Frozen waffles are delicious, but freshly made ones are even better. There are plenty of waffle recipes online, and once you've assembled the ingredients, you just need a waffle maker. 

Before you buy one, the first thing you need to determine is whether you prefer Belgian, American, or Liege waffles. Here's a quick explainer on the different types of waffles and a few helpful tips on what to look for when shopping for a waffle maker.

If you already know your waffle loyalties lie, these are our top picks for the best waffle makers.

Here are the best waffle makers in 2021

• Best waffle maker overall: Krups Belgian Waffle Maker
• Best budget waffle maker: Cuisinart Classic Round Waffle Maker
• Best high-end waffle maker: All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker
• Best multi-use waffle maker: Black & Decker 3-in-1 Waffle Maker and Grill

The best waffle maker overall

The Krups Belgian Waffle Maker makes four perfect, thick, golden waffles, and it's very easy to clean.

Pros: Makes four thick waffles at a time, removable plates for easy cleaning, five temperature settings, affordable, easy to store

Cons: Heavy, slow

Krups makes excellent small appliances at accessible prices, and its Belgian Waffle Maker is another great bargain. The waffle maker produces four perfect golden waffles every time, and you can choose just how golden and crispy you want them with the five adjustable temperature settings.

The nonstick, die-cast plates are removable for easy cleaning and they're dishwasher safe, so you don't even have to hand wash them. Red and green indicator lights turn on when the machine is hot and ready for your batter, and the machine beeps politely when your waffles are ready.

The machine itself is very sturdy since it's made of stainless steel. The cord wraps up easily and you can store the machine vertically if you don't have room to leave it sitting on your kitchen counter. It's great that you can store it standing up because it is larger than some of the other waffle makers in our guide.

I love that you can make up to four waffles at a time, so it's good for small and large households. 

Depending on the batter, the Krups Belgian Waffle Maker can make any kind of waffle, whether you want a Belgian-style masterpiece or a true Liege waffle. The only caveat about this maker is that it's very slow (about five minutes per batch), but we still think it's worth the wait for most multiple-person households because you'll get batches of four at a time. — Malarie Gokey

The best budget waffle maker

The Cuisinart Classic Round Waffle Maker is an affordable appliance that makes thin, crispy, American waffles.

Pros: Affordable, heats up quickly, makes thin and crunchy traditional waffles, five browning settings, indicator lights, easy to clean and store 

Cons: Somewhat flimsy

If you prefer more American-style waffles that are thin and crunchy with smaller pockets, then the Cuisinart Classic Round Waffle Maker is the best waffle maker for the job at a reasonable price.

This brushed stainless-steel appliance has five browning settings and dual indicator lights that tell you when it's time to bake and when you're ready to eat. The round nonstick cook plate produces a large, round waffle broken out into quarters. Rubber feet keep the unit from sliding around and the lid is weighted so it doesn't pop open.

Cleanup is simple. After the grids have cooled, you just brush crumbs from the grooves and pick up any excess cooking oil by wiping them with a dry cloth or paper towel. You can also clean the grids by wiping them with a damp cloth. After you're done, wrap the cord under the bottom of the unit and then turn it on its side for compact storage.

It comes with a three-year warranty, as well as a recipe book.

The best high-end waffle maker

The All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker is a top-of-the-line appliance with all the bells and whistles to ensure you make perfect waffles every time.

Pros: Sturdy stainless steel construction, multiple browning options, special heating technology, LED indicator lights, easy to clean

Cons: Heavy

If you're a fan of Belgian waffles, the All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker is a high-end waffle maker that produces two lovely thick waffles every time. You can also get one that makes four waffles if you're serving a crowd or are too impatient to make multiple batches. The waffles measure 4.5-inches wide by 1-inch thick, so these are nice big Belgian waffles.

The waffle maker has seven different browning settings to accommodate all tastes. Regardless of which setting you pick, the advanced heating technology ensures consistent cooking straight through the waffle. A special steam-release system prevents condensation from building up, too, thus ensuring that your waffle comes out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

There's no guesswork here. There are LED indicator lights that let you know when to pour your batter in and when your waffles are ready to eat. If you're not paying attention, the machine beeps to let you know it's done.

With the nonstick cooking surface and a removable drip tray, cleanup is easy, too. When you're done, you can leave the stainless steel unit on your counter or take advantage of the cord storage and the locking lid and turn it on its side for more compact storage.

Like all All-Clad products, there is a limited lifetime warranty on this unit.

The best multi-use waffle maker

Go from breakfast to lunch without missing a beat with the Black & Decker 3-in-1 Waffle Maker and Grill, which makes waffles and also grills just about anything.

Pros: Versatile waffle-maker/grill/griddle combo, makes large waffles, accurate indicator light, affordable

Cons: Difficult to clean, flimsy construction

The Black & Decker G48TD 3-in-1 Waffle Maker and Grill is a waffle maker, griddle, and grill. All you have to do to switch from making waffles to frying up eggs and bacon is to change the nonstick reversible cooking plates. A unique 180-degree hinge also doubles the available cooking area, so you'll end up with two eight-inch-square griddles for pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Then you can switch it up again to grill a sandwich for lunch.

There are several variable heat controls to choose from. The grease run-off channels along the edge of this grill quickly and easily carry away excess oils. With its chrome exterior and stay-cool black synthetic handles, this appliance looks great on the counter, but you can easily wrap the cord and stand the unit upright for compact storage.

It comes with a limited one-year warranty.

One downside: We did come across a few shopper reviews complaining that the unit is not very sturdy and the top plate frequently falls down.

FAQs

What are different types of waffles?

According to Chowhound, Belgian waffles are bigger all around — in diameter and thickness — and also have deeper square pockets than their American counterparts. They are also traditionally made with yeast, which makes them light and fluffy. American waffles, on the other hand, are usually made with baking powder and are thinner and crunchier than Belgian waffles. Belgian waffles require a different kind of waffle maker.

Another kind of waffle is a type of Belgian waffle called the Liege. Liege waffles are a centuries-old street treat in Belgium, made from yeast-risen dough and Belgian pearl sugar. This gives the waffle its own natural sweetness — no toppings needed. They are softer, sweeter and doughier than other Belgian waffles. They're also much harder to make. Our picks are primarily for Belgian and American style waffles.

What makes a good waffle maker?

The single most important factor when selecting a waffle maker is that it cooks your waffle evenly.

A good waffle maker should also offer variable heat controls, stay cool to the touch, and alert you when the waffles are done. Some waffle makers come with special features like removable grids and most have non-stick coatings to make it easier to remove your waffles. 

All the waffle makers we've included in our guide meet these criteria.

Check out more small kitchen appliance guides

• The best KitchenAid stand mixers
• The best espresso machines
• The best air fryers
• The best electric griddles
• The best stand mixers
• The best juicers
• The best Instant Pot and electric pressure cookers

• Outdoor patio heaters have been in short supply as folks set up their outdoor spaces for winter and early spring. 
• We've tested several brands, and talked to three experts about what to consider when buying a patio heater.
• We recommend choosing a pyramid or dome-top propane heater that gives off at least 40,000 Btu of heat.

While a patio heater won't magically melt away all the snow in your yard, it can help extend the outdoor season. The right outdoor patio heater can keep you and your guests cozy, even if there's a significant chill in the air. 

If you're looking for a patio heater to keep your space warm for outdoor social calls, you'll need to consider heat output, ease of use, and, most importantly, safety. 

Currently, many stores are sold out of outdoor heaters or have extremely low stock due to more people socially distancing outdoors as the pandemic continues. We were able to get our hands on three models to test and review, and also consulted safety experts to put together this guide on what to look for if you're considering purchasing an outdoor patio heater. 

What we recommend: AmazonBasics Patio Heater

The AmazonBasics Patio Heater is a sturdy, easy-to-use outdoor heating device that puts out an impressive 46,000 Btu of heat — enough to extend the outdoor dining season well into the colder months. 

Pros: Durable construction, easy to operate, wheeled design, puts out a lot of heat

Cons: Shorter people might have to stretch to reach the control knob

I panic-purchased the AmazonBasics Patio Heater when the weather started to turn colder and the pandemic didn't appear to be ending anytime soon. I've been using the AmazonBasics Patio Heater for almost four months now, and it's made it comfortable enough to sit outside even during the chilly Canadian fall. It provides a consistent amount of heat that spreads over a large enough area to keep a small group of people comfortable when the weather is chilly. 

The mushroom-top unit has a single control knob with an ignition setting, along with low and high heat options. The heat controls are placed at the top of the unit, which requires short people like me to stand on tippy toes to reach, but keeps the controls out of the hands of kids. It operates on a propane tank — the same kind you use to operate your BBQ — and the stainless steel design is weather-resistant, so there's not really any need to store it away for the winter.

A patio heater — even a powerful one like the AmazonBasics unit — won't turn your deck into a summertime oasis when the weather is freezing. Still, it can offer a hint of warmth, making it easier to spend more time outside with loved ones during the pandemic.

Like with all patio heaters, we've seen stock of this product fluctuate. We don't recommend buying from third-party sellers. If it's out of stock or only available from third-party sellers, we recommend waiting until Amazon receives more stock.

Read our full review of the AmazonBasics Patio Heater

What else we recommend: Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater

The Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater is a compact, portable heater perfect for personal use and heating up small outdoor spaces. Its rugged design also makes it suitable for toting along in cold weather excursions like camping.

Pros: Small footprint, durable construction, portable, simple to use

Cons: Not an ideal solution for providing warmth for a large group of people

This lightweight little device is an excellent option if you're short on space or want an outdoor heating option while you're on-the-go. It's only 14 inches wide, making it suitable for tabletop use. However, on mild winter days, I place it under my patio table as a supplemental heating device to my AmazonBasics unit. It heats up the surrounding area fairly quickly and runs for up to 3 hours — the single control knob allows you to choose between low and high heat. You'll get the most benefit if you're sitting in front of the heater. 

I recommend this space-saving heater to anyone wanting to spend more time outside, as it will help keep you warm without gobbling up valuable real estate.

Like with all patio heaters, we've seen stock of this product fluctuate. We don't recommend buying from third-party sellers. If it's out of stock or only available from third-party sellers, we recommend waiting until Amazon receives more stock.

Read our full review of the Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater

What else we tested

We're continuing to test patio heaters as we can get our hands on them. Here are patio heaters we tested that didn't make the cut.

What we don't recommend and why

Rangland Patio Heater ($235): Out of the box, this unit looks almost identical to the AmazonBasics heater, but putting it together revealed a few significant red flags: the dome-top was warped, and several pieces didn't fit neatly together. The end result was a flimsy-looking heater with a wobbly base — I definitely didn't trust it to last in windy conditions. When it came time to start it up, I wasn't able to ignite it. I enlisted the help of my husband and father-in-law — who works in the aerospace field and gave the heater a failing grade — and neither had any luck firing it up. We even switched out the propane tank just in case the one we were using had an imperceptible leak, but to no avail. I also wasn't able to locate a customer service contact in the manual; another major red flag. I wasn't alone in my issues with this heater; multiple consumer reviews mention the same issues getting the heater lit. Even if you find an enticing deal on this heater, I recommend skipping it.

Other brands to consider

Outdoor heaters are an investment, but they won't last forever. Buying from a reputable company that sells replacement parts means you'll be able to repair your patio heater should something break. We've noticed a lot of brandless outdoor heaters on Amazon and other online retailers and we don't recommend buying them, nor buying from third-party sellers. Some reputable patio heater brands include Home Depot's in-house brand Hampton Bay, AZ Patio Heaters (also sold as Hiland), Westinghouse, Dyna-Glo, and Mr. Heater. While we've only been able to test a few brands due to stock issues, we'll be adding reviews of other reputable brands to this guide soon. Here are some products worth considering:

What to look for in a patio heater

Certifications

Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief with the Montreal Fire Department, said shoppers should look for patio heaters with certifications from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). These independent certification bodies test and ensure various appliances meet specific safety standards. Griffith said a lot of inexpensive products don't have these safety certifications, which can be quite expensive for brands to obtain."There's a reason why one company can sell it at half the price," he said. Though a product with safety certifications often costs more, Griffith said it's important to prioritize safety over price. 

Heat output

You're buying a patio heater to keep warm when it gets cold, so heat output should be a key consideration. Most manufacturers list heat output in British thermal units (Btu) and estimate the square footage a heater can handle in ideal conditions. The higher the Btu of a heater, the more heat it will produce and the larger an area it will cover. 

You can estimate the Btu you need to heat your outdoor area by multiplying the cubic footage of the space by your desired temperature increase. My patio is about 1,500 cubic feet (assuming a height of around 5 feet — I'm short, so I don't need to heat the air too far above my head), and if I want to hang out outside in the fall when it's 50 degrees outside, I'll probably want to raise the temperature by at least 10 degrees. That means I'll need a heater that puts out at least 15,000 Btu. Bigger spaces or colder climates will require more Btu to heat comfortably. 

If you live in a colder area or are looking to entertain guests, we recommend looking for a heater that produces 40,000 Btu or more, which is enough to heat around 2,000 square feet comfortably. Dome or pyramid-shaped heaters are typically larger and have a higher Btu output, so they can usually heat a larger area than tabletop patio heaters. These tall patio heaters are often seen at restaurants because they can keep a large number of guests comfortable at one time. Thomas Bonfiglio, CEO and founder of Triple T Hospitality, said that the high heat output is one of the reasons he chose pyramid and dome-top heaters for his New York and New Jersey restaurants. "Diners who may still not be comfortable eating inside anywhere can have a pleasant experience outside for many months," Bonfiglio said.

Fuel Type

Propane-powered heaters typically produce more heat than electric heaters because they aren't limited by the circuit system of your home. That, of course, means there are some additional safety considerations for propane heaters, since they won't shut off automatically like an electric heater will when a circuit is overloaded. You can read more about safety considerations in the section below.

The majority of propane patio heaters are compatible with standard 15-20 pound propane tanks, but some portable versions work with smaller, 16 ounce canisters. You'll have to buy propane tanks separately from the heater, as you would for a gas-powered outdoor fireplace or grill. Fortunately, small and large propane tanks are readily available at most hardware stores; it typically costs about $20 to $25 to refill or buy a 20 pound propane tank at Home Depot. 

How much gas your patio heater uses depends on its heat output, what setting you're using, and the surrounding air temperature (the colder it is, the more gas you'll use to heat the area). Amerigas says that you can expect to generate 22,000 Btu per hour for each pound of propane. So if you have a 40,000 Btu patio heater, it'll burn through about 2 pounds of propane every hour you're operating it on its highest setting. Patio heaters guzzle a lot of propane, so I always like to keep an extra tank on hand, since I have multiple outdoor gas-powered appliances like a grill and an outdoor fireplace. 

Electric heaters are usually cheaper and safer to operate because they produce less heat. They also don't require regular trips to the hardware store for fuel refills. But the heat isn't very powerful or far-reaching if you're looking to keep a crowd warm.

If aesthetics are important to you, keep in mind that electric and propane heaters give off different types of light. Gas-powered patio heaters create actual flames, which produce a natural, fireplace-like glow. Bonfiglio said he settled on gas models for his restaurant because of their ability to evenly diffuse heat without adding unnecessary bright light. 

Controls

Bonfiglio also chose patio heaters with controls that are high up and out of reach to customers, which keeps diners safe and the atmosphere consistent. If your household has children, pets, or fidgety adults who like to play with controls, you might also consider a patio heater with out-of-reach controls to prevent any accidents. Most tall, freestanding patio heaters naturally have controls that are high up. My AmazonBasics patio heater has controls so high that I need to stand on my tippy toes to reach them. 

On the flip side, if you don't have any wayward hands in your home, you might find it a pain to break out the step ladder every time you want to turn on your patio heater. Some models come with remote controls for easier operation, or you may opt for a tabletop unit.

Portability and storage

Experts told us you can store most propane heaters outside all year round. Just add a cover to prevent unnecessary wear and tear during rainstorms and cold winter months. We recommend choosing a model with wheels if you're opting for a standalone unit like a dome-top or pyramid heater, so that it's easy to wheel out of the way when not in use. If storing a portable patio heater indoors, remove the propane attachment before doing so. 

FAQs

What are the different types of patio heaters?

Here's a quick breakdown of the most common types of outdoor patio heaters on the market:

• Pyramid: A tall, freestanding outdoor heater with a triangular shape that usually runs on propane. Flames run up a center column from the bottom to the top of the heater.
• Dome-top: Also known as mushroom-top heaters, these models are tall and skinny with  a big metal disk on top that deflects heat downward to distribute it evenly over a large area. They also run on propane and have a similar heat output to pyramid-style units. 
• Tabletop: Compact, portable gas heaters that are small enough to fit on a patio table, like the Mr. Heater Buddy Heater.
• Electric heaters: Hanging lamp or freestanding heaters that require an outlet for power. These put out a lot less heat than propane-powered heaters. 

While most outdoor patio heaters use propane or electricity as an energy source, natural gas heaters also exist, but they require professional installation into an existing gas line, so we don't expect to test these anytime soon.

Why should I buy a patio heater?

If you currently use or would like to use your outdoor spaces during the colder months, a patio heater is a great investment. However, deciding to purchase a patio heater depends on a few factors, including the size of the outdoor area you're trying to heat, the average temperatures during the colder months in your area, and whether a gas or electric powered heater works best in your space. It's also important to remember that the higher the patio heater's Btu, the more area the heater will cover, so if you have a larger area to heat, you'll need a patio heater with a higher Btu. Also consider storage and whether the patio heater should be stored outdoors or indoors when not in use.

Are patio heaters safe?

If used correctly, yes. However, there's a lot to consider safety-wise when bringing any heat producing appliance into your home.

Griffith said it's important to follow manufacturer recommendations during installation, which means reading the owner's manual—something many buyers never do. He also recommends keeping your patio heater away from anything combustible, and making sure you allow for at least 4 or 5 feet of clearance in all directions, including vertically. Be careful of trees, umbrellas, and, if you have an apartment balcony, any balconies above you made of flammable materials. Propane-powered heaters have actual flames coming out of them, which is why it's essential to always be alert when they're lit. 

With most outdoor heaters, you don't need to worry about accidentally burning yourself via fully-exposed flames. The flames on most tall freestanding heaters, for instance, are well out of reach from curious little hands. But you should never leave your outdoor heater unattended, and be extra cautious on windy days. 

General propane tank safety also applies, Griffith said. Keep propane tanks at least 3 feet away from entrances or building openings, discard tanks that are damaged or more than 10 years old, and never store a propane tank indoors. It's OK to keep a tank outside all year round. "There's no danger for it to be out in the cold," says Griffith. 

Most importantly, never use an outdoor propane-powered heater inside. "Those are meant to be outdoors where it's ventilated…[carbon monoxide] is an odorless, colorless insipid gas. You simply aren't able to detect it without a CO detector. There's cases every year across North America of people dying, unfortunately, because of things like that," Griffith said. 

