• Andrew Pritchard concealed drugs in all kinds of places, from a dead body to coconuts and pineapples.
• In 2007, he was acquitted in a case involving $134 million worth of cocaine ($230 million today).
• After that, he said he would stop drug smuggling, but continued for years.

Andrew Pritchard said his first exposure to smuggling was when he was 7 and returning home to the UK from a family trip to Jamaica.

He remembers that his and his sister's suitcases were incredibly heavy. When they got home, his parents opened them, revealing "loads of bottles of white rum," he said.

"At the time, overproof white rum was something which you couldn't get in this country," Pritchard told Business Insider in an interview for its video series "How Crime Works."

Pritchard's spiral into large-scale criminal drug smuggling didn't happen until later in his early 20s. He wasn't looking for crime.

He was interested in music and started producing sound systems, which eventually exposed him to the UK's warehouse culture in the late '80s. He started organizing rave dance parties, and that's when the drugs showed up in his life and sent him on a criminal path for decades.

Over the next 20 years, there were multiple turning points where he could have walked away, but each time he got out, he eventually found himself pulled back in.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions," he said.

From ecstasy to weed to cocaine, and ultimately, police custody

The raves Pritchard was organizing were drawing thousands of people each weekend, he said. They also introduced him to drug suppliers and distribution networks.

As the rave scene grew, so did demand. He began selling ecstasy, first at parties, then at scale. In the early 1990s, Pritchard moved from dealing drugs to importing them.

One of his most effective methods involved fruit shipments. Using existing import routes into markets like London's Spitalfields, he concealed drugs inside produce crates, like apples and yams, that would pass quickly through customs.

After police stormed one of his drug houses in 1992, Pritchard fled to Jamaica. It was the first of several turning points where he could have started a different, crime-free life. Instead, what began as a period of hiding quickly became another opportunity to pull him back in.

For Pritchard, the money and lifestyle that drug smuggling bought him were impossible to ignore. "It's an addiction, not that I want to take drugs. It's an addiction that I want to be involved in that lifestyle," he said.

In Jamaica, he built connections with local networks and learned about large-scale cannabis smuggling. By the late '90s and early '00s, Prichard had moved further up the supply chain and into cocaine, where he got into some creative tactics.

Traffickers were hollowing out pineapples, plantains, and coconuts and stuffing them with cocaine that was then shipped from South America, through the Caribbean, and into Europe. Pritchard also tried other smuggling methods, like on planes, and at one point tried to hide drugs inside a dead body.

He was arrested in 2004 in connection with more than £100 million ($134 million) worth of half a metric ton (about 1,100 pounds) of cocaine packed inside coconuts. Adjusted for inflation, that would be approximately $230 million today.

After a lengthy trial, he was acquitted and released from custody several years later. He recalled thinking at the time, "May 2007, I'm out, I'm going straight, just had a son born. It's a new beginning."

His attempt at going straight didn't last

Pritchard returned to legitimate work, but he struggled to adjust to the financial difference.

"The music industry wasn't really getting in the same kind of financial gains that drug smuggling was getting," he said.

Ultimately, what pulled him back in was a favor for an old associate, he said.

"My own generosity came back to bite me," he said. "I lent some money to help him out of a situation."

That associate was still active in drug trafficking and under police surveillance. Pritchard said he initially tried to stay at arm's length but became increasingly involved, eventually helping arrange a drug shipment and being present when it was collected.

The associate, he said, had become a "police magnet," and Pritchard was arrested alongside him in 2013, which ended his final attempt to stay out of crime. In 2014, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

When his crime cycle broke

While in Belmarsh prison, Pritchard recognized younger people, from families and communities he knew, facing long sentences.

That shifted how he viewed his own role, he said. Instead of focusing on his situation, he began to consider the broader impact of what he had been part of.

"I had blood on my hands," he said.

After his early release in 2019, he founded the AP Foundation, which offers support to young people, explaining how quickly involvement in crime can escalate, and how difficult it is to leave once inside.

"I'm asked all the time, would I change anything? And the answer is I can't change anything," he said. "If I could look at myself as an 18-year-old, would I say don't do it? Everyone's expecting me to say don't do it.' But had I not done it, I wouldn't be able to now change lives."

Pritchard recounts his life so far in his autobiography "Empire of Dirt: From Raves to Riches."

When you're in need of a little extra support during bedtime, a body pillow is your best friend. Whether you're pregnant, recovering from an injury, sleep on your side, or just like having something soft to snuggle, the best body pillows promote better sleeping posture by aligning your spine and easing pressure on your hips and shoulders.

As a certified sleep science consultant, I've tested just about every one of the best pillows out there, and body pillows remain one of my favorite tools for better sleep. I spoke with leading spine and sleep specialists and personally tested 17 top-rated models, evaluating each for comfort, support, breathability, and overall feel.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

Our top picks for body pillows

Best overall: Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow - See at Coop Sleep Goods

Best for side sleepers: Pluto Puff - See at Pluto

Best eco-friendly: Buffy Wiggle Pillow - See at Buffy

Best budget: Utopia Bedding Full Body Pillow - See at Amazon

Best cooling: Zoma Sleep Body Pillow - See at Zoma

Best for back pain: Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow - See at Amazon

Best U-shaped: Yana 360° Body Pillow - See at Amazon

Best for pregnancy: Eli & Elm Memory Foam Pregnancy Body Pillow - See at Eli & Elm

Best overall

Our top pick has the same design as our all-time favorite pillow. Like the Coop pillow that earned the top spot in our guide to the best pillows, the Coop Sleep Goods Memory Foam Body Pillow is fully adjustable. You can add or remove the shredded memory foam to suit your sleep style and personal preferences. It also features a removable pillowcase for easy washing.

It's the perfect snuggle buddy at night. The Coop is bulky but just the right height for me — not too low and not too tall. It conformed so well to my body right out of the box that I didn't have to remove any foam. It's extremely flexible, moldable, and supportive — great for any body type.

It earned a spot on my bed. I love cuddling with it and have continued to use it for months after testing because it's really helped with my shoulder pain. It hasn't flattened out at all, and I sleep so much better with the support it provides. It stays cool throughout the night because it's made with super-breathable polyester and bamboo-derived viscose rayon.

We noticed a slight chemical odor after unboxing. The company recommends running it through the dryer with a dryer sheet for an hour to reduce the smell, which I did. While this helped, the odor didn't completely disappear until a week later, though I do think it's worth the wait. This pillow is hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US certified.

Read our full Coop Sleep Goods Body Pillow review.

Best budget

This is the best body pillow you can buy under $30. Measuring 54 inches long by 20 inches wide and weighing about 5.1 pounds, the Utopia Bedding Full Body Pillow offers soft, reliable support at a fraction of the price of high-end models. It's filled with plush polyester, but it's Oeko-Tex certified for safety. It's a simple, no-frills option that still gets the job done.

It needs a day to fully expand. Thankfully, there was no strong chemical smell or off-gassing. I found it surprisingly comfortable for side sleeping. The fill feels medium-firm, soft to the touch but supportive enough to keep my knees and hips aligned. It's a cozy pillow that works well for hugging or tucking between the legs to reduce pressure.

But it has a few flaws. After a few days, I noticed a few lumps developing and had to fluff it to restore its shape. It's not the most durable pillow I've tested, and it does tend to sleep a little warm. Still, it rebounds well with a bit of care and feels more expensive than it is. Still, it's soft, supportive, and versatile. Considering the low price point and 30-day Amazon return window, it's a great value choice, especially if you're trying out a body pillow for the first time.

Best for side sleepers

The Pluto Puff is designed for side sleepers. In our guide to the best pillows for side sleepers, we name the Pluto Puff as our top choice for body pillow because it can easily be adjusted to best suit your needs. Despite its large size, the Puff is surprisingly easy to maneuver. The medium-firm feel supports side sleepers to keep their head, neck, and spine aligned through the night.

The Puff provides ample support in all the right areas. As a side sleeper, I know how tough it can be to find a comfortable position with all that pressure on the shoulders, hips, and knees. The Puff is a game changer for relieving pressure points and reducing tossing and turning. My husband, with sleep apnea, finds relief by sleeping on his side instead of his back. He reported the Puff to be incredibly helpful in maintaining proper alignment on his head and neck, with just the right amount of elevation.

I can't recommend it enough. Not only does it boast high-quality materials, but the included pillow case feels incredibly luxurious, silky smooth, and soft — like cuddling up with a cozy cloud of comfort. It also stays cool without overheating. Overall, the Pluto Puff is an excellent option, especially for side sleepers. It held its shape over time while providing consistent comfort, proper spinal alignment, and reliable support.

Best U-shaped

This U-shaped pillow stood out during my testing. The Yana 360 Body Pillow is the first U-shaped pillow that actually feels as good as it looks; soft, supportive, and perfectly balanced. The moment I wrapped myself around it, I felt that deep, cocoon-like comfort that keeps your whole body supported from every angle without the bulk or heat of other U-shaped designs.

It's available in cooling memory foam or shredded latex. Both are Oeko-Tex certified, and free from harmful chemicals. I tested the cooling gel version, and it stayed comfortably cool all night. It includes a removable, ultra-soft cover that feels incredibly smooth against the skin. The pillow comes with an extra bag of fill, in case you prefer a loftier, firmer feel. I tried mine as-is at first, but found the top a bit too high and firm. I removed about three handfuls of fill, and then it was perfect.

I love its versatility. It really lives up to its "One Pillow, Infinite Positions" promise. You can twist, wrap, or fold it depending on your needs. I love to cocoon myself in it for sleep, but it's just as useful for reading or working from bed. You can even flip it to cradle your legs or fold it into a supportive seat. It's flexible enough to move with you but structured enough to keep your body aligned and comfortable in every position. When not in use, it also wraps up into a ball, which could be easier for storing (or displaying on your bed).

It takes up less space than other U-shaped pillows I've tried. It still delivers that enveloping 360-degree support that feels secure, soothing, and almost weightless. It keeps my spine aligned, relieves pressure on my back and hips, and helps me stay comfortably in place through the night. Soft, breathable, and thoughtfully designed, it's my top choice for the best U-shaped body pillow, ideal for pregnancy, side sleeping, or anyone who wants that cozy, all-around comfort that makes great sleep effortless.

Best for back pain

This pillow is stuffed with the same material from Tempur-Pedic mattresses. The Tempur-Pedic Body Pillow is engineered with shapeable micro-cushions that respond and adapt exceptionally well to the body. It's designed for use during pregnancy and for side sleepers, but people with injuries, muscle tension, and back pain can also benefit from the sturdy support it provides.

It provides ample pressure relief. I love this pillow's versatility; I have used it to prop up my legs, relieve pressure on my lower hips, and stabilize my back when I'm sitting up. No matter how I use it, the pillow always returns to its original shape.

It's much firmer than other body pillows I tested. While this is a great feature for larger individuals and people looking for extra support, it might not be as comfortable for smaller folks or people who prefer a softer pillow. The foam is dense and heavy, so moving it around in the middle of the night could be tiring for people recovering from injuries, though the added heft means it doesn't fall off or move around the bed as easily.

Best cooling

This pillow kept me cool and comfortable all night. If you're a hot sleeper, a cooling pillow could make all the difference. The Zoma Sleep Body Pillow is made with high-quality materials as seen in the cover, which is made from a blend of stretchy, lightweight polyester and spandex. It's filled with shredded gel memory foam intended to keep hot sleepers at a comfortable temperature. It's a very well-made, high-quality body pillow that provides great support and breathability.

It's a little firmer than the Coop pillow. The 6-inch loft is helpful for side sleepers like me who need support between the knees. After a few nights of sleeping with the Zoma, I noticed a positive impact on my posture and spinal alignment.

It's shorter than other body pillows. It's two inches shorter than our top pick, so it's not possible to rest my head on it and have full leg support at the same time. I'm relatively short, so this could be a more noticeable issue for taller folks who want a pillow that supports the whole body. The smaller size could be perfect for those who sleep with a partner and don't want to hog the whole bed. The cover is also not removable, which makes washing and drying the pillow a lengthy process. For pregnant people, this pillow is firm enough to rest a growing belly on to relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips.

Best eco-friendly

This pillow is delightful to snuggle up with. I was particularly excited to review the Buffy Wiggle pillow, and it did not disappoint. The pillow has a white cover shell crafted from 100% fiber derived from eucalyptus. This fabric requires less water to produce than conventional cotton and is also biodegradable and compostable. Mine got softer after the first wash. You can also choose from 14 pillowcase colors, including linen, fleece, and prints, purchased separately. I opted for the fleece cover in a lovely peach color.

It features an eco-friendly design. Crafted entirely from recycled materials, its fill is composed of 55 recycled plastic bottles sourced from a facility certified by the Global Recycling Standard. These bottles, collected from landfills and oceans, undergo recycling and transformation into the fluffy pillows we've come to love.

It's long and versatile. Whether you want to knot it up for lounging on the couch, prop your feet on it, or snuggle up for a cozy night's sleep, it offers great full-body support. The Buffy is the longest pillow we've tested by far, at 82 inches, giving you plenty of room to wrap around and bend it to your liking. However, it's worth noting that its length might occupy more space on your bed, and it's also not as lofty as some might prefer.

Returning it is a major hassle. While Buffy has a 7-day trial (before your card is charged) and 50-day return policy, our editor recently went through the process, and found it to be a hassle and a waiting game for receiving a refund. Rather than a return portal, initiating a return required sending customer service an email. Initially, the response back was quick, prompting us to donate the items and provide a receipt. However, the confirmation response once we complied with their terms took over a week and multiple follow-ups.

Best for pregnancy

This pillow was designed to meet the needs of pregnant people at every stage. I had my sister-in-law, who was in her third trimester, try the Eli & Elm Memory Foam Pregnancy Body Pillow. She sought proper head, back, hip, and knee support while sleeping. She said the Eli & Elm allowed her to rest in different positions comfortably while minimizing pressure on her joints and improving her overall sleep quality. The ergonomic "J" shape won her over, and she plans to continue using it post-pregnancy. Plus, the removable and easy-to-wash pillowcase was a game changer for her maintenance routine.

It's a great body pillow for everyone. Despite not being pregnant myself, I found this pillow to be incredibly comfortable and versatile. I used it to prop myself against my chair for extra support while working from home at my desk. So, it's not just for expecting moms — anyone can benefit from this pillow.

It's adjustable. It can be tailored to your preferences, whether pregnant or not. Plus, it's Oeko-Tex and CertiPUR-US certified, meaning it's free of harmful chemicals, reassuring expecting parents that they can sleep soundly without worrying about any harmful substances.

Our top picks compared

What else we tested

• Bearaby Cuddler: "The Bearaby Cuddler follows the long cylindrical shape of the Buffy Wiggle Pillow and stretches over six feet long — taller than me. Despite its length, I like that it doesn't take up too much of the bed and that it's easily moldable. When I'm not using it, I can "knot" it up into a display piece. It's constructed of a single block of GOLS-certified latex foam Bearaby called Melofoam. It's been reformulated to be softer and a bit squishier, perfect for hugging. Since it's not a standard body pillow size, you'll want to invest in the cover too, but I had a hard time getting past the $350 price tag when bundled. For comparison, the Yana is also available with a latex construction and is $100 cheaper." — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
• Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U Total Body Support Pillow: The Moonlight can be used in a number of positions to provide versatile support for your entire body. It's filled with a comfortable and plush synthetic down called Fusion Fiberfill that won't flatten or clump, but it's not adjustable. Its large, oversized design also causes it to occupy a significant portion of the bed. If you prefer a down alternative U-shaped pillow, rather than the memory foam or latex of the Yana, this is a good option to consider. Moonlight also offers a lifetime warranty, which is appealing.
• Momcozy U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow: Momcozy is one of the most popular pregnancy pillows on Amazon and has a very affordable $50 price tag, but I found it too bulky, taking up half of my king-size bed. It has a soft, cozy cover, but I found myself getting too hot with it, likely because of its bulkiness and thickness.
• Snuggle-Pedic Body Pillow: The Snuggle-Pedic Body Pillow was previously our top pick for side sleepers. After researching, we discovered that Snuggle-Pedic was acquired in 2020 and no longer offers features we loved, like a trial period and warranty. Recent customer reviews indicate a decline in the pillow's quality, many mentioned reduced fullness and changes in warranty terms. I also noticed a disparity between the original version we tested in 2020 and a new one that we re-tested, leading us to replace it in our guide.

• Oubonun Body Pillow: I recommend the Oubonun body pillow if you're on a budget; it's a good value for the money. It features a hidden zipper to adjust its hypoallergenic polyester fiber fill. It's softer than most but provides sufficient support and won't take up much space in your bed. One side is quilted, which is a nice detail. It even includes a pillowcase as a bonus.

What to look for in a body pillow

Choosing the right body pillow depends entirely on your individual needs and preferences. Consider the following factors as you search for the perfect body pillow.

Purpose

Identify why you need a body pillow—whether for back pain relief, pregnancy support, or overall comfort. Select a pillow designed with your specific needs in mind.

Shape and size

Assess your bed space and choose a body pillow size that complements it. Dr. Karen Litzy suggests considering the pillow size based on your bed dimensions and ensuring it provides sufficient coverage for your entire body. Larger pillows like the Coop Home may be suitable, but for shared beds, consider smaller options like the Zoma. Adjustability, weight, and body size will also influence your selection. Additionally, factor in your preferred sleeping position and needs when selecting your ideal pillow shape:

• I-shaped: The I-shape is like a standard rectangular pillow but longer. A common length is 54", and it can range from four to six feet. It's ideal for people who want a body pillow but don't have a specific need that needs to be addressed.
• U-shaped: The U-shape is characterized by its ability to offer support on either side, keep you from rolling, and make it easy to switch positions without having to reposition the pillow, making it an optimal choice for pregnancy. The most common way to sleep is to keep the open part at your feet, cuddle whichever side you prefer, and rest your head on the bend, but you can get creative about how you lounge and sleep with this shape.
• C-shaped: The C-shape is typically pretty customizable. It has a bend on each end and can be contorted and bent into varying shapes. It's a little smaller than the U-shape.
• J-shaped: The J-shape follows the I shape with the addition of being able to position your head at the curve, wrap your body around the straight portion, or place the hook under the knees and position your back against the straight side. It's a popular choice for side sleepers to curl up with.

Fill and firmness

Determine your preferred firmness level, balancing proper spinal alignment with comfort. Factors such as weight, height, and sleeping position influence this choice. Most of the body pillows we've examined have a memory foam or down-alternative fill, but body pillows are available in all the typical fillings of pillows, including down, wool, and latex as well. Memory foam pillows are firmer and offer more support, while down-alternative and polyfill will sleep more plush. Opt for hypoallergenic options, and for foam fill, ensure it's CertiPUR-US certified. Always check if the materials are safe and certified for a worry-free sleeping experience.

Ease of cleaning

Consider the ease of cleaning. Some body pillows feature removable, washable covers (e.g., Coop Home and Tempur-Pedic). Even those without removable covers, like the Snuggle-Pedic and Zoma, can be machine-washed. A pillowcase is recommended for regular washing, though washing larger pillows may be time-consuming. As body pillows increase in popularity, more bedding brands offer body pillow covers; just be sure to match the dimensions of your pillow.

Temperature regulation

If you sleep hot, opt for a breathable pillow designed to regulate temperature. Breathability is crucial, as overheating can disrupt sleep quality.

Medina emphasizes, "You don't want to become overheated on the body pillow, as an increased body temperature can provoke a wake response." A good body pillow enhances support, comfort, and breathability for improved sleep.

Return policy and trial period

Prioritize pillows with a flexible return policy and trial period. Since side sleepers may need time to find the perfect fit, allowing at least a week to adjust is essential. Ensure you can exchange or return the pillow if it doesn't meet your expectations.

How we tested the best body pillows

Our testing methodology

To find the best body pillows, I did hands-on testing with 17 different models, relied on my background in sleep research, and interviewed sleep expert Zeke Medina, PharmD, and physical therapist Karen Litzy, DPT.

As a sleep researcher and certified sleep science consultant, it's important for me to review items that truly improve quality sleep. I paid close attention to how well I slept with each pillow, including how comfortable, breathable, and supportive they were. Here's how I evaluated each pillow:

Setup: First, I wanted to know whether the body pillows emitted any chemical odors as soon as I opened the package. If there was an odor, I evaluated how long it took for any smells to dissipate. I also noted if the pillows were adjustable and if they included a removable and washable cover.

Specs and components: I recorded each body pillow's length, weight, firmness, and quality of materials. I also noted if they were hypoallergenic and researched if the pillows' fills were CertiPUR-US certified or made without toxic materials.

Sleeping: I slept with each body pillow for seven consecutive nights, taking note of how well I fell asleep, stayed asleep, and felt in the morning. I evaluated how comfortable and soft the materials were, whether I slept cool or hot, and how much support and tension relief I felt throughout the night and in the morning.

Return policy: I looked at the return policy and warranty of each pillow. This is important in case individuals are unsure it's the right fit. "No single pillow is the answer for everybody," says Medina, so it's best to try out body pillows to figure out what works for you.

Long-term use: Since original testing, I've continued to use our top picks regularly and will report back about their durability over time.

Meet the expert behind the guide

Suzy Hernandez, freelance contributor: I managed a sleep laboratory for over two years and have conducted extensive research on sleep. I've tested products for SleepScore labs and presented my work at the Eastern Psychological Association. Now, you'll find me testing sleep products from pillows to cooling bedding.

Body pillow FAQs

What are body pillows used for?

The benefits you get from a body pillow will depend on your individual needs and preferences, but they can relieve muscle tension, help with blood circulation, can be used post-surgery and during pregnancy, and may reduce snoring. They're also beneficial for side sleepers to "hug" throughout the night as a way to promote healthy spinal alignment, as well as the psychological benefits provided by cuddling with a body pillow.

How should you position yourself with a body pillow?

"You can throw your leg over it to take the stress off your shoulder, hip, and knees," said sleep expert Zeke Medina. "You can also place the pillow between your legs to alleviate the pressure between the knees."

Can you wash a body pillow?

In many cases, you can treat a body pillow like a regular pillow. Get a good body pillow protector or pillow case, so you have to clean the pillow itself less frequently. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and only use a large-capacity washer and dryer so you don't damage your machine.

What is the best body pillow fill?

Most of our top picks are filled with memory foam, which offers a good balance of support and firmness. However, our picks for side sleepers and our budget pick are filled with synthetic down, and have a softer, mushier feel. The right fill will depend on your preferences and sleep style. Latex fills are also an option, as seen from Yana and Bearaby, which will also feel firmer with a touch of responsive bounce.

If your cat were out in the wild, they'd naturally sharpen their claws on trees and other sturdy surfaces. Scratching is a natural behavior, so providing something that mimics that experience indoors is essential for their health, and can save your couch or door frames, too.

Cats scratch to condition their nails, leave scent markers of their presence, and stretch their muscles. The best cat scratching posts are stable, solidly constructed, and located where cats will actually use them. In fact, it's ideal to have multiple scratchers around your home, according to experts.

I've been testing home, tech, and pet products for over a decade. For this guide, I consulted a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and a certified applied animal behaviorist for insights into why cats scratch and the types of resources that can support this healthy behavior. I also have two cats who helped me evaluate nine scratching posts in our home. Both cats gravitated toward the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post, likely because it stood up to their vigorous scratching and was tall enough for them to stretch out. I like it because it looks nice and can last for years.

Read more about how Insider Reviews tests and evaluates pet products.

Our top picks for the best cat scratching posts

Best overall: SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post - See at Chewy

Best budget: Frisco 33-in Heavy Duty Sisal Cat Scratching Post - See at Chewy

Best for large cats: MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte - See at Chewy

Best post and bed: Vetreska 41.3-in Cat Scratching Post with Bed - See at Chewy

Best multi-post: Frisco Lucky Bamboo 35.5" Cat Scratching Posts with Toys - See at Chewy

Best overall

The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post blends solid construction, height, and tasteful design to take top honors in this guide. No scratching post is indestructible, but my current SmartCat post has lasted for years. When the sisal starts to fray, I can extend its life further by rotating the post to give my cats a fresh place to scratch. The two neutral color options are about as inconspicuous as cat scratchers get, and the gray post is especially muted. The sisal's weave seems to appeal to both my cats.

I could barely see any damage during my scratch test, and the sisal never caught the brush. That's important because cats' claws could get stuck on the sisal, leading to injury. The best cat scratching posts allow cats to get a full stretch, and at 32 inches tall, the SmartCat post suits most felines. "A big problem is that people invest in a scratching post that's way too tiny," says Mikel Maria Delgado, a certified applied animal behaviorist with Feline Minds. Neither of my cats is delicate (one is 13 pounds, and the other is 18 pounds), and this post can withstand up to 30 pounds according to Chewy's website.

The engineered wood base is wide to help with stability, but it isn't comfortable enough for use as a napping spot. The lack of padding makes the SmartCat less appealing for cat parents looking for a multifunctional furniture piece. There is a perch pad sold separately, but it was out of stock so I couldn't try it with my cats. This was also the only post I tested that didn't come with all the tools necessary for assembly, so you'll want to have a flathead screwdriver handy.

Best budget

Whether you have one cat or multiple, providing enough scratching resources can put stress on the budget. The Frisco 33-inch post offers many of the same features as the SmartCat post at about half the cost. Its sisal held up well during my scratch tests, although the brush snagged a couple of times.

Other than price point, its main distinguishing feature over my top pick is the plush material covering the base and top. The faux-fur top gives the Frisco dual functionality, adding both a scratcher as well as vertical space to your cat's environment. One of my cats especially liked perching on the top. The base is 16 by 16 inches, and held firm when he summited the post to survey his kingdom. While the post is slightly taller than the SmartCat, there's actually about 2 inches less sisal material on the Frisco because the plush top and base extend along the scratcher. While my cats seemed to appreciate the faux fur, it made the post stand out more compared to my decor. It does come in three colors, though the sisal is always the same cream color.

The Frisco post is also only recommended for cats up to 25 pounds, compared to SmartCat's 30 pounds, but this weight limit should still accommodate the majority of cats. In my push tests, it wobbled a little more than the SmartCat.

Best for large cats

If your cats harbor secret desires to scale trees, consider the MidWest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte. It's tall, wide, and rounded, making it closer to a trunk than anything else I tested. Business Insider reporter Janelle Leeson has cats who gravitated to this post. They loved scurrying up it and using the top as a scouting spot.

It has a mix of faux fur and sisal, with more of the rope-like material than either of the scratchers above. The large base is covered in plush fabric, which my cats enjoyed as a resting spot. For cats that like to scratch horizontally on similar material, there's plenty of room. Neither of my cats used this scratcher a lot, but that doesn't mean it won't work for your cats. "There's always going to be cats with very specific preferences," Delgado says. She notes you should give cats a range of options so you can figure out what appeals to them.

At 19 by 19 inches, its base takes up nearly 30% more floor space than my top pick, which may be problematic in space-challenged homes. However, my biggest issue with this post is that the sisal tends to shed. It has the loosest weave of any post in this guide, which impacts durability and requires cleanup.

Best post and bed

The Vetreska Cat Scratching Post with Bed looks like something out of Super Mario Bros, but the uniquely designed scratcher, topped by a cozy bed, quickly became my cat Dobby's favorite. The flower bed has a concave center surrounded by higher petals, and I find him curled up in the middle when I wake up in the morning. He also hangs out there most of the day. My larger cat doesn't like it as much, but it's getting so much use by Dobby that it's often occupied.

This scratcher is beautifully made. Jute covers the cactus frame and the rounded base, so cats can scratch horizontally or vertically. It's also one of the taller posts, so cats can get a good stretch when scratching. The jute held up well during testing and is less prickly than sisal. The best cat scratching posts should be stable to help your cat feel safe. Despite its unusual design, the Vetreska post is sturdy and withstood multiple feline launches from the floor to the bed without a single wobble. That being said, pulling the structure by one of the petals made it a little unsteady.

