• A good robot vacuum cleans floors with little work from you, clearing debris with a button push.
• We tested 25 robot vacuums and consulted three experts to find the best options for different needs.
• TheRoborock S6 Robot Vacuum is the best robot vac because it cleans well, mops, and has a helpful app.

A robot vacuum can remove the small but time-consuming task of vacuuming from your never-ending to-do list. However, you'll want one that's powerful, relatively quiet, and doesn't require constant attention. 

That's why I've tested 25 robot vacuums to find the best ones and consulted health experts and engineers on how to use them properly. A robot vac needs maintenance like any other small appliance, so while using it takes just a press of a button, all our experts stressed the importance of regularly cleaning brushes and filters, and running the vac when no one is in the room to keep the indoor air quality clean and avoid resuspended particles. We get into details over here. 

I tested each robot vac's cleaning abilities along with their extra features and app. You can find the details of how we tested, what else we recommend, what we don't recommend, how to shop for a robot vacuum, and more at the end of our guide.

Here are the best robot vacuums in 2021

• Best overall:Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum
• Best budget:Moosoo MT-720 Robotic Vacuum
• Best with a mop:Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI Robot Vacuum
• Best for hardwood floors:iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum
• Best for carpet:iRobot Roomba i3+ Robot Vacuum
• Best for pet hair:Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum

SEE ALSO: The best vacuums you can buy for less than $300

The best robot vacuum overall

The Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum performs well on carpet, hardwood, and in corners. It can map your space for more efficient cleaning and mops floors for extra convenience.

Pros: Excellent on hardwood and in corners, good on carpeting, does not get stuck, has mopping capabilities, can be scheduled and set no-go zones in the app, Alexa compatible

Cons: Gets loud on the highest suction setting, larger than most vacuums making it hard to get into tight spots

The Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum performed well in every test we put it through. On carpeting, it picked up more than 90% of the flour, coffee grounds, kitty litter, and pet hair I laid out for it. On hardwood, it did even better picking up everything except for a little flour. The S6 gets within half an inch of corners — the deepest of all the vacuums we tested.

The vacuum also rarely gets stuck. It returned to its charging dock after a cleaning cycle without getting stuck along the way approximately 75% of the time. In fact, it even somehow managed to keep going despite a floor strewn with Nerf darts after an epic battle with my kids.

The Roborock S6 comes with a variety of extras, including an adjustable water tank that can be installed in place of the dustbin and a mop cloth to mop your floors. The mop function worked well and I appreciated that you can adjust how much water the tank dispenses so you're not creating mini floods everywhere. I recommend running the mop after vacuuming to minimize the chance of spreading dirt and dust around your floor. There's also a damp-proof mat attachment on the charging dock so your floors don't have prolonged direct contact with moisture. Unfortunately, extra brush heads aren't included. 

If you like smart gadgets, the Roborock app can be scheduled for cleaning sessions via the app or Amazon Alexa. You can also adjust the suction power and set how many passes the unit completes in a certain space. After a few runs, the S6 will have enough data to make a map of your home so you can set no-go zones.

Including scheduling, the set up of the S6 took about 15 minutes. All you need to do is charge the vacuum on the dock, pair the vac with the app, and you're ready to go.

There are a couple of things to consider with the Roborock S6, specifically noise and size.

On high suction power, it recorded 70 decibels, which is similar to city traffic. However, it does sport a Quiet mode, which is only around 56 decibels according to the manufacturer; I wasn't able to measure the noise output of this robot vac by the time I had to send it back to the company. At 14 inches in diameter and four inches high, it was also the largest vacuum we tested. This means it will have trouble getting under low-clearance furniture and into other tight spots. These aren't deal breakers if you're able to compromise noise in favor of power and convenience.

Read our full Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum review.

The best affordable robot vacuum

If you're looking for a cost-effective vac that cleans well on a variety of surfaces, gets deep into corners, and runs quietly, the Moosoo MT-720 Robot Vacuum is your best bet.

Pros: Good performance on carpet and hardwood, excellent corner cleaning, quiet operation, compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, low-profile design

Cons: Gets stuck easily, can't set no-go zones

After an initial round of testing, we realized many of our top picks are quite expensive. For the most recent update of this guide, we tested five budget models. Of the models that performed well, the Moosoo MT-720 has the lowest price. It replaces the Eufy RoboVac 15C Max as our budget pick because the MT-720 does a better job of getting deep into corners. 

The MT-720 comes with an extra filter, extra side brushes, a cleaning tool, and a remote control, which worked well. Setting up the vacuum took five minutes. 

The app lets you schedule the vacuum to clean at the same time every day or mix it up. You can also choose smart, wall follow, spiral, random, and manual control cleaning modes. The app creates a map of the area cleaned, but you cannot set no-go zones as you can with other room mapping robot vacs.

The MT-720's performance was good on hardwood and carpet, picking up almost all of the coffee grounds, kitty litter, and pet hair. In corners, it did an outstanding job, coming within an inch of the corner and picking up 70% of the flour on carpeting and 85% on hard flooring. At 12.5 inches in diameter and 3.25 inches high, the vac is small enough to get into tight spaces that other models might miss.

Counterintuitively, the strong suction didn't translate into loud operation. On high suction, the sound meter registered 66 dB, or a little louder than a business office. On low, it was 59 dB, which is quieter than normal conversation. 

The biggest negative with the MT-720 is that it tends to get stuck easily. During testing, it regularly got stuck on the one-inch threshold between the living room and kitchen of the testing area.

The best robot vacuum and mop

The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo Pro Mopping System thoroughly cleans floors as opposed to pushing a wet cloth around. When paired with the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI Robot Vacuum, the two make easy work of time-consuming chores.  

Pros: Excellent performance on carpeting and hardwood, automatically empties the dustbin, HD video surveillance, impressive deep-cleaning mop attachment, quiet operation

Cons: Got stuck on the threshold in our tests, doesn't get deep into corners

The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo Pro Mopping System attachment is the best mopping system I've tested. Thanks to its 480-vibrations-per-minute scrubbing motion, it's able to provide a deep clean whereas other robot vac mops just push a wet cloth over your floors. It's compatible with the T8 family of Ecovacs, which made the powerful Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI Robot Vacuum even better. 

In my testing, the 240mL water tank was large enough to complete at least two passes over the 500-square-foot test floor. With the app, you can choose from four water flow levels to reach a balance of moistness and quick drying, and two mopping patterns. The deep scrubbing option is good for a more thorough cleaning, but for the most part, quick scrubbing is my go-to for regular mopping — and even then, it's a very thorough cleaning. 

When the Ozmo Pro Mopping System encounters carpeting, it automatically avoids it so you don't get wet carpeting. In testing, I found the carpet detection sensor worked well.

As for the robot vac itself, the Ozmo T8 AIVI has HD video and a microphone so you can keep tabs on your pets or check for open windows and doors from your phone. I didn't find the home surveillance features particularly useful but they could be handy for people who are often away from the home and concerned about security. 

The more useful feature is the auto-empty station. With this dock, you don't have to empty the dustbin after cleaning sessions — the charging station does it automatically. You just need to replace the disposable pouch every month or two. 

On both carpeting and hardwood, the Ozmo T8 AIVI was among the best at removing all of the debris types we tested. Plus, it remains fairly quiet at just 67 decibels on the highest Max+ cleaning setting and 58 decibels on Quiet mode. 

However, the vac consistently got stuck on the one-inch lip between my living room and kitchen. It also wasn't able to come within two inches of corners so you may need to do occasional touch-ups using a hand vacuum or broom.

When it comes to set up, the process was seamless. I plugged in the dock to charge the vacuum, connected the app, updated the firmware, and set a schedule for cleaning. Once the vacuum mapped out my floor plan after a couple of cleanings, I was able to set no-go zones to keep the T8 AIVI away from sensitive areas.

The unit is on the bigger side measuring 13.75 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches high. This was just low enough to fit under my chairs and couches, but if you have radiators or low-clearance furniture, you may want to measure to make sure there's enough clearance or set no-go zones. The main brush of the vacuum is around 6.25 inches long, which is about average.

The best robot vacuum for hardwood floors

The D-shaped iRobot Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum did the best in our hardwood floor tests and features a self-emptying dustbin, impressive app that lets you set no-go zones, and large main brushes that pick up debris on the first pass.

Pros: Cleans well on hardwood flooring, good performance on carpeting, rarely gets stuck, comes with a charging dock that empties the dustbin, large main brushes, has a useful app with virtual no-go zones

Cons: Loud, poor performance in carpeted corners

As iRobot's top-of-the-line model, the Roomba s9+ Robot Vacuum is another feature-packed vac. Like the Ecovacs T8 AIVI, the s9+ empties itself and is supported by an app that allows you to effortlessly schedule cleanings, set no-go zones, and customize your cleaning experience, including pairing it with the iRobot Braava Jet M6 (sold separately) to mop after it finishes its vacuum cycle.

In testing, the Roomba s9+ performed the best of any robot vac on hardwood flooring, likely due to the two large 9.5-inch main brush heads — the biggest we tested. After the cleaning cycle, there was only a trace of flour left. Its D-shaped design came within an inch and a half of the corner, picking up everything it could reach. On carpeting, the performance wasn't as impressive, but it was still solid with only about 10% of the flour left, 5% of the kitty litter, and no coffee grounds or pet hairs to be found after testing. The unit didn't get stuck in our testing area either. 

At 77 decibels (about as loud as a busy city street) on high suction power, the s9+ was by far the loudest model we tested, and even in Quiet mode, the vacuum is a not unnoticeable 64 decibels (a little louder than a normal conversation). 

Additionally, the vac got within an inch of the carpeted corner, but it left behind about 70% of the flour, which suggests it doesn't do as well picking up fine debris on carpeting, especially in areas the main brushes have trouble reaching.

Installation was easy, but it took about 25 minutes. Most of that time was spent installing firmware updates after connecting to the app. I liked that the s9+ comes with plenty of extras, including an additional filter (which needs replacing every two months), side brush (every three months), and dirt disposal bag for the self-emptying base (every month or so.) 

These extras mean you get several months of use before you need to replace parts that wear down. The app features tutorials on how to care for your Roomba, including the seamless purchase of replacement parts.   

The overall unit is around 12.5 inches in diameter and the 3.5-inch height should also fit under most furniture.

The best robot vacuum for carpet

With its strong suction and large main brushes that adjust to stay in contact with your carpeting, the iRobot Roomba i3+ Robot Vacuum is a great solution for carpeted homes.

Pros: Excellent performance on carpeting, cleans well on hardwood, pairs with the app and Alexa, comes with an automatic dirt disposal base, doesn't get stuck easily

Cons: Loud, virtual wall barriers cost extra, not impressive in corners 

The iRobot Roomba i3+ Robot Vacuum is fairly new and is iRobot's most affordable option with automatic dirt disposal.  

In our carpet tests, the i3+ picked up all of the coffee grounds, kitty litter, and pet hairs we laid out, and left behind only about 5% of the flour — the best performance of all the robot vacs we tested. In corners, it came within an inch of the wall but left behind about half the flour. The i3+ performed better on hardwood floors, picking up all of the coffee grounds and pet hair, and only left behind 5% of the kitty litter and about 10% of the flour. The robot vac didn't get stuck going back to its base after it completed its cleaning sessions.

Whereas some robot vacuums sense carpeting and boost suction, the i3+ provides consistently strong suction, and when it detects excess dirt, it will automatically perform multiple passes to ensure it gets all of the debris. There are two main brushes measuring 6.75 inches and each one adjusts and flexes to keep in constant contact with carpet and hardwood so it picks up more debris quickly. 

Though it doesn't come with a tool for cleaning the brushes and dustbin, the i3+ comes with an extra filter and disposal bag, which only needs to be replaced every month or so. Plus, setup is a breeze only taking about 10 minutes, including connecting to the user-friendly app. With the app, you can easily schedule your unit and connect to Alexa or Google Assistant.

Unfortunately, the app doesn't allow you to set up no-go zones, so you have to buy virtual wall barriers. It's a small 2 by 4.5 inch-high battery-powered device that creates a virtual barrier up to 10 feet long or a 12-inch radius that the Roomba avoids. In my experience, the barriers work as advertised, but at around $40 each, I'm more likely to use common household objects to create physical barriers to keep the Roomba out of areas I want to protect.

The other negative with the i3+ is how loud it is. My sound meter recorded 68 decibels, and you can't adjust the suction power for a quieter clean.

The overall dimensions of the vacuum are larger than most at 13.25 inches in diameter and 3.75 inches high. This can make it hard to get into tight spots, though I didn't experience any issues in my testing.

The best robot vacuum for pet hair

The Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum picked up all the pet hair on carpet in our tests and has a great assortment of mop attachments and accessories. The company is also committed to helping homeless pets and helps them find loving homes. 

Pros: Excellent job on hardwood and corners, picked up all of the pet hair in our tests, great mop attachment and accessories, app connectivity, small size, quiet operation

Cons: Can't set up no-go zones, gets stuck easily

In general, the robot vacuums we tested did an excellent job of picking up pet hair. However, the Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum is created specifically for pet hair and has a 5.75-inch tangle-resistant main brush, a useful mop attachment, and powerful suction. Specs aside, a portion of each sale also goes to the Bissell Pet Foundation, which is committed to finding loving homes for pets.

The Bissell SpinWave picked up all of the cat and dog hair we laid out on carpeting and hardwood and did a great job on hardwood and in corners. On the hardwood, it only left a trace of kitty litter and flour. In corners, it came within two inches of each and picked up more than 60% of the flour on both the carpet and hardwood. When you consider that it's among the quietest vacs we tested – 58 decibels on Quiet mode (slightly quieter than a normal conversation) and 65 on high suction – its performance is even more impressive. If you have particularly skittish pets, the low-decibel output is less likely to startle your fur friends. 

The vacuum also included a lot of useful extras and attachments that can help any pet parent, such as a mop tank attachment, spinning mop pads, and a trial-size bottle cleaning formula. Plus, you receive an extra filter, an extra set of side brushes, and a cleaning tool that helps remove hairs from the brushes and clean the filter.

In testing, the mop attachment worked seamlessly. You just fill the tank with water and some of the cleaning formula and attach it to the vacuum in place of the dustbin. The mop pads spin to scrub away stuck-on debris while the soft surface avoidance sensor keeps it away from area rugs or carpets.

The SpinWave has a quick set up taking all of five minutes, including installing the app and connecting the unit. With the app, you can schedule cleanings and customize the suction strength based on your preferences. Unfortunately, though, the app doesn't let you set up no-go zones.

At 12.75 inches in diameter and 3.25 inches high, it has a smaller and lower frame that can squeeze into small areas. The biggest limitation we found was it tended to get stuck easily. In our tests, it consistently got stuck on the one-inch threshold leading into the kitchen. We had to put up a physical barrier to get it to stop trying.

What else we tested

We've tested 25 robot vacuums and counting, here are the ones that didn't make our top picks.

What else we recommend and why

Eufy RoboVac 15C Max ($259.99): Formerly our pick for the best affordable robot vacuum, the 15C Max offers an impressive suite of high-end features for its reasonable price, including smart connectivity and powerful suction on carpeting and hardwood. We dropped it from our guide because the Moosoo MT-720 performed similarly, including doing a better job in corners, and it's currently $11 cheaper. However, the 15C Max doesn't get stuck as easily. If that's important to you, you may want to choose this model instead when on a budget.

Ecovacs U2 Pro ($299.99): Of the eight vacuums I've tested since the last update, this was the best. It did excellent cleaning hardwood and carpeting and rarely got stuck. The U2 Pro also comes with a mop attachment, which didn't do a good job of cleaning up dried Tang on linoleum. Despite good performance, it couldn't compete with our current top picks, and was too expensive for consideration as our best budget pick. Other negatives include loud operation, poor corner cleaning, and boundary strips for setting no-go zones are sold separately.

ILife A10 ($279.99 with coupon/$349.99 without): If setting no-go zones is important to you, then the A10 might be a good option. After it maps your house, you can set up virtual barriers in the app. This model also does an outstanding job of cleaning hardwood and carpet. But, there are plenty of cons: The A10 barely picked up any flour in carpeted corners, it runs loudly, and it gets stuck easily.

Proscenic M7 Pro ($479): I enjoy the automation afforded by self-empty charging docks, and the M7 Pro has one that works well. You can also set no-go zones in the app. Plus, the vac didn't get stuck easily and performed well on carpeting and hard flooring. Yet, it had trouble cleaning corners and was loud. Plus, with a height of four inches, it doesn't fit under low-clearance furniture.

Moosoo R3 ($249.99 with coupon/$299.99 without): If you mainly have hardwood flooring, the Moosoo R3 may be a smart choice for you, especially if you can get it on sale. It performed excellent on hardwood in our tests, ran quietly, and you can set no-go zones in the app. The vac did well on carpeting too, but it had trouble cleaning corners. And, it got stuck easily.

Proscenic 850T ($209 with coupon/$239 without): When it comes to cleaning hard flooring, the 850T is outstanding. It picked up almost all of the debris on hardwood in our testing, got deep into the corners, and got all of the grounds, hair, and litter on the carpet. However, it left 20% of the flour behind, got stuck easily, and runs loudly. Plus, in my long-term testing, the vac regularly disconnected from the app and required my attention to run on schedule.

Roborock S4 ($339.99): There's a lot to like about the Roborock S4. However, the main reasons it didn't make our top picks are because it's loud, doesn't come with many extras, and at 3.75 inches high, it doesn't fit under low-clearance furniture. It's pretty similar to our top pick, the S6, but lacks many of the features, such as a mop attachment. However, the S4 was excellent on carpeting, hardwood, and in corners, and it rarely got stuck. This is a more affordable alternative to the S6 if you're not interested in a mop attachment. 

Roborock S6 MaxV ($699.99): For the most part, Roborock is doing a terrific job in the robot vac space. We recommend the S6 MaxV because of its excellent performance in our carpeting, hardwood, and corner tests. It also has video surveillance and a two-way microphone if you're looking for additional home security, no-go zones, and a useful app. But it has the same large dimensions as the S4 and it kept getting stuck on the one-inch lip leading into the kitchen of our testing course. It isn't as loud as the S4, but louder than others we've tested. 

iRobot Roomba i7+ ($799.99): The Roomba i7+ was the first robot vacuum to feature an automatic dirt disposal charging dock. Since then, iRobot has introduced two other models that improve upon the i7+. Though this Roomba has great high-end features, its performance doesn't justify its price. It only did a satisfactory job on carpeting and hardwood, and it got stuck fairly often. If you find the i7+ on sale, we recommend picking it up. Otherwise, consider the s9+ or i3+ instead. Read our full review.

Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge ($239.99): Eufy usually makes more affordable robot vacuums, so at this price, the G30 Edge is considered the company's top-end model. The variety of extras — no-go zone strips, a user-friendly app, and Alexa and Google Home compatibility — make it worth the price, but you'll have to compromise some power. It performed poorly on carpeting and in corners during our testing, and it was in the middle of the pack on hardwood. Despite the underwhelming performance, it remains a good value for the price.

Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S ($149.99): This model didn't perform as well as the RoboVac 15C Max, doesn't have the same Wi-Fi connectivity, and can't be paired with an app. It's a good basic vacuum that does well on carpeting — which is surprising since it didn't perform well on hardwood floors or in corners. You can often find it on sale for under $200, which we recommend grabbing if you're in the market for a more affordable robot vac. Read our full review.

What we don't recommend and why

Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S ($149.99): At one time, the RoboVac 11S was our budget pick, but after putting it through our testing alongside other affordable options, we no longer recommend it. The 11S doesn't have Wi-Fi connectivity, which has become standard in the industry at every price point. The vac performed well on carpeting but left a lot of debris behind on hardwood and in corners. You'd be much better off with the Moosoo MT-720. Read our full review.

Proscenic M6 Pro ($299 with coupon/$369 without): After testing two other Proscenic models that I recommend, I was surprised by how poorly the M6 Pro cleans. It left significant debris behind on carpeting, hard flooring, and in corners. The vac also got stuck easily and ran loudly. Plus, the app is slow to respond to finger taps and commands. 

Yeedi K650 ($129.99 with coupon/$149.99 without): The attractive price doesn't make up for the fact that the Yeedi K650 does a poor job cleaning any surface. It also gets stuck often, is noisy, and doesn't have many of the features we like, such as the ability to set no-go zones.

iRobot Roomba e5 ($299.99): This appears to be iRobot's attempt to make a budget Roomba, but it's the worst-performing Roomba I've come across in my years of testing. It didn't come with any extras – not even an additional filter. You can schedule it easily in the app and it's compatible with Alexa and Google Home, but you have to buy virtual wall barriers separately. Also, it gets stuck easily and doesn't clean well on hardwood.  

Neato Botvac D7 Connected ($479.99): We're dropping the Neato Botvac D7 Connected from our guide this time around because it's relatively big, got stuck about half the time during our original testing, and it only comes with two extra filters and a magnetic barrier, which isn't necessary since you can set no-go zones in the app. We think there are more affordable alternatives that perform better and are more feature-rich in our guide. Read our full review.

Eufy RoboVac 11S Max ($249.99): The 11S Max is an update to the 11S, but we feel the original 11S is better. Ultimately though, if you're spending this much, the 15C Max performed much better in our testing. The 11S Max did poorly on carpeting, hardwood, and in corners. It also relies on a remote controller rather than app connectivity, which means you need to turn to and keep track of another device.

Roborock E35 ($349.99): At one point, we recommended the E35 as a good robot vac at this price, but since then, we have tested several others in this price range that outperform and have better features. The E35 doesn't do well with hardwood or corners and is big and loud. Read our full review.

Roborock S5 Max ($549.99): The S5 Max is loud, big, and it did poorly in corners and on carpeting in our tests. 

Our methodology

I've been reviewing vacuums for the past few years, writing numerous buying guides and reviews, so I leaned on my background when developing our testing methodology. I also consulted three experts and took their advice and expertise into consideration — Dr. Luis Javier Peña-Hernández, a lung and sleep health specialist at the Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Disorders Institute of South Florida; Andrea Ferro, Ph.D., a professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University and the current president of the American Association for Aerosol Research; and Jill Notini, the Vice President of Communication and Marketing for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

In addition to using each robot vacuum daily for at least several weeks, I tested each one for its suction on various types of flooring including corners, ability to maneuver around obstacles, noise, and special features. Our testing methodology has gotten more comprehensive over the years, so for any models that I'd previously tested but didn't have the vacuums on hand anymore, I extrapolated the data as best as possible based on previous testing and manufacturer info. Those vacuums are the iRobot Roomba i7+, Neato Botvac D7 Connected, Eufy 11S Max and 15C Max, and Roborock S4, S6, and E35. 

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

Size: I note the specs of the overall unit, main brush, and side brushes. This gives me an idea of how well a vacuum can clean floors and carpet — the larger the brushes, the more they can usually sweep up. The main brushes are often somewhere between 5 to 10 inches long and side brushes are usually 2 to 3 inches long. Of the vacs I've tested, only Roomba models have two main brushes; others just have one. I've noticed that longer brushes tend to facilitate faster cleaning. If this appeals to you, consider a unit with a longer brush, such as the Roomba s9+.

Carpet cleaning: I poured a tablespoon each of flour, coffee grounds, and kitty litter on 18-inch-square sections of carpeting. To make sure I had enough pet hair, I also collected pet hairs from my rat terrier and two cats to place on carpeting. I ran the vacuum on its most powerful mode for two cleaning cycles and compared before-and-after photos to estimate the percentage of each material picked up or left behind.

Hardwood floor cleaning: This is the same test as the carpet cleaning test, but on hardwood flooring.