While electric patio heaters are a bit safer because of natural restrictions to electrical output and built-in safety mechanisms in modern home wiring, you should be careful about placement, said Dan Mock, brand manager for Mister Sparky, an electrical services company. Taping down wires can prevent accidental knock-overs and is especially important if you have kids or pets running around. Plug-in heaters require a lot of electricity, so Mock also recommends not having too many things plugged in at the same time as your electric heater. Electric patio heaters aren't all dust and waterproof either. Check the manufacturer specifications and look for an IP Code rating of at least 55, which means the device can handle some dust and water. Here's a handy chart of IP ratings and what they mean. 

Griffith suggests calling your local fire department if you're unsure about placement or have questions related to patio heater safety, and he also adds that it's a good idea to check whether your town has any specific regulations for this kind of outdoor heating appliance.

Copado, a DevOps platform originally built to work with Salesforce, has closed a $96 million Series B round led by Insight Partners and Salesforce Ventures.

The round is $70 million in new funding that builds on an initial $26 million investment Copado announced in summer 2020, and brings the firm's total raised to $117 million. Lead Edge Capital, ISAI Cap Venture, and Perpetual Investors also participated in the round.

Copado decided to raise more money after doubling its revenue in the past six months and seeing increased opportunity, CEO Ted Elliot told Insider. Since the summer, the company hired new leaders from Salesforce and Vlocity, and acquired startup ClickDeploy in September. While it initially focused on helping companies deploy Salesforce's customer relationship management platform, it now works with platforms like Veeva, nCino, ServiceMax, and SAP, too. It also plans to use its new funding to expand to MuleSoft, Vlocity, and more, Elliot said. 

He attributes its progress over the last six months to convincing VCs that Copado would be a "high-quality investment":

"The ability to scale the business, scale the leadership team, scale the revenue, and demonstrate that we can do acquisitions — and also our focus on becoming a multi-cloud product that could be used outside of just Salesforce — I think all those factors were very interesting to the investment community," Elliot said.  

Elliot declined to share the firm's current valuation, but said it has increased from its Series A.

He also hinted that additional acquisitions could be on the horizon. In particular, Elliot's eyeing companies that provide operations security, compliance, and testing. The massive SolarWinds attacks demonstrated that companies and public agencies need to take more precautions when deploying software, he added. 

"You need a ledger of what information gets deployed in order to ensure that you don't have a breach of security through your supply chain of building software," Elliot said. "These are the areas that keep the CIO up at night."

Here's the pitch deck that convinced VCs from Insight Partners and Salesforce Ventures to lead Copado's funding round:

The GameStop short squeeze and stock bonanza might have felt like a once-a-decade or once-in-a-lifetime event, but Goldman Sachs says it could happen again, and soon.

Even if there were many ways the social media-fueled frenzy in GameStop and AMC Networks and Bed Bath & Beyond was unique, many of its most notable ingredients are still there, according to Goldman Sachs. Chief among them are these two: There are a lot of big short bets on the market, and retail investors still have a ton of money.

While short bets against the average stock are low and hedge funds are dumping exposure, Goldman Chief US Equity Strategist David Kostin says there are still huge bets against specific stocks — including GameStop and its recent short-squeeze peers.

"In the last three months, a basket containing the 50 Russell 3000 stocks with market caps above $1 billion and the largest short interest as a share of float has rallied by 98%," Kostin wrote in a research note published January 29.

He says that's unmatched in any other period. And while shorts against the average Russell 3000 stock are small — Kostin says the average short interest as a percentage of the total share float is only 3% — the heavily-shorted stocks can still blow up, and it would cause hedge funds just as much pain as it did in January. 

"In recent years elevated crowding, low turnover, and high concentration have been consistent patterns, boosting the risk that one fund's unwind could snowball through the market," he wrote.

Meanwhile, Kostin says retail investors have a ton of money they could invest, in news the members of r/Wallstreetbets might be happy to hear.

"More than 50% of the $5 trillion in money market mutual funds is owned by households and is $1 trillion greater than before the pandemic," he wrote. "Regulatory actions, broker risk limits, or unexpected losses could all dampen the activity ... But otherwise, an abundance of US household cash should continue to fuel the trading boom."

Now that everyone is aware of the hidden potential in heavily shorted stocks, Kostin is identifying the biggest short interest targets on the market.

The 40 stocks listed here had the largest bets against them of any Russell 3000 stocks as of January 29. They're ranked from lowest to highest based on the short interest as a percentage of their overall share float.

SEE ALSO: One of Wall Street's most popular self-defense strategies failed during the coronavirus meltdown. Ex-Bridgewater advisor Damien Bisserier was among the few who made it work, and he told us how he did it.

40. OPKO Health

Ticker: OPK

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $3.8 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 25%

Source: Goldman Sachs

39. vTv Therapeutics

Ticker: VTVT

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $130 million

Short interest as of January 29: 25%

Source: Goldman Sachs

38. B&G Foods

Ticker: BGS

Sector: Consumer staples

Market cap: $3.1 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 25%

Source: Goldman Sachs

37. BigCommerce Holdings

Ticker: BIGC

Sector: Information technology

Market cap: $4.9 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

36. Alpha Pro Tech

Ticker: APT

Sector: Industrials

Market cap: $257 million

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

35. Tabula Rasa Healthcare

Ticker: TRHC

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $1.3 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

34. Kaleido Biosciences

Ticker: KLDO

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $454 million

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

33. TherapeuticsMD

Ticker: TXMD

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $650 million

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

32. Madrigal Pharmaceuticals

Ticker: MDGL

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $1.9 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

31. Inovio Pharmaceuticals

Ticker: INO

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $2.7 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

30. Continental Resources

Ticker: CLR

Sector: Energy

Market cap: $8.4 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 26%

Source: Goldman Sachs

29. BioXcel Therapeutics

Ticker: BTAI

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $1.5 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 27%

Source: Goldman Sachs

28. Bed Bath & Beyond

Ticker: BBBY

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Market cap: $3.5 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 27%

Source: Goldman Sachs

27. PetMed Express

Ticker: PETS

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Market cap: $708 million

Short interest as of January 29: 27%

Source: Goldman Sachs

26. Buckle

Ticker: BKE

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Market cap: $2.0 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 27%

Source: Goldman Sachs

25. Revlon

Ticker: REV

Sector: Consumer staples

Market cap: $595 million

Short interest as of January 29: 28%

Source: Goldman Sachs

24. Vaxart

Ticker: VXRT

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $922 million

Short interest as of January 29: 28%

Source: Goldman Sachs

23. Seritage Growth Properties

Ticker: SRG

Sector: Real estate

Market cap: $759 million

Short interest as of January 29: 28%

Source: Goldman Sachs

22. Intercept Pharmaceuticals

Ticker: ICPT

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $1.1 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 28%

Source: Goldman Sachs

21. Fulgent Genetics

Ticker: FLGT

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $4.2 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 30%

Source: Goldman Sachs

20. Retractable Technologies

Ticker: RVP

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $583 million

Short interest as of January 29: 30%

Source: Goldman Sachs

19. Tootsie Roll Industries

Ticker: TR

Sector: Consumer staples

Market cap: $2.1 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 31%

Source: Goldman Sachs

18. Discovery

Ticker: DISCA

Sector: Communication services

Market cap: $22.9 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 31%

Source: Goldman Sachs

17. Zynex

Ticker: ZYXI

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $677 million

Short interest as of January 29: 31%

Source: Goldman Sachs

16. Rocket Companies

Ticker: RKT

Sector: Financials

Market cap: $40.8 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 31%

Source: Goldman Sachs

15. Ontrak

Ticker: OTRK

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $1.6 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 32%

Source: Goldman Sachs

14. SunPower

Ticker: SPWR

Sector: Information technology

Market cap: $8.4 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 32%

Source: Goldman Sachs

13. Marcus

Ticker: MCS

Sector: Communication services

Market cap: $532 million

Short interest as of January 29: 32%

Source: Goldman Sachs

12. AMC Networks

Ticker: AMCX

Sector: Communication services

Market cap: $2.0 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 33%

Source: Goldman Sachs

11. Precigen

Ticker: PGEN

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $1.8 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 33%

Source: Goldman Sachs

10. National Beverage

Ticker: FIZZ

Sector: Consumer staples

Market cap: $5.5 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 35%

Source: Goldman Sachs

9. Accelerate Diagnostics

Ticker: AXDX

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $750 million

Short interest as of January 29: 36%

Source: Goldman Sachs

8. Esperion Therapeutics

Ticker: ESPR

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $896 million

Short interest as of January 29: 38%

Source: Goldman Sachs

7. Ligand Pharmaceuticals

Ticker: LGND

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $3.4 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 39%

Source: Goldman Sachs

6. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

Ticker: SKT

Sector: Real estate

Market cap: $1.4 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 41%

Source: Goldman Sachs

5. International Flavors & Fragrances

Ticker: IFF

Sector: Materials

Market cap: $33.7 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 41%

Source: Goldman Sachs

4. Clovis Oncology

Ticker: CLVS

Sector: Healthcare

Market cap: $842 million

Short interest as of January 29: 42%

Source: Goldman Sachs

3. GameStop

Ticker: GME

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Market cap: $3.6 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 43%

Source: Goldman Sachs

2. Gogo

Ticker: GOGO

Sector: Communication services

Market cap: $1.2 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 43%

Source: Goldman Sachs

1. Academy Sports and Outdoors

Ticker: ASO

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Market cap: $2.3 billion

Short interest as of January 29: 46%

Source: Goldman Sachs

• Codecademy is a great resource for free coding lessons in popular programming languages like Python, Java, SQL, HTML, JavaScript, C++, R, and more.
• The coding classes below offer free tutorials, but a Pro membership ($19.99 per month annually) is required to access quizzes and projects.
• On top of the free option, Pro memberships provide access to more in-depth classes, certifications, peer support, and more. Current college students can get 35% off an annual Pro membership.

Whether you're interested in coding but don't know where to start, or you've narrowed your choices down to Python or Java but still feel stuck, it can help to get a feel for a programming language before committing to a longer certificate program or bootcamp. 

Codecademy, an e-learning coding site that serves about 45 million people, offers free lessons and tutorials in the most popular programming languages out there, including Python, Java, SQL, HTML, JavaScript, C++, R, and more. For true beginners, it can be a great, risk-free way to explore a possible new career path at your own pace. And if you still feel overwhelmed with all the options, there's even a quick personality quiz you can take to help guide you in the direction of a specific coding language.

One thing to note is the free lessons show you how to code, but a paid Pro membership ($19.99 per month annually or $39.99 per month month-to-month) is needed to access projects, quizzes, and certifications. 

The difference in memberships

Codecademy's basic free membership gives students access to 180 hours of lessons and limited mobile practice, but its Pro subscription comes with 1,800 hours and unlimited mobile practice — as well as perks like real-world projects, step-by-step guidance, and peer support. You can also try the Pro version for free for a week before committing. 

For current college students, Codecademy also offers a 35% discount on Pro memberships.

What you can learn on Codecademy

"Codecademy is all focused on learning by doing," CEO and co-founder Zach Sims told Insider. Its content, which is all built in-house by a small team, centers on engagement. Learners earn badges and get real-time feedback as they interact with classes.

Codeacademy also has structured curriculum roadmaps. Some are Career Paths that teach the core skills of overarching subjects like Computer Science, Data Science, and Web Development, while others are Skill Paths focused on more specialized, shorter-term goals. 

When asked about how the company has had to evolve recently, CEO and Co-Founder Zach Sims told Insider that "in many cases, there might not be an upfront business opportunity, like giving away free licenses. But I think it's kind of the right thing to do." 

9 Codecademy courses you can take for free:

SEE ALSO: 13 sites where you can learn how to code online for free or close to it

Learn How to Code

Sign up for free on Codecademy

3 lessons, about 6 hours total

If you're completely new to coding, this three-part intro course covers the basics of programming concepts, so you can leave with a better understanding of what coding is used for, why it's important, and which programming language might work best for you.

Learn JavaScript

Sign up for free on Codecademy

14 lessons, about 30 hours total

JavaScript is one of the most ubiquitous coding languages out there, and this course teaches you the fundamentals using the latest syntax, as well as basic object-oriented concepts. After completing this course, you can learn to build games, websites, or web apps.

Learn HTML

Sign up for free on Codecademy

4 lessons, about 9 hours total

HTML is the core of all web pages — learning these building blocks is crucial to developing more advanced web development skills. This course covers common HTML tags used to structure websites, as well as HTML tables for organizing data.

Learn Python 3

Sign up for free on Codecademy

11 lessons, about 30 hours total

A solid beginner programming language, Python is widely used in everything from software engineering to data science. Focusing on the latest version of Python, this course covers control flow, functions, loops, strings, modules, and more.

Learn Java

Sign up for free on Codecademy

Java is one of the most popular programming languages, used in everything from software development to Android apps. (Java developers also rank the highest in job satisfaction, according to Glassdoor). This class covers variables, arrays, debugging, and more.

Learn C#

Sign up for free on Codecademy

9 lessons, about 30 hours total

Used in mobile applications and game development, C# is a great language to learn if you're interested in a career as a developer. This course features lessons in data types, variables, arrays, loops, interfaces, and more.

Learn C++

Sign up for free on Codecademy

10 lessons, about 25 hours total

C++ is prevalent in game design, robotics, operating systems, web browsers, and more. This course covers variables, conditionals, loops, vectors, functions, objects, and everything else to teach you the fundamentals of C++.

Learn R

Sign up for free on Codecademy

10 lessons, about 25 hours total

Whether you want to work in data science, analysis, or visualization, R is a vital statistical language to know. These lessons cover data cleaning, aggregates, joining tables, hypothesis testing, and more.

Learn SQL

Sign up for free on Codecademy

4 lessons, about 8 hours total

Even if you're not a data scientist, a basic understanding of SQL can help you make sense of complex, relational datasets (especially in a business context). This course covers database creation, queries, aggregate functions, and multiple tables.

• Sling offers two packages —  Orange and Blue– for $35 a month each, or combined for $50 a month.
• The channel selection differs between both plans, though some networks are available on both.
• You can also add on multi-channel packages, like Sports Extras, or premium add-ons like Showtime.

If you're hoping to get the most bang for your buck once you cut the cord with your cable subscription, Sling is one of the most affordable live streaming services on the market. You can read our full Sling TV review here.

The service has two packages with over 30 channels starting at just $35 a month. But Sling's website makes it a bit difficult to compare services and ensure you'll be getting the channels you're after, so we've broken down exactly what you'll get with each package and all the add-ons you can include to enhance your channel offerings.

The two main packages — Sling Orange and Sling Blue— offer 30+ channels for $35 a month, or $50 combined

Sling's two main offerings are Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each available to stream for $35 a month. For a limited time, new customers can get their first month of service for just $10.

Channels largely overlap between the Blue and Orange, but there are a few key differences that might cause you to choose one over the other.

The channels that overlap on both Orange and Blue include standouts like Food Network, Lifetime, AMC, CNN, the History Channel, and more. Meanwhile, Disney and ESPN are only included with Sling Orange. In their place, Sling Blue offers NFL Network and a slate of Fox-owned and NBC-owned channels, including stations like FX, Fox Sports 1, USA, and Bravo.

Blue also comes with local NBC and Fox affiliates, but only if you live in select markets. Sling Orange doesn't offer any local channels at all, so if you're hoping to catch your local nightly news, Sling Blue is the way to go. 

If you're keeping up with the newest season of "What We Do in the Shadows" on FX, but you absolutely can't live without "SportsCenter" on ESPN, you might want to combine the two packages for $50 a month, giving you access to all 50+ channels Sling offers.

There are plenty of add-ons starting at $5 a month if you're looking for specific genres or channels

If you want to further enhance your channel selection, Sling offers a slate of genre-based add-ons starting at $5 a month. Each add-on, like Kids Extras, Sports Extras, and Lifestyle Extras, offers a mini-bundle of channels for an additional charge.

Though HBO is no longer offered, there are still several premium add-ons you may want to tack onto your service. For $10 a month, you'll get a slate of nine Showtime channels. Sling also offers a Starz package for $9 a month and an Epix package for $5 a month.

If you're using Sling a la carte, the monthly charges per add-on can increase your rates pretty quickly, but if you're happy with its baseline Orange or Blue offerings, Sling is incredibly cost-efficient.

See below for a full breakdown of all Sling's channel offerings and add-ons, and click here to sign up and start streaming live TV.