You'll pay a premium for quality. The Vetreska Post is the most expensive scratcher I tested, coming in at over 2.5 times the price of the top pick in this guide. In addition, its cartoonishness and vivid colors may not fit with everyone's decor. Some cats may gravitate towards a post with a simpler design or a different style of bed. However, if your cat does enjoy curling up in the flower, the post will have a much longer lifespan as a bed.

Best multi-post

This well-made Frisco scratcher with a bamboo motif offers multiple scratching options and includes added features to encourage play. My 3-year-old cat enjoyed batting at the felt leaves, though the fluffy ball didn't really intrigue him. My older cat found neither amusing.

It has three posts of varying heights to give your cat plenty of choices. The tallest post is about 26 inches, and when you factor in the base and leaf, the highest point on this scratcher is 36 inches. It's only recommended for cats up to 15 pounds, so combined with the shorter height, it's probably not the best option for larger cats. That said, my 18-pound cat didn't seem to have any trouble. The top of the base is also covered in sisal, providing an opportunity for horizontal scratching. The sisal was resistant to wear in my tests and didn't shed or snag, and the triple posts provide more scratching surfaces.

Its raised base can limit accessibility, requiring some cats to use the posts at a slight distance or contort around the posts in order to scratch.The design also deterred my cats from using the bottom as a resting area. In addition, this post's material was the prickliest I tested. As with the Vetreska cactus, the bamboo scratcher may stand out against more neutral decor.

What to look for in a cat scratching post

When choosing one of the best cat scratching posts, the most important criteria is that it's something your cat will use. That means paying attention to whether they prefer sisal or cardboard, for example. They'll also need something that's big enough for them to stretch out while scratching. Where you put the post in your home is also important. "Cats like to scratch in prominent locations near where they spend time," Delgado says. That's why it's a good idea to have multiple scratchers where both you and your cats hang out, especially in spaces where they sleep.

Cat-friendly design: Some cats like to scratch vertically, like on the arm of your couch. Others like to stretch horizontally and dig in their claws, and may use the back of your couch. Your cats' preferences might change as they get older, says Dr. Lore Haug, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with Texas Veterinary Behavior Services. If your cat likes both, look for a scratcher that lets them use it in multiple orientations. Make sure it's long or tall enough for them to fully extend their body while scratching.

Materials: The material you choose will largely come down to your cat's preference. Sisal, cardboard, and jute are all common materials, since those are all what cats like. "Most cats are going to fall into the cardboard and sisal categories as their favorite," Delgado says. Both experts noted that carpet can snag cats' claws, so use caution if that's their favorite material.

Stability: Vertical scratchers should have a wide, heavy base so they don't shake when your cats use them. Haug says this might scare them off, especially if your cat is on the timid side. Horizontal scratchers should sit on a non-slippery surface so they don't slide around.

Durability: Both experts say that cats like leaving visual markers of where they scratched. The best cat scratching posts balance durability with material that accommodates those visual cues. Sisal and jute are both durable, while also fraying and wearing enough to serve as signals that your cat was there. The cardboard post I tested was the quickest to show damage and would probably need replacing the soonest.

Safety: Make sure the post won't tip when your cat is using it. "Vertical posts either need to be anchored to a wall or they need to have a really sturdy base so that they can't get knocked over," Haug says. Choose a material that won't catch your cat's claws.

How we tested cat scratching posts

The living room is the central hub of my home. It's where my couch is and everyone, including my two cats — an 18-pound 3-year-old and a 13-pounder who's 8 — congregates. I tested each one in that room before moving it to my home office, another hangout spot. Below are the evaluation points I considered throughout the testing process.

Cat preference: I placed each of the nine posts behind my couch, a spot that both cats like to claw. Over the course of three days, I used direct observation and camera footage to note when the cats used or interacted with the scratcher. Then I moved the scratcher into my office for an additional three days and tracked usage.

Stability: I watched for shaking when my cats used the scratchers. I used medium force to push and pull each post to see if it started to tip, slide, or jiggle.

Durability: Using a metal claw-shaped comb, I scratched each post 50 times. I noted any wear from this test and whether the material caught the comb. I also examined the post before and after the six days of testing for signs of use.

Assembly: I timed how long it took to assemble the post and whether I could do it on my own.

Aesthetics: I noted how well-made the posts seemed (quality sisal versus a more ragged-looking rope, for example, or bulky plastic screws instead of flush metal ones), how they looked after some use, and whether they were available in multiple color options.

Cost: Most scratching posts over 30 inches range from $40 to $75 on Chewy, PetSmart, and Petco. I determined whether the posts were above or below that price range. For more expensive posts, I took extra features into account.

Meet the expert behind this guide

Jenny McGrath, freelance reporter: I've tested and reviewed home, tech, and pet products for over 10 years. For this guide, I evaluated nine scratching posts with a range of materials and at various price points. I consulted two experts, an animal behaviorist and a veterinarian, to find criteria for testing and assessing scratchers. My two cats tested all of the options over a period of six days per product.

Cat scratching post FAQs

What scratching posts do cats like best?

Every cat is an individual, and the preferred scratching material varies from cat to cat. In addition, some cats prefer horizontally oriented posts, others like vertical or angled, and some enjoy all orientations. Even the same cat may switch their preference from vertical to horizontal scratchers as they get older due to limitations with mobility.

Do scratching posts really work for cats?

Cats scratch for multiple reasons, from stretching to marking their territory with their claws and the scent glands in their paws. You want to offer your cats a resource that fulfills these needs. As long as you're reinforcing their behavior and it meets their needs, most cats will use scratchers. "Scratching also helps cats stretch their back muscles, so it feels really good," Delgado says. Whichever way they like to scratch, make sure they can get a good stretch at the same time. If your cat still prefers your sofa or other furniture over the scratchers you provide, we also recommend several products to protect your furniture from scratching.

When should a scratching post be replaced?

Depending on how your cats use them, posts can last years. There are a few signs to watch out for if you think the scratcher is ready to be retired. "If there is rope that is unraveling or a cat stops using the post, or they get their claws stuck on it, then it is probably a good idea to replace it," Delgado says.

Which is better for a cat scratching post, sisal or jute?

Either or neither could work. Your cat might like cardboard or even denim better. It's the cat scratcher Pepsi-Coke challenge, Haug says. Give your cat a few options and see what prompts them to scratch.

Where is the best place to put a cat scratching post?

The post needs to be convenient, Haug says. "Having the posts where the cat hangs out a lot, where they sleep a lot, and in their core area is going to maximize their utilization of it." If you have multiple cats, you don't necessarily need to keep scratchers separate from one another. However, Delgado advises against sticking them in cramped corners or seldom-visited basements. "I have several posts close to one another, which can be helpful if you have multiple cats and there are high traffic areas they all like to scratch," she says.

How do you encourage a cat to use a scratching post?

Both experts suggested praising your cat and handing out treats when you see them using the scratching post. You can also sprinkle it with catnip if that attracts them, or encourage them to scratch by dragging a toy along the post.

How many scratching posts do my cats need?

The more cats you have and the bigger your space is, the more scratching posts you'll need, according to both experts. Even if you have a single cat and a small apartment, you should still have a few options in different locations to support choice and so your cat doesn't turn their claws onto your furniture.

Casper's Birthday Sale is live now, and it's one of the brand's best sales of the year. Here's the breakdown: 25% off mattresses, plus 30% off bundles. You can also save 20% on two or more pillows and 10% on other categories through April 21. I've gathered the best Casper deals below.

Compared with recent Casper promotions, this sale is worthwhile — especially if you're shopping for bundles. Though Casper is no stranger to a discount, this event is one of the more reliable times to buy if you want a broader discount across the lineup (not just one model). If you're trying to hold out for better, you may find yourself waiting months.

Keep scrolling to find some highlights from the sale, or check out the full lineup on Casper. Not sure which bed is right for you? Get the down-low in our reviews of the Casper Original, Dream, and One mattresses.

The best Casper Birthday Sale deals

When does the Casper Birthday sale end?

Casper's annual Birthday Sale ends on April 21. Stock typically doesn't run out during the brand's past sales events, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy if you're ready to commit to a new bed or pillow.

What is on sale for Casper's Birthday event?

You can find almost the entire Casper lineup on sale this month. Here are the specific promotions available now:

• Up to 25% off mattresses
• 30% off bundles
• 35% off select pillows and sheets
• 10% off adjustable bases
• 20% off two or more pillows
• 10% off accessories
• 10% off furniture

Check out our guide to the best mattresses to find other beds we love, or our roundup of the best Casper coupons for year-round deals.

For the latest buying advice updates, follow us on Instagram and WhatsApp.

My jeans have been collecting dust since the day I took my career fully remote. As a work-from-home girlie, I rely on pieces that are comfortable above all else — but still polished enough for a Zoom call or quick errands.

Since discovering Rag & Bone's Miramar sweatpant jeans (AKA sweans) two years ago, they've become my go-to "jeans." With the comfort of loungewear and the look of true denim, these are the next-best-thing thanks to a genius screenprinting technique to simulate real buttons and rivets.

Lately, I've been seeing sweatpant jeans pop up everywhere, which had me curious about which ones are truly the best (especially considering Rag & Bone's steep price tag of nearly $200). I compared six pairs across different price points, with varying levels of realism, fit, and comfort. Here's my honest assessment of each pair.

I looked for realistic faux buttons and fabric that mimics a twill weave

Realistic details — like printed buttons, belt loops, and pockets — are key to making sweatpant jeans look like traditional denim. Halara's budget-friendly option surprised me with how good it looked compared to much more expensive versions.

The faux distressed details made these wide-leg bottoms (available in regular, petite, and tall lengths) even more convincing. The cotton-elastane fabric is soft, the mid-rise waistband is perfectly stretchy, and it holds up well when washed in the delicates cycle.

Thoughtful details like functional belt loops made this GAP pair even more jeans-like

I was equally impressed with Gap's Printed Baggy Sweatpant Jeans, which balance a realistic-looking button fly and pockets with a soft French terry made with recycled polyester. Like most Gap pieces I love, these come in three lengths — a must for getting the right fit with wide-leg styles.

My favorite detail, though, is the working belt loops, which add functionality and realism. Styled with a belt, they're basically indistinguishable from the real thing.

Even though this pair uses a rigid denim fabric, the roomy legs and wide, stretchy waistband make them just as comfy

Nuuds specializes in loungewear that's designed to be worn out and about. Even though the denim is more rigid than the other sweans I tried, these are just as easy to wear thanks to a generously baggy silhouette with a 31-inch inseam and thick elastic waistband, which can be further adjusted with a drawstring. I love that the deep pockets on these are functional rather than printed.

These faux denim joggers were super comfortable, but they don't pass for real jeans

I'd call these sweatpants by Good American more "denim-inspired" than actual sweatpant jeans. The 100% cotton fabric looks just like a dark wash denim, but it lacks screen-printed buttons, pockets, or belt loops. That said, the fabric is soft on the inside, with a denim-like feel on the outside. The fit is roomy with a stretchy elastic waist and ankle bands you can tuck into boots. They fit true to size, and have the widest size range of any of the sweats I tested (XS-5XL).

If you prefer something more authentic-looking, Good American's Jeanius line includes everything from cropped palazzo jeans to corset-cut hoodies in the same super soft, sweatpant-like fabric. Unlike the joggers I tested, though, the other jeans styles don't have elasticized waists, and they use true buttons and zippers, so they won't give you the full sweatpant jeans experience.

Rag & Bone's sweatpant jeans remain the gold standard

Still, the award for best overall and the widest selection goes to the OG: Rag & Bone. While other brands are leaning heavily into baggy silhouettes with their sweans, Rag & Bone's Miramar line is generally more fitted, with straight-leg, flared, and shorts options as well.

My favorite style is the pull-on wide-leg drawstring, which has a narrower but still roomy silhouette compared to the other wide-leg styles I tried (and a whopping $268 price tag).

I love that the front pockets and belt loops are functional, while the fly and back pockets use a super convincing screenprinting technique. They're essentially the perfect travel pants: I can wear them on the plane, and later dress them up for sightseeing or a dinner out.

See another pair I tested in our full Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans review.

The bottom line

Rag & Bone still makes the most convincing "sweans." The only downside is the hefty price tag, which may be restrictive. Your best bet for a sweatpant jeans dupe will come from Halara or Gap, though they come in way fewer styles and aren't quite as soft as the Miramar.

Shop all Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans.

When you're shopping for a new TV, the first big call is usually screen size. Larger models have gotten a lot more affordable, but that doesn't always mean they're the right fit. In some living rooms — and especially bedrooms — a big-screen TV can feel like too much. That's why 55-inch models are such a great compromise. They're big enough to showcase sharp 4K detail and vibrant HDR, but still easy to place without taking over your entire space. If you want a smart balance of size, performance, and price, the best 55-inch TVs deliver exactly that.

Right now, my top pick is the Samsung S90F. Since it's an OLED, you get deep, inky black levels, excellent contrast, and wide viewing angles. If you're trying to spend less, the TCL QM6K is a standout value. It can't match OLED performance, but it still delivers bright colors, solid overall picture quality, and a smooth Google TV experience for a much lower price.

Below, you'll find all five of my picks for the best 55-inch TVs, whether you're mostly streaming, catching every game, or building out a more serious home theater. These recommendations come from more than a decade of hands-on experience testing and reviewing home entertainment gear.

Our top picks for the best 55-inch TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90F OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: TCL QM6K QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best premium option: LG G5 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best entry-level model: TCL S5 LED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best for sports: Samsung S95F OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best overall

Competition for the best 55-inch TV is fierce, but the Samsung S90F stands out as the winner. It delivers the best balance of performance and value of any TV in its class.

The S90F's QD-OLED panel combines OLED's infinite contrast ratio with quantum dots' advanced color capabilities. The result is a vibrant picture with deep black levels that disappear in a dark room. Black levels do lift slightly when hit with ambient light, but never to the point of distraction. And unlike LG's OLED models, Samsung's use of quantum dots gives this TV a slightly wider range of colors.

Brightness is another standout for this class. Our reviewer measured a peak of roughly 1,460 nits, which is excellent for a midrange OLED. HDR movies and shows pop with intense highlights and crisp detail, coming remarkably close to what you'd get from premium TVs that cost more. Even lower-resolution cable channels and HD YouTube streams appear impressively clean.

The S90F also features wide viewing angles, ensuring consistent color and contrast no matter where you sit. It's among the best gaming TVs, too, thanks to its low input lag and smooth 120Hz refresh rate (up to 144Hz with a PC). Plus, Samsung's smart platform includes the Xbox app, letting Game Pass members stream games directly to the TV without a console.

Although our reviewer had issues with Samsung's smart TV interface on older models, they found the S90F to be more responsive and consistent, with reduced lag and fewer hiccups. However, the system's organization is somewhat clumsy compared to more user-friendly offerings, such as Google TV or the Roku OS.

But where it counts most, the 55-inch S90F is an absolutely fantastic TV. People who want a midsize display that doesn't skimp on image quality and features should consider this model first. Samsung also sells a newer 2026 edition of this set, called the S90H, but it costs a lot more and doesn't offer a big upgrade. That said, the S90H does add an impressive anti-glare screen that is much better at fighting reflections, albeit at the cost of contrast in bright rooms. You can learn more in my 2026 Samsung OLED TV roundup.

Read our full Samsung S90F TV review.

Check out our guide to all of the best TVs and best Samsung TVs.

Best on a budget

TCL's QM6K is the best 55-inch TV for budget-conscious shoppers. Despite its affordable price, the QM6K boasts advanced picture quality features that many similarly priced models lack.

Notably, the QM6K features a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight. Most TVs in this price range cut those features to keep costs down, resulting in low contrast, dim images, and a washed-out picture. The QM6K, however, has solid performance across the board.

The QLED panel produces a wide range of vivid colors, and the Mini LED backlight has local dimming to control contrast across multiple zones. This results in good black levels with minimal blooming (halos around bright objects). In fact, the QM6K handles blooming better than many pricier QLED TVs I've reviewed.

Of course, there are areas where the QM6K falls short. Its brightness is decent for a TV in this class, but not as high as midrange models. I measured a max of around 550-730 nits across different test patterns, which is better than most competing TVs in this price range. That said, high-brightness HDR content doesn't have the luster and pop that I've seen on more expensive TVs.

The QM6K's viewing angles are also a bit limited. Colors and contrast fade and distort if you sit off to the side of the screen. That said, the effect isn't as severe as it is on most budget TVs of this kind.

TCL also earns points for including a backlit remote, which other brands, such as LG and Samsung, don't offer. The remote supports Google Assistant, and you can use hands-free voice control. The QM6K's Google TV interface is smooth, and I encountered only minor hiccups while navigating menus.

The QM6K is also one of the most affordable TVs with a high 144Hz refresh rate. This enables smooth gaming when paired with a high-end PC that can handle high frame rates, and it supports full 120Hz with a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

The 55-inch QM6K is regularly priced at $550 and occasionally goes on sale for as low as $448. Those are excellent prices for a TV in this class, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option for the money.

Read our TCL QM6K 4K TV review.

Check out our guides to the best TCL TVs, best budget TVs, and best TVs under $500.

Best premium option

LG's G5 is the high-end TV to beat with image quality that edges out the competition. Most notably, the G5 is one of the brightest OLED TVs I've ever tested.

I measured a peak luminance of 2,410 nits using a 10% test pattern with the TV set in Filmmaker Mode. That's a big leap over the older LG G4, which maxed out at around 1,500 nits. Such high luminance allows the G5 to deliver more impactful HDR images. When paired with high-brightness HDR movies, like "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman," the TV simply stuns, delivering a nearly unrivaled combination of bold highlights, rich colors, and deep black levels. This is the kind of image quality that TV nerds like myself geek out over.

Like all OLED TVs, the G5's viewing angles are wide, so the picture doesn't degrade much when you sit off-center. This is great for rooms with seating on the side of the TV. The G5 is also equipped with advanced gaming features, including a high 165Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC, which enables smooth motion.

However, as impressive as the G5's image capabilities are, the TV isn't quite perfect. While watching a small selection of HDR videos, I noticed some false contouring (also called posterization). This flaw caused some colors and shadows to appear blocky rather than smooth. But LG has since released firmware updates to address this, so I don't consider it a notable drawback.

The G5 uses LG's webOS interface for smart TV features, and it works just fine. It offers access to many streaming apps and has cool features like Voice ID, which automatically switches user profiles based on who speaks to the TV. On the downside, webOS tends to emphasize sponsored content and shopping recommendations more than I'd like, but most of these ads can be deactivated by navigating through some hidden menu options.

The TV's design complements its premium picture quality, featuring a sturdy build, a thin profile, and a flush wall mount included in the box. But people who'd prefer to attach the G5 to a traditional TV stand have to buy one separately, since the set doesn't include one.

Shoppers with deep pockets should also note that LG just launched a new 2026 version of this TV, called the G6. Based on an early demonstration I saw, the G6 offers a brighter image, improved reflection handling, and better processing to minimize banding. But while it's an even better high-end TV than the G5, it also costs a lot more. For that reason, I still give the G5 the edge for most people who want a premium 55-inch set. You can learn more in my 2026 LG OLED TV roundup.

Check out our guides to the best LG TVs and best TVs for picture quality.

Best entry-level

For a typical sale price of under $300, the TCL S5 is the best 55-inch TV for people who favor affordability over advanced image quality.

This model uses a standard LED panel without local dimming. As a result, its brightness and black-level capabilities are a noticeable step down from QLED TVs like the QM6K and pricier OLED models.

Although the S5 can produce a wide range of colors, its limited contrast prevents the set from displaying HDR content as intended, causing dark scenes to appear more washed out when watching TV in low-light conditions. Colors and contrast also distort if you sit to the side of the screen, and the TV's refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, so it can't support high-frame-rate gaming. To be clear, these drawbacks are common for any TV at this price point, but it's important to keep them in mind.

I recommend paying more for the QM6K if you want a budget-friendly TV with good HDR capabilities. However, the S5 is a solid option if you just want basic 4K playback for casual viewing. Integrated support for the Fire TV platform and an Alexa voice remote round out the package, offering playback from all the best streaming services. An edition with the Google TV OS is also available for those who prefer Google's platform.

Check out our guide to all of the best budget TVs.

Best for sports

Samsung's high-end S95F OLED stands out from most other 55-inch TVs with a unique feature: a matte screen. While most competing displays use glossy or semi-glossy panels, the S95F's matte finish significantly reduces glare and reflections, which is particularly useful when watching sports in a bright room.

If your space gets a lot of natural light, this TV can be a game changer. Its wide viewing angles also maintain consistent colors and contrast, even when you're sitting off to the side — perfect for group watch parties or big game nights.

There is one tradeoff, though. The same matte coating that helps fight reflections also lifts black levels in bright rooms. That means dark scenes look hazier and flatter when the lights are on. Sports content won't suffer much, but if you often watch movies in daylight, you might notice the difference. It really comes down to whether you value glare reduction over high contrast.

In dark environments, however, the S95F's black levels appear as deep and inky as those of any OLED, and overall picture quality is stellar, right up there with top rivals from Sony and LG. The TV also delivers excellent brightness for an OLED. I measured a peak of around 2,170 nits, which is fantastic for an OLED.

The S95F's premium design matches its performance. It's thin with a minimalist profile and uses Samsung's One Connect Box to neatly manage inputs, eliminating clutter on the back of the screen. Gamers will also appreciate the TV's high 165Hz refresh rate for PC play and built-in Xbox Game Pass support for streaming games.

Those with the cash to spare should also consider Samsung's newer S95H, which carries over everything I liked about the S95F while offering an even brighter image, a cool frame-like bezel, and access to Samsung's Art Store. The S95H is a more impressive TV overall, but the cheaper S95F remains a better value for those seeking an anti-glare OLED for sports.

Read our Samsung S95F 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to the best TV for sports.

How we test 55-inch TVs

To find the best 55-inch TVs, our reviewers used a combination of hands-on testing and research, drawing on more than a decade of experience covering home entertainment gear.

We typically focus our testing on 65-inch TVs, since that size is considered the industry flagship. That said, performance is usually the same for a specific TV model across sizes of 55 inches and up. For instance, the 55-inch and 65-inch versions of LG's G5 OLED share identical specs and features, with screen size being the only real difference.

There are some exceptions. TVs that use local dimming, such as the TCL QM6K, may have fewer dimming zones in smaller sizes, which can lead to minor differences in contrast. These changes rarely affect our overall assessment, but when size-related differences are notable, we call them out.

To test TVs, we evaluate picture clarity, contrast, brightness, color accuracy, viewing angles, gaming performance, smart TV software, and overall value. We measure HDR brightness with a colorimeter and use Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark test patterns or pattern generators to assess objective performance.

Of course, numbers only tell part of the story. We also spend plenty of time watching real movies and shows in both dark and bright rooms. Our test content spans 4K, 1080p HD, and standard-definition sources from Blu-ray discs, streaming apps, and cable TV, with specific scenes chosen to stress black levels, shadow detail, HDR highlights, and upscaling. Gaming tests are done using a PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2.

You can learn more about our review process in our breakdown of how we test tech products.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I've been covering home entertainment gear for over a decade, and I test the latest TVs year-round. I also studied film production, which means I'm a little obsessive about picture accuracy — I want movies and shows to look the way the director intended, not overly bright or oversaturated. When I review a TV, I use professional calibration tools and test patterns to measure performance, but that's only part of the story. I also live with every TV I test like it's my own — streaming movies, watching sports, and flipping through everyday shows to see how it actually performs in real life. I then take all that hands-on testing and translate it into clear, practical advice so you can find a great 55-inch TV for your budget.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

55-inch TV FAQs

Is a 55-inch TV a good size?

A 55-inch screen is a solid choice for various needs, and many of the best smart TVs are sold in this size. A 55-inch set is still large enough to feel immersive in smaller living rooms, while offering a more compact alternative to 65-inch models that might be too large for some spaces.

If you're shopping for a media console or mount to pair with a 55-inch TV, consider our guides to the best TV stands and best TV wall mounts for top recommendations.

A 55-inch TV is also a good fit for a bedroom where you might want something smaller than what you've got in your living room, but not so compact that you have to sacrifice picture quality. Most brands' best 4K TVs are available in 55-inch sizes, but many top displays are not sold in smaller sizes. For instance, if you want one of Sony's best OLED TVs, the 55-inch size is the smallest available.

Should you buy a 2026 or 2025 55-inch TV?

New 2026 55-inch TV models were announced at the CES tech show in January, and several options are now available to buy from LG, Samsung, and Hisense. Sony also announced that it will release its first True RGB TVs later this spring, but sizes haven't been confirmed. Our experts will review 2026 TVs for consideration in this guide over the coming months.

However, shoppers should remember that 2025 TV models will remain in stock for much of the year, and they cost much less than their 2026 counterparts. With that in mind, 2025 TV models remain the better value for most people.

How much should a 55-inch TV cost?

The best 55-inch TVs range in price, with entry-level models starting under $300 and high-end models costing $2,000 or more.

If you want a midrange 55-inch TV, you should plan to spend about $400 to $700. Several great 55-inch QLED models in that price range feature quantum dots, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights, delivering good contrast and peak brightness levels of up to 1,000 nits.

Shoppers who prefer a 55-inch OLED TV to a QLED TV will have to pay more, with prices starting around $1,000. Although notably more expensive than their QLED counterparts, OLED TVs offer pixel-level brightness control, providing superior contrast and perfect black levels.

Many 55-inch TVs receive discounts throughout the year, but we typically see the biggest price drops during sales like Prime Day and Black Friday, as well as around major sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

How far should you sit from a 55-inch 4K TV?

The smaller a 4K screen is, the closer you'll need to sit to the display to see the full benefits of its resolution. To see the extra detail that 4K offers over 1080p Full HD, you'll want to sit about one to 1.5 times the size of your display. For a 55-inch 4K TV, the recommended viewing distance is between 4.6 and 6.9 feet.

Of course, you can still sit farther away from your TV and still enjoy its image quality, but the recommended distance will let you see the best level of detail.

If you need to sit even closer to your TV or just have a small room to work with, check out our guides to the best 50-inch TVs and best 43-inch TVs.

For rooms where you need to sit farther from your display, we recommend choosing a larger screen to fully benefit from 4K resolution. Check out our guides for larger display models:

• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 100-inch TVs

Do 55-inch TVs have good sound quality?

Even the best 55-inch TVs tend to have mediocre built-in speakers. Audio drivers integrated into most TVs are small and often placed in areas that can result in a muddy sound, lacking range and deep bass. For this reason, we recommend pairing your TV with a soundbar or full surround sound system to get the best audio quality for movies, TV shows, and video games.

For the most immersive experience, we suggest finding a system that supports Dolby Atmos, which can enable sound effects from all directions, even above your head. Performance varies depending on the model you get, but entry-level Atmos systems can still provide a nice upgrade over your TV's built-in speakers.

Check out our various soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations for different needs:

• Best soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best budget soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best Sonos soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

Do you need a 55-inch TV with HDMI 2.1?

Many of the best 55-inch TVs include HDMI 2.1 ports. This feature is most beneficial for gamers who want to enjoy high frame rate modes on a console or PC.

An HDMI 2.1 connection enables a TV to receive 4K video signals at refresh rates higher than the previous 60Hz standard. High refresh rates enable smoother motion in video games that support them.

Most HDMI 2.1 TVs support a 4K/120Hz signal, and some models can even support higher refresh rates, such as 144Hz or 165Hz. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X support 4K/120Hz modes, while high-end gaming PCs can support 144Hz and 165Hz output.

In this guide, the Samsung S90F, TCL QM6K, Samsung S95F, and LG G5 all have HDMI 2.1 ports. Only the TCL S5 is limited to HDMI 2.0 with a 60Hz signal.

You'll need a compatible HDMI cable to send and receive an HDMI 2.1 signal from a source device to a TV. For top recommendations, check out our guide to the best HDMI cables.

• Target Hospitality stock is up about 60% since March 31.
• The company landed a $550 million deal to house 4,000 workers building a data center in Texas.
• It is one of many companies outside the tech industry that is benefiting from the AI boom.

A low-profile Texas company that provides temporary housing for immigrant detainees and oil riggers could get a boost from the data center boom.

Target Hospitality's stock is up about 60% since March 31. The company announced on April 1 that it had signed a $550 million deal with a top hyperscaler to house thousands of construction workers building a data center campus in Texas.