Corner cleaning: To test corner cleaning abilities, I poured a teaspoon of flour in an approximately four-inch-radius in a corner on hardwood and carpeting. I took pictures of the messes before and after running the robot vac for two cleaning cycles to compare how much flour was left over. I also measured how close to the corner the vac was able to reach.

Obstacle avoidance: You don't want your robot vac to get stuck while it's cleaning or when it's returning to its charging dock, both of which force you to hunt it down while it's sending you notifications or making annoying error sounds. I tested the vacuum in an approximately 500-square-foot room with several obstacles, including stairs, a one-inch threshold to a kitchen, and a table with chairs.

Loudness: I used a sound meter to measure the decibel output of each of the robot vacuums from 12 inches away as they ran on the highest and lowest settings. For vacuums I no longer had in my possession for testing, I relied on manufactures' info and my previous notes. 

Brushes: I noted the lengths of the main and side brushes as they'll likely indicate performance in our cleaning tests.

Robot vacuums work using a combination of suction and brushes. There are two types of brushes on a robot vacuums: the side brush and the main brush. Units have either one or two side brushes that are about three inches in diameter and protrude from the forward portion of the vac. They move in a circular motion, get into corners, and feed debris to the main brush. There appears to be little difference in the performance of vacuums with two side brushes versus those with one.

The main brush is between five and ten inches long, located under the unit, and is made of a rubber-like material. The vacuum sucks debris into the main brush which spins to feed the materials into the dustbin. Of the vacs I've tested, only Roomba models have two main brushes. Other models just have one. I've noticed that longer brushes tend to facilitate faster cleaning. If this appeals to you, consider a unit with a longer brush, such as the Roomba s9+.

Extras: I note if the vacuums included extras such as filters and side brush replacements, mop attachments, a cleaning tool, and more.   

Special features: All of the vacuums featured some method for scheduling and returning to their charging dock on their own, so those weren't useful differentiators. Auto-dirt disposal, voice control, and home surveillance aren't universal, so you may want to consider if those are important. (There's more information on those and other features here.)

What we're testing next

We're constantly testing new vacuums to update our guide. Below are a few models we are currently testing or will be testing soon:

LG CordZero ThinQ ($1,199.99): Whereas most robot vacuums are good for daily light cleanings, LG bills this CordZero ThinQ as "powerful enough to be your primary vacuum." The vac has an inverter motor that adjusts to the debris levels and a large main brush that picks up more on the first pass. It also has cameras for obstacle detection and avoidance and home surveillance. The biggest negatives appear to be the expensive price and the 5.6-inch height, which may keep it from fitting under furniture.

Samsung JetBot 90 AI+ (price not yet available): Samsung just announced the release of an AI-based robot vac at the 2021 CES trade show and we're looking forward to testing its smart-learning capabilities to avoid obstacles. It also has cameras and can be connected to the brand's SmartThings hub for another layer of home security. 

Samsung Electronics R7040 ($312.94): The R7040 was in a previous version of our guide based on positive reviews by other sites, but we weren't able to get a unit in time to test in this round. We're looking forward to seeing how its unique flat front-edge design works in corners.

Trifo Lucy ($699.99): In addition to powerful suction and an outstanding app, Lucy has HDR video, a two-way microphone, and the ability to detect noise and people in your home as part of a home security set up. I'm interested to test its vacuuming abilities alongside the home security features.

Why we don't measure Pascal Pressure Unit

A robot vacuum's suction power is measured in Pascal (Pa). Generally speaking, the higher the Pa, the better, but that's a misleading metric of comparison. 

When I talked to engineers at iRobot about a year ago, they told me that there are several ways to measure suction power, but there are no industry standards. They viewed the reported Pa measurements as essentially useless, hence why it's nearly impossible to find suction power for iRobot vacs. It's also difficult to find the Pa for Ecovacs, though Eufy and Roborock report the measurements for their models.

Due to the inconsistent reporting from manufacturer s, we don't include Pa as a part of our testing methodology and criteria.

How to shop for a robot vacuum

While using a robot vacuum is easy enough, shopping for one can be overwhelming. Here are the main aspects to look for when considering which one to buy. 

Size: If you have furniture that's hard to move or low-clearance pieces like sofas or bed frames, you'll want to pay attention to the height of a robot vacuum; the other dimensions are usually within the range of reason for a normal household. For example, I have several radiators in my house with a 3.5-inch clearance that slim vacuums can get under, while just-slim-enough models sometimes get stuck, and too-thick models bump up against and go elsewhere. If you want your robot vacuum to get under your low-clearance furniture, make sure you choose a model that is slim enough to do so. 

Features: It's important to think about what features you actually need. For instance, if you work from home and are rarely away, HD cameras aren't useful since you can keep tabs on your home with your own eyes. If your floors are covered with carpet, you don't need your robot vac to mop. I also almost never use voice control out of personal habit, but if you use Alexa or Google Assistant for everything, then compatibility with those services is a must.

Extras: You can easily purchase extra filters or brushes for robot vacs, but we think having them included with the unit is better. All of our top picks include useful extras like brushes or dirt disposal bags.

Price: Robot vacuums go on sale often, and the discounts are steepest during Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. We expect most of the models we recommend in this guide to go on sale so it pays to wait until those sale days.

How to use a robot vacuum

Robot vacuums make keeping your house clean easier, but there's still some regular maintenance needed to improve the performance and longevity as well as help your indoor air quality. 

Run your robot vac when no one is around: Andrea Ferro, Ph.D., a professor at Clarkson University and president of AAAR, and Dr. Luis Javier Peña-Hernández, a lung and sleep health specialist at PCSI, both recommend running your robot vacuum in unoccupied areas. The robot vacs can kick dust, pollutants, and microbes back into the air as it vacuums floors, which can lead to subpar indoor air quality. "Every vacuum, including a robot vacuum, has the potential to release some dust, particles, and allergens back into the air, but the benefits still outweigh the risks," said Peña-Hernández. 

And run it regularly: Ferro and Peña-Hernández agree that you should run your robot vac at least once per week and more if you have pets and heavy-traffic areas. Ferro even suggests that daily cleaning isn't a bad idea. I generally set my vacuums to run in the early morning before I wake up or when the level of my house where the vacuum is running will be unoccupied, especially since I live in a large house with three pets and no HVAC system.

Clean the dustbin and filter: If you're regularly vacuuming your space, you'll need to make sure to empty the dustbin and clean the filter. According to Peña-Hernández, you should clean the vacuum's filter at least once a week, or twice a week if you have a pet.  

You'll also need to replace the filter and brushes every few months. Manufacturers usually give guidelines in the vac's user manual on how often you should replace these components, but a good sign that it's time to replace your filters or brushes is if they appear to be damaged or if your vac just isn't doing as good of a job of cleaning as it once did. 

Fortunately, many models come with extra filters and brushes, but eventually, you'll have to purchase replacements. Manufacturers usually link to their parts store in your robot vac's app, but you can also usually find parts on Amazon so it's worth shopping around. Just make sure that you are buying the right parts for your model.

Use it in addition to a traditional vacuum:  Despite how far robot vacuums have come in the last decade, they won't replace your stick and upright vacuums anytime soon.

FAQs

Do you still need another vacuum if you have a robot vac?

While the dream is to set your robot vacuum on a schedule and have it do all the floor cleaning for you, it's just not the reality at the moment. Robot vacuums don't clean as much dirt and debris as upright vacuums. "I think you'd still need a stick or upright vacuum for spots that the robot vac can't reach," Ferro said.

Robot vacs function best as maintenance cleaners. Having them run a couple times a week will make your floors less gunky, especially if you have pets. But these vacuums also need babysitting. You need to clear their path of anything that might get tangled in their wheels, and some have trouble getting into or out of tight spaces. Their bins are fairly small, so you'll need to empty them more regularly than an upright or stick version. 

Even squarish robot vacuums — as opposed to round ones — aren't perfect at getting into corners. Some are too tall to fit under certain types of furniture. They obviously avoid stairs, too. Upright vacuums typically come with attachments that are useful for cleaning things like drapes or furniture, which robot vacs can't handle. 

"Research indicates that robot vacuums are not meant to replace upright vacuums," Peña-Hernández said. "That likely has to do with their smaller motor size. They're good for touch-ups and in-between uses."

When it comes to robot vacuums, expect maintenance not miracles.

How have robot vacuum cleaners improved?

Since iRobot's first Roomba came on the market in the early 2000s, robot vacuum technology has improved a lot. You can now find square-ish models in addition to round ones, and the mapping technology is much better. 

Cameras and optical sensors can help with obstacle recognition, and LiDAR-based navigation uses lasers to detect objects. These capabilities aren't perfect, but vacuums are now more adept at finding their way back to charging docks than they were even a few years ago. Another new feature is self-emptying bins, which suck the debris out of the robot and into a canister in the charging dock. 

Many robot vacuums are now smart, letting you start a cleaning session from an app or by asking a smart speaker. Some, like Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum, let you block off entire rooms in an app, so you don't have to worry about them getting stuck on your kid's clothing piles. With cameras and connectivity come some privacy concerns. 

Some interesting features aren't universal, such as auto-dirt disposal and home surveillance. To get more guidance on these features, I spoke with Jill Notini, Vice President of Communications and Marketing for AHAM.

A few of the new features she's excited about — and that are found in many if not all of the models in our guide — include:

• Advanced navigation: "Many of today's models have the ability to map a home and remember how to get around objects and stay out of tough spots. You can also program the robots to vacuum specific areas of the home." You can also set no-go zones that the vacuum should avoid on your phone via the app.
• Mopping ability: "Robots are evolving into floor care multitaskers," said Notini. "In addition to vacuuming, some models now have the ability to mop, both wet and dry."
• Voice control: "Robotic vacuums can now respond to voice commands, either directly or through an outside system like Amazon Alexa."
• Remote operation: "You can start, stop, or control your robotic vacuum with your mobile device."
• Cameras: "Cameras have been incorporated into some models to help the robot map the room and allow you to get a robot's eye view of cleaning and keep an eye on your house while you're away."
• Fall prevention: "Even with all of the new features and technological advances, robotic vacuums still have not gained the ability to climb stairs. Many models now utilize sensors to prevent themselves from taking a tumble down the stairs or off a higher level." All of the robots in our testing were able to sense cliffs and avoid falling down stairs.
• Automatic dirt disposal: One of the most useful features that's becoming more ubiquitous is the charging dock that automatically empties the vacuum's dustbin. Even the largest bins need to be emptied with regular use so it's a maintenance task you'll need to perform once a week — at best. But with the self-emptying dock, the chore is no longer necessary. You just throw away and replace the disposable dirt bag every month or two.

Can a robot vacuum prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus is most easily spread through face-to-face interactions and in close quarters, and if someone in your household has been sick — even if it's not with COVID-19 — it's recommended to clean and disinfect the area.  

"Currently the CDC recommends that we take precautionary measures for vacuuming during the COVID-19 outbreak although there are no reported cases of COVID-19 associated with vacuuming," Peña-Hernández said. "It recommends using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, opening outside doors and windows to increase air circulation, and not vacuuming areas with people in it." 

How do you clean a robot vac?

Though robot vacuums automate cleaning your floors, they are not completely hands-off. There are several care and maintenance steps you should take to ensure your vac operates properly for many years to come. Manufacturers provide clear instructions for how to clean and maintain your robot vacuum in the user manual or app. 

Here are some general maintenance tasks:

• Empty the dustbin: Depending on how dirty your home is, you will want to empty your robot vacuum's dustbin after every use. If you run your vac on a daily basis and don't have pets, you can get away with doing this chore once a week.
• Clean the filter and dustbin: This is a weekly task. Cleaning the filter is important because the vacuum doesn't clean as well when the filter is dirty. Most models' filter and dustbin can be cleaned with water. I usually clean and thoroughly dry the dustbin while letting the filter air dry. While the filter is air drying, I insert the extra filter that most units come with. Whatever you do, make sure the filter and dustbin dry completely before you use them again.
• Clean front wheel, brushes, sensors, and charging contacts: You should do this every two to four weeks. Most robot vacuums come with a cleaning tool with a brush on one end and a cutting blade on the other. Use these to cut out hairs that are wrapped around the brushes and wheel and to brush away debris. Use a soft dry cloth to dust the sensors and charging contacts per the manufacturer's instructions.

Additionally, after about two months of use, it's time to replace the filter. The front caster wheel and brushes — both the main brush and side brushes — should be replaced every year or so.

Can you fix a robot vac?

This depends entirely on the problem. In my years of testing robot vacuums, I've probably ran into every problem a robot vacuum can experience: falling down stairs (surprisingly uncommon), running through pet accidents, attempts at taking up crocheting, etc. I've learned that these machines are resilient. 

That said, any attempt to fix a problem with your robot vacuum should start with consulting customer service. After I determined there was no chance I could clean the pet waste off my robot vacuum, I reached out to the manufacturer. And, even though the warranty specifically states these accidents aren't covered, they still provided me with a replacement unit for free. 

The most common problem I face is the vacuum finding my wife's yarn and wrapping it around its wheels and brushes. When this happens, you can usually work the thread free if you're patient. I usually just cut it free. 

Check out our guides to more great vacuum cleaners

The best vacuum

The best affordable vacuum cleaners

The best cordless vacuums

• Spring is coming soon, so it's a good time to look into purchasing a patio heater for the shoulder season.
• 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.

Springtime is right around the corner, and while a patio heater won't magically melt away all the snow in your yard, it can help extend the outdoor season. If you're starting to think about outdoor entertaining for the spring and summer, the right outdoor patio heater can keep you and your guests cozy, even if there's a significant chill in the air. 

Now is a great time to buy a patio heater as stock is up a bit after big shortages in the fall and there will likely be shortages again when folks start setting up their spaces for spring. If you're in the market for a patio heater you'll need to consider heat output, ease of use, and, most importantly, safety. 

Despite shortages, 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 five months now, and it's made it comfortable enough to sit outside even during the chilly Canadian fall and early winter. 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 ($199): 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. 

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.

Are electric patio heaters safer than propane patio heaters?

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. 

• The CDC says proper vitamin levels are essential for development, disease prevention, and wellbeing.
• A multivitamin can help fill in the gaps to deliver all your essential daily nutrients.
• Our top pick, the Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women, contains the DV of vitamin A and folate, two nutrients of concern for women.
• This guide was medically reviewed by Véronique Taché, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UC Davis Health. 

Taking a multivitamin has always been common practice in my household — I grew up taking (and still do) every morning, but I never really stopped to think about why. After researching how some offer 100% of the US Daily Value (DV) for essential nutrients like iodine, vitamin D, and calcium, I realized multivitamins aren't just a mundane part of my morning routine; they actually offer a sort of safety net to certain individuals, ensuring they meet recommended nutrient intakes.

Multivitamins are a bit of a hot topic. That's because, while there are certain categories of people who can benefit from taking one every day, there is also a massive group of people who don't necessarily need one. A 2020 study in BMJ Open found that people who take a multivitamin don't have lower rates of illness or disease compared to those who don't. However, people who take one daily said they feel healthier on a regular basis and, even if it's a placebo effect, that counts for something toward wellbeing and adhering to healthier habits. 

Also, that study didn't measure actual nutrient levels, so we can't say the multivitamin had no real benefit. What's more, the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans in 2020-25 say about three out of four people don't eat enough dairy, fruits, or vegetables. 

Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, RD, Nutrition and Food Safety Professor at North Dakota State University, told Insider multivitamins can be the "nutrition insurance" if you're not following an adequate diet. She advises aiming for a healthful diet first, as food contains a "complex array of nutrients and phytochemicals ('plant chemicals') that help fight disease."

That said, there are certain groups of Americans who do need to have their vitamin and mineral levels supplemented.

What is the best multivitamin for women?

Once you know you need a multivitamin, you have to breach the next big hurdle: picking the right one. It seems like this should be an easy task, but multivitamins (like all supplements) are not regulated by the FDA, which means there's no governing body confirming (1) what's included on the label is in the supplement or (2) if it's actually safe. What's more, with how important it is to understand your body's needs and how highly personal multivitamins are, it's difficult to recommend just one that works for everyone. 

We talked to a nutritional psychiatrist, a pharmacist, and a registered dietitian to help narrow down what's available and hone in on the top multivitamins for women at different stages of their lives. At the end of this guide, we go into more detail about who needs a multivitamin and how to choose the right one. 

Here are the best women's multivitamins of 2021:

• Best women's multivitamin overall: Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women
• Best multivitamin for active women: Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women
• Best women's multivitamin on a budget: Nature Made Multi for Her
• Best vegan women's multivitamin: Ritual Essentials for Women
• Best multivitamin for women over 40: Garden of Life myKind Organic Women's 40+ Multi

Best women's multivitamin overall

TheGarden of Life Vitamin Code for Women is an all-in-one choice packed with the essential daily nutrients, probiotics, and enzymes to aid with digestion.

Pros: Vegetarian, gluten-free, contains probiotics, optimal for women during reproductive years, no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners

Cons: Pills are large, must take four daily

The thing that makes Garden of Life's women's multivitamin rise above other brands is that it's void of synthetic materials and contains the ingredients they claim — which you may think is a given, but a recent analysis by Consumer Labs found that 44% of multivitamins it tested didn't actually contain the amounts of nutrients the label claimed. 

Not only is the formula certified organic by the USDA, but Garden of Life's Vitamin Code for Women covers all the basics: The capsule is gluten-free and the formula includes folate, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A, C, D3, E, and B-Complex, and the raw formula also reinforces breast health.

A vegetarian vitamin, Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women is made without binders or fillers and contains probiotics and enzymes to help with digestion. Vitamin Code for Women met all purity standards set forth by Labdoor and was given a B score. 

The two drawbacks of this multivitamin are that each pill is quite large, about the size of a mini binder clip, and you have to take four daily. So those who have trouble swallowing big pills should probably opt for another supplement.

Best for active women

Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women offers a tailored distribution of nutrients designed for a more active lifestyle.

Pros: Provides immune support, includes 23 essential nutrients and 17 specialty minerals

Cons: Not for people under 18 years of age

Regular physical activity can affect your vitamin and mineral levels — which in turn can affect your athletic performance.

Physically-active women, especially those who do aerobic exercises like running and biking, are more likely to be iron deficient, according to researchers at Cornell University. What's more, a 2017 study from the National Institutes of Health found that some women (in general, not just athletes) are deficient in folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, three vital pathways used during exercise. If your B vitamins and folate levels, in particular, aren't up to par, it can impair your athletic performance and increase fatigue, risk of injury, and ability to concentrate, the study adds. Your doctor can test your levels, and if he or she confirms yours are low, you would be well-served to opt for a multivitamin designed for an active lifestyle.

The Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women multivitamin is formulated to help women with an avid fitness routine score enough nutrients to keep their active bodies healthy and strong. It's curated with 100% DV of B vitamins, folate, and iron. In addition, the multivitamin provides 17 other specialized minerals, one being calcium phosphate which aids in vitamin D absorption to keep muscles healthy. 

Though Consumer Labs has not reviewed this specific multivitamin, when they surveyed more than 9,700 respondents on "overall customer satisfaction" in February 2020, Optimum Nutrition was named a top-rated vitamin and supplement brand. The Opti-Women formula did receive a C grade from Labdoor, namely because the amount of vitamins in the tested formula differed from the label. However, the biggest discrepancies (vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and zinc slightly lower than the label; vitamin D and B-complex slightly higher) aren't at harmful levels, Véronique Taché, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UC Davis Health, confirmed during medical review. Plus, the formula met all purity standards.

Best on a budget

Nature Made Multi for Her gives a boost of calcium, folic acid, iron, and vitamin D for less than $30.

Pros: Great value, 23 nutrients, contains the daily recommended amount of iron and calcium, great folic acid count for prenatal or pregnant women, more vitamins per bottle; only need to take one tablet daily

Cons: Some may find pills to be large and may be hard to swallow for some

Vitamins can be expensive. If you're looking to cut the cost without eliminating the essential nutrients, Nature Made Multi for Her comes at a great value: 300 capsules for less than $30.

The multivitamin contains all the major nutrients vital to women's health (23 total), including the daily recommended amounts of iron, calcium, and D3. It also contains more than 100% of the Daily Value (DV) of folic acid, a key nutrient for those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. C. Michael White, PharmD, department head of University of Connecticut's pharmacy practice and dietary supplement researcher, told Insider adequate levels of folate help to reduce the risk of having neural tube defects as babies are growing. 

While this multivitamin is catered toward females, it still contains sufficient vitamin levels essential for both men and women. Uma Naidoo, MD, director of Nutritional & Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital told Insider the 13 essential vitamins, including A, B, C, and D, play an important role in the body and are essential for healthy vision, skin, and bones for both men and women.

This multivitamin met all Labdoor's purity standards, but inconsistencies in the formula earned it a C grade overall. The biggest formula-to-label discrepancies include slightly less vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as slightly more vitamin B-6, folic acid, and vitamin D3, but still within safe ingesting levels, Dr. Taché confirmed. Though this is its worst offense, nutritional value and safety outweigh this satisfactory rank, making it a top pick still.

Best vegan

Ritual Essential for Women is vegan, gluten, and major-allergen-free, focusing on brain health, bone health, blood-building, and antioxidant support.

Pros: Vegan, subscription model with free shipping for easy refills, free of gluten and major allergens, no artificial colorants or synthetic fillers, good for brain and bone health, infused with mint for freshness 

Cons: Not found in stores

Because people who follow a vegan diet don't eat animal products, they are usually deficient in key nutrients abundantly found in meat, dairy, and seafood. A 2016 study in the Journal of Osteopathic Association found vegans are often deficient in vitamin B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. 

Ritual Essential for Women is completely vegan and outlines a visible supply chain of ingredients so you know what you're intaking. Ritual's brand mission is to "bring foundational health into focus," and its supplements are designed to boost brain and bone health, promote red blood cell formation, and provide antioxidant support with vitamin E. 

Ritual's vitamins are vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free. Ritual also operates on a unique direct-to-door subscription model, automatically sending a fresh bottle to you each month so you'll never run out.

Vegan multivitamins tend to include plant-based ingredients, like calcium. While some calcium supplements are oyster-shell based, Ritual uses vegan-certified ingredients, like vitamin D, to rid worries of consuming a multivitamin using shellfish in the manufacturing process.

If you aren't vegan but like the convenience of a multivitamin that will be automatically refilled and delivered, you can certainly take Ritual's vegan multivitamin, but you should opt for their water-soluble option if you don't have a specific deficiency. Dr. Naidoo told Insider that if you take a fat-soluble vitamin and are already getting sufficient amounts of those nutrients from your diet, your body will store the excess in your liver and fatty tissue which can accumulate to toxic levels. With a water-soluble vitamin, though, the excess is just excreted through urine. Ritual features both options to help fill gaps in your diet and support nutrient levels.

Though Ritual was not yet tested by Consumer Labs, it's USP-verified, confirming that it contains what it lists on the label, contains safe nutrient levels, is void of harmful substances like heavy metals and pesticides, and can be broken down and released into the body as intended.

Best for women over 40

Garden of Life myKind Organic Women's 40+ Multi is specially formulated to address the changing nutritional needs of women as they age, with 16 nutrients at levels greater than 100% DV.