Sling Orange

The following channels are included with Sling Orange:

• A&E 
• AMC
• AXS TV
• BBC America
• BET
• Bloomberg Television
• CNN
• Cartoon Network
• Cheddar
• Comedy Central
• Comet 
• Disney Channel
• EPIX Drive-In
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPN3
• Food Network
• Freeform
• Fuse 
• HGTV
• History Channel
• IFC
• Investigation Discovery
• Lifetime
• Local Now
• MotorTrend
• Newsy
• Nick Jr.
• Stadium
• TBS
• TNT
• Travel Channel
• Vice

Sling Blue

The following channels are included:

• A&E 
• AMC
• AXS TV
• BBC America
• BET
• Bloomberg Television
• Bravo
• Cartoon Network
• Cheddar
• CNN
• Comedy Central
• Comet
• Discovery Channel
• E!
• Epix Drive-In
• Food Network
• Fox
• Fox News Channel
• Fox Sports 1
• Fuse 
• FX
• HGTV
• HLN
• History Channel
• IFC
• Investigation Discovery
• Lifetime
• Local Now
• MSNBC
• NBC
• NBC Sports Network
• NFL Network
• National Geographic
• Newsy
• Nick Jr.
• SYFY
• Stadium
• TBS
• TLC
• TNT
• Travel Channel
• truTV
• USA
• Vice

Shared between Orange and Blue

The following channels are shared between the Orange and Blue plans:

• A&E
• TNT
• AMC
• HGTV
• CNN
• BET
• Nick Jr.
• TBS
• Comedy Central
• History Channel
• IFC
• Food Network
• BBC America
• Investigation Discovery
• Travel Channel
• Cartoon Network
• EPIX Drive-In
• Viceland
• AXS TV
• Fuse
• Newsy
• Bloomberg Television
• Cheddar
• Comet
• Stadium

Sports add-ons ($10/month if Blue; $10/month if Orange)

The following channels are included with Sling Orange:

• ACC Network 
• ACC Network Extra
• Longhorn Network 
• ESPNU
• ESPNews
• SEC Network 
• SEC Network+ 
• MLB Network
• MLB Network Strike Zone
• Tennis Channel
• NBA TV
• Pac-12
• NHL Network
• beIN Sports
• Outside Television

The Following channels are included with Sling Blue:

• FS2 
• Golf Channel
• Olympic Channel
• NFL RedZone 
• MLB Network
• MLB Network Strike Zone
• Tennis Channel
• NBA TV
• Pac-12
• NHL Network
• beIN Sports
• Outside Television
• Big Ten Network (coming to Sling ahead of the 2020 college football season)

Comedy add-ons ($5/month if Blue; $5/month if Orange)

Sign up for Sling here

The following channels are included:

• CMT
• GSN
• Logo
• MTV
• MTV2
• Revolt
• TV Land
• Paramount Network (already included in Sling Blue base channels)
• truTV (already included in Sling Blue base channels)

Kids add-ons ($5/month)

The following channels are included:

• Disney Junior (not included if you have Sling Blue) 
• Disney XD (not included if you have Sling Blue) 
• NickToons
• TeenNick
• Boomerang
• BabyTV
• duckTV

News add-ons ($5/month)

The following channels are included:

• CNBC (not included with Sling Orange) 
• Fox Business (not included with Sling Orange) 
• NDTV 24x7 (not included with Sling Orange)
• HLN (already included in Sling Blue base plan)
• NewsMax
• Science Channel
• BBC World News
• Weather Nation
• Euronews
• News18
• RT America
• CGTN
• Law & Crime Network

Lifestyle add-ons ($5/month)

The following channels are included:

• Oxygen (not included if you have Sling Orange)
• Cooking Channel
• DIY
• FYI
• Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
• Hallmark Channel
• Hallmark Drama
• Lifetime Movies
• VH1
• WE TV 
• Z Living HD

Hollywood add-ons ($5/month)

Sign up for Sling here

The following channels are included:

• FXX (not included if you have Sling Orange) 
• FXM (not included if you have Sling Orange) 
• Cinemoi
• HDNet Movies
• REELZ
• SundanceTV
• Turner Classic movies

Heartland add-ons ($5/month)

The following channels are included:

• Nat Geo Wild (not included if you have Sling Orange) 
• World Fishing Network
• RIDE TV
• Sportsman Channel
• American Heroes Channel
• Destination America
• Outdoor Channel
• RFD-TV
• PixL
• The Cowboy Channel
• Pursuit
• Great American Country

Showtime add-ons ($10/month)

The following channels are included:

• SHOWTIME
• SHOWTIME 2
• SHOWTIME Beyond
• SHOWTIME Extreme
• SHOWTIME Family Zone
• SHOWTIME Next
• SHOWTIME Showcase
• SHOWTIME West
• SHOWTIME Women

EPIX add-ons ($5/month)

The following channels are included:

• EPIX
• EPIX 2
• EPIX Hits

STARZ add-ons ($9/month)

Sign up for Sling here

The following channels are included:

• STARZ
• STARZ Comedy
• STARZ Edge
• STARZ Encore
• STARZ Kids and Family
• STARZ West

Other premium add-ons (monthly price varies)

The following channels are included:

• NBA League Pass: ($28.99/month)
• NBC Team Pass: ($17.99/month)
• CuriosityStream: ($3/month)
• UP Faith & Family: ($5/month)
• Hopster: ($5/month)
• PANTAYA: ($6/month)
• Stingray Karaoke: ($7/month)
• Dove Channel: ($5/month)
• Outside TV Features: ($5/month)
• Docurama: ($5/month)
• CONtv: ($5/month)
• Here TV: ($8/month)
• Cinefest: ($5/month)
• Cinemoi: ($3/month)
• Comedy Dynamics: ($5/month)
• DOGTV: ($5/month)
• Hallmark Movies Now: ($6/month)
• Grokker: ($7/month)
• The Country Network Plus: ($3/month)
• Magnolia Selects: ($5/month)
• Warrior & Gangers: ($3/month)
• Monsters & Nightmares: ($3/month)
• Kartoon Channel!: ($4/month)
• Stingray Qello: ($8/month)
• Dox: ($3/month)
• Echoboom Sports: ($6/month)
• Hi-YAH!: ($3/month)
• Lion Mountain TV: ($3/month)
• VSiN: ($4/month)

• Faux leather isn't the real thing, but it provides a look that can be equally stylish.
• Some bags even have a grained texture to mimic that of real leather. 
• Vegan leather bags come in a variety of versions, including totes, satchels, and backpacks.

Faux leather bags — also known as vegan leather bags — have truly come a long way. Today's faux totes are affordable, stylish, and versatile. Plus, they come in a variety of styles for just about any occasion. 

While faux leather bags are still made with plastic, specifically polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), they've recently incorporated non-animal materials, like waxed cotton. If avoiding animal products altogether is your top concern, look for products and companies that specifically advertise themselves as "vegan" and are transparent about the materials they employ. 

No matter the style you're looking for, we've rounded up a handful of retailers that sell quality faux leather bags and called our some of our favorites picks from their stock. 

The best places to buy faux leather bags in 2021:

Nordstrom

Nordstrom has a fantastic selection of the most popular, highly rated imitation handbag brands on the market.

Surprisingly — or maybe not so much — Nordstrom carries many of the best brands in the imitation leather game. Its selection is not only vast but also high-quality without being too hard on your wallet.

The department store's website features backpacks, crossbody bags, tote bags, wallets, and more from Matt and Nat, Sole Society, Street Level, and Urban Originals. There are plenty of styles to choose from, including work-appropriate satchels and tote bags to structured backpacks that would look cool on the commuter train or at happy hour.

Most of these brands have mid-tier prices, with Matt & Nat being the most expensive on average. On the whole, the options are perfect for everyday wear, but you can find the occasional on-trend designer piece as well.

Net-A-Porter

Net-a-Porter is your one-stop shop for luxury goods, including imitation leather bags that are as good as the real thing.

Luxury online retailer Net-a-Porter might not be the first stop for imitation leather goods, but it should be. If you've been planning to invest in a designer bag, there are some stunning options available.

You can find the cult-favorite Falabella range, as well as an oversized perforated tote and a bunch of cute crossbody bags. Other standout offerings include croc-effect faux leather designs from the label Nanushka. Hopefully, the store will add even more vegan brands to its roster as the faux leather trend continues to rise. Net-a-Porter offers exchanges or returns within 28 days of purchase. Shipping costs and estimates vary depending on your location.

Amazon

Amazon carries a ton of faux leather bags that won't leave a dent in your bank account.

Imitation leather is often (but not always) cheaper than its animal skin counterpart, which is just one reason why some people gravitate toward synthetic materials. But you don't want to skimp on quality or style solely for an affordable price tag. Amazon carries many brands that specialize in imitation leather.

In addition to established favorites like Matt & Nat and Pixie Mood, the retailer carries excellent but lesser-known brands that are recommended by places like Ethical Elephant. Shop Deaux Lux and Urban Expressions for super-fun, trendy styles and Urban Originals, Melie Bianco, and Marsi Bond for timeless, designer-like pieces.

Amazon, of course, offers fast, free shipping through its Prime program and offers full refunds for new and unopened items within 30 days of delivery.

Matt & Nat

Matt & Nat makes gorgeous imitation leather handbags, satchels, backpacks, and wallets that would look great in any office or boardroom setting.

Matt & Nat has a gorgeous collection of handbags, totes, satchels, and backpacks with the polished, professional vibe most people go for at the office. Prices are solidly midrange, with most designs in the $100 to $200 range.

Most of the designs are angular and minimalist, which means they go with just about everything in your wardrobe. It also has fashion-forward styles like belt bags and clear mini satchels, as well as other practical silhouettes briefcases and diaper bags. You can pretty much get your entire bag wardrobe from Matt & Nat. And, the company claims to use 100% vegan leather.

Pixie Mood

Pixie Mood satisfies your trend-hunting urge with a wide selection of adorable bags in every conceivable style.

We've established that fake leather is no longer tacky and/or difficult to find. You don't have to splurge or stick with dated or boring designs when ditching animal skin. Pixie Mood has an impressive selection of up-to-the-minute designs. In fact, it's a brand that Insider Picks reporter Mara Leighton tested and highly recommends.

Choose from bestsellers like the Nadia crossbody or the Frances tote with its funky exterior pockets. Or, try out a mixed-material clutch like the Nicole pouch. The brand has the perfect mix of going-out handbags and everyday backpacks, satchels, and totes. And like Matt & Nat, the company says it uses vegan leather.  

Pixie Mood has a full refund policy on non-sale items within 14 days. After that, you are eligible to receive store credit for up to 30 days after purchase, as long as the items are undamaged.

Check out our other bag guides

The best backpacks

The best messenger bags

The best work bags for women

• Many travelers like to bring their pets on weekend getaways and cross-country road trips.
• In addition to pet-friendly hotels, many Airbnb hosts are happy to host you and your pets.
• We rounded up some of the best and most unique pet-friendly Airbnbs in the US.

Since the pandemic began, pet adoption and cross-country road trips rose immensely in popularity as people looked for ways to enjoy more time at home and also get out and safely see the country. If you're hoping to hit the road with your pet along for the ride, you're in luck.

Not only are there many pet-friendly hotels, there are also hundreds of Airbnbs across the United States happy to welcome both you and your four-legged friend.

You can even filter Airbnb by "pets allowed" listings. Best of all, staying at a pet-friendly listing doesn't mean you can't sleep in one of the stylish, cool, or unique homes the platform has become particularly popular for. You can still book a tree house, underground cave, or even an old firehouse and bring your furry friends along. However, be aware that some hosts will charge a fee, either per night or per stay, to bring your pet, while others let them stay for free.

Airbnbs are also a particularly good option amidst the ongoing pandemic since experts and the CDC have noted they are a safer lodging choice than hotels, due to less interactions with other people.

However, bear in mind that there is still no guarantee of safety when it comes to travel right now. Many states are currently experiencing surges in COVID-19 cases. We always recommend following guidelines from the CDC, checking local and state guidelines, practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently, and wearing a mask in public areas. You should exercise additional caution depending on your personal risk factors and whether you're traveling to or from a current hot spot.

Before you book your pet-friendly Airbnb, you should always let your host know that you'll be arriving with a pet. Some hosts will have specific house rules for pets, such as not allowing them on furniture, and you should be respectful of that. Also, there's a high chance that if you say you're road-tripping with a pet your host will assume that you are traveling with a dog. If this is not the case and you are the lucky owner of an intrepid kitten or a globe-trotting turtle, be sure to specify this to your host so there are no surprises at check-in. 

We chose top pet-friendly Airbnbs based on the following criteria:

1. Airbnb listings are for the entire home, so you don't have to worry about sharing a bathroom or keeping your distance from others.
2. Each Airbnb is affordable, ranging in price from $89 to $264, with availability to book at publishing time.
3. All are highly-rated Airbnb listings with a review score of 4.8 or higher.
4. Each listing has committed to Airbnb's Enhanced Cleaning Protocol, which sets a high standard for cleanliness between guest visits.
5. All properties are unique and, of course, open to hosting pets.

Here are some of the best pet-friendly Airbnbs in the US, sorted by region and then price from low to high.

Southwest

Angels Landing A-frame in Hildale, Utah, $89

Book this A-frame starting at $89 per night

With its turquoise roof and an unparalleled view of Zion National Park, this A-frame is a picture-perfect retreat and pets stay free. The host even provides a dog house. However, pets are not allowed to sleep on the human bed and there is a $25 fine if you break this rule.

The cabin is small, but the deck is large and set up for glamping with a grill, washing up area, and lawn furniture perfectly positioned to take in the view. Plus, there's a full-sized fridge in the cabin so your food will stay fresh. The daybed is plush and luxurious with a dreamy white curtain and the cabin's plastic wall opens up vertically so you can choose to sleep in the fresh air. If not, air-conditioning is also an option. The bathroom isn't attached to the cabin, but it is private.

There only scattered availability over the next few months and the calendar for the summer months has not yet opened at the time of publishing. It may pay off to keep an eye on when those dates open up to snag one quickly.

Rating: 4.8

Pet Fee: $25 fine if pet sleeps in the bed

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

Boxcar ranch in Canyon, Texas, $127

Book this boxcar starting at $127 per night

You can truly get a taste of the vagabond life by staying in this old train car on a century-old ranch in the Texas Panhandle. There is a dog on the property already, reported by many guests to be very friendly, but you are welcome to bring your own pets.

The boxcar sits on a well-landscaped piece of land with a hot tub and kitschy-but-cute railroad sign. The interior is rugged and industrial with exposed concrete and pipes, but still quite comfortable with a sumptuous Queen-sized bed, flat-screen television, and glass kitchen table. The surrounding area is open and peaceful and the home is just six miles south of town and the legendary Route 66 (I-40).

You can book the ranch as early as March, but you'll have more flexibility if you look for dates starting in May.

Rating: 4.9

Pet Fee: None specified

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

Mothership dome in Crestone, Colorado, $151

Book this dome house starting at $151 per night

This enormous house can sleep up to nine guests under its mesmerizing geometric ceiling and the hosts are happy to welcome your pets. The kitchen area and beds are all under one roof and unique furniture pieces like carved wooden armoire pump up the character factor.

From this remote location, you'll be able to enjoy a night sky full of stars, hence the sci-fi inspired name. There's also a downstairs area with a separate bedroom and bathroom if you'll need a little more privacy. Past pet-owners report that the property has plenty of room to let your dog roam off-leash.

There are many dates left to book from February into the summer months, although several weekends have already been claimed.

Rating: 4.8

Pet fee: $45

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

West

Lighthouse cottage in Gold Beach, Oregon, $112

Book this lighthouse cottage starting at $112 per night

It doesn't get more picturesque than this cozy lighthouse-shaped cottage on Gold Beach, Oregon. You can bring up to two dogs with you who will love running around on the nearby beach, while you can enjoy the views of Humbug Mountain and nearby hiking trails.

The home is small, but comes with the use of an outdoor hot tub that faces the forest. The interior feels nautical in its wood-clad walls and white-and-blue trimmed furniture. While it's not a real lighthouse, the adorableness translates into what will surely be a lovely outpost to enjoy the mountains and shore along the wild Oregon coast.

There are few dates available up until May, but the calendar opens more widely starting in June.

Rating: 4.9

Pet fee: $29 per stay

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

Sunset yurt with infinity pool in Garden Valley, California, $154

Book this yurt starting at $154 per night

This yurt can sleep two humans and two dogs in the middle of a forest resort that includes a saltwater infinity pool for guests to use. The yurt is ideally positioned to watch the sunset over the ravine and is fitted with a queen-size bed and contemporary design. You'll be partially camping with outdoor showers and a compost toilet, but the yurt is also heated and comes with electric blankets to help you stay cozy through the cold mountain nights.

The yurt is located in a remote rural area 2,200 feet high up in the Sierra Foothills in Northern California and offers plenty of outdoor space for your pet to roam. 

The earliest you can book is May, but there are still plenty of dates open in early summer and the calendar is poised to open soon for the later summer months.

Rating: 4.9

Pet fee: $20 per night

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

Crystal Peak lookout in Fernwood, Idaho, $200

Book this cozy lookout starting at $200 per night

High up in the sky, this former lookout station is an idyllic place to unwind and comes complete with its own wood-fired sauna. The home sits deep in the forest surrounded by 13 private acres, where you're poised to see incredible wildlife like moose. Pets are welcome, but past guests warn that the steep steps may be difficult for an older or less-agile dog.

The interior is bright and modern, with tall windows on all sides that will let you feel immersed in the forest. Beware, that you will need four-wheel drive to get up the steep dirt driveway. The home is also available in the winter, but instead of driving up yourself, you'll be personally escorted through the winter landscape via snowcat.

There are a few dates left in March and April, but the calendar opens up more in late spring and early summer. 

Rating: 4.8

Pet Fee: None specified

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

Creekside turf home in Clancy, Montana, $264

Book this underground turf house starting at $264 per night

Take your next vacation underground with this earth-covered home near Montana's Elkhorn mountains. With 10 beds, there's plenty of room for a big family getaway. Pets are welcome, but the hosts ask you to keep them off the furniture and wipe their paws before they come in.

The interior is Scandinavian-inspired and highlights natural textures that contrast well against the stainless steel appliances and vintage wood-burning fireplace. There are four sleeping cubbies with their own lights and outlets, which both kids and teens are sure to love. One bedroom is even hidden behind a secret entrance.

The earliest availability for this popular spot is in late August, with more open dates continuing through the fall months.

Rating: 4.9

Pet fee: None specified

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

Midwest

Shipping container tiny house in Dover, Ohio, $156

Book this shipping container home starting at $156 per night

From the outside, this shipping container maintains its rustic integrity. But the inside is fully modern, with wood-paneled walls and a small kitchen and dining area for two. With a front door and a sliding door in the bedroom, the space is designed to open up so you can move freely between the house and the patio.

Outside you can make use of the hot tub and enjoy the surrounding forest while taking a well-deserved soak. Dogs are welcome at this Airbnb and the hosts will even supply some dog toys for your pooch. However, you'll need to keep them on a leash and never leave them in the container alone. One reviewer recommends bringing a stake or tie-out so your dog can sit out front with you.

There are a few dates left in March and April, but you'll have more freedom of choice if you start looking in May or a summer month.

Rating: 4.9

Pet Fee: None specified

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

Walnut Creek cabin in Ferryville, Wisconsin, $229

Book this creek cabin starting at $229 per night

Adjacent to a private stream in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, a region filled with sweeping valleys, this log cabin offers rustic luxury and welcomes dogs for a fee. With 10 acres of land to explore, pets will have plenty of room to run around and everyone can warm up at the end of the day next to the indoor fireplace.

There are two bedrooms, one of which is located in the upstairs loft that overlooks the fully-equipped kitchen. The interior is ultra-modern, with exposed beams and black accents that give the space depth. There is a screened-in porch that has another table for dining, as well as a sunken and private hot tub. A calming oasis, it's easy to settle in for an unplugged long weekend.

There are just a few dates still available between April and July, but the calendar is still fairly open from late August and into the autumn months.

Rating: 5.0

Pet Fee: $95 per stay

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

South

Historic firehouse in Shreveport, Louisiana, $213

Book this historic firehouse starting at $213 per night

Even if you don't have a dalmatian, your pet should feel right at home in this renovated historic firehouse, originally built in 1922. Found right in the center of town, this pet-friendly listing is a great choice for those looking for a city-stay.

Although it seems narrow and small from the outside, there's actually quite a lot of room with five-stories separating the living, kitchen, bathing, and sleeping areas. To top it all off, the rooftop level offers a view of downtown. An industrial design scheme makes the home feel modern and updated, while the fire-engine red color scheme alludes to its history.

The giant dog sculpture outside the building provides a great photo opportunity with your pet and ensures the home is easy to find.

You can book this Airbnb as early as late February and there are many open dates through May.

Rating: 5.0

Pet Fee: $30 one-time fee

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

Mountain-view tree house in Copperhill, Tennessee, $222

Book this tree house starting at $222 per night

Large enough for four guests and dog-friendly, this mountain tree house is accessible by a suspension bridge. The home has two bedrooms and a kitchenette with a mini-fridge, but there's no hot water. The interior walls are covered in pine and bamboo textures and the home has colorful contemporary furniture and multiple decks.

There's a small griddle if you want to cook a small meal, but you could also head out to the pond to roast some marshmallows on the fire pit. There are other treehouses on the 28-acre property and although the host allows dogs to be off-leash, they ask for a heads up if your dog does not get along with others.