The deal is a "landmark" for Target Hospitality, Stifel analyst Stephen Gengaro said Monday in a note to investors.

Target Hospitality has become one of the many non-technology companies hoping to cash in on the AI boom, which has fueled the company's "largest commercial pipeline ever," CEO James Brad Archer said last month in an earnings call with investors.

For its new data center client, which the company has not named but has said is a "top 5 hyperscaler," Target Hospitality is building facilities for 4,000 workers adjacent to a data center construction site in North Texas. The site will feature "elevated hospitality service offerings," according to a press release.

Target Hospitality specializes in setting up and running large-scale temporary living facilities, also known as "man camps." Man camps are longtime fixtures of the oil and gas industry, which sends workers to remote locations for extended periods.

The camps are essentially tiny villages of prefab housing units built to be deployed and dismantled quickly. Man camps often feature on-site food, laundry facilities, and gyms for hundreds to thousands of workers at a time.

Amenities Target Hospitality has provided at other sites include swimming pools, on-site housekeeping, volleyball courts, and golf simulators.

Target refers to these camps as "communities." The company has historically balanced this business with government contracts.

Most recently, Target Hospitality operated two Texas detention centers for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a company filing.

Target is not the first hospitality company to jump on the bandwagon. Last year, Wyndham said it was planning to open more of its budget hotel chains in areas with heavy data center construction, such as Mississippi and Ohio.

Now, Target is at an "inflection point," Archer said.

"To be blunt, we're focused on growing the WHS segment," Archer said, referring to the company's Workforce Hospitality Solutions division, or the man camp side of the business.

"We believe it offers the most value creation," Archer said.

Target Hospitality did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• CBS News is hiring Joshua Hoyos as editorial director of its live news streamer.
• Hoyos was previously the New York bureau chief at ABC News and underwent an HR investigation.
• Read the full memo about Hoyos' hire.

CBS News is hiring a former newsroom leader at ABC News who abruptly left last year, Business Insider has learned.

Joshua Hoyos, formerly the New York bureau chief at ABC News, is joining Bari Weiss' broadcast network as the editorial director of CBS News 24/7, the news organization's free livestream news service.

Hoyos left ABC News last February after more than 12 years, following an HR investigation, a person familiar with the situation confirmed. Status first reported the news of the investigation into Hoyos.

A spokesperson for ABC News declined to elaborate on the nature of the HR investigation or whether fault was found.

The former ABC bureau chief will join CBS next Monday and report to Robert Gifford, the vice president and managing editor of CBS News 24/7. Gifford told staffers about the hire in a memo sent Thursday.

Hoyos is "an award-winning journalist and media executive who brings more than a decade of experience directing breaking news and live coverage at the highest levels of broadcast journalism," Gifford said in his memo, which was obtained by Business Insider.

A spokesperson for CBS News declined to comment. Hoyos didn't respond to several requests for comment.

Read the full memo from Gifford:

24/7 Team,

I am very happy to share that Joshua Hoyos is joining us as our new Editorial Director.

Joshua is an award-winning journalist and media executive who brings more than a decade of experience directing breaking news and live coverage at the highest levels of broadcast journalism.

Most recently, he served as New York Bureau Chief at ABC News, where he led newsgathering teams across the Eastern United States — overseeing correspondents, reporters, and producers through breaking news and major continuing coverage. His work at ABC was recognized with Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, a duPont-Columbia Award, and multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Joshua is a committed advocate for diverse voices in journalism and an active member of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. He recently served as Executive Producer on a documentary exploring the history and legacy of the New York Amsterdam News.

In his spare time, Joshua is an avid runner — with 15 marathons completed — and a devoted movie buff.

He starts next Monday, reporting to me. I am looking forward to introducing you all to him in person soon.

Please join me in welcoming Joshua to the team!

Khaby Lame's $975 million deal is facing trouble as brokerages restrict trading in the stock tied to it. The TikTok star had planned to merge his company with Rich Sparkle Holdings so everyday investors could buy in, but uncertainty has sent the stock down over 90% since January.

Big-screen TVs are more popular and affordable than ever. I've got a 75-inch TV in my own living room, and I love the extra scale it brings to movies, video games, and sports. That said, bigger isn't automatically better. A massive screen with subpar picture quality can be a real disappointment, and performance can vary a lot from one model to another. That's exactly why I put together this guide to the best 75-inch TVs (with a few 77-inch options mixed in) to help you find the right fit for your space and budget.

For most people, the Samsung S90F OLED is hard to beat. It offers deep black levels and vibrant colors that really stand out on a screen this big. If you're shopping on a tighter budget, the TCL QM6K is a solid alternative. It doesn't match the S90F's contrast or color performance, but its QLED display still delivers impressive image quality for the price, and its Google TV interface is smooth and easy to use.

I've also included picks that prioritize top-tier picture quality and models that crank up the brightness, ideal if you're setting up a home theater or dealing with a room with lots of windows. One quick note: this guide includes both 75-inch QLED TVs and 77-inch OLED TVs. That slight size difference comes down to how manufacturers produce their panels.

Our top picks for the best 75-inch and 77-inch TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90F 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: TCL QM6K 4K QLED TV - See at Amazon

Best for picture quality: LG G5 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best for high brightness: TCL QM8K 4K QLED TV - See at Amazon

Best anti-glare model: Samsung S95F 4K OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best overall

When it comes to balancing performance and price, Samsung's S90F OLED stands out as the best 77-inch TV I recommend.

The S90F utilizes a QD-OLED panel, which combines pixel-level contrast control with the rich color range of quantum dots. The result is deep, inky black levels and vibrant hues. In dark rooms, the S90F avoids the washed-out grays that plague many QLED and LED sets. Black levels rise slightly with the lights on, but not enough to be distracting.

Samsung's quantum dot tech also helps the S90F produce a brighter image than comparable LG OLEDs. During testing, our reviewer measured a peak brightness of around 1,460 nits, which is excellent for a midrange OLED and about 200 nits higher than the older S90D. That brightness makes HDR movies and shows truly pop, with crisp highlights and nuanced color that come close to matching the performance of more expensive models.

Viewing angles are another strong point: you can sit off to the side without noticeable loss of color or contrast. That's something that QLED and LED TVs can't match. Gamers will love the 120Hz refresh rate (144Hz with a PC), which ensures smooth motion with the PS5, Xbox Series X, or Switch 2. Additionally, Samsung's built-in Xbox app enables Game Pass subscribers to stream titles directly to the TV without a console. Together, these features make the S90F one of the best gaming TVs on the market.

Samsung's Tizen smart TV platform offers every major streaming app and runs smoother than it has on older models. That said, the interface's organization is a bit clumsy compared to the more intuitive designs of rivals like Google TV and Roku.

As with all Samsung TVs, the S90F doesn't support Dolby Vision, an advanced HDR format used by many services, including Netflix and Disney Plus. While Dolby Vision can deliver slightly more accurate tone mapping, the difference is subtle, so its absence isn't a dealbreaker. For more information on HDR formats, refer to my HDR TV guide.

Buyers should note that Samsung also sells a newer 2026 edition of this TV, the S90H. I tested the S90H, and it offers very similar performance, but costs quite a bit more at launch. The biggest difference is that the S90H now has a glare-free screen coating, which greatly reduces reflections but slightly lowers contrast in bright rooms. With all that in mind, the cheaper S90F remains my recommendation for most needs. You can learn more in my 2026 Samsung OLED TV roundup.

Read our Samsung S90F 4K TV review.

Check out our guides to all the best TVs, best smart TVs, and best Samsung TVs.

Best on a budget

TCL's 75-inch QM6K is a budget TV that punches way above its class. This QLED display features a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and wide color capabilities, which are often lacking in competing 75-inch TVs at this price range.

As a result, the QM6K offers better image quality than a lot of its direct rivals. When reviewing the set, I loved the TV's rich colors, and it offered solid contrast with excellent backlight control. Most budget-friendly TVs with local dimming are prone to brightness fluctuations and halos around bright objects, but the QM6K does a great job of minimizing these quirks.

The TV also gets decently bright for a display in this tier. I measured a peak of around 557 nits on a 10% HDR test pattern and around 763 nits on a 50% test pattern. Those numbers are high enough to provide a good entry-level HDR picture. However, this is the dimmest TV in this guide, so it's not the best fit for people with a lot of ambient light in their room. Viewing angles are also somewhat limited, as image quality degrades when you sit off-center. That said, this has improved over older models in the series.

Another improvement comes in the TV's gaming capabilities. The QM6K is one of the most affordable 75-inch TVs that supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, enabling smoother motion during gameplay. I was also impressed by the QM6K's Google TV interface. In the past, I've run into glitches and lag on some TCL Google TVs, but the QM6K was snappy and free from any notable bugs.

The QM6K makes some concessions to keep its price low, but it's easily one of the best 75-inch TVs available on a budget.

Read our TCL QM6K 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to all the best budget TVs.

Best for picture quality

The LG G5 is one of the company's top high-end TVs, delivering the deep black levels and infinite contrast ratio that all OLEDs are known for. However, what sets this model apart from other OLEDs is its exceptionally high brightness.

During my review, the G5 hit 2,410 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode. That's the second-highest measurement I've recorded on an OLED, and only behind the brand-new Samsung S95H. Now, it's essential to keep in mind that only certain HDR movies and TV shows are mastered to take advantage of such high brightness, but when paired with the right content, the G5 is stunning.

Specular highlights — explosions, reflections, lightning, sunsets — pop with incredible impact, and because it's still an OLED, you get pixel-level contrast without backlight issues like blooming. Some QLEDs can get even brighter, but they can't match the G5's ability to harness its brightness so precisely. Visit our QLED vs OLED comparison for more details.

The result is an outstanding image: in a dark room, black levels blend seamlessly into the background, while bright elements shine cleanly and accurately. Wide viewing angles and a 165Hz refresh rate for PC gaming round out the G5's performance perks.

Of course, the G5 isn't flawless. No TV is. The display initially exhibited signs of posterization (blocky rather than smooth colors) in certain HDR scenes, but subsequent firmware updates have largely resolved this issue. LG's webOS platform is smooth and well-stocked with apps, but I still find Roku OS and Google TV more intuitive. I also ran into some early voice-search hiccups that smoothed out over time.

Design-wise, the G5 looks sleek and comes with a mount that hangs nearly flush against your wall. However, it doesn't include a traditional stand, so you'll need to purchase one if you aren't wall-mounting.

A 2026 version of the G5, called the G6, is now available as well. I saw a side-by-side comparison between the G6 and G5, and the newer TV can get a bit brighter. It also has an improved anti-reflective filter and better processing to help reduce banding. That said, the G6 is currently $1,000 more than the G5. If you're a serious enthusiast without budget constraints, the pricier G6 is worth considering, but for now, the more affordable G5 remains my recommendation. You can learn more in my 2026 LG OLED TV roundup.

Read our LG G5 4K TV review.

Check out our guides to the best LG TVs and best TVs for picture quality.

Best for high brightness

The QM8K is an impressive QLED that rivals top models from Sony and Samsung but costs considerably less. Most notably, it's one of the best 75-inch TVs for buyers seeking an exceptionally bright screen.

Like TCL's budget-friendly QM6K, this pricier flagship model uses a QLED panel with Mini LED local dimming. However, the QM8K features a more advanced backlight with additional dimming zones, enabling it to deliver a significantly brighter image with even better black levels.

Our reviewer measured a peak brightness of 3,648 nits on a 10% window, making the QM8K the brightest TV in this guide and one of the brightest TVs on the market. Of course, raw luminance on a test pattern is meaningless if the TV can't control its light output well when displaying actual content. Thankfully, the QM8K can harness its brightness to deliver fantastic HDR image quality. This high brightness also helps overcome glare in rooms with a lot of ambient light.

The TV's advanced dimming system also impressed our reviewer with some of the best contrast control he has seen on a Mini LED TV. Halos around subtitles were absent, and blooming in test scenes that typically exhibit it was completely absent. OLED TVs still offer more precise contrast, but the QM8K QLED is helping close that gap.

The QM8K's viewing angles are also wide for a QLED, with minimal color and contrast degradation even at off-center angles. Again, OLED TVs still have an edge here, but the difference isn't as significant as it used to be.

Gaming capabilities are also excellent, with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz. However, the QM8K isn't capable of 165Hz, which is a feature supported by a few competing TVs, such as the LG G5 and Hisense U8QG.

If you're looking for a premium 75-inch QLED with excellent contrast control and exceptional brightness, the QM8K is a fantastic value.

Read our TCL QM8K 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to the best TCL TVs.

Best anti-glare model

The Samsung S95F is a stellar QD-OLED TV that excels at addressing an all-too common annoyance for many viewers: screen reflections. Most TVs use glossy panels that create mirror-like reflections, which can make daytime viewing (especially sports) frustrating in rooms with lots of windows.

The S95F tackles that head-on with a matte-like screen that dramatically reduces glare. It's not perfect, but for anyone who battles reflections in their living room, it can feel like a revelation. In my testing, the TV performed exactly as promised, with virtually no irritating reflections.

There is a tradeoff, though. That matte finish can lift black levels when the room is bright. In a dark environment, the S95F's black levels look pitch-perfect, but with the lights on, darker scenes can take on a slightly gray, hazy appearance. Glossy screens — like those used on every other TV in this guide — maintain deeper black levels in bright rooms, but they also reflect more light. Ultimately, choosing between the S95F's matte approach and a traditional glossy panel depends on which you find more bothersome: reflections or compromised contrast.

Beyond the screen treatment, the S95F delivers impressive performance across the board. I measured peak brightness at 2,170 nits, which is top-tier for an OLED. It also supports a 165Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth PC gaming and features a premium design that routes inputs through a separate connection box, rather than cluttering the TV's rear panel.

Samsung also has an improved 2026 model of this TV, called the S95H. The new TV gets even brighter, features a premium frame-like bezel, and adds access to Samsung's Art Store. The S95H is the most impressive high-end TV Samsung has ever made, but it also costs a lot more than the S95F. With that in mind, the S95F remains a better overall value for shoppers seeking an anti-glare TV.

Read our Samsung S95F 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to the best sports TVs.

How we test 75-inch TVs

We picked the best 75-inch TVs through hands-on testing with various display models. We've been reviewing home entertainment products for over 10 years and used that expertise to inform our testing parameters and requirements.

When evaluating TVs, we typically review the 65-inch option, as it's the industry's flagship size. However, overall performance for a specific TV model usually remains the same across sizes of 50 inches and above. For example, a 77-inch LG G5 OLED and a 65-inch G5 OLED have the same specifications. The only difference is the panel's size. As such, general test results for 65-inch TVs also apply to their 75- and 77-inch counterparts.

However, some QLED displays with local dimming, like the TCL QM6K and QM8K, have more zones in larger screen sizes than in smaller ones. This can cause slight differences in contrast performance when comparing a 75-inch model to a 65-inch one, but these differences are not enough to alter our overall takeaway. In rare cases, some TV models have more dramatic differences across sizes. We consider these differences when recommending displays and note them when applicable.

When we test TVs, we evaluate picture clarity, color quality, contrast performance, peak HDR brightness, gaming features, navigation speed, off-axis viewing capabilities, and overall value. To measure brightness, we use a meter in combination with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc.

Test patterns are great for objective measurements, but watching real-world content is the only way to fully evaluate how a TV looks. We sample a variety of shows and movies to assess how a display performs in both dark and bright environments. Part of our evaluation involves watching the same assortment of scenes on each TV we review to compare performance. Sequences are chosen to show off HDR highlights, shadow detail, black levels, upscaling, and motion. We also vary the quality of our material to assess how a TV handles 4K, 1080p, and standard definition (SD) programs from Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV. Gaming capabilities are also tested using a PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

For more information about our testing process, check out our page detailing how we review tech products.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I lead tech product coverage for Business Insider's Reviews team, and I've spent years testing all kinds of TVs. I studied filmmaking, too, so I'm a bit obsessive about picture quality. I want movies and shows to look the way the creators intended. My team and I use professional calibration tools, pattern generators, and benchmark discs to measure brightness and color accuracy, but numbers alone only tell part of the story. I also use every TV I review the way you would at home — streaming, watching movies, gaming, and channel surfing — to see how it really performs day to day. The picks in this guide stood out not just in lab tests but also in real-world use.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

75-inch TV FAQs

Is a 75-inch TV a good size?

A 75-inch screen is an excellent option for anyone who wants a display to fill a big space or offer an exceptionally immersive experience in a smaller room. Big screen sizes fill more of your field of view, so your eyes can focus on the image and not the rest of your room. This creates a viewing experience that's closer to what you'd get in a movie theater.

Many of our picks for the best 4K TVs and best OLED TVs are sold in the 75- and 77-inch screen class, so you have plenty of options.

That said, you need to consider certain logistics when buying a large TV. Most notably, you'll need a stand or mount that can accommodate the width and weight of a 75-inch TV. If you need a new entertainment console or mount, visit our guides to the best TV stands and best TV wall mounts, where we have several picks that can fit large displays.

But if you don't have the space for a 75-inch TV, check out our guides to smaller TV sizes:

• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs
• Best 43-inch TVs

Or if you want something even larger, check out our guides to the best 85-inch TVs and best 100-inch TVs.

Why are some TVs offered in 75 inches and others in 77 inches?

It mostly comes down to how the panels are made. Traditional LED and QLED TVs are commonly produced in 75-inch sizes, while OLED panels are typically manufactured at 77 inches. In real-world use, though, the two-inch difference is minimal, as you're essentially getting the same big-screen experience either way.

Should you buy a 2026 or 2025 75-inch TV?

Brands such as Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense have all launched new TVs for 2026, including models with 75-inch screens. First details were shared at the CES tech show in Las Vegas. You can learn more about new TV models in our CES 2026 TV breakdown. Meanwhile, Sony announced that its first True RGB TVs will arrive later this spring, but sizes and specific models haven't been confirmed.

Over the coming months, we'll review 2026 TV models for consideration in this guide. However, it's essential to note that 2025 models will remain in stock for much of the year and, since they're cheaper than their 2026 counterparts, they still offer the best value for most viewers.

Do brands sell 70-inch TVs?

Though increasingly uncommon, some brands do sell 70-inch TV models. Notably, Samsung, LG, Insignia, and Walmart's Onn brand all offer 70-inch options in their current lineups. However, that size is typically limited to a few entry-level options. Top TVs usually skip the 70-inch size and are instead sold in 65-inch and 75-inch/77-inch models. With that in mind, we generally recommend that shoppers focus on TVs available in those sizes instead.

How much should you spend on a 75-inch TV?

Depending on the performance class you choose, the best 75-inch TVs can cost between $600 and $5,000.

Budget-friendly 75-inch QLED TVs, such as the TCL QM6K, are sometimes available for as low as $700. Midrange QLED options with higher brightness typically sell for $800 to $1,400, while high-end models start at around $1,800.

If you want an OLED TV (made in 77 inches rather than 75), you'll need to pay a bit more. The cheapest 77-inch OLED TVs start at around $1,600, while premium options can cost over $4,000.

The best 75-inch and 77-inch TVs often go on sale, but the biggest discounts typically appear during shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day, as well as around major sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

For cheaper TV recommendations in smaller sizes, check out our guide to the best TVs under $500.

Do I need HDMI 2.1 for a 75-inch TV?

If you're a gamer with a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, we recommend ensuring that any TV you buy has HDMI 2.1 ports. HDMI 2.1 enables 4K at 120Hz and smoother motion with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). All of our picks for the best 75-inch TVs support HDMI 2.1.

Do 75-inch TVs have good sound quality?

Even the best 75-inch TVs have mediocre built-in audio performance. Some of our pricier recommendations, such as the LG G5, offer better clarity and slightly more bass than our entry-level picks, like the TCL QM6K. However, they still lack the depth and range that you'd get with a separate audio system.

Companies typically build their displays with small speaker drivers to keep costs down and maintain slim screens, resulting in poor low-frequency performance and overall fidelity. For better sound quality, we recommend purchasing a separate soundbar or surround sound system, especially one that supports Dolby Atmos.

Check out our soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations:

• Best soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best budget soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best Sonos soundbars
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

How far should you sit from a 75-inch 4K TV?

A large 75-inch screen lets you sit farther away from your display while still enjoying an immersive experience. To start seeing the benefits of 4K resolution with an optimal field of view, the recommended distance is about one to 1.5 times the size of your TV.

So, for a 75-inch 4K TV, aim to sit between 6.25 and 9.38 feet from the screen.

However, for your eyes to fully appreciate the benefits of a 4K resolution image, you'd need to sit just 4.9 feet away from a 75-inch screen. Of course, most people don't sit that close to their displays, and you can still enjoy a 75-inch 4K TV from a greater distance.

Should you buy a 75-inch 8K TV?

Some brands, such as Samsung, offer 75-inch 8K TV models. However, in most cases, 8K TVs aren't worth the extra money they cost. Outside of some YouTube videos, there's no 8K content available to watch. Though 8K TVs benefit from upscaling and higher pixel density, which can provide a slightly sharper image if you sit very close to your screen, this benefit is subtle.

As it stands, most people are better off buying a 75-inch 4K set with high-end features than spending a similar amount or more on an 8K model.

That said, if you're determined to make the jump to 8K, we suggest considering the Samsung QN990F. This QLED TV delivered impressive contrast and brightness in our testing. But again, if you're willing to sacrifice resolution, a good 4K TV, such as the 77-inch Samsung S90F, actually offers a better overall image for less money.

All eyes are on tomorrow's inflation report as rising prices test the Fed's next move.

Andrew Pritchard was arrested for smuggling $130 million dollars worth of cocaine through the Caribbean to Europe using shipping containers in the 1990s and 2000s.

Pritchard initially smuggled cocaine for the UK club scene using hard-sided suitcases packed with concealed drugs and decoy luggage to evade airport security. He then began smuggling from Guyana to the Caribbean to the UK, shipping in containers packed with legal goods such as fruit.

In 2004, he went to meet a shipment of cocaine disguised as counterfeit cigars, which was seized by a Customs task force. Following two trials and 18 months on remand, Pritchard was acquitted. In 2013, he was arrested in a dramatic high-speed chase and later sentenced to 15 years for intent to supply and perverting the course of justice. He served his sentence in Belmarsh prison in the UK.

Pritchard has published two biographies: "Urban Smuggler" in 2008 and "Empire of Dirt" in 2026. He runs an ex-offender charity, the AP Foundation, to discourage young people in the UK from crime

• Volkswagen said it is ending US production of its ID.4 crossover SUV.
• The automaker is prioritizing assembly of its gas or hybrid-powered Atlas SUV.
• It comes amid an industry-wide rethink of electric vehicles in the US.

Volkswagen is doubling down on gas-powered SUVs for the US.

On Thursday, the German automaker said it would end assembly of the electric ID.4 crossover SUV at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant by mid-April.

The move means Volkswagen's US EV sales will rely entirely on existing inventory. A spokesperson confirmed that the company does not import any ID.4s into the US.

"The EV market continues to challenge the industry, requiring measured decisions throughout the last few years to navigate this unpredictability," VW said in the press release.

Instead, VW said the Tennessee plant will focus on building "higher-volume" models like the redesigned 2027 Atlas SUV, which the automaker unveiled ahead of last week's New York Auto Show. The updated SUV is set to begin production this summer and arrive in dealerships this fall.

The factory switch-up also underscores a broader pullback in Volkswagen's US EV strategy.

The ID.4 was once central to Volkswagen's electric ambitions. When it launched globally in 2020, the automaker positioned it as a key step in expanding beyond its traditional gas-powered lineup. It also had targets to bring additional EVs, including the ID.7 sedan, to the US. The sedan's US launch was later scrapped.

While the Tennessee factory will stop building the ID.4, the company said 2026 crossover EV will remain available "through current inventory," which it expects will last into 2027.

It's a similar approach to one the automaker outlined in December, when it said it would not bring the 2026 ID. Buzz EV to the US, citing weaker-than-expected demand. Instead, it said existing supply would cover sales until a refreshed version arrives next year.

Both models are expected to come back to US dealerships in 2027 with fresh updates.

Volkswagen has found more success with EVs in Europe, where it became the best-selling electric vehicle brand in 2025, surpassing Tesla.

In the US, however, EVs have yet to become a major growth driver. The ID.4 sold 22,373 units in 2025, up 31.4% year over year — the only continued SUV model in Volkswagen's lineup to post a gain. Still, sales ranked fifth among the company's six SUVs.

Volkswagen isn't alone in recalibrating.

In the past year, automakers — including VW — have written down more than $55 billion amid shifts in their EV plans.

The industry has been scaling back or delaying EV plans amid inconsistent demand, while shifting its focus to next-generation models designed to be cheaper and more competitive.

For example, Ford, Toyota, Slate, and Rivian are now betting on more affordable EVs to reignite growth.

There are small glimmers of renewed consumer interest, particularly as gas prices increase. Car rental platform Turo told Business Insider it saw a 47% spike in EV bookings as fuel prices pushed past $4 a gallon, while Cars.com saw a 25% increase in searches for new and used EVs through March. Rivian, Toyota, and Tesla have all announced increases in EV sales to start the new year.

But that hasn't yet translated into sustained, industry-wide EV sales, where demand has plummeted since the end of the $7,500 federal tax credit in September.

The Venetian Resort's Sphere theater has become a Las Vegas main attraction, drawing visitors from around the world to see once-in-a-lifetime performances on a monumental stage. Thanks to its massive wraparound interior display, spatial audio, and multi-sensory effects, artists can deliver a fully immersive set like never before. If you're ready to see your favorite band live at this monumental venue, I've broken down how to get Sphere tickets and the scheduled acts below.

Since opening in 2023, Sphere has expanded from immersive films into a destination for high‑profile concert residencies. U2 launched the venue with an extended run from September 2023 through March 2024, setting the tone for what Sphere could deliver live. Since then, the calendar has continued to grow with major acts, including the Eagles, whose residency has been one of the venue's biggest ticket draws. Other established artists and jam‑band favorites have also taken the stage, cementing Sphere as a must‑play venue for legacy and contemporary performers alike.

Looking ahead, Sphere's event schedule continues to fill up, with additional concerts and residencies expected through 2026 as demand remains high. If you're hoping to experience the viral Las Vegas Sphere this year, we've rounded up everything you need to know, from upcoming event schedules and ticket pricing to tips on where to buy seats. You can also browse current listings and availability for Las Vegas Sphere tickets on trusted resale platforms like StubHub and Vivid Seats, where inventory often appears after primary sales sell out.

Las Vegas Sphere 2026 schedule

The Last Vegas Sphere hosts “Sphere Experiences,” visual shows that incorporate sight, sound, and immersion, as well as “Live at the Sphere” performances featuring world-renowned artists.

How to buy Las Vegas Sphere tickets

Original tickets for events at the Las Vegas Sphere are available for purchase on Ticketmaster. Depending on the event, date, and seating location, ticket availability can vary. As summer kicks off and people travel to Vegas for vacation, it is expected that certain dates, such as weekends or popular evening times, may have less availability remaining.

Tickets are also available from verified resale vendors such as StubHub and Vivid Seats for both concerts at the Sphere and its visual experience-based events. Please check the above chart for event-specific links to both StubHub and Vivid Seats.

How much are Las Vegas Sphere tickets?

Ticket prices for events at the Las Vegas Sphere vary by event, date, and demand. There are two types of event categories at the Sphere: Sphere experiences and Sphere live performances. Experiences, in general, have multiple showings a day and thus have more ticket availability, which affects pricing based on demand. Live performances are typically more exclusive, with limited showings and events held over a narrower range of dates.

Currently, original tickets from Ticketmaster and resale vendor tickets from StubHub and Vivid Seats are very similar in price. However, there may be some fluctuation when looking for last-minute tickets, especially to Sphere experiences (V-U2, The Wizard of Oz, and Postcard From Earth).

The least expensive Sphere tickets are for the Insomniac X Tomorrowland: UNITY live experience, which starts at $47 on StubHub and $45 on Vivid Seats. Tickets for the Eagles are priced the most expensive at the Sphere, with the most affordable options starting at $335 on StubHub and $349 on Vivid Seats. These prices are before additional taxes and fees.

