jakarta Post reported. He was the first Southeast Asian YouTuber to receive YouTube's Diamond Play Button (awarded for reaching 10 million subscribers) and is Indonesia's biggest YouTube star.

26. JackSepticEye — 26.3 million subscribers

AKA: Seán McLoughlin

Location: Ireland

Video type: JackSepticEye initially came to fame when PewDiePie mentioned him in a video in 2013. His channel is centered around the Let's Play-style of video gaming videos with accompanying swear-riddled commentary and charity livestreaming.

25. AuronPlay — 26.9 million subscribers

AKA: Raúl Álvarez Genes

Location: Spain

Video type: A popular Twitch streamer, AuronPlay's YouTube videos are a mix of vlogs, internet commentary, and gaming content. 

24. A4 — 27.8 million subscribers

AKA: Vlad Bumaga

Location: Belarus

Video type: On his channel A4, Bumaga's videos are comedy-focused, and typically feature vlogs, challenges, skits, and pranks. 

23. Shfa — 28 million subscribers

Location: United Arab Emirates

Video type: Shfa's channel, which appears to be run by her parents, is geared towards children and typically involve toys or activities like swimming or having parties. There are also a number of associated channels, including shfa2, shfa gaming, and shfa español, that have amassed thousands to millions of subscribers.

22. Ryan's World (Ryan ToysReview) — 28.1 million subscribers

AKA: Ryan Kaji

Location: United States

Video type: Ryan ToysReview — which was just recently rebranded to Ryan's World— is a family-run channel, but the star of the show is 8-year-old Ryan Kaji, who generated $22 million in revenue in a single year. 

21. Markiplier — 28.2 million subscribers

AKA: Mark Fischbach

Location: United States

Video type: Markiplier is another YouTuber known for his video game commentary, but he's recently expanded into sketch comedy. He's known for his colorful commentary and oft-dyed hair — and he sometimes sports a pink mustache.

20. Kimberly Loaiza — 28.2 million subscribers

AKA: Kimberly Loaiza

Location: Mexico

Video type: Kimberly Loiaza is one of Mexico's most popular social media stars, and her YouTube videos typically veer towards lifestyle content, challenges, and music. She also runs the channel JukiLop with her partner Juan de Dios Pantoja Nuñez.

T-18. Carry Minati — 28.4 million subscribers

AKA: Ajey Nagar

Location: India

Video type: CarryMinati's videos typically focus on comedy, commentary, and music. He's one of India's most popular YouTubers.

T-18. Toys and Colors — 28.4 million subscribers

AKA: Wendy, Jannie, Emma, and family

Location: United States

Video type: While there's not much public information available on the family and group behind Toys and Colors, the channel has amassed millions of subscribers with family-friendly videos that show a rotating cast of kids who play with toys and act out different pretend scenarios.

17. RezendeEvil — 28.6 million subscribers

AKA: Pedro Afonso Rezende

Location: Brazil

Video type: Rezende started out as a gaming channel where he posted videos of himself playing "Minecraft." Since then, he's moved that content over to another channel, and now focuses mainly on comedy videos and daily vlogs featuring his friends.

16. Vegetta777 — 32 million subscribers

AKA: Samuel de Luque

Location: Spain

Video type: His channel, Vegetta777, is known for his gameplay videos for "Minecraft,""Saint's Row," and "Battlefield." His voiceover style differs from many other YouTube — he creates elaborate narratives and histories for the characters in his video games.

15. Luccas Neto — 33.5 million subscribers

AKA: Lunes

Location: Brazil

Video type: Luccas Neto produces sketches featuring characters and stories aimed at children. He's the younger brother of comedic YouTuber Felipe Neto.

14. Luisito Comunica — 35 million subscribers

AKA: Luis Arturo Villar Sudek

Location: Mexico

Video type: Luisito Comunica makes travel vlogs documenting his experiences in cities around the world. In his videos, he focuses on showcasing the cultures and histories of the places he visits.

13. Você Sabia? — 39 million subscribers

AKA: Lukas Marques and Daniel Molo

Location: Brazil

Video type: The channel "Você Sabia?", which translates to "Did You Know?", present videos with interesting facts and trivia from around the world. 

12. El Rubius — 39.5 million subscribers

AKA: Rubén Doblas Gundersen

Location: Spain

Video type: El Rubius is a gamer who does walk-throughs, reviews, and more, peppered with funny commentary. He started making videos on his channel, ElRubiusOMG, at age 16, and made it a full-time career at 21.

11. Fernanfloo — 40.2 million subscribers

AKA: Luis Fernando Flores

Location: El Salvador

Video type: Fernanfloo is known for his gameplay videos and wacky antics. His dogs sometimes make appearances in his videos.

10. Felipe Neto — 41.1 million subscribers

Location: Brazil

Video type:Felipe Neto makes comedic videos and vlogs about his daily life, current news, and celebrities. In 2012, his YouTube channel became the first Brazilian channel to hit 1 million subscribers. He released a Netflix original comedy special, "My Life Makes No Sense," in 2017. 

He's the older brother of another prominent YouTube, Luccas Neto.

9. Whinderssonnunes — 41.7 million subscribers

AKA: Whindersson Nunes

Location: Brazil

Video type: Whinderssonnunes has been making vlogs and comedic videos since he was 15. He uploads parodies, songs, movie reviews, and videos about his daily life. 

8. JuegaGerman (aka HolaSoyGerman) — 42.8 million subscribers

AKA: Germán Garmendia

Location: Chile

Video type: Garmendia is Latin America's biggest YouTube star. His channel, JuegaGerman, first focused solely on video games, but has expanded into comedic content.

He has another channel with a comparable subscriber base — HolaSoyGerman., with 41.2 million subscribers — but he hasn't posted to it in two years.

7. Badabun — 43.9 million subscribers

Location: Mexico

Video type: Badabun has grown in popularity with its series "Exponiendo Infieles," where the host interviews couples to see if either person is cheating on the other. The network's team of Spanish-speaking influencers is also notable for its comedic on-the-street interviews, and a Big Brother-type reality series documenting influencers living in a mansion together.

6. MrBeast — 51.6 million subscribers

AKA: Jimmy Donaldson

Location: United States

Video type:MrBeast is known for two types of videos: viral challenges — ranging from "Counting to 100,000 in One Video" to "Last To Remove Hand, Gets Lamborghini Challenge"— to attention-grabbing donation and charity stunts where he'll dole out thousands of dollars to small Twitch games and waitresses.

5. Dude Perfect — 54.9 million subscribers

AKA: Cory and Coby Cotton, plus three college friends (Tyler Toney, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones)

Location: United States

Video type: The Dude Perfect guys are known for their compilations of trick shots and their Rolodex of famous athletes that appear alongside them in their videos. The channel has expanded into comedy, and the crew is often joined in their videos by a giant Panda mascot.

4. Vlad and Niki — 61.5 million subscribers

Location: United States

Video type: The US-based Vlad and Niki channel stars two brothers — Vlad, 7, and Nikita, 5. Videos show the brothers playing with toys and showing off their daily adventures.

3. Like Nastya — 67.9 million subscribers

AKA: Stacy, Nastya

Location: United States

Video type: The "Like Nastya" channel posts regular vlogs of a Russian-American girl named Stacy playing with toys and going on adventures with her family. Stacy also appears on other popular channels with millions of subscribers: Like Nastya Show, Stacy Toys and Funny Stacy.

2. Kids Diana Show — 73.2 million subscribers

Location: United States

Video type: The "Kids Diana Show" follows the antics of Diana and her brother, Roma. The channel features the Russian-speaking kids unboxing toys and going on fantastical adventures.

1. PewDiePie — 108 million subscribers

AKA: Felix Kjellberg 

Location: United Kingdom

Video type: PewDiePie is known for his popular videos where he gives commentary while playing video games. His content has expanded into coverage and commentary of internet memes and viral videos.

At one point, the Swedish gamer was locked in a months-long battle for the title of most-subscribed-to YouTube channel with Bollywood music company T-Series. His devoted fanbase took action to ensure his No. 1 spot with an extensive "Subscribe to PewDiePie" campaign that included hacking printers and buying billboard space. However, T-Series beat PewDiePie to the 100-million subscriber mark at the end of May 2019.

Kjellberg has also attracted negative attention for a long history of offensive racist and anti-Semitic remarks, which YouTube has punished him for. 