There are still some dates up for grabs in the, but you'll have more flexibility if you start looking in the summer months.

Rating: 4.9

Pet fee: None

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

Northeast

Chalet in Wilmington, Vermont, $170

Book this chalet starting at $170 per night

Four miles from Mount Snow, this peaceful chalet is a great escape for all seasons. With a large flat yard and wraparound deck, plus a picnic table, the outdoors are easily accessible. But you can also enjoy the surrounding scenery from the beautiful inside.

Enormous and plentiful windows fill the space with light and let you enjoy the surrounding forest from the comfort of the modernly-appointed and cedar-clad living room with its own wood stove. The bedrooms are plush and the house is well-stocked with all the cozy flannel blankets you could need for a Vermont getaway. There is also a full kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom.

According to the house rules, guests are allowed to bring up to four dogs to join them in this welcoming abode.

There are no dates available until April, but you will have more freedom of choice for the summer months, which are still wide open.

Rating: 4.9

Pet fee: None listed

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

Lakehouse in Argyle, New York, $243

Book this lakehouse starting at $243 per night

If you have a dog that can't get enough of the water, this cottage on Cossayuna Lake near Lake George is a must-visit spot. Up to two dogs are allowed, but be aware the host is unable to accommodate Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, or Dobermans due to insurance stipulations.

With a private deck and use of a canoe, kayak, and paddleboard included, fun on the water is right at your fingertips. The home's interior is charming and clean with bright pastel colors. The full kitchen features stainless steel appliances and a large kitchen island. The west-facing back deck is ideal for catching a sunset right outside the living room, but there's another deck located near the dock if you want to sit closer to the water. With just one bedroom, the house is best for couples and solo adventurers. 

Scattered dates are available between May and July, but there is wider availability starting in August.

Rating: 5.0

Pet fee: None listed

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

• Flagship headphones are pricey, but you can still find some excellent headphones on a budget.
• Audio-Technica's ATH-M20x are the best cheap headphones you can buy thanks to their impressive sound.
• For more headphone recommendations, check out our roundup of the best headphone deals.

If you spend a lot of time listening to music, watching shows and movies, and playing video games, then a good set of headphones is one of the quickest ways to get the most out of your media. A good set of cans creates an immersive experience by letting you hear all the detailed highs and lows.

Audiophiles will happily spend a ton of money on high-end headphones, but since you're reading this, you're probably like most people and you're not looking to drop several hundreds on a pair. Even audio enthusiasts will admit that you don't have to spend hundreds, and that inexpensive headphones have come a long way in recent years.

In the budget-friendly range, you shouldn't get into the weeds regarding technical specifications like equalization, frequency response, impedance/resistance, and so on — these are more of a concern with high-end gear. At lower price points, your primary considerations are durability and sound quality: Your headphones should be well-built enough to withstand regular use without cracking or falling apart, and should offer good sound for casual listening.

With these criteria in mind, we've selected the best affordable headphones that you can get right now. Our top picks include standard over-ear headphones as well as some more specialized models that offer additional portability, wireless functionality, or other features built for specific tasks.

Here are the best cheap headphones you can buy:

• Best cheap headphones overall: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
• Best cheap over-ear headphones: Tascam TH-02
• Best cheap portable headphones: Koss PortaPro
• Best cheap wireless Bluetooth: Mpow 059
• Best cheap gaming headphones: HyperX Cloud Stinger
• Best cheap wireless earbuds: iFrogz Impulse Duo Wireless Earbuds
• Best cheap true wireless earbuds: JLab Audio JBuds Air
• Best cheap wired earbuds: Panasonic ErgoFit

The best cheap headphones overall

If you're looking for a well-made pair of entry-level headphones that sound great and won't cost you an arm and a leg, the Audio-Technical ATH-M20x are more than up to the task.

Pros: Well-made and comfortable, great sound for the price, sturdy 3.5mm cable comes with a 6.3mm adapter

Cons: Bass response is lacking compared to its beefier (and much more expensive) cousins

Audio-Technica, along with other brands like Sony and Sennheiser, is one of the biggest names in the world of studio-quality headphones. The company offers a wide lineup of professional-grade cans that will set you back hundreds of dollars, but it also makes a variety of more affordable and highly rated alternatives, including our top pick: The ATH-M20x over-ear headphones.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are designed to be an entry-level pair of studio headphones, and as such, they feature a full-sized over-ear design with 40mm drivers. This means that they are best suited for use with your laptop or desktop computer. Smaller devices like smartphones, tablets, or handheld gaming systems won't have enough power to get the most out of these headphones, but you're probably already using earbuds with those.

When hooked up to a PC or TV, however, the ATH-M20x headphones really shine. They deliver excellent sound quality in the high and mid ranges, with sufficient impedance to eliminate annoying interference (like faint buzzing) when hooked up to your electronics. The sound is clear, crisp, and accurate, but don't expect super-deep bass with these. Still, the ATH-M20x are more than good enough for everyday music listening, movie-watching, and gaming.

The build quality and comfort are also as good as you'd expect from an established name like Audio-Technica. The cushioned headband and leatherette-covered padded ear cups are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, and the cups also provide good noise isolation that filters out the majority of ambient sounds and won't bother others around you unless you're really cranking the volume up.

The ATH-M20x could be considered the little sibling of Audio-Technica's ATH series, as these are essentially a budget-friendly alternative to the M40x and M50x— two highly rated and very popular headphones, but ones that will set you back quite a bit more. But for about half the price of the M40x, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is an incredible value.

The best cheap over-ear headphones

The Tascam TH-02 are an unbeatable value for a pair of solidly built over-ear headphones that sound great and isolate noise well with a closed-back design.

Pros: Solid construction, good sound quality, comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, the closed-back design isolates sound well

Cons: The pleather ear cups aren't that breathable, the vinyl covering on the padded headband is prone to peeling after a while

Most pairs of budget-friendly headphones feature an open-back or semi-open-back design, meaning that they aren't made to isolate sound. Open-back headphones leak sound out as well as let ambient noise in, making them less than ideal if you're using them in a busier environment with other people around (think co-workers or roommates). The closed-back over-ear Tascam TH-02 headphones stand out as a clear exception to this rule, and are a shining example of the value that headphone makers are offering today.

I've been personally using a pair of Tascam TH-02 for about three years now. I initially intended to use them as "beater" headphones that I wouldn't have to be too fussy about, but I found the sound quality more than good enough for music and gaming (bass, mids, and highs all come through smoothly and cleanly), and they quickly became one of my workhorses, especially when I'm traveling and don't want to risk losing or breaking a more expensive set.

They've proven to be very durable as well, although the vinyl covering of the padded headband eventually started to peel after a couple years. The peeling proved to be no big deal, as I simply pulled it all off to reveal the soft cloth pad underneath and it's held up perfectly fine. More importantly, the pleather ear cup covers have remained intact with minimal wear despite years of regular use for hours at a time.

They're also very comfortable. The rotating cups don't make my ears ache after a few hours of wear like other headphones I've used. They don't get sweaty considering I use them inside my air-conditioned home, but if you run hot or you're in a stuffy room, this might become a problem after a while. This is going to be the case with the vast majority of over-ear headphones, however, given that they're designed to completely surround your ears.

If all you need is a no-frills, no-nonsense set of over-ear closed-back headphones that are comfortable, well-made, and sound nice, then the Tascam TH-02 has you covered at roughly half the price of other cans on our roundup.

The best cheap portable headphones

If you're looking to ditch your earbuds for something that's still compact but a bit beefier, then look no further than the highly portable and surprisingly big-sounding Koss PortaPro.

Pros: Impressive sound quality for size, very lightweight and comfortable for on-ear headphones, folding design is super-portable yet surprisingly durable

Cons: The on-ear design doesn't isolate noise

For listening to music and enjoying other entertainment on the go, the portability of earbuds are hard to beat. Owing to their small size and tiny drivers, however, earbuds aren't particularly capable of delivering deep or detailed sound. There are a number of portable on-ear and even over-ear headphone designs out there today, but even those can be somewhat clunky to carry around all day.

But one pair still stands above the rest: The famous Koss PortaPro. The PortaPro has been around for decades and has earned something of a legendary status among the head-fi crowd. This fame is owed to its impressive output relative to its small size, portability, light weight, and low cost. It's not going to put out the same deep sound as a pair of over-ear studio headphones, but the PortaPro nonetheless punches well above its weight in the audio department.

The decades-old design of the PortaPro harks back to the days of the Sony Walkman. The simple-looking on-ear pads are connected to a slim, flexible metal headband. This headband features a simple slide adjustment for resizing, and the plastic ear pieces fold inwards for portability. The simple, lightweight construction might take some getting used to if you're accustomed to the feel of sturdier over-ear headphones, but the PortaPros are surprisingly durable.

Along with its unrivaled portability, the PortaPro shines when it comes to sound quality. The lows, mids, and highs are all punchy and responsive. It's not going to blow your mind or anything, but considering how small they are, the clarity and detail is great. Just bear in mind that the on-ear design naturally won't isolate noise as well as over-ear headphones. If you like to crank the volume, others are going to hear it.

The Koss PortaPro might just be the perfect pair of travel headphones and they're a solid value even if you discount their compact form factor. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better pair of on-ear headphones at this price, and you almost certainly won't find one that's just as portable while sounding this good. If you're willing to pay a bit more, you can even buy a version with Bluetooth support for wireless listening.

• Read our Koss PortaPro headphones review (Bluetooth version)

The best cheap wireless Bluetooth headphones

Bluetooth headphones can be hit or miss, but the wireless Mpow 059 offer a surprising level of comfort, sound quality, and durability at an incredible price point.

Pros: Solid construction, convenient folding design, the sound is surprisingly good for a pair wireless headphones, it comes with a cable for wired use, strong value

Cons: The wireless sound signal won't be as deep or detailed as a wired connection, the mic is only usable in Bluetooth mode

As we rely more and more on mobile devices, wireless accessories that can connect to our phones, tablets, and laptops via Bluetooth are becoming ever more popular. Certain companies, like Apple, have gone all-in on Bluetooth, even going so far as to remove the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack from the newest iPhones.

Wireless tech is quickly becoming the new standard, and one of the most popular applications for Bluetooth connectivity is headphones. In the past, wireless headphones have been rather hit or miss, but today's Bluetooth headphones, like the top-rated Mpow 059, are head and shoulders above those of yesteryear.

In terms of its design, the Mpow 059 doesn't re-invent the wheel and is pretty similar to what you'd find in comparable pairs of headphones in this price bracket. It runs on two 40mm neodymium magnet drivers and features a full-size over-ear design with rotating padded ear cups and an adjustable cushioned headband. The 059 also contains a convenient built-in mic for hands-free calling when synced to your phone, and the earpieces fold inwards for some added portability.

What sets the Mpow 059 apart from other inexpensive headphones is that what they do, they do quite well, delivering good wireless sound along with a sleek design and solid build quality. One really nice design touch is that you can actually use the Mpow 059 as wired headphones with the included cable, which delivers a wired audio signal while also powering the headphones (although the mic, unfortunately, works only while in Bluetooth mode).

Speaking of power, wireless headphones naturally use internal batteries for wireless use. In the case of the Mpow 059, you've got a 420mAh power supply that provides around 15-20 hours of juice at normal volume levels before needing a charge. For the price range (depending on your color choice), the Mpow 059 headphones also represent an excellent value given their sound quality, great design, and wireless convenience.

The best cheap gaming headphones

When it's time to get your game on, you need a proper headset for the job, and Kingston's excellent HyperX Cloud Stinger offers everything you need for intense gaming sessions without cutting corners.

Pros: Out-performs similar headsets in its price range, an attractive and comfortable design, good audio and microphone quality, compatible with all modern gaming platforms

Cons: The microphone folds up but cannot be removed

As with Bluetooth headphones, gaming headsets have something of a bad rap among the audiophile community when compared to traditional over-ear cans. Yet, also as with wireless headphones, these headsets have improved considerably in recent years, with brands like Kingston releasing some really impressive models, like the excellent HyperX Cloud series.

Our pick, the Cloud Stinger, is Kingston's budget-focused member of the HyperX family, coming in at less than half the price of the highly rated Cloud Revolver. One of the reasons gaming headsets get the side-eye from people who know headphones is because the built-in mics mean that makers have to pack more electronics into the housing, potentially causing audio quality to suffer. The Cloud Stinger doesn't skimp on hardware, however, with beefy 50mm directional drivers that deliver big sound.

The drivers are contained in large rotating memory foam ear cups that are comfortable enough for hours of gaming. The padded headband is adjustable via a steel slider, and while the rest of the headphone housing is polymer (which is going to be the norm with headphones at this price), it feels durable without being too heavy and the nice matte finish wards off fingerprints — no annoying glossy plastic here.

Although the drivers are large, they're fairly basic, and the sound quality is very good but not mind-blowing. You're simply going to have to spend several times more than the price of these if you want super-detailed studio-quality sound at the high and low ends. It's more than sufficient for gaming and casual music listening, however, and the directional drivers make it easy to pick up in-game environmental details. They isolate noise very well, too.

The microphone feels very sturdy and solid as well. Sadly, you can't remove it when you're just using the Stinger as normal headphones. It simply folds up out of the way. This is hardly a huge problem, but a removable mic would still be a welcome convenience. For the price, however, it's very hard to find fault with the HyperX Cloud Stinger given its solid build and sound quality, beefy drivers, and compatibility across gaming platforms.

• Read our full guide to the best gaming headsets you can buy

The best cheap wireless earbuds

The iFrogz Impulse Duo headphones deliver good sound quality for the price, with a design that's yet to be outmatched by other Bluetooth earbuds I've tried.

Pros: Excellent design, good sound, affordable, Bluetooth connection

Cons: The sound quality isn't as good as other options on this list

Besides sounding pretty good for the price, the reason iFrogz Impulse Duo earbuds made the cut over all the other budget models I've tried is their design.

The dual driver construction is what gives these earbuds an audio-edge over the competition. But mostly, these earbuds succeed where most Bluetooth models fail: Instead of having all of their technology built into an unwieldy dongle that hangs off the cable connecting both buds, iFrogz built it all into a magnetic clip.

Clip the dongle onto your clothes, pop in the earbuds, and you're ready to listen to music. In terms of audio quality, you shouldn't expect a truly audiophile experience at this price point, but don't expect a bad one, either. These are actually the upgraded version of the earbuds iFrogz previously released, and while the design is the same, time was spent in improving the sound quality.

I'll put it to you this way. These headphones are so easy to use and sound good enough, that they're my go-to pair between reviews. It's just so convenient to coil them up and pop them in my pocket after a commute, or once my friends finally make it to our meeting place. — Brandt Ranj

• Read our iFrogz Impulse Duo earbuds review

The best cheap true wireless earbuds

The JLab Audio JBuds Air offer a truly wireless design, are relatively comfortable, and sound pretty good too.

Pros: Well designed, great sound, very inexpensive

Cons: Buttons can be tricky, some connectivity issues

True wireless headphones have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and thankfully, there are some great options out there on a budget. Perhaps the best budget true wireless headphones are the JLab Audio JBuds Air, because they offer a comfortable, secure fit, a great sound, and a very reasonable price tag.

JLab Audio builds some of the better true wireless headphones, period. Perhaps the best thing about them is how great they sound. The headphones have plenty of bass response, a decently tuned midrange, and solid clarity in the high end, especially for a pair of headphones in this price range. 

The headphones are pretty comfortable too. While they're not as reliable at staying in your ears as the company's more expensive headphones, which come with ear hooks, they're still good at remaining in the ears during day-to-day use. And, you'll get a battery life of six hours on a single charge, and the battery case will get you an extra 34 hours, bringing the total to 40 hours. 

Of course, the JLab Audio JBuds Air aren't perfect. Some reviewers found that the buttons were a little tricky to use, and that they sometimes remained connected to your phone even in the battery case. Still, considering the price, those issues are relatively minor. — Christian de Looper

The best cheap wired earbuds

The Panasonic ErgoFit earbuds are about as basic as a pair of wired in-ear headphones can be, but they feature surprisingly good sound quality for a very affordable price.

Pros: Very affordable, impressive value, comfortable fit, integrated microphone and call remote

Cons: Some build quality issues, audio performance is good for the price but not on par with more expensive earbuds

If you don't mind a fully wired design, it's hard to ignore the value that Panasonic's ErgoFit earbuds provide. Sure, you don't get Bluetooth playback and you do have to deal with wires running down your ears, but when it comes to in-ear headphones in this price range, few can compete with the overall quality of the ErgoFit.

Each earbuds uses a 9mm neodymium magnet driver, and the resulting sound is very solid for the price. To be clear, you won't get anything near audiophile-quality, but reviews from Tom's Guide and Reviewed both note the ErgoFit's deep bass performance. That said, overall clarity is only decent. Considering the low cost, however, the earbuds offer a lot for very little.

Though the ErgoFit earbuds don't provide much in the way of extra features, the headphones do actually include an integrated microphone and call remote for easy use with smartphones. You still won't get the convenience of a Bluetooth wireless connection, but the mic is a nice inclusion for a pair of earbuds in this price range. 

Of course, overall build quality is nothing to get excited about, but that's to be expected for such a budget-friendly headphone model. If you want to save even more, Panasonic also has a version of the ErgoFit without the microphone and remote for an even lower price. — Steven Cohen

How to choose the right type of headphone for your needs

Headphones are available in a variety of styles and sizes specifically designed to suit different needs. A large pair of over-ear headphones, for instance, can offer impressive sound quality for listening at home, but they're not ideal for portability.

Below, we've detailed some common headphone types, explaining the basic advantages and disadvantages of each style so you can choose the right kind of headphone for your needs. Wired and wireless options are available for all of the headphone types we've listed.

Over-ear headphones: This style of headphone features large ear cups that are designed to rest over your ears to create a seal around them. Over-ear headphones are typically capable of offering better sound performance and noise isolation than other headphone types. On the downside, they tend to be larger and less portable than other styles. 

On-ear headphones: Like over-ear headphones, on-ear models also feature ear cups, but instead of completely covering your ear with a seal, they simply rest on top your ears. Though they can still provide good audio performance, this design makes them less suitable for isolating outside noise. However, on-ear models can be more compact than most over-ear models.

Earbuds: Unlike on-ear and over-ear models, earbuds are compact headphones with separate left and right buds that can be designed to either rest just outside your ear canal or be inserted inside. In-ear buds can feature different size tips to better fit different ear shapes, allowing them to create a tight in-ear seal for better sound performance and noise isolation. Some earbuds feature a wire to connect the left and right buds together, while true wireless models are completely free of cables. This design makes earbuds great for portability and use with smartphones.  

Gaming headset: Designed for use with video game consoles and computers, gaming headsets usually include an integrated microphone for online multiplayer chat, allowing you to communicate with other players. Headsets can be on-ear or over-ear, and certain models feature support for advanced surround sound processing and 3D audio formats. Some gaming headsets are built for specific platforms while others feature universal compatibility with multiple systems. 