Who is performing at the Las Vegas Sphere?

Sphere's lineup over the next year is stacked with big-name residencies and limited runs. According to Sphere's official shows page, Phish is up next from April 16 to May 2, 2026, followed by No Doubt from May 6 to June 13, Kenny Chesney from June 19 to July 11, and the Backstreet Boys for a summer run from July 16 to August 22, 2026. Later in the year, Carín León is booked for September 4 to 13, 2026, and Metallica will launch its Life Burns Faster residency from October 1, 2026, through March 13, 2027.

A few of those shows stand out for milestone reasons. Sphere says No Doubt is returning for an 18-night residency, Carín León will be the first Latino artist to headline the venue, and Metallica's run will continue the band's No Repeat Weekend format inside Sphere.

See more: Is StubHub legit? | What's showing in Las Vegas | Phish tickets | No Doubt tickets | Metallica tickets | Bruno Mars tickets | Dolly Parton tickets

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• While many people move to Florida for retirement, Karen Meadows and her husband did the opposite.
• The couple left their calm, slow-paced life in Panama City Beach for a faster one in Brooklyn.
• At first, many things about moving to NYC, like the subway, scared Karen, but now she feels at home.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Meadows, a 62-year-old Floridian who moved to New York in 2024. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

My husband and I have been married for 34 years, and we spent 17 of those years living in Panama City Beach, Florida. It's where I raised both of my kids and where I started my running coaching business and a 10K charity race.

Panama City Beach was a gorgeous place to live, with beautiful skies every day, clear blue water, and pure white sand. While it was a touristy area, when we first moved there, it was still pretty sleepy during the off-season. That's actually why I got into the racing business — I was really bored, and there wasn't that much to do.

However, over the time we lived there, it became more popular.

Many people move to Florida to retire because it's quiet and has a slower pace of life. But for me, I wanted to move somewhere with more energy.

In 2024, my husband and I moved to New York. It's funny because the first thing everybody says about our move is, "Oh my God, you did the opposite." And they're right.

To be honest, at first, I was afraid to live in New York. And I'll tell you, most days I'm still a little bit afraid. But I'm a huge believer in the idea that your brain is your central governor; it rules everything, and that the second you start restricting yourself because of fear, or thinking you should slow down, you will.

In New York, there are so many people to see and things to do. I'm more active, and living here is keeping me positive about aging.

We moved to be closer to our children

Moving to New York was definitely driven by our children. In 2020, my son was accepted to Columbia University. My daughter also attended Boston University and now lives in New Jersey. My husband and I really wanted to be closer to them.

We did have some issues selling our house in Florida. It was a really pretty home, but it also had a lot of quirky touches. On top of that, there was so much new construction that we were facing a lot of competition.

I took the first decent offer we received. By that point, I didn't care about trying to squeeze out more money — I felt like my mental health was worth more than that. We made enough from the sale to put some money in the bank and feel like we could downsize comfortably.

There's such a big contrast between New York and Florida. It made it pretty stressful trying to figure out where to live. But my son introduced me to Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and I liked that it had plenty to do while feeling a little less hectic than Manhattan.

When we first moved to Williamsburg, we lived in an old converted loft building. When our lease was up there, we moved to Three Williamsburg Wharf in 2025. We live in a two-bedroom, two-bath unit and pay around $8,700 a month. Our corner unit has a view of the Brooklyn skyline and overlooks the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which I love because you can see so much going on.

Coming from a big house, a two-bedroom apartment is a huge downsize. And while I thought I wouldn't like renting, I've never been happier. There's a lot less to worry about; there are no property taxes, and everything gets done for you. I also love the sense of community here, from wine tastings and Super Bowl parties to the people I've met in the building.

Moving to New York was a risk, but I've found a new community

I've always been a bit of a risk-taker, and I think it's important to challenge yourself.

That's part of why I'm such a dedicated runner — I regularly train for marathons, and I've run the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon many times.

Still, moving to a new place comes with plenty to worry about.

Some of the fears I've had to overcome in New York included learning to use the subway — my son showed me how to use maps, which made it much less intimidating — and getting comfortable driving in a busy city.

The way I got over that fear was by driving more. I also started volunteering with North Brooklyn Angels, a nonprofit food delivery service. Doing that community work has also helped me become more social.

In addition to volunteering with North Brooklyn Angels, I've joined the North Brooklyn Runners Club, started a book club, and recently begun volunteering with City Harvest, a food rescue organization. These groups have been especially important to me because I left behind my whole life and many of my friends in Florida. I also love helping people in need.

I know I probably could have moved somewhere more laid-back, warmer, and with lower taxes, but I love New York. I'm almost 63, and I feel better and more alive than ever. Life feels freer, I'm more engaged, and there's still so much to explore.

• Sean "Diddy" Combs' attorneys are trying to overturn his conviction and sentence.
• Combs was sentenced to 50 months for two prostitution-related charges last year.
• In appellate court arguments Thursday, a defense lawyer argued that Combs was treated unjustly.

During a lively exchange of questions and arguments on Thursday, a trio of federal appeals judges signaled their strong interest in overturning last year's sentence on prostitution-related charges for Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The appellate judges repeatedly voiced skepticism over the Manhattan sentencing judge's decision to hold the trial's ample evidence of coercion and force against Combs in sentencing.

Combs was acquitted of using coercion or force to sex-traffick his two longtime girlfriends, the judges noted — and it's the appellate court's duty to ensure that sentencing guidelines are followed, and "that the jury's acquittal isn't negated," as Judge M. Miller Baker noted Thursday.

The judges' apparent sympathy with arguments by a Combs attorney on Thursday comes with a catch, however.

Even if the defense wins and the case is kicked back down to US District Court Judge Arun Subramanian for resentencing, Subramanian has already said that even without considering coercion and force, 50 months remains, in his judgment, a fair sentence for Combs.

Overturning Combs' sentence could set an important precedent in future cases — setting firmer guidelines on what federal judges can and cannot weigh at sentencing. Still, resentencing Combs could ultimately result in Subramanian imposing the exact same penalty for the "I'll Be Missing You" rapper.

"Any potential error would be harmless here," Christy Slavik, a lead federal prosecutor in the case, told the panel.

'An exceptionally difficult case'

The millionaire hip-hop mogul was sentenced in October to 50 months in prison on two counts of transporting male escorts across state lines for the so-called "freak offs" at the center of the trial.

In her oral arguments Thursday, Combs defense lawyer Alexandra Shapiro repeatedly told the appellate judges that coercion and force had nothing to do with the jury's limited finding that Combs transported male escorts across state lines.

"This case presents an important issue about respect for jury verdicts and public confidence in our criminal justice system," Shapiro told the panel.

In detailed questions and statements from the bench, all three judges at times agreed with Shapiro, suggesting they may be open to Shapiro's arguments and to vacating the 50-month sentence Subramanian imposed in October.

At other times, the judges of the Manhattan-based US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit expressed skepticism with both the defense's and the prosecution's arguments.

The panel of judges repeatedly interrupted Shapiro and Slavik as they presented their arguments, pressing them hard to defend their positions.

And at least one appellate judge appeared sympathetic to Slavik's argument that Subramanian correctly weighed Combs' admitted violence and drug use against him at sentencing.

"We have two women who were plied with drugs to participate in this and one of them became an opioid addict," Baker told Shapiro at one point, referencing trial testimony by R&B singer Cassie Ventura.

"This is an exceptionally difficult case," Judge William Nardini said at the hearing's conclusion, telling both sides that the three-judge appellate panel is reserving decision.

'A thirteenth juror'

Combs, who was not at the hearing, is currently serving out his sentence at a low-security prison in Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Prison records show the 56-year-old music tycoon is currently expected to be released on April 15, 2028. He has been locked up since his September 2024 arrest.

Thursday's arguments centered on Combs' two federal Mann Act convictions, for transporting male escorts across state lines so that he could watch them engage in drug-fueled sex encounters with his two ex-girlfriends, including Ventura.

At Combs' seven-week trial, the jury cleared the onetime near-billionaire of the top sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges against him. The two Mann Act counts were the only charges the jury found Combs guilty of.

In appellate briefs filed by Combs' attorneys in December, his lawyers argued that Subramanian "acted as a thirteenth juror."

"The judge defied the jury's verdict and found Combs 'coerced,' 'exploited,' and 'forced' his girlfriends to have sex and led a criminal conspiracy," Combs' attorneys wrote.

They added, "These judicial findings trumped the verdict and led to the highest sentence ever imposed for any remotely similar defendant — even though most others, unlike Combs, ran prostitution businesses that exploited poor or undocumented women or minors."

• The USPS is temporarily suspending payments to an employee pension plan, it said on Thursday.
• The move is set to free up $2.5 billion this fiscal year, the postal service said.
• USPS is facing liquidity problems and warned that it could run out of cash in early 2027.

America's postal service is temporarily halting payments to its employees' pensions to free up cash, citing fast-approaching financial troubles.

The payment suspension to the Federal Employees Retirement System pension plan is set to take effect on Friday, the US Postal Service said in a document with frequently asked questions and answers. The FAQ attributed the pause in pension payments to "a pending liquidity crisis in which the postal service could run out of cash as early as February 2027."

USPS chief financial officer Luke Grossmann said that the suspension would not cause "any immediate detrimental impact" to current employees or retirees.

"The risk to the Postal Service and the American public from insufficient liquidity for postal operations dramatically outweighs any longer-term risk to the pension funds from not making the currently due payments," Grossmann said in a statement.

The pause is the latest sign of trouble for USPS. Last fiscal year, the postal service lost $9 billion. More recently, it reached a deal with Amazon that will reduce the number of deliveries it ships from the e-commerce giant by 20%, Reuters reported on Monday.

In a congressional hearing last month, Postmaster General David Steiner said the financial situation puts USPS at a "critical juncture." Without action, Steiner said, USPS might not be able to deliver mail starting in early 2027.

By suspending pension payments, USPS said it would save $2.5 billion in the current fiscal year. USPS pays about $200 million every other week to fund the pensions. Contributions to employees' Thrift Savings Plans, a separate savings option for federal employees, won't be affected by the pause, USPS said.

The pension payment pause isn't a permanent solution to the postal service's financial problems, USPS said. The agency has cut costs and pursued new revenue, but said it also needs Congress to increase its funding.

"Legislative action is desperately needed to return the Postal Service to profitability," USPS said in the FAQ.

Do you have a story to share about USPS? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Nicholas Jenkins was put on a performance improvement plan while working at Amazon.
• He took a termination package in December 2024 and was surprised by how hard it was to get hired.
• He finally landed a job after moving home to Houston and leveraging his personal network.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nicholas Jenkins, a market research analyst in his 40s who lives in Texas. He previously worked as a program manager at Amazon until leaving the company in December 2024 after being placed on a performance improvement plan. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I started working for Amazon in 2020.

Beginning in 2022, it felt like there was a shift within the company, and some experimental projects were deprioritized. Layoffs and reorganizations also picked up during this period, creating an organizational crunch.

My role as a program manager based in Seattle still seemed pretty secure. However, I thought I could eventually be impacted if layoffs continued.

What I didn't realize at the time was that something other than layoffs would put my job at risk.

When I was put on a PIP, the writing was on the wall

In 2024, I landed under new management through a reorganization. It didn't feel like a great fit, but I wasn't too concerned. I thought my work was critical and that, for the most part, the quality spoke for itself. I was even angling for a promotion.

Around August 2024, there were some initial conversations about my performance, including my proficiency with the programming language SQL. I felt I was being evaluated on standards outside the scope of my role. Despite how I felt, the writing was on the wall.

Around October, I was formally placed on Amazon's "focus" performance improvement program (PIP).

At that point, I was like, I've got to get out of here. This is too stressful.

I viewed my departure from Amazon as a win

I was eventually offered a termination package that included a couple of months' worth of severance pay. Rather than taking it right away, I decided to carry on with the PIP process so I could buy time until my stock vested. Leaving sooner would've meant leaving money on the table.

Then, in December, I accepted the package and left.

While I hadn't landed a promotion, I'd been there long enough for my stock to vest. This was a win.

When I parted ways with Amazon, I was under the impression that I would just roll into a new job. In the past, it felt like all I had to do was apply for a role, and I'd get it.

However, I underestimated how tough the job market would be. I didn't get nearly the same traction I had in the past, and it seemed like companies were queuing up talent but were hesitant to actually hire.

I had roughly two to three phone screenings a month — including one with TikTok after a recruiter reached out to me — but I couldn't land an offer.

I developed a 'final mile strategy' to land an offer

After struggling to find work for about five months, I realized I needed what I called a "final mile strategy" to help me land not just interviews, but also an offer. In the current market, it's key to build relationships and have that inside track to a job.

My first step in executing this strategy was moving from Seattle back to my hometown of Houston in July 2025. I had a robust network there, which I hoped would give me an advantage.

Next, I upgraded my wardrobe and bought a few new suits because Seattle was a more casual environment than Houston.

I started attending job fairs and networking events. At one event, I spoke with a friend who worked at a credit union in Houston. The conversation helped me learn about credit unions, which came in handy about a month later, when I finally had a breakthrough.

My advice: shake hands and kiss babies

My mom is a dental assistant in the Houston area, and one of her practice's clients is the owner of a local credit union consulting firm. My mom mentioned me to the owner, who suggested we talk.

My previous conversation with my friend helped me speak intelligently about the industry during my meeting with the owner, who later offered me a market research analyst job.

About seven months after leaving Amazon, I landed a new job, which I started in August 2025. Over time, I feel I've been able to showcase my abilities and forge my own path within the company.

My advice for other job seekers is to focus less on job applications and more on your personal networks. You need to get out there, shake hands, kiss babies, and cultivate relationships to build your next opportunity.

Editor's note: Representatives for Amazon declined to comment.

• The US is changing Selective Service registration but has not announced plans for a draft.
• The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act prompted the registration changes.
• Selective Service is moving to automatic registration for those eligible.

The US is moving to change the Selective Service registration process this year, but that does not mean a military draft is in the works. Here is what's happening.

After Congress approved automatic registration in last year's defense policy bill, which was signed into law in December, the Selective Service System proposed rules at the end of March.

The SSS says automatic registration of eligible men is expected by December, meaning 18-year-old men in the US will be automatically enrolled in the Selective Service's database rather than have to complete a form. The intention, SSS says, is a "streamlined registration process."

Driven by new mandates in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, this change will shift registration from something that individuals do to something the government does automatically with available federal data.

While some critics say that the move is a significant change to Selective Service that could make it much easier to pursue the draft if needed, lawmakers behind the change have framed it as an update to bureaucratic processes that will save time and money.

What is Selective Service?

The US created its first national conscription system during World War I and established its first peacetime draft in 1940, before entering World War II, registering millions of men. The draft was used for decades, most notably during the Vietnam War, when conscription became extremely unpopular.

The US military shifted to an all-volunteer force in 1973, pushing the Selective Service System into what the agency describes as a "deep standby" status, though registration was reinstated in 1980 in case a draft was ever again needed.

Selective Service registration of eligible males — women are currently ineligible for the draft, though some have pushed to change that — is intended to enable swift mobilization in the event of a national emergency requiring a draft.

Failure to register for the draft is a felony offense that can come with steep penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, as well as a loss of benefits, though prosecution is generally rare.

What is the draft?

The US last used the draft in 1973, at the end of the Vietnam War era. The Selective Service System today maintains the list of men, ages 18 to 25, who could be called up if a draft were reinstated.

Roughly two-thirds of US military personnel who served in Vietnam were volunteers, but the draft still weighs heavily in memories of the conflict, having been a significant point of contention at the time.

More recently, discussions of a potential draft resurfaced during US military action against Iran, as questions emerged about whether the conflict could expand and see the US put troops on the ground in Iran.

The US executed Operation Epic Fury, which is now on hold amid a fragile ceasefire, without putting boots on the ground, but that possibility loomed large, especially as thousands of Marines aboard amphibious assault ships moved into the region.

Early on in the war, Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" host Maria Bartiromo asked White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt about a draft and the possibility of putting American troops on the ground in Iran.

Leavitt said "it is not part of the current plan right now, but the president again wisely keeps his options on the table." Other Trump administration officials have taken similar approaches by not ruling out even unlikely options; a return to conscription would notably require Congressional authorization, according to the Selective Service.

"People ask, 'Boots on the ground, no boots on the ground?" Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in an interview on CBS News' "60 Minutes" around the same time. "You don't tell the enemy, you don't tell the press, you don't tell anybody what your limits would be on an operation," he said.

The US military put American troops on the ground in Iran in an effort to rescue two downed airmen, but there has been no large-scale ground operation, such as may be needed to seize key Iranian oil infrastructure or to ensure the destruction of highly enriched uranium.

For now, the US still relies on an all-volunteer military force. Changes to Selective Service affect records-keeping procedures. They do not determine whether Americans will be drafted.

• Affordability is the word of the moment; look no further than the election of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
• We want to hear from you: Tell us about how your city has tried to make life more affordable.
• Think free bus programs, increased development and housing stock, and childcare access.

Affordability is the word of the year. Look no further than the ascension of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, or President Donald Trump's economic messaging.

As lowering costs takes center stage, we want to know what — if anything — has helped make life more affordable for city-dwellers.

For instance, a spate of new apartment buildings has helped, in part, to lower rent prices in Austin. A limited free bus program in Boston has meant that riders saved an average of $35 monthly, and a similar program in Kansas City has led to a drop in safety incidents, though it's proven costly during budget shortfalls. After the enactment of a rent control ordinance in St. Paul, Minnesota, the number of building permits plunged, and some development halted; in neighboring Minneapolis, a loosening of land-use regulations meant a spate of new builds and housing.

Tell us about your experiences with programs like these by filling out the form below; we want to know what they've meant for your wallet and budget. You can also reach this reporter at jkaplan@businessinsider.com if you have a story to share.

• Michael Burry thinks Anthropic is beating out another AI darling.
• Burry said that he thinks the market is shifting in favor of the Claude creator over Palantir.
• Palantir stock fell 8% in Thursday's session after Burry's comments.

Michael Burry has long been bearish on Palantir, but he recently shared a new take on the market's AI darling, comparing its prospects to another titan in the space.

Anthropic isn't publicly traded yet, but it has been at the center of Wall Street's focus for months after new tools from the market of the Claude chatbot sent software stocks into a tailspin. Burry hasn't said much about the broader sector, but in a Wednesday X post, he made said he thinks Anthropic is handily beating the competition.

"Anthropic is eating Palantir's lunch," Burry said. "That massive boost from $9B to $30B ARR at Anthropic is because Anthropic offers the easier, cheaper, intuitive solution for businesses."

Palantir stock tumbled the day after Burry's comments as investors worried about competition from the AI heavyweight. The stock dropped as much as 8% to around $129.30 per share. Shares are down nearly 30% year to date.

Anthropic has already disrupted a slew of other software companies with its AI tools. Its updates have hit shares in legal tech, logistics, and wealth management, among other sectors.

Burry's comments come just a few months after he announced a short position in Palantir. He had previously expressed skepticism about the broader AI boom, implying that he saw a bubble forming,

Now he seems to think the AI market is shifting, specifically toward "plug and play" models from Anthropic that let companies quickly integrate its AI tools into their businesses.

Burry acknowledged that Palantir's lucrative government contracts, but noted that he doesn't think that they give the company an edge. In his view, the real profitability stems from the private sector business that has been the core of Anthropic's valuation.

"Anthropic' went from $9B to $30B in months, it took $PLTR 20 years to get to $5 Billion," Burry added. "[It] is taking 73% of all new enterprise spending.

He cited data from financial operations platform Ramp, pointing to a March 2026 analysis from economist Ara Kharazian, who provided a detailed breakdown of just how much Anthropic's business has grown recently.

Part of the report highlighted the zero-sum nature of the AI market, showing a surge in businesses flocking to Anthropic at rivals' expense.

"Nearly one in four businesses on Ramp now pays for Anthropic (a year ago, it was one in 25)," Kharazian wrote. "OpenAI's 1.5% decline was the largest in any single month for any AI model company since we started tracking business AI adoption."

He added that the share of companies who opt to pay for Claude before OpenAI has also increased steadily and reached 73% in February.

Burry isn't the only investor to bet against Palantir recenly. In September, short-seller Andrew Left revealed that he was shorting the stock and told Business Insider he was bullish on Databricks, an AI startup that, like Anthropic, is still privately held.

When it comes to men's undergarments, undershirts are arguably just as essential as underwear. Whether you're layering to stay warm, dressing to stay cool in hot weather, or putting on your best business casual work clothes, staying sweat-free is an important part of comfort and presentation. The best undershirts for men should always be neatly hidden underneath your shirt, and should help protect your button-up shirt or sweater from sweat stains.

Our top pick is the Tommy John Second Skin Crewneck for its comfortable close-to-body fit and breathable material. And while tank tops won't give your armpits the same protection, we recommend Hanes Cool Comfort Tank Tops for sitting neatly under tighter-fitting sweaters or lightweight dress shirts. We also love All Citizens' V-necks to wear under casually unbuttoned shirts.

For more wardrobe essentials, check out our guides to the best underwear for men and the best T-shirts for men.

Our top 3 picks for the best undershirts for men of 2026

Best overall crewneck: Tommy John Second Skin Modern Fit Crew Neck

We nearly gave up on T-shirt style undershirts. They can be ill-fitting at the collar, the sleeves can become loose over time, and they rarely stay tucked in. But Tommy John's undershirts solved all of our gripes. Close-fitting but not tight, they're long enough to stay comfortably tucked into your pants, and they practically disappear underneath your top layer of clothes.

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

Read our full review of Tommy John undergarments.

Best V-neck: All Citizens AirWeight Undershirt Deep V

V-neck undershirts serve a purpose other than style: When sporting a button-up shirt, you can leave the top button undone while still hiding the shirt underneath. And if you're going for a super casual look with two or three buttons undone, you'll need an even deeper V-neck.

All Citizens' AirWeight Undershirt is a solid choice because it offers the option of a standard V-neck or a deep V-neck. The shirt also features mesh zones on the sides for breathability, a stay-tucked length, and a soft microfiber feel on the skin.

Best tank top: Hanes Cool Comfort Cotton Tank

While T-shirt style undershirts are best for preventing armpit stains under button-ups and dress shirts, tank top undershirts get the job done if you're only concerned with having a sweaty back and chest. The Hanes Cool Comfort White Tank is a no-frills undershirt, but with no tags, soft preshrunk cotton, and moisture-wicking technology, it has everything you need.

In line with all of Hanes' other products, the Cool Comfort tank tops are reasonably priced within everyone's budget. Although we regularly recommend skipping low-cost underwear for pricier, more durable options, we have found no issues with Hanes tank tops that should deter you from buying them.

Best budget crewneck: Hanes Ultimate Comfort Crewneck

What would a list of undershirts be without Hanes? In short, incomplete. As one of the most popular underwear brands, if not the most popular, Hanes has a huge assortment of all types of undergarments, including undershirts. If you're going for a classic T-shirt style rather than a tank top, the Ultimate Comfort Crewneck is what you'll want to buy, especially if you're on a budget.

Each pack comes with four undershirts, making it the best bang for your buck. Made from 95% cotton and 5% Spandex, these Hanes undershirts are tagless, have lay-flat collars, and are available in sizes up to 2XL.

Best cooling: Twillory Performance Crew

The first thing you notice when you slip on one of Twillory's Performance undershirts is how cool and silky it feels against your skin. It only gets better as the day goes on, since it helps keep you feeling cool and fresh no matter what the weather throws at you. The fabric is a cotton-rayon-spandex blend that's breathable and does a great job wicking sweat. The brand's known for its performance menswear, and they bring the same mindset to their undershirts.

These tees have plenty of stretch and are thin enough to even go under a polo without added bulk. The Performance tee has plenty of length in the torso, so it stays tucked in, and it doesn't show through a white cotton dress shirt. You can choose between a crew neck or V-neck. The brand also offers a tonal version that you can't detect even under white summer-weight linen shirts.

Read our full review of Twillory's performance dress shirts here.

Best sweatproof: Ejis Sweat Proof V-neck

If you are apt to sweat a lot, Ejis has you covered with the brand's Sweat Proof V-neck, specifically designed to keep your dress shirts dry and sweat-stain free. They make the undershirt from a soft micro-modal that's light and breathable. The tees' secret weapons are ultra-absorbent underarm pads that are waterproof and prevent any sweat from getting through to your dress shirts.

The tee also has anti-odor properties using silver nanotechnology that fights scent at the source. And besides the sweat-proof properties, it's tagless, has a collar that lays flat, and is cut long enough to stay tucked in. The V-neck allows you to leave one button undone on your collared shirt. It's not a cheap product, but it will help save your expensive dress shirts from getting sweat stains and ending up in a landfill.

Best slimming: SPANX Zoned Performance Compression V-neck

You probably know SPANX for its women's shapewear, but the Atlanta-based company also makes men's undergarments in sizes from small to XXL. The SPANX Zoned Performance Compression V-neck helps give men a more toned look under their dress shirts by targeting the torso and abs, toning the chest, and helping with your posture.

They make the undershirt from a nylon-spandex blend that offers ease of movement, wicks sweat, and dries quickly. It also features mesh zones at the pits and back to help keep you cool. If you've been slacking at the gym or just need a boost of confidence, SPANX has you covered.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of wearing an undershirt?

Undershirts are typically used as a barrier between your skin and your shirts. They help prevent your shirt from soaking up your sweat, which can lead to discomfort and an unwanted aesthetic.

Why does the color of my undershirt matter?

While white undershirts are the standard color, a darker- undershirt is the way to go with lighter colored dress shirts, especially if they're summer-weight, like a thin cotton or a linen. Colors like gray or black are much less visible than traditional white undershirts under thinner, white or light-colored fabrics.

How do I choose between a crewneck and a V-neck?

If you're wearing a tie or buttoning your dress shirt all the way up, a crew-neck undershirt is your best bet. But if you, like so many others these days, are going for a more casual look with your dress shirt unbuttoned at the neck, a V-neck should be your go-to. This style of undershirt stays under wraps for a cleaner, more elegant appearance.

Is it worth spending more on undershirts?

Yes. As with a lot of things, you often get what you pay for. In our experience, high-quality undershirts will last longer. They have stronger seams, are often pre-shrunk, so they don't shrink further, and keep their stretch. As an essential that will get regular wear and washes, it's important to pick one that will last.

Mint Mobile keeps phone service simple with contract-free plans you pay for monthly, a lot like a streaming service or gym membership. It's powered by T-Mobile, using the larger provider's towers to deliver reliable, trustworthy service to customers. It's one of the most budget-friendly plans you can choose, and with the frequent Mint Mobile deals you can find, it's even more so.

Right now, the best Mint Mobile offer that shoppers can take advantage of bundles Minternet with Unlimited wireless for a year, effectively bringing cellular service down to $5 a month. If you don't need internet, you can also take advantage of Mint's usual new customer offer. This knocks 3-month plans down by $5 for newcomers, matching the low price usually locked to yearly commitments.

Keep scrolling to learn how to score these Mint Mobile deals. Be sure to check the coverage map to ensure you're eligible for service, too.

Today's best Mint Mobile plans and deals

Mint Mobile is almost always offering a deal, but they're not all created equal. Right now, the best savings shoppers can score features a year of Minternet bundled with a year of Unlimited service for only $45 a month ($540 up front). If you're shopping for both internet and cell service, that effectively locks in an intro offer of Minternet pricing plus $5 Unlimited for 12 months.

Not shopping for internet? You can also still find the brand's typical new-customer offer: $5 off the 3-month plan. That brings the 5GB plan to $15 a month, the 15GB plan to $20 a month, the 20GB plan to $25 a month, and the Unlimited plan to $30 a month.

While we've definitely seen better offers from Mint, this is still a solid sign-up benefit for newcomers to the service.

Still need a phone? The deals above require you to bring your own device, but you can still save big on a new smartphone with Mint's limited-time holiday deal. Select items, including the entire Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 10 lineups, can get up to $200 off, plus more if you trade in an eligible device.