John Lynch, Nina Godlewski, Harrison Jacobs, Maya Kosoff, and Nathan McAlone contributed to earlier versions of this post.

Do you work at YouTube? Got a tip about it? Contact this reporter via Signal at +1 (201) 312-4526 using a non-work phone, email at pleskin@businessinsider.com, or Twitter DM at @paigeleskin. (PR pitches by email only please). You can also contact Business Insider securely via SecureDrop.

• A shower curtain that keeps water where it belongs and also looks great is a surprisingly tall order. 
• We spoke with Donna McMahon, an award-winning bath designer, about how to choose stylish and functional shower curtains.
• These are the best shower curtains that blend longevity with washability and versatility.
• And if you're looking for the best shower curtain liners, check out our buying guide. 

A good shower curtain looks great, dries quickly, and keeps mold and mildew away. Whether you're the type of person who spends hours poring over designs and colors or just buys the first one within budget, you'll want to keep two things in mind to make sure your shower curtain is a keeper — fabric and size. We spoke with Donna McMahon, an award-winning kitchen and bath designer and founder of KE Interior Solutions in Denver, on how to choose a shower curtain and how to measure them — you can check out her tips at the end of this guide. 

If you're just here for the best shower curtains, these picks were all chosen with McMahon's guidance in mind and blend longevity with low-maintenance materials and versatile style. 

The best shower curtains of 2021

• A universal white shower curtain: mDesign Waffle Weave Fabric Shower Curtain
• A hookless shower curtain with detachable liner: Hookless Waffle Fabric Shower Curtain and Snap-in Liner Set
• A unique shower curtain: Society6
• A shower curtain that feels custom made: Barossa Design Herringbone & Striped Fabric Shower Curtain
• An eco-friendly fabric shower curtain: Quiet Town's Organic Canvas Shower Curtains

SEE ALSO: The best bath mats you can buy

A shower curtain with waterproof lining

The N&Y HOME Ultimate Waterproof Fabric Shower Curtain is an all-around winner for most bathrooms for its good looks and dual functionality at an unbeatable price. 

The N&Y HOME Ultimate Waterproof Fabric Shower Curtain is simple but everything you'll ever need in a shower curtain. It's machine-washable and made of 100% polyester, but what sets it apart is the interior PVC-free waterproof coating. That means if you prefer the look and feel of fabric liners but need the waterproof benefit of plastic ones, this might be the closest thing to getting both. 

Looks aside, this option checks the other boxes that most people want in their curtain, including a reinforced top header to prevent rips and tears and magnets in the bottom hem to help prevent billowing — or worse, sticking to your legs. The curtain is available in the standard 72 x 72-inch size, as well as four additional narrow and extra-long sizes.  

This curtain is a workhorse that should meet your basic shower curtain needs, and the clean white shade complements any bathroom decor. We're calling it the best bang for your buck.

A universal white shower curtain

With a plush textured style that fits into any bathroom, the cotton-poly mDesign Waffle Weave Fabric Shower Curtain in Stone White is a can't-go-wrong option at an affordable price point.   

Scandi-inspired farmhouse? Modern minimalist city apartment? New baby's nursery en suite? Whatever your bathroom's scheme or theme, there's a white curtain to match, and chances are the mDesign Waffle Weave Fabric Shower Curtain will fit right in.

We have millions of standard-issue white curtains to choose from, but this neutral Stone White color is neither too cold nor too warm, so it should feel right at home in most bathrooms. The soft cotton-poly fabric has a slightly weighted heft that lets the curtain drape and hang naturally. And its classic waffle texture feels comforting, fresh, and clean while adding a subtle element of style. 

This isn't a water-resistant curtain so you'll need a liner, but it's much lower maintenance than an all-natural cloth option. You'll also be able to throw it in a cold wash cycle and a low-heat tumble dry without worrying too much about shrinkage and wrinkles. It comes in the standard 72 x 72-inch size, plus longer 72 x 84 and 72 x 96 options for taller ceilings.

A hookless shower curtain with detachable liner

Flex-on rings make the elegant Hookless Waffle Fabric Shower Curtain and Snap-in Liner Set extra easy to slip on and off the rod, and its snap-on liner doubles the convenience.  

The cool thing about this Hookless curtain— aside from its clean, elegant design and its machine-washable 100% polyester fabrication — is that hanging your curtain has never been faster or less annoying.  

The rings on this curtain are designed to flex open, so you can easily slip your curtain onto the rod (or off again) in a matter of seconds. If that time-saving convenience isn't enough to convert you away from hooks forever, it also comes with a detachable liner that snaps onto the curtain and goes inside the tub, so there's no need to deal with a double rod (unless you want to, of course). 

The curtain is available in a variety of styles, textures, designs, and fabrics (even satin) to match your aesthetic. Just be sure to check the care instructions if you opt for a different fabric, and keep in mind that certain styles only come in a 71 x 74-inch size.

A unique shower curtain

With thousands of designs to choose from, Society6 is second to none for unique and one-of-a-kind shower curtains by independent artists.

Sometimes you want a shower curtain that just blends into your bathroom. But if you want something that stands out, then you'll want to check out the curtains on Society6. 

Society6 is a marketplace for creative artists to sell their work on everyday products like phone cases, office supplies, yoga mats, and — you guessed it — shower curtains. By making a purchase, you'll get to support independent artists like poet Morgan Harper Nichols, who designed this inspiring print, or illustrator and muralist Alexandra Bowman, who creates gorgeous watercolor-style prints. And you'll hang up a beautiful, eye-catching piece of art in what's usually an under-decorated space.

The shower curtains themselves are made from machine-washable polyester, though some reviewers say the soft material has a plasticky feel to it. One thing to note is that they're only available in the 71 x 74 size, so you'll want to make sure that the bottom won't drag on your bathroom floor before buying.

A shower curtain that feels custom made

The Barossa Design Herringbone & Striped Fabric Shower Curtain has an intricate design that will subtly dress up your bathroom. 

The Barossa Design Herringbone & Striped Fabric Shower Curtain is priced like a basic fabric liner, but it looks and feels way more luxurious thanks to its sheen and woven texture.  

Made from a machine-washable polyester blend, the curtain is water repellant and won't require an additional liner. And thanks to its textural pattern, silky finish, and cool white shade, it's a quick way to elevate any bathroom in need of a crisp and clean pick-me-up. 

With 11 sizes to choose from — from shower stall options to extra wide and long options — this curtain might also be the best looking and most precise fit for your bathtub or shower.

An eco-friendly fabric shower curtain

If you're on the hunt for a sustainable and responsibly-made curtain with clean designs, you'll fall in love with Quiet Town's Organic Canvas Shower Curtains.

Let's cut to the chase: At $148, this isn't the kind of curtain you buy to replace two or three months down the line, but with Quiet Town— a small Brooklyn biz started by artists Lisa and Michael Fine — that's the whole point. 

Committed to sustainability, the partners set out to make everyday bathroom essentials in a more eco-conscious way: sourcing materials ethically, partnering with manufacturers who value their workers and the environment, and creating only what's needed. 

For its machine-washable 100% canvas shower curtains, some of which are also available through West Elm, the cotton is domestically milled and organically grown in the US. Then the curtains are dyed locally and handmade in Brooklyn — same deal with its ultra-cool $62 EVA curtain. Beyond making curtains, Quiet Town is currently focusing a large part of its work on solving the plastic liner waste problem, aka how to keep more of them out of landfills since plastic liners are not recyclable — yet. 

There's nothing "assembly line" about their offerings — and that's a welcome departure. Quiet Town has already made a splash in the homewares space for its sensible but striking designs using playful colors and minimalist art.  

How to choose shower curtains

First, choose a material that's durable and easy to care for. According to Donna McMahon, there are three main types:

• Natural fabric: These are your cotton, linen, canvas, hemp, and bamboo blends. A good quality cotton curtain is a top choice for most people, according to McMahon. Simply toss it in the wash on laundry day to keep it in good shape (other fabrics may have specific care instructions, though). The drawback is that they can be expensive — up to $60 and sometimes more — and cannot be used without a liner. All-natural cloth curtains need a protective liner to stay dry and mildew-free.
• Polyester and polyblend: If you're on a budget, curtains made out of polyester are another long-lasting and low-maintenance choice. They're machine washable, quick-drying, and water-repellant, which means they don't need a liner though they can double as one.
• Plastic: Plastic curtains shouldn't go in the wash and instead must be regularly wiped and scrubbed clean. They're the cheapest option (most are under $20) and tend to be replaced frequently. They're the most waterproof material of the bunch, so they're usually used as liners but can work as standalone curtains too. Be sure to steer away from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), cautions McMahon, which contains a mix of chlorine, phthalates, and other chemicals that give vinyl plastic curtains that pungent headache-inducing smell. Plastic curtains made with PE (polyethylene), PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate), and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) are safer alternatives, but when in doubt, "search for 'PVC free' in product descriptions," says McMahon. 