Check out our other headphone buying guides

The best over-ear headphones

Over-ear headphones offer the best sound performance of any headphone type, making them a great fit for audiophiles. Though over-ear headphones can get very expensive, there are plenty of worthwhile options at many different price points. We've picked the best models you can buy for a variety of budgets and needs.

The best noise-cancelling headphones

Active noise-cancelling headphones include a microphone designed to pick up and minimize surrounding noise so you can enjoy your music no matter where you are. Through research and testing, we've selected the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy.

The best earbuds

Earbuds need to be designed especially well to provide sound performance that's comparable to a pair of larger on-ear or over-ear headphones. There are many different options on the market, so we've rounded up the best earbuds you can buy, including wired, wireless, and true wireless models.

The best true wireless earbuds

True wireless earbuds are completely free of wires, allowing each earbud to connect to your device via Bluetooth without any pesky cables attaching them. Through extensive testing, we've selected the best true wireless earbuds for a variety of needs and budgets.

The best gaming headsets

A great gaming headset can enhance your multiplayer experience with reliable voice chat and immersive sound quality. Headsets can be wired or wireless, and certain models are designed with specific gaming platforms in mind. After testing several model, we've picked the best gaming headsets for different needs.

• Amazon has become the "everything store"— the site stocks just about any product you can think of. 
• Because the site is so big, it can be overwhelming to find unique gift ideas on your own. 
• We scoured the site to find the best unique gifts, from handmade goods to funny finds.
• Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all Insider Reviews gift guides here.

From tech gadgets and laptops to fresh groceries and clothes it seems like you can find pretty much anything on Amazon. The sheer breadth of products is one of many benefits of shopping with the e-commerce giant. But it can also quickly become one of the frustrations. With so many options to choose from, you can end up in a seemingly endless shopping black hole scrolling through items.

In a sea of choices that nearly everyone has access to, you might not think of Amazon as a spot to find truly unique gifts. But we did the tough work of scouring Amazon to curate singular and cool gift ideas. Amazon handmade offers locally made and artisan products from small businesses around the country and Amazon has even curated gift lists and ideas catered to different hobbies, styles, and more. You can also shop Amazon's curated portal to support Black-owned businesses. And with a little digging, there are plenty more unique and thoughtful options to be found.

Here are 35 cool and unique gifts ideas, all available on Amazon.

A trio of flavorful honey

Bushwick Kitchen Bees Knees Honey Sampler Gift Set, $49.99

If they can't bear the thought of a meal without something sweet, upgrade their condiments with this set of funky flavored honey from Bushwick Kitchen. 

A cute reusable bag

Baggu Standard Reusable Shopping Bag, from $12

Whether it's used to carry their groceries or random knickknacks, everyone needs a good reusable bag. We love the original Baggu. It can hold up to 50 pounds of stuff, but can also be folded down to fit in your pocket. It also comes in tons of fun colors and patterns.

A cool planet lamp

UooEA Saturn Lamp, $23.99

You may be seeing trendy moon lamps popping up, but you can make your gift even more unique by opting for this Saturn lamp. The dimmable LED lamp has seven different settings and you can even set it to change colors to a bright hue. Easy to move from room to room, it lasts for up to eight hours after each charge.

A calendar for the dog lover

WeRateDogs 2021 Calendar, $15.77

If you ask us, there is truly nothing better than 365 days of dogs. The calendar comes from the same brains behind WeRateDogs' popular Twitter account, and don't worry, every dog receives a rating of at least 11/10.

A cute purse for the wine lover

Insulate Wine Clutch Bag, $24.95

For the wine lover in your life, this bag does double duty as a cute outfit accessory and an insulated bag to easily bring along a bottle of wine to that house party, backyard barbeque, or picnic at the park. It comes in numerous pattern and color options, including nautical stripes, black tweed, beaded patterns, and more.

A diffuser disguised as a houseplant

Round A'round Cactus Room Scents, $32

A cactus is a fun way to add some color to your desk or countertop, but if you're not ready to be a plant parent, go for this instead. It's actually a diffuser — it'll fill your room with a nice floral scent — but it looks like a cute potted plant. 

A keychain for hot sauce lovers

Tabasco Hot Sauce Keychain, $11.88

They'll never have to endure a flavorless meal again. This mini bottle of Tabasco sauce comes with a keychain for spice that goes wherever they do. 

A set of modern, geometric coasters

Hexa Drink Coaster Set (set of 6), $17

While coasters are a pretty basic household accessory, there are plenty of ways to make them more fun — like this unique set that is made with geometric designs. While the tops are colorful, the sides are a clear acrylic which creates a prism-like effect when sunlight passes through. 

A retro rice cooker

Dash Mini Rice Cooker, $19.99

This little gadget not only cooks rice but can make stew, oatmeal, soup, pasta, veggies and more. The style and colorful enamel coating add a retro look to their kitchen.

A cute and practical phone holder

Dinosaur Silicone Phone Holder, $9.99

This endearing little dino isn't just a piece of decor, it can actually can hold their phone. It comes in over ten colors, so you can find one in their favorite color.

A hydrating face cream that the French swear by

Embryolisse Lait Cream Fluide, $35

French pharmacies are known for their readily-available, high-quality skincare products. Gifting your buddy a ticket to Paris may be out of the budget, but you can still snag them some of these cult-favorite products, like this seriously hydrating face cream.

A little fan to deal with their unpredictable office temperatures

Fred & Friends Little Big USB Fan, $18.49

Office dwellers know how unpredictable temperatures can get. To save them when their office (or home office) transitions from an icebox to a desert, gift them this little portable fan. It's small, mobile, and plugs into any USB for a quick, cold breeze. 

A gourmet chow-chow relish

Winfrey Foods Royal Relish, $36

This delicious chow-chow relish is made with a family recipe dating all the way back to the 1930s. A gourmet blend of pickled vegetables and spices, it's a classic that can be used to dress up everything from hot dogs to hummus. 

A bunny-shaped speaker with good sound

AEO Bunny Bluetooth Speaker, from $19.99

This compact Bluetooth speaker may not be the best around, but it's surely the cutest. Shaped like a little bunny with floppy ears, you get your music and a fun piece of decor too. 

A punny apron that reminds them of their favorite show

GOT "Dinner is Coming" Apron, $25

If you're looking for the right gift for that special person who loves "Game of Thrones," is always cooking, and has a great sense of humor — we think we've found it. 

A bright and colorful hamper

Pehr Designs Pom Pom Hamper, $79.61

No one wants to see a giant pile of dirty laundry on the floor. Help them conceal their mess with this hamper, which is actually nice to look at and adds a pop of color to their room. 

Relaxing bath salts

Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Bath Soak, $22

Everyone deserves some relaxation, which is why this calming bath soak makes such a great gift. Inside there's dehydrated coconut milk, vanilla, and Himalayan coconut CO2 extract, which together help soothe the skin and calm the mind.

A candle that smells just like home

Homesick Scented Candle, $18.08

One of our editors asserted that "candles are the most classic gift of all time." We have to agree, and while there are many to choose from, we love the sentimentality and customization Homesick candles offers. They have candles made to smell like each of the 50 states, many cities, and even experiences like watching Friday night football or taking a road trip. No matter where they call home, one of these candles is sure to bring them a rush of nostalgia.  

An insulated pint glass that keeps your brew cool

BruMate HOPSULATOR, $24.99

If they like their beverages ice-cold, they'll appreciate this thoughtful bottle holder. It can hold 12 oz. cans, 16-ounce cans, or be used as a pint glass holding 16 fluid ounces, so it's really a three-in-one gadget. When they need a break from beer, this is perfect for keeping their water bottles chilled too. 

A creative journal that’ll help them get some sleep

"The Nocturnal Journal" by Lee Crutchley, $16

A great night's sleep is essential to our well-being, but getting those eight hours each night can be easier said than done. If you know any night owls who need to catch up on their sleep, this journal will make a great gift. It's full of prompts, illustrations, and questions to put their minds at ease when they're up in the wee hours of the night.

A pack of sticky notes to keep them on track

Knock Knock "To Accomplish" Sticky Notes, from $12.41

For the friend who likes to keep it really organized, help them stay on track with this thoughtful set of sticky notes. With categories like "To Ponder,""To Remember," and "To Buy," they can keep track of everything they need to accomplish in the near future. 

The cutest hot chocolate mugs

Ceramic Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Mugs, $21.99

Imagine the warm and fuzzy feeling that you get sipping on a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. These mugs embody that and all other kinds of cozy feels. 

A phone case for Disney lovers

OtterBox Symmetry Series Disney Classic Case (iPhone 7/ 8), from $29.99

There are plenty of Mickey-themed gifts for the Disney lover in your life. We love this phone case because it not only has a cute design but the signature durability of OtterBox, too.

A set of Moscow Mule mugs to add to their bar cart

Moscow Mule Copper Mugs (set of 4), $48.97

Whether they use them to drink the namesake cocktail or not, these copper mugs make drinking any beverage more fun. 

A breakfast station with everything they need to make the most important meal of the day

Nostalgia Breakfast Station, $79.99

If a classic American breakfast sounds like their perfect morning, give them this clever kitchen gadget that can do it all — crunchy toast, crispy fried eggs, and a hot cup of coffee. 

A fruity hand cream that’ll look great on their counter

TonyMoly Peach Hand Cream, $12

This rich hand cream is made with shea butter and peach extract to moisturize seriously dry skin. We love the refreshing, light peach scent and the adorable container, which looks just like a peach. 

The perfect socks for pizza lovers

Pizza Socks Box (4 pairs), $25.99

From pizza ovens to pizza apparel, there's no shortage of gifts catered to pizza lovers out there. We're partial to these socks for their packaging, which is made to look like an actual pizza in an actual pizza box. 

Simple illustrated prints to hang around the house

Dream Big Printables Botanical Prints (set of 4), $19.97

Finding unique home decor that's also affordable can be a tough feat, but these artistic prints check off all the boxes. The illustrations of plants make a great addition to their kitchen, or even their bedroom if they want to show off their green thumb.

Reusable lunch bags that they’ll actually want to use

Diweiya Reusable Snack Bags, $11.99

Plastic bags are an unnecessary expense when you could just have reusable ones. Their environmentally-conscious and frugal sides will thank you for these sandwich and snack bags, which are dishwasher safe and BPA free. They'll save a ton of money and plastic waste by using these, plus the colorful patterns are much more fun than clear plastic. 

A travel pillow that actually works

Trtl Travel Pillow, $29.99

We've sung the praises of the Trtl Pillow before — it's an essential for any traveler. The cozy and supportive neck pillow is a great gift for any frequent travelers or anyone who's about to head out on a trip. 

A cutting board of their favorite place

Totally Bamboo State Cutting Board, $29.99

Entertainers and those with state pride will love this cutting board. You can find a board shaped like any of the 50 states or Puerto Rico, each laser engraved with important landmarks, cities, and sights. It's a fun, personal gift that they're sure to love. 

A portable printer that lets them print instantly

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printer, $99.99

Nowadays, most of our photos live on our smartphones and social media apps, but many of us still love getting to look through or hang up printed pictures. This portable printer lets them do that super easily and with no wires so they can print pictures in a snap.

A charging stand for all of their devices

elago Charging Hub, $26.99

This gift is a no-brainer for loyal Apple users. Instead of dealing with a tangle of chords from charging all of their products, they can streamline with this singular hub, which has a designated spot for their iPhone, Airpods, and Apple Watch. 

A gift set made for an at-home spa day

Live by Being Bath Salt Gift Set, $56

Your giftee will be saying "aah" when they use this set of three calming bath salts during their next deep soak. All three blends are made with Dead Sea salt and enhanced with essential oils to hydrate skin, relieve stress, and relax the muscles. 

A leather wallet and notebook combo

Coal Creek Leather Field Notes Cover, $49

This leather Field Notes cover is completely handmade in the United States. With card slots and a memo book included, it's a great gift for someone who's about to embark on a new adventure, or anyone who loves to travel.

• The 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team, the "Dream Team," consisted of several Hall of Famers and is considered the greatest basketball squad ever.
• Many of the members are still involved in basketball today and back in the spotlight thanks to ESPN's docuseries "The Last Dance."
• Here's where the legendary members are today.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball squad, also known as the "Dream Team," is considered by some to be the greatest basketball team ever created.

Composed of several Hall of Fame players, the '92 Dream Team dominated the competition, restoring glory to U.S. Basketball.

Nearly all of the members remain involved in basketball in some form, and many have been thrown back in the spotlight thanks to ESPN's docuseries "The Last Dance."

Here's what the legendary members are up to today:

Michael Jordan was the star of the Dream Team and the face of the NBA.

Today, Jordan is the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, the face of Jordan brand, the star of the hit docuseries, "The Last Dance," and widely considered the greatest NBA player ever.

Magic Johnson was the fading, but popular elder statesman on the Dream Team.

Today, Johnson is a celebrity, public speaker, basketball analyst, and part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Sparks.

Larry Bird, like Johnson, was one of the Dream Team's elder statesmen, though he struggled to play through back injuries.

Bird was the president of the Indiana Pacers until 2017. He is retired now but still involved in basketball and the NBA.

Charles Barkley was another star for the Dream Team, making waves with his flashy play, trash talk, and enjoyment of the Barcelona nightlife during the games.

Today, Barkley is an analyst and one of the stars of TNT's 'Inside the NBA.'

Scottie Pippen was Jordan's wingman on the Bulls and contributed his defense, passing, and athleticism to the Dream Team.

Pippen has worked with the Bulls in retirement and is also an analyst on ESPN's NBA show "The Jump."

Karl Malone was third on the Dream Team in scoring, averaging 13 points per game.

Malone has worked with the Utah Jazz coaching big men, but largely seems to enjoy retirement "in the woods or on a boat."

Source: Karl Malone/Twitter

Chris Mullin was one of the Dream Team's sharpshooters and leading scorers.

Mullin was hired as the head coach of St. John's basketball in 2015, but he stepped down in 2019.

Patrick Ewing was the Dream Team's anchor in the paint, leading the team in rebounds and blocks.

Today, Ewing is the head coach at Georgetown.

Clyde Drexler averaged 10 points per game in the '92 Olympics.

Today, Drexler does color commentary for the Houston Rockets and is the commissioner of the three-on-three league The Big 3.

David Robinson also manned the middle for Team USA.

Today, Robinson is a partner with the private equity firm Admiral Capital Group and is involved with multiple charities.

Source: Admiral Capital Group

John Stockton, though he played sparingly, was one of the team's floor generals.

Stockton served as an assistant coach for the Montana State University women's basketball team in 2015-16. It's unclear what he does today.

Christian Laettner was the youngest player on the Dream Team, fresh out of college.

Today, Laettner owns a real-estate firm and runs a basketball camp.

Now, see where key members of Jordan's last Bulls team are today...

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Michael Jordan's 1997-98 Chicago Bulls team documented in 'The Last Dance' >

Though electric vehicles still represent a tiny percentage of the global automotive market, the stock prices of EV companies took off in 2020.

Tesla saw its share price rise by more than 700% over the course of the year, while Nio jumped by over 1,000%. Meanwhile, a number of EV startups went public (many of them through a wave of SPACs some worry could produce the next dot-com bubble) and quickly started trading above established competitors like Ford and Nissan.

Read more:Tesla, Nio, and other EV stocks soared in 2020. These 4 key factors can keep the rally going, an expert says.

Investors haven't lost that optimism this year so far, but attitudes can change quickly. Insider asked David Whiston, an analyst at Morningstar who covers the auto industry, and Joseph Fath, the portfolio manager for T. Rowe Price's US growth-stock strategy, to list the biggest threats to the stock prices of EV companies this year.

Here's what they said.

SEE ALSO: Meet the woman who helped design the new Ford Bronco and sees the iconic SUV as a multigenerational passion

An end to low interest rates

The Federal Reserve controls the interest rate, called the federal funds rate, that banks pay when they take overnight loans from other banks. A higher federal funds rate will generally result in higher interest rates for anyone else who wants to borrow money, which will make bonds and savings accounts more attractive to investors. If people can earn more money making loans or investing in them, stocks become relatively less attractive.

The Fed has kept the federal funds rate low for the past decade and hasn't indicated it will raise it anytime soon. But if that changes this year, EV stocks could fall, Whiston said.

Read more: A wave of consolidation is coming for the electric-vehicle startup game in 2021, an industry insider says

Higher stock prices for traditional automakers

The money pouring into EV stocks has indicated that investors see young, tech-savvy automakers as serious competitors to the auto industry's traditional powers. But General Motors has seen its shares rise this year following two major announcements: the formation of a new delivery and logistics business focused on EVs and, a goal to sell only EVs by 2035.

Investors are starting to understand how serious GM is about this technology, Whiston said. If other automakers can make similarly successful pitches, their stock prices could get a boost at the expense of their younger, EV-only competitors.

More work, less day trading

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many at home with little work to do and plenty of time to trade stocks, Fath said. If more people return to the office this year, there may a dip in the kind of retail day-trading that has boosted the shares of EV companies.

Read more: Aurora and Lucid Motors are among the 5 electric-vehicle and self-driving startups most likely to go public in 2021, experts say

Poor execution

Some publicly traded EV companies, like Nikola, Lordstown Motors, and Arrival, plan to start production for their first vehicles later this year. EV startups, Tesla included, have historically struggled to launch new models.

If that trend continues this year, investors may become less confident in EV startups, Fath said.

Investors start to favor value stocks

Investors have favored high-upside companies with expensive shares over consistent but unexciting firms with cheaper shares during the past decade. EV companies fall into the former category, so if investors begin to prefer stability over potential, EV stocks could take a hit, Fath said. 

• Read more:
• Tesla's investment in China is paying off — its sales more than doubled last year
• 6 startups that Uber could acquire as it battles DoorDash to rule delivery, an expert says
• GM showed off its future electric vehicles in star-studded Super Bowl ads
• 5 EV battery startups poised to challenge Panasonic and LG Chem for dominance of a $129 billion market

• Emergencies can happen at any time, so it's imperative to have an at-home emergency kit ready should disaster strike. 
• According to the American Red Cross, everyone should consider creating a stationary and mobile emergency kit for the home.
• We studied the Red Cross's list of supplies and compiled the following list of basics to include in an at-home emergency kit.

When an emergency strikes, it's almost always unexpected, whether it's a fire, an earthquake, hurricane, a family member falling ill, losing power for multiple days, or something else. We don't always immediately know what to do, but it's wise to have the supplies readily available should you ever find yourself in the midst of an urgent situation.

Creating a personalized at-home emergency kit isn't difficult if you know what to put it in. All you need to do is grab a large tub (like this one or this one) and fill it with basic necessities like a first aid kit, water, flashlight, and any medical supplies that are specific to your needs, or your family and pet's needs. You could even create multiple bins based on the supplies inside (e.g., food bin, medical bin, hardware bin). 

The American Red Cross suggests creating two kits: One that's meant for use at home if you're required to stay put, and an emergency kit that's on-the-go ready should you need to mobilize. 