In addition to unlimited talk and text, all Mint plans include free calling to Canada and Mexico, WiFi calling and texting, and free mobile hotspot access to share your phone's data with other devices. Hotspot data is limited to 10GB on the Unlimited plan, though.

Mint Mobile home internet deals

Mint Mobile's newly added internet plans — called 5G Home Minternet — are an incredible value for shoppers to take advantage of. New signups can get their first three months for only $40 each, matching the price of a one-year commitment without the longer term. Mint Mobile users can save even more, bringing the price down to just $30 a month.

After the initial three-month period, plans renew at $10 extra, costing $40 or $50 a month. To avoid the price hike, you can sign up for a longer term, such as a six-month or annual plan, which won't increase.

• Follow our WhatsApp channel and Instagram for more deals and buying guides.

Mint Mobile sale on phones

Mint's base plans require you to bring your own device, but you can also save big by buying one directly from the provider. Right now, the retailer is holding a holiday sale featuring hundreds off the entire Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 10 lineup when bundled with Unlimited service. It's a great sale, especially if you have an old phone to trade in to save you even more.

Is Mint Mobile good?

Ask most price-savvy wireless service shoppers which company they should consider switching to for the lowest possible monthly phone bill, and Mint Mobile is almost guaranteed to come up. That's for good reason—Mint Mobile offers solid wireless service on the same networks the big names use for a fraction of the cost. Specifically, Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network and is now owned by that very company.

In our Mint Mobile review, we found that while overall service quality was pretty good, data speeds could be a little slow during peak usage. This affected video call quality enough that you might opt to wait until you're on WiFi for Facetime action. But at only $15 a month, it is still one of the best values in alternative phone service, and signing up is easy with all of the Mint Mobile deals targeting new customers.

How Mint Mobile's family plan works

Mint Mobile's "Modern Family" plan diverges from the traditional family plans often touted by other carriers, which commonly feature discounts for adding additional lines. Instead, Mint charges the same rate for each line as it does for the first.

The real benefit of Mint's family plan lies in its centralized management rather than cost savings. Customers can initiate a family plan with at least two lines, each priced according to its data allowance. For instance, a family could opt for a plan that includes one unlimited data line, a 15GB line, and a 5GB line.

How Mint Mobile's unlimited data plan works

One of the Mint Mobile plans features unlimited data starting at $30 per month (currently discounted to $15), making it one of the more budget-friendly options available. Like many in its league, Mint limits the amount of high-speed data you get after hitting a certain threshold—40GB of usage in this case. After that, your speeds are cut down considerably until your cycle refreshes.

If you'd like to read more about the network and how it handles in the real world, be sure to take a look at our in-depth Mint Mobile review.

We've also compiled a roundup of today's best Visible phone plans if you'd like to check out the competition.

I live in New York, where there's a constant parade of well-dressed people flowing through the streets and subways. This season I've noticed many of them sporting a subtle trend: accessories with a practical edge, like deep pockets, adjustable fastenings, and an emphasis on comfort.

Luxury crossbody bags embody this utilitarian aesthetic. You can sling one on and carry it hands-free, and because their weight is distributed more evenly than with a shoulder bag, they're also the most comfortable travel purse.

Beyond their high-quality materials and stylish designs, our favorite luxury crossbody bags we've tested also come with intuitive pockets to keep you organized whether you're exploring a new city, running a quick errand, or attending a formal event.

I used to be the type who would stuff everything in my pockets so I wouldn't have to hold anything while I'm out. But since investing in the form and function of a luxury crossbody bag, I can see the appeal of being a purse girl. Here are 11 splurge-worthy styles that will work hard while adding intrigue to your outfit.

See more in our guide to the best luxury totes and best luxury work bags for women.

Best overall: Parisa Wang Gabrielle 27

I brought along this luxury crossbody bag from Parisa Wang when I traveled to Rhode Island for my best friend's wedding. Parisa Wang partners with artisans who typically work with top luxury brands like The Row and Prada, and you can tell by the elite craftsmanship. It starts at the very bottom with tiny gold feet that protects the yummy chocolate suede from coming into contact with the floor.

On its sides are slip pockets that snap shut on their own with a satisfying magnetic closure, and inside is a wide main compartment where you can easily fit a variety of bulbous items (overpackers rejoice). The long strap is removable, so I carried it is as a handbag anytime I wasn't wearing it slung over my shoulder.

The Gabrielle comes in two larger sizes, as described by style editor Samantha Crozier in our guide to the best work bags for women. "The Gabrielle 35 looks and feels like the ultra-coveted suede Margaux bag from The Row, which will run you $5K or more," she writes. '"But dare I say that the Gabrielle is cuter?"

Best minimalist: Longchamp Le Foulonné S Crossbody Bag

"Longchamp is known for its classic nylon totes, but the brand also has some really elegant leather bags we've come to love. There's a mini leather version of its signature bag which is instantly recognizable, but for a more 'quiet luxury' approach, we prefer this understated crescent bag.

The Foulonné's design is so simple and elegant. It's not trying to be flashy, but the craftsmanship is excellent and you know it's a luxurious bag when you feel the leather. Unlike Polène's crescent-shaped bag, this one relies on streamlined detailing. The oval gold buckle allows you to adjust the strap and adds a little bit of interest to the bag without screaming at you.

It's nice to know that I can carry it a little tighter against my body for secure travel, or let the strap down for more casual outings. It even features a small hoop on the buckle that you can attach a (very thin) bag charm to.

This bag carries way more than it looks like it can hold. I was able to fit a phone with a thick wallet case, a bottle of hand cream, several lip products, a pack of tissues, my small pill case, and a claw clip for my hair. When the bag is packed full, you can see some of the pulling in the leather, but I didn't mind that at all because it just showed how flexible the bag is for oddly shaped items." — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews

Best trendy: Tory Burch Lee Radziwill Double Bag

Tory Burch debuted the Lee Radizill line in 2018, but it's had a big comeback in tandem with the belted handbag trend. The bags cost between $520 and $1,320 each and can be found in Napa leather, suede, pebbled leather, and croc-embossed leather.

Burch named the line after socialite Caroline "Lee" Radzwill, the younger sister of First Lady Jackie Kennedy. This petite style really deserves to be called a pocketbook, due to its miniature size and square shape. The lock-and-key hardware details give it a more modern flair ,and as with many of our favorite luxury crossbody bags, it comes with tiny metal feet on the bottom to protect its base.

Best for work: Strathberry Tote

This brand is literally fit for royals, as it's been spotted on Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. It's not a traditional work bag — you won't find a padded laptop sleeve or built-in tech compartments — but the Strathberry Tote is considered a holy grail over on the Reddit's r/handbags forum as a luxury office purse.

The mid-tier luxury brand has a reputation for delivering exceptional materials and meticulous construction at a price that, while still a splurge, feels justified in the luxury space. Each Strathberry bag takes an artisan at least 20 hours to complete, and that care is evident the moment you see it up close. The stitching is precise, the leather feels rich and substantial, and the suede lining is soft to the touch.

Its signature music bar hardware is weighty, polished, and unmistakably luxe — the kind of detail that elevates even the simplest outfit. It also comes in Midi and Mini sizes.

Best edgy: Hammitt Kyle Med

It's a rare I ever find a luxury crossbody bag that's both alternative and elevated, but the Hammitt Kyle Med fits that aesthetic perfectly. I've lived in New York for seven years, during which my personal style has evolved from hokey transplant to "edgy with a corporate job." A structured pocketbook with brassy hardware works great at brunch, but come nighttime, I love how this loosely structured, moto-inspired bag looks with a leather jacket and some spiky boots.

First off, this bag is the perfect size for everyday wear. It comes with two detachable straps, so you can easily convert it from an adjustable crossbody to shoulder bag. In the rear is a long zippered pocket for your phone and wallet, and on the front there's a diagonal one to add some intrigue. Inside it's lined red cotton twill, which makes it much easier for me to see what's in my bag (even on a dark dance floor).

I've worn this bag clubbing from Brooklyn to Berlin, and the supple pebbled leather has held up beautifully. It's incredibly soft and smooth, and because it packs flat, you can easily bring it on a trip. Hammitt's signature rivets make it stand out against mainstream designer bags, yet it's as functional as it is cool.

Best for travel: Lo & Sons Aoyama

Travel writer Maria Yagoda tested the best travel purses, where this versatile Lo & Sons bag came out on top.

"The interior pockets are helpfully mesh-lined so I could see where everything was the moment I opened the bag. It's hard for me to choose a favorite pocket — there are so many smart ones, including the built-in card holder," according to Maria.

"In addition to looking high-end, the leather feels silky-smooth and gentle on my skin. Even when I had the bag stuffed to maximum capacity, the wide adjustable strap lands really comfortably and evenly, never digging into my shoulder or back. It only weighs 10.8 ounces, which is impressive given the amount of storage options," she continues.

"The adjustable, removable strap clicks into the body of the bag, allowing you to wear the Aoyama as a shoulder bag or even a clutch. Having one beautiful, adaptable bag that keeps me organized from the airport to a fancy dinner saves space in my suitcase. This kind of versatility makes the $248 price tag a bit more justifiable." Now there's an Aoyama 2 with an unbranded strap, and a nylon version that costs $198.

My own favorite part about the Aoyama is its vertical zippered side pocket, where I can pull out my phone without taking the bag off my shoulder. Just don't get the Ivory colorway, since I found it stains more easily.

Read more in our guide to the best travel purses.

Best slouchy: Clare V. Moyen Messenger

I tested the Petite version of one of Clare V's bestselling styles, the Moyen Messenger. The Petit is one of my favorite crossbody bags I own, but the larger size has a more practical advantage with the same relaxed, woven leather look. And I know this bag is a hot commodity because sure enough, Quince has its own dupe.

Clare V. is a Los Angeles-based brand that makes what I call 'character bags.' You can build an outfit around them and make them your own with their extensive collection of interchangeable straps. I'm not a huge bag charm person myself, but the D-rings on this luxury crossbody make it the perfect backdrop for colorful key chains.

The medium-sized Moyen Messenger comes with two straps, so you can wear it as a shoulder bag or a crossbody. It has a slouchy, curved construction like the hobo bags that are making a return. Even better: the soft, flexible leather lies flat, so I'm easily able to pack it in my carry-on.

Read more in our full Clare V. review.

Best sporty: Kaai Rebel Crossbody

"KAAI's Rebel Crossbody is the Rolex of functional purses," writes style editor Samantha Crozier. The Belgian brand created this luxury crossbody bag with a unique, asymmetrical design and a long strap that can easily fit over a puffy jacket.

"Like all of KAAI's beautifully made bags, it's lined with a blue suede material that feels luxurious to the touch. On the outside, the single-source leather is treated to be resistant to weather and stains. This is super important to me, since I wouldn't carry a bag this nice outside without trusting how well the leather can stand up to the elements. But all my KAAI bags have remained like-new, even though they're some of my most used pieces," continues Samantha.

"The only issue with this bag is that it is relatively narrow and structured, so you won't be able to stuff it," she advises. "A phone, wallet, lipstick, and keys fit perfectly, but anything bulky or irregular would prevent the bag from closing."

Best convertible: Senreve Mini Maestra

The Mini Maestra from Senreve takes modular design to another level. This 4-in-1 luxury crossbody can also be worn as a tote, satchel, or backpack, depending on whatever you need it to be. The top features a flap and the Senreve's signature studded belt closure, and inside is a zipper to secure your belongings.

Executive editor Sally Kaplan tested out the full-sized Maestra as a luxury work bag and confirmed it to be worth the splurge. Besides its fashion-forward shape, the 100% leather is seriously high-quality. It comes in both pebbled and long-grain finishes, and inside it's lined with smooth suede. This premium leather is also water-repellent, so you can wear it out in the rain without fussing over stains. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

See similar styles in our guide to the best convertible backpack tote bags.

Best crescent: Polène Numéro Dix

I was inspired to test out this style when I was getting ready to go out with my friend, and she asked me if my bag was a Polène. In fact, it was from Quince. But when a Quince dupe can pass for French luxury, it makes me skeptical that the real deal could be any good to begin with.

Instead, I was happily proven wrong. The 'Cognac' shade of the Numéro Dix is the perfect color for people who wear similar gourmand shades like chocolate and almond. It's made with a single panel of structured, full-grain leather that has a deliciously rich sheen.

It also beats out the Quince dupe in terms of storage capacity. Because the crescent shape has a flared base, I can fill it from the bottom up with my everyday carry. I've only worn mine as a crossbody or shoulder bag, but it also converts to a belt bag and the adjustable strap extension means it can fit a tall frame. There's now a JW Pei dupe of the same style.

The real Numéro Dix feels worth the splurge because it's a true heritage piece and the materials are primed to age gracefully. The simple, stylish shape puts an elevated twist on the contemporary saddle silhouette.

Best mini: Milaner The Grazia Mini Woven Bag

"Despite its teeny-tiny silhouette, this miniature crossbody can hold a surprising amount of items," writes freelance style reporter Talia Ergas. If you're getting your looks together for vacation season, Talia found the artisan-made Milaner Grazia Mini to be the perfect little clutch for tying your whole outfit together.

"My iPhone fits effortlessly across the bottom, and there's plenty of room for my sunglasses, a small wallet, and some odds and ends like mints and a chapstick," Talia writes. "I love this hand-woven leather bag because it has the elegance of a clutch with the ease and comfort of a crossbody bag. The strap is removable, though, which is convenient for occasions when I might prefer to swap in its shorter strap for a wristlet."

FAQs on luxury crossbody bags

What makes a crossbody bag "luxury"?

You can tell a luxury crossbody bag by its intuitive design details, artisan-level craftsmanship, and longevity. Our favorites are typically made from high-quality leather — like full-grain or pebbled Italian leather — and feature precise stitching, durable hardware, and thoughtfully-placed pockets. The result is a versatile accessory that will age gracefully despite regular wear.

What's the best size for a luxury crossbody bag?

Between small and medium is best if you want something to comfortably weigh on your shoulder. A small bag that's about 8 inches wide will fit only the essentials, but be more streamlined to carry. Medium crossbody bags of about 14 inches offer a bit more space for a small tablet or a bulky sunglasses case.

Why invest in a luxury crossbody bag instead of a more affordable one?

A luxury crossbody bag typically uses higher-quality materials — like full-grain leather, suede lining, and solid metal accents — that hold up significantly better over time. Cheaper bags will instead use bonded leather or flimsy hardware that can peel, scratch, or tarnish quickly. If you carry a bag daily, think about in terms of cost-per-wear. The durability of a luxury crossbody bag will prove itself in the long run.

What makes a luxury crossbody bag better than other purse styles?

Crossbodies are already practical by design — they keep your hands free, and many of our favorites can be converted into a shoulder bag. A luxury version elevates that functionality with easy-to-carry proportions, reinforced stitching, smooth straps that don't dig into your shoulder, and scratch-resistant, water-repellent materials.

Are luxury crossbody bags worth it if I don't carry much?

Yes. As someone who used to try and carry everything in my pockets, I found that luxury crossbody bags are the easiest gateway into stylish personal organization — especially if you prefer a lighter load. A well-designed crossbody prioritizes smart compartments and a streamlined shape, so you don't feel the bulk as you go about your business.

Read how the Reviews team tests clothing, shoes, and accessories at Business Insider.

• The Masters Tournament is being held in Augusta, Georgia, between April 6 and April 11.
• Attendees are wearing standout outfits, including luxury watches and Masters-branded clothing.
• Many of the best looks also feature novelty purses, hats, and sweaters.

Where can you wear a hat that says "pimento cheese" across the front and be one of the best-dressed people around?

That would be the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, taking place from April 6 to April 12.

The golf event has a cult following of local and international fans, many of whom gather on the green to watch some of the best athletes in the sport.

Those on the sidelines, though, might as well be participating in a golf-themed fashion show.

The best-dressed attendees this year are wearing a mix of luxury timepieces, straw hats featuring the Masters logo, and novelty accessories that wouldn't make sense anywhere else.

One woman showed how designer sunglasses and luxury accessories can elevate a classic golf look.

The base of one attendee's outfit — a white dress with green stripes, a tan sweater around her shoulders, and a straw hat — would work on any golf course. Her accessories made it ready for the Masters.

She wore Krewe sunglasses, a "twilly" designer scarf attached to her purse, and an assortment of gold jewelry, including a charm bracelet and floral earrings.

Green is the signature color of the Masters. One attendee went all out, while another took a conservative approach.

One woman wore a statement green sweater with the word "golf" printed across the chest, which stood out against her tan plaid skirt and cream-colored hat. The latter also featured a green ribbon.

She was photographed alongside another attendee, who opted for a more neutral outfit.

She wore a floral dress, white sneakers, and a tan straw hat, the latter featuring the Masters logo across a blue-and-green ribbon.

You can't forget about luxury bags and watches at the Masters.

A few people skipped the Masters merchandise and wore simpler outfits instead — letting their accessories do all the talking.

One woman, who wore a white dress and a blue sweater to the tournament, completed her look with colorful jewelry, $335 Rowe sunglasses, and a $3,650 Gucci purse.

The man she posed with, on the other hand, wore a blue vest over a white polo top, a green hat, and what appears to be a Breitling Navitimer watch.

Wearing a sweater over your shoulders instantly makes you look chic.

One woman proved that as she walked around the tournament with a green knit sweater tied across her shoulders.

The jacket complemented her blue-and-white minidress, adorned with a green floral print, and her green baseball cap.

She completed the look with black Miu Miu sunglasses.

Men's fashion is loud at the Masters — just look at this attendee's suit.

Whereas many golfers stick to neutral ensembles, men in the crowd stand out with bold looks.

One wore a multicolored suit with a checkered pattern that you couldn't miss on the golf course.

He paired it with white sneakers, a Masters-branded visor, a black bow tie, and a Masters teddy bear tucked into his jacket pocket.

Attendees are loving graphic clothes this year.

Similar to the attendee who wore a sweater that said "golf" on the chest, another woman wore a green pullover that said "on par" in large yellow letters across the back.

She wore it atop a striped dress and with a straw hat tied with a pink Masters ribbon.

Novelty accessories are everywhere — especially ones that reference pimento cheese.

Two women were photographed at the golf tournament wearing green sundresses, white jackets, dark sunglasses, and casual sneakers.

What really stood out, though, were their purses.

One woman wore a crossbody shaped like a miniature golf bag, and the other wore a square purse designed to look like a pimento cheese sandwich — a staple snack of the tournament.

Pink is becoming another trendy color at the event.

One woman photographed at the 2026 tournament wore classic green pieces, like a polo and vibrant sneakers. They were only accessories, though.

The focal points of her look were her pink trousers and matching pullover.

She stood alongside a woman who wore a white dress, sneakers, a straw hat, and a colorful neck scarf in a variety of rosy shades.

• IBM's Dave McCann is using an AI agent to prepare for client meetings.
• He said "Digital Dave" helps him save five hours a week by eliminating 30-minute prep calls.
• Companies from tiny startups to the biggest firms are building AI agents to take on routine work.

Dave McCann oversees thousands of humans, and also an AI agent he named after himself: Digital Dave.

One of the most valuable things it does is conduct research, including on the company's customers. That's a big help for McCann, who, as a global managing partner for transformation at IBM Consulting, is responsible for thousands of clients, including Nestlé, Ericsson, and Riyadh Air.

The agent — it's actually a collection of AI agents and assistants — scans McCann's calendar for client meetings and drafts a list of 10 things he needs to know for each one. The goal, McCann told Business Insider, was to free up time he and his staff spent preparing for the meetings.

Under the old setup, people on his team would put together a briefing document with him and typically have a 30-minute prep call ahead of the client meeting.

"All that's now gone," said McCann, who is tasked with helping transform the global IBM Consulting business, which has nearly 150,000 employees.

He generally talks with about 10 clients a week, so the agent saves him roughly five hours of prep time, McCann said.

"All the time I used to invest in client prep, I can now see more clients," he said.

Freeing up the team

McCann's research agent, which he and his team began building this past fall, is based on a tool that a group at the company had started to develop as part of an annual internal competition.

The agent reviews in-house data, what IBM and the client are doing in the market, external data, and account details — such as project status and services sold and purchased, McCann said. It can also identify industry trends and client needs by, for example, reviewing a firm's annual report and identifying a corresponding service IBM could provide.

Digital Dave also saves McCann's team time, he said, because the three or four staffers who used to spend hours pulling together insights for the prep calls are now free to do other work.

"It's not just about driving efficiencies, but it's really about transforming how work gets done," McCann said.

The agent's research abilities aren't limited to client reports. McCann has also begun using it to help him assess the hundreds of IBM Consulting partners he evaluates each year. The goal, he said, is making informed decisions and giving the execs good advice about their strengths and weaknesses as part of their performance evaluation.

McCann said the data the agent reviews can include the services execs sold and the profits they generated, the training they provided, and the impact they had on their teams' development. Before the agent, he said, his approach involved perhaps a dozen spreadsheets culminating in "the worst pivot table of your life."

Now, McCann said, all of the data goes into a model, and he can ask pointed questions and make queries about top performers in a particular parameter.

'That multiplier effect'

One benefit of building agents, McCann said, is that IBMers who develop them can share them with others on their team or more broadly within the company, "so it immediately creates that multiplier effect."

Many of the people who report to him have created agents, he said. There's a healthy competition, McCann said, to engineer the most robust digital sidekicks, especially because workers can build off of what their colleagues created.

Across industries, companies are developing AI agents to take on knowledge work — especially tedious tasks — once handled by humans. From one-person startups to consulting giants, firms are using agents across functions such as HR, IT, finance, communications, and training.

Agents can handle a range of functions, including gathering information, processing paperwork, drafting communications, taking meeting minutes, and pulling research. It's still early, but these systems are quickly becoming a major focus of corporate AI efforts as companies look to turn generative AI into something that can actually take work off employees' plates.

One challenge McCann sees with clients and building agents is having access to data. IBM Consulting's most advanced clients — maybe a Fortune 100 or Fortune 500 company — might have given access to data to several hundred people, but not to 5,000 people in their finance division or 10,000 people in HR, McCann said. Concerns about security and how to manage the innovation can be roadblocks.

Until you unlock the data, individual workers might be able to get more done, but "you don't get that multiplier effect of the productivity," he said.

For McCann's work, Digital Dave means that he gets critical time back on his calendar.

"I can have much more focused attention out with our clients and with our humans while I have the operations of the business now being run more digitally," he said.

• California Attorney General Rob Bonta piled up student loans by attending law school.
• He said law school is still "worth it" — even in the age of artificial intelligence.
• Bonta also explained why his office is testing AI tools internally.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta cleaned laundry rooms to support himself through college and still left Yale Law School with a mountain of debt.

Bonta says he'd do it all again.

"I get a lot of questions from young folks who ask me if law school's worth it," Bonta told Business Insider. "I still tell every person to ask me, 'Yes, it's worth it.'"

A law degree doesn't come cheap. The Education Data Initiative estimates the average total cost of law school was $217,480 in 2025. That investment looks shakier in the age of artificial intelligence, as software takes on the routine work done by junior lawyers.

Still, Bonta said, the skills learned in law school allow graduates to "impact the future of our state and our nation and make a difference in society." Those skills, he added, will continue to separate job candidates from the pack, whether they pursue roles in or out of legal.

"I couldn't do this job," or "a bunch of other jobs," without a law degree, he said. "I wouldn't think or learn or speak or write the way I do without the training."

Bonta started his career in private practice, putting his dream of public service on hold, he said, to pay down his student loans. He went on to become a young lawyer in the San Francisco City Attorney's Office and a state legislator, before being sworn in as California's attorney general in 2021.

That role has put him at the center of California's crackdown on artificial intelligence. The push includes efforts to police deepfakes and harms to children, as well as a new program inside the attorney general's office to build in-house technical expertise.

Asked whether his office is also testing AI tools to speed up work, Bonta said his team is reviewing what's available, though he declined to name any vendors. He acknowledged that while the government is "notoriously slower" than the private sector in adopting new tech, "we can't be too out of sync."

Banta's peers in the private sector tell him that they're under pressure from clients to deploy artificial intelligence and trim legal bills. "We will need to start doing that more, as well," he said. "I think it'll enhance our output, our product."

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at mrussell@businessinsider.com or Signal at @MeliaRussell.01. Use a personal email address and a non-work device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Meta introduced a new AI model, Muse Spark, sending the Facebook parent company's stock higher.
• The release was followed by an onslaught of bullish notes from Wall Street analysts.
• The notes highlighted investor sentiment, competitive position, and comparisons to Google.

Meta unveiled its "most powerful" AI model to date this week and Wall Street is into it.

The new Meta large language model (LLM) competes with, and even outperforms, OpenAI and Google Gemini's most advanced offerings on some benchmarks. Meta's latest AI model sparked a slew of bullish notes from analysts at JPMorgan, Citi, Bank of America, and other big firms.

Muse Spark is the first LLM built by Meta Superintelligence Labs, with Meta indicating that more are to come. The model is available on Meta AI and is set to roll out to WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Meta's AI glasses.

The announcement came sooner than investors anticipated after reports that the model release would be delayed until May.

Meta stock has gained 10% since Tuesday's close following Wednesday's announcement.

Here's the word on Wall Street about Meta's latest AI rollout:

AI model should boost investor sentiment, JPMorgan says

JPMorgan reiterated its overweight rating for Meta stock following the Muse Spark announcement.

"We believe investor expectations for META's path to the frontier became quite low following 4Q earnings, management commentary in March, & press reports suggesting further model delays & Meta potentially leveraging Gemini in the interim," the analysts wrote.

They added, "the launch of Muse Spark should provide increased confidence in Meta's scaling trajectory and improve investor sentiment."

Citi says new AI model removes stock overhang

Citi analysts hold a buy rating on Meta stock

"Meta's launch of its Muse Spark FM creates greater visibility into MSL's product strategy as it builds out personal superintelligence and with the launch, we believe it removes a key overhang given expectation of a delayed release," the analysts wrote.

Ahead of Meta's upcoming first quarter 2026 earnings release, Citi said its watching for updates on the company's bigger AI strategy. The analysts said the Muse Spark launch is likely to lead to faster development cycles and a higher product cadence.

They have an $850 price target for the stock, representing 48% upside from Thursday's price.

A 'first big step' for Meta may mean Google-like gains to come, BofA signals

Bank of America called Muse Spark a "big first step in Meta's new LLM rollout."

"Meta has outlined a roadmap for materially improved LLM capabilities over the course of the year, suggesting scope for iterative performance gains across upcoming model releases.," analysts said.

They said Meta could see a similar trajectory to Alphabet stock, with stronger-than-expected AI model progress translating into improved investor sentiment.

"We see the current valuation as attractive given a large AI opportunity, above industry ad growth, and strong financial position for AI," they wrote.

Promising sign that Meta can compete in AI, Mizuho says

Mizuho says the earlier-than-expected unveiling of the model is a good sign for Meta in the AI race.

"We believe driving usage, particularly around its shopping mode, could unlock significant monetization potential," they wrote.

The analysts added, "We believe it will be critical for Meta to lay out more specifics around how it intends to productize its models beyond Meta AI chatbots, both from a product and monetization standpoint, to get investors comfortable with the magnitude of investment here."

Mizuho said that getting Muse Spark out ahead of earnings improves the setup.

William Blair says new AI model offers investor relief

William Blair analysts also flagged their bullish stance on Meta stock after the announcement.

"We believe that today provides a bit of investor relief that Meta has delivered on a new model after delays and some past criticism," they wrote.

The analysts said that future model progress and scale adoption will benefit Meta and help prove massive AI spending is paying off. They noted that developer adoption and incremental progress will take some time. ho

• Amazon paid CEO Andy Jassy nearly $2.1 million last year, according to a company filing.
• The e-commerce giant shelled out more money for Jassy's security and travel during the year.
• The CEO also had $43 milion in Amazon stock that vested during the year.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's total compensation was about $2.1 million last year — a roughly 30% increase from 2024.

Last year, Jassy earned a base salary of $365,000, and business travel and security expenses totaling $1.7 million largely boosted his pay year over year, according to the company's annual proxy statement, published Thursday.