Pros:  Certified USDA organic, vegan, gluten-free, contains 16 nutrients over the 100% Daily Value (DV)

Cons: Pills are large

Though not a hard-and-fast number, when females hit 40, their body and hormones typically begin to change as they are maturing past childbearing years into perimenopause and menopause. Because of this, Dr. Naidoo says you may need less folate and iron, and more: 

• Calcium: This helps to prevent and slow bone loss

• Vitamin D: This is essential for bone and skin health

• Vitamin B12: This is key for brain health

• More water: This is important as kidneys tend to become less efficient in detoxifying the body

The Garden of Life myKind Organic Women's 40+ Multi is our top pick due to its precise amount of nutrients of concern for middle-aged women. And, it's the only brand on the market that is dual-certified as both USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, meeting purity standards and void of genetic engineering in the manufacturing process. Though pricier than other options, the vitamin is optimal for middle-aged women and provides an extra boost to a balanced diet.

Garden of Life's formulation is made exclusively from whole foods, which may lower rates of heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Though this multivitamin has not yet been tested by Consumer Labs or Labdoor, myKind is one of Consumer Labs' approved brands based on product quality, appropriateness of dosage, formulation, and value. 

Who should consider a multivitamin

Generally, people who are pregnant, underweight, elderly, who don't get enough sun exposure, or who have a chronic medical condition [like heart disease, certain cancers, and individuals who had bypass surgery] should consider taking a multivitamin, Uma Naidoo, MD, director of Nutritional & Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital told Insider. Those who follow a stricter diet, too, like vegans and vegetarians, should take special caution; low intake of B vitamins, as well as iron and possibly zinc, will likely lead to a deficiency.

If you know or you're wondering whether you fall into the category of nutritional deficiency, it's important to get your levels checked by your doctor. Though others may not need one, Dr. Naidoo advised reviewing your daily nutrition with your doctor to see if you need a multivitamin as well.

A daily multivitamin may holistically bring benefits, but Garden-Robinson notes there can be risks with oversupplementation. She and Dr. Naidoo said excess calcium may increase the risk for urinary stone formation in some people, while oversupplementation of vitamin A may promote birth defects and liver damage. An abundance of vitamin C can cause cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. That said, be sure to check out the DV for guidance on how much of each nutrient you daily need.

What to look for & other FAQs

If you're wondering what to look for in a multivitamin and how to shop for one, check out our very detailed multivitamin FAQ page.

Check out our other vitamin guides

• The best prenatal vitamins, backed by OB-GYNs, obstetricians, and dietitians
• The best men's multivitamins
• We asked 3 medical experts who needs a multivitamin and how to choose the right one — here's what they said

• We know that wearing sunscreen is crucial, but we often forget to apply it to our lips. 
• A good lip balm with SPF will block harmful UV rays while moisturizing your lips.
• We consulted two dermatologists and gathered our nine lip sunscreen mainstays.

You've probably heard numerous times from your doctor, dermatologist, or favorite beauty YouTuber that wearing sunscreen every single day is a must. And they're definitely right. But one part of your body that can sometimes get overlooked when it comes to SPF is your lips, which need protection just as much as the rest of your body. 

A great way to deliver SPF to your lips on a daily basis is with SPF. But not all of these tubes are created equal. So we turned to Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale, board-certified dermatologist and senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation, and Dr. Marie Hayag, board-certified dermatologist and founder of 5th Avenue Aesthetics who advised us on working lip balms with SPF into our daily routines. You can read on to learn more from our experts and hear about our team's nine tried-and-true lip balms with SPF. 

Here are the best lip balms with SPF you can buy:

SEE ALSO: The best sunscreen you can buy

Vanicream Lip Protectant Sunscreen SPF 30

Lip Protectant/Sunscreen SPF 30 (small)

I've tried a few lip balms with SPF, but this one from Vanicream is my preferred pick. On top of a simple formula, the consistency is nice and creamy. It also lacks any sort of strong sunscreen smell or taste, which is a dealbreaker for me. However, without a mirror at hand, it's hard to know if you've rubbed in all of the white cream and sometimes it takes a bit of lip-smacking to reduce the tint. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, style & beauty reviews fellow 

This lip balm contains both titanium oxide and zinc oxide for effective protection against damaging UV radiation. Additionally, it is water-resistant, free of fragrances, flavoring, and dyes, making it a great option for people with sensitive skin. — Dr. Marie Hayag, board-certified dermatologist and founder of 5th Avenue Aesthetics 

Aquaphor Lip Protectant and Sunscreen Ointment

Lip Protectant and Sunscreen Ointment (small)

I bought this lip sunscreen ointment because I'm never without Aquaphor's ultra-nourishing Lip Repair. The two products have similar ingredient lists and consistencies. And though I'm not a huge fan of the sunscreen smell and taste, they're minimal and do not override the efficacy of this balm. The formula specifically caters to those with sensitive skin, and I find this to be true, as well. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, style & beauty reviews fellow

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm

Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm (small)

As someone who is sensitive to the sun and prone for my fair skin to burn, I'm especially cautious with the products I'm using. That being said, I use SPF just about everywhere, even in the colder winter months. I absolutely swear by Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm. It has SPF 15 and also prevents my lips from being chapped. It applies buttery smooth, as its name suggests, and smells divine. — Victoria Giardina, Buying Guides Fellow

Kiehl's Since 1851 Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30

Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30 (small)

I have a tube of this in the clear/untinted shade in every hiking backpack I own. It's moisturizing without feeling sticky and goopy, and the balm doesn't melt — even during multi-hour-long hikes in the sun. The SPF 30 is strong enough to keep my lips from burning, and the clear shade I use most often comes in handy when I need to reapply sunscreen on the bridge of my nose or the tops of my ears. The metal tube feels more substantial and luxurious than other balms, and the cap screws onto the tube so there's no chance you'll lose it at the bottom of your bag. It does, however, contain octocrylene so it's not reef-safe and I don't use this when I'm around the beach. — Jada Wong, senior editor

Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30 with Acai

PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30 with Acai (small)

The tube and formula remind me of old-school Vaseline, but much more protective and way less goopy. The SPF 30 is great for protecting my lips and the formula includes shea butter for lots of moisture. It doesn't contain any oxybenzone, octinoxate, or octocrylene that would be harmful to coral reefs, so I always use this when I'm around the beach. — Jada Wong, senior editor

Coola Classic Liplux Organic Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30

Classic Liplux Organic Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30 (small)

If you're looking for a quality plant-based sunscreen lip balm, this one from Coola offers broad-spectrum protection, instant moisture, vitamins, and antioxidants. Plus, it's water-resistant for 80 minutes and should be reapplied every two hours. Dr. Hayag says, "This is a good balm that provides broad-spectrum protection against UV rays while also providing hydration to the lips through ingredients like jojoba and avocado oil." 

Colorescience Lip Shine SPF 35

Lip Shine SPF 35 (small)

For days where you want more color and luster, this lip gloss checks off those boxes — plus, it has broad-spectrum SPF 35 sun protection. You can reapply every two hours, but every 40 minutes if you're swimming or sweating a lot. According to Dr. Hayag, "This is a great gloss that contains zinc oxide and Vitamin E to aid in photoprotection. It also contains hyaluronic acid, helping the lips stay well moisturized. Additionally, it has peptides that give the lips a more plump appearance." The shade selection includes rose, pink, champagne, coral, and clear. 

CoTZ Lip Balm Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45

Lip Balm Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45 (small)

With a zesty kiwi-lime-ginger tang, this product is ever so slightly tinted to avoid that white cast other sunscreens oftentimes leave behind. It's also cruelty-free, reef-friendly, and free of chemical sunscreens, oil, lanolin, and gluten. Dr. Hayag says, "This contains zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide to cover UVA/UVB rays and blue light. It is moisturizing, yet water-resistant and has antioxidant protection."

MDSolarSciences Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30

Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30 (small)

This tinted lip balm has a gentle, cruelty-free, and reef-safe formula that does all of that, but of course fends off ultraviolet rays, too. The broad-spectrum SPF 30 sheer tinted balm comes in red, pink, and nude. According to Dr. Hayag, "It also has multiple ingredients in it to help keep your lips moisturized, like avocado oil and olive butter. The balm also contains shea butter, which is rich in antioxidants and soothes and softens the lips."

FAQs

What is SPF and what SPF should I wear on my lips?  

SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is the measure of how well a certain formula will protect you from the sun's rays. "For example, if you use an SPF 30 product properly, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen," Dr. Hale explains. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends SPF 15 for daily wear and SPF 30 for prolonged outdoor activity. 

What's the difference between UVA and UVB rays?

There's ultraviolet A (UVA), which is connected with skin aging, and ultraviolet B (UVB), which is linked to burning. Instead of worrying about whether your lip balm protects against UVA or UVB rays, Dr. Hale says to pick broad-spectrum sunscreen products, as they shield your skin from both rays. 

What can sun damage do to your lips? 

The skin on your lips is thinner and missing a layer that the rest of your body uses for UV protection, so it's more susceptible to burning. Too much sun exposure without any protective lip balm can lead to dryness and flakiness, and even skin cancer. Dr. Hale says, "About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun." 

Are there certain ingredients I should look out for?

According to Dr. Hale, there are two groups of UV-blocking ingredients: physical and chemical. The former are ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, while the latter includes components like avobenzone and octisalate. "Look for products with antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C," Dr. Hayag says. "They neutralize and boost protection from free radicals produced by UV radiation and visible light."

As for ingredients to avoid, Dr. Hayag explains that products with menthol — the thing that gives cough drops and pain relief creams its cooling effect — can irritate the lips. You should also stay away from phenol and fragrance for the same reason. 

When should I wear it and how often should I apply?

Our experts urge you to wear lip balm with SPF both outdoors and indoors, as the sun can penetrate through glass windows. And they suggest reapplying every two hours, but more frequently if you're eating, drinking, or swimming. 

What should I do if my lips get sunburnt? 

Dr. Hale recommends the following steps: move into a shady spot, stay hydrated, take Advil or Motrin to reduce inflammation, and apply a water-based, moisturizing lip product. For the very last step, she advises steering clear of petroleum and oil-based balms that could possibly aggravate the burn.

• With the ability to dispense multiple meals per day, large-capacity automatic feeders take the work out of feeding a cat.
• We tested seven automatic cat feeders including large-capacity kibble dispensers and small-capacity devices for wet food.
• The best automatic cat feeder is the large-capacity Feeder Robot, which has a user-friendly control panel and smart capabilities.
• This article was medically reviewed by Sorin McKnight, DVM, a veterinarian at Wellborn Road Veterinary Medical Center in College Station, Texas. The purpose of this medical review is to ensure accuracy and does not imply any product endorsements or recommendations.

Cats may not be as food-obsessed as dogs, but anyone who's ever lived with one knows that mealtime is serious business. If you're running late or forget to put out dinner, most cats won't hesitate to inform you — loudly.

Whether your pet wakes you up at the crack of dawn for breakfast, prefers to eat multiple small meals a day, or is in need of stricter monitoring of their food intake, automatic pet feeders can take the work out of feeding a cat. And if you need to be away overnight, they'll keep your loved one from going hungry.

There is quite a bit of variation in automatic cat feeders. Most large-capacity feeders are fitted with an internal hopper that turns to dispense dry or semi-moist kibble into a dish below. Others feature a tray that rotates or a lid that pops open to reveal kibble or wet food at designated times or for designated pets. We tested seven automatic feeders with two cats to determine which were easiest for both human and feline to navigate. Read more about our testing methodology at the end of this guide.

Here are the best automatic feeders for cats

• Best automatic cat feeder overall: Litter-Robot Feeder-Robot
• Best automatic cat feeder on a budget: Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Feeder
• Best automatic cat feeder for wet food: Sure Petcare Surefeed Connect Microchip Feeder

The best automatic cat feeder overall

The WiFi-enabled Litter-Robot Feeder-Robot is super easy to program and its app can be used to set and track multiple feedings daily.

Pros: WiFi-enabled, large capacity, programmable via control panel or app, money-back guarantee, warranty

Cons: Less than 24 hours of backup battery life, WiFi and power outages prevent data tracking via app

The large-capacity Feeder-Robot ranked highest in ease of use and functionality. It can be programmed to dispense scheduled feedings or keep the dish full at all times.

This device required little assembly and was easy to connect to WiFi. With the built-in control panel, you can program meals and portion sizes and send a snack. The same functions can be controlled via the app, which also let's you change the feeding schedule for different days of the week and track how much your pet eats on average per day.

My cats ate from the Feeder-Robot without any trouble and it didn't jam during testing. Because the dish is wide and shallow, there's no risk of whisker fatigue. The mechanical whir of the hopper and cascade of kibble that followed were audible from other rooms but weren't so loud that they startled me.

If the WiFi goes out, the feeder continues to dispense food, but the app stops tracking the meals and snacks dispensed. Unfortunately, I did not receive a push notification when the connection was lost. I had to open the app or look at the feeder's control panel to see it was offline. When I turned the WiFi back on, the feeder reconnected to the internet within seconds.

A backup battery steps in during power outages. In my test, the battery lasted 21.5 hours instead of the advertised 24 hours. The app also did not notify me when the power went out, so this feeder isn't a good option if you plan to be away for a long weekend.

Although the Feeder-Robot holds the second largest volume of food of the machines we tested, its footprint is relatively small. It comes with a hand-washable plastic food dish, but a dishwasher-safe glass dish is available for an additional $25.

The best budget automatic cat feeder

The affordable Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Feeder works reliably to dispense up to three programmed meals per day.

Pros: Large capacity, long battery life, 3-year warranty 

Cons: Assembly and programming can be confusing, not WiFi enabled, cats may be able to get into the hopper

If you're looking for an inexpensive large-capacity feeder, the Cat Mate C3000 is an excellent choice. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but it reliably dispenses meals and has an on-demand feeding button. Because it runs on batteries, it also won't miss a beat if the power goes out.

Of the feeders we tested, this one required the most assembly. Although the instructions were relatively straightforward, I struggled to get the two main pieces in place. My assistant immediately figured out the problem, however, and had the machine ready to go in less than two minutes. Programming the machine wasn't intuitive either, but the instructions helped.

The smallest meal this machine dispenses is two teaspoons, or a "feed unit." To increase a meal's size, you can program additional units. The feeder hummed along day after day reliably dispensing meals without jamming and my tester cats comfortably snarfed up their food.

Thanks to the wide and shallow food dish, sensitive cats won't experience whisker fatigue. The falling kibble and whirring machine was audible in other rooms of my home but not so loud that it made me jump.

The Cat Mate C3000 is BPA free and everything but the base is dishwasher safe. The batteries will last for six to nine months of continuous use and an indicator flashes when power is running low. Be warned: Unless you change the batteries within a minute, the feeder must be reprogrammed.

Compared to our best overall pick, the Cat Mate C3000 is less sturdy and a curious, problem-solving cat may be able to unlock the lid. However, the feeder performed its job just as well as its competitors. Whether you plan to use it daily or just for long weekends away, the Cat Mate C3000 is a great deal.

The best automatic cat feeder for wet food

The Surefeed Connect Microchip Feeder tracks an individual cat's eating habits while protecting food from unauthorized household pets.

Pros: Tracks portions and feeding frequency; prevents unauthorized pets from stealing food; holds wet food, semi-moist food, or kibble; battery-operated; comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons: Automatic lid may startle some cats, hub must be connected via ethernet cable and placed within 30 feet of feeder to enable WiFi, batteries not included

The cleverly designed Surefeed Connect Microchip Feeder doesn't hold a lot of food, but its genius lies in how it prevents unauthorized pets from stealing what's there while monitoring how much authorized pets eat.

By synching with a cat's existing microchip or the included RFID collar tag, the feeder only lifts its lid when an authorized pet approaches, then closes when they walk away. The device can store up to 32 different identities so you can track food intake for multiple cats.

The Surefeed's basic functions are controlled with buttons on the device and it also operates in concert with an ethernet-connected hub and app. The app is not as useful as those of other feeders: It primarily tracks how frequently and how much a pet eats, but you cannot program additional pets or open and close the device.

When disconnected from WiFi, the only thing that stops working is the tracking. Although the app sends a notification each time a pet eats, it did not inform me when the connection was lost. The feeder has a battery life of approximately six months and there's a low battery indicator light.

Because of the way the lid rises, sensitive cats may struggle with the Surefeed. It is nearly silent, but the lid's sudden lift and folding motion startled my tester cat. Fortunately, there is a training mode for acclimating hesitant cats.

It's important to note that pets without a microchip who cannot wear a collar to hang the RFID tag will not be able to use this machine. If the tag is lost, which my cat accomplished in just a month, you can buy a two-pack of replacement tags.

The Surefeed comes with two hand-wash only BPA-free plastic bowls and a mat. The bowls and mat are available in additional colors and the bowls also come in stainless steel.

If you don't need to monitor your pet's consumption, Surefeed sells a less expensive machine, the Surefeed Microchip Feeder, that lacks the weighing and tracking functionality provided by the Connect.

For more on the Surefeed Connect Microchip Feeder, read our full review.

How we tested

We tested each of the seven automatic pet feeders in this guide for a minimum of three weeks. One, the Surefeed Connect Microchip Feeder, went through a six-week testing period that resulted in a full-length review. In addition to monitoring the reliability of each feeder, I also considered the following:

Ease of assembly: Some of the feeders arrived almost fully assembled while others required some effort to put together. I assessed how quickly and easily I was able to set up each feeder, including whether I had to purchase batteries. For the smart-enabled devices, I determined how quickly and easily the feeder connected to WiFi and its mobile app.

Ease of programming: The control panels on each device varied significantly. I considered how complicated they were to use by programming each to dispense three meals per day. I also looked at whether the size of a meal could be adjusted from feeding to feeding.

Capacity: Although the automatic feeders we tested have different functions, I measured how much food each machine could hold. For the large-capacity feeders, I also determined whether the machine or, in the case of smart feeders, the app, notified me when the food was running low.

Noise: When the machine dispensed a meal, I evaluated whether just the cats could hear it or if the humans could, too. Some of the feeders were louder than others and some even triggered a startle response in the cats. I also considered whether a feeder could be programmed to play a personalized voice-recording to call my cats to their dinner.

Power and WiFi: Since it's essential that a feeder reliably dispenses meals even when you're out of town, I looked at the power supply for each. While some feeders run solely on batteries, others rely on an outlet and have a limited backup battery, if any. I also wanted to know if the smart feeders would continue to work if the WiFi went down and how long it took a feeder to come back online. I tested this by turning off the WiFi several times for anywhere from 5 minutes to 24 hours.

Cat accessibility: A cat needs to feel comfortable eating from an automatic feeder in order for it to do its job. I monitored my two cats to see how easily they were able to access food and whether the machine or its dispensing nozzle got in the way. I also considered the size and shape of each dish, favoring those that were wide and shallow enough to prevent whisker fatigue.

Mobile app: The mobile app for an automatic feeder should be straightforward and easy to use for even the least technologically savvy. I played around in the apps of each smart feeder to determine how challenging it was to schedule meals, send a snack, and/or track my cats' eating habits. Because an app will not connect to the smart feeder when the WiFi is out, I also looked at whether a feeder had a control panel that could be set and adjusted without internet access.

Ease of cleaning: After testing the machines, I gave each a thorough cleaning, noting which had parts that could be thrown in the dishwasher and which had to be washed by hand or wiped down with a moist cloth.

What else we considered

Petsafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Feeder: While this feeder functioned reliably, I couldn't help but wonder whether it was worth the bother. Because I feed my cats at least three times daily, I had to refill this machine every other day. I'd only recommend it to those who regularly miss mealtimes or plan to be away overnight.

Petsafe Automatic 2-Meal Feeder: This small feeder is a decent budget option for brief trips away from home, but because it can only hold two meals, it's not a good option for a cat that requires multiple feedings a day or for longer trips away. With no rotating parts or dropping food, it's much quieter than the other feeders.

Petsafe Smart Feed 2.0 Automatic Feeder: Like the Feeder-Robot, the Smart Feed 2.0 is WiFi-enabled and can be programmed for multiple meals of any size via an app. The biggest problem with this 24-cup feeder is that besides a single on-demand snack button it can only be controlled via app. The machine has no LCD display or other programmable features.

Arf Pets Automatic Feeder: This reasonably priced 16-cup feeder was the only machine that allowed me to record a message calling my kitties to eat. My biggest issue is the way it dispenses the kibble. My cats had no trouble reaching it immediately after dispensing, but when down to the last of the kibble in the dish, they struggled with access, unable to get their bulbous heads up close enough to the well of the machine to eat the food.

What we look forward to testing

New automatic cat feeder models hit the market regularly. We look forward to testing the following recent releases:

Petmate Gamma 2 Nano Automatic Pet Feeder: This large-capacity feeder can be programmed to dispense up to six meals of varying sizes per day. A precision portion control feature weighs the kibble to dispense the correct meal size every time and it has a jam-proof food flow system that automatically fixes any blockages that could cause your cat to miss a meal. 

Pawbo Crunchy Smartphone Controlled Feeder: This space-age looking feeder by Pawbo is WiFi-enabled and holds up to 25 cups of kibble. The Pawbo app allows you to create a customized feeding plan and keeps track of how much and how often your cat eats.

How to shop for an automatic cat feeder

Both of the veterinarians we interviewed agreed that automatic pet feeders are a good option for many families with cats. "Automatic feeders are great for people that work long hours and cannot free feed because the cat overeats or for people that go on short business trips," said Megan Wilson, a veterinarian at Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia. "It's also a useful tool to help with portion control if we are trying to maintain and/or lose weight."

When shopping for an automatic feeder, the first thing to consider is its primary use in your household. If you plan to use an automatic feeder to provide small meals throughout the day or to keep kitty fed during short overnight trips away from home, you'll need a large-capacity feeder that can hold several meals at a time. If you plan to use an auto-feeder to better monitor your cat's food intake or help them lose weight, both large- and small-capacity feeders can get the job done.

The capacity of the feeder you choose also depends on the type of food you want to dispense. Large-capacity feeders that release meals from a hopper only work with kibble or soft dry food whereas flat feeders with multiple preportioned compartments, such as the Petsafe Eatwell 5-Meal Feeder, can work with any type of food, including wet options.

With large-capacity kibble feeders, look for a machine that has the ability to dispense multiple small meals daily, which is the preference of most cats, according to Ana Hodgson, a veterinarian at Maryland SPCA in Baltimore. "In the wild, cats are known to eat 10 to 20 small meals a day," she said.

A good large-capacity feeder should also have some, if not all, of the following features:

•  A power cord plus a battery in case of power outages
• A programmable console on the machine
• Little to no assembly required upon arrival
• A wide, shallow food dish that slopes toward the cat for easy access and the prevention of whisker fatigue
• An easy-to-remove washable food dish

A good wet food-capable feeder should have some, if not all, of the following features:

• A power cord plus a battery in case of power outages
• The ability to program when each meal will become accessible
• Little to no assembly upon arrival
• A wide, shallow food dish that slopes toward the cat for easy access and the prevention of whisker fatigue
• An easy-to-remove washable food dish

Smart options exist for both large- and small-capacity feeders. WiFi-enabled and mobile app-controlled feeders should have some, if not all, of the following the features:

• A range of functionality in the app, including the option to schedule multiple daily meals of different sizes
• The ability to notify you when the food level is low or the machine is offline
• A control panel on the feeder that can be used if the WiFi connection is lost
• The ability to track how often and how much your cat eats
• The ability to send a snack on demand
• A wide, shallow food dish that slopes toward the cat for easy access and the prevention of whisker fatigue
• An easy-to-remove washable food dish

Smart automatic feeders vs. dumb automatic feeders

Smart feeders are relatively new to the automatic feeder game. Whereas dumb feeders allow you to program the frequency and size of meals on a control panel embedded in the machine, WiFi-enabled devices pair with a mobile app that allows you to remotely set mealtime, portion size, and feeding frequency. In some cases, like the Surefeed Connect Microchip Feeder, auto-feeders also measure how often and how much a pet consumes per day.