How you choose to set up your at-home emergency kit is up to you, but we've rounded up a list of basic items you might want to include, based on the American Red Cross's emergency preparedness website.

Here are 15 items to include in your at-home emergency kit:

A hand-crank/solar-powered NOAA radio and charging device

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This multi-use radio, flashlight, and SOS alarm is a must-have emergency kit item. No matter the situation you might be in, this radio will work. It can be charged in four different ways, too: solar, hand crank, AAA batteries (3), and 2,000mAh power bank.

Not only does it provide access to AM/FM radio stations but it also features NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) emergency broadcasts. On top of that, the RunningSnail radio has a USB port for device charging.

A battery-free flashlight

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No batteries are needed with this three-LED bulb flashlight that's powered by solar energy and hand-crank technology. One minute of cranking will get you 10 minutes of light, so you'll need to crank for six minutes for a full hour of power.

Additionally, the Stalwart flashlight has a built-in carabiner clip, so you can attach it to the outside of a backpack for easy access and solar-charging.

A set of weather-resistant blankets

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These Mylar thermal blankets are designed to retain to up 90% of body heat and are waterproof, windproof, and moisture-proof. They can also be converted into emergency shelter tents if need be. Swiss Safe emergency blankets are also extremely lightweight, so they're perfect for your mobile emergency kit.

A first aid kit

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This first aid kit comes in a compact carrying bag with clear plastic pockets that will leave everything visible for quick and easy access. Supplies include several types of bandages, tapes, sponges, pads, sterilization wipes, gloves, and medical tools. You'll be set with all of your basic medical needs in this compact kit.

You can also check out our full guide to the best first aid kits.

A portable water filter

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If you run out of clean water or find yourself without it, LifeStraws uses a microfiltration membrane to remove 99.9% of waterborne bacteria, parasites, and microplastics (as small as 1 micron). With proper use and maintenance, a LifeStraw can filter through 1,000 gallons of water.

Check out our full review of the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter.

A multi-tool army knife

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This stainless steel army knife can be used to serve 33 different functions, including, but not limited to, scissors, bottle opener, blade, screwdriver, and pliers. This compact tool can easily be carried in a backpack or pocket if you're on-the-go.

A bracelet designed to help if you're lost

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These Atomic Bear bracelets have several key features that will come in handy if you find yourself lost in an unfamiliar area. Not only does it have a small compass on the clasp, but it also has an emergency whistle, a built-in flint fire starter, and a small emergency knife.

If you cut the bracelet itself, it unravels into 12 feet of military-grade paracord.

A two-way radio

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Various emergencies can knock out power and telephone lines making it hard to communicate with members of your party should you need to separate for any reason. These two-way walkie-talkies utilize 16 pre-programmed frequencies to communicate with one another for up to a 3-mile range.

Its batteries last on standby for up to 96 hours and can be recharged with any USB-compatible device. 

A supply of batteries

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Energizer batteries are one of the longest-lasting alkaline batteries on the market. They have a shelf-life of 10 years and are leak-resistant for up to two years after being fully used. You can add these to your at-home survival kit and be confident that they'll be ready should an emergency strike.

A roll of heavy-duty duct tape

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This double-thick adhesive tape is heavy-duty enough to stick to rough and uneven surfaces, yet workable enough that it can be ripped by hand. Gorilla Tape is also weather-resistant and can withstand moisture, UV rays, and extreme temperatures.

A pack of waterproof matches

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It's always a good idea to carry waterproof matches with you in case you need to start a fire in a damp area. Each box contains 40 matches and they're sold in a 10-pack for a total of 400 matches.

Though they're great for use in the rain or in humid conditions, some users have had trouble getting them to light if they've been submerged in water. Consider storing them in a waterproof container for extra peace of mind.

A package of N95 respirator masks

N95 Respirator Masks (button)

This respirator is designed to protect you from breathing in non-oil-based particles like fiberglass and sanding debris. A valve attached to the front of the mask makes for easy breathing, as well as heat and moisture reduction. A simple mask like this could help protect your respiratory system if you're in a situation where you're surrounded by significant debris.

Note: Respirators and face masks have become hard to find online due to the novel coronavirus. We will update this article with purchase links when they are back in stock.

An emergency food kit

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It's always a good idea to keep non-perishables like canned food that doesn't require cooking in your kit. The American Red Cross suggests storing a three-day supply for each member in your group.

This ready-to-go food option has a shelf-life of 30 years and is designed for emergency situations. The Mountain House 4-Day Emergency Food Supply Kit contains 28 servings (12 meals) of dried food that you just add water to. You can consume lasagna with beef sauce, noodles and chicken, breakfast skillets, and more directly out of the package in fewer than 10 minutes.

A manual can opener

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To accompany your non-perishable foods, the Made in USA can opener can lock onto cans of all sizes with its skip-proof feed wheel made from carbon steel. It's simple and doesn't require electricity, so it's ideal for emergency situations.

If you're looking for something even more compact for on-the-go can opening, check out the P-38 Can Opener and P-51 Can Opener. They're a bit more difficult to use, but they fit on a keyring and can be used as a cutting blade or even a screwdriver in a pinch.

You can also check out our full guide to the best can openers.

A supply of clean drinking water

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Although we previously recommended adding LifeStraws to your at-home survival kit, you should always be prepared with clean drinking water. Stock up on gallons of water or pre-packaged bottles like this in your at-home kit.

The American Red Cross suggests storing a three-day supply for each member in your group. Don't forget to recycle the bottles afterward, if you can.

Check out our other emergency preparedness guides

The best first aid kits

The best emergency kits

The best roadside emergency car kits

The best disinfecting products

• Speakers with good performance can be pricey, but they often go on sale.
• We've compiled all the best speaker deals for February 2021.
• Right now, you can buy an Amazon Echo for $80– that's 20% 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 February 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.

Insider sought out the autonomous-vehicle industry's leaders of tomorrow by collecting nominations for the brightest young stars working on automated-driving technology.

Those who made the final list have established themselves as key contributors to their companies early in their careers. Insider asked them what advice they would give to young professionals who want to get their careers off to a fast start.

Here's what they said.

SEE ALSO: Apple is reportedly nearing a deal to build its autonomous electric car with Hyundai

Derek Phillips, 24, Kodiak Robotics

Try to figure out what kind of company you'd like to work for, Phillips said. Finding a company that makes you excited to come to work every day is the most important step you can take to start your career on the right foot.

Hana Lodhi, 26, Waymo

Lodhi emphasized the importance of taking opportunities to learn early in your career. Be observant, open to criticism, and willing to ask questions, she said.

Himani Arora, 27, Nuro

Talk to colleagues you don't normally work with, Arora said. Doing so can give you a better understanding of your company and stronger ideas about how you can contribute.

Read more: Meet 2021's rising stars of self-driving vehicles, from companies like Waymo, Aurora, and Cruise

Jay Kuvelker, 28, Kodiak Robotics

Use the job-interview process as an opportunity to learn about the company you've applied to work for, Kuvelker said. 

Once you've landed a job, look for mentors and be proactive in seeking projects you can work on after completing the work you're assigned, he added.

Melinda Kothbauer, 25, May Mobility

Kothbauer said one of her priorities at the beginning of her career was to find a company that would allow her to develop a broad understanding of the product it was developing, instead of forcing her to focus on a narrow set of tasks. Gaining that kind of big-picture knowledge will help you discover what you like and what you're good at, she said.

Qian Chu, 27, TuSimple

Develop a first-principles approach to solving problems, Chu said. First-principles thinking means trying to determine the best way to complete a task, even if that means ignoring conventional wisdom.

Read more: REVEALED: How much Waymo, Cruise, and Zoox employees make, from engineers to managers

Sarah Tang, 30, Nuro

Be kind, Tang said. If you look for ways to help your coworkers, you can build a strong professional network.

Shir Yehoshua, 29, Waymo

Find work that you enjoy and that plays to your strengths, Yehoshua said. Don't spend too much time trying to master things you're not good at.

Luna Yang, 28, Aurora Innovation

When working on a project, ask questions about why certain tools or methods will or won't be effective, Yang said in an email. It may slow you down in the short term, but it will make you better at your job in the long run.

Andrey Rykov, 28, Yandex

Find a balance between learning things and doing things, Rykov said in an email. It's important to keep up on the lastest news in your industry, but don't spend too much time on research that isn't related to the work you're doing today.

• • Read more:
  • Meet 2020's Rising Stars of Wall Street from firms like Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, and Bridgewater shaking up investing, trading, and dealmaking
  • Aurora and Lucid Motors are among the 5 electric-vehicle and self-driving startups most likely to go public in 2021, experts say
  • Meet the 40 rising stars of Madison Avenue who are revolutionizing advertising in 2020
  • Elon Musk has talked to Tesla rivals about selling them its controversial Autopilot feature. Experts say these 3 carmakers are the likeliest buyers.

• A good skylight can brighten up a room by adding natural light.
• We found options for insulated, vented, and tubular skylights, plus the best for RVs.
• For more on home finishings, check out our guide on the best window blinds and shades.

Skylights are a frequently overlooked home fixture that can make a world of difference by brightening up a dark room with natural sunlight. Some skylights can even act as a traditional window and give your home better ventilation by letting in fresh air. I have two skylights in my house — each installed in bathrooms  — and there is a tenfold difference in the amount of light that enters the room on a sunny day.

Though letting in light is the most prominent function of a skylight, there are certain qualities that differentiate a durable one from a flimsier option. We did our research on material type, protection level, and ease of installment to generate our top picks.  Our recommendations below are ideal for a range of needs, with some boasting built-in UV protection and others designed to fit spaces where a traditional skylight can't be installed.

Here are the best skylights

• The best insulated: SIG Skylights FMB Glass Skylight
• The best vented: Sunoptics SUN R2030 Triple Glazed Flat Skylight
• The best tubular: Natural Light Energy Systems 10-Inch Tubular Skylight
• The best for RVs: Icon Technologies Limited RV Skylight

The best insulated

The SIG Skylights FMB Glass Skylight is durable, easy to install, and will prevent air or moisture leaks with its double-paned insulated glass.

What we like: Double-paned insulated glass, aluminum coating, fade- and haze-proof

If a traditional skylight isn't insulated properly, you may have air or moisture leaks that trickle into your home, so an insulated skylight is pretty much a must. The SIG Skylights FMB Glass Skylight is the tenacious, aluminum-welded frame you need to protect and brighten your home.

The skylight has a sturdy double-paned glass to top off the bronze-powder-coated aluminum. Best of all, it is just as simple to install as it is protective. The ribbed flange is extra wide, and the built-in curb allows for a leak-free setup that won't require you to purchase extra flashing. SIG Skylight's home accent is fade- and haze-proof and won't get brittle and crack when exposed to the sun, either. 

The only downside to this skylight is that it wasn't designed for flat roofs. Though the glass is easily replaceable, SIG Skylights also offers a limited lifetime warranty.

The best vented

The Sunoptics SUN R2030 Prismatic Flat Skylight brightens the room, ventilates, and provides additional thermal protection with prismatic lenses.

What we like: Energy efficient, doesn't reduce light levels, moisture protectant

A vented skylight is an energy-efficient, multipurpose option. The Sunoptics SUN R2030 Triple Glazed Manually-Venting Prismatic Flat Skylight's prismatic design evenly diffuses light into your room without reducing light levels. Offering up to 50% more light than the average bubble skylight, this glare-free technology also eliminates hot spots that can fade carpet and furniture. The frame provides moisture protection via its bronze-coated casing that's fully welded and sealed. Because it's manually-venting, you can get fresh air on demand, all while releasing heat or moisture for a bright and breathable space.

Though it has high-performing technology, it's made from acrylic, so it won't be quite as durable as glass options. However, Sunoptics offers additional protection with its 15-year limited lifetime warranty. 

The best tubular

Composed of durable aluminum in a cylindrical design, the Natural Light Energy Systems 10-Inch Tubular Skylight is a brightening agent with built-in UV protection. 

What we like: Built-in UV protection, hurricane-tested, included prismatic diffuser

Tubular skylights are a smart solution if you want a budget-friendly option that's easy to install. The less intrusive design also allows you to bring natural light into a uniquely-designed space where a traditional skylight can't be installed. 

The Natural Light Energy Systems 10-Inch Tubular Skylight is an eco-friendly option that is ENERGY STAR-qualified and NFRC-certified. It has built-in UV protection and an affixed safety net that prevents fading on clothing and furniture. The skylight is easy to install and virtually maintenance-free once it's set up. This durable tube skylight is also hurricane tested and comes with a 25-year warranty on defects and deterioration.

The best for RVs

The Icon Technologies Limited RV Skylight is a lightweight option for natural light on the go.

What we like: Made with impact-resistant polycarbonate material, lightweight

For those looking to reap the brightening benefits of a skylight in their RVs, the Icon Technologies Limited RV Skylight is a solid choice constructed with a clear, polycarbonate material that's impact-resistant. 

Because this skylight is specifically designed for an RV, it's not quite as sturdy as a traditional home skylight. But the Icon Technologies Limited RV Skylight stands out from the pack thanks to its modern design that's lightweight and easy to install. It comes in three varying color options, including clear, gray, and white. At 26 x 4 x 18 inches, it fits most standard RVs. While it is UV-resistant, be aware it may cause hot spots because it isn't backed by prismatic technology. 

It also includes a one-year warranty from Icon Technologies Limited. 

• Harvard University offers its popular CS50 computer science classes online through the e-learning platform edX.
• You can enroll in the courses for free, or pay a low fee starting at $90 to receive a certificate of completion to add to your resume or LinkedIn.
• Below, you'll find a list of Harvard's online CS50 courses. If you're looking for a full professional certificate program, you can also find a list here.

Through edX, an e-learning platform co-founded by Harvard University, Harvard offers 140 of its classes completely for free, including its CS50 classes and professional certificates.

CS50 classes are introductory computer science courses, and Harvard's introductory CS50 course is the largest one on campus. Since becoming a free online version, over 2.5 million people have enrolled, making it one of the top 100 edX courses of all time.

Below, you'll find all the free CS50 courses currently available (with the option of a paid certificate of completion). Topics range from game development to web programming with Python and Java.

You can also enroll in a paid CS50 professional certificate program, which compiles multiple related courses together to master a skill and provide certification for your resume or LinkedIn profile. You can find the full list of those programs here, including CS50's AP Computer Science Principles ($358.20), which offers high schoolers HarvardX certification as well as AP credit upon completion of the AP exam.

Below are all 8 free Harvard CS50 courses available on edX:

CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

Time: 12 weeks

Cost: Free; $199 for a certificate

In this introductory course, students learn "how to think algorithmically and solve programming problems efficiently" using concepts like abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development.

They also become familiar with programming languages such as C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. By the end, students develop and present a final programming project to their peers. 

CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript

Time: 12 weeks 

Cost: Free; $199 for a certificate 

Students learn about data, design, scalability, security, and user experience. Using hands-on projects, they become well versed in writing and using APIs; creating interactive UIs, and leveraging cloud services like GitHub and Heroku. The class touches on HTML, SQL, JavaScript, Front Ends, Flask, and more. 

CS50's Introduction to Game Development

Time: 12 weeks 

Cost: Free; $199 for a certificate 

Learn about the development of 2D and 3D interactive games. Using lectures and hands-on projects, students explore the design of popular games such as Super Mario Bros., Pokémon, Angry Birds, and more.

CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

Time: 7 weeks 

Cost: Free; $199 for a certificate

In this introductory course to AI, students learn to use machine learning in Python. Through hands-on projects, students are exposed to the theory behind graph search algorithms, classification, optimization, reinforcement learning, and other topics. Students also learn about adversarial search, logical inference, Markov models, and natural language processing.

CS50 for Lawyers

Time: 10 weeks 

Cost: Free; $199 for a certificate

This is a variant of Harvard's introductory computer science course that's been designed specifically for lawyers and law students to impart a deeper understanding of the legal implications of a client's technological decisions. The original CS50 takes a bottom-up approach, but this course does the opposite. Instead, it begins with high-level concepts and related design decisions.

CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals

Time: 6 weeks 

Cost: Free; $199 for a certificate

This introductory course is CS50 for business professionals such as managers, product managers, founders, and decision-makers so they can make technological decisions even if they're not specifically tech experts. Unlike CS50's bottom-up approach, this course is also top-down, emphasizing mastery of high-level concepts and related decisions. Topics include computational thinking, web development, and more. 

CS50's Understanding Technology

Time: 6 weeks 

Cost: Free; $199 for a certificate

This is Harvard's CS50 course for students who wouldn't call themselves fans of computers. It's best for people who work with technology every day but don't necessarily understand "how it all works underneath the hood" or how to troubleshoot. Harvard designed this version of their class to help fill in the gaps. Basic concepts like hardware, the Internet, multimedia, security, programming, and web development are all covered. 

CS50's Mobile App Development with React Native

Time: 13 weeks 

Cost: Free; $90 for a certificate

Here, students pick up where the introduction to CS50 leaves off, learning about mobile app development with React Native and modern JavaScript (including ES6 and ES7) as well as JSX, a JavaScript extension. After hands-on projects, students implement an app entirely of their own design in a final project.

*This course is currently archived, but it is still available to audit.

• A pre-packed emergency kit helps you stay prepared for an unexpected natural disaster, power outage, or storm. 
• Many kits are designed for specific uses like being highly portable or holding up in severe weather. 
• Our top pick, Sustain Supply Co.'s 72-Hour Survival Kit, covers water, food, first aid, and warmth, as well as crucial redundancies.

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

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

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

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

Here are the best emergency kits:

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

Updated on 2/18/2021 by Rick Stella: Selected the Black Hawk Survival Kitas the best for natural disasters, added links to other Insider Reviews emergency preparedness coverage, checked the availability of each recommended kit, and updated the pricing.

Best overall

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

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

Cons: Quite expensive compared to other options

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best for natural disasters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best for severe weather

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best budget

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best portable

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Insider Reviews preparedness resources

• A good coffee table book serves as a decor piece, is filled with stunning images, and entertains guests.
• We've compiled a list of 32 coffee table books that will make great gifts for everyone in your life.

Unlike the dog-eared, beaten-down tomes inhabiting the bookshelves of a home, coffee table books are a more refined species.

They have license over the prime tabletop real estate, and are typically used as both an accent piece, a personal thesis statement, and entertainment for guests patiently waiting for their host to emerge from some other room.

Coffee table books have the visibility, exclusivity, and freedom to be mostly full of beautiful, mesmerizing photos. Below are 32 of the very best ones that work as host or hostess gifts, holiday gifts, or treat-yourself gifts to yourself.

The 32 best coffee table books to gift this year:

"Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave" by Joanna Gaines

"Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave," available at Amazon, $21

New York Times best-selling author and HGTV star Joanna Gaines' "Homebody" is the perfect gift for the interior design aficionado in your life. Throughout the book Joanna uses her 15+ years of experience as a designer to guide readers through creating a space they love with examples from images of her previously designed spaces. Accompanying the book is a removable design template so your giftee can apply the advice from the book into their space.