The rest is a matter of your personal taste. Natural fabric curtains drape beautifully and have a more elevated look, and polyester curtains can have a similar soft, woven-fabric feel.

In terms of colors, patterns, and prints, go with what makes you happy. If you really don't know where to start, McMahon said, "Pick a curtain design that has a touch of the prominent color in your bathroom tile or other finishes to tie it all together. And if the tones of your bathroom are soft and subtle, a curtain that's bolder in color can be the perfect contrast too."

Keeping it simple with white though will never go out of style — just think of every hotel bathroom you've ever seen.  

How to measure shower curtains 

The standard size that fits most built-in tubs is 72 x 72 inches, but before you add your brand new curtain to your cart, break out the tape measure to make sure you're getting the proper size. 

• Width: Measure along the entire length of the curtain rod and add 12 inches so the curtain can drape and extend nicely. For reference, the standard bathtub is about 60-inches long. Shower stalls will be narrower and clawfoot tubs will be longer because the curtain needs to fit around a full circular rod, says McMahon. For this, look for 180 x 70, or you can use two 72 x 72-inch curtains. 
• Height: The curtain height will also vary depending on what kind of shower you have, but generally the bottom hem should float at least one to two inches above the floor. "This allows air to circulate and prevent mold and mildew growth," says McMahon. Measure from below the rod — or end of the shower curtain hooks — to the floor, then subtract at least two inches. 

Check out other bathroom-related guides

• The best shower curtain liner 
• The best bath mats

• Travel wallets are useful for organizing passports, boarding passes, money, and other key documents when making trips.
• The Bellroy Travel Wallet is our top pick thanks to a sleek, smart design that holds everything without adding bulk.
• Check our other travel guide on the best carry-on bags.

Passports can be easily battered: Thin and light, they get worn down if you're a frequent traveler who shoves them into jeans pockets or carry-on backpacks that are filled to the brim.

I was never a fan of passport holders and cases until I found myself in situations when I needed one. I took a few international flights where I couldn't use mobile boarding passes and had to carry paper ones. I remembered what a pain it can be to keep track of your passport, boarding pass, and landing cards, plus other notes and documents you might need when you're throwing everything loose into a backpack pocket.

I decided to look into travel wallets and passport covers, thinking I can streamline everything if I could keep all the travel documents for a given flight in one holder; I'd also be able to protect my passport. I knew that money belts and travel wallets that go around the neck are popular, but I had no interest in one of those. I wanted a sleek, clean-looking wallet.

After researching different options and testing a handful, the Bellroy Travel Wallet was my consistent go-to. I've also included other great travel wallet options if Bellroy's wares aren't for you. Read on to see which of our picks is the best for your travel wallet needs.

Here are the best travel wallets:

• The best overall: Bellroy Travel Wallet
• The best minimalist travel wallet: Mr. Lentz Slim Passport Wallet
• The best with a zipper: Fjällräven Passport Wallet
• The best for family trips: Lewis N. Clark Travel Wallet
• The best for holding boarding passes: Cuyana Classic Passport Case

SEE ALSO: The best men's wallets you can buy

The best overall

The Bellroy Travel Wallet keeps your passport, boarding passes, landing cards, and more in a compact, organized package.

Pros: Keeps everything you need handy while traveling, easy to navigate, great organization, includes a pen, small enough to carry in a pocket in the airport, has RFID-blocking capabilities

Cons: Too big to use as a daily wallet during trips

If you're a regular reader of Insider Reviews, chances are you're already familiar with Bellroy — after all, the company makes our favorite wallets. The Australian brand has a smart, minimalist, and functional design philosophy. It also uses ethically-sourced materials and has a great manufacturing process to produce high-quality gear.

What I love about Bellroy's travel wallet is that it holds everything. It has room for all of the travel documents you might need over the course of a multi-stop international trip, plus cash, credit cards, a SIM card, and even a pen.

At first glance, the wallet looks like an oversized bifold, opening just like an everyday wallet. One side has room for your passport, with a dedicated pocket that takes up that whole side. The other side has credit card slots — either two or four, depending on which edition of the wallet you choose — positioned vertically so you just drop the cards in. The wallet also has an open-top pocket like a traditional bill compartment, but it's divided into two sections.

There are a few more "hidden" card slots and a sim-card holder within the inner cash compartment, as well as my favorite feature of this wallet: a tiny pen, which is kept tucked away right in the middle so that you can fill out landing cards and jot any quick notes you need.

Available in a few colors, the wallet is big enough to hold just about any currency, and I like to keep a little bit in one of the sections of the large cash/document pocket. The other section is great for holding boarding passes, custom cards, and any other travel documents you might need to have handy. I prefer putting these in the outermost section so that they don't crease when folded. I use the inside part for cash — You can put cash in both sections, using the divider to keep different currencies separate.

In theory, Bellroy intends the travel wallet to be your everyday wallet on the road, something you can carry with your cards, cash, passport, and everything else you need for a day of exploring. I think it's a little big for that. I can certainly fit in in a back pocket or jacket when I'm in the airport, but it's big enough that I would be worried about theft walking around a city with it. 

The best minimalist travel wallet

The handmade Mr. Lentz Slim Passport Wallet is timeless and built to last.

Pros: Slim, rugged, handmade, holds the essentials

Cons: Needs to be broken in, brass rivets may not appeal to everyone

The Mr. Lentz brand is run by one person — Evan Lentz — who makes all of his products by hand in his own workshop. Lentz built the brand with a "modern cowboy" feel, designed to evoke days of hard work on the windswept plains, and his online shops reflect that with old-west images and icons.

Mr. Lentz makes wallets, bags, and other accessories using durable, rugged, and time-proven materials like full-grain leather, brass, and wood. Lentz's passport wallet is a typical example of this style.

The wallet is much more scaled-down than the Bellroy Travel Wallet making it great for those who just want to ensure some protection for their passport without adding a ton of bulk. A solid piece of leather makes a bifold that opens like a book. The right-side has a pocket for your passport, which is a little tight and only meant to fit the back cover of the passport. That way, the passport can be read without removing it from the wallet. You can just hand the whole package to the customs agent. Once the wallet breaks in a bit, you can fit the whole closed passport in that pocket.

The other side of the wallet has two card slots that can hold four to six cards. There's a larger pocket right behind the card slots that is perfect for holding a bit of spare cash. You can also fit travel documents, like boarding passes, in this sleeve.

Aesthetically, the Mr. Lentz Passport Wallet looks rugged and hardy. The thick full-grain leather holds up well and develops a nice patina as you use it and break it in. Solid brass rivets line the outsides of the wallet, holding it together. The wallet also ships with a free tin of proprietary leather conditioner to help keep it soft as it ages and breaks in.

Thin enough to fit in a front pocket, this wallet is a perfect option for those looking for something that will last a long time and hold just the essentials. You can also choose to engrave the wallet, using any of a few different methods.

The best with a zipper

The Fjällräven Passport Wallet closes securely with a zipper and will hang on to your documents no matter where you go.

Pros: Water-resistant, protects your travel documents from the elements, keeps things from falling out and getting lost

Cons: Both sizes are bigger and bulkier than other travel wallets because of the zipper and material

If you're backpacking and carrying a lot, or want to just throw your travel documents in a bag's main compartment, a bifold travel wallet might not be your best option.

A more secure passport wallet with a zipper, like the Fjällräven Passport Wallet, lets you toss it in a bag with everything else, and you don't have to worry about anything falling out or getting lost.

The Fjällräven Passport Wallet is made of a water-resistant waxed canvas. Like most of the other passport wallets you'll find out there, the Fjallraven option is structured like a bifold, but this one has a zipper running along the entire outside.