All of the dumb feeders we tested for this guide were either 100% battery operated or had an option to operate the machine with either batteries or a power cord. The three smart feeders we tested also had both battery and power cord options, but smart feeders don't just need electricity, they need WiFi, too, which presents a problem when one or both go out.

In testing our smart feeders, we found they were able to get back online quickly after power outages of different lengths. During outages, tracking data in the app is disrupted, but it resumes without a hitch when the connection returns.

In most cases, a power and/or WiFi outage is not likely to cause any major problems. Your cat may be miffed if they miss a meal, but no matter how much they claim otherwise, they'll be just fine. However, if you happen to be out of town for a few days, a long power outage or a machine that fails to come back online following a shorter outage could have serious consequences. The battery on the Feeder-Robot, for example, lasted only 21.5 hours before the machine shut down. Worse yet, depending on the smart feeder you've selected, even if you've turned on notifications you may not even know something is wrong unless you enter the app. The Feeder-Robot failed to notify me when either the WiFi or power went out.

In light of these issues, if you plan to use your automatic feeder frequently during short overnight trips away from home, you may be better off choosing one that operates solely on batteries to avoid the potential snafu power outages may present. Otherwise, be sure to have a trusted human being ready to take over feeding if duty calls.

Who we consulted

Megan Wilson, a veterinarian at Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ana Hodgson, a veterinarian at Maryland SPCA in Baltimore, Maryland

• Over-ear headphones tend to offer better sound quality than manyin-ear oron-ear models.
• The perfect pair of over-ear headphones blend impressive audio performance with a comfortable design.
• That's why we think theBeyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro are the best over-ear headphones you can buy.

Over-ear headphones are the ultimate in comfort and sound quality, but they aren't always very portable like on-ear headphones or in-ear headphones.

If you decide that over-ear headphones are the right choice for you, then there are a few key things you should look for before you buy any old pair. For starters, you'll want to think about whether you want a wired or wireless pair. Wired headphones generally sound a little better, though the difference might not be noticeable for most people, while wireless headphones are more convenient, because you cut the cord out of the equation.

You'll also want to consider the type of driver inside the headphones. This won't matter for most people, but audiophiles who are looking for a pair of headphones that boast a ton of clarity and detail might want to consider a pair of planar magnetic or electrostatic headphones for the best performance.

Perhaps the most important thing to think about when looking for a new pair of headphones is budget. Audiophiles will be the first to tell you that it's easy to spend thousands on a great pair of headphones, but that doesn't mean you can't find a quality model for much less. With all this in mind, we've rounded up the best over-ear headphones for a variety of price points.

Here are the best over-ear headphones you can buy:

• Best over-ear headphones overall: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO
• Best wireless over-ear headphones: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 headphones
• Best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones: Sony WH-1000XM4
• Best mid-range over-ear headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
• Best affordable over-ear headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The best over-ear headphones overall

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO headphones may not be cheap, but the sound quality of these cans makes them absolutely worth the price.

Pros: Amazon sound quality, extremely comfortable, nicely designed

Cons: Expensive, bulky, not wireless, open-back design lets in outside sound

If you're simply looking for the best over-ear headphones out there and don't care too much about anything else, then the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO headphones are the way to go. These headphones may be a little pricey, but they're built with the recording studio in mind, and they're made specifically to deliver a powerful yet natural sound.

There are a few reasons these headphones sound so good. For starters, unlike most headphones these days, the DT 1990 PRO feature an open-back design. That means outside noise can get in, and your music can be easily heard by those around you, but it also helps create a much more natural sound with a wide soundstage. Open-back headphones are perfect for those who plan on listening at home by themselves a lot.

On top of the open-back design, the headphones feature plenty of padding, replaceable and removable cables, and more. The sound-quality on these headphones, however, is where they really shine. They're slightly bass-forward with plenty of midrange support and a ton of detail in the high-end. With more detail, instruments sound defined and separate, which makes for an awesome listening experience.

So what's the downside? Well, the main one is price. They're also a little bulky, though considering they're really built for home use, that may not be an issue for some.

The best wireless over-ear headphones

The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 headphones are the complete package, offering excellent sound quality, a comfortable fit, and decent noise cancellation.

Pros: Excellent design, great sound quality, comfortable, noise cancelling

Cons: Expensive, noise cancellation isn't on par with headphone models from Sony and Bose

Sennheiser is known for building some of the best headphones on the market, and the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 headphones are no exception to that rule. The headphones are beautifully designed, super comfortable, sound great, and even offer noise cancellation.

There are a ton of reasons to love these headphones, but the biggest reason is how great they sound. The headphones may not be the most accurate sounding headphones in the world, but they offer a fun listening experience.

For example, while there's a little extra bass, it's not too over-the-top. The mids are well-tuned, and the highs offer plenty of detail and clarity. They may not be as detailed as a pair of high-end wired headphones, but when it comes to wireless headphones, these are the best. 

The headphones offer some great smart features too. They have noise cancellation, and while it's not quite as good as Bose's or Sony's, it's still effective. They even have Tile tracking built into them, so you shouldn't ever lose them.

Read the Sennheiser Momentum 3 review here.

The best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones

Sony's WH-1000XM4 are our go-to pair of headphones when we look for a balance of sound quality and noise-cancelling performance. 

Pros: Impressive sound quality, customizable sound, excellent noise cancellation, comfortable, long battery life, wireless

Cons: Expensive at full price

We picked the Sony WH-1000XM4 over the Bose 700 in this category because, while both headphones have similar noise-cancelling performance, the XM4s have an advantage with sound quality. Most notably, the XM4s come with the ability to customize the way they sound, which makes them more versatile for a wider range of music genres. Meanwhile, the Bose 700 are stuck with Bose's signature sound style, which some may like, but it's not for everyone.

Don't expect studio-grade accuracy here — the XM4s are meant to be a high-quality pair of headphones for "most people" to enjoy their music rather than audiophiles. With that in mind, they have a great range for bass, mids, and highs, and they handily produce clear and detailed sound. And as mentioned before, they're highly adaptable to your tastes and to a wide range of music genres. 

Apart from great, customizable sound and excellent noise-cancelling performance, the XM4s are comfortable and have long battery life. 

With great quality and noise cancellation comes a pretty high price tag that starts at $350. That said, the XM4s often get price cuts that bring them down closer to the $300 mark, and sometimes even lower. If you're looking for a great pair of noise-cancelling headphones that won't disappoint with audio quality, go for the Sony WH-1000XM4.

Read the Sony WH-1000XM4 review here.

The best mid-range over-ear headphones

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones may not be the prettiest around, but their sound quality is unrivaled in this price range.

Pros: Excellent sound quality, good value for money

Cons: Bulky, no removable cable, no wireless support

Beyerdynamic may claim the top spot on our list with the expensive Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO headphones, but it turns out the company makes some pretty great budget headphones, too. Case in point: The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones. This model features an affordable price and offers excellent value for the money.

While these headphones may not be wireless or have noise cancellation, they do offer excellent sound quality. The DT 770 PRO boast plenty of bass without going too far over the top, a well-tuned midrange, and a good amount of clarity and detail in the high-end.

Of course, the headphones aren't perfect. They're largely suited for home listening rather than anything else, and they're a bit bulky because of that. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's still something to keep in mind. The headphones also don't have a removable cable, which is a little frustrating for some.

Still, despite those issues, most reviewers love the headphones. PCMag gave them 4.5/5 stars, while CNET gave them 8/10.

The best affordable over-ear headphones

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are an ideal choice for buyers who want a budget-friendly pair of over-ear headphones that still sound great.

Pros: Comfortable, 40mm drivers with excellent sound for the price

Cons: Bass response is lacking, no wireless support

Though they are a step down from our other picks, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x over-ear headphones perform remarkably well for their price.

The entry-level pair of studio headphones use an over-ear design with 40mm drivers. Bass isn't particularly impactful, but the headphones offer impressive audio performance for their class, with pleasing high and mid-range sound quality. Again, these aren't audiophile level, but they get the job done very well for everyday listening.

Comfort and build are also strong thanks to the cushioned headband and padded ear cups. While the headphones don't feature wireless connectivity or active noise cancellation, the cups actually provide solid noise isolation so outside sounds won't bother you as much while listening.

As a brand, Audio-Technica is known for higher end headphone models, like the M50x and M70x, but for such a budget-friendly price, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x provide a very nice value.

Check out our other headphone buying guides

The best noise-cancelling headphones

With active noise-cancellation technology, headphones are able to analyze and minimize surrounding noise. This makes it easier to listen to music in loud environments, like during commutes. Through research and testing, we've picked the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy.

The best earbuds

Earbuds offer a compact and portable music-listening solution. Some models still require wires while others feature wireless playback support. Earbuds need to be well constructed to offer the same kind of audio performance you'd get out of a bigger pair of headphones. With different budgets and features in mind, we've selected the best earbuds you can buy.

The best true wireless earbuds

True wireless earbuds are completely free from cables, enabling you to connect each earbud to your phone without any wires getting in the way. Some true wireless earbuds even feature noise cancellation technology. After researching and testing different models, we've picked the best true wireless earbuds you can buy.

The best cheap headphones

Though audiophile headphones can be very pricey, there are still many worthwhile budget-friendly headphones on the market. With different needs and styles accounted for, these are the best cheap headphones you can buy.

• The best times to buy a TV are Black Friday and around the Super Bowl. 
• That's when many TV makers and retailers launch sales to clear out inventory before the spring launch cycle.  
• Check out our guide to the best TV deals and best cheap TVs. 

Buying a new TV can feel like a daunting task. There are a lot of different models, and sales seemingly happen every week. How do you know when it is the right time to get the best deal on a new TV?

Our team has covered TVs and home entertainment for years, and have figured out the best times to get the lowest prices. Below, we break down the best time to shop for a TV, when to expect new TV launches, and what to consider when buying a new TV. 

The best time to buy a TV

Black Friday

Black Friday is usually the best time of the year to buy a TV. It is the first time that new models  see major discounts, making it the perfect time to buy for those looking to score a great deal that also want the latest tech. Black Friday deals are also no longer confined to a single day, as many retailers have ongoing online sales that can last into the week and into Cyber Monday.  

This is the time when major retailers aggressively compete with each other for consumer dollars, which means that pricing, especially online, can shift throughout the day as various outlets react in real-time to their competitors' pricing. Price matching guarantees proliferate in this environment, making it easier for gift card recipients to get the best deals at their preferred location. 

One word of caution, however: It is always a good idea to do a little research before jumping on a deal, especially during Black Friday. Sometimes retailers will advertise big Black Friday discounts, when in reality the pricing isn't far from off from what it has been for months. The website camelcamelcamel.com is a great way to quickly verify a deal, as it tracks a product's price on Amazon throughout the year. This way, you can see if a product is actually heavily discounted, or if it has been hovering close to the same price for a while. 

The Super Bowl

The big game traditionally means big savings on TVs. These sales often start during the playoffs in January and lead up to the Super Bowl in early February. This means t fans can still watch their team in the playoffs on a brand new TV, even if they don't make it all the way to the championship. 

 By this point, most manufacturers are already looking at releasing their new models in the coming months, and are trying to clear out the stock from the previous year. This meshes nicely with Americans' desire to watch the biggest game of year on a new TV set. Overall, this is one of the best times to get deep discounts on still-current models.

When new TVs are usually released

New TV models are typically released during the spring of each year. Some manufacturers start their product rollout in March, while others drop models in April and May. 

Shoppers looking for the latest and greatest can expect to pay full price for these units, though it is important to note that most new models only feature modest upgrades from those in the previous year. Picking up a brand new, full-priced TV is really only best for those willing to pay more for a specific upgrade, such as improved brightness. Even then, it might be worth waiting for a few months to read reviews of the product before jumping on a purchase. 

For those interested in getting steep discounts, spring offers many closeout deals on models from the previous year. The NCAA basketball tournament, also known as March Madness, is a good time to start looking for these discounts, though the closeouts can continue to roll on throughout the spring and into the summer as different manufacturers release their new TV lineup.

How to buy a TV

Here are some of the key factors to consider when shopping for a new TV.

Display: The best displays on high-end TVs use an OLED panel, which stands for organic light emitting diode. These panels use self-illuminating screens rather than LED backlighting, which results in better contrast and viewing angles as well as true black tones and more even lighting. 

These premium TVs are usually expensive and are best suited for a home theater setup. LED panels with features like quantum dots and local dimming are also a good choice for buyers who want the best picture quality. These sets can't match the contrast of an OLED, but they can get even brighter.

Those looking for a more casual viewing experience can opt for a smaller screen with a budget-friendly LED panel. Even entry-level TVs offer 4K displays, which means that it is possible to get a sharp TV without spending tons of money. Of course, these TVs might not feature the greatest brightness and contrast of more expensive models, but they are often more than enough for movie nights and console gaming.

HDR Format:High Dynamic Range (HDR) is an image technology that is featured on many 4K TV displays, 4K streaming options, and 4K Blu-ray disks. HDR enhances images so that they appear brighter, with more color and deeper contrast than ever before. However, there are three different HDR formats – HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision – and not every TV supports all three.

This means that you can have a TV with HDR, but still not be able to get the best HDR quality from a specific source. When buying a TV with HDR, make sure that it supports the format that you use the most. 

Connectivity: It is important to be able to connect all of your devices to your new TV. Gaming consoles, such as the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X, each need their own HDMI port to connect to the TV, as do Roku players and other streaming boxes. The more HDMI ports the TV has, the better. 

It is also important to find out what kind of HDMI is supported by the TV. HDMI 2.0 is capable of streaming in 4k at 60Hz, while the newer HDMI 2.1 standard supports next-generation gaming features such as 4K at 120Hz, and variable refresh rate (VRR).

Smart TV Platform: These days, most TVs come with some smart capabilities. Unfortunately, content on various smart platforms can differ dramatically. For example, Spectrum TV customers can find the Spectrum TV app on Samsung Smart TVs, but not on ones made by LG or Sony. LG TVs also don't support HBO Max. It is important to find a platform that offers all of the channels you want.

Of course, you can also purchase a separate streaming player to connect to your TV if you don't mind spending a little extra money. Streaming devices also generally offer better performance and are easily upgradeable. 

Extra Features: It's a good idea to check what other extra features the TV offers. Does it have a voice-controlled remote? What about Alexa, or Google Assistant? Does it offer Airplay compatibility? These features will probably not make-or-break a purchase, but are good to know about, especially when you are trying to get the best deal for yourself or your family.

United Airlines had a rocky start to social distancing during the pandemic. 

A botched seat blocking policy was quickly abandoned after a customer exposed the airline failing to keep seats open on a flight from Newark to San Francisco. The airline opted to fill flights but not assign middle seats unless necessary, instead offering free flight changes to passengers that didn't want to travel on fuller flights. 

Out of the big four US airlines, United joined American Airlines in filling planes while Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines blocked seats. I took two flights on United in June 2020 and the airline didn't quite impress with its inconsistent social distancing measures and flights with no in-flight service.

Some of those inconsistencies remain but my latest experience on the airline showed how far the airline has come. Aircraft are still being filled to capacity, a policy now adopted by all major US airlines besides Delta, but United has made improvements to its offering and brought back some amenities that harken back to pre-pandemic times and ultimately make for a better travel experience. 

I flew on United once more, this time in February from Denver to Houston, Texas on the airline's first Boeing 737 Max flight in nearly two years.  

Here's what flying United is like in 2021.

My United journey started at Denver International Airport where I'd catch the 7:50 a.m. flight to Houston.

I headed to the check-in area and immediately noticed that it had been entirely overhauled with social distancing measures.

Each check-in station had plexiglass partitions separating United staff from passengers...

And kiosks had plastic dividers between them with the option for "touchless check-in" by using a mobile device if a user didn't want to touch the screen.

Even signage above the check-in area was promoting proper face-covering rules. It was an impressive overhaul and more so than I've seen from some competitors.

Before I even got to the kiosk, I was required to acknowledge United's face covering rule...

And the health declaration when I checked in online. I had to affirm that I hadn't tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three weeks nor had I been exposed to the virus, as well as been experiencing any symptoms.

I also had to confirm that I wasn't awaiting COVID-19 test results and no other airline had denied me boarding. These requirements were definitely more strict than others I'd seen in my travels.

United is also offering contact tracing so customers are asked to provide their contact information; though, the program is optional.

My flight to Houston was for a special occasion, United's first Boeing 737 Max passenger flight since March 2019, and it was nearly sold out as aviation enthusiasts flocked to Denver to be on the first flight.

Read More: I flew on United Airlines' first Boeing 737 Max flight in nearly 2 years and it was just the boring flight the airline needed

United informed me that the flight was filling up at check-in and I was offered the option to change to a different flight for free. It's a nice gesture but I've found it's rarely helpful.

There was no shortage of alternate options on the Denver-Houston route but other routes don't have as many backup options since the pandemic forced airlines to reduce flights. And there's no guarantee any of these flights wouldn't also fill up with passengers.

The gate area for my flight featured many of the same measures as check-in, including a banner reminding passengers to wear face coverings and social distance, as well as highlighting United's partnership with Clorox and the Cleveland Clinic,

Gate counters were also covered with plexiglass partitions and had additional details about the airline's new safety protocols.

Social distancing placards dotted the carpet and continued into the jetway. United had done a great job of ensuring multiple layers of precautions here.

Before boarding, gate agents reminded passengers that wearing masks are now part of federal law and they'd be required to be worn at all times, except when eating and drinking. A refusal could mean denial of boarding and civil penalties.

Digital signage above the gate also explained the airline's new boarding procedure and additional social distancing measures.

The flight was then boarded from the back of the plane to the front to help with social distancing. Pre-boarding was still offered and first class flyers along with United elites were still allowed to board first.

More placards lined the jetway and though passengers rarely adhere to the six-feet rule in the jetway, the placards serve as a nice gesture to show the airline is being proactive during the pandemic.

Flight attendants welcomed us on the flight and gave us a sanitary wipe to clean the seats.

The cabin, however, appeared spotless already.

United, like most US airlines, disinfects aircraft via "fogging" with an electrostatic sprayer before each flight.

Read More: Delta, United, and American are 'fogging' their planes to make them safe for travel amid coronavirus — here's what that means

I had no concerns whatsoever with cabin cleanliness. It also helped that this was essentially a brand-new plane as no paying passengers had flown on it since March 2019.

The back-to-front system also appeared to work worked as there were not many passengers I had to walk past, except in first class and the first few rows of economy where United elites were sat.

My seat, 30A, was a window seat towards the back of the plane and I was among the first to board.

I found my seat to be impeccably clean, rendering the wipe virtually useless.

Even the tray table was spotless; although, that's par for the course on a "new" aircraft like this one.

This aircraft, in particular, has no seat-back screens and United had removed all the literature beyond the safety card.

Flight attendants once again stressed the importance of mask-wearing during the pre-departure briefing. United has banned over 600 passengers as of mid-January for not wearing masks, the second most of any US airline that shared its statistics with Insider.

Read More: Airlines have banned more than 2,500 passengers for not wearing masks — here are the carriers that have booted the most

Soon enough, we were off on our two-hour journey to Houston.

Flight attendants began the in-flight service shortly after takeoff, armed with masks and gloves. Not all airlines require their flight attendants to wear gloves during the service, surprisingly.

Each passenger was given this snack bag, as is the case on most US airlines still conducting an in-flight service.

Inside were the essentials including a bottle of water, Stroopwafel, pretzels, and another sanitary wipe.

And it didn't stop there as we were also offered a soft drink. I was pleasantly shocked as this was the first time I'd be given something other than plain water while flying during the pandemic.

It was a nice touch and I was glad to see a semblance of normal. Plus, the Stroopwafel is among my favorite in-flight snacks.

I took a quick walk around the cabin to see how well United's warnings about mask-wearing were heeded by the passengers.

All in all, the strict warnings did appear to work as most were masked up during the flight.

The most egregious offense I saw was not having the mask over the nose but that was rare.

It was truly a normal flight with no major issues.

Soon enough, it was time to land in Houston.

United often deplanes by rows but we didn't on this flight. Many passengers were rushing to make connecting flights as we'd been slightly delayed leaving Denver.

Overall, it was an enjoyable flight and made me want to fly United again.

United is my new favorite to fly during the pandemic that isn't blocking middle seats. I'll always prefer an airline like Delta that is blocking seats but United takes the cake among those that aren't. 

I was highly impressed with how both airports I visited were completely overhauled with new health and safety measures, as well as the airline's use of its digital signage to convey social distancing messaging. 

I also appreciated the airline bringing back the in-flight service, which makes quite the difference on longer flights. United is the first airline on which I've flown during the pandemic where I've been given something to drink other than a bottled water, and I truly appreciate that.  

United isn't perfect as smaller airports in the airline's network do not have the same level of precautions as the Denver and Houston hubs, as is the case for many airlines, but it's better than most airlines on which I've flown during the pandemic. 

Elon Musk is known for building cars and rockets, and drilling holes underground. But maybe less well known for his tequila, surfboards and flamethrowers.

Three of the companies which he runs, Tesla, SpaceX and The Boring Company, have all sold whacky merchandise. Some products, such as the "Not-A-Flamethrower," have caused much controversy.

His electric vehicle company, Tesla, unveiled in 2018 a host of products that weren't just cars, including wireless chargers for smartphones, mini Teslas for kids and other lifestyle products.

Perhaps the most famous are Tesla's red satin short shorts that have taunted short-sellers betting against his stock.

Here's a list of all the weird and wild merchandise the billionaire has sold.

SEE ALSO: Tesla sells more than just cars. Here are some of the company's surprising 'lifestyle' products, from wireless chargers to surfboards.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's 'Not-A-Flamethrower' has been turning up in drug busts and weapon seizures

SEE ALSO: Tesla's limited-edition $250 tequila sold out within hours — now resellers are listing empty bottles for hundreds of dollars on eBay

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk started triumphantly selling literal red satin Tesla short shorts to celebrate the firm's stock climbing, and it crashed Tesla's online store

That one time Musk sold red satin Tesla short shorts with "S3XY" printed across the back — the website crashed within minutes.

In his usual Musk style, the Tesla CEO posted on Twitter in July 2020 that his electric vehicle company was selling limited-edition branded red satin shorts.

The shorts were priced at $69.420 on Tesla's website— one of Musk's many references to marijuana. But three minutes after Musk's post about the shorts, he tweeted: "Dang we broke the website."

"S3XY" printed on the back of the shorts refers to Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. They were only being shipped in the US.

The billionaire's liking for short shorts has sometimes led him to taunt short-sellers who bet against Tesla's stock.

Then Tesla launched its own-brand bottles of tequila for $250. Musk dubbed it "Teslaquilla."

More than two years after its CEO Elon Musk first referred to "Teslaquilla" in an April Fools' Day tweet, Tesla released its own tequila. Hours after the product went on sale, it sold out. 

The tequila comes in a bottle shaped like a lightning bolt and costs $250 for a 750ml bottle.

Those that got their hands on the drink even sold the empty bottle online with a hefty price tag. Some were sold for up to $800. Insider reported that one bottle even sold for $1,420.69.

Musk's The Boring Company sold thousands of the "Not-A-Flamethrower" in 2018 and they're still causing problems for law enforcement.

The Boring Company, which builds underground transit tunnels, sold 20,000 limited-edition flamethrowers for $500 each in February 2018.

Three years down the line, the machines have been showing up in weapon seizures and drug busts across the world. TechCrunch first reported in January that flamethrowers have been present in at least three police weapon seizures since July 2020.