"Daily Rituals: How Artists Work" by Mason Currey

"Daily Rituals: How Artists Work," available at Amazon, $18.29

If they have dreams of being a full-time creative, "Daily Rituals" will guide them through the routines and rituals of celebrated writers, philosophers, sculptors, and filmmakers throughout history. They'll be delighted at how fascinating (and strange) the creative processes of artists they admire are. Features of note include Andy Warhol, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Pablo Picasso.

"Moonlight Screenplay Book" by Barry Jenkins

"Moonlight Screenplay Book," available at A24, $60

No film lover's coffee table book collection is complete without a screenplay from their favorite film. The "Moonlight Screenplay Book" from A24, the film company behind many of our favorite films, includes beautiful stills from the movie, a foreword written by famed singer Frank Ocean, and a collection of the Moonlight actors Academy Award acceptance speeches.

"Art of Feminism: Images that Shaped the Fight for Equality, 1857-2017" by Helena Reckitt

"Art of Feminism: Images that Shaped the Fight for Equality, 1857-2017," available at Bookshop, $41.40

A volume of key feminist artwork and text that helped define and propel the fight for equality spanning more than a century and a half of United States history, "Art of Feminism" covers everyone from Judy Chicago and Carrie Mae Weems to Sethembile Msezane and Andrea Bowers.

"The Book of Citrus Fruits" by J.C. Volkamer

"The Book of Citrus: The Complete Plates, 1708-1714," available at Taschen, $175

Featuring 170 varieties of citrus fruits, this is a delightful series of hand-colored copperplates sure to bring a touch of charm to any room.

"West: The American Cowboy" by Anouk Masson Krantz

"West: The American Cowboy," available at Amazon, $48.49

A portrait of the American west by award-winning photographer Anouk Masson Krantz, "West" takes us from wide-open pastoral landscapes to tailgating at the rodeo and everywhere in between.

"Ai Weiwei" by Hans Werner Holzwarth

"Ai Weiwei," available at Taschen, $25

Exploring each period of Ai Weiwei's work leading up to his release from custody, this is the almost definitive catalog of his works.

"Among Others: Blackness at MoMA" by Darby English

"Among Others: Blackness at MoMA," available at Amazon, $47.78

The Museum of Modern Art is among the first to admit that its uneven relationship with Black artists, and "Among Others" is a reflection, and an investigation, confronting that truth through essays and some of the best artwork ever produced.

"Great Women Artists" by Phaidon

"Great Women Artists," available at Amazon, $49.49

Great Women Artists offers a definitive collection of more than 400 compelling works spanning half a millennium of art by some of history's most overlooked titans of all mediums of art, from the canvas to the lens. Another book for any and every coffee table or bookshelf.

"The Wes Anderson Collection" by Matt Zoller Seitz

"The Wes Anderson Collection," available at Amazon, $33.32

A fun, whimsical book to brighten up any day or collection, but something the cinema nut on your list probably shouldn't go another year without.

"Contact High, A Visual History of Hop-Hop" by Vikki Tobak

"Contact High, A Visual History of Hop-Hop," available at Amazon, $27.33

Shining a spotlight not only on the greats of the genre of hip-hop but those who photographed them, "Contact High" is a chronological feature of nearly forty years of hip hop history told through contact sheets and is an imperative presence on the coffee table or bookshelf of every pop-music fanatic.

"1000 Record Covers" by Michael Ochs

"1000 Record Covers," available at Amazon, $18

Record covers are a unique time capsule of our life and times, and this coffee table book curates 1,000 that address such topics as love, life, death, fashion, and rebellion — serving as a symbol for particular times in our own lives, as well as in our collective history.

"Zaha Hadid: Complete Works 1979-Today" by Philip Jodidio

"Zaha Hadid: Complete Works 1979-Today," available at Amazon, $45.86

They said her visions and designs were impossible to build, but they were wrong. Later in her life, Hadid's works came to life. From the Port House in Antwerp to an airport terminal in Beijing, here's an immortal collection to prove her critics wrong.

"Photography: The Definitive Visual History" by Tom Ang

"Photography: The Definitive Visual History," available at Amazon, $31

200 years of photographs and the photographers behind them, written by broadcaster, photographer, and writer Tom Ang, one of history's most prolific photographers in his own right.

"Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016" by Annie Leibovitz

"Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016", available at Barnes & Noble, $89.95

Leibovitz is one of the most influential photographers of our time and has covered some of the most recognizable and distinguished figures of the contemporary age. Here we are treated to a compilation of Leibovitz's portraits from 2005 - 2016 (a follow-up to "Annie Leibovitz: Photographs, 1970-1990") that carry her characteristic wit, style, and ability to humanize her subjects.

"Poolside with Slim Aarons" by Slim Aarons

"Poolside with Slim Aarons," available at Amazon, $67.99

Slim Aarons is the ultimate photographer when it comes to documenting the lives of glitterati, and where better to snoop on this walk of life than the pool? From brunches to cocktail parties, "Poolside with Slim Aarons" features the who's who of the celebrity world, sure, but front and center throughout are some of the most gloriously sculpted and positioned pools on the face of the earth.

"Humans of New York: Stories" by Brandon Stanton

"Humans of New York: Stories," available at Barnes & Noble, $26.99

Brandon Stanton's "Humans of New York" series is one of the most powerful photographic campaigns to be conducted in the 21st century, leveraging the intimacy of random human-to-human connection and the powerful community of social media. Stanton's 2015 #1 New York Times bestseller is a collection of his intriguing photographs and the stories that accompanied them, altogether creating a slice-of-life summary of the pain and joy of living.

"Panda Love: The Secret Lives of Pandas" by Ami Vitale

"Panda Love: The Secret Lives of Pandas," available at Amazon, $18.55

Vitale is an American photojournalist and documentary filmmaker. Her first book, "Panda Love," is an intimate portrait of China's giant pandas: tumbling out of baskets, playing hide and seek with caregivers, and exploring forests and preserves. The images are a sweet, tangible side of conservation, and a unique gift thanks to Vitale's unprecedented access.

"Living in the Desert" by Phaidon

"Living in the Desert," available at Amazon, $47.07

This book is deeply satisfying for anyone interested in architecture, the desert, or contemporary homes. It showcases unique residences across the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond, illustrating the ways in which they interact with the sensitive, arid desert land. Picture blue water, long-fingered shadows of Yucca leaves at midday, and low homes disappearing into the red dirt.

"The Missoni Family Cookbook" by Francesco Maccapani Missoni

"The Missoni Family Cookbook," available at Amazon, $49.99

The Missoni family is best known for its bright knitwear, but it's also known for entertaining, including hosting well-coveted Fashion Week dinner parties. This aptly colorful cookbook is curated by Francesco Maccapani Missoni, son of Angela Missoni, and details the family's favorite delicious recipes. It's the perfect mix of fashion and food.

"What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions" by Randall Munroe

"What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions," available at Amazon, $11.16

From the creator of a hugely popular webcomic dealing with science, technology, language, and love, comes hilarious and informative answers to questions you probably never thought to ask: "How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live?" or "If there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last?"

"Born to Ice" by Paul Nicklen

"Born to Ice," available at Amazon, $95.28

Paul Nicklen is an acclaimed Canadian photographer, film-maker, marine biologist, and conservationist known especially for his work in and deep understanding of the Polar Regions. He's a frequent contributor to National Geographic and has won the BBC Wildlife Photographer award of the year as well as the prestigious World Press Photo award for photojournalism.

Nicklen's photos reflect a reverence for creatures — human and animal — in isolated or endangered environments, and "Born to Ice" combines Nicklen's favorite photos of a decades-long career into one powerful, remarkable book.

"Havana: Split Seconds" by Abe Kogan

"Havana: Split Seconds," available at Amazon, $73.23

In 2015, before American travel bans loosened dramatically, Abe Kogan immortalized an isolated island on the brink of change. In place of postcard pictures of tropical beaches, Kogan depicts the real Havana, Cuba through black-and-white photos of Habaneros' everyday life — neighbors gossiping over balconies and leaning in the doorways of once-glorious buildings that have fallen into ruin. Kogan's "Split Seconds" manages to create a sense of permanence and portension.

"Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany" by Jane Mount

"Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany," available at Amazon, $18.97

Jane Mount is an illustrator best known for the colorful book spines of notable works. "Bibliophile" is Mount's love letter to all things bookish, including tours of the world's best bookstores, quizzes to test book knowledge, and samplings of famous fictional meals — all illustrated in Mount's characteristically fun, bright style. 

"Of Love & War" by Lynsey Addario

"Of Love & War," available at Amazon, $21.61

Addario is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, MacArthur Fellow, and New York Times best-selling author. "Of Love & War" is a compelling collection of more than 200 photographs taken while covering the world's most urgent humanitarian and human rights crises of the last two decades depicting chaos, beauty, and conflict.

"Tom Ford" by Tom Ford

"Tom Ford," available at Barnes & Noble, $124.99

Tom Ford is one of fashion's greatest living icons. He's the man whose designs ushered in Gucci's stunning revitalization, increasing its sales tenfold. "Tom Ford" is a complete catalog of Ford's design work for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent from 1994 to 2004, detailing his dance with sensuality and style.

"Writers and Their Cats" by Alison Nastasi

"Writers and Their Cats," available at Amazon, $16.69

Gloria Steinem called cats "a writer's most logical and agreeable companion"— and as a consequence, the six-toed descendants of Ernest Hemingway's cat still prowl his past home and museum in Florida. This book celebrates the 45 great authors who have loved cats, including Mark Twain, Alice Walker, and Haruki Murakami.

"Stanley Kubrick Photographs: Through a Different Lens" by Luc Sante

"Stanley Kubrick Photographs: Through a Different Lens," available at Amazon, $70

Before using his unique perspective to create film classics like "The Shining," Stanley Kubrick was working as a photographer for Look magazine. "Through a Different Lens" is curated by noted photography critic Luc Sante, and encapsulates Kubrick's burgeoning creative genius through a "different lens" before meeting its famous catalyst in cinema.

"National Geographic Spectacle: Rare and Astonishing Photographs" by National Geographic

"National Geographic Spectacle: Rare and Astonishing Photographs," available at Amazon, $31.74

National Geographic's collection of rare photos depicts the earth's natural wonders and hard-to-reach spots, covering the aurora borealis and wildebeest migrations to the world's largest library.

"The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait" by Frida Kahlo

"The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait," available at Barnes & Noble, $26.99

"The Diary of Friday Kahlo" is a copy of the artist's journal, which she kept during the last 10 years of her life. Along with 70 watercolor illustrations are Kahlo's poems, personal thoughts, and dreams. It's an especially thoughtful gift for feminists and art aficionados.

"Daniel Kramer: Bob Dylan, A Year and a Day" by Daniel Kramer

"Daniel Kramer: Bob Dylan, A Year and a Day," available at Amazon, $70

Kramer's 2018 Bob Dylan portfolio focuses on the artist's "big bang" year of 1964-65, of which Kramer spent one year and a day alongside Dylan, documenting with extraordinary access Dylan's tour, concerts, and backstage life.

"The New York Times Explorer: Beaches, Islands, & Coasts" by Barbara Ireland

"The New York Times Explorer: Beaches, Islands, & Coasts," available at Barnes & Noble, $40

The New York Times' "Explorer" books are based on the publication's distinguished travel journalism, proving new insight, unique tips, and practical knowledge to make beach, island, and coastal trips more memorable.

Publicis is one of the oldest and biggest marketing businesses in the world. Founded as an ad agency in 1926 by 20-year-old Parisian Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, it grew to become a top global firm after World War II, thanks to its close ties to the French government.

Publicis agencies created classic campaigns like "You're in good hands with Allstate,""Labour isn't working," and "Come fly the friendly skies." They now market everything from Heinz ketchup to NBC's prime-time lineup.

Former IT exec Maurice Lévy took over for Bleustein-Blanchet in 1987 and started a decades-long acquisition spree, buying big agencies like Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi and consulting and data firms Sapient and Epsilon. In 2017, he handed the reins to Arthur Sadoun, a former account executive and heir apparent to the Publicis empire who's been described as "the Emmanuel Macron of Madison Avenue."

Publicis brought in $11.9 billion in 2019 to WPP's $16 billion and Omnicom's $14.29 billion. It employs about 84,000 people around the world and has clients like Disney, Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, McDonald's, and Pfizer.

Like its rivals, the company cut salaries and staff as clients slashed budgets in the pandemic. But Publicis bounced back with a string of new business wins in late 2020 and closed the year with its shares trading above pre-pandemic prices.

Sadoun recently said Publicis "has always maintained its independence," but in 2013 it announced plans to merge with Omnicom and create what would have been the largest ad agency network before that deal fell apart. Rumors of private equity sale talks swirled in early 2021, prompting a quick denial from Publicis.

This alphabetical list of 29 executives who've played key roles during the pandemic is based on conversations with current and former Publicis insiders as well as financial reports and news releases.

SEE ALSO: Meet the 31 executives leading Omnicom, the world's most valuable advertising network, during a global pandemic and recession

Emmanuel André, chief talent officer, Publicis

Publicis insiders say Sadoun relies on a small group of core advisors and takes a hands-on approach to the business, often swooping in to lead everything from internal comms to pitches and client relations. Emmanuel André is the CEO's oldest confidante, and his influence goes well beyond his formal role at the company.

Long before Sadoun came to lead Publicis, the two friends worked together at TBWA, an agency owned by rival Omnicom; both started in account management and moved up to leadership positions. Two months after Sadoun took over Publicis, he brought on André in the newly-created chief talent officer role as his first significant hire.

On paper, André's primary job is to oversee all Publicis executive training programs and help onboard new leaders. But one former exec says he specializes in bringing Sadoun's most colorful ideas to life. When the CEO wanted a big rollout for AI tool Marcel and a virtual 2020 holiday program starring Michelle Obama, Disney's Bob Iger, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Sadoun chose André to organize the show, according to the former exec.

Two other execs say André is also the godfather of Sadoun's daughter, and there's an understanding within the company that the most effective way to communicate with the CEO is often through the CTO. When André's not busy serving as Sadoun's chief assistant, his passion is hitting the open road on his vintage Triumph motorcycle.

Teresa Barreira, CMO, Publicis Sapient

Teresa Barreira was key to making 2020 a turnaround year for Sapient, which Publicis acquired in 2015 for $3.7 billion to compete against the big digital consulting firms.

Sapient proved a hard sell at first, and its role in the Publicis network has not always been clear. But insiders say the rapid shift to e-commerce during the pandemic has made its services increasingly relevant as clients race to compete with Amazon with their own digital platforms.

Barreira joined Sapient in 2018 after holding top marketing roles at Accenture and Deloitte. Her primary goal has been to educate Publicis clients and leaders in different industries about Sapient's work. The firm almost never participates in traditional pitches, but insiders say Barreira's skill in opening doors has led to new business opportunities.

One example of her collaborative style is the How Channel, a streaming project launched in late 2020 that invites leaders from companies like Square and Whole Foods to participate in both short explainer-style videos and private events that provide exclusive access to Publicis execs.

Justin Billingsley, CMO, Publicis

Justin Billingsley joined Publicis in 2009 to lead Saatchi & Saatchi in China and has risen to become another member of Arthur Sadoun's small group of advisers.

Insiders say he shares the CEO's passion for chasing growth and earned Sadoun's trust after leading 2018's successful Mercedes pitch, then running a division dedicated to the auto giant.

Billingsley became Publicis' first global CMO as the pandemic struck, charged with promoting the company brand around the world while overseeing major new business pitches. He's since reshaped the internal communications department to help get Publicis' message out to the public. Insiders say he was behind a recent decision to drop the word "Groupe" from the company's new logo and branding materials to broaden its appeal.

"Justin knows how to make the trains run," according to a top executive who says Sadoun sometimes speaks to Billingsley four or five times a day. The leaders of each country and region within Publicis report to him.

Insiders call Billingsley extremely ambitious, and he's helped Publicis rack up a string of wins in recent months, including Sephora, Kraft Heinz, and L'Oréal's $800 million Chinese media account. But Publicis came up empty in the recent big-budget Walgreen's, JPMorgan Chase, and T-Mobile reviews, and another recently departed exec says longtime client Samsung will be another big test when its postponed review starts again.

Chris Boothe, US CEO, global brand president, Spark Foundry

As a 34-year Publicis veteran, Chris Boothe is one of the most powerful executives on Publicis' media side, which accounts for a majority of its revenue.

In 2018, he was promoted to US CEO and later global brand president of media agency Spark Foundry, managing around 3,000 employees in more than 60 countries. Boothe is widely respected among Publicis leaders, who credit him with turning Spark Foundry into its most important media brand after the 2016 merger of Spark and Mediavest. 

Insiders say that, while rival WPP's GroupM is the largest global media-buying operation, Publicis Media is the biggest in the US. Spark Foundry leads that group, with clients like Mondelez, Marriott, and NBCUniversal.

Since his promotion, Boothe has been tasked with other projects like folding agency Blue 449 into Spark Foundry. He works closely with Publicis US COO Tim Jones and global COO Steve King, the most powerful names in Publicis Media.

Nick Colucci, executive chairman, Publicis Health, COO, Publicis Communications

Nick Colucci has been a key player in Publicis' healthcare division since he helped establish it in 2003. He was promoted to president and CEO four years later as pharmaceutical clients began to play a more important role to holding companies. 

Colucci, who spent years in marketing and sales at Roche before joining Publicis, moved into the executive chairman role in 2018 and took on the responsibility of helping to reshape Publicis' creative network in the US during a series of agency mergers and leadership changes as COO.

One insider says Colucci's influence has grown during the pandemic because he oversees key elements of the transition to remote work. While not a public-facing figure, Colucci handles a large portion of the behind-the-scenes mechanics that make Publicis run, including some of the talent and resource management duties surrounding AI platform Marcel.

Ric Elert, president and COO, Epsilon

CEO Bryan Kennedy leads performance marketing firm Epsilon, Publicis' most expensive acquisition. But a top exec says Ric Elert, who previously ran the company's ad tech division, Conversant, attends all high-level meetings and serves as Publicis' go-to expert for helping clients navigate in-the-weeds subjects like identity resolution and the post-cookie ad targeting landscape.

Elert's responsibilities have expanded since the acquisition. When corporate leaders need a Publicis-level perspective on the top issues facing digital marketers, they most often turn to him for guidance, according to an Epsilon exec.

When Publicis spent $4.4 billion to acquire Epsilon in 2019, leadership was determined to avoid the $1.5 billion write down that followed its Sapient purchase by quickly integrating it into Publicis to differentiate the company's data capabilities in new business pitches.

Publicis now says Epsilon sits at the core of its global operations, though several insiders confirmed that around 90% of Epsilon's revenue comes from media planning and buying in the US. Still, Arthur Sadoun and others credit the acquisition with helping Publicis beat out its rivals to win big accounts like Disney.