His total pay has fallen since 2021, the last year he received a stock award from Amazon, and Jassy's first year as CEO. That year, his annual compensation totaled over $200 million.

In 2025, Jassy also had $43 million in stock awards that vested, and $242 million in restricted stock that had not vested as of December 31, according to the filing. It's common for CEOs to hold far more in company stock than they are paid in salary.

Amazon's stock price rose about 4% in 2025.

In 2024, Jassy's compensation totaled almost $1.6 million, including a base salary of $365,000 and more than $1.1 million in security and travel expenses. He had more than $274 million in restricted Amazon stock at the end of that year, according to an earlier company filing.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder, executive chair, and former CEO, was the company's second-highest-paid executive in 2025. His total compensation was nearly $1.7 million, including a salary of nearly $82,000. Bezos is worth $243 billion, making him the world's fourth-richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index.

Do you have a story idea to share? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

Wayfair is one of our favorite places to shop for furniture online, and its new large-format Atlanta store shows just how expansive its selection really is. Spanning more than 150,000 square feet, the space features 18 departments filled with everything from housewares and bedding to plumbing fixtures and major appliances. I visited the store right before it opened (grand opening festivities are April 17—19), and it's easy to spend hours exploring.

While Wayfair's online experience is convenient, seeing products in person offers a clearer sense of quality and scale. It also gave me a better understanding of what's worth buying from Wayfair and what to skip. Plus, prices are consistent across online and in-store shopping, so you're getting the same deals either way.

What to shop:

Outdoor furniture and decor

With warm weather days becoming the norm, my spring fever is running high. I'm loving the vast selection of outdoor items, including patio furniture, umbrellas, grills, and accessories. The store makes it easy to outfit your space with the staple pieces and easily add on the extras, like, entertaining serveware, grill tools, and other accessories, that could be overlooked when shopping online.

View all outdoor products at Wayfair

Worth a look:

Sofas

Buying a sofa online can feel daunting. Will it be comfortable? What is the scale? Is it durable? At the new Wayfair store, sofas are lined up in a sort of buffet, just waiting for a sit test. All price points are represented, with several options under $1,000 for those trying to stay on a budget. Even better, you can see what's on display before you even enter the store. I also noticed prominent attention to motion upholstery, and these aren't the massive 90's La-Z-Boys relegated to your husband's basement man cave, but sophisticated designs that blend comfort and design.

Shop all sofas at Wayfair

Worth a look:

Home improvement projects

Wayfair has the infrastructure for redesigning your entire bathroom or kitchen, including free design services (available both online and in-store) and the resources to connect you with professional installers. In addition to major appliances from top brands, you'll find vanities, tubs, tile, hardware, window treatments, and custom cabinetry. These options feel more like what you'd see in a specialty store, but at builder-grade prices. In the bathroom department, there's also a whole "Shower Experience" that lets you see how the water streams from the shower head while the kitchen projects area has numerous model kitchen installations to explore.

Shop all bathroom fixtures and kitchen fixtures at Wayfair

Worth a look:

Lighting

Lamps are another thing where the scale can vary widely, so it's nice to see what you're getting in person. In addition to tons of beautiful table and floor lamps that could be taken home right away, there were also gorgeous chandeliers, sconces, and pendant lights on view that didn't require a trip to a specialty lighting store. And some of these statement pieces were shockingly affordable, with many options under $100.

Shop all lighting at Wayfair

Worth a look:

Finishing accent pieces

Between the big-ticket items, Wayfair rounds out its selections with the pièce de résistance: A whimsical planter, a gorgeous mirror, and a cute throw pillow that you must simply add to cart. Vignettes at the store inspire shoppers to explore the space, while rotating displays group similarly themed and coordinating collections. However, online, Wayfair offers an AI-powered product discovery hub where you enter your desired search terms, and it generates completely shoppable images. There are also curated shopping pages like pastel decor or playful shapes.

Shop all decor at Wayfair.

Worth a look:

Wayfair Verified items

With millions of products on the website, it can be hard to gauge quality. Wayfair Verified status indicates an item has been vetted directly by Wayfair. In addition to signaling durability, they should be easy to assemble and have a high rating with a low return rate. You can easily browse these items online by looking for the Wayfair Verified badge. In-store, you can be confident that only the best of the best made it onto the sales floor.

Shop all Wayfair Verified products

Worth a look:

What I'd skip

Regular price cookware and small kitchen appliances

It was genuinely exciting to see that Wayfair carries brands not commonly found in brick-and-mortar stores, like Made In, Caraway, and Hestan, which gave me the chance to see and feel them in person. You can also take it home that day. However, this is an instance where, if you choose to shop directly on the brand's websites, you may find better discounts and return policies. For instance, Made In and Hestan have a 45-day return policy, while Caraway offers a 30-day trial. At Wayfair, you can't make a return if you use it.

I'd apply the same ethos to small kitchen appliances and run a quick Google search to make sure you're getting the best price, especially since these items can often be available across multiple retailers. Though, if you need it same day, the selection is undoubtedly robust.

Candles

I love a candle, especially smelling every single one in store. I've written a whole guide on my favorite candle brands. Unless you're picking up Wayfair's signature scent, the fact that you can hop over to HomeGoods or T.J. Maxx in the same shopping center to find popular scents for under $15 you're better off putting your focus on products that are already discounted. Maybe you'll impulsively pick up a candle at checkout that speaks to you, but there's so much else at the store to explore.

Decorative baskets

Wayfair dedicated serious real estate in the store to basket selections and I saw some beautiful shapes, but they were just too pricey for me to convince myself I needed them. I felt like I could have found comparable options at off-price retailers or thrifting.

• Wharton's Jeremy Siegel says the stock market might struggle for at least the next few months.
• Siegel said he believes higher oil prices are already raising inflation across the economy.
• The Fed could eventually hike rates to get price growth under control, he said.

Investors might be better off staying away from the stock market until the summer, according to Wall Street's "professor of stocks."

Jeremy Siegel, the famed economist and Wharton finance professor, said he thinks the US market will likely struggle to move higher for the next few months. That's because, while a resolution seems near, the Iran war has already put upward pressure on inflation, he said, referring to the knock-on effects from higher oil prices.

"I don't think the short-term looks all that favorable, very honestly," Siegel told CNBC on Thursday, adding that he believed investors should hold equities rather than buy at this point.

"I don't see a lot of upside until we get a resolution, and that is not looking as good as I hoped. Which means what? A sideways market for two, three months," he later added.

Markets have been worried about the ripple effects of the recent spike in oil prices, which could raise prices for other goods and hurt consumer demand.

That chain reaction may already be taking place, Siegel suggested. He pointed in particular to Delta Air Lines, which told investors this week that it expects to spend $2 billion more on fuel costs through June.

"Well, how is he going to cover that to keep earnings up?" he said of Delta's CEO. "The only way to cover that to keep earnings up is to raise fares."

Airline demand has been strong in recent months, but that was when oil prices were trading around $60 a barrel, Siegel said, suggesting the economy would also start to see demand destruction, something other economists have warned could hurt growth.

Stocks rallied sharply on news that the US, Israel, and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement, but oil prices remain elevated. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was around $95 a barrel on Wednesday, still up 34% since the start of the war.

Siegel also said the outlook for Fed rate cuts has dimmed. The central bank is facing "much more inflationary pressures" than it did prior to the start of the war, he said, pointing to growth in borrowing and the US money supply, two factors that could also stoke inflation.

Total consumer credit rose to a record $5.1 trillion in February, according to Fed data. M2, one measure of the supply of money in the economy, also rose to a record $22.6 trillion that month.

Siegel said he thinks the Fed is likely to hold off on adjusting interest rates through the end of Chairman Jerome Powell's term this May, but that the central bank's "most likely direction" would be to hike rates later this year. Rate cuts are likely off the table for the near-future, he added.

"The Siegel family would hold the extra cash," he said of how investors should be positioned, though he noted he remained bullish on US stocks for the long-term.

Mo Gawdat is a former chief business officer at Google X and a longtime tech leader who worked on scaling Google in emerging markets. In this interview, he argues modern AI isn't "just software" but a new kind of intelligence that learns, improves, and could soon operate with real-world agency through robots and autonomous systems.

Gawdat warns that the biggest near-term danger isn't intelligence itself, but what humans tell powerful systems to do, including persuasion, misinformation, surveillance, cyber conflict, and automated warfare. He predicts a turbulent transition as jobs and economies are disrupted, and says the world may be forced to rethink capitalism in an era where "abundance" drives costs toward zero.

• Andrew Left thinks Amazon represents a major threat to Nvidia's AI chip dominance.
• Left unveiled a $300 price target for Amazon stock after Andrew Jassy's latest letter to investors.
• The short-seller, who said he's long Amazon, sees a trillion-dollar business forming within Amazon.

It's been a while since Andrew Left was shorting Nvidia, but he still thinks the company might be in trouble.

The short-seller flagged Andy Jassy's 2025 letter to shareholders, in which the Amazon CEO highlighted the company's ambitious AI expansion plans, claiming they will change the economics of the AWS platform. His statement included a prediction that customers will start to shift away from AI chips built by Nvidia.

"We have a strong partnership with NVIDIA, will always have customers who choose to run NVIDIA, and we will continue to make AWS the best place to run NVIDIA," Jassy wrote. "However, customers want better price-performance."

Left, who years ago had flagged Nvidia as a likely candidate to dominate the AI market, made it clear that he agrees with Jassy that a shift is coming. In an X post posted by his firm Citron Research, he described the letter as a "gamechanger" and set a $300 price target for Amazon stock, an increase of about 30% from Thursday's price. Shares are up 35% in the last 12 months.

Left has a long position in the stock, he told Business Insider. "[It's] been a primary holding on and off for years."

He pointed to investors' hesitations about what they have perceived as overspending on AI, stating that Jassy's plans signal that the high capex is about to pay off.

"Today, Jassy just showed you what that capex built," Left wrote. "The most serious threat to NVIDIA's semiconductor dominance ever created."

Left is bullish on the Trainium4, a new AWS accelerator chip, which Jassy said in his letter is almost already sold out.

Amazon already has a market cap of more than $2 trillion, but Left said he believes that as AWS expands further into the chip space, it will give Amazon a unique edge in the tech sector.

"This is another trillion dollar company hidden inside Amazon," he said. "This does not exist in a single sell side model. Not one."

• Tesla has "a few hundred" units left of its highest-priced Model S and Model X vehicles, Musk said.
• It comes as the company shifts its focus from traditional vehicle sales to autonomy and robotics.
• Tesla's car sales rose by 6% in the past quarter — but it might still have an inventory glut.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says the company has nearly cleared out the last of its flagship cars.

Only "a few hundred" Model S sedans and Model X SUVs remain in inventory, Musk said in a Wednesday post on X.

The low inventory hasn't been independently confirmed, but the news isn't a surprise. Musk said during Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings call in January that the company was giving the then-$94,990 sedan and then-$99,990 SUV an "honorable discharge." He said last week that production had stopped.

It signals the next phase in a major shift at Tesla. This year, the electric automaker is expanding its efforts beyond consumer vehicles and into autonomous cars and humanoid robots.

During the January discontinuation announcement, Musk said that Tesla's Fremont factory — long home to Model S and Model X production — would be repurposed to build its Optimus robots.

The company also said it started producing its self-driving Cybercabs from its Austin Gigafactory in February.

That left the Model S and Model X as relics of an earlier Tesla era — albeit important ones. The Model S, launched in 2012, was Tesla's first clean-sheet vehicle and helped turn the company into a legitimate luxury and sports brand. The Model X followed in 2015, marking Tesla's entry into the booming SUV market.

Both were eventually eclipsed by the cheaper, higher-volume Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV — vehicles that pushed Tesla into sustained profitability.

Musk has acknowledged the emotional tradeoff of killing the Model S and Model X. During the January call, the CEO said discontinuing both cars was "slightly sad" but important for the company's "overall shift to an autonomous future."

The discontinuation of the Model X and Model S may have prompted more shoppers to hit the " Buy "button on Tesla's website. The automaker doesn't break out sales for individual models, bundling the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck together in its reports — but that category saw a bump at the start of 2026, with 16,130 deliveries in the first quarter, up from 11,642 in the final quarter of 2025.

Sawyer Merrit, a popular EV enthusiast on X, noted that both cars have seen price hikes on Tesla's website since the discontinuation announcement.

Overall, Tesla said deliveries rose 6% in the first quarter. Still, the company is working through a 50,000-unit inventory glut, analysts said earlier this month.

The new business model isn't a complete turn away from new vehicle models. Musk has teased an unveiling of the long-awaited two-door Roadster sports car. He is expected to show off the new model by the end of the month.

Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Andy Jassy shared his annual letter to Amazon shareholders — and AI was a big topic.
• The Amazon CEO said its chip business is "on fire."
• He also took a rare shot at Nvidia.

Andy Jassy used his annual letter to shareholders to tout Amazon's AI chip progress — and lay down the gauntlet to Nvidia.

Amazon is an Nvidia customer, but the e-commerce giant also makes its own AI chips, called Trainium.

Jassy said Amazon's chip business is "on fire" and that this demand is part of a shift in which companies are diversifying where they buy their AI chips from.

"Virtually all AI thus far has been done on NVIDIA chips, but a new shift has started," Jassy wrote. "We have a strong partnership with NVIDIA, will always have customers who choose to run NVIDIA, and we will continue to make AWS the best place to run NVIDIA."

Already, Amazon has chip deals with OpenAI, Anthropic, and Apple by selling access to Trainium chips via the cloud. It could go one step further: Jassy said it's "quite possible we'll sell racks of them to third parties in the future."

Jassy said that customers "want better price-performance."

He compared the shift to Amazon eating into Intel's dominance in the CPU space with its own chip that it launched in 2018, called Graviton.

"The same story arc is unfolding in AI," he said. Amazon's latest chip, Trainium3, is "30-40% more price-performant" than its previous model, Jassy said.

Last year, Business Insider reported that some startups found that Trainium 1 and 2 had been "underperforming" compared to Nvidia chips.

Jassy added that a "significant chunk" of Trainium 4 has already been reserved ahead of its widespread availability in 18 months.

The Amazon CEO's comments underscore the growing number of competitive threats Nvidia faces as it tries to maintain its dominance over the global advanced chip market. Nvidia has reaped the benefits of its advantage, as its record-breaking status in the $1 trillion club can attest.

Increasingly, AI hyperscalers and frontier model makers are looking to supplement their chip suppliers. Arm is partnering with OpenAI and Meta on its chip, the Arm AGI CPU. Meta is also working with AMD. Google is working with Broadcom on its chip.

Jassy said the annual revenue run rate for Amazon's chip business is now over $20 billion, and growing. Amazon uses its AI chips in its own data centers, which Jassy said could help the company reduce its $200 billion capital expenditure bill.

"At scale, we expect Trainium will save us tens of billions of capex dollars per year, and provide several hundred basis points of operating margin advantage versus relying on others' chips for inference," Jassy wrote.

Google has shown just how powerful a "full-stack" AI strategy can be, allowing a company to control everything from AI models to the chips that train them. The search giant's approach — and sheer market reach — is arguably why it was viewed as either catching up to or even surpassing OpenAI in the generative AI race at the end of 2025.

Jassy's comments show that Amazon, too, would like a world where it doesn't have to rely on other companies as much.

Amazon's stock is down 1.2% this year and up more than 25% in the past year.

Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Correction: April 9, 2026 — This story has been updated to correct a misspelling of Trainium.

• Retail traders are "skipping the dips, selling into rallies," JPMorgan says.
• The firm says retail trading during the ceasefire marks a major deviation from typical patterns.
• Retail investors were skeptical the ceasefire would hold, a call that could pay off as markets remain on edge.

Retail traders are playing it safe, "skipping the dips, selling into rallies," marking a significant shift from the crowd's typical playbook, JPMorgan said.

The US and Iran reached a deal late Tuesday ahead of Trump's deadline for a ceasefire. What followed was what's come to be known as a classic TACO trade, but retail investors weren't buying it. In fact, they were selling.

"Retail moved from 'buying the dip' (e.g. this time last year), to now skipping the dips, selling into rallies, and positioning more defensively," JPMorgan explained,

They added that, "despite oil posting its largest decline since 2020 and VIX breaking below 20, intraday retail flows showed no signs of strengthening."

This market setup would have been attractive for retail traders last year based on past trading. eToro data shows that retail buying volumes surged as the S&P 500 bottomed and the VIX peaked following Liberation Day.

"They've been trained to buy the dip," Bret Kenwell, eToro's US investment and options analyst, told Business Insider about retail trader behavior, saying.

Yet, today retail traders are carving a new path. Unlike Liberation Day, when they bought at the bottom and continued buying as they rode subsequent TACO rallies, retail traders sold into the ceasefire rally.

JPMorgan reported that retail investors sold even broad market ETF exposure like SPY and TQQQ, which the firm called "a major departure from their typical pattern."

"Retail positioning suggested skepticism that the rally would last," JPMorgan said. They pointed to broad-market ETF purchases hitting their lowest level in a year, cutting short oil exposure through the SCO ETF, and selling sector ETFs like SOXL.

Retail investors trading around the ceasefire could play out as another instance of retail successfully navigating a volatile market like they did around Liberation Day swings.

US stocks surged on Wednesday with all three indexes more than 2% in the greenm while oil prices plunged, but cracks in what US Vice President JD Vance called the "fragile truce" have emerged.

By Thursday, market pricing was catching on to what former PIMCO CIO Mohamed El-Erian described as the deal's "fragility."

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average opened Thursday's session in the red and oil was inching back toward $100 per barrel.

Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said three points of the agreement that he says have been violated, with Israel's continued bombing of Lebanon being a key point.

"Ceasefires are always messy," Vance told reporters in response to Ghalibaf's comments.

• Paramount Skydance's president is leaving his role with a payout of at least $5 million.
• Jeff Shell, who was brought on to advise CEO David Ellison, is fighting a whistleblower lawsuit.
• Paramount said the allegations against Shell "do not establish a securities law violation."

Jeff Shell is leaving Paramount Skydance with a big bag of cash.

Shell, who helped CEO David Ellison manage the media company's day-to-day operations, will receive about $5 million in cash severance, including his $3.5 million salary and $1.5 million target bonus, the company told investors on Thursday.

Shell will also receive "accelerated vesting" as he leaves Paramount, the company said, though it's unclear how much of that he'll get paid.

He received restricted stock units valued at $75 million last August that were scheduled to vest each year.

Shell stepped down from Paramount this week to focus on defending against a $150 million lawsuit from whistleblower RJ Cipriani, who alleges that Shell disclosed sensitive, non-public information, such as its deal to land UFC rights in the US.

Paramount said in a statement announcing Shell's departure that it "followed standard practice" and had a law firm perform "a complete and thorough review" of Cipriani's allegations. It concluded that "these allegations do not establish a securities law violation."

The company said it was "grateful for Mr. Shell's many contributions and to have relied on him as a valued advisor."

Shell previously was the chairman of RedBird Sports and Media and the CEO of NBCUniversal, where he was fired for cause after facing allegations of sexual misconduct. Shell acknowledged that he had an "inappropriate relationship" with a colleague and forfeited more than $43 million in severance that he would have otherwise gotten from NBCU.

The longtime executive was brought on to assist Ellison as Skydance, the production company Ellison started, merged with Paramount, and is now attempting to join forces with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Spring is almost here, and quality T-shirts are a must-have staple for the season. They're a classic top on their own, and they're also versatile for layering, lounging, and workouts.

In this guide, we've selected the very best T-shirts for men, including those from the many brands we've personally tested or bought over the years. Our top pick is the ultra-comfortable Mott and Bow Classic Crew Driggs Tee, which we've both worn consistently because of its like-new fit, soft material, and assortment of colors. and still fits like new. For an affordable option to replace all your T-shirts, we recommend the Fresh Clean Threads Best Sellers 10 Pack.

It's worth noting that while all the T-shirts listed below are in men's sizing, they can suit anyone. Men's T-shirts tend to be boxier, broader, and longer than tees made for women. If you're looking for a simple tee that's shorter and more fitted, check out our guide to the best women's white T-shirts.

Learn more about how the Reviews team tests clothing, shoes, and accessories at Business Insider.

Our top 5 favorite T-shirts we've tested:

How we selected the best T-shirts for men

We use real-world testing, including wearing and washing the shirts multiple times, along with pouring over hundreds of customer comments, in combination with our own years of industry experience to bring you reviews you can trust. Beyond fabrics, cuts, and craftsmanship, we also look at areas like sustainability and value when determining what makes it into our guides.

Best overall: Mott and Bow Classic Crew Driggs Tee

You're probably more familiar with Mott & Bow for its ridiculously comfortable jeans, but the brand also makes just as soft and supple T-shirts for men. The Driggs Classic Crew is one of its best sellers for good reason. Made from 100% Peruvian cotton, they have a sensuous hand feel and hang really nicely (not too tight, not too boxy).

The Driggs, made in Peru, comes in 21 colors and the brand loves to throw more colors into the rotation pretty regularly. I've had several of the Driggs Tees for more than a year, and wear them all the time. I've run them through many wash cycles and they're still looking fresh with no fading, pilling, or loose threads.

If you follow the washing/drying instructions, they'll last a long time. You can save a few bucks if you bundle them as well (3 and 6 packs are available).

Read more about our experience with the brand in our full Mott & Bow jeans review.

Best budget: Uniqlo Dry Crew Neck Short-Sleeve Color T-Shirt

If you're looking for an inexpensive tee for men in various colors that also helps keep you cool in hot weather, then the Uniqlo Dry Crew Neck tee may be for you. It comes in at under $10 and uses the brand's DRY technology that helps keep you feeling cool and dry. This T-shirt has a silky feel with a cotton outer lined in polyester and offers a good bit of stretch. With the price and color range, you can stock up on these tees for everyday wear or to supplement your collection.

Best heavyweight: Buck Mason Field Spec Heavy Cotton Tee

Buck Mason, one of our favorite menswear brands, produces high-caliber quality staples that are truly built to last. Good thing the brand is all about timeless style, too, since you'll be wearing their clothes for years.

Case in point: the Field Spec Heavy Cotton Tee. It's made from rugby-weight cotton for a super-sturdy shirt that drapes nicely and is cut so it's not clingy but not super boxy either. It's the perfect T-shirt for men in transitional weather. Considering its heft, I was surprised at how soft it was, with a lived-in feel straight out of the package.

"I got this T-shirt for my fiancé, but he only wore it once before I immediately claimed it. The cotton feels cool and the weight of it makes it feel substantial and high-quality. Buck Mason has some of the best cotton textiles that I've ever felt — and there is no greater testament to this than the fact that I wear it to sleep because I love the way it feels against my skin." — Samantha Crozier, style editor, Insider Reviews.

Best white: Reigning Champ Midweight Jersey OG T-Shirt

While many of the best T-shirts for men are available in white, my personal favorite comes from Reigning Champ. The color white is such a versatile color, so it makes sense to choose a T-shirt that's equally versatile in terms of fit and materials — the Midweight Jersey OG T-Shirt fits the bill.

It's made of 100% pre-shrunk cotton and features a midweight that's ideal for layering, and unlike some white tees, it's not see-through. The fit strikes the perfect balance between oversized and classic fit, ideal for comfort.

Best undershirt: Tommy John Second Skin Crewneck Undershirt

The Tommy John Second Skin Crewneck Undershirt is designed to stay in place and lay flat against your skin under your dress shirts, but feel free to wear it solo as well. Tommy John founder Tom Patterson couldn't find an undershirt that wouldn't bunch up under his dress shirts, so he set out to create one of the best T-shirts for men himself.

The Second Skin Crewneck Undershirt fits close to the body but isn't constricting, stays tucked into your pants, and lays flat against your skin for a neat and trim appearance under your dress shirts. Just because Tommy John designed it to be worn as an undershirt doesn't mean you can't wear it solo, especially if you want to show off those gains.

Read more about our team's experiences with the brand in our full Tommy John reviews.

Best budget pack: Fresh Clean Threads

Fresh Clean Threads (formerly known as Fresh Clean Tees) is another young direct-to-consumer brand that's becoming one of our go-to sources for men's basics. They offer a ton of colors; the tees are especially soft thanks to the brand's StratuSoft poly-cotton fabric and they're cut to emphasize the positives (arms and shoulders).

You can build your own bundle of five tees and save $10 or choose from 3, 5, and 10 packs. Fresh Clean Threads also often drops limited-edition and mystery packs. You can subscribe and get free shipping and early access when new colors and styles arrive. Choose your 3-pack (you can swap out packs down the road) and how often you want them delivered. You can also cancel anytime.

Best loungewear: Bombas Pima Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt

Bombas has rightfully earned its reputation for always being comfortable. You might know the brand for making the best socks we've ever tested, but they also make other wardrobe basics like underwear and T-shirts.

The Bombas Pima Cotton T-Shirt, in particular, is one of my favorites for lounging because it's incredibly soft, has a comfortable, relaxed fit when ordered true to size, and holds up well in the wash. Whet

What's more to love about Bombas is that with any purchase, one item gets donated to those in need.

Best black: Unbound Merino Crew Neck T-shirt

We've been singing the praises of Merino wool for a while now. It's naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying, making it a versatile fiber for a variety of uses. Unbound Merino takes this fabulous material and creates a handsome crew neck tee with amazing hand feel, a beautiful drape, and a fit that's neither too loose nor too tight.

It comes in a rich black (along with eight other colorways) that, in combination with the material and style, earns Unbound Merino our top spot for best black T-shirt. Pair it with the brand's Merino Travel Pants for the ultimate travel outfit. Note: moths love wool, so I store all my Merino clothing in a container when not in use.

Best cotton: The Everlane Organic Cotton Crew Uniform

Everlane's Organic Cotton Crew. is appropriately named since T-shirts and jeans have become the go-to outfit for many of us. Everlane ups the game with a big dose of sustainability by using organic cotton and ethically sourcing its production.

Another big part of the sustainability puzzle is longevity. Cheaply made garments quickly end up in landfills. When designing their best T-shirt for men, the brand ran it through more than two dozen washes and other tests to make sure this tee would last. Plus. it's a soft, super comfortable T-shirt that's available in more than a dozen core and seasonal colorways and comes in at $35.

Read more about the Uniform Collection in our full Everlane menswear review.

Best Pima cotton: DUER PurePima Tee

Vancouver-based DUER takes performance and style to the next level with eco-friendly fabrics and cuts that are flattering and fashionable but never faddish and ultra-comfortable. This shirt, made out of 100% Pima cotton, is a standout pick because of the high-quality fabric. Pima cotton has longer fibers and a softer feel than traditional cotton. Plus, you can definitely tell the difference in durability and texture.

Pair it with their No Sweat Pant, and this long-sleeve tee will become your go-to T-shirt for men in cooler temps.

Read about another of their cold-weather men's wardrobe staples in our full DUER jeans review.

Best athletic fit: Public Rec Go To Crew

We've written about Public Rec a good bit and for good reason. The brand has become beloved for its innovative and stylish athleisure wear that combines technical properties with impeccable minimalist silhouettes. Their Go to Crew has an athletic fit that's not too clingy but moves nicely with the body.

They use a custom-blend fabric made from Pima cotton, spandex, and Tencel, offering an impressive combination of softness, stretch, and durability. Public Red also uses flatlock seams for this tee in which they butt together the fabric ends and stitch them so there are no rough edges (a practice more common to outdoor gear) for durability, a sleeker design, and extra comfort without chafing. The tee comes in eight outstanding colors.

Read more in our full Public Rec Go-To Tee review.

Best workwear: Carhartt Loose Fit Heavyweight Short-sleeve Pocket T-shirt

Long before the fashion world co-opted the style, the American heritage brand Carhartt was making hard-wearing workwear, and 100+ years on, it continues to excel at its trade. The brand introduced its loose-fit heavyweight short-sleeve pocket T-shirt back in 1992 and it continues to be a bestseller.

They make it from a durable but soft heavy-weight 100% cotton jersey cut for a looser fit so you don't feel constricted while you work. That being said, just because it's billed as a work shirt for men doesn't mean it can't be for play too. And with 21 colors to choose from, everything from Pale Apricot to Brite Orange, you can let your wild side show if you want. The shirt also features a left-chest pocket with the iconic Carhartt patch logo and comes in a vast range of sizes.