Musk told podcaster Joe Rogan in 2018 the company named it "Not-A-Flamethrower" to get past foreign laws and shipping bans of flamethrowers. 

"It's dangerous, it's wrong. Don't buy it. Still, people bought it. I just couldn't stop them," Musk said on Rogan's podcast.

Forget cars. Tesla briefly put up 200 surfboards for sale at $1,500 each.

If red satin short shorts weren't enough, Tesla started selling surboards in 2018 for $1,500 each.

Only 200 were put up for sale and those that are being resold on sites like eBay have surged to $12,000. 

The carbon-fiber surfboards were painted red and black in the same matte and gloss paints used on Tesla cars. The shipping took around 10 weeks because each one was made to order.

The website said that "Model S, X and 3 can comfortably accommodate this surfboard on either the inside or outside of the vehicle,"Insider reported.

Thanks to Musk, your kids can drive around in their own mini battery-powered Tesla for kids at the price of $600.

Tesla's Model S for kids can reach top speeds of 6 mph and comes with an MP3 sounds system, headlights and a horn.

The company also sells a Tesla for younger children between the ages of one and a half and four, called "My First Model Y."

If your kids aren't keen drivers, maybe they're keen astronauts? Musk is selling this onesie with the SpaceX logo on its shoulder.

The SpaceX onesie sizes range from newborn to 5 years. 

American Express opened a new Centurion Lounge at Denver International Airport in February, the latest in the financial services company's growing network of 14 airport lounges that will soon include locations in London and Washington, DC.  

The Denver location covers more than 14,000 square feet above the airport's Concourse C and is Amex's second-largest lounge behind the newly-opened John F. Kennedy International Airport outpost. Its opening comes as increased spring and summer travel appears more likely thanks to a faster than anticipated vaccine rollout.

American Express now boasts the only true non-airline premium lounge in Denver, which until February only featured airline clubs and a USO location. Airline lounges have lagged behind private lounges in bringing back popular amenities, as Insider found during visits to the airport lounges of the top three US airlines, with this new location offering travelers a better alternative. 

Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders, as well as Delta Air Lines flyers with the Delta American Express Reserve card, can access the lounge and use it when departing from or connecting through Denver. Travelers whose final destination is the Mile High City, however, cannot use it upon their arrival.

Lounge patrons are also limited to a three-hour stay per American Express policy. Prior to the pandemic, these lounges were often filled from wall to wall, and they may soon be again. 

Take a look inside the Denver Centurion Lounge. 

Walk to the western edge of Concourse C at Denver airport and you'll find the Centurion Lounge. You can't miss it as the American Express name is displayed for all in the terminal below to see.

It's quite literally at the furthest reach of the airport, located at the far end of the concourse that's the furthest from the main security checkpoint. Real estate at Denver airport, however, isn't easy to come by for lounges so Amex had to take what it could get.

Guests can check-in at the main desk with their boarding pass, credit card, and identification, or use the American Express mobile application for contactless check-in.

Frequent Centurion Lounge patrons might notice something different about this lounge upon entry, and that’s because the Denver location doesn’t have the iconic blue door.

Here's the blue door at the newly-opened lounge at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, for example.

But the similarly iconic living wall is still in place, filled with live plants.

The seating area is arranged in a horseshoe pattern above the concourse, with floor-to-ceiling windows on each side to give an open feeling.

A total of 587 patrons can be accommodated in normal times but COVID-19 restrictions in Denver only permit a maximum of 150 people at any time.

More patrons will be allowed in as Denver's guidelines loosen, however.

Lounge chairs and couches line the interior windows, with seats blocked for distancing.

Larger tables are reserved for groups of three or more, to be seated by the lounge hosts.

The lounge does include a family room but it's largely off-limits during the pandemic.

One of the staples of the Centurion Lounge is complimentary alcoholic beverages and the Denver lounge doesn't disappoint.

This craft beer bar, one of two bars in the lounge, only serves up local brews.

Even if patrons are just passing through Denver, they'll still get a taste of the local flavor. American Express' mixologist, Jim Meehan, crafts a menu that's specific to each destination.

The craft beer bar is located in the lounge's game room featuring billiards, shuffleboard, and other tabletop games. like chess and checkers.

The games can be played during the pandemic but accessories are strictly controlled by staff, who also ensure they're sanitized after each use.

Amex opted for the game room instead of a spa or fitness center.

Classic cocktails can also be ordered but the one drink that isn't on the menu, however, is the "blue door" since this lounge doesn't have the blue door.

Construction wasn't drastically altered due to the pandemic as lounges are already built with privacy in mind.

Some of the solo seats were either spaced already or came with high, pandemic-friendly dividers.

But there are changes in the service. Literature in the lounge, for example, has gone digital.

Plexiglass partitions can also be found at check-in and at the bars.

And any food has to be served from lounge staff.

For business travelers, amenities include a small business center with a printer...

And a conference table.

For private phone calls, the lounge also offers one phone room.

The second bar is located at the bottom of the horseshoe, opposite the check-in area.

This is where most of the cocktails will be crafted, also at no cost to patrons.

Centurion cardholders, AmEx's "black card," also receive special perks like Veuve Clicquot champagne.

Digital flight information signage can be found throughout the space so passengers can keep an eye on their flights without leaving the lounge.

The dining area then features classic tables, chairs, and benches for when it's time to enjoy a meal.

Those wanting to plane spot from the lounge would be ideally seated by the window.

The dining area windows face south and overlook the Southwest gates below. Just across the ramp is the sprawling United Airlines concourse.

On the menu for lunch on the day of our visit was chestnut soup, grilled chicken with salsa verde, Pomodoro di pasta, tiramisu, and berries and cream.

Plates are served on trays and given to patrons.

My tour was after hours but I did manage to sample some of the food, including the Tiramisu. True to reputation, the meal didn't disappoint.

The lounge also offers a pasta bar during the afternoon and a Nutella crepe bar for breakfast.

Coffee and tea can be found at one of these stations, spread across the lounge. An attendant will also serve the drinks as well.

Overall, this lounge is a great reason to get to the airport early.

The pandemic hasn't impacted the iconic Centurion Lounge service too much and nothing beats free food and drink while at the airport.

And of course, it wouldn't be a Centurion Lounge without this iconic scene. This chair and art pair can be found at Amex lounges across the network.

Airbus' A220-300 is among the newest passenger aircraft in American skies, and it just started flying passengers for Delta in November.

The pandemic masked the aircraft's arrival but Delta has already taken delivery of six planes that offer an impressive passenger experience with in-flight entertainment and mood lighting among them. 

On the technical side, the A220-300 boasts an impressive transcontinental range of around 3,400 nautical miles and seats 130 passengers in Delta's configuration that includes a first class cabin. Fuel-efficient Pratt & Whitney engines also give Delta a fuel savings of around 20% when compared to similar aircraft. 

Delta first began flying the smaller A220-100 in 2020 as part massive order for the aircraft that was threatened when Boeing opened a trade dispute against Canada's Bombardier, the plane's original manufacturer. Airbus ultimately took over the program, rebranding the aircraft as the A220, and the deal continued with Boeing later losing the dispute. 

JetBlue Airways is the only other US airline to operate the Airbus A220-300 with plans to start passenger service in the spring between Boston and Fort Lauderdale. David Neeleman's new startup, Breeze Airways, also plans to use the aircraft as its flagship but won't take delivery of its first model until later this year. 

I flew on the six-month-old aircraft on a recent Delta flight from Houston, Texas to Salt Lake City in February.

Take a look inside Delta's latest arrival, the Airbus A220-300. 

My flight on the A220-300 was from Houston to Salt Lake City, where the aircraft is primarily based. This route is where the A220-300 began its flying career for Delta on November 16, 2020.

I could tell before even stepping foot on the plane that this was going to be an elevated product as the aircraft's mood lighting was visible from the jetway and a new nameplate had been installed in the galley.

This is the first time I'd seen this nameplate on a Delta flight, and it was a nice touch to an otherwise wasted wall.

The aircraft features 130 seats in a two-class configuration consisting of first class and economy class.

First class is comprised of 16 recliner seats in a paired 2-2 configuration.

It's the smallest first class cabin of any Delta mainline jet so getting an upgrade might be difficult, especially as Delta is blocking adjacent seats until April 30.

I have elite status with Delta and didn't have a hope of getting into the exclusive cabin.

The spacious seats feature 20.5 inches of pitch and 37 inches of pitch. Foldable tray tables are also stored in the armrest.

These seats also feature passenger-facing coat hangars, USB charging ports, and 110v AC power outlets, along with a larger in-flight entertainment screen.

Economy then features the remaining 118 seats across 24 rows.

Seats are offered in a 3-2 configuration, which isn't commonly found on modern airliners but suits the needs of different types of travelers.

Couples traveling together might prefer the two-seat pair so they don't have to deal with a third person in the row.

Larger groups such as families might prefer the three-person side so everybody can sit in the same row.

Delta Comfort+, the airline's extra-legroom product, takes up the first six rows on the Airbus A220-300.

Delta charges extra for these seats but they do come with earlier boarding privileges, premium snacks, and complimentary alcoholic beverages in addition to the extra legroom.

A Delta Comfort+ seat on the A220-300 offers 34 inches of pitch and 18.1 inches of width in most seats.

The rest of the cabin's amenities are the same as regular economy.

Comfort+ seats, however, are marked by a red headrest cover.

Regular main cabin seats feature between 30 and 32 inches of pitch, depending on the seat's location.

Seat width for these seats is 18.6 inches.

Those wanting more legroom can opt for the exit row seats in row 17. Seat 18E also features near-unlimited legroom as there's no seat in the row in front of it.

And all seats feature adjustable headrests.

Full-size luggage can also fit in the overhead above, eliminating the need to gate check larger bags as is the case on smaller regional aircraft.

Another nice touch was the Delta branding in the back of the plane. I've noticed this on foreign airlines and it was great to see Delta adopting it on the A220.

The entire cabin was illuminated with the mood lighting, giving the cabin a more modern and relaxing feel that's common on newer planes.

The cabin, overall, felt warm and welcoming. I was excited to see how it handled when in the air.

I was lucky enough to get upgraded into Comfort+ and was given a window seat in a three-seat row.

I prefer the two-seat side for easy aisle access but Delta's seat blocking policy meant I didn't have to worry about having a neighbor in the middle seat.

The seat was perfectly comfortable and the extra legroom gave me more room to stretch out.

In-seat power is available at all seats with 110v AC power outlets below and USB charging ports in the seat-back screens.

All seats also feature in-flight entertainment systems with touch-screen capabilities.

Delta Studio, as the system is known, includes movies...

Live television...

Television shows...

Games...

A moving map, and more.

In-flight WiFi is also offered for a price. T-Mobile customers, however, get a free hour.

Another quirky feature of Delta's A220 is the miniature screen above the first row. Some A220 operators have this over every row but Delta did not.

Powering the aircraft are two Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines offering additional fuel efficiency and reduced cabin noise levels.

I was seated right next to one of them and was amazed at how quiet they were compared to others.

Our takeoff was quite smooth despite the rainy conditions in Houston. The A220 handled turbulence well when things got choppy.

We settled off at 30,000 feet for the three-hour flight to Salt Lake City, and flight attendants began the in-flight service.

The normal premium snacks offered to Comfort+ passengers were replaced with a uniform snack bag given to all in economy. The bag included Goldfish, Biscoff cookies, a bottle of water, and a sanitary wipe.

I headed to the back of the plane to see the aircraft's quirkiest feature, the lavatory with its own window. This feature isn't unique to the A220 but isn't commonly found on other jets.

The nickname affectionately given to the lavatory is the "loo with a view." True to the name, the view isn't too bad.

I also noticed that Delta had installed handwashing instructions as part of its new pandemic health and safety protocols.

The rest of the flight was peaceful as the cabin was incredibly quiet.

Our flight was quickly coming to an end after a few hours as we started down towards Salt Lake City. The oversized windows really helped with getting the best views of the city and surrounding mountains on the approach.

We went from rainy Houston to rainy Salt Lake City but the A220-300 was an absolute joy to fly on. I was so glad to see Delta keeping fan favorites like seat-back entertainment on the new jet since some airlines are moving away from that amenity.

I'll definitely be seeking out the aircraft in future travels.

For a recent slew of powerful Wall Streeters, there is such a thing as life after Goldman Sachs. 

While all Wall Street firms experience a natural degree of attrition, something anomalous is happening at Goldman Sachs, where, since November, there has been a string of senior exits spanning divisions from investment banking to consumer and wealth management.

Those exits fall in line with a broader trend at the bank of big-name departures since CEO David Solomon has take over. Goldman Sachs has looked to shrink the size of the bank's partnership, the firm's most elite designation, under Solomon. 

The exodus began in November, with the departure of Gregg Lemkau, the former co-head of the global investment-banking division, who left for the Michael Dell-backed investment firm MSD Partners, where he recently started as CEO.

Since then, a steady stream of big names from across the firm's business lines have jumped ship. Some exits this time of year are to be expected, given annual cash bonuses have now hit bank accounts and stock-based comp has vested, but the departures also come after some big internal shakeups and as Goldman is looking to execute on ambitious multi-year targets. 

Some have left for Goldman clients, as is the case of Nick Giovanni, former head of the investment bank's prestigious technology, media, and telecommunications division. Giovanni departed in January to become the chief financial officer at Instacart, the home-delivery service that has thrived during the pandemic and has reportedly tapped Goldman bankers to lead an IPO planned for this year.

Others have gone to hedge funds and investment firms and — in the case of a recent exit from the firm's consumer group — a potential future rival of Marcus, Goldman's Main Street-friendly banking and personal-finance offering.

We rounded up recent high-profile departures from Goldman Sachs, plus included some details on where they are headed. They are ordered starting with the most recently reported departure: Goldman's General Counsel Karen Seymour.

A representative for Goldman Sachs declined Insider's request for comment.

Karen Seymour

Role at Goldman Sachs: Executive vice president and general counsel; member of management committee

When she's leaving: End of March

Where she's headed: Sullivan & Cromwell

Karen Seymour, Goldman's general counsel who helped steer the bank through the headwinds of its damaging 1MDB crisis, is leaving the firm at the end of March. Seymour was also a partner and member of the bank's management committee. 

She is returning to the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, where she will be a partner, according to a memo sent by CEO David Solomon on Wednesday.

Seymour is a veteran of Sullivan & Cromwell, having been a co-managing partner in the firm's litigation group in the past. She also spent time as a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. Seymour began her career at Sullivan & Cromwell in 1987, according to her LinkedIn page. 

In his memo announcing her departure, Solomon called Seymour's contributions to the firm "outstanding."

"Karen has played a significant role in helping navigate many of the most challenging legal issues affecting our firm worldwide," he wrote, naming among them the 1MDB settlement and her work to restructure Goldman's legal department.

Kathy Ruemmler, Goldman's head of regulatory affairs, will succeed Seymour as general counsel and chief legal officer, according to a second memo Solomon sent on Wednesday. 

Ruemmler joined Goldman in 2020 from the powerhouse law firm Latham & Watkins, where she chaired the firm's white collar defense and investigations business. She also held various posts in the Obama administration.

Bloomberg first reported the news of Seymour's departure on Tuesday.

Eric Lane

Role at Goldman Sachs: Co-head of asset management; member of management committee

When he's leaving: In the coming weeks

Where he's headed: Tiger Global Management

Eric Lane, the global co-head of the asset management division at Goldman Sachs, a partner, and a member of the firm's powerful management committee, will retire from the firm in the coming weeks, according to an internal memo sent earlier this week by David Solomon, the firm's CEO.

"Over the coming weeks, Eric will work closely with Julian Salisbury, co-head of the division, to effect a smooth transition," Solomon wrote in the memo, which was viewed by Insider.

Salisbury, who is co-head of the asset management division, will become the group's sole head going forward, a spokesperson for Goldman Sachs said.

Lane is heading to Tiger Global Management, which manages a hedge fund business in addition to a venture capital group, where he will take on a new role as the firm's president and chief operating officer, according to the Financial Times, which cited an investor letter sent by Chase Coleman, the founder of Tiger Global, and his parter Scott Shleifer.

Omer Ismail

Role at Goldman Sachs: Head of consumer business

When he left: March 1

Where he's headed: Walmart

They're two brands that seem like they are worlds apart — one, an upmarket global bank that caters to the world's financial elite, and the other, a mass-market retailer known for its affordable prices on everyday consumer goods — but they have one thing in common: A drive to launch personal-finance offerings.

This week, Walmart poached Omer Ismail, a Goldman Sachs' partner who was just a few months into his new role heading up Goldman's consumer business, including its retail bank Marcus. 

Ismail didn't come alone either. He's joined by David Stark, another partner who was involved in the development of the Goldman-backed Apple Card, the firm's first foray into consumer credit. Stark was also the recent recipient of a promotion as well, as he was selected to head the consumer business' large partnership strategy team. 

Together, they'll help spearhead Walmart's consumer financial services startup efforts, Bloomberg was first to report, adding that their departure caught senior consumer and wealth management execs off-guard. 

Stephanie Cohen, the co-head of consumer and wealth management at Goldman, wished her former reports well in a post on LinkedIn on Monday.

"Thank you to Omer Ismail and to David Stark for their leadership and expertise as we scaled our rapidly growing business. I wish them both the very best in their next chapter," Cohen wrote.

Adam Dell

Role at Goldman Sachs: Head of digital product for the consumer and wealth management group

When he stepped down: January 2021

What he does now: Advisory director 

Goldman partner and digital product head for the consumer business Adam Dell retired from his position and the firm's rarefied partner class, according to a memo sent January 19th viewed by Insider. Dell has stayed on as an advisory director. 

"I'm coming up on three years at the firm and it feels like the right time to look to the next chapter," Dell told Insider in January. "I appreciate how supportive Goldman has been as I consider what's next. I will say that I still see a lot of opportunities to build new things in financial services."

Dell joined Goldman in 2018, following the firm's acquisition of Clarity Money, the personal financial management app he founded in 2016. Under his leadership, the Clarity Money team was folded into the Marcus digital bank. 

Just two weeks after Dell's departure was announced, Marcus told customers it would shut down Clarity in March, offering Marcus Insights, launched last October, as an alternative financial education tool for customers. Data gleaned from Clarity users served as inspiration for Marcus Insights, Dell said in a note to customers.

Nick Giovanni

Role at Goldman Sachs: Head of the TMT group within the investment-banking division

When he left: January 8, 2021

What he does now: Chief financial officer at Instacart

Nick Giovanni was the head of Goldman Sachs' technology, media, and telecommunications group until January, when he departed the firm to take on a new role as the chief financial officer at Instacart, a Goldman client.

Giovanni, who was also a partner at Goldman, started his new role on January 27.

Sam Britton and Matt Gibson, veteran Goldman Sachs bankers, took over leadership of the TMT group as co-heads.

TMT is one of Goldman's top franchises within its investment bank. The group handles deals for tech clients the likes of eBay, HP, Netflix, IBM, Slack, and PayPal, among others. In 2020, it worked on both mergers and IPOs including the largest software IPO of the year (Snowflake), and the largest acquisition of the year (client S&P's $44 billion all-stock purchase of data firm IHS Markit).

Sheila Patel

Role at Goldman Sachs: Chairman of asset management 

When she stepped down: December 31, 2020

What she does now: Advisory director

Sheila Patel, the former London-based chairman of Goldman's asset management unit, stepped down as chair and one of the firm's partners, and took on a new role as advisory director to the firm, effective January 1. 

Patel first joined Goldman in 2003, and was named partner three years later. She has held other senior roles across Goldman, including co-head of equities distribution in Asia. Before joining Goldman, she was head of trading strategy at Morgan Stanley for seven years.

As part of a reorg announced in September, Goldman Sachs Asset Management was folded into a standalone asset-management division, which also includes the firm's merchant-banking business. Meanwhile, a new standalone consumer division was created that includes retail bank Marcus as well as wealth-management and private banking.

Gregg Lemkau

Role at Goldman Sachs: Co-head of global investment-banking division; member of management committee

When he left: December 31, 2020

What he does now: CEO at MSD Partners

Gregg Lemkau, co-head of the firm's investment banking division since 2017 and a member of Goldman's management committee, departed the firm at the end of 2020. He was succeeded as co-head of the division by Jim Esposito, Goldman's global co-head of its global markets division, who stepped into Lemkau's role on Jan. 1.

"As co-head of IBD, Gregg has helped lead our efforts to continue to solidify and grow our preeminent investment banking franchise around the world," David Solomon, Goldman's CEO, wrote in a memo in November that was viewed by Insider.

"During his more than 28-year tenure at the firm, he has advised on hundreds of transactions, and has spent significant time advising our clients across all sectors globally while working in our offices in the US and in Europe," Solomon added.

Lemkau has since taken over the Michael Dell-backed firm MSD Partners, leading an investment firm that manages more than $15 billion in assets.

In a post on Medium.com on December 31, Lemkau's last day at Goldman Sachs, he wrote a sentimental parting message.

"Thank you for letting me be part of the greatest franchise on Wall Street. It has been a daily privilege to work alongside such depth and breadth of talent, from our assistants to our operations team to our engineers to our bankers," Lemkau wrote his Goldman colleagues.

"Your relentless commitment to excellence and teamwork, while putting clients' interests first is unparalleled," he added.

Shannen Balogh, Dakin Campbell, and Carter Johnson contributed to this reporting.

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, many have found that remote work is primed to carry on, too. 

In an attempt to lure some of those out-of-state remote workers, a number of places across the US are offering new residents big incentives, like cash or free land. Just consider Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is offering $10,000 toward a down payment on a home, or Claremont, Minnesota, which is offering free residential lots.

Insider rounded up 11 places in the US that are currently dishing out perks to prospective residents. Keep reading to see the list.

SEE ALSO: Here's the most realistic retirement age for the typical worker in every US state

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A region in Arkansas is offering potential new residents $10,000 in cash.

The Northwest Arkansas Council recently rolled out a pilot program that offers remote workers $10,000 in cash to relocate. Consider Fayetteville, a city in the Ozarks where the University of Arkansas is based, or Bentonville, home to the headquarters of corporate giants Walmart and Sam's Club.

The Council's program offers the cash alongside a street or mountain bike or annual membership to an art or cultural institution.

To qualify, applicants must be over the age of 24 and have at least two years of work experience along with full-time employment. Applicants must currently reside outside of Arkansas and must be able to relocate to Arkansas within six months of acceptance.

Unlike some of the other programs on this list, the Northwest Arkansas plan does not require you to purchase a home. 

Tucson, Arizona, is offering remote workers perks and services with worth about $7,500.

The University of Arizona campus is located in Tucson, the second-largest city in the state. A local economic development organization launched Remote Tucson during the pandemic to lure remote workers to the area.

The program offers relocators $1,500 toward moving costs, one year of free internet, free trials at local coworking spaces, membership to a local cultural institution, networking opportunities, and more.

Eligible applicants must be over 18 years of age, have full-time remote employment outside of the area, and be able to move to Tucson within six months.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, is offering remote workers a $10,000 grant to put toward housing.

Tulsa Remote, a program that started in 2018, is designed to draw new residents to the Oklahoma city. Since 2018, the program has aided more than 500 remote workers in relocating to Tulsa. And it has seen a 300% increase in interest amid the pandemic, program organizers told Insider in an email.

The program offers $10,000 toward purchasing or renting a home in Tulsa. The program also offers $500 travel reimbursements and a $150 Airbnb credit for applicants to get familiar with the area.

Insider recently interviewed four city folks from both coasts who made the move to Tulsa — and say it's the best decision they ever made.

