The Wirecutter Show

It’s officially summer, and prime time for ice cream, ice pops, slushies, and more. Making frozen treats at home lets you customize flavors and accommodate dietary restrictions, and having the right tools on hand can help make the process more fun. 

 

Wirecutter senior kitchen editor Marilyn Ong walks us through the most reliable gear for every type of frozen treat, from $10 ice pop molds to an $800 gelato maker. Plus, she reveals Wirecutter’s take on popular gadgets like the Ninja Creami, Ninja Slushi, and KitchenAid shaved ice attachment. 

 

We also hear from Wirecutter experts Lesley Stockton, Ciara Murray Jordan, and Kathleen Squires, who share their favorite treat recipes and tips for making great frozen treats.

 

This episode covers:

Why DIY treats are worth making: You won’t necessarily save money on ingredients, but you will have total control over those ingredients. You can control the sugar content, dairy options, and flavor combinations.

Popsicle molds that actually work: Our favorite ice pop molds are easy to fill and release with little effort. You can choose from kid-friendly shapes (think fun animal shapes) all the way to refined classic molds fit for adults.

Shaved ice and slushie makers we like: The KitchenAid shaved ice attachment is a powerhouse for making Bingsu (a popular Korean-style shaved ice), while our kitchen team was surprised by how much they like the Ninja Slushi for making frozen drinks at home.

Why we don't recommend the Ninja Creami: Despite its viral popularity for making healthier frozen treats, in our testing it resulted in burning smells and complaints of plastic shavings.

Choosing an ice cream maker: Start by asking yourself how much you’re willing to spend and the texture you want to create. Our recommendations range from a $60 option that makes denser scoops, to an $800 machine that makes smooth, airy gelato.

 

Products we recommend: 

Traditional, easy-to-make pops: Tovolo Classic Pop Molds with Tray

A colorful spin on the classic: Williams Sonoma Rainbow Pop Molds

Best metal pop molds: Ecozoi Stainless Steel Popsicle Molds

Lie-flat molds in cute shapes:  Zoku Cat and Dog Ice Pop Mold

Cute penguins in silicone molds: Tovolo Penguin Pop Molds

Best push-pop style molds: Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Pop Maker

Easy to tuck in a crowded freezer: Tovolo Classic Stackable Pop Molds

For sweet treats, cocktails, and more: KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment

An at-home frozen drink maker:  Ninja Slushi

The best ice cream maker: Cuisinart ICE-21P1

A great compressor model for lighter-texture ice cream: Whynter ICM-201SB

A great compressor model for denser ice cream: Whynter ICM-15LS

The best of the best ice cream maker: Lello 4080 Musso Lussino

An inexpensive slushie cup: Frozen Magic Squeezie Cup

A higher-end slushie cup ZOKU Original Slush and Shake Maker

Marilyn loves: Bissell Little Green

 

Additional reading:

The Best Popsicle Molds

The 4 Best KitchenAid Attachments of 2026

We Tested the Ninja Creami. The Ice Cream Tastes Great. But That Burning Smell ... 

We Regret to Inform You That the Ninja Slushi Lives Up to the Hype

The 4 Best Ice Cream Makers of 2026

 

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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The iconic robot vacuum—the autonomous bot that can roam your home sucking up pet hair and Cheerios–is evolving. Manufacturers are shifting almost entirely to combo robot vac-mops. The question, for our vacuum tester, is whether they’re any good and if they’re worth the very steep prices (upwards of $1,600 for top-of-the-line models).

 

Wirecutter writer Evan Dent joins us to explain how the new vac-mops handle everyday messes, the homes they’re best suited for, and what you should know about storing and repairing them.

 

If you’re looking for a deal on a robot vac or vac-mop combo, he also shares the prices to watch for during Amazon’s upcoming Prime Day sale (or any deals event). 

 

This episode covers:

Why robot vacuums are disappearing: Basic robot vacuums have reached a profit ceiling, so manufacturers are phasing them out. Instead, they can charge a premium for the added features of vac-mops.

These new bots are only decent cleaners: The mop function isn't great for tough stains, and the mop pad actually makes them sit higher off the ground, which slightly reduces their vacuuming power. But they serve just fine as maintenance cleaners.