When opened, the wallet has space to tuck your passport and folded boarding pass on the right side. There's also an interior zippered pocket, perfect for coins, ticket stubs, or other odd bits and ends. The left side of the wallet has six card slots, and there's an open pocket at the top for cash.

Fjallraven also makes a larger version of this wallet called the Travel Wallet, rather than the "Passport Wallet." They're basically the same thing; the main difference is that the Travel Wallet has a few more card slots and a loop to hold a pen, and is designed to fit unfolded boarding passes. It's almost more like a small purse or clutch. The smaller Passport Wallet can also hold a small pen and boarding passes, but there's no loop to keep it the pen in place and boarding passes must be folded.

Personally, I prefer the smaller Passport Wallet — even though you have to fold your boarding passes to fit them, it's just a nicer hand-held size. However, both are great options, especially if you're storing the wallet in a bag.

The best for family trips

The Lewis N. Clark Travel Wallet keeps the whole family organized as you head on your next adventure.

Pros: Keeps a family's travel documents organized, well-positioned pockets and compartments, includes a pen

Cons: Large, won't fit in a pocket, zipper issues

Even though I love traveling, there's no doubt that it can be stressful. The stress is even worse when you're managing logistics for a group, even your own family.

While there's not much to do about it, you can at least make your group's time at the airports a little bit easier with the Lewis N. Clark Travel Wallet. With room for about four passports, plus cash, cards, boarding passes, customs forms, a pen, and even a phone, this is more than a travel wallet. It's more like a family travel organizer.

While the Lewis N. Clark is naturally bigger than a one-person travel wallet, it's smaller than you might expect considering how much it holds. That said, this isn't going in anyone's front pocket — think of it more as a folio.

The wallet folds closed like a clamshell and zips shut all the way around. When it's closed, there's still access to a small zip pocket on the front. 

When open, there are three pockets on the right side that are for passports. You can fit a few passports in each pocket, according to Amazon reviewers. It has six credit card slots, a zipper compartment for change and cash, and a larger zippered compartment for boarding passes or cash on the left side. In the middle, there's a loop for a pen so you can fill out forms on the plane.

The Travel Wallet is made from nylon that's durable and protective. It also has RFID-blocking material built in to add an extra layer of protection to your cards and passports. As for downsides, some buyers mention problems with the zipper.

The best for holding boarding passes

Cuyana's Classic Passport Case holds a full-size boarding pass and several cards in a chic leather wallet.

Pros: Holds a full boarding pass, six card slots, multiple slide pockets for passports and more, stylish, fun colors, real leather

Cons: Won't fit in your pocket

Cuyana is known for making quality leather goods for very affordable prices. The Insider Reviews team recently tested a number of the company's wallets, including the Classic Passport Holder. We loved the wallet so much that we wrote a full review about it.

The simple leather wallet was designed in San Francisco and handmade in Argentina. Measuring 9-inches long, it's longer than most other passport holders, so it can hold a full boarding pass without wrinkling or folding. Cuyana also added a dedicated pocket for your passport, six card slots, and two large slide pockets for travel documents and anything else you need.

The pebbled leather is soft and smooth, and the card slots keep your cards in place securely without being too tight. You can get the passport holder in navy blue, stone gray, red, black, or a crocodile-embossed black. If you so choose, Cuyana will even monogram your wallet.

Based on our experience, it's the perfect stylish travel wallet, but it won't fit in your pocket, unless you happen to be wearing some intense cargo pants. It's a great pick if you have space in your bag and need to manage documents that you simply don't want to fold. — Malarie Gokey

Check out our other travel gear guides

The best carry-on luggage

The best travel backpacks

The best checked luggage

The best travel pillows

• Riding an exercise bike is a low-impact workout that boosts your cardio fitness and is a great alternative to running on a treadmill.
• Though the most popular exercise bikes feature built-in screens, there are plenty of non-connected models that also deliver effective workouts.
• Our top pick, NordicTrack's S22i Studio Cycle, replicates the spin studio experience, offering a deep library of instructor-led classes and digital rides across the world. 

Exercise bicycles, also known as stationary bikes or spinning bikes, have a long history that dates back to when Francis Lowndes invented a device approximating the function of an exercise bike in the late 1790s. His creation, the Gymnasticon, predated even the earliest riding bicycles by several decades. By the end of the 19th century, as bicycles took their modern form, stationary bikes used for exercise became a more common sight in homes and gymnasiums.

For much of the 20th century, exercise bikes and treadmills were essentially the only stationary devices suitable for cardiovascular exercise. In the 1990s, equipment such as the NordicTrack, the elliptical trainer, and the stair machine gained in popularity. Exercise bikes seemed almost passé, used more for hanging laundry than for fitness in the home.

Then the spin class craze hit and exercise bikes surged into style once again. Led by familiar faces in NordicTrack and an instantly popular newcomer like Peloton, the current wave of exercise bikes have become an incredibly popular part of anyone's at-home fitness setup.

And what's not to like? Instead of pounding away on a treadmill, an exercise bike is a much more low-impact cardio exercise that's perfect for those who don't enjoy running. Some of today's bikes even bring studio-quality spin classes into your living room or take you on digital tours of places like Mallorca or Japan. 

To help narrow down the best currently available, we've tested a number of exercise bikes from a who's who in the industry like Peloton, NordicTrack, and Exerpeutic, as well as start-ups like Stryde. With months of testing and miles of digital ground covered, we've compiled the following guide on our favorites cross a number of categories. 

At the bottom of this guide, we've included some additional tips on how to shop for an exercise bike, as well as the other models we're currently testing for a future update. You'll also find insight into the testing methodology we used to decide which bikes ultimately made the cut. 

Here are the best exercise bikes:

• Best overall: NordicTrack S22i Studio Cycle
• Best for high-intensity workouts: Peloton Bike
• Best budget connected bike: Stryde Bike
• Best pedal exerciser: Vive Pedal Exerciser
• Best on a budget: Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle
• Best folding exercise bike: XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike
• Best for comfort: Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike

Best overall

NordicTrack's S22i Studio Cycle offers a high-quality ride experience and some of the best streamable workout content via its iFit program. 

Pros: Deep well of content to support a high-quality at-home ride experience, can choose between trainer-led classes or free rides in places across the world

Cons: Expensive, iFit requires a monthly subscription fee

Exercise bikes outfit with a large color touchscreen that streams on-demand workouts is a growing trend in the at-home fitness industry. Though Peloton's name tends to come up first in any conversation about them, the NordicTrack brand has been delivering a high-quality at-home cycling experience for far longer.

With its S22i Studio Cycle, NordicTrack continues that trend by offering a feature-heavy at-home bike with a deep offering of on-demand fitness content. There are the instructor-led courses but also a library of rides capable of digitally taking you around the world — think biking through Australia one minute then across Moab, Utah the next. This mode features Google Map integration, so it's not just some randomly generated scenery but instead, the real thing. 

The bike also features incline and decline control, and up to 24 different levels of resistance. Each class is designed to make use of these and they'll automatically adjust as an instructor changes them during a routine. 

If you're not an all-bike-all-the-time kind of person, the iFit platform even offers cross-training routines like yoga or free weight workouts, adding to the bike's versatility. You'll have a hard time finding an at-home bike that offers more. -- Rick Stella, health & fitness editor for Insider Reviews

Best for high-intensity workouts

Peloton's name is synonymous with at-home stationary bikes, and for good reason — its high-quality bike offers a library of immersive and intense workouts led by motivating trainers. 

Pros: Peloton's bike is an incredibly interactive home cycling experience, the bike runs quietly, it offers a variety of on-demand and live classes, and its large touchscreen isn't obnoxious

Cons: Expensive, recurring monthly charge for access to the video library

You don't even need to be a fitness fanatic to recognize the Peloton name when you see it — the company's done an incredible job making its at-home exercise bike an absolute star ever since it burst on the scene years ago. The attention is deserved, too, as the Peloton bike offers users an interactive workout experience that replicates the feeling of a spin class from the comfort of their home. 

Like NordicTrack's S22i, the Peloton bike features a huge built-in screen that displays each of its workouts, as well as a rider's progress and stats. The workouts themselves are high-energy, trainer-led courses that are either streamed via Peloton's on-demand library or taken live. 

Each Peloton class offers a bit of variety, too. Instead of just wailing away on the pedals for 30 minutes, there are classes for varying skill levels and themes, as well as those set to specific types of music. What they all have in common is delivering a sweat-heavy workout anyone can enjoy from the comfort of their home. 