To qualify for the program, applicants must be over the age of 18, currently live outside Oklahoma, have a consistent stream of income and the ability to work remotely, and can promise to commit to moving to and living in Tulsa for at least one year.

Savannah, Georgia, is offering remote workers $2,000 toward moving expenses.

Savannah, Georgia, rolled out a program called the Savannah Technology Workforce Incentive in May 2020. The program offers up to $2,000 in reimbursement for moving fees to remote workers who have already lived in Chatham County for one month. They either need to show they've signed one-year lease or newly purchased a home.

A handful of cities in Alabama is offering remote workers who move to the area $10,000 cash to be paid out over the course of a year.

The Shoals in Alabama — a cluster of municipalities including Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia that straddle the banks of the Tennessee River — is offering remote workers $10,000 to move to the area. Located near the border with Tennessee and Mississippi, the four cities are just a couple hours from hubs like Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham. 

The program offers $2,500 up front for relocation costs, then an additional $2,500 six months after moving there, and finally $5,000 at the end of the first year of residency.

Eligible applicants must be over the age of 18 and able to move to the region within six months, be employed outside of the area, and have a minimum annual income of $52,000.

Topeka, Kansas, is offering potential new residents up to $15,000 to move there.

Kansas' state capital, Topeka, is teaming up with employers to offer cash to those willing to move there.

Participants of the program, called Choose Topeka, can receive up to $15,000 if they purchase a home in Topeka and secure a job in the area. Remote workers with work outside of the area can earn up to $5,000 toward rental costs or $10,000 toward a home purchase.

As an added bonus, Jimmy John's, the sandwich franchise, will throw in an extra $1,000 for anyone who moves within delivery range of one of its shops.

Oahu, Hawaii, is offering free airfare and discounted hotel rates to those looking to work from somewhere sunnier for a while.

Hawaii is banking on long-term tourism to revive its pandemic-era economy.

A new program called Movers and Shakas, which is funded by a number of local businesses and organizations, is offering to pay the airfare of anyone looking to work remotely from Oahu and volunteer with a local nonprofit. Other perks for participants include discounted hotel stays and networking opportunities.

The first recipients of the flight funds were already selected — after there were 90,000 applications for 50 spots. There will be a second iteration of the program. Sign up for the program's newsletter for updates.

Applicants must be remote workers over the age of 18 who can commit to spending at least 30 consecutive days in Hawaii and are willing to participate in a community service activity like youth mentoring.

The Hawaii program differs from other programs in that it doesn't require a semi-permanent or permanent commitment to the area.

Southwest Michigan is offering remote workers $15,000 toward a down payment on a home, along with other perks.

A string of ZIP codes in southwest Michigan, right on Lake Michigan, is looking to entice people decamping from nearby Chicago or beyond with up to $15,000 to put toward a home purchase and over $5,000 in additional perks. Those extras include memberships to athletic clubs, driving ranges, a coworking spaces, and more.

The first round of the program — called Move to Michigan— is already full, but applicants for the next iteration must be willing to purchase a $200,000 home in southwest Michigan. They must also be willing to become a full-time Michigander by securing a Michigan driver's license and claiming it as a primary residence. Applicants must also have current full-time, remote employment outside of Michigan. Sign up for the program's newsletter for updates.

Manilla, Iowa, is offering free plots of land to anyone who will build homes on them.

Manilla — a small city in western Iowa — is offering free lots of land to anyone looking to build a single-family home. Twelve homes have already been built, and there are 16 additional lots up for grabs.

Claremont, Minnesota, is also offering free residential plots of land to those with home-building means and plans.

The Claremont House Lot Program is giving away single-family lots for free to families of two with a gross income of $91,800 or less. Those with a higher gross income would need to pay $9,500 for their lot. There are 11 lots available.

Even if securing the lot seems like a breeze, there are a number of things to keep in mind while building a home in Claremont, a town of just about 500 people about 80 miles south of Minneapolis. Homes cannot have less than 930 livable square feet; they must have minimal landscaping and a double-stall garage.

Most importantly, construction must be completed with 18 months or the property will be reverted back to the local government.

Lincoln, Kansas, is another city offering free lots for single-family home construction.

Lincoln, a city smack in the middle of Kansas, is offering free lots to people who want to build a single-family home in a recently created subdivision. The free lots in Lincoln range from around 14,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet. The 21 lots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Leanna Garfield contributed to a previous version of this article.

• Austin, Texas is known for its laid-back vibe, awesome food and music scene, and outdoor attractions.
• From bungalows in historic neighborhoods to sleek lofts, we found top-rated Airbnbs across the city.
• These exceptional Austin Airbnbs are all affordable and range from $87 to $194 per night to start.

While it's the capital of Texas and the seat of state government, Austin is best known as the Live Music Capital of the World, home to more live music venues per capita than any other city in the nation. Music is typically one of the biggest draws for Austin visitors, especially in March.

In non-pandemic times, hundreds of thousands of people descend on the city for the massive South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, with more than 2,000 international acts. While SXSW is still happening this year, it will be an online event, with virtual speakers, film screenings, and showcases.

Beyond music, Austin is also a serious foodie destination, where barbecue, Tex-Mex, and tacos have been elevated to an art form. Natural jewels like Zilker Park, Barton Springs, and Ladybird Lake provide many opportunities to explore the outdoors. And, of course, there's the city's bohemian streak — best summed up by its famous moniker, "Keep Austin Weird." You'll find the offbeat everywhere, whether it's a drink at the legendary circus-themed Carousel Lounge or a stop at the famous Bat Bridge, where a million roosting bats take flight come dusk.

While any lodging options have inherent risk amid the coronavirus pandemic, experts and the CDC have noted that private vacation rentals like Airbnbs are safer alternatives to traditional hotels. Rental properties greatly minimize, or in many cases, entirely eliminate, contact among people outside your pod. Additionally, Airbnb has enforced strict new Enhanced Clean protocols hosts must follow.

Be aware that even with the increasing availability of coronavirus vaccines, there's still no guarantee of safety when it comes to travel right now. We always recommend following guidelines from the CDC and WHO, wearing a mask in public spaces, washing hands frequently, and practicing social distancing. This is especially true in Texas, where the governor recently lifted the statewide mask mandate and announced that businesses can now operate at full capacity. 

With that in mind, spring is a great time to visit Austin and take advantage of the temperate climate and wildflowers blooming all over the city.

We selected the best Airbnbs in Austin based on the following criteria:

1. We only included entire homes or standalone guesthouses with private entrances, per current expert recommendations. 
2. Every listing is highly-rated with a 4.61 score or higher and excellent recent guest reviews. Several are coveted Plus listings.
3. We've chosen a range of rentals to suit different types of travelers, from couples to families to pet-owners, and kept affordability in mind, with price points starting between $87 and $194 (though rates can soar during popular events).
4. Properties are well-appointed with appealing design touches and onsite amenities, and all are close to top attractions.

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

A vintage-inspired East Austin hideaway, $87

Book this vintage guesthouse starting at $87 per night

In the past five years, East Austin has emerged as one of the city's coolest neighborhoods. Art galleries, boutiques, craft cocktail bars, taquerias, and food trucks have popped up all over this former working-class district, whose leafy residential streets are lined with quaint, refurbished bungalows.

The backyard setting of this East Austin guesthouse is wonderfully quiet, yet it's within easy walking distance of all the bars and restaurants of trendy Chicon Street. The freestanding studio is a stylish blend of contemporary and mid-century modern, featuring a chic, white-subway-tiled kitchen accented with gold hardware, vintage-style wood furnishings, Edison bulb lighting, and black-and-white framed photos throughout. A record player and curated collection of vinyl LPs add to the old-school feel.

Modern conveniences include a washer/dryer, heating, and reliable Wi-Fi. While you do have the option to add a floor mattress to sleep more guests, the open-plan space does not have a separate bedroom, so it's really best for couples, solo travelers, or those with small children.  

The guesthouse, which has been awarded Airbnb Plus designation, has availability starting in April. There is currently a four-night minimum.

A backyard studio in Bouldin Creek, $110

Book this cozy studio starting at $110 per night

Located in the quaint, quiet Bouldin Creek neighborhood, this freestanding backyard studio is close to Auditorium Shores, Palmer Auditorium, Lady Bird Lake, and two of Austin's best outdoor spots: Zilker Park and the massive, three-acre Barton Springs Pool fed by natural springs.

While the guesthouse is petite, its high ceilings, glass sliders, and open-plan design make it feel much bigger. Contemporary furniture in neutral earth tones and warm woods give the place a serene feel, while a huge colorful artwork in the living room adds a whimsical touch. There's a comfy Queen-sized bed in the sleeping area, plus a fold-out sofa bed, but given the studio's small size and lack of a bedroom, it's best for couples or solo travelers. The spacious bathroom was recently renovated and features a large, walk-in shower. Outside is a private deck shaded by big oak trees and guests have use of the shared backyard (the owner lives in the main house).

The space does not have a kitchen, but it is equipped with a coffee maker, kettle, mini-fridge, and microwave, and coffee and tea are provided. A variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and food trucks are a short stroll away on South First Street, and it's just a few more blocks to all the bars, restaurants, and shopping on South Congress. 

The studio has availability starting in April.

Tranquil Hyde Park apartment with private patio, $117

Book this apartment with patio starting at $117 per night

Located in the Hyde Park Historic District, known for its gorgeous assortment of landmark homes dating from the Victorian Age, this one-bedroom garage apartment was built in 2010 in the same architectural style as the original 100-year-old main house. Enter through the private brick patio, which features a gas grill, a small seating area, and a shady pecan tree, and head up the stairs to the light-filled hideaway. The apartment is cozy, but nicely laid out, with a combination living/dining room, separate bedroom, and full kitchen with modern appliances.

A tasteful mix of contemporary and mid-century modern pieces decorate the rooms, and walls are painted in a soothing neutral color. There's a Queen-sized foam mattress and big, walk-in closet in the sunny, spacious bedroom and the living room has a fold-out Queen-sized sofa bed. The tiled bathroom, while petite, has a cool vintage vibe thanks to the pedestal sink. A washer/dryer in the hallway closet is convenient for longer stays. 

The apartment is walking distance to the UT campus, but there are many homegrown treasures in the neighborhood worth checking out. Among them is the low-key Mexican spot Julio's, Exploded Records for everything vinyl, and Austin's oldest drugstore, Avenue B Grocery & Market, a beloved stop for deli sandwiches since 1909.

The rental isn't suitable for children under 12. It has availability from April on.

Hilltop Clarksville apartment with skyline views, $149

Book this cityscape guesthouse starting at $149 per night

Sitting high on a hill in Clarksville, one of Austin's most coveted, centrally located neighborhoods, this spacious garage apartment offers unbeatable city views. Big windows in the dining/living area look out over the skyline, or step out on the private deck and soak up unobstructed views of downtown and the domed capitol building.

The bright, airy, recently renovated space features cathedral ceilings and parquet flooring throughout. There are modern appliances and stylish wood cabinetry in the full-size kitchen, and the tiled bathroom has a large walk-in shower and a bonus seating area with a makeup mirror. The big, sunny bedroom has a Queen-sized sleigh bed, seating area, and plenty of closet space, and there's a pull-out sofa that can sleep two. Simply furnished in a contemporary style, the highly-rated space is warm and welcoming, as are the hosts, who enjoy sharing homemade treats with guests.

Clarksville has a number of top restaurants, and it's an easy walk to downtown Austin, Ladybird Lake, West 6th Street, home to the famous Swedish Bakery and the artisanal Amy's Ice Creams.

This home is in high demand, with limited dates in April and more availability in June. There is a two-night minimum. The property is not suitable for infants or children under 2.

A contemporary downtown loft with balcony, $152

Book this downtown loft starting at $152 per night

Step outside the door of this contemporary condo building and you're right on 6th Street, a blocks-long stretch packed with bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that's arguably Austin's most famous party zone.

This spacious, two-bedroom, two-bathroom loft can accommodate up to seven people and features an open-plan living room/kitchen that's ideal for hanging out with friends. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light, while high ceilings and exposed concrete beams give it a cool, industrial-style vibe. The look is complemented by sleek, modern furnishings, including a leather sofa, plexiglass coffee table, and cowhide rug in the living area, while a playful neon sign on the balcony makes for fun photo ops.

The large kitchen is equipped with all the latest appliances and the apartment comes with a huge Smart TV and high-speed Wi-Fi. Each bedroom has two beds — one with two Queens, the other with a Queen and a Double — giving larger groups plenty of sleeping space. The condo also comes with one reserved parking space (important in this downtown zone where parking is scarce).

This condo is available for booking from the end of March.

A vintage SoCo bungalow with backyard pig, $189

Book this unique bungalow starting at $189 per night

The city's famous catchphrase, "Keep Austin Weird," is alive and well at this bungalow dubbed the "Pig Parlor," whose backyard is home to Gerdeth, a friendly little pig who guests adore. It also has a great SoCo (South Congress) location, just steps from the iconic street lined with vintage shops, restaurants, and bars—including one of Austin's most famous music venues, the Continental Club.

The rustic-meets-modern interior features white-washed shiplap walls and ceilings, and every room is accented with a glass chandelier. Black leather sofas and a plush carpet decorate the living area, while the open, eat-in kitchen features new, retro-style appliances. Nice-sized bedrooms have Queen- and King-sized beds and big windows looking out onto the backyard. A fun touch are the brightly colored paintings of (what else?) pigs throughout the home.

This home has availability from March. Note that it is not suitable for infants or children under 2.

A 1930s cottage in the Heritage neighborhood, $189

Book this cottage starting at $189 per night

The aptly named Heritage neighborhood is dotted with historical homes and charming cottages like this one, built in 1935 and retaining its original hardwood floors, lovely trim detailing, and fireplace. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom home has been thoroughly updated and is artfully decorated with contemporary furnishings in neutral gray tones and black-and-white photos dotting the pristine white walls. Light floods in through the many windows throughout the kitchen, living room, and separate dining room, giving the cottage a bright, airy feel. Both bedrooms are spacious, but the larger of the two has a Queen-sized bed and direct access to a terrace. The private backyard features a hammock beneath a large oak tree and is the perfect spot for napping.

While the neighborhood is mainly residential, it's within walking distance of the UT campus and the many bars and restaurants along Guadalupe Street — commonly referred to as the "The Drag." Because of its proximity to the university, you can expect higher rates during big events like football games.   

The home, which has received Airbnb Plus designation, has availability starting in late March. Note that the property is not suitable for children under 12. 

An architectural gem in Windsor Park, $194

Book this glass-walled bungalow starting at $194 per night

This sleek, redesigned 1950s bungalow located in trendy Windsor Park offers fantastic indoor/outdoor space. Sliding glass walls in the living room open to a private, fenced backyard, whose big wood deck, 12-foot-long outdoor dining table, and fire pit with seating area make for an ideal gathering place.

The home is impeccably decorated with chic, contemporary furnishings and carefully curated artwork. The streamlined open kitchen with breakfast bar features glossy white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and natural wood walls. Both bedrooms are large and each has its pluses. One with a King-sized bed features a standout ensuite bathroom with wood-lined walls and ceiling, gray-tiled floors, and a Chromatherapy Jacuzzi bathtub. The other has a Queen-sized bed and sliders with direct access to the backyard. 

Windsor Park is a bit farther out from downtown — it's a 15-minute drive to 6th Street — but it has its own cool scene with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars (don't miss the old-school, circus-themed Carousel Lounge), as well as the Mueller Blue Starlight Drive-In.

The home allows one pet with prior approval and infants or children over the age of 8. The Airbnb Plus property has availability from March.

More great Airbnb getaways

• The best Airbnbs in Dallas
• The best Airbnbs in Phoenix
• The best Airbnbs in Denver
• The best Airbnbs in Colorado

Last year's lockdowns fast-tracked the shift in consumer spending away from brick-and-mortar stores to online shopping and e-commerce. And this is likely to continue this year, even as economies reopen and consumers activity returns to more normal levels. Now, the race is on to see which companies can build on these gains, Deutsche Bank said.

For example, HelloFresh, a German-listed company that provides home meal kits in the US, Canada, Australia and several European countries, has gained over 140% over the last 12 months, as investors have hunted down companies that have been able to tap into that consumer demand throughout the lockdowns across much of Europe. 

With countries like the UK set to reopen in the coming weeks and months, Deutsche Bank is bullish on companies that are exposed to the online transition, including food delivery and a new generation of digital classified advertisers, as well as streaming services and television. Certain cyclical players in the sector that were hard hit last year could see a bounce-back, the bank added, pointing to the likes of German online real estate platform Scout24 and digital advertiser Stroeer, if the macro picture starts to improve.

However, investors need to be weary, as some companies "could be value traps as Covid-19 headwinds continue in 2021 (such as certain broadcaster names and eDreams in the travel space) and visibility on a return to normal remains low (e.g. Informa)," it added.

The shift to online consumption has been an increasing trend over the last two decades, as consumer found quicker ways of buying through the internet, rather than in person. But, with stores shut and most travel banned during the lockdowns, the pandemic has forced consumers to adopt online habits.

Some sub-sectors have seen big gains, in both stock price and customer acquisition. Food tech and e-commerce companies like HelloFresh and Zalando are such an example, and should continue to go from strength to strength, Deutsche wrote, as consumers that moved to online shoppping stay with it, despite physical stores reopening.

Conversely, food delivery could yet see an "inflection point," the note said, adding that a deceleration in app orders is likely in the second half of 2021, Deutsche bank added.

But, the bank remains constructive on the likes of Just Eat Takeaway.com, arguing that it is "better diversified and has more flexibility to reinvest profits across markets for protecting market share and driving sustainable growth."

The company's recent push in the roll-out of logistics services has also been a positive and has helped protect market share against competitors in the longer term, Deutsche Bank said.

Online classifieds, were among the first media stocks to rebound from the third quarter of 2020. Digital advertising is expected to reach over a 60% share of global advertising in 2022, according to agency forecasts.

As a result, the classifieds sector is booming, with the bank forecasting that 2019 revenues have already been surpassed this year, the note said.

Some names within music streaming and information providers are also likely to be beneficiaries of these tailwinds, it added, highlighting these 16 stock picks, all with a buy recommendation:

HelloFresh

Ticker: ETR: HFG

Upside: 77.73%

Sector: E-commerce

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €9.65 ($11.4) billion

Just Eat Takeaway.com

Ticker: LON: JET

Upside: 62.34%

Sector: E-commerce

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: £9.50 ($13.13) billion

Schibsted

Ticker: NO:SCHB

Upside: 44.56%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €7.45 ($8.83) billion

Delivery Hero

Ticker: ETR: DHER

Upside: 32.29%

Sector: E-Commerce

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €25.02 ($29.66) billion

Ascential PLC

Ticker: LON: ASCL

Upside: 17.96%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: £1.50 ($2.07) billion

Zalando

Ticker: ETR: ZA

Upside: 41.81%

Sector: E-commerce

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €20.16 ($23.90) billion

Vivendi

Ticker: EPA: VIV

Upside: 26.26%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €32.95 ($39.06) billion

WPP Group

Ticker: ETR: RRTL

Upside: 10.06%

Sector: Communications

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: £11.13 ($15.38) billion

RTL Group

Ticker: ETR: RRTL

Upside: 9.96%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €7.45 ($8.83) billion

1. ProSiebenSat.1

Ticker: ETR: PSM

Upside: 8.36%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €3.94 ($4.67) billion

ITV

Ticker: LON: ITV

Upside: 6.05%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: £4.85 ($6.70) billion

Adevinta

Ticker: FRA: AD5B

Upside: 19.59%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: $10.76 billion

Prosus

Ticker: AMS: PRX

Upside: 34.93%

Sector: Financials

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €153.16 ($181.55)billion

Auto Trader Group

Ticker: LON: AUTO

Upside: 25.67%

Sector: E-commerce

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: £5.39 ($7.45) billion

Scout24

Ticker: ETR: G24

Upside: 22.21%

Sector: Media and e-commerce

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €6.55 ($7.76) billion

Stroeer

Ticker: ETR: SAX

Upside: 8.84%

Sector: Media

Recommendation: Buy

Market cap: €4.15 ($4.92) billion

Many influencers, especially those primarily working on Instagram, say brand sponsorships are their main source of income.

In fact, brands are set spend up to $15 billion on influencer marketing by 2022, according to Business Insider Intelligence.

To get brand deals, influencers often use media kits as a tool to showcase their value to a company. Including performance metrics in a media kit is as important as highlighting content, Alessandro Bogliari, cofounder and CEO of The Influencer Marketing Factory, told Insider in 2020.

"When I say metrics, I don't talk only about vanity metrics (likes, comments, views) but also about conversions," he said. "A lot of brands are looking not only anymore for brand awareness but for real conversions (sign-ups, e-commerce sales, use of promo codes, etc). If we see any reference to actual important numbers and metrics in an influencer kit we know that we are talking with a professional that cares about giving real value to our client."

Media kits also often include the previous brands a creator has worked with and their audience demographics.

Here are 10 examples of real influencer media kits from YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok stars:

Jen Lauren: about 1,500 YouTube subscribers

Jen Lauren is a 24-year-old nano lifestyle influencer on YouTube and Instagram, and she has between 1,000 and 2,000 followers on each social-media platform.

As a part-time influencer, Lauren has started to make money by partnering with brands on sponsorships, she told Insider in November. 

Lauren is considered a "nano" influencer on YouTube and Instagram. Nano influencers often specialize in a specific niche, with a small and engaged community that feels like they know the influencer on a personal level. They generally have fewer than 5,000 subscribers on YouTube and between 2,500 and 10,000 followers on Instagram. 

Her core audience stats show that her audience is between the ages of 18- and 34-years-old. 18-24 (40.3%) and 25-34 (44.8%).

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in November 2020):

Laur DeMartino: about 3,300 YouTube subscribers and about 5,200 Instagram followers

Laur DeMartino, 19, is a part-time lifestyle content creator and full-time college student. She told Business Insider that she treats her content as a "mini-internship." 

DeMartino is a "nano" influencer and while she has a larger audience on her Instagram (5,200 followers) and TikTok (4,200 followers), YouTube is her primary focus as a creator, where she has about 3,300 subscribers as of November. 

She told Insider in November that her starting rates for YouTube integrations are between $300 and $500, depending on the brand and the deliverables. 

So far, she's worked with brands like Lululemon and SeatGeek, which she highlights in her media kit. 

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in November 2020):

Here's the exact 9-page media kit a YouTube and Instagram nano influencer uses to get brand sponsorships

Kayla Compton: about 3,400 YouTube subscribers and 1,900 Instagram followers

Kayla Compton, 23, is a part-time nano influencer and works a full-time job as a social-media manager.

Compton makes money as an influencer through ad revenue on her YouTube videos, affiliate links, and doing one to two brand deals each month, she told Insider. 

"A lot of people might think, 'Oh, if you have a thousand followers, no one's going to pay you for that,'" Compton said. "But if you have a very engaged audience and you can target people really well and have a good connection with your audience, brands will pay for that."

As of March 2021, Compton's starting rate for a sponsored content package (including both YouTube and Instagram content) was $250.

She uses an 8-page media kit when pitching and responding to brands. In that media kit, she highlights her past work with brands and outlines key insights for her social media.

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in March 2021):

A YouTube nano influencer shares the exact 8-page media kit she uses to get brand deals

Macy Mariano: about 111,000 Instagram followers

Travel and style influencer Macy Mariano is an Instagram creator who has worked with brands like Lululemon, Champs Sports, and the hotel company Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Mariano said many advertisers will ask to see her media kit when negotiating terms for a sponsored content deal.