Best curved hem: Cuts Clothing AO Curve-Hem Tee

Curved-hem tees offer certain advantages over the classic straight-hemmed style. They draw the eye upwards to emphasize the vertical for a slimmer appearance. The curved hem also elongates the leg so you appear taller. And in the name of practicality, it's easier to access your pants' pockets with this type of tee.

California-based Cuts Clothing takes the curved hem style and elevates it with its AO Curve-Hem Tee. The brand uses a proprietary cotton/spandex/polyester blend fabric that's soft, stretchy, and wrinkle-resistant.

They also engineer the shirt to prevent shrinkage and retain its color. This top T-shirt for men comes in two different fits — signature, which is an athletic cut that's fitted around the chest and arms and tapers towards the waist, and classic, which is roomier — and 10 contemporary colors.

Best oversized: Tomorrows Laundry Modern Pocket Tee

Tomorrow's Laundry is a young subscription box service for lovers of high-quality T-shirts for men and other basics. The brand offers a $75-per-month plan in which you'll receive T-shirts or one hoodie. You can skip months and cancel anytime. You don't have to be a member to shop at the site. The tees start at $55, but with the plan, you save about 35% on all orders, and the shipping's free.

The brand's Modern Pocket Tee is a handsome oversized T-shirt (1.5 inches longer than the standard) that's cut for a modern boxy fit and features a single chest pocket. A high stitch count for longer life, sustainable production practices, and ultra-touchable cotton fabric from Peru that comes in some unusual colors make this the perfect oversized tee.

How we considered and tested men's T-shirts

Some of the main considerations for men's T-shirts include the quality of the materials used, the overall cut and shape of the shirt, and the price. We used real-world testing, including wearing the shirts in our everyday lives, washing, and drying them. We've also recommended shirts from brands we know and love for their quality and style.

As much as I love extra-large TVs, they're not always the right fit. If you're setting up a bedroom, apartment, or cozier living space, going smaller usually makes a lot more sense. That's where the best 50-inch TVs (and a few great 48-inch options) really shine. After years of testing home entertainment gear, I've found that you don't have to give up great picture quality just because you're getting a smaller screen.

My top pick right now is the LG C5, a 48-inch OLED that delivers the same deep black levels and infinite contrast ratio as its larger counterparts. On the more affordable end, the first-generation Amazon Omni QLED is a solid choice. It often drops below $400 and offers noticeably better contrast and color than most 50-inch TVs in its price range.

Of course, the best 50-inch and 48-inch TVs aren't limited to just those two. There are also excellent options from TCL, Samsung, and Vizio. Whether you're a gamer, a movie lover, or just want a reliable screen for streaming, there's a great pick here for you.

Note: LCD-based TVs (including LED and QLED models) use a 50-inch screen, while OLED TVs use a slightly smaller 48-inch screen. For that reason, I've included a 48-inch OLED in this guide.

Our top picks for the best 50-inch TVs

Best overall: LG C5 - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Amazon Omni QLED - See at Amazon

Best premium QLED: Samsung QN90F - See at Amazon

Best entry-level option: TCL S5 - See at Amazon

Best midrange for gaming: Vizio MQX - See at Amazon

Best overall

The LG C5 is the best 48-inch TV for anyone who wants a compact screen without sacrificing premium picture quality. It's one of the few TVs under 55 inches with an OLED panel, giving it a clear advantage over LED and QLED models that dominate this size range.

With its OLED display, the C5 delivers all the hallmark benefits of the technology: perfect black levels, pixel-level contrast, and wide viewing angles. While LED and QLED sets often appear washed out in dark rooms or lose color accuracy when viewed from an off-center position, the C5 maintains consistent image quality from nearly any angle. (See our QLED vs. OLED comparison for a deeper breakdown of the differences.)

Our reviewer tested the 65-inch C5, which reached a peak brightness of around 1,175 nits. However, the 48-inch version lacks LG's brightness booster, so its output is closer to 750 nits. Though dimmer, that's still excellent for its size. That level of brightness, combined with OLED contrast, makes high-dynamic-range (HDR) content look rich and dimensional. The C5 is easily one of the best-looking 48-inch TVs available.

The set utilizes LG's webOS smart TV platform, providing quick access to the best streaming services and built-in Alexa support. I don't love how the interface leans heavily on sponsored content, but overall navigation is smooth and reliable. Gamers get plenty to love here, too, as the C5 supports a 120Hz refresh rate for the latest consoles and up to 144Hz when connected to a PC.

At a typical price of around $1,000, the C5 sits on the high end for a 48-inch TV, but the jump in image quality over cheaper options is substantial. It's worth noting that a revised 2026 version of the C5, called the C6, is now available as well. However, its launch price is about $600 above the C5's typical price, and its improvements are minimal. For now, the 48-inch C5 remains the better value. You can learn more in my 2026 LG OLED TV roundup.

Read our LG C5 TV review.

Check out our guides to all the best smart TVs and best LG TVs.

Best on a budget

The Amazon Omni QLED is the best 50-inch TV on a budget. It uses a QLED panel to offer a wide color gamut and a decent peak brightness of about 500 nits. That's dimmer than I generally recommend for larger TVs, but solid for this size and class. The Omni QLED also features local dimming, which enhances contrast by allowing the panel to adjust brightness in specific areas of its screen.

But unlike high-end QLED TVs like the pricier Samsung QN90F, this model uses regular-sized LEDs rather than Mini LEDs in its backlight. This means it has fewer zones to work with, leading to less uniform black levels. Our reviewer also noticed delayed dimming, leading to occasional brightness fluctuations.

Still, few 50-inch TVs can achieve this level of image quality at this price. Most competing budget models lack local dimming entirely, and many have a narrower color range.

That said, the Omni QLED isn't immune to other common drawbacks of TVs in this class. Namely, it has limited viewing angles, so contrast and color are distorted at angles. It's also restricted to a 60Hz refresh rate, so you can't unlock 120Hz support on a gaming console or PC.

The Omni QLED utilizes Amazon's Fire TV operating system and includes an Alexa voice remote. It also supports hands-free digital assistant functions, similar to those on an Echo speaker, which is a nice perk for such a budget-friendly set.

While I recommend the Omni QLED in a 50-inch screen size, it's not the best budget option at larger sizes. If you're looking for a larger TV on a budget, I recommend the TCL QM6K, which is available in sizes 55 inches and up. The QM6K offers a higher refresh rate, brighter image, and better backlight control.

Amazon also offers a newer 2025 edition of the Omni QLED, but it costs more, and the 50-inch size actually features a downgrade in image quality as it no longer supports local dimming. With that in mind, I don't recommend the newer model.

Read our Amazon Omni QLED TV review.

Check out our guides to the best budget TVs, best TVs under $500, and best Amazon Fire TVs.

Best premium QLED

High-end TVs rarely come in smaller screen sizes, but Samsung's QN90F is a welcome exception. This 50-inch flagship QLED may be pricey for its size, but it delivers top-tier performance that rivals much larger sets.

As part of Samsung's Neo QLED lineup, the QN90F uses quantum dots for a wide color range and a Mini LED backlight for precise local dimming. Competing 50-inch QLEDs from brands like Amazon and Vizio also feature quantum dots and local dimming, but their standard LEDs can't match the contrast, black levels, or brightness that Samsung's Mini LEDs achieve.

I tested the 65-inch QN90F, and it reached an impressive 2,130 nits of peak brightness. However, the 50-inch model uses a less advanced HDR contrast system, limiting its ability to match the brightness of its larger counterparts. But even so, it's still brighter than nearly any other 50-inch TV available.

This helps enable vivid HDR performance with highlights that pop from the screen. Black levels are also strong, though not quite as precise as those of an OLED like the LG C5. You may notice subtle blooming (halos around bright objects) in certain scenes. Still, for viewers who prefer the punchy brightness of QLED, the QN90F is a perfect choice.

The QN90F also stands out thanks to its anti-glare matte finish, which sets it apart from the glossy screens found on most competitors. This type of screen significantly reduces reflections, but it also increases black levels in well-lit rooms. Although not ideal, this is a worthy trade-off if you struggle with glare.

Gamers also receive premium perks: the QN90F supports a refresh rate of up to 165Hz for ultra-smooth gameplay on compatible systems and includes built-in access to the Xbox app, allowing Game Pass subscribers to stream console-quality games without an actual console.

Check out our guide to all of the best Samsung TVs.

Best entry-level option

If you're shopping for a 50-inch TV but don't want to spend too much, the TCL S5 is an excellent entry-level option. This set only offers basic image quality, but it's often sold for under $250, making it a good buy for people who want an inexpensive display for a smaller space.

Unlike the pricier picks in this guide, the S5 uses a standard LED panel without local dimming. As a result, its brightness and contrast capabilities are limited. Dark scenes appear more washed out when watching TV with the lights off, and although it supports HDR playback with solid color performance, it can't control its light output precisely enough to truly showcase the benefits of high-dynamic-range content on streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs.

But for casual TV watching, the S5 gets the job done. It's even available with Fire TV or Google TV interfaces, so you can choose the one you prefer. The Fire TV option includes an Alexa voice remote, while the Google TV model includes a Google Assistant voice remote.

Home theater fans and gamers are better off spending more to get one of my other recommendations, but the S5 is the best 50-inch TV for those who just want a cheap smart TV without any step-up image quality features.

Check out our guide to all of the best TCL TVs.

Best midrange for gaming

Vizio's MQX is designed for gaming. This midrange QLED is one of the most affordable 50-inch 4K TVs with a 120Hz refresh rate. It can even support up to 240Hz if you game in 1080p on a computer.

This enables a smooth gaming experience at frame rates above 60 on a PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch 2, or PC. The TV also features a QLED panel with wide color support and local dimming, which helps control contrast and black levels.

However, the display only uses 16 dimming zones, which is low and can cause more noticeable blooming (halos around bright objects) than you'd see on QLEDs with more zones or on OLED TVs with pixel-level contrast. At a peak brightness of around 400 to 500 nits, the MQX's brightness is decent for a TV in this class, but slightly below the minimum 600 nits I recommend for entry-level high dynamic range performance.

If gaming isn't a priority, I give the 50-inch Amazon Omni QLED an edge since it's usually cheaper and offers better contrast. However, the Omni QLED only has a 60Hz refresh rate, so the MQX has the clear upper hand with consoles and PCs. Both TVs have subpar viewing angles, so neither has an advantage in this regard.

How we pick 50-inch TVs

To choose the best 50-inch TVs, my team and I combine hands-on testing with deep product research, drawing on more than a decade of experience covering home entertainment gear.

While we usually test 65-inch TVs (since brands often treat that size as their flagship), most TV models share the same core specs and features across sizes. For example, the 48-inch LG C5 OLED offers the same primary specifications as the 65-inch version, with the main differences coming down to screen size and peak brightness.

That said, size can matter with LED TVs that use local dimming. Smaller versions of models like the Amazon Omni QLED, Samsung QN90F, and Vizio QMX typically have fewer dimming zones than their larger counterparts, which can affect contrast performance. When features or design vary meaningfully by size, we call that out.

When evaluating TVs, we test picture clarity, contrast, HDR brightness, color performance, off-angle viewing, refresh rate, gaming features, smart TV performance, and overall value. We measure brightness using a colorimeter and rely on test patterns from the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc or pattern generators for objective image checks.

We also spend plenty of time watching real-world content on every TV, along with specific scenes chosen to test certain picture-quality elements. Our demo material includes movies, TV shows, live TV, and streaming content— from standard definition up to 4K — viewed in both bright and dark rooms to see how each TV performs in everyday conditions.

For more info on our testing process, visit our breakdown of how we review tech products.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I've been writing about home entertainment gear for more than a decade, and I get hands-on with new TVs year-round. I also studied film production, so I'm especially picky about picture accuracy and making sure movies and shows look the way they're supposed to. When I evaluate a TV, I use calibration tools and test patterns, but I don't stop there. I also live with TVs like I would any set I owned in my home, streaming movies, watching sports, and flipping through everyday content to see how it really holds up. My goal is to translate all my test results and real-world viewing into clear advice so you can find a great 50-inch TV without paying more than you need to.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

50-inch TV FAQs

What should you look for when buying a 50-inch TV?

When you're shopping for the best 50-inch TV, focus on a few key factors. First is picture quality. OLED models (sold in 48 inches) offer the best contrast, black levels, and viewing angles. However, they're pricey, and there are only a couple of models available at this size. Though their image quality isn't as good, there are a lot more QLED and LED TVs sold in 50 inches, and they typically cost a lot less than OLEDs.

If you play video games, pay attention to refresh rate (60Hz vs. 120Hz) and features like HDMI 2.1 for smoother performance. Smart TV platforms matter, too. Roku, Google TV, Fire TV, webOS, Tizen, and Vizio OS all have different interfaces, voice assistants, and unique features.

And finally, think about your budget: you can get a solid 50-inch TV for a few hundred dollars, but spending more usually gets you better brightness, color, and overall build quality.

Is 50 inches a good size for a TV?

The best 50-inch TVs are ideal for buyers who require a compact display that fits in a smaller room and accommodates a smaller TV stand. However, there are fewer midrange and high-end TVs in this size than you'd find when shopping for a larger display.

For instance, many of our picks for the best TVs for picture quality and best OLED TVs are only available in 55, 65, and 77 inches. Likewise, several of our favorite QLED TVs from brands like TCL, Hisense, and Roku, like the QM8K, U8QG, and Roku Pro Series, are not available in a 50-inch size.

That said, there are a few exceptions, such as our top pick in this guide, the LG C5, one of the few OLED TVs available in smaller sizes. But generally speaking, most 50-inch TVs are built with entry-level and lower midrange performance in mind.

If you want a larger selection of mid-tier and premium display models to choose from, check out our guides focusing on larger TVs:

• The best 55-inch TVs
• The best 65-inch TVs
• The best 75-inch TVs
• The best 85-inch TVs
• The best 100-inch TVs

And if you need an even more compact display, check out our guide to the best 43-inch TVs.

Why are some TVs sold in 48 inches rather than 50 inches?

This mostly comes down to how different TV panels are manufactured in factories. LCD-based TVs, including LED and QLED models, are typically offered in 50 inches, as that size works well with the screen cutting process on existing LCD production lines. But it's more efficient to produce OLED TVs in a slightly smaller 48-inch screen size, since this allows brands to manufacture more units with less waste.

How much should a 50-inch TV cost?

The best 50-inch TVs cost between $200 and $1,600, depending on the display type.

Entry-level LED models from value-friendly brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio cost around $200-$250. These options are suitable for casual viewing but often lack advanced features such as quantum dots and local dimming. Lower-midrange QLED sets range from $300 to $550 and offer better color, higher contrast, and brighter panels. However, many of our favorite upper-midrange QLED models are not sold in 50 inches.

Likewise, high-end 50-inch TVs are hard to come by, but you can find a couple of OLED models, like the LG C5, and top-tier QLED models, like Samsung's QN90F, in this size for around $800 to $1,500.

Many 50-inch TVs go on sale throughout the year, but the biggest savings are typically found during events like Prime Day and Black Friday, as well as around major sports championships like the Super Bowl and March Madness.

Should you buy a 2026 or 2025 50-inch TV?

New TV models were unveiled at the CES tech show in January, and many are now rolling out to stores. We'll be reviewing 2026 TV models for consideration in this guide over the coming months. You can learn more about 2026 TVs in our CES 2026 TV roundup, 2026 Samsung OLED TV roundup, and 2026 Sony True RGB TV announcement.

However, it's key to remember that 2025 TV models will still be available for much of the year, and they're often heavily discounted. As such, 2025 TVs remain the best value in many cases.

Is 4K worth it on a 50-inch TV?

Although the benefits of 4K resolution are best appreciated on larger TV sets, a 50-inch display is still substantial enough to make 4K worthwhile, especially if you plan to sit close to it.

However, the debate about whether 4K is worth it on a TV this size has become a moot point since major brands no longer sell 50-inch HDTVs. Most HDTV models are now limited to 43 inches or less. If you're buying a 50-inch or larger TV in 2026, 4K is the standard.

For more 4K display recommendations in multiple sizes, check out our guide to the best 4K TVs.

Do 50-inch TVs have good sound quality?

Most TVs, especially smaller ones like 50-inch models, offer mediocre sound quality. To keep costs down and fit speakers inside compact displays, manufacturers use small audio drivers that limit the range, depth, and clarity of a TV's built-in sound system. To get the best sound quality, we recommend buying a separate soundbar or speaker setup to pair with a 50-inch TV.

Check out our soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations:

• The best soundbars
• The best budget soundbars
• The best soundbars with subwoofers
• The best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• The best Bose soundbars
• The best Sonos soundbars
• The best surround sound systems

Learn more about immersive surround sound in our Dolby Atmos explainer.

Do you need HDMI 2.1 on a 50-inch TV?

Many of the best TVs include HDMI 2.1 ports, but this feature is less common on smaller screen sizes. However, several of our best 50-inch TV picks — the LG C5, Samsung QN90F, and Vizio MQX — do include HDMI 2.1 support, which is useful for gaming enthusiasts.

HDMI 2.1 connections can transmit signals at 4K/120Hz, along with variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM), when paired with a compatible gaming device, such as a PS5 or PC. These features provide a smooth gaming experience with fast motion, minimal lag, and reduced screen tearing. You can learn more in our guide to the best gaming TVs.

To enable HDMI 2.1 features, all of your home entertainment components must have HDMI 2.1 ports. So if you're hooking up a PS5 to a soundbar connected to your TV, all three devices must support HDMI 2.1. You also need to use ultra-high-speed HDMI cables rated for 48Gbps to connect everything. Visit our guide to the best HDMI cables for recommendations and more details.

• Andy Jassy praised the power of a tiny team in his latest letter to shareholders.
• The Amazon CEO said that flattening the company's structure had improved its speed.
• Jassy said workers need to be "comfortable" with ambiguity, and progress is rarely a straight line.

Tiny teams, a flatter workforce, and squiggly lines.

Andy Jassy's latest letter to Amazon's shareholders offers fresh insights into how he's thinking about the company's workforce of 1.5 million people globally, including roughly 350,000 corporate hires.

The Amazon CEO's missive arrives at a critical point for the company. While its stock is up 26% over the past 12 months, it's virtually flat year to date, and trades 10% below the all-time high it reached in November.

The power of tiny teams

Jassy touted the power of tiny teams, specifically when it comes to Amazon Bedrock.

Amazon Bedrock gives users access to multiple third-party LLMs, such as Anthropic's Claude and Meta's Llama. Bedrock was built and scaled quickly before the team realized it needed a different inference engine, Jassy wrote.

"This wasn't a tweak; it required a completely different architecture," Jassy wrote.

When it came to executing the work, a small team of people using AI was able to execute a workload that traditionally required many more people.

Jassy wrote:

"Normally, this sort of activity might take a team of 40 people about a year to carefully build. Instead, the Bedrock team spun up a separable group of six very skilled engineers who were excited about starting over and building on our agentic coding service (Kiro), and delivered this new engine (which we call "Mantle") in 76 days."

As Business Insider has previously covered at length, small teams of people working alongside AI agents can accomplish the workloads of much bigger teams.

The tone Jassy struck in the letter is in line with his previous comments about the future of the workforce. In February, for example, he said that he thinks humans won't be "necessary" for many of the jobs they've been filling for the past 20 or 30 years.

Flatter structures and a faster pace

Amazon has done two major rounds of layoffs since Jassy's 2024 letter to shareholders. The company cut 14,000 jobs in October and another 16,000 jobs in January.

In his letter this week, Jassy said he's "pleased" with the flatter organization's work, writing:

"At Amazon, we talk a lot about operating like the world's biggest startup. It's the primary reason we've worked to flatten our organization the last year, and we're pleased with the improved speed of decision-making and delivery.

Jassy said during Amazon's third-quarter earnings call in October that years of rapid growth meant the company had wound up with a "lot more people" and a "lot more layers," which threatened to "weaken the ownership" of key employees and slow everything down.

He said his leadership team was "committed to operating like the world's largest startup. And that means removing layers. It means increasing the amount of ownership that people have, and it means inventing and moving quickly."

On the call, Jassy added that technological change had made it "important to be lean, it's important to be flat, and it's important to move fast, and that's what we're going to do."

The Amazon CEO reiterated the vital importance of speed in his letter, writing: "You need to move fast, have teammates that act like true owners, and be scrappy."

Squiggly lines and comfort with ambiguity

Jassy's letter also gives a look into the qualities he prizes in his workforce.

They include comfort with ambiguity, a willingness to "invent and experiment like crazy," and a tendency to move fast and be scrappy.

Jassy drew a parallel between Amazon's winding path and his own career. He wrote that after college, he tried to get into sportscasting but had to settle for sports production. He coached high school soccer and worked at a golf store for extra cash. He later worked as a product manager, ran his own businesses, worked in sales and investment banking, then went to graduate school before joining Amazon three days after his final exam in May 1997.

"Not exactly a straight line," he wrote, before chronicling the twists and turns of Amazon Web Services' evolution.

"Most long-term endeavors do not follow a linear straight line, up and to the right," Jassy wrote. "Progress jumps around; it'll zig up, then sometimes stall, or zag down, or force you back to the starting line. Sometimes, it feels like you're running in circles. But, the path is rarely straight."

The upshot is that being able to deal with change and uncertainty is critical, Jassy said.

"You have to have people and a culture that are comfortable operating with ambiguity as you sort through the new normal," he wrote.

"Inflections aren't usually smooth or calm. They favor the bold and adaptable," he added.

• A health crisis forced me to leave my home and rethink how I was living and working.
• My income dropped to less than $12,000 while living in Southern California.
• The experience changed how I define resilience and what it actually means to be stable.

For most of my career, I relied on pushing through. I built a reputation for delivering under pressure, often pulling things together at the last minute and performing at a high level. That pace came with a cost: long work hours, inconsistent sleep, and a constant sense that I had to stay ahead of everything.

For a while, it worked. Then, last spring, my body stopped cooperating.

After receiving full payment from a new client — the kind of moment that normally would have felt like relief — I found myself on the bathroom floor, crying and unable to respond to messages or continue working.

I didn't understand what was happening. It would take the better part of a year to begin to make sense of what my body was trying to tell me.

Before the crash, success did not feel stable

From the outside, my life looked successful.

I had been an entrepreneur for more than a decade, written books, and given a TEDx talk. At my peak, I brought in over $140,000.

But it never felt like enough. No matter how much I earned or accomplished, I lived with a constant sense of pressure — always anticipating the next problem, the next demand, or the next thing that could go wrong.

Looking back, I can see that I built my life around overwork. I was burning the candle at both ends, working at all hours, and ignoring the signals my body was sending me.

What I thought was resilience was often something else: pushing past my limits to meet expectations, both external and internal.

My health and housing became unstable

After that moment on the bathroom floor, things intensified.

I began experiencing severe physical symptoms, including intense pain, recurring headaches, digestive issues, and periods of exhaustion that made it nearly impossible to function. At times, the pain felt serious enough to warrant emergency care.

From the outside, these "episodes" may have looked like mental health issues. But in my body, it was deeply physical.

I did seek medical care, but my tests came back normal, even though my body did not feel normal.

At the time, I was renting a room in a shared home with a warm, multigenerational family. The house was lively and full of activity — beautiful in many ways — but overwhelming for a nervous system already overloaded.

As my symptoms became more visible, they drew more attention than I could manage.

A few days later, I left. Around 8 p.m., I packed a laundry basket of clothes, along with some pillows and blankets, into my SUV and drove away without a clear plan.

Over the following months, my living situation was precarious. I no longer had a home base or even a room to return to. My belongings were spread across multiple storage locations, and my car became a place where I felt some sense of safety.

Through a connection, I was able to rent an Airbnb by the beach for $50 a day for a period of time. I also stayed in hotels, spent time in parks, and slept in my car on some nights.

Because income was secondary to survival, it dropped to less than $12,000 for the year.

How I got through it

When people hear my income dropped that low, they usually ask the same question: How did you survive?

The answer is that I stopped trying to do everything alone.

Throughout my life, I was fiercely independent out of necessity. I was the person who handled problems and made chaos work. Accepting support did not come naturally to me.

That season taught me something different. I had always believed in God, but this was the first time I had to rely on that belief in a real, daily way. I didn't always know how things would come together, but I learned to trust and surrender in a way I never had before.

I also met someone who became my partner, and our stable relationship became an important source of stability during a time when very little was stable.

Through our relationship, I experienced a felt sense of safety in my body for the first time in my life. It also showed me how unfamiliar it was for my body to receive something good without immediately preparing for loss, pressure, or payback.

What I learned about resilience

Over the following year, as I began paying closer attention to my body instead of overriding it, I started to see a pattern.

What I experienced was not just because of burnout. It was the accumulation of years of operating in a constant state of pressure and hypervigilance. It was a system-wide depletion under chronic stress, trauma adaptation, and sustained circumstantial load.

For most of my life, resilience meant enduring difficult environments and making them work.

What I began to understand instead was the difference between surviving and being in environments — and relationships — where there was genuine safety, resonance, and reciprocity.

I'm rebuilding my life and career in a way my body can actually sustain, and I'm no longer doing it alone. I don't have a stable home, and I'm still building my career back to where it once was.

From the outside, a year where my income dropped below $12,000 might look like failure.

But for me, it became the year I stopped measuring resilience by how much I could endure — and started defining it by whether my life was something my body could actually sustain.

• The IRS filed a lien against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
• It says he owes $7.3 million for unpaid taxes in 2018 and 2023.
• The boxer was recently sued for other allegedly unpaid bills.

The IRS has filed a $7.3 million lien against famed boxer and entrepreneur Floyd Mayweather Jr. for unpaid taxes in 2018 and 2023.

The lien was filed last month in Las Vegas, where Mayweather has property. The notice shows the balance was unpaid as of March 26. An attorney for Mayweather declined to comment on it.

The lien — through which the government can lay claim to Mayweather's property until the bill is paid — is the latest in a series of debts the 49-year-old fighter has accumulated, as Business Insider has reported.

It comes amid other major developments in Mayweather's life.

The ex-champ, who retired from pro boxing in 2017 and has been focused on business pursuits in recent years, recently embarked on a lucrative comeback. An exhibition bout against Mike Tyson is scheduled for April, and a pro fight against longtime rival Manny Pacquiao is slated for September at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

In February, he sued Showtime over $340 million in what he claims were "misappropriated funds" connected to his 2013 pay-per-view deal. Showtime has denied the allegations.

Last month, his close associate Jona Rechnitz, who has been named as a co-defendant in some lawsuits against Mayweather, was re-sentenced to five months in federal prison in connection with his 2016 guilty plea in a public-corruption case.

Mayweather, who racked up more than a billion dollars in winnings over his career, according to Sportico, has experienced tax problems in the past.

In 2023, a US Tax Court judge ordered Mayweather to pay $5.5 million in tax deficiencies, plus $1.1 million in penalties for 2017. Mayweather previously settled with the IRS for $22.2 million over his taxes from 2015, the year he last fought Pacquiao.

Mayweather, whose nickname is "Money," flaunts a lavish lifestyle of mansions, designer clothing, private jet flights, and bags of cash.

A Business Insider investigation revealed last year that in the last 18 months, Mayweather has sold many of his trophy assets, including his private jet and mansions in Miami and Beverly Hills.

Other assets, including several residential homes and a strip club in Las Vegas, were used as collateral for debt Mayweather owes to billionaire financier Don Hankey.

Since the beginning of the year, Mayweather has paid some of the debt reported by Business Insider, including a trash bill and property taxes for his strip club.

Mayweather's attorney previously told Business Insider that he is not "experiencing financial strain."

"I just be minding my business!" the boxer wrote in the caption of a November Instagram post that showed him seated in a private jet, wedged between pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage, the table in front of him stacked with bricks of cash.

Note: Floyd Mayweather filed a defamation lawsuit against Business Insider in connection with a previous story about Mayweather's real estate investments. The case is pending, and BI stands by its reporting.