The bike itself is a compact stationary bike that doesn't require a ton of room to setup and use. Its seat is adjustable to accommodate for a range of riders, and it runs quiet enough to not bother anyone else nearby. 

Though it is expensive at $2,245 for its basic package, it's well worth the investment. 

Best budget connected bike

The Stryde bike not only costs hundreds of dollars less than its connected bike kin like Peloton and NordicTrack, but it lets you stream workouts from other fitness apps, as well as services like Netflix and Hulu.

Pros: Ergonomic design, comfortable seat, perfect size for small apartments, 22-inch touchscreen tablet can stream a variety of apps or streaming services, great value

Cons: Production quality of its classes can be lacking, Stryde app only offers on-bike workouts

The industry of connected bikes is far from at a loss for variety, but a relative newcomer by the name of Stryde released one of our favorite reviewed bikes to date. With a design reminiscent of premium competitors like Peloton and NordicTrack, Stryde offers a few unique features that let it stand out on its own — including the fact it costs some hundreds of dollars cheaper at just $1,550.

First is its content strategy. Like almost any connected bike, Stryde comes with an 22-inch on-board touchscreen tablet that's able to stream workouts via a companion smartphone application. After signing up for a $30 per month membership, you're able to stream any of its hundreds of on-demand classes filmed at spin studios across the country. Though the production value may not be on par with what Peloton offers, the classes are still impressive and deliver tough workouts. 

But the Stryde app and its workouts aren't the only thing you're able to access on the tablet — it also allows for complete internet access. This means you're able to check your email, listen to music, and (perhaps most enticing) stream video services like Netflix or Hulu. Need to catch up on season 3 of Ozark? Do it while pedaling your way to your daily cardio. Put plainly, the tablet's internet access is a game changer. 

If you're a fan of the more highly-produced content from Peloton or the globe-spanning workouts native to NordicTrack's iFit, then Stryde may not be the best fit. However, with its ability to stream other workout apps and services like Netflix or Hulu, as well as the fact it comes with a wallet-friendly price (for connected fitness equipment, that is), it's worth considering for anyone in the market for an at-home exercise bike. 

Best pedal exerciser

The VIVE Pedal Exerciser is small enough to tuck away under a desk or table, letting you pedal away and burn calories and tone your legs and core at any time.

Pros: Compact and portable, works legs or arms, low cost, low impact exercise

Cons: Not as effective a workout as a standard stationary bike

No, the VIVE Pedal Exerciser is not a stationary bike, exactly. But the type of exercise it fosters and the benefits therein gained are quite similar to those achieved with a standard exercise bike, and this from a unit that costs a fraction of the price and stows away in any home, office, dorm room, or that can be loaded into the trunk of a car and brought along on the road.

At just 12.5-inches in height, the VIVE Pedal Cruiser slips under a desk or table with ease, allowing you to exercise while you work, watch TV, read, surf the web, or any of the other countless activities we do while seated in the course of our modern lives. An LCD screen set into the compact unit tracks metrics including RPMs, speed, distance, and approximate calories burned.

But perhaps the best thing about this unique pedal machine is that it doesn't have to be used only as an under-desk leg exerciser; the VIVE Pedal Exerciser can also be set up on your desk or table for an arm workout. Just grab the pedals with your hands, set the right resistance level, and spin away to build arm muscles and burn calories as part of a complete body workout.

Best on a budget

The Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle exercise bike costs less than half the price of many similar bikes without notable loss of quality.

Pros: Great low price, easy to mount and dismount, quiet operation

Cons: Computer is basic and limited

Let's be clear here: the Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycle is a pretty basic stationary bike. The onboard "computer" tracks time, speed, distance, and approximates likely calories burned, but it's not going to offer you customizable workout programs as you get with many more advanced, expensive exercise bikes. But what this low-cost bike will do is help you burn calories, lose weight, and tone your muscles, which is all those other bikes do anyway, just with fancier features.

The Marcy Recumbent Mag Cycles offers eight different intensities of magnetic resistance, so it suits people of varying fitness levels. Using these eight settings, you can create your own workout program by switching up the difficulty during the session. While in operation, the Marcy Recumbent bike is quiet and stable, suitable for use while you watch TV or with kids sleeping in the room next door.

While this is a more basic option than many exercise bikes, its low cost makes it a great choice for those on a budget or who aren't sure they'll use it much and thus hesitant to make a large investment.

Best folding bike

The XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike provides a fine cardio workout when it's set up for use, then folds away into a compact package.

Pros: Compact bike folds away for storage, low price tag, easy assembly

Cons: Too small for many users

Ironically, the best thing about the XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike is how little you'll see of it most of the time. When folded up, this bike occupies just 17-inches by 18-inches of floor space, so it can be stuffed in a closet, tucked behind a door, or even laid flat and slid beneath a bed that sits well above the ground.

Not only can you stash this folding stationary bike just about anywhere, but you can use it almost anywhere, too. Even when deployed for use, the bike measures only 18-inches wide and 32-inches in length, so it will fit even in a smaller room.

The XTERRA FB150 Folding Exercise Bike has an adjustable padded seat so it can accommodate riders of varied height, and its curved, multi-grip handlebars allow you to grasp on wherever is most comfortable. When you take hold of the pulse grips set at the sides of the handlebars, you can keep track of your heart rate, helping you achieve ideal cardio intensity.

The bike's small onboard computer also tracks time, speed, distance, and calories burned. A simple dial adjusts the resistance difficulty, which is spread across eight settings.

Best for comfort

From its padded armrests and seat cushion to an ergonomic backrest and customizable workouts, the Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike proves you can burn calories in comfort.

Pros: Comfortable seat design, multiple fitness programs, large weight capacity

Cons: Poor manual makes initial setup frustrating

Who said a fat-blasting cardio workout session had to be unpleasant? No one who's ever eased themselves into the plush seat of the Exerpeutic 5000 Magnetic Recumbent Bike, certainly.

This superlative home exercise stationary bike has a generously padded seat that cradles your core while promoting airflow, a mesh backrest that offers plenty of support while keeping you cool, and padded armrests to keep your elbows and forearms comfortable as you churn away at the bike's magnetic tension system.

The Exerpeutic 5000 offers 24 different levels of tension, so whether you're just starting to exercise for the first time in years or you're looking for a way to stay fit between century rides, this bike will offer just the right level of challenge for you.

It also comes with 12 workout programs, so you can tailor your exercise sessions to suit your fitness goals and your personal preferences. While you're using the bike, an onboard computer will track metrics including distance, RPMs, your heart rate, and even the watts of power generated.

And while this is a larger bike that will take up some room in the home, it's lightweight enough to be rolled into the corner (or the garage) after each use.

What we're currently testing

The Variis SoulCycle Bike

The SoulCycle name says it all; when Variis announced it'd make the popular in-studio class' bikes available for home use, it became an instant competitor to the likes of NordicTrack's S22i and, of course, the Peloton Bike. At $2,500, it is the most expensive of the three, so whether it succeeds in actually replicating the same kind of high-intensity, high-energy environment of its classes could be a huge selling point.

We're currently riding this and will have an update on what it's like to use soon.

Bowflex Velocore

The Bowflex Velocore brings something entirely new to the industry of exercise bikes: The ability to lean side-to-side while riding. Like those MotoGP games at the arcade, the Velocore shifts left and right that's supposed to simulate a more natural-feeling ride. It will likely feel a little wonky at first, though there is something to be said about being able to lean into a digital corner. We'll soon see if that's enough to give it a spot in our guide. 

How to shop for an exercise bike

It makes sense why exercise bikes are so popular. On those days when it's too cold for a run or when there's no time for a trip to the gym, a home exercise bike is a great way to get your heart rate up and your leg muscles pumping. When you utilize its various seated and standing positions, as well as the interval training approach of a spin class, you can even get what amounts to a total body workout.

Compared to larger cardio machines like an elliptical trainer or treadmill, many exercise bikes are relatively affordable and compact. Some even fold away to stash in a closet or under the bed.

When shopping for an exercise bike, you'll want to keep in mind a few important features. First, consider the bike's size. Whether you have a dedicated workout room or want to slide the bike into your living room/kitchen (i.e. you live in a studio apartment), size matters. Thankfully, most exercise bikes are much smaller than treadmills, so there likely won't be as much of a logistics headache with these. 