"I think it's super important if you want to take this seriously," Mariano told Insider in 2020. "I send them now to everyone I get in touch with. It's just a good way to express who you are and what you've done so they can see your past and current work." 

Mariano had 105,000 Instagram followers when Insider obtained the media kit in February 2020. Today she has 111,000 followers.

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in February 2020):

An Instagram influencer with 100,000 followers shares the 9-page media kit she uses to pitch brands, which includes how much money she charges

Lauren Soyung Lim: about 138,000 TikTok followers

Lauren Soyung Lim, 19, is a full-time college student and part-time influencer with 138,000 followers on TikTok. She creates content about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle on TikTok — and will post an occasional dancing video here and there. 

Lim started working with brands on sponsored content this year, she told Insider in December. At first, many of these were "paid" in free products, but after learning about how much other content creators (including her friends) were earning from brand deals, she started to set her own rates, she said.

"In the beginning, you're always underpaid," Lim said. "But after a while, you learn and set firm rates for yourself."

She always responds to brands who reach out to her via email or DM with her 9-page media kit, which outlines her audience, engagement, and previous work with brands. Then, if the brand is interested, Lim will share her rates (which are not included in her media kit).

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in December 2020):

A TikTok fashion influencer with about 130,000 followers shares the exact 9-page media kit she uses to land brand deals

Jade Darmawangsa: about 380,000 YouTube subscribers

Jade Darmawangsa has about 380,000 YouTube subscribers and has expanded her channel into a full-time business by working with brands on sponsorships and collaborations.

On average, she charges between $2,000 and $5,000 for a YouTube brand sponsorship, and between $500 and $2,000 for a sponsored Instagram post, she told Insider in October. 

On YouTube, her monthly earnings vary, and the most she's made from a single video is around $5,000, according to a screenshot of her dashboard viewed by Insider.

Darmawangsa highlights at the top of her cover page that she was named as a "Creator on the Rise" by YouTube in 2018. This is a feature built into the trending page on YouTube that highlights three emerging creators each week.

She is based in Los Angeles and launched her YouTube channel in 2015. 

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in October 2020):

Roberto Blake: about 488,000 YouTube subscribers

Business and tech influencer Roberto Blake runs a YouTube channel with 488,000 subscribers.

He earns money through brand sponsorships, affiliate marketing, ads in his videos, and business coaching.

Blake said he sends a media kit to every company he pitches, and he has previously worked with brands like Samsung, PayPal, and HP. He said that having a media kit can cut down on creating materials to send over to a brand every time you want to pitch yourself. 

"It puts your content, demographic, and data in context, and shows a brand why you are a good spokesperson for their product," he told Insider in February 2020. "It also lets you give them enough information to decide how to best utilize you as an influencer."

Blake's audience skews older, between the ages of 24 and 44. They are working professionals or small business owners who tend to travel and use a variety of hardware and software brands in their careers. 

Blake's YouTube channel had 436,000 subscribers when Insider obtained the media kit in February. Today he has 488,000 subscribers on that channel. 

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in February 2020):

A YouTube creator with 436,000 subscribers shares the exact 11-page document he sends to brands to land sponsorship deals

HoneyHouse: about 700,000 TikTok followers

HoneyHouse is an influencer collab house currently based in Los Angeles and made up of content creators (who are also couples) between the ages of 26 and 32.

The self-proclaimed "oldest house on TikTok" had about 700,000 followers on TikTok as of November. 

HoneyHouse launched in August 2020 and was founded by J.T. Barnett, a fitness influencer and former professional hockey player, and Nick Dio, a brand strategist, and talent manager.

The two work together on pitching the house to brands for sponsorships by marketing the house as a brand-safe, family-friendly collab house that can integrate products (such as beverages or apparel) into their content. 

"We have a seasonal development model, so we're only in the actual house for 30 days at a time," Dio told Insider in November. "And that creates about two months worth of content."

Between seasons, HoneyHouse rotates new members and locations. The house also plans on launching a YouTube and podcast series during its second season. 

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in November 2020):

The founders of a TikTok influencer house share the exact 17-page media kit they use to get brand sponsorships

Marina Mogilko: about 2.8 million YouTube subscribers

Entrepreneur and YouTube creator Marina Mogilko runs three successful YouTube channels, a 391,000-subscriber business channel, "Silicon Valley Girl"; a 1.2 million subscriber main channel under her name; and a language channel with 2.8 million subscribers, "linguamarina."

Mogilko has worked with brands like Audible and Skillshare on sponsored videos. She told Insider that she sends a media kit to the brands who reach out and the ones she pitches, which includes case studies of past campaigns and her audience analytics. 

She lives in San Francisco and is the cofounder of a travel agency, LinguaTrip. 

Mogilko's business earns money through her promoting brands within videos on YouTube, promoting them on Instagram, and from the Google-placed ads that play in her YouTube channel.

Her media kit begins with her channel categories: business, education, languages, life in Silicon Valley, and personal development.

She lists the audience demographics for her language channel. Her audience is between the ages of 18 and 44 years old, 52% male viewers and 48% female. The top countries her viewership is from are the US, UK, Canada, Russia, and India.

Mogilko's language channel had 2.3 million subscribers when Insider obtained the media kit in May 2020. Today, she has 2.8 million subscribers on that channel. 

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in May 2020):

A YouTube creator with 2 million subscribers shares the exact 24-page media kit she uses to get brand sponsorships
 

Alexa Collins: about 1.2 million Instagram followers

Alexa Collins is a Miami-based influencer with 1.2 million Instagram followers and over 400,000 TikTok fans. 

Since kicking off her Instagram account in March 2016, Collins' steady stream of swimsuit and dog photos, clothing (and occasionally tax accounting) promotions, and product placements have provided the 25-year-old with a steady income. 

"I started this a while ago, and it takes a really long time to build a following on an app," Collins said. "I work with a lot of clothing and swimwear and makeup and hair brands. A lot of girly stuff."

Collins now works with the talent management agency Johnson Sports Entertainment, which also represents NFL players and professional golfers, to secure deals with brands. She also regularly pitches advertisers directly using an 8-page media kit.

Check out the full media kit here (obtained in November 2020):

An Instagram influencer with 1 million followers breaks down how much money she charges for sponsored content and the 8-page media kit she sends to brands

The zero-waste movement got its official start back in 2000 and has evolved through the years to become an aspirational goal for many. It's even a bit of a fad, with the movement growing to encompass an expanding cohort of bloggers who get their trash down to a Mason jar's worth per year. 

And women are at the helm of so many of the businesses that are leading the charge toward a zero-waste lifestyle for us all. 

Is this a coincidence? Given the conclusions of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change's 2018 Special Working Report that gave the world 12 years to commit to reversing the effects of global warming, it probably isn't. After all, one study showed that the most important qualities women leaders bring to the table include so-called "soft skills" like self-awareness, empathy, collaboration, and adaptability — just the right combination to save the world.

Insider highlighted three inspiring women worth keeping an eye on, whose companies are replacing plastic with reusables, altering people's habits for the better, and making lasting change on the environment, all while making big bucks.

SEE ALSO: Cannabis experts explain the opportunities waiting to be claimed by entrepreneurs even after we're plunged into a recession — and they have nothing to do with CBD

NOW READ: The founder of personal-care brand Schmidt's Naturals on the exact steps she took to go from making deodorants in her kitchen to getting acquired by Unilever

Sarah Kauss, 44, founder and chairwoman of S'well

Looming large on the public's radar with respect to familiarity, S'well was founded by Sarah Kauss in 2010 with $30,000 of her own startup funds and a goal to rid the world of single-use plastic bottles. Powered by the draw of the brand's easily-identifiable water bottle, the company told Insider that it reached $100 million in sales by 2016. 

The need to make a difference with respect to the impact we're making on the planet has been important to Kauss for as long as she can remember. 

"I have been involved in environmental and social advocacy since an early age and grew up recycling before there were city-wide programs," she told Insider. "As I got older, I took on habits around reusables and learned about the global water crisis. I feel a responsibility to help others understand their personal impact and the constant need to take action for good." 

S'well recently launched an entire line of food storage products, as well as cutlery and barware for entertaining. Through her business, Kauss hopes to continue changing the world. 

"We're so proud of the fact that S'well recently became a Certified B Corp and that we've been able to help displace more than four billion single-use plastic bottles over our 10 years in business," she said. "We're eager to keep reinforcing our commitment to responsible business and evolving our approach to create an even greater change in the years ahead."

Kauss said her background in accountancy was instrumental to her success — and that of S'well. She focused on the blocking and tackling of expense tracking to ensure profitability.

"I bootstrapped S'well with my personal savings and made sure S'well was profitable from the start by focusing on basic economics. As a former CPA, I made sure as money went out, more money came in," she said. "I grew slowly at first, minimizing overhead costs as much as possible — using my apartment as an office, being a one-person team for two years, and staying close to the numbers and expenditures of the business to ensure we were spending smartly."

When it comes to important milestones in the history of S'well, Kauss said it's more a matter of adhering to the brand's identity at all times — but she did take note of three critical turning points that influenced the company's enduring upward trend. 

"[T]here have been special moments when we decided to go all in that supported our trajectory," she said. "Making the decision to shift from one color to six colors to be included in O Magazine's list of must-haves, speaking with former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz during a chance encounter about the need to expand our partnership globally, and launching collaborations with the likes of Lilly Pulitzer to reach new consumers with enormous brand love are all examples of the type of actions that have made a difference over the years." 

Lauren Singer, 28, founder and CEO of Package Free and founder of Trash is for Tossers

The Package Free shop is actually Lauren Singer's second zero-waste venture — she started her first green venture, The Simply Co., launching with a three-ingredient laundry detergent, in 2014. Package Free Shop is Singer's retail play, offering The Simply Co. products as well as sustainable products from more than three dozen additional vendors. 

Package Free got its start as a pop-up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in May 2017 and has now expanded to an additional location in Chelsea Market as well as an ecommerce hub. It's been so successful that Singer secured a $4.5 million round of venture capital funding at the end of 2019 to help expand her business.

Even more impressive are Package Free's sustainability stats: Since its inception in 2017, the company stated that it is responsible for diverting more than 125 million individual units from the landfill, including over 31 million plastic bags, 26 million plastic straws, two million coffee cups, two million water bottles, and 270 thousand razors. 

Singer said she's been passionate about sustainability for a long time. 

"I studied environmental science at NYU, where I became impassioned about the impacts of hydrofracking," she told Insider. "In one class I had as a senior, I remember this girl coming in, and every day, she'd bring a plastic bag with a plastic clamshell full of food, with plastic utensils, and she'd eat it all and throw it away — and I remember thinking how can she do that when she's been sitting here in class with me all this time learning about the petroleum industry and how all these products are made from petroleum products? But then I went home and opened my refrigerator and saw that everything in there was made from plastic, and I felt like such a hypocrite. The same thing was true in my bathroom. So I set out to see what kind of change I could make."

Singer documented her journey on her blog, Trash is for Tossers, including the story of how four years worth of her landfill-bound trash fit into one Mason jar. She still provides tips and tricks on reducing, reusing, and recycling via this site, which serves as a convenient funnel back to Package Free.

"My goal is to continue creating positive sustainable environmental change, but there's so much more room for growth in the consumer space that I feel like we're just at the tip of the iceberg," Singer said. "I believe that sustainable products are a basic human right. We just need to raise them to reach economies of scale where they get to the point that they are affordable and available across the board."

Singer said her success has been about answering a unique need in the market. 

"The function of business is to solve problems, right? If you're entrepreneurial, you have to figure out if there are problems that you're still seeing that you can solve for," she said. "Package Free was born from my followers on Trash is for Tossers seeing things I was using and asking me what they were and where I'd gotten them. At that point, sustainable items were not widely available, so I was able to assess the market need and respond to it." 

Isabel Aagaard, 29, cofounder of LastObject

In promoting a zero-waste lifestyle, Isabel Aagaard and her team of Danish industrial engineers have chosen to tackle some of the least sexy objects out there — first the Q-tip with LastSwab and now disposable tissues with LastTissue, which aims to bring back the classic handkerchief. 

After a successful campaign on Kickstarter launched the business, the company stated that LastObject is netting more than $100,000 per month in sales. The company has plans to release more "Last" reusable everyday products. 

"It is very unique when your personal values and your business are so aligned," Aagard told Insider. "When you get the chance to create something that betters the world every day. This is a huge force and a beam of energy to be driven by. Our values touch every part of our company in terms of compassion, sustainability, automation, and agile creative solutions."

LastObject isn't Aagard's first at bat in the zero-waste space, either. Her first venture in the reusable space was a chemotherapy bag created to help curb waste in the medical field. These bags, called Chemo-to-go, are now being used in hospitals across Denmark. 

Looking for solutions like this comes naturally to women, Aagard said.

"Caring for our earth for future generations is a very motherly ingrained compassion. As a woman this has been a very natural drive," Aagard told Business Insider. "We design products we want to use ourselves and women are a huge buyer group for sustainable everyday solutions for the household. So it's good we understand women!"

Aagard noted that keeping an eye on profitability on a highly granular basis has been important to LastObject's success on a macro basis. 

"For us, every day had to be profitable. Our success financially has only been achieved using the money we had," she said. "So we created an automated overview with Google Data Studio to track all incoming sales and all expenses every 10 minutes. All freelancers note their time in a sheet daily, every ad is tracked and order noted. To date, we have been profitable every day since our launch in April last year."

This article was originally published on Insider April 22, 2020.

After a record-breaking year of VC funding, some healthcare startups hit 2021 with healthy balance sheets and shiny new valuations.

According to Pitchbook data provided exclusively to Insider, nine digital health startups earned unicorn status in 2020 and early 2021 with valuations at or above $1 billion. Digital health startups made up eight of the 15 newly minted unicorns in 2020.

Equity funding eclipsed $80 billion in 2020, an all-time high for healthcare startups, according to CB Insights.

Some startups that raised funding earlier in the year, for example, raised again once the funding conditions proved to be in their favor. Olive, an AI healthcare startup that reached a $1.5 billion valuation in 2020, raised $106 million in funding in September after completing a $51 million round in March 2020.

Read more:Meet the 35 healthcare startups VCs say will take off in 2021

Many investors attribute the funding boom to increased attention on the shortcomings of America's healthcare system during the coronavirus pandemic. Some startups quickly worked to apply their technology to the newly attention-grabbing problems, while others were beneficiaries of being in the right place at the right time with the right solution. 

The pandemic also accelerated what many investors said was a slow-moving technological revolution within healthcare. Hospitals, clinics, and patients may be more willing to try new technology during a crisis, investors and founders predicted. A boom in telemedicine services, virtual therapy, and direct-mail pharmaceuticals followed.

Here are the nine digital health startups that achieved $1 billion valuations or higher in 2020 and early 2021.

This story was initially published in January and has been updated with funding information for DispatchHealth, which hit unicorn status on March 3.

SEE ALSO: Investors are betting billions of dollars that Silicon Valley can upend mental healthcare in America

Cityblock Health - $1 billion

Cityblock Health wants to improve healthcare outcomes for low-income patients through its social support services for what investors call social determinants of health in addition to its virtual care service. These factors, which include access to public transportation, affordable and reliable housing, and nutritious food, operate outside the four walls of a clinic or doctor's office but have massive implications on patients' long-term health.

Cityblock Health raised $160 million in Series C funding on December 14, catapulting the three-year-old startup to the unicorn club. Investors recently told Business Insider that startups like Cityblock could be poised to rise even further in 2021 as the pandemic continues and the inequities in care remain at the forefront of the nation's response.

MDLive - $1 billion

MDLive is a long-standing telemedicine provider that has boomed during the pandemic. The 11-year-old company offers a suite of digital health and virtual care services to its patients in the United States and operates on a similar level to its competitor, telehealth giant Teladoc. Teladoc recently acquired Livongo, a company that helps patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes, spurring speculation that MDLive may pursue a similar blockbuster deal in 2021. 

MDLive announced $50 million in equity investment in September. According to Pitchbook data, the round valued MDLive at $1 billion and also included $25 million in debt financing as a separate transaction.

On February 26, health insurance company Cigna announced it was buying MDLive for an undisclosed amount and was folding it into Evernorth, its health services division that also includes pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts. 

Lyra - $1.1 billion

Lyra is a mental health startup that works with companies to provide better benefits to employees. The startup has a network of therapists, coaches, and other care providers that provide virtual care visits to any employee with access to the software at little or no cost.

The service has been booming during the pandemic, according to investors, as remote employees struggle with work-life balance and employers seek to replace the enticing in-office perks with options that benefit more people.

Lyra raised $110 million in Series D funding on August 27, earning the five-year-old startup a $1.1 billion valuation, according to Pitchbook data. Investors have been eager to back mental health startups in 2020, and many told Business Insider they foresee that trend only increasing in 2021. 

Virta Health - $1.1 billion

Virta Health is a Silicon Valley startup that combines virtual care and the trendy ketogenic diet to help patients with diabetes. Virta encourages patients with type 2 diabetes to adopt a low-carb, high-fat diet and matches them with trained professionals to help track and manage their symptoms. In a peer-reviewed study Virta funded, researchers found that these changes to a patient's diet could ultimately reduce or remove the need for medications like insulin.

Virta raised $93 million in Series C funding in January 2020 before raising another $65 million in Series D funding on December 2. The subsequent round garnered the startup its $1.1 billion valuation, according to a Bloomberg report.

Whoop - $1.2 billion

Whoop makes a health and fitness tracking strap that has won over everyone from Lebron James to Eli Manning to Kevin Durant. The strap, which functions similar to existing watch fitness trackers, allegedly helped PGA Tour golfer Nick Watney detect early COVID-19 symptoms by picking up on his elevated respiratory rate, in addition to integrating with popular fitness app Strava. The strap itself costs nothing and is included with a membership for $30 a month or $288 for one year.

The 8-year-old startup was founded by 31-year-old founder and CEO Will Ahmed. On October 28, Whoop announced that it had raised $100 million in Series E funding at a $1.2 billion valuation. 

Grand Rounds - $1.3 billion

Grand Rounds works with companies like Walmart and Home Depot to offer an on-demand healthcare virtual assistant to employees as an employer-provided benefit. The company previously focused on large self-insured companies like the aforementioned, but have recently started selling to medium-sized companies as the pandemic left many employers scrambling to offer relevant benefits while maintaining low costs.

In September, Grand Rounds raised $175 million from private equity firm Carlyle Group that launched its valuation to $1.3 billion, according to Pitchbook data.  

"As COVID hit and these employers, to take care of digital and work-from-home workforces across the country, they all had unique situations and needs pop up," Carlyle Group investor and Grand Rounds board member Robert Schmidt told Insider in September.

Olive - $1.5 billion

Olive makes automation technology for healthcare workers. Its artificial intelligence software picks up on keystrokes to learn how a healthcare worker interacts with specific applications and provide suggestions for tasks like prior authorizations or patient verifications. It also has a tool to help automate processes in hospitals' human resources, finance, and supply chain departments.

Olive raised $106 million in venture funding in September, just months after raising $51 million in March 2020. It is currently valued at $1.5 billion, according to Pitchbook data, and in December acquired Verata Health to further expand its services to insurance companies and hospitals.

Ro - $1.5 billion

Ro is a direct-to-consumer provider that offers generic medications for conditions such as erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and weight management through the mail. Patients can consult a doctor through Ro's telemedicine service throughout the course of treatment and are required to pay a cash fee for medication and the visit since Ro doesn't accept insurance. 

The three-year-old company raised $200 million in venture funding on July 27, nabbing a $1.5 billion valuation as a result. It acquired Workpath, another startup that provides in-home care services, in December as it seeks to expand beyond digital health.

DispatchHealth - $1.7 billion

DispatchHealth provides home-based care for more than 300 health plans. For people not on these health plans, Dispatch charges $275 at the time of treatment via credit card. Its healthcare professionals, including emergency medicine-trained physicians, visit people's homes on-demand and provide medical care ranging from applying stitches to cuts to 30-day supervision following a bout with pneumonia. 

On March 3, Dispatch announced it raised $200 million in Series D financing at a $1.7 billion valuation. The funding came just nine months after its Series C and was a result of the startup's rapid growth during the coronavirus pandemic.

• To keep up your practice on-the-go, you want a yoga may that is lightweight, extra pliable, and folds down small.
• Our top pick, Manduka's eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat, is durable, flexible, and weighs just 2.2 pounds.

If you have a daily yoga practice, traveling for work or fun doesn't have to mean going a few days without. Flexible, packable yoga mats won't take up too much room or weight in your suitcase. What's more, a travel yoga mat is ideal to bring along on long flights or car rides as a quick yoga session once you've reached your destination can help set your body back into alignment.

Read more: Essentials to pack while traveling during the pandemic

You might be thinking: Yoga mats are inherently portable already, designed to be rolled or folded so you can toss them in your car or backpack. But travel yoga mats are usually thinner and more compact. Often the materials are more pliable and they sometimes come with additional straps or pouches for added cinching and portability. The best ones are foldable, so you can pack them in a weekender or suitcase without it taking up too much space.

Sometimes travel yoga mats have less padding than regular mats, which can be an issue for people who have sensitive knees or wrists. That said, plenty of them rival the quality of typical mats while remaining travel-friendly.

For standard yoga mats, check out our guide on the best yoga mats.

The best travel yoga mats:

• Best travel yoga mat overall: Manduka eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat
• Best budget travel yoga mat: Gaiam Foldable Yoga Mat
• Best for more cushioning: JadeYoga Travel Yoga Mat
• Best reversible travel yoga mat: The Reversible (Un)Mat
• Best machine-washable travel yoga mat: Clever Yoga Travel Mat

SEE ALSO: The best yoga mats

Best yoga mat overall

The Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat weighs only 2.2 pounds and is highly flexible for travel, without sacrificing the quality of the materials.

Pros: Folds down very small, lightweight, tear-resistant, natural rubber, sticky surface

Cons: Expensive, not a lot of padding

In my research, one mat popped up repeatedly as the best choice: the Manduka eKO Superlite Yoga Travel Mat. At 2.2 pounds and 1.5-mm thick, it's extremely lightweight and flexible, making it easy to fold up tightly and toss in a suitcase.

Despite being so thin, the mat's material is built to last. It's made of sustainable, natural tree rubber that's resistant to tearing and still retains its shape even with frequent use. The surface texture creates a strong grip for sweaty hands, too. All Manduka mats are made without PVC or potentially toxic plasticizers. 

Best budget mat

The Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat is a compact and grippy option with an under-$20 price tag.

Pros: Affordable, very lightweight, meant to be folded

Cons: PVC material

No one likes the idea of spending $40 or more on a mat you only use a couple of times a year. Infrequent travelers, then, will love the Gaiam Foldable Travel Yoga Mat.

This one-pound mat is even more lightweight than Manduka's eKO Superlite but it's slightly thicker at 2mm thick. The whole mat folds down to a 10-inch-wide and 12-inch-long rectangle for easy transportation in a carry-on or overnight duffel bag. It's one of the most affordable options available, too. 

I have a full-sized Gaiam yoga mat that's lasted me for several years with regular use, so I can attest to the quality of the brand's goods.

Best for more cushioning

The JadeYoga Travel Mat comes from one of the most reliable brands on the market, is 3mm thick, and comes in two lengths to accommodate taller people.

Pros: Natural materials, purchase benefits Trees for the Future, more cushioning

Cons: Heavier than many other travel mats, doesn't pack down as small as others

The biggest downside of a travel yoga mat is they're all pretty thin. This bothers some people more than others, but if you need more cushioning between your hands and the floor, this 3mm-thick mat from JadeYoga is the best you can get for a mat that'll still roll up tight.