The ideal home for a vac-mop: They work best on hard flooring on a single level of a  home (they can’t really  handle stairs). While carpet detection has improved, it still isn't flawless.

The realities of bulky docks and limited repairability: Newer models rely on large docking stations that take up a significant amount of floor space. Plus, the added mopping components mean there are more parts that can break.

When to buy and what to spend: Wait for major sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday, or look for deals when newly updated models are released. A good price to look for on a mid-range combo vac-mop like our pick is around $600 or below.

 

Products we recommend: 

A great vacuum-only robot: Roborock Q7 M5+Roborock Q7 M5+

A decent $200-ish vacuum-only bot: Tapo RV30 Max Plus

A solid entry-level robot vac-mop: Eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E25

 

Additional reading:

Even Robots Don’t Want to Vacuum 

The Best Robot Vacuums of 2026

The 4 Best Robot Mop-Vac Combos of 2026 

We Tested 16 Newfangled Robot Vacuum-Mop Combos. Don’t Buy One.

 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Wirecutter Show LOVES to hear from our listeners. And the next topic we want your help with is work bags. 

We know it can be a pain to find a bag that fits all your needs and matches your style. But we've got the perfect experts on staff to give recommendations about the best bags for you—whether you commute to the office, have to travel for work, or simply need to haul your computer to the nearest cafe.. 

So email us. Tell us:

What are you looking for in the perfect bag?

What's wrong with what you've tried? 

What do you need to haul? 

What's your style? 

We may give you a personalized recommendation on a future episode of the show!

 

Send your question to thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com. Thanks! 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Consumer tech is getting more expensive just as laptops and phones have become more essential than ever. In this episode, Rosie leads a roundtable discussion with Wirecutter’s senior editor Caitlin McGarry, supervising editor Arthur Gies and senior staff writer Kimber Streams, about why the era of truly cheap computers is ending. They discuss how AI is reshaping the hardware supply chain and what you can do if you need a new device right now.

 

This episode covers:

Why RAM and storage costs are spiking. AI companies are buying up much of the supply of RAM and storage, increasing the price for these tech essentials. Consumer tech companies that make our laptops and phones are struggling to compete.

How price hikes are showing up across devices. From Chromebooks and Windows laptops to flagship phones, microSD cards, and video game consoles, 2026 has brought record price increases.

What to prioritize in a new computer today. If you need a new computer, look for models with enough RAM and storage, even if that means refurbished models from manufacturers or third party retailers.

Guidance on when it makes sense to buy. While the landscape of truly affordable computers is shrinking, there are great options like the MacBook Neo available now. We may see summer sales on other models, but consider purchasing your “back-to-school” tech early for the best prices.

 

Products we recommend: 

A surprisingly great budget laptop: Apple MacBook Neo

 

Additional reading:

The Death of the Cheap Laptop Is Coming 

The Best Cheap Laptops Under $500 for 2026

MacBook Neo Review: A Surprisingly Great Budget MacBook 

The 6 Best Laptops for College Students in 2026 

Tech Prices Are Skyrocketing. Nintendo’s Switch 2 Might Be Next.

 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, and if you're stuck for ideas, Wirecutter’s dads and gift experts are here to help. We asked the dads on our staff to share the gifts they actually loved receiving—including custom socks, a backyard fire pit, and sweet handmade crafts.

 

Our experts also open up about the meaningful gifts they’ve given their own fathers that sparked deeper appreciation and a closer family connection.

 

Products we recommend: 

Funny and comfortable custom socks: DivvyUp Custom Socks

A lightweight smokeless fire pit: Solo Stove Classic Bonfire Fire Pit

 

Additional reading:

The 48 Best Gifts for Dads of 2026 

The 41 Absolute Best, Wirecutter-Approved Father's Day Gifts Under $50

The Best Personalized Photo Gifts

Why I Love (Safely) Using My Backyard Fire Pit

 

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Wirecutter Social and Website
Instagram: /wirecutter
Threads: /@wirecutter
Twitter: /wirecutter
Facebook: /thewirecutter
TikTok: /wirecutter
LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/
Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.
Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.