You'll also want to decide whether you want a connected bike outfit with a suite of on-demand, streamable classes, or something a little more basic that's just a seat, some handlebars, and a pair of pedals attached to a resistance wheel. Connected bikes do tend to run quite a bit more in terms of price, but offer a deep library of workout classes and fitness tracking. 

Finally, don't forget about budget. The connected bikes mentioned above often come with price tags in the thousands of dollars while the more basic, non-digital options may run you a few hundred (and still do well to deliver a worthy session of cardio exercise). 

How we test exercise bikes

Each exercise bike featured in this guide went through a series of tests to determine how well it compared across these four categories: Ride experience, versatility, comfort, and value. Here's how each category specifically factored into our testing:

Ride experience: Today's exercise bikes typically fall into two categories: Those that have an included screen for streaming classes and those that don't. Of course, there are a wider range of more specific categories, like those that fit under your desk, those that fold up for easy storage, and those that feature a recumbent seat, but it's worth starting your purchasing journey by deciding if you want a connected bike or not. We understand that this creates a limitation, too. NordicTrack's S22i is far different than the Vive Pedal Exerciser, so to compare the two as equals is a little unfair. Still, we made notes where we could on why each model made the list and judged their ride experience relative to what they offer (and why they're unique for their category).

Versatility: Similar to the difference in ride experience between connected bikes and standard analog bikes, versatility can mean two different things depending on the model. For the connected bikes, we looked at the versatility of classes offered, if the day-to-day workouts felt varied and not tedious, and if they offered more than just spin classes. With the non-connected models, versatility meant more about accessibility and when and where they allowed you to work out. 

Comfort: If an exercise bike consistently makes you feel uncomfortable, it's highly likely you'll start to lose the motivation to jump on and work out. Some bikes do allow you to change out the seat, but how the stock, delivered model feels after several weeks of riding is an important consideration. 

Value: The value of an exercise bike ultimately comes down to your budget and the experience you seek. We often say that spending more for a premium product is better than spending less, more often, but for exercise bikes, this is more about your intended use case (or connected vs. non-connected). We recommend each of the connected bikes featured in this guide for those both looking for that specific experience and that have the budget (and we've even included a budget connected model, too). The non-connected bikes each have their own advantages that make them viable choices in their sub-category. 

Check out more Insider Reviews fitness guides

• The best resistance bands
• The best dumbbells
• The best treadmills for your home gym
• The best rowing machines

• A planner is an all-in-one productivity tool for writing down upcoming dates, to-do lists, and goals.
• Planners come in all varieties, from dated and undated, to daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. 
• The best planner is a personal choice, whether it's small and undetailed or big and densely packed.

Paper planners are calendars that help you keep track of tasks, appointments, ideas, and so on. They let you see the week or month all at once, in a clear and legible way. But there's no one planner that is one-size-fits-all: The best planner for you might be unsuitable for someone else's needs.

Picking a planner comes down to personal preference, whether you like to schedule things down to the minute or just dot a few weekly notes. Many have space for notes, to-do lists, and other tasks. Some people want a balance of enough space for their jottings but in a book that can easily fit in their backpack. 

Planner styles get even more detailed, and we break down the ways to choose what's right for you at the end of this guide. We talked to two stationary store owners and a productivity expert to get their advice on how to pick a planner.

"There's lots of different, great planners, and it just kind of depends on thinking about how you want to plan your week and how you want to visualize your week," said Jeremy Crown, who co-owns Little Otsu, a paper store in Portland, Oregon. 

Whatever style of planner you prefer, you'll be able to find something in the list below. Keep in mind that manufacturers often make their planners in several styles and sizes, and we try to reflect that in the list. 

Here are the best planners

• Apica CD Free Monthly Planner
• At-a-Glance Three-Year Monthly Planner
• BestSelf Co. Self Journal
• Bloom Daily Planner
• Clever Fox Non-Dated Daily Planner
• Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets Goal Planner
• Day Designer Daily Planner for Blue Sky
• Emily Ley Simplified Planner
• Field Notes 56-Week Planner
• Happy Planner
• Ivory Paper Company All-in-One Planner
• Moleskine Classic 12-Month 2021 Daily Planner
• Panda Planner
• Passion Planner
• Rhodia Webplanner
• Quo Vadis Weekly Business Planner
• Wit & Delight Stay on Track Desktop Notepad

SEE ALSO: The best school supplies for students K-12

Apica CD Free Monthly Planner

The Apica CD Free Monthly Planner is very affordable, with minimal frills.

Best for: Those on a budget who don't need a ton of space

Length: 8 months

Layout: Monthly

Format: Undated

Size: 5.8 by 8.3 inches

Basic but very functional, Apica's monthly planner has 32 pages, a cardstock cover, and thread binding. It's undated, so you can pick it up and start scheduling any part of the year. There are 16 sheets of monthly calendars (one month stretches over two pages), plus another 15 pages of grid paper. There are also a couple of pages for a yearly overview. If you don't need a super-detailed calendar but still want something with nice paper and an affordable price, the Apica is a great option. 

At-a-Glance Three-Year Monthly Planner

For a long-term project, the At-a-Glance Three-Year Monthly Planner gives you plenty of room for years of scheduling.

Best for: Big-picture thinkers

Length: Three years

Layout: Monthly

Format: Dated

Size: 9 by 11 inches, page size

Long-term planners might want more than a year's worth of space to plan. The At-a-Glance three-year planner goes from January 2021 to December 2023. Each month stretches over two pages, so it's not necessarily the place to get granular. However, it could be useful for a lengthy project or students who are trying to map out their course schedules. The years are separated by tabs, but the months aren't, so you may need to do some flipping to find your page. While it has a sturdy cover, the planner is also pretty bulky. You may want to leave it on your desk instead of lugging it around in your backpack.

At-a-Glance also makes daily, weekly, monthly, and five-year versions of its planners.

BestSelf Co. the Self Journal

The Self Journal from BestSelf is geared toward quarterly planning, with daily, intensive options for tracking your goals.

Best for: Dedicated daily users

Length: 13 weeks

Layout: Daily

Format: Undated

Size: 5.75 by 8.5 inches

If you're looking for a lot of structure and prompts, the Self Journal might be right for you. It has pages of tasks and templates to guide your goal-setting. While undated, it's only meant to last 13 weeks, so you won't have a full year at your fingertips. The idea, though, is to break the year down into chunks and do the same for daunting projects. There are spaces to fill out what you're grateful for, goals, and targets. 

With 240 pages, the size is fairly portable, and it has a hardcover. The paper is also fountain-pen friendly.

Bloom Daily Planner

The Bloom Daily Planner comes in many versions to suit many styles, all with plenty of supplemental sheets for tracking progress.

Best for: Anyone looking for a specific layout

Length: One year

Layout: Daily

Format: Dated

Size: 6 by 8.25 inches

Bloom's planners are full of lists and charts for you to fill out and help you figure out how to schedule the year ahead. There are vision boards and habit-tracking options included. You can also sign up for additional, downloadable sheets for bill tracking, meal planning, and so on. 

The nice thing about Bloom is that it has almost countless options for getting exactly what you want. The planners come in both softcover and hardcover options, and there are several planner layouts to choose from. For teachers, there are undated versions, as well as ones that start in July. If you have a wedding or new baby on the horizon, there are planners for that, too.

Clever Fox Non-Dated Daily Planner

With a full page for each day, the Clever Fox Non-Dated Daily Planner gives you space for your packed schedule or brainstorming sessions.

Best for: People who like to do daily entries and love stickers

Length: 6 months

Layout: Daily

Format: Undated

Size: 5.8 by 8.3 inches

Clever Fox's daily planner has scads of room for those with busy days — or anyone who likes to doodle and brainstorm in their calendars. Each day of the week has its own page, with space to schedule from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are also prompts for weekly goals (both work and personal priorities) and productivity tracking. The planner also comes with stickers to help you personalize your pages. With a sturdy cover in colors from black to rose gold to royal blue, it should be easy enough to find one that matches your style. 

In addition to the daily version — which is only for six months — there are weekly options that have space for a full year. If you want a larger planner, the pro version measures 8.5 by 11 inches. 

Cultivate What Matters Powersheets Goal Planner

From Cultivate What Matters, the PowerSheets Goal Planner has lots of prompts to keep you on track and inspired.