Lauren Hanrahan, CEO, Zenith

Lauren Hanrahan is the youngest CEO at Publicis, leading its second-largest media agency, Zenith. She also leads digital specialty firm Moxie and social media-focused MRY.

Prior to being promoted in 2019, Hanrahan served as global head of business development for Publicis Media, where she oversaw big new business wins from Molson Coors, Marriott, and GlaxoSmithKline.

More recently, she led Publicis Media's successful pitch for Disney's global parks and Disney+ business and later expanded that account by winning US ad planning and buying for Hulu. 

One insider says these wins, combined with Hanrahan's leadership of the youth-focused digital properties, have earned the confidence of Arthur Sadoun, Steve King, and Tim Jones, making her a rising star within the company.

Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner, secretary general, Publicis

As a member of Publicis' four-person management board, Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner is the company's highest-ranking female leader. 

As secretary general, she oversees some of Publicis' most critical functions such as internal audits, risk management, and compliance with international regulations as well as managing procurement, or the company's relationships with third-party vendors. 

Heilbronner's responsibilities have expanded since she was appointed to the board in 2012. Arthur Sadoun named Heilbronner, a longtime champion of women in the workplace, to lead Publicis' corporate social responsibility efforts and its Women's Forum for the Economy and Society group. The group brings an estimated 1,500 executives together in Paris each year to discuss gender equality issues.

Heilbronner previously held several top roles in the French government, working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and banking supervisory group Inspection Générale des Finances.

Tim Jones, US COO, Publicis

Tim Jones is the most quietly influential person at Publicis in the US and deeply trusted by leaders to carry out its plans, according to insiders.

"He's a man of great power, but he doesn't show it," one exec says, and he gained even more power in early 2021 when he was promoted from Publicis Media CEO of the Americas to COO overseeing all US agencies except Epsilon and Sapient, which operate separately.

Around 60% of Publicis' total revenue comes from the US. But the US is also the only country that doesn't currently have its own CEO, because the market is so complex. Jones leads the US-based executive committee, which has expanded its power during the pandemic, and insiders say he shares the unofficial US CEO role with Arthur Sadoun.

The UK native spent 25 years with Zenith before being promoted to CEO of Publicis Media in the Americas in 2016. He's considered the driving force behind Publicis Media Exchange, a group launched that year to manage programmatic trading and digital investments for clients. An insider says he also recently led the integration of Epsilon into US media agency operations so Publicis can use the firm's data resources to deliver specific results for clients.

Despite rumors that Sadoun might give Jones the US CEO title, a third exec says his influence has only increased over the past six months, especially after the COO promotion.

Bryan Kennedy, CEO, Epsilon

Bryan Kennedy has held C-suite titles at Epsilon since the mid-90s, when it was a direct mail subsidiary of Alliance Data Systems Corporation.

Kennedy has played a critical role in helping Epsilon grow after Publicis acquired it in 2019 while also trying to get more of its clients to work with the holding company and vice versa. Around 80% - 90% of Epsilon's clients don't currently work with Publicis.

One executive calls Kennedy a quiet man with a clear understanding of data and precision marketing's increasingly important place in the ad industry. The CEO, this person says, sits on the Publicis executive committee and appears at key events and client meetings, but often defers to other Epsilon leaders, such as COO Ric Elert and CMO Jeff Fagel, as subject matter experts.

Kennedy doesn't just share Elert's passion for data. The two also play guitar together in the company's Chicago house band.

Annette King, UK CEO, Publicis

As Publicis started naming countrywide CEOs in 2017, Arthur Sadoun made waves in the UK by hiring Annette King, who'd been CEO at rival WPP agency Ogilvy, to run its second-largest market.

Publicis employs around 5,000 people in the UK, and insiders say the country accounts for just under 10% of global revenue. A top exec says that nothing happens in the UK without the approval of King, who sits on the management committee reporting to Sadoun.

Several people say the UK's standing has fallen since Publicis became the first holding company to confirm layoffs and executive pay cuts there in April. But pay returned in September sooner than expected, and King remains one of the most powerful executives in Europe.

King has been a vocal advocate for equal pay. In a 2019 report about Publicis' most recent gender equality programs, she cited the hires of several female executives but acknowledged that a pay gap persists.

Ros King, EVP, global client lead, Publicis

In 2018, Publicis started creating divisions dedicated to single clients that draw talent from different agencies. Publicis Imagine, for example, handles the Disney account.

The company hired Ros King, former head of marketing for UK banking giant Lloyd's, to oversee all those teams and its relationships with other major clients the following year. She sits on the management committee and reports to Arthur Sadoun. The global leaders of accounts like Procter & Gamble and Mondelez report to her.

King's job involves helping clients make the most of Publicis' resources, from updating them on the latest internal changes to inviting them to webinars and making sure they have access to all relevant services during the pandemic.

Perhaps most importantly, she's key to organizing the company's biggest new business pitches. Since most other Publicis board members have been with the company for years, she is one of the most powerful recent hires.

Before joining Lloyd's, she oversaw Ogilvy's relationship with longtime client American Express and led the account management team at IPG's McCann Worldgroup.

Steve King, COO, Publicis

Steve King is the number three global executive at Publicis, behind only Arthur Sadoun and Maurice Lévy.

Insiders say he was one of the final candidates to succeed Lévy in 2017.

The 35-year Publicis vet rose to CEO of Zenith before being promoted to run all of Publicis Media in 2016 and global chief operating officer three years later.

Insiders say King still runs Publicis Media, whose second-highest-ranking exec Tim Jones reports to him, but Sadoun and Lévy now trust him with responsibilities beyond that side of the business. For example, he has led the global expansion of Publicis' e-commerce and content production practices, and made it easier for all Publicis companies to offshore certain work to India through Sapient.

One top executive says King and Sadoun don't always see eye to eye. King focuses on scaling the company globally while Sadoun approaches growth on more of a country-by-country basis. But King's seniority, deep industry connections, and loyalty to Publicis ensure that he will remain at the top of the organization.

Amy Lanzi, EVP, commerce practice lead, Publicis

Publicis beat some rival holding companies to the punch by launching a global e-commerce practice in early 2018.

As the pandemic changed consumer behaviors and made e-commerce even more important to marketers, Amy Lanzi was the name to watch, according to insiders. The former commerce lead for Publicis Media North America was promoted to oversee all related business at the holding company level in January 2020 and later tasked with helping top US clients adapt to the new way of doing business.

She oversees the e-commerce teams at all digital and media agencies and helps big spenders like Coty and GSK navigate top retail platforms such as Amazon, Kroger, and Target's Roundel.

Maurice Lévy, supervisory board chairman, Publicis

Maurice Lévy joined Publicis as IT director in 1971 and became only the second CEO in the company's history in 1987, succeeding founder Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet. Much like former rival Martin Sorrell of WPP, he built the company into a global powerhouse by acquiring dozens of small and large agencies.

In 2017, Lévy officially stepped down as CEO after 30 years and named Arthur Sadoun as his successor. But he remains in many ways the most powerful person in the company, overseeing its global strategy while serving as Sadoun's mentor and the closest adviser to Bleustein-Blanchet's daughter Elisabeth Badinter, Publicis' largest shareholder.

Lévy controls around 2.5% of the voting rights, and staffers say he's become more visible during the pandemic.

The former chief sometimes steps up to lead key projects beyond his perennial guest appearances in satirical company holiday videos. When a troubled WeWork hired Publicis in late 2019 on a $500,000 monthly retainer, Lévy assumed the CMO role for three months.

One top exec says Sadoun and Lévy run Publicis together, with the chairman acting as executive coach, client advisor, and professional ear to the CEO as he focuses on new business.

"Maurice's theory is you stay the boss if all your minions are competing," the exec says.

Helen Lin, chief digital officer, Publicis

As head of all things digital at Publicis, Helen Lin is Publicis' top connection to major tech companies like Facebook and Google. She was promoted in February 2021 after serving as chief digital officer at Publicis Media and now reports to that network's US CEO Dave Penski.

Lin advises clients of all sizes on where to put their digital dollars and will lead Publicis' work regarding data privacy and brand safety. 

Insiders praise the 14-year company veteran for her expertise on changing trends in paid social during the pandemic.

"The Googles and Facebooks ask for her, and all clients know her because she can sort through the mess in a moment," says one exec.

Lin, who was formerly managing director at Zenith, advocates for increased diversity in the ad industry with trade groups like Adcolor. She sits on the boards of Publicis' Power of Women resource group and 212NYC, an organization for digital advertising professionals in the New York area.

Diana Littman, US CEO, MSL

Diana Littman has emerged as PR's most powerful executive at Publicis since coming on as MSL CEO in late 2018.

The holding company has not disclosed financial performance by practice during the pandemic, but insiders say PR firms have proven more resilient than creative agencies over the past year. 

As the exec overseeing its largest firm's top market, Littman is the face of the practice and reports directly to Arthur Sadoun.

Under her leadership, MSL has launched an influencer platform and developed an internal tech tool that helps clients like P&G and Cadillac target their content and measure their PR efforts. The tools allow MSL to cut its tech vendor expenses and compete against more traditional marketing agencies, which is part of Publicis' long-term effort to further integrate PR into its other client work.

Littman's expertise in healthcare and pharmaceutical marketing, drawn from 20 years at rival firms BCW and Marina Maher Communications, is particularly valuable as clients like Pfizer as AstraZeneca make up a bigger share of Publicis' business.

Renetta McCann, chief inclusion experience officer, Publicis

Renetta McCann is a Publicis lifer who started her career more than 40 years ago as a trainee at Leo Burnett in Chicago.

After two decades there, becoming its first Black VP and media director, she moved to Starcom, rising to worldwide CEO before taking a sabbatical in 2008. She returned to school to study talent management, then returned to lead HR at Leo Burnett before she rose to head up all of Publicis' D&I efforts.

A former executive calls McCann "Publicis royalty," and others say she wields immense power while avoiding company politics.

Before the pandemic hit, she was chosen to run Publicis' newly formed diversity and inclusion steering committee, which managed the company's response to the George Floyd protests. Now, following the December departure of US chief diversity officer Ronnie Dickerson Stewart, McCann is even more central to D&I operations. She was also named to the US management board in February 2021.

When McCann announced her sabbatical, she had to shut down rumors that she'd left the ad industry altogether to join President Barack Obama's administration. But she has been politically active throughout her career, and she's so well-known in the Chicago scene that Politico wished her a happy birthday last December.

Dan Murray, CEO, Marcel

Marcel, an AI platform designed to connect all 80,000-plus Publicis employees around the world, has been both a point of pride and a major stumbling block. 

Marcel was an ambitious and controversial move from fledgling CEO Arthur Sadoun. Publicis hired Microsoft and pulled talent from Sapient to build Marcel, whose cost had risen to around $50 million when it debuted two months early in April 2020.

In December, the company hired Dan Murray, former Bed Bath & Beyond and Sapient exec, as Marcel's CEO.

His primary role will be further integrating the platform into all employee functions like career growth, performance reviews, project management, and health and wellness resources. According to its virtual holiday presentation in 2020, Publicis sees Marcel as "the future of work."

Despite some technical hiccups, insiders say Marcel has helped make remote work a reality.

Dave Penski, global chairman, Publicis Media Exchange, US CEO, Publicis Media

Dave Penski is another high-profile veteran whose influence increased in February 2021 when he was promoted to Tim Jones' former role as US CEO of Publicis Media. He also joined the management board overseeing all US operations.

Penski ascended to CEO of media agency Zenith before being promoted to run VivaKi, the trading desk that managed all of Publicis clients' programmatic media buys. When that organization dissolved in 2015, he became CEO of its successor, Publicis Media Exchange.

Penski left that role in January 2020 but remains chairman of PMX and runs Publicis Media in the US, working closely with Tim Jones and Steve King.

Penski is the second-ranking US-based media exec behind Jones. The leaders of digitally-focused agencies such as Rauxa report to him, and his oversight of the flow of money from Publicis clients to publishers and platforms and proximity to top spenders like Disney and Verizon makes him intensely powerful.

Talia Raviv, global CEO, Publicis Media Exchange

Media veteran Talia Raviv became the face of the company's global investment division in January 2020, managing the day-to-day operations of the trading desk embedded within every Publicis media agency.

One insider says she manages around one-third of all money spent by Publicis clients in the US. The heads of investment at Zenith, Spark Foundry, and Starcom report to her.

Raviv previously ran Apex, another exchange handling programmatic and other digital ad buys within Publicis Media.

Another exec says Raviv's profile has grown during the pandemic because she advises clients on when and where to move their money. She's the exec Publicis Media calls on when CMOs want to know whether to focus on certain e-commerce platforms, drop national ads for more localized efforts and target areas where stores are still open, or move from buys based on impressions, like pre-roll video, to more performance-focused campaigns on platforms like Instagram.

Jem Ripley, CEO, Publicis Communications East

As CEO of Publicis Communications' eastern division, Jem Ripley oversees the operations of some of its largest agencies, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis New York, retail firm Saatchi X, and P&G One, the Cincinnati-based division dedicated to Procter & Gamble. He also led the relaunch of the Razorfish brand in January 2020.

Ripley spent nearly a decade at Sapient before joining consulting firm Capgemini as North American chief growth officer. Arthur Sadoun brought him back in mid-2019.

Now, Ripley reports directly to Sadoun and works with Andrew Swinand, CEO of Leo Burnett and Publicis Communications Central.

An insider says his profile has risen over the past 18 months because he helps Swinand drive decisions regarding all Publicis Communications agencies' new business efforts in the US.

Jodi Robinson, CEO, Digitas North America

Jodi Robinson is credited with digital marketing and tech firm Digitas' success during the pandemic when many other agencies have struggled.

Robinson worked her way up from accounts to become North American CEO in late 2019 just as Arthur Sadoun placed greater emphasis on the region. She's known within Publicis as an empathetic leader who regularly conducts town halls and communicates on a personal level with staff.

Digitas usually flies under the radar while supporting other agencies' work for big brands and assisting in pitches, but the agency won lead duties for new clients such as Playtex and Samsung in recent months.

Carla Serrano, chief strategy officer, Publicis, CEO, Publicis New York

Carla Serrano is one of CEO Sadoun's closest confidantes, and one exec calls her "the right hand to Arthur."

Serrano started her agency career at TBWA, rising to chief strategy officer and helping win clients like Kraft and GSK before taking the same title at Publicis North America in 2014. She also served as North American CEO at Naked Communications, where she oversaw accounts like NBCUniversal, Mondelez, and Novartis.

In 2016, Serrano was promoted to CEO of the New York office, and her power has grown over the past year as Sadoun shifted his focus to the US.

Several execs say Serrano's day-to-day responsibilities are not always clear but when Sadoun needs guidance on the US business — particularly in New York — she's always on his short list. She has taken the lead on key projects like the mid-2020 rollout of Marcel, granting interviews and sending frequent all-staff memos about platform updates.

Andrew Swinand, CEO, Leo Burnett, CEO, Publicis Communications Central

Andrew Swinand is the most powerful figure on the communications side of Publicis' businesses in the US, according to several top execs.

He manages the global Leo Burnett network and is responsible for new business efforts of other creative and PR agencies like Fallon, BBH, MSL, and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Swinand is an entrepreneur who founded two marketing technology and analytics firms that Publicis acquired when he joined the company. His tech background initially made him seem like an unusual choice to lead the agency behind iconic campaigns like the Marlboro Man, Heinz's "The best things come to those who wait" and "Beef. It's what's for dinner."

But Swinand spent 10 years at Publicis media agency Starcom and had top marketing jobs at Procter & Gamble, and one exec says he brought a sorely needed combination of tech and agency experience to help serve clients' increasingly data-based needs.

Liz Taylor, global chief creative officer, Leo Burnett, chief creative officer, Publicis Communications North America

Insiders say Liz Taylor is Publicis' top creative executive, managing Leo Burnett and overseeing the work of all properties in the North American Communications group.

"There's [Liz] and then there's everyone else," one exec says.

Taylor came aboard in early 2019 as a partner to CSO Carla Serrano and former global CCO Nick Law. Now, she works closely with Andrew Swinand and the creative leaders of other Publicis agencies in its biggest market while also traveling around the world to oversee with Leo Burnett's regional teams.

Taylor brought an extensive agency background to the role, and her digital expertise was particularly important to Publicis as its business moved away from traditional print and TV campaigns. She was previously chief creative officer at the Chicago office of IPG's FCB and led digital and social media work for WPP's Ogilvy.

Taylor is popular with staff and was one of the only creative leaders to present as part of Publicis' 2020 all-company virtual holiday event.

Lisa Torres, president, Cultural Quotient

As president of Publicis Media's multicultural division Cultural Quotient, Lisa Torres oversees agencies' spending with minority-owned media companies and large publishers looking to reach minority audiences.

Her role is particularly important as the US goes through dramatic demographic changes, and she's among top execs who get immediate access to the company's finance and accounting service Re:Sources.

Cultural Quotient handles around $1.7 billion in annual client spending. AdAge estimates that Cultural Quotient brought in $71 million from Hispanic media alone last year and says it has been the largest US-based Hispanic media group since 2012.

Torres is considered "the future of multicultural marketing" and an expert in audience measurement who argued that the Trump administration's proposed addition of a citizenship question to the US Census would harm ad agencies' ability to target ads on behalf of their clients.

Earlier, Torres was president of Zenith's multicultural division. She recently went through a successful battle with stage two breast cancer.

Nigel Vaz, CEO, Publicis Sapient

Nigel Vaz is part of Arthur Sadoun's inner circle as CEO of Publicis Sapient. He helped guide the at-times-bumpy integration of Sapient into Publicis and helped lead its global rebranding in early 2019.

The 21-year Sapient veteran oversees Publicis' consulting work, which has grown more important during the pandemic as clients look to strengthen their digital offerings and the company tries to set itself apart from top firms like Deloitte.

Vaz also brings an important tech perspective to Publicis' executive committee, which consists almost entirely of people with traditional advertising backgrounds. As one insider put it, "Nigel would be working in Silicon Valley" if Sapient hadn't been acquired. 

Sapient has completed projects for big-name clients in recent years like creating The Wall Street Journal's paywall and helping McDonald's update its digital user experience, from drive-through kiosks to mobile apps.

He wrote a forthcoming book titled "Digital Business Transformation: How Established Companies Sustain Competitive Advantage from Now to Next."

Alexandra Von Plato, CEO, Publicis Health

Healthcare marketing accounted for around 10% of Publicis' total revenue in 2019, a number that's poised to rise because pharma and healthcare companies have held up during the pandemic.

Healthcare marketing is a rare bright spot for Publicis, whose clients include Pfizer, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis, which means Alexandra Von Plato's role will be even more important as the company looks to take a bigger bite of the global pharma market.

Von Plato spent almost a decade at Digitas Health and Medicus before being promoted to CEO of the entire practice in 2018. She oversees all related agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness, Publicis Health Media, and pharma specialist Discovery USA.