What's more, the JadeYoga Travel Mat is available in 68-inch and 74-inch lengths, which offers taller people adequate space on the mat.

JadeYoga puts special attention on sustainability, in the construction of the mats and through a partnership with the organization, Trees for the Future. The mats are made of natural rubber sourced from trees with no PVC or other synthetic materials added. For each one purchased, the brand ensures a new tree will be planted.

A no-slip, open-cell (more absorbent) surface gives you a solid grip, and it features a much plusher cushioning compared to other travel mats.

At approximately 3 pounds, it's a bit heavier than others on this list, but that's a small price for more support. 

One downside is that, unlike most travel yoga mats, Jade's rolls instead of folds, so it may be harder to fit in your luggage. On the other hand, the quality makes it a great multi-use pick for home practice as well as travel.

JadeYoga makes one of our favorite yoga mats for sweaty yogis, too.

The best reversible mat

The cleverly named Reversible (Un)Mat from Lululemon is like having two lightweight yoga mats for the price of one.

Pros: Reversible with a grippier side for when you sweat, very thin and light, antimicrobial

Cons: Not much cushion

One of the downsides of taking your yoga practice on the road is decreased access to the props and extras that make classes and at-home vinyasa sessions more enjoyable.

The Reversible (Un)Mat from Lululemon helps solve that problem with a moisture-absorbing polyurethane-coated layer on one side, and natural rubber on the other. If you get super sweaty during a vigorous practice, use the grippier side to keep yourself from slip-sliding off the mat. For more chill sessions, you can use the rubberized side. The mat also has an antimicrobial additive to help prevent mold and mildew, which makes for more peace of mind while traveling.

This mat is a bit thinner than our other picks at 1.5 mm, so if you like mats with ample cushion, you may need to look elsewhere. 

The best machine-washable mat

The Clever Yoga Travel Mat is odor-resistant and simple to clean, which is great news for practitioners of hot yoga.

Pros: Machine washable, odor-resistant, non-slip, affordable

Cons: Very little cushioning

Cleaning your yoga mat can be a serious pain. Most of the time they need to be wiped-down, which is time-consuming and not necessarily foolproof if you've got a sticky, grippy mat.

The Clever Yoga Travel Mat is machine-washable, though, making it a great choice for travelers who may have to pack quickly after practice. This pick is highly recommended for hot-yoga fans because of the "microfiber moisture-activated grip top layer" and nonslip rubber base.

The mat is 1-mm thick and weighs about 2.5 pounds. It's odor-resistant, thanks to a waterproof film that prevents moisture and sweat from absorbing into the materials. Like most travel mats, it folds easily to fit in a carry-on, backpack, or suitcase.

Other yoga buying guides

The best yoga mats of 2021

If you're looking for an every-day yoga mat, these are the seven best we've tested for sweaty yogis, alignment work, and more.

The best yoga accessories to elevate your home practice in 2021, according to yoga instructors

Yoga straps, blocks, bolsters, and other accessories can help you safely deepen poses or make modifications to accommodate for muscle tightness and limited range of motion.

The best yoga blocks

Support difficult poses and deepen your flexibility with yoga blocks.

The best online yoga workouts

From gentle movements to sweaty flows, these apps and online classes can help you stretch when you're tight or institute a daily practice.

A Kids Book About

Total funding: $1 million, according to the company.

What it does: A Kids Book About publishes children's books on tough topics like racism, cancer, depression, and climate change.

Why VCs like it: Jelani Memory, a Black entrepreneur and father with a blended family, entered the publishing business after writing a book on racism for his six children. He wanted to find a way for the family to talk about topics like race without it feeling taboo. 

A Kids Book About launched in October 2019 with 12 books and now has 39, Memory said. Most of the company's revenue comes from selling books directly to consumers. It also sells subscriptions. And the company recently expanded into podcasts for kids.

Christie Pitts, a general partner at Backstage Capital, is not an investor in A Kids Book About, but said she's watching the startup because it is finding new ways to connect with kids.

"We like to make media investments targeted at overlooked audiences," Pitt said. "This one is creating content for kids and I think there's just a huge amount of white space here ... There are not that many companies that are iterating on this space, and the ones that set themselves apart meet kids where they are."

Memory said A Kids Book About strives to tell stories that talk up to kids, not down to them. It looks for authors with distinct voices, and works with them to craft a first-person narrative around a given topic, usually completing a first draft of a manuscript in a single day. 

The Action Network

Total funding: Not disclosed. Last raised $17.5 million in a Series B round, according to Crunchbase.

What it does: The Action Network is a sports-media brand focused on gamblers. It offers news; analysis; and tools like bet tracking, live odds, and predictions.

Why VCs like it: The Action Network was created in 2017 by The Chernin Group with a goal of covering sports gambling like it was a professional sport.

Mike Kerns, cofounder and partner of The Chernin Group, said the expansion of online sports betting into more US states could be a boon for The Action Network.

"They're really well poised for a big a 2021," Kerns said. "The big thing is that the percentage of the US that will have legal sports betting is projected to increase significantly." 

States including Michigan and Virginia rolled out online sports betting last year, and lawmakers in strategically important states like New York are also considering introducing it. 

The Action Network makes money by selling subscriptions to its audience and charging sportsbooks affiliate fees when it links and refers customers to those platforms. That latter revenue stream, in particular, relies on growth in the US sports-betting market.

Anyone

Total funding: Unannounced seed round. 

What it does: Anyone is an audio app (currently invite-only) where users can have five-minute conversations with strangers who give or receive advice either for free or for a flat fee they set themselves.

Why VCs like it: Audio-only apps are on the rise. The internet is abuzz about Clubhouse and copycat products popping up on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Anyone offers a unique take on the trend by limiting calls to five minutes (so they don't drag on) and creating an opportunity for users to make money from networking calls.

Ollie Forsyth, global community manager at the VC firm Antler, said his company made an early investment in Anyone, describing the app as "Wikipedia meets audio."

"I am particularly excited about this space due to the rise of the audio economy," he told Insider. "These types of platforms allow creators to have an additional source of income."

BlackOakTV

Total funding: Not disclosed.

What it does: BlackOakTV is a streaming service built for Black audiences, who are largely underrepresented in TV and film.

Why VCs like it: BlackOakTV was founded by former YouTube employee Uzo Ometu to create content for Black audiences. 

The Harlem-based startup, which launched its subscription-based service in February, has raised funding from investors including Backstage Capital and The W Fund. 

Christie Pitts, general partner at Backstage Capital, said she invested in BlackOakTV in part because of its focus on creators. The company is signing deals with influencers who have large and loyal followings in the hopes of attracting those audiences to the platform, similar to the way Issa Rae's HBO show "Insecure" built on her existing web following.

Ometu said BlackOakTV has deals with creators including comedy collective Dormtainment (1.1 million YouTube followers) to create programming exclusively for the service, which has both exclusive and non-exclusive content. Most of BlackOakTV's content deals are licensing pacts for a specific period of time and creators retain ownership of their content, Ometu said. The company also plans to experiment with more methods of connecting viewers with its content, potentially including free forms of distribution.

BlackOakTV's business model was inspired by Ometu's seven years at Google and YouTube, where he worked on media and content partnerships. He said he saw that Black creators were increasingly getting the "short end of the stick" when it came to monetization and amplification, and extending their brands off-platform to increase their revenue and reach.

Caravan

Total funding: $15 million, according to the company. 

What it does: Caravan is a venture studio that builds consumer brands tied to pop culture and entertainment. 

Why VCs like it: Caravan, formerly called Creative Labs, was founded in 2017 by venture capitalist Leonard Brody, former Zynga and EA Sports exec Pauline Moller, and execs at talent agency CAA.

Anis Uzzaman at Pegasus Tech Ventures, which is an investor in Caravan, thinks the company will have a breakout year because of the overall growth in direct-to-consumer brands and the startup's celebrity connections.

"[Caravan] has a very exciting pipeline of projects they plan to release that we are really excited about," Uzzaman said.

Last year, Caravan launched a fitness app called Fit52 with country-music star Carrie Underwood. It also created in 2019 a luxury cat-food brand with pet influencer Nala Cat (4.3 million Instagram followers), another client of CAA.

Caravan said it has several celebrity-cofounded businesses set to launch this year. 

The company is also opening an office in Tokyo that will focus on the Japanese market, adding to its operations in Vancouver and Los Angeles. It will work with animation and entertainment company Dream Link Entertainment in Japan.

Clubhouse

Total funding: $110 million, according to Crunchbase.

What it does: Clubhouse is an audio-only social app where users meet up in chat rooms to listen to talks, hear comedy stand-up routines, and partake in a slew of other audio-focused activities. 

Why VCs like it: Clubhouse launched about a year ago, joining a crop of fast-growing startups that have boomed during the pandemic. Its app offers another way for at-home consumers to socialize in groups while in-person gatherings are on hold.

Clubhouse remains invite-only, but the company already has millions of users. It's raised over $100 million from investors like Andreeson Horowitz.

The company has faced some growing pains as it wrestles with content-moderation issues that arise from live audio content. Its app was recently banned in China after it became a hub for political dissent. It also faces new competition as big tech platforms like Twitter and Facebook are working on their own Clubhouse-copycat products. 

Sarah Cannon, a partner at Index Ventures, said she's a fan of Clubhouse because "there's a need for a social-media company that's built around deeper connections and real conversations."

While Cannon isn't currently an investor in the company, she thinks the app could grow into an educational platform once it expands its user base.

"Clubhouse will become a place for learning, for serendipity, and for truly global community building," she said. "It's an opportunity for people, not just influencers, to be heard."

Read more: The unofficial story of how Clubhouse founders Paul Davison and Rohan Seth failed their way to a $1 billion app

Commonstock

Total funding: $9.7 million in seed funding as of August 2020, according to Crunchbase.

What it does: Commonstock is a social network for stock traders. Users can link their external brokerage accounts from companies like Robinhood and Coinbase, and connect with other investors.

Why VCs like it: Mike Kerns at The Chernin Group said Commonstock is having a moment this year on the heels of the Reddit forum r/WallStreetBets' momentous GameStop run.

Kerns, who is not an investor in Commonstock, said he's keeping an eye on the company because of its potential to attract the investment communities that are already gathering on social platforms like Reddit and Twitter. 

He said Commonstock introduces some sense of accountability into meme-stock investing. The platform creates leaderboards of top investors based on the data from users' linked brokerage accounts, and allows people to see how investors on the platform are performing over time.

"Users can't lie," Kerns said. "There are ways to verify if you're a successful investor."

Commonstock, which was founded by former Google exec David McDonough, launched its platform in beta in August 2020. The company said it aims to improve "financial health" by encouraging research and discussion about potential investments.

Fable

Total funding: $7.25 million, according to the company.

What it does: Fable, which launched in January, is a social-reading platform where users can create private book clubs, read and share notes on ebooks, and access curated book recommendations.

Why VCs like it: Padmasree Warrior, a former top exec at tech companies including Cisco, Motorola, and Nio, founded Fable to help bring book clubs into the digital age and make it easier for people to find titles they're interested in. 

The app, which also touts the mental-wellness benefits of of reading, aims to create a community around reading.

Fable generates revenue by selling subscriptions, which users need to access most of the app's features like the reading clubs and ebooks. Ebooks can also be purchased for a fee through the company's website and sent to the app. And Fable sells corporate memberships for companies that want to offer the service as a benefit to employees.

Investor Annie Kadavy, a general partner at Redpoint Ventures, thinks Fable will take off in 2021 more people focus on mental wellness, and turn to reading to supplement other experiences that are still limited amid the pandemic.

"Reading is an exercise in empathy and stories take us to new places," Kadavy said. "As we have all been forced to limit travel and socializing this past year, I believe more people are reading on their own as well as looking for community around the shared experience of reading."

The Landing

Total funding: $2.5 million in seed funding, according to the company.

What it does: The Landing is a social-commerce platform built around home design, where users can create mood boards with products from brand partners.

Why VCs like it: Interest in home improvement has accelerated amid the pandemic, as people splurge on or just fantasize about sprucing up their living spaces.

The Landing, which first launched in 2019 as a service to help people move and design their new spaces, pivoted in 2020 to jump on this trend. The startup, founded by CEO Ellie Buckingham and COO Miri Buckland, announced last month that it had raised $2.5 million in seed funding and was re-launching as an online platform for home design.

The Landing now allows users to build mood boards that feature real products and price tags from the company's brand partners. The company also plans to introduce more social features to improve product discovery within the service, TechCrunch reported.

Annie Kadavy, a general partner at Redpoint Ventures, said she thinks The Landing is well positioned for 2021 because of the increased interest in home design and online communities.

"Given everyone has been at home for the last year, more eyes have turned to home edits/redesign with more of a focus on the community aspect of design then ever before," said Kadavy, who is not an investor in The Landing. "I think there's a big growth spurt on the horizon."

Moment House

Total funding: $1.5 million, according to the company.

What it does: Moment House is a tech platform that enables music artists to host live virtual concerts.

Why VCs like it: Founded in 2019, Moment House is one of several livestreaming platforms like Yoop and Kiswe that work with music artists to host virtual concerts. 

One advantage Moment House has is its close relationships with artists and music industry insiders. It counts Scooter Braun, Troy Carter, and Palm Tree Crew Investments (Kygo and Myles Shear) among its investors. 

Besides offering livestreaming tools, the company supports ticketing, merch sales, geofencing shows to a particular region, and VIP ticket offerings like fan meet-and-greets. 

"It may seem obvious as kind of a COVID trend to let artists keep making money through events and concerts in a way that the moderation, the monetization, the experience, is so much better than Zoom," Olivia Moore, an investor at the VC firm CRV, told Insider. "But also, even post COVID, there's so many times when a fan is just unable to go see an artist in person. Maybe they're too young, Maybe they don't have enough money. Maybe they can't travel. And Moment House provides a really special way for artists to reach people over the internet which we love and we think will be a lasting trend."

Muxy

Total funding: $4 million, according to the company.

What it does: Muxy builds extensions and overlays that brands and video game streamers can add to Twitch livestreams to make their game play more interactive for fans. 

Why VCs like it: Founded in 2014, Muxy was one of the first companies to build custom overlays for Twitch as part of the platform's extensions program. The company worked with gaming influencer Ninja to build a custom streaming experience for a New Year's Eve event in 2018. Other notable clients include the NBA 2K League, Overwatch League, Bethesda, and Pokémon. One of the projects the company worked on, a choose-your-own adventure Twitch series called "Artificial,"won an Emmy in 2019 for "outstanding innovation in interactive media."

Benjamin Grubbs, founder and CEO of the creator-focused VC firm Next 10 Ventures, which is an investor in Muxy, said the startup offers a new way for Twitch streamers to make more money.

"The impact on monetization for the streamer and game studio is huge," he told Insider. 

Players' Lounge

Total funding: $5.5 million, according to the company.

What it does: Players' Lounge is a matchmaker for gamers who want to play against others for money.

Why VCs like it: Players' Lounge sits at the intersection of trends including the growth of video games and esports. The startup made headlines in 2019 when hip-hop star Drake invested in it.

Sharp Alpha Advisors founder Lloyd Danzig, who is also an investor and a regular user, thinks the next few years will be big for Players' Lounge because of the increasingly social nature of video games, as well as the growth in esports and sports betting.

"The combination of post-Covid behavioral shifts, simultaneous to the growth in sports betting mixed with gamification in media, I think makes it an amazing time to be a peer-to-peer video-game wagering network," Danzig said.

Founded in 2014 by Austin Woolridge, Zach Dixon, and Dan Delaney, Players' Lounge says it aims to give more people the opportunity to make money by playing video games. A gamer who wants to play Call of Duty against someone for money can get matched up on Players' Lounge with another player of their skill level, connect with that user on gaming networks such as the Playstation Network, and win prize money through the startup's app, for example.

The startup told Team Whistle it paid out $45 million in 2020.

Players' Lounge focuses on skill-based games so it's not considered gambling in the eyes of US regulators the way luck-based games like slots or roulette are. Still, Insider has reported on concerns that kids could sneak onto platforms like Players' Lounge.

PickUp

Total funding: $2 million, according to the company. 

What it does: PickUp is building a platform to make sports predictions based on news headlines for a chance win in-app prizes. 

Why VCs like it: PickUp is trying to create a new way for publishers to engage and monetize sports fans, and cash in on the growing market for sports gambling.

In recent years, sports-media brands from Fox Sports to Barstool Sports have backed or launched free-to-play apps designed to gamify sports. In some cases, those apps are building valuable databases of potential sports gamblers that the companies can monetize in other ways. 

Lloyd Danzig, founder and managing partner of Sharp Alpha Advisors, said PickUp is unique in that users can make predictions on sports topics such as how many points NBA player Steph Curry will score in his next game, based on news headlines from a range of publishing partners.

Danzig is not invested in PickUp, but he thinks it has potential because sports leagues, teams, marketers, and betting providers are all trying to figure out how to engage fans when they can't gather at games or bars due to the pandemic.

"I think especially in 2021 where the competition for sports fans' attention has been turned totally on its head ... everyone is trying to figure out how this highly valued customer segment going to consume sports news and content," Danzig said. "It's a very interesting year to demonstrate that gamification drives value and engagement."

PickUp, which raised funding from Drive By DraftKings, KB Partners, and Connetic Ventures, said it was working with more than 30 publishers, including USA Today's MMAJunkie vertical, Last Word on Sports, and The Lead. Founders Dan Healy and Chris Meisner also hired content leads from companies including Bleacher Report and The Athletic. 

Popshop Live

Total funding: Not disclosed. The company announced it raised $4.5 million in July 2020 and said it recently closed a Series A round. 

What it does: Popshop Live is an online-shopping and livestreaming app.

Why VCs like it: Popshop Live is tapping into a livestreaming shopping trend that has been booming in Asia, thriving as the pandemic hampered in-person shopping. 

The startup is like TikTok meets QVC for younger generations, said Anis Uzzaman, general partner of Pegasus Tech Ventures. It's an ecommerce platform where brands and sellers stream video shows to engage shoppers and sell products. 

Although Uzzaman is not invested in Popshop, he said the Los Angeles-based startup, founded by Dan Dan Li, could bring that shopping experience to audiences in the US and other parts of the world.

"Popshop is a truly unique platform, combining the engaging features of a Triller or TikTok with the easy to buy ability from a QVC or Home Shopping Network," Uzzaman said. "Gen Z and Millennial generations do not have this fun and easy-to-use shopping experience, like Popshop, resulting in a significant opportunity to grow not only in the US but also worldwide."

Popshop's investors include Floodgate, Abstract Ventures, and Benchmark Capital.

Rally

Total funding: $30 million, according to the company.

What it does: Rally lets digital creators and brands create their own cryptocurrencies that fans can buy as a collectible, a show of support, or a financial asset on its own.

Why VCs like it: Rally presents a new way for digital creators to earn revenue directly from their fans. Digital-only currencies have momentum, and Rally's Creator Coin business presents a way for digital stars like Twitch streamers to capitalize on the trend. 

"The founder of Rally is an accomplished entrepreneur, having previously cofounded and sold gaming company Kabam," Next 10 Ventures' Benjamin Grubbs, who is not invested in the company, told Insider. "Through blockchain technology, creators will be able to verifiably identify their biggest fans and provide personalized rewards." 

Run The World

Total funding: $15 million, according to the company. 

What it does: Run The World is a virtual events platform where companies, media brands, and organizations host digital conferences, talks, and other forms of online social gathering.

Why VCs like it: As most in-person events shut down during the pandemic, platforms like Run The World and Zoom have become hubs for social interaction. TEDx, TechCrunch, and Nasdaq are among the companies and organizations that have hosted recent events on Run The World. The company is backed by VC investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund and celebrities like Kevin Hart and Will Smith.

Antler's Ollie Forsyth said he isn't an investor in Run The World, but he uses the platform to host events for a VC group he manages called "Makers of VC." 

"[Run The World] allows micro and larger communities to scale their interactions via their various features such as the Cocktail Party tool where you can have one-to-one conversations with members inside your community that you might not have met before," Forsyth told Insider.

Read more: Run The World just raised another $10.8 million from a host of high-profile investors as other startups struggle. Here's what spurred Founders Fund's Keith Rabois to make his first remote investment.

Ryff

Total funding: $8.6 million in seed financing, according to the company.

What it does: Ryff built technology to dynamically insert products into videos, bringing the concept of product placements into the digital age. 

Why VCs like it: Founded in 2018 by Roy Taylor (who previously ran Nvidia Europe), Ryff's tech opens up a new revenue stream for digital media companies. The company can virtually superimpose a brand's logo or image into a scene, whether that's on an unmarked soda can or a blank billboard in the background.

The company said it recently signed deals with Coca Cola, Peroni, Diageo, Intel and ad-holding company WPP to use its platform, Placer.

"For content owners, networks, and streaming platforms, Ryff offers a way to monetize old content," said Marlon Nichols, managing general partner at MaC Venture Capital, which is an investor in Ryff. "Streaming platforms are on the rise and will not go away, and Ryff offers the industry a model that properly scales and adds flexibility."

Substack

Total funding: $17.4 million, according to Crunchbase.

What it does: Substack is a newsletter platform that helps writers build a following by posting free or paid content for subscribers. 

Why VCs like it: Founded in 2017, Substack has gained steam in the past year as a group of well-known journalists like Casey Newton and Glenn Greenwald have left roles at traditional media companies and started their own subscriber-only newsletters. 

The company, which is funded by prominent investors like Andreessen Horowitz, has created an opportunity for writers to earn direct revenue without relying on advertising or the backing of a publisher masthead. It's also received pushback for how it handles content moderation, including allowing a newsletter on election fraud to remain on its platform without a fact-checking disclaimer.

Justine Moore, an investor at the VC firm CRV, uses Substack as a tool for the newsletter she cowrites with her sister and coworker Olivia.

"We are not an investor in Substack, but have been users of the product for a while," Moore said. "It makes the creation process really easy. It also sources new readers for you, which is like the distribution side, which is very helpful."

"We don't monetize [on Substack], but monetization is pretty straightforward and being able to implement a paywall around different types of content we think is really powerful," she added. 

Read more: 

• Substack creators are making 6 figures off newsletters. Here's how they built their audiences from scratch.
• Startups are emerging to help newsletter writers sell ads on 'ad-free' Substack and it could force a reckoning for the platform

Superplastic

Total funding: $16 million, according to the company.

What it does: Superplastic is a media company and toy maker that uses Instagram and TikTok to promote its high-end toy and apparel line with a set of virtual social-media stars. 

Why VCs like it: Launched in 2018, Superplastic works with a team of artists and animators to create story lines for its cat- and bunny-like characters on TikTok and Instagram. It then sells toy versions of the characters on its website and through partnerships with a few retailers. The company told Insider that it sold millions of dollars worth of toys and apparel last year, and more than $10 million worth of products since its founding. The company hopes to bring its characters to more traditional forms of media like TV and film in the coming months.

Superplastic has raised funding from a series of VC firms and celebrity investors including Google Ventures (GV), Craft Ventures, and Justin Timberlake.

"Our belief is that if Walt Disney was founding a company today, he would create not just animated characters but full-fledged virtual celebrities with a presence on social media," Bill Lee, the general partner at Craft Ventures who led Superplastic's Series A fundraising round, told Insider. "The availability of these new channels creates the potential for a founder like Paul to create a valuable entertainment, licensing, and IP brand." 

Read more:How a media startup is using animated influencers on Instagram and TikTok to drive millions of dollars in toy and apparel sales