Best for: Fans of pastels, with big goals for the year

Length: One year

Layout: Monthly

Format: Dated

Size: 7.75 by 10.5 inches

Getting started with PowerSheets is a bit of a commitment; it can take a couple of hours to fully fill out your goal sheets. There are also video explainers to help you check all the boxes. The planner is hefty and sturdy and should have no problem lasting the year. There are 160 pages, with the months spread over two pages. There are also two pages per month for monthly, weekly, and daily ideas and action items. PowerSheets aren't made for day-to-day notes but are more for bigger-picture projects and goals. 

There are lots of stickers and a pastel palette, which won't appeal to everyone. 

Day Designer Daily Planner for Blue Sky

A thorough planner with lots of room for notes, the Day Designer Daily Planner for Blue Sky is great for people with busy days or lengthy to-do lists.

Best for: Those who love splashy, detailed planners, but without the high price

Length: One year

Layout: Daily

Format: Dated

Size: 8 by 10 inches

Usually, Day Designer planners are $59, but the Blue Sky collaboration version is $25. The Blue Sky planner does have lower-quality paper and a flexible cover that may not stand up to wear and tear as well as a hardcover. The day has a 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. schedule, along with room for to-do lists. At the top and bottom are boxes for gratitude, your "top three" important items, and notes for the night. 

If you have a larger budget and prefer a daily calendar, Day Designer's flagship planner has a page dedicated to each weekday, with a single page for weekends. 

Emily Ley Simplified Planner

As its name suggests, the Emily Ley Simplified Planner keeps things unbusy but still has a great design aesthetic.

Best for: Someone looking for a refillable planner

Length: One year

Layout: Weekly

Format: Dated

Size: 5.5 by 8.5 inches

While Emily Ley has lots of options for the Simplified planner, this weekly version comes with a faux leather cover and is refillable. The weekly calendars get two pages, with minimal prompts, aside from some tips for getting ready for the upcoming week. The layout gives you a little more space to add your own tasks and to-do lists, though it is a smaller planner than many on the list. 

If you like the aesthetic of this planner but want something in a daily version, that's available as well. Emily Ley also makes teacher-specific and wedding planners.  

Field Notes 56-Week Planner

Robust yet portable, the Field Notes 56-Week Planner is a great low-priced choice that still lasts a full year.

Best for: Fans of utilitarian planners

Length: 13 months

Layout: Weekly

Format: Undated

Size: 4.75 by 7.5 inches

Compact yet rugged enough to toss in a backpack, Field Notes' 56-week planner is no-frills but fully functional. Each week gets two pages, with Saturday and Sunday sharing space. They're undated, so you can start anytime, miss a couple weeks, and pick back up without wasting pages. As the name suggests, you get space for over a year, with 112 pages total. 

At less than $20, it's one of the more affordable planners on the list, though we wish there were a few options for the cover. 

Happy Planner

Happy Planner has lots of customization options, including layout and length.

Best for: Disney fans, people looking for planner with removable pages

Length: One year

Layout: Weekly

Format: Dated

Size: 8.75 by 9.75 inches

Happy Planner is all about making its products work for you, so there are quite a few ways to customize your planner. It offers horizontal, vertical, and dashboard layouts, as well as a few different sizes and undated options. You can also buy plenty of stickers to add more flair. The covers tend to be pastel, boldly colored, or Disney-themed, so it might be hard to find something more understated. We also like the planner's discbound binding, which is like a three-ring binder you don't have to open and close.

Happy Planners are popular with teachers, and they offer 18-month versions that start in July. 

Ivory Paper Company All-in-One Planner

The Ivory Paper Company All-in-One Planner is beautiful and has some nice customization options you won't find everywhere else.

Best for: People looking for a somewhat flexible start date for their planners

Length: 6 months

Layout: Daily

Format: Dated

Size: 8 by 10 inches

Very customizable with lots of options for layout and start dates, Ivory Paper Company's All-in-One planner comes with daily, weekly, and monthly pages. The daily pages have schedule and to-do boxes, as well as a hydration tracker, and an extra spot to write reminders. There are 228 pages total, enough for six months of tracking. 

If you'd rather have a whole year in one book, there are also daily and weekly planners, with options for horizontal and vertical layouts. 

Moleskine Classic 12-Month 2021 Weekly Planner

Standard layouts and nice hardcovers make the Moleskine Classic 12-Month 2021 Daily Planner a go-to choice for many.

Best for: Moleskine loyalists, people who don't want prompts or quotes in their planners

Length: One year 

Layout: Daily

Format: Dated

Size: 5 by 8.25 inches

Moleskines are classic and easy to find, and you can get one of their daily, 12-month planners for around the same price as many others on the list. The hardcover makes it ideal for long-term use and tossing in a bag, and they come in the larger size as well as a pocket edition. You get a full page per day, plus monthly views that spread over two pages. There are no quotes, gratitude prompts, and such, so it's perfect for those looking for a straightforward planner. 

Moleskine also has weekly planners, and both the daily and weekly are available in 18-month formats.

Panda Planner

The Panda Planner is meant to be hyper-focused on a three-month period, with daily tracking.

Best for: Short-term projects, starting new habits or routines

Length: Three months

Layout: Daily

Format: Undated

Size: 5.25 by 8.25 inches

The classic version of the Panda Planner is undated, with room for three months of daily tracking. There are also weekly and monthly sections. The planner is designed for those who need lots of on-page support, with boxes for morning and end-of-day reviews, habit tracking, and priorities. Each day gets a two-page spread, and they're undated, so you can skip weekends if you want something more work-focused. The cover and interior designs are less flowery than many other planners on the list, which may be a positive or negative, depending on what you like. 

Panda Planners also come in undated, six-month and dated, full-year versions.

Passion Planner

Designed with motivation in mind, the Passion Planner has a few layouts to help you follow through with your goals.

Best for: Creative projects, people who want goals and prompts

Length: One year

Layout: Weekly

Format: Dated

Size: 8.3 by 11.7 inches

The Passion Planner is focused on motivation and helping you achieve your yearly goals. The weekly version has places for you to note what you're focusing on and good things that happened. The layout is vertical, so keep that in mind if you prefer a horizontal setup. There a few styles to choose from, including undated daily and weekly layouts. On the website, you can choose whether you want your planner's week to begin on Sunday or Monday. Small, medium, and large sizes are available, with the biggest being a bit larger than a standard sheet of paper. 

If buying a Passion Planner doesn't fit into your budget, the site has downloadable content that you can print and fit into a regular, three-ring binder. There are also digital versions available. 

Rhodia Webplanner

With nice paper and a stylish design, the Rhodia Webplanner may appeal to those looking for a mix of structure and freeform planning.

Best for: People looking for a nice, basic weekly planner

Length: One year

Layout: Weekly

Format: Dated

Size: 6.25 by 9.5 inches

Rhodia is a French notebook company with a trademark orange and black scheme, so there aren't a ton of color options. Unfussy, with a faux leather cover and nice paper, the Webplanner gives room for a weekly schedule on one page and a grid for notes on the right. It's a nice compromise for those who like bullet journaling but want a little more structure. 

In addition to the larger planner, Rhodia makes a pocket-sized, 4-by-6-inch Webplanner.

Quo Vadis Weekly Business Planner

Good quality yet affordable, the Quo Vadis Weekly Business Planner is a no-nonsense way to keep tabs on your weekly to-dos.

Best for: Those who want a particular layout, without quotes and prompts

Length: One year

Layout: Weekly

Format: Dated

Size: 4 by 6 inches

A well-designed, pocket-sized planner from Quo Vadis, it has a textured, faux leather cover. It's helpful to go on the Quo Vadis website because it lays out all the options available for its planners: academic or calendar year; daily, weekly, or monthly format; and small, medium, or large size. The planner's weekly layout is vertical, with scheduling space from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are large squares on the right page for extra notes. The cover comes in several colors, and you can also find the planner in faux suede or smooth faux leather options. 

Though there isn't a lot of extra space for habit tracking, the back of the planner does have some space for personal notes and a map of the world's time zones. 

Wit & Delight Stay on Track Desktop Notepad

Portable planners aren't for everyone, so the Wit & Delight Stay on Track Desktop Notepad is a great (big) way to jot down notes, appointments, and the like.

Best for: People who want a desk-sized planner

Length: 180 weeks

Layout: Weekly

Format: Undated

Size: 8.9 by 10 inches

If you want a planner that you can't ignore, this desk version from Wit & Delight is a good option. It's undated, with 180 sheets. Each page has vertical space for Monday through Friday. There aren't Saturday and Sunday spots, but there's a "home life" box that could work for weekend activities. There are also places for notes, projects, and big picture items. 

How to choose a planner

There are an overwhelming number of planner types. "I used to try to just stock as many as possible, because it's such a personal thing," said Chandra Greer, who owns Greer, a stationary store in Chicago, Illinois.

She eventually realized it was impossible to cover every base and now just selects functional, quality options, knowing they might not be the right fit for everyone. "I'm more interested in the function of it," she said. "Is the layout useful? Is the layout well-designed? Is the paper great? Is it something that is going to withstand being your daily friend for 365 days?" 

To find out what will work for you, you can start by figuring out what qualities are most important to you. "I think if you sort of start with, 'What is it that I want to use this for?' that gives you a good starting point," said Alexandra Cavoulacos, founder of The Muse and author of "The New Rules of Work".  You can start with format — daily, weekly, or monthly — and overall length. Do you want to keep it to a few months for a specific project, or would you prefer something that gets you through a month or even longer? 

Daily, weekly, monthly

For some people, a planner is merely a portable calendar, Cavoulacos said. "They want to know where they need to be, when they have a doctor's appointment, those sort of things," she said. Other people want to track projects and create to-do lists. The amount of detail per day will start to dictate how much space you need. "There's a hundred ways somebody might schedule their day," said Greer. Some people need an hour-by-hour breakdown. If you're mostly making to-do lists, a weekly calendar might work. If it's more about keeping tabs on a few appointments, monthly might work. 

"It's all about what works for you," said Cavoulacos. 

Dated or undated

There are many reasons you might decide to buy on undated calendar. "People might decide on March 28th, they want a planner," said Greer. "But if a planner is dated, they're already three months through the year." With an undated planner, they can get more bang for the buck by having it carry them through the next March. 

Another reason might be you know yourself to be a fickle planner user. If you keep it undated, you can always pick up where you left off without wasting days' worth of paper. People working on a big project, planning a wedding, or focusing on a specific goal might also prefer an undated planner, for more flexibility or to keep everything contained to one book. 

Months or years

Some hyper-focused, daily planners will only last a few months. It helps keep them from being too bulky and cumbersome. Others are much bigger picture, with five-year plans. In between, there are standard yearly planners and academic versions, which tend to start in the summer or early fall. 

The only thing that might stop you from buying an academic planner in January is that most manufacturers don't have the current year's available, so you're better off waiting a few months for that. 

Horizontal or vertical

You'll often see weekly planers arranged with each week covering two pages and the days spread out horizontally or vertically. When someone comes into Little Otsu looking for a planner, Crown first asks, "Are you more of a task-oriented planner?" He thinks people with detailed schedules or long to-do lists will prefer the column format of vertical layouts. Those who like making notes or doodling might like the horizontal layout better. 

Some planners use a "dashboard" view, with a week or day on one page and the other dedicated to habit trackers, gratitude prompts, and other fill-in-the blanks. 

Size

Doctors, nurses, and chefs always want pocket-sized notebooks and planners, said Crown. You might want something big enough to hold your sprawling handwriting but small enough to carry around in your purse or messenger bag. Many planner makers will offer at least a couple choices when in comes to size. 

Minimalist or full of prompts 

Planner aesthetic ranges from very barebones to packed with extras. What you like is completely personal. You'll find plenty of basic books with a plain cover and just the calendars. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can get a planner with quotes, charts, and check-ins. You may want something in between, with a pretty cover but few internal embellishments. 

"You want your planner to inspire you, whatever that means for you," Cavoulacos said. That could mean a simple planner with zero distractions, she said, or something with quotes and your horoscope that makes you look forward to opening the book every day. "I do think the sort of aesthetic piece, the inspiration piece, is also something that shouldn't be forgotten," she said.  

If you do want something more stripped down, Greer suggests looking to Japanese planner makers. "You're not going to see little flower illustrations and little quotes and 85 pages of guided journal meditation," she said. "They keep it very simple. They're very serious about it." 

Both Greer and Cavoulacos point out that you can add your own quotes and personalizations to even the most minimalist planner, as long as there's space. "It could become more of a person's little command center," said Greer. 

Paper quality

For some, the quality of a planner's paper isn't really a factor. There are a few things to know, though. Two words that sound sort of Halloween-ish but are actually useful to know, stationary-wise, are bleeding and ghosting. Bleeding is when the ink leaks through. Ghosting is when you flip the paper over and can see what's written, even though it hasn't actually bled through. "Good paper, whether it's thin or thick, doesn't ghost," Crown said. 

In many countries, fountain pen use is much more widespread than in the United States. The paper made there reflects that. "As a general rule, Japanese paper tends to be softer and smoother, and American paper is kind of the roughest -- or we'd say the toothiest -- and Europe's kind of in the middle," Crown said. 

"Fountain pen usage is a really big factor," Greer said. "It's probably the number one question we get about any of our notebooks and planners, 'Is the paper fountain pen friendly?' and not all papers are." If paper quality is high on your list of importance, Greer suggests taking a close look at who makes a planner. 

"I definitely gravitate towards manufacturers who have a background in paper," she said. "So they're not so much about being a planner company. They're about a notebook/paper company that has planners." Some of the manufacturers that make planners with excellent paper include Midori, Paperways, High Tide, and Kokuyo Jibun Techo, she said.  

Cover

Even if you're not into paper, you'll want to pay attention to the cover's material. Hardcovers will stand up to more wear and tear than softcovers. "Sometimes people will trade off that durability for something that doesn't cost very much so, but definitely people are expecting, when they purchase a planner, that it's going to get through the whole year and not look like it was run over by a truck," Greer said. 

Binding 

It's important that planners lie flat, since you're writing in them. Many are spiral bound, but others are stitch bound. Either will let you write on them, but you can flip one side of the book behind the other with a spiral binding. "A lot of people are kind of indifferent between spiral and stitch bound now, as long as it lies flat, because that's really what they're looking for," Greer said. 

Discbound is similar to a spiral bound, but it's a bit different. The pages in a discbound book can be easily removed and put back in, but you don't have to open the discs, as you would with a three-ring binder. Instead, there are little notches in the paper that fit around the disc. It makes planners more customizable, because you can quickly and easily move pages from one section to another. 

Another concern with the binding is whether it will keep the planner together for the whole year. Some glued-in pages might not hold out as well. "If you have something that's stitch bound or spiral, it's very sturdy for the long haul," Greer said.

Bullet journaling 

Bullet journaling is a system of tracking and tackling tasks, goals, and projects. It can be used with basically any notebook, but it's not for everyone. "I think for some people you want the prompt and you want the structure to guide you because you're not exactly sure how to organize everything," Cavoulacos said. 

"There's a lot of stationary enthusiasts in the United States, and so there's all these different subcultures with people who are really into making their own space on paper," Crown said. "And that's what bullet journaling is perfect for." 

If you've never tried it, you can either start with an ordinary notebook you have lying around. There are also plenty of hybrid options, with calendars and space for notes or bullet journaling. 

Extras

There might be some little perks with certain planners that might be deal-makers for you. Maybe you really want a front pocket to keep extra papers. Perhaps your prefer a planner with an elastic band to help keep it closed. 

If the extra that's most attracting you is stickers, keep in mind that you can probably buy them separately.  

Why not just use your phone as a digital planner?

"I don't necessarily think a planner is for everybody, just like any particular productivity hack or tool," Cavoulacos said. There are plenty of people who prefer to keep their calendars and notes strictly digital, and getting a paper planner might not make sense for them. 

If you're on the fence, she suggests asking yourself what's attractive about a paper planner. "I think for a lot of people it's slowing down, right?" Cavoulacos said. "It's like the lack of distraction. It's the moments to think, to cross things off — the satisfaction of crossing things off." 

Greer said she went through a few years where not many people were buying planners. Now she's seeing more customers who want something physical to carry around and write in. She even gets tech workers buying them. "They're saying that their schedule's more accessible to them in some ways, in terms of getting the big picture, if they're using a physical book," Greer said. 

For Crown, it's more personal than a phone calendar. "It's your life in a book," he said. "That's kind of what's special about them. The end of the year, you have this book that was like, this is what I did. That's something that the phone doesn't do that well."