• Tech investor Gene Munster thinks Wall Street is getting a key detail about the SpaceX IPO wrong.
• He recently wrote that he thinks the value is in the company's "sovereign AI."
• In his view, this gives it a clear advantage over all other tech sector leaders.

Wall Street is eager to get a piece of SpaceX's historic IPO, but one prominent hedge fund manager thinks investors are missing the big picture regarding what could end up being the biggest driver of the company's valuation.

Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, recently shared his take on X, laying out what he thinks is the most important aspect of SpaceX's value, and that he thinks it's something investors are overlooking.

It comes down to two words - sovereign AI.

"Investors looking at the SpaceX IPO are focused on the launch business and Starlink subscribers," Munster wrote. "They're missing the real story. SpaceX, through its constellation of Elon-controlled entities, has quietly assembled the only set of assets capable of building a fully sovereign AI."

That term refers to an end-to-end AI system fully controlled by the company that owns it. Such a system does not rely on external providers at any layer. Munster thinks SpaceX can achieve this, and if it can, it will be the firm's real competitive edge.

In his view, SpaceX has four primary pillars needed to reach sovereign AI: a launch monopoly, Starlink's hyperscaler network, Grok's proprietary AI model, and Musk's Terafab AI chip production.

"These four pillars create a closed-loop intelligence system spanning from raw silicon to satellite distribution," Munster wrote.

The hedge fund manager acknowledged that many Big Tech leaders have parts of the sovereign AI equation, but none have the entire thing. While he thinks Google is the next closest, he maintains that SpaceX is the best-positioned, as Google still relies on chips built by other companies.

Munster recently described Google parent Alphabet as the best stock to own in the Magnificent Seven, noting its progress on the AI front.

"SpaceX is building the AI equivalent of the Apple model," he wrote. "Design the chips. Make the chips. Build the model. Train it on proprietary data. Deliver it through your own network. Every toll booth from silicon to satellite belongs to you."

Munster added that another key edge that SpaceX has over Google is that it builds rockets, which are part of the company's big structural advantage in tech.

He noted that while it is difficult to assess the total economic value of sovereign AI, he thinks it's key to the bull case.

"If vertical integration is the path to capturing margin in the intelligence economy (and we believe it is), then SpaceX has the most compelling structural advantage of any company in the world," Munster said.

Graduating is a major achievement, whether it's from college, high school, or any other program. The best graduation gift ideas are thoughtful and useful, from sentimental, personalized keepsakes to practical essentials they'll actually use.

No matter who you're shopping for, the perfect graduation gift is more than a memento of their accomplishment — it's something to help them on the journey ahead, whether they're moving on to college or the workforce. For more personalized choices, check out our dedicated guides to the best college graduation gifts for her and him, as well as the best high school graduation gifts for her and him.

Custom college pouches

Collegiate Pouches

Whether your grad is going to college or leaving, they'll want a handy pouch to show their school spirit. We love these customizable pouches from Uncommon Goods, as they are functional and artistic items.

A reliable suitcase for all their travels

Béis The Carry-On Roller

Celebrity-loved luggage brand Béis makes one of our favorite carry-on bags. Help your graduate jet-set to wherever they need to go in style with a roomy, durable suitcase.

Our Béis Carry-On Roller review has more details on why we love this bag.

The coziest throw blanket

The Lola Blanket

Senior home editor Jaclyn Turner and I are in love with our Lola throw blankets. They're an investment, but we've literally never felt anything softer. It's a luxurious, thoughtful gift that will accompany them while lounging on the couch — or, if they're like me, long Zoom meetings.

A single-serve coffee maker

Nespresso Vertuo Plus

Whether they're moving into the dorms after high school or moving onto a new job after college, you can never go wrong with coffee. This sleek option from Nespresso is one of the best single-serve coffee makers we tested, and your recipient is sure to internally thank you every time they sit down for their morning (or late night) cup of coffee.

Custom college pint glasses

Uncommon Goods Show Your Spirit! Personalized College Pint Glass

Whether they're joining the student section or moving on to celebrate game days at home, commemorate their school pride with these custom university glasses. You can customize their avatar on the glass, as well as adding their name, so it has an extra personal touch.

A weekender for trips home or vacations

Aer Travel Weekender

A good weekender is an essential, whether they're traveling home for the weekends or setting off on new adventures. This option from Aer is one of the best weekender bags we tested, with exceptional organizational features and a spacious interior.

A smart reusable notebook

Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook

If your graduate goes through notebook after notebook, this reusable option offers a long-lasting solution. They can use the included pen to take notes, scan each page with an accompanying app to save the pages digitally, and then wipe away the notes to use the same page over and over again.

A bonsai tree they won't have to water

Lego Bonsai Tree

The Lego Bonsai Tree is not only fun to build, but it's also a great home decor piece to bring "greenery" to their place. The green leaves can also be swapped for beautiful pink cherry blossoms.

Read our Lego Botanical Collection review for more information.

A Le Creuset dutch oven

Le Creuset Dutch Oven, 4.5-quart

Le Creuset dutch ovens are iconic for a reason. While not the best gift for someone moving into the dorms, for a graduate moving into their own home, it's a kitchen game changer. It can be used to make just about any dish, and it will last for a lifetime. Bonus points if you find one in their favorite color.

A dainty nameplate necklace

Catbird Tiniest Name Necklace

Nameplate necklaces are timeless. You can fit up to 10 letters on this adorable lowercase necklace, so you can customize it with their name, nickname, city, or anything else.

A classy candle

LAFCO Rosemary Eucalyptus Candle

This recommendation comes straight from our candle expert, senior home editor Jaclyn Turner. LAFCO candles are under-the-radar gems, featuring unique blends like celery and thyme alongside classic scents like chamomile and lavender. The rosemary eucalyptus candle is delightfully herbaceous, layered with hints of basil. We love the brand's diffusers, too.

A minimalist backpack

Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

Dagne Dover's neoprene backpacks are a sleek, safe bet if you want to get them something for their future travels or commutes. Beyond their trendiness, they're super comfy, are made from recycled materials, and offer lots of compartments and pockets for optimal storage.

Read more about it in our Dagne Dover review.

A Kindle Paperwhite for the avid reader

The Kindle Paperwhite is our favorite e-reader. You can also choose to add three months of Kindle Unlimited when buying, so your graduate also gets over a million books with their gift.

A college pillow

Embroidered College Pillow

Want another way to help your graduate show their school spirit? These throw pillows are a lovely choice, and once again, customizable with lots of college options to choose from.

A custom initial bracelet

Inez Initial Bracelet

Jewelry is a classic graduation present for good reason. Customize this bracelet with up to four initials for a special keepsake to remember their graduation.

One of our favorite work bags

Cuyana System Tote 13-inch

This work bag from Cuyana is a great option for a graduate who will be commuting to work. We've tested it and decided that it's the best tote in our guide to the best work bags for women, as there are various pouches and a laptop sleeve inside.

A smart mug that keeps drinks hot

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug

This mug will control the temperature of their coffee or tea, so they won't have to reheat or dump it out every few hours. A former teammate called the Ember "life-changing." You can also buy a travel-friendly version.

Iconic hoop earrings

Mejuri Puffy Charlotte Hoops

If they've been eyeing Mejuri's hoops forever, you've found the perfect gift. These minimalist gold vermeil earrings go with everything, so you can be sure they'll wear them for years to come. Read our full Mejuri review for more options.

Sweet treats from a famous bakery

Milk Bar Treats

Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Celebrate your graduate with cake or cookies from Milk Bar, a famous New York City bakery that is sure to be a hit.

A chic lamp that warms candles without lighting them

Luzdiosa Candle Warmer Lamp

Beyond looking cute, this lamp serves a unique function: Activating candles without lighting them. Using its warming technology, the candles "burn" and release any scents, but at a much slower pace and without setting off any finicky fire alarms.

A pair of noise-canceling headphones

Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones

A nice pair of headphones make a great gift for just about anyone, but especially graduates. Sony's WH-100XM5 headphones are the top pick in our best over-ear headphones guide. The noise-cancelling technology is essential for getting work done. But these will come in handy for a plethora of occasions, like watching Netflix when roommates are asleep or listening to favorite tunes while walking.

An instant camera upgrade

Polaroid Film Camera

If they love taking instant photos, this camera lets them do that, plus print out photos from their phone via a Bluetooth app. And if that's not enough, it comes with two lenses (standard and portrait), so they will truly never miss their shot at a great pic.

A poster to remember a special place

Grafomap Personalized Map Poster

Grafomap makes cool posters with custom maps, so you can get your graduate one with a place that you know means something to them. It's a great way to decorate a new space with extra sentimental value.

A planner that helps map out long-term goals

BestSelf Co. Self Journal

The Best Self Co. Journal helps people map out their five- or 10-year plans in a tangible, easily managed way. It's a nice way to provide growth and direction after graduation, whether your graduate is on their way to college, a new job, traveling, or anything else.

A cute carrying case for their phone

Bandolier Crossbody Case

For anyone who laments digging through their bag for their phone or wallet, this stylish phone case-wallet crossbody case keeps their essentials close without any hassle. Read our Bandolier review.

A gift card to put towards a concert

Ticketmaster Gift Card

Have they been talking about snagging tickets to a favorite artist for months? If so, a Ticketmaster gift card to put towards those tickets is a really thoughtful gift. You can choose any amount from $25 to $500.

A reliable pair of socks

Bombas Ankle Socks

There's a reason we love Bombas socks — in the several years we've tested socks, they've consistently ranked as the most comfortable and durable. Your graduate will be grateful for these socks. Find out more in our Bombas socks review.

A classy bouquet

The Bouqs Co. Flower Delivery Service

Send flowers to your graduate — whether you're sending them in lieu of being there yourself or as a supplement a digital gift or card. The Bouqs Co is one of the best flower delivery services we've used, after testing over 25 companies.

A viral weighted eye mask

Nodpod Weighted Eye Mask

This weighted eye mask is just like a weighted blanket, but for your eyes. With an assortment of gorgeous pastel colors, this social media darling is an excellent gift to promote rest and relaxation. Plus, if they have a roommate, this is one of the best sleep masks for blocking out light.

A plush bathrobe

Brooklinen Super Plush Robe

This plush bathrobe from Brooklinen is absorbent enough to step in for a towel after a shower, and plush enough to want to lounge in long after you're done. If your grad is about to be living in a dorm or sharing an apartment with roommates, they are going to need something to wrap themselves in when walking to the bathroom.

A Nintendo Switch 2 for much-deserved game time

Nintendo Switch 2

If your graduate loves a night of cozy gaming or rounds of Mario Kart with friends — and you want to be their favorite person — consider buying them a Switch 2. Thinking back to my own graduation, I would have (literally) jumped for joy upon unwrapping this game console. Pair it with a crowd-pleasing game like Mario Kart or Animal Crossing.

A nice bottle of bubbly

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne

If they drink (and are old enough to drink), send them a nice bottle of bubbly to celebrate their big achievement.

A sleek electric kettle

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle

Fellow has one of the most beautiful electric kettles around. It doubles as an art piece on your kitchen counter, as well as an easy and convenient way to make morning coffee or tea.

A mini waffle maker that fits in their kitchen

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

Even the most cramped kitchens can fit this mini waffle maker, which comes in a variety of fun colors and iron shapes. It's an affordable, adorable way for them to make breakfast throughout their post-grad years.

A trendy reusable tote

Standard Baggu

If your graduate is moving to a new city, they might need a compact bag for grocery shopping, picnics with friends, or commuting to work. Baggu makes some of the best options, as the bag folds up into a small pouch, and there are tons of different artistic styles to choose from.

A gift card for awesome bed sheets

Brooklinen Gift Card

What they probably need more than anything after years of school is a good night's sleep. And as a sleep editor, Brooklinen is my go-to recommendation for excellent bedding. Hook them up with a gift card to purchase sheets, blankets, or a duvet cover. Check out our Brooklinen sheets review.

A durable cast iron skillet

Lodge Chef Collection Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

A cast iron skillet is an important kitchen tool that never gets old. In fact, as one of the more durable cast iron skillets on the market, this pick will help your graduate cook for years to come. Check out our best cast iron skillets guide.

A warm pair of slippers

L.L. Bean Wicked Good Slippers

L.L. Bean makes one of our favorite pairs of slippers, as we rate this the top pick for warmth that we tested in the best slippers for men. Your graduate will appreciate this gift, especially if they're moving somewhere with colder weather.

A luxe leather messenger bag

Leatherology Henderson Laptop Brief Bag

Leatherology makes luxe leather goods and delivers them in gift-wrapped boxes. This laptop brief bag is one they can own for many years, and it's a luxe step-up from the backpacks of their past. You'll find a few more budget-friendly options at Herschel Supply Co.

A multi-purpose pan

Our Place Always Pan

The internet-famous Always Pan is meant to replace eight pieces of cookware which, if they're living in tight quarters, can especially come in handy. You can choose from a few vibrant, matte colors and treat them to a pan they'll be excited to break in.

School spirit gear

Fanatics College Gear

Get them excited for their college days or commemorate them with a wearable bit of school spirit. Fanatics is full of clothing, hats, bags, balls, games, and drinkware for NCAA schools. Your grad will be able to spot a fellow alum from miles away.

A funny, thoughtful card

Punny Llama Graduation Card

Grab a funny, sweet card and use it to tell them how proud you are of them.

An air fryer for easy, simplified meals

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer

Listed as the top pick in our best air fryer guide, the Instant Vortex Plus is one of the most impressive models on the market. We tested a ton of air fryers, so you can be confident in arming your graduate with a fantastic kitchen appliance that will serve them well.

A plant to spruce up their home

The Sill Snake Plant

Plants are the best way to brighten up a room, and it's likely your grad will be moving to a new place — so why not help them out? This snake plant from The Sill is easy to take care of and hard to kill, making it a great choice for even an inexperienced plant owner.

A slim Fitbit with plenty of features

Fitbit Inspire 3

Fitbit's affordable Inspire 3 tracker has no shortage of useful features to keep someone informed about their physical activity — tracking calorie burn, resting heart rate, and heart rate zones. It's also one of the least expensive Fitbit models.

You can find our ranking of the best Fitbits in our tested buying guide.

Groceries delivered to their door

Instacart Gift Card

Starting a new chapter can be exhausting, and they may be pulling long hours studying or working. We recommend a gift card to Blue Apron (our top pick for meal kits) or Instacart (our top pick for online grocery services) to do their grocery shopping for them. Both will show up at their doorstep.

A framed photo of their friends or favorite memories

Framebridge Gift

Give them a way to display their diploma with a nice frame. Or, for a sentimental touch, frame a photo of their friends or some of their favorite memories from school or home, so they can take them anywhere.

A membership to a meditation app

Headspace Meditation App

Give them the gift of a meditation app that can help give them the tools to destress, practice mindfulness (which has positive effects on personal happiness), and possibly improve their focus.

A personalized business card holder

Leatherology Business Card Case

If they're entering a new career, they can hold their business cards in this polished cardholder. You can even opt to get it monogrammed, and it'll arrive ready in a gift box.

A gift card for the nights when they want an Uber home

Uber Gift Card

Whether they're heading into a new college town, starting a new job, or taking a gap year, there will be nights when it's more convenient or safer for them to Uber home. Make it an easier decision with a gift card for a ride home.

Timeless advice on how to lead a compassionate life

"Congratulations, By The Way" by George Saunders

This short read is a transcript from author George Saunders' Syracuse University commencement speech, in which he focuses on one simple but significant message: The value of kindness. When so much of the post-graduate advice out there centers on career success or hustling to get ahead, this sweet and beautifully written book will remind them of what's most important in life.

A French press your graduate can rely upon

Bodum Chambord French Press

If their new job or college major requires lots of early mornings, they'll probably appreciate a good cup of coffee. The Bodum Chambord is our favorite French press; it's timeless, compact, easy to operate, and entirely unfussy. It's also affordable to replace, so they don't need to be too precious with it.

A Disney+ gift card

Disney Plus Gift Card

We all occasionally want a break from being a grownup — and Disney Plus is a good place to do it. Disney Plus lets subscribers stream movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and more. You can also bundle it with Hulu and ESPN+.

A gift card for ordering takeout

Grubhub Gift Card

They may not have the energy to cook every night after work or classes. Get them a gift card for the impending evenings in which takeout feels essential.

An excellent, personalized coffee subscription

Trade Coffee Subscription Gift

If they like a great cup of coffee, they'll enjoy Trade. The coffee subscription service has a huge variety of coffee, and it's easy to customize based on their tastes. We ranked it as the best coffee subscription service you can join.

If they're a tea drinker, we'd also recommend checking out an Atlas Tea Club subscription.

A great speaker

Ultimate Ears WonderBoom 4

A great Bluetooth speaker is a must for every graduate. They'll want to take their tunes on the go, whether they're meeting new friends at a park or going to the beach.

A gift card to find their favorite workout

ClassPass Gift Card

No matter what their work schedule looks like, it's important that your graduate still gets healthy exercise. Lower the barrier to entry and gift them a ClassPass gift card. With it, they can try tons of boutique fitness classes in their area — or, if they need to unwind, meditation sessions or spa days.

A custom photo book

Artifact Uprising Everyday Photo Book

Get them a photo book that can be filled with memories of friends — because they just graduated, they'll want to remember all the amazing times they had and who they shared it with.

A toolkit they will need

Cartman 148 Piece Tool Set

No matter the handiness of your graduate, they will definitely appreciate having this toolkit in their new dorm or apartment. It will be used, inevitably, when something breaks or goes wrong — and they'll have you to thank for saving the day with the necessary equipment to fix it.

• Christina Sciblo bought the home in New Jersey she had previously been renting.
• The 100-year-old home needed serious repairs, including a new roof.
• Purchasing the home allowed Sciblo to finally address all the renovations how she saw fit.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Christina Sciblo, a 36-year-old content creator based in Atlantic County, New Jersey, who bought the home she previously rented with her partner and four children and immediately started renovations. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

We moved to New Jersey right as the pandemic began, in March 2020. We are both originally from this area, but we were in Pittsburgh for my partner's job and were looking to come back to New Jersey.

My dad found this house — he knew my landlord because his girlfriend also was renting from him.

It's 1,100 square feet, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms. I thought it was built in 1921, but it turns out it was actually built before then, so somewhere in the 1910s.

We had never rented a house, so it was appealing. Also, the rent was very cheap. We only paid $1,200 a month.

At the time we were a family of five; we had three kids. We found out that our kids would go to the same school that they had previously went to before we moved to Pittsburgh, so it was the perfect situation.

My dad FaceTimed us to show us the house. We did not get to see the house in person, but we knew it was old. We knew that it had ugly blue carpet, but we were OK with that because we just wanted to get back to New Jersey.

I knew that it needed a lot of work, but I saw the potential. It just felt like home.

I got a good deal on the house because it needed a lot of work

We had talked with our landlord very early on about whether he would ever sell the house, so it was always on the table.

The roof was a really big issue when we were renting. We had a big storm and shingles just flew off. You could find shingles all throughout our yard. My bedroom, specifically, got so many leaks after that.

I got tired of not being able to do what I wanted to do to a house because I was renting it. So I couldn't wait to buy this house so that I could fix it how I wanted to.

[Ed note: Sciblo's former landlord confirmed that the roof needed to be replaced, and said he offered the home to Sciblo "as-is."]

In 2022, we started to get serious about buying the home, and he gave us a price of $125,000, which was very cheap even for the time, because he knew that it needed work. But, for us, it just wasn't a good time.

In 2024, we needed more space, and we had to figure out, are we going to try to buy this house and make it ours and make it bigger, or are we going to move somewhere else?

We figured first, let's try to see if we can make this work because we already know that he's probably going to give us a deal.

After we got the inspection and some quotes, he wasn't ready to give us a price — he wanted us to name a price. We kept going back and forth. Then, in January of 2025, he came over because there was a squirrel issue happening in our attic.

I asked if he ever figured out a price to sell, and he said $100,000. I was like, "Oh, really?"

I got a lawyer and we got the ball rolling after that. It took a few months, but in May of 2025, we made it official.

We fixed the roof within the first month of owning the home

The roof and the porch were the first two things that we tackled in renovations.

We got the roof done like two weeks after we purchased the home because I had already been getting quotes before the house was officially ours.

It looked so much better; I was relieved. I was so happy that it was finally done and that I got to pick what it looked like and who I hired to do it.

We had to make a few other changes, too. When we were cleaning out the basement, we took down a lot of the insulation and there was a big hole in the base by our washer and dryer — you could tell that there were mice coming in and I had no idea.

We had a humongous tree right next to our house, and I was worried about its branches falling in storms, so we finally got rid of that.

We plan on making this house work for us — that's the mentality we had going into it. We plan on adding a 14-foot addition with another bedroom, another bathroom, and a bigger kitchen.

Homeownership was definitely always a goal for me. It had seemed unattainable with the prices of homes, so this house was really our only chance.

There's no part of me that regrets buying instead of staying a renter. I'm very happy with my choice.

• I've traveled across Italy, and though I love its cities, the country's small towns have my heart.
• Some of my favorite small towns in Italy are Barga, which has amazing views and wine, and Termoli.
• Elsewhere, Pizzo is my favorite beach town in Calabria, and Torre di Palme has a bit of everything.

As much as I love traveling to new places, it never takes more than a twist of my arm to go back to Italy.

I've visited every Italian region, most of them at least twice. As I've had the great privilege of exploring Italy in greater depth, I've also gotten a bit jaded about the major hot spots and grown more fond of classic Italian small-town charm.

Don't get me wrong: Those major cities like Rome and Florence are iconic for a reason. Whenever I return to them, though, I feel a sense of frustration about the overpriced food, crowds so rampant that I find myself clutching onto my bag for dear life, and an atmosphere that often caters to tourists.

When you visit small towns in Italy, though, being one of the few tourists around can help you get a taste of the locals' everyday life, which — in my opinion — creates a meaningful and more personal experience.

So, if you're looking to get out of the major cities and connect with true Italian life, head to one of these towns instead.

Pizzo has tons of local charm … and delicious desserts

Calabria's Tropea has become quite the popular beach haven in recent years, and for good reason. The coasts of Calabria are some of the most picturesque in all of Italy, with rocky white marbled sand and seas so blue they might as well be on a postcard.

As much as I love Tropea, it's often packed with tourists, so if you're looking for a beach town in Calabria that still preserves local charm, nearby Pizzo ought to do the trick.

It's not just the beaches that make Pizzo such a great spot, though. Pizzo is home to the tartufo di Pizzo, a decadent chocolate gelato-filled dessert coated in cocoa powder. You can try one at Gelateria Dante, the famed sweet shop that's credited with creating it.

While walking around, you'll also want to check out artisan markets selling hand-painted ceramics, and hit a trattoria to try 'nduja, a spicy salami spread typical of the Calabrian region.

Torre di Palme is a gem tucked away in Marche

If you ask an Italian about the most underrated region in Italy, they might mention Marche.

Marche is in central Italy and has a little bit of everything: rolling mountains and vineyards, impeccable coastlines, and castle-filled medieval villages.

Out of the many towns I've visited in the region, Torre di Palme — or "Tower of Palms" — offers a perfect mesh of Marche's best offerings. This medieval village is perched high above the sea, so much so that it's been dubbed the "Balcony of the Adriatic."

True to its name, Torre di Palme is indeed full of palm trees, which adds a tropical feel to its historic cobblestone streets. While here, make sure to try olive all'ascolana, a deep-fried, meat-stuffed olive that's one of the most common dishes of the Marche region.

My favorite part of Tuscany is a small Scottish enclave

When I saw Scottish flags around Barga, a small town in Tuscany, my interest was immediately piqued.

I learned that many Italians left Barga for Scotland in the early 1900s, but over time, a lot of them returned, marrying the two cultures right in Tuscany.

Although Barga is known as "the most Scottish town in Italy," it still feels distinctly Tuscan — even though it's not unusual to see fish and chips on a menu or hear a Scottish accent, like my guide had when I hiked throughout Bagni di Lucca.

I recommend checking out Duomo di San Cristoforo, the main Roman Catholic church in town, which offers panoramic views of the rolling hills of Tuscany. And if you fancy some vino, Podere Concori is one of my favorite wineries in the country.

Termoli is a charming beach town in one of Italy's lesser-explored regions

Did you know there's an "Italian region that doesn't exist?" Well, not really, but that's what locals will tell you when you mention Molise, one of the smallest and least-visited regions in the country.

Molise was the final region I visited, and though I was tempted to visit the region's capital, Campobasso, it was peak summer, and I was craving the water. So, I looked at a map and saw a place called Termoli.

Though I went into Termoli knowing nothing, I fell in love quickly. It's a small beach town with under 35,000 residents, and the most convenient spot in the country for catching a ferry to another Italian best-kept secret, the Tremiti Islands.

Food-wise, Termoli is also home to some of my favorite gelato in the country. You can also try typical Molisana cuisine here, like caciocavallo cheese and fusilli pasta.

For a slice of history while in town, make sure to head to Castello di Svevo, an old castle perched right near the town's main beach. Only in Italy could you lounge out on a beach chair with a spritz in hand to look up and see a castle.

• I planned to return to work, but childcare costs made it unrealistic.
• Paying $4,000 a month for care didn't make financial sense for our family.
• I built a freelance career instead, but it didn't feel like a real choice.

Before having kids, I always assumed I'd go back to work.

I grew up in a household where both parents worked, so it seemed natural. My early years were spent in the care of relatives or day care. Once I started elementary school, I spent my afternoons in after-school care. But that was the 1980s, and childcare costs constituted around 7% of parental income per child. Now, that number has jumped to 10% for couples, and to 30% for single parents.

Most people don't know the true cost of childcare, and why would they? I certainly had no idea how many thousands of dollars it takes to enroll a child in day care until my husband, Zach, and I began planning a family of our own. And even then, we didn't look at those costs until I was several months into my pregnancy.

Once we understood what we were facing, our plans shifted.

We moved to make it easier for me to stay home

We were living in Charlotte, North Carolina, when we decided to start a family. I worked in nonprofit development, and Zach worked for a homebuilder. We lived comfortably and had even purchased our first home in a family-friendly neighborhood we loved.

Once I became pregnant and we started looking into childcare options, I felt that staying home, at least initially, would be best for our family. Not only were infant childcare costs around $2,000 a month, half my take-home salary at the time, but finding a childcare facility with availability near us was difficult.

Five months into my pregnancy, Zach had a job opportunity that took us back to California. We both had family in the Bay Area, including my parents, so moving to the Central Valley, a short two-hour drive away, seemed like the perfect place to welcome a new baby. It also came with a pay bump, making our plans to stay home more financially comfortable.

Moving across the country meant quitting my job and starting over in a new place where I knew no one. Still, it was a chance I was willing to take. And when the pandemic hit, five months after the birth of our first son, I was thankful to be home with him.

It became financially harder to return to a traditional work environment

After the first year, I began thinking about going back to work, at least part-time. I enjoyed being home with my baby, but I also missed interacting with other adults. But to do that meant finding a job that made childcare costs worth it, which proved more challenging than I thought. And when we decided to try for a second child, it didn't make sense to go back to work only to take leave again a few months later, so I stayed home.

After our second child was born, going back to work felt impossible. Having two non-school-age children meant the costs of care had doubled. Instead of paying $2,000 a month for full-time care, we'd be paying over $4,000 a month, something I couldn't justify. We managed to budget enough for our 3-year-old to attend preschool part-time to get more socialization, but even that cost a little over $1,100.

Aside from the costs of childcare, returning to work full-time meant adding other stresses to our lives. Who would stay home when the kids inevitably got sick? Who would take time off for doctor's appointments or school functions? Taking a new job meant starting over with benefits and PTO accrual. So, once again, I found myself weighing the benefits and deciding to wait until both kids were older and the burden didn't feel so immense.

I stopped waiting for the timing to be perfect and started working on my terms

When my youngest was around 2, I decided to look for remote work. I applied to countless jobs. I even had interviews, but in every case, they amounted to nothing. I constantly felt I had to explain my decision to stay home, as if leaving the workforce meant I couldn't return without apologizing for it. I felt frustrated and dejected that my capabilities seemed to be diminished by my stint at home. So, I built something of my own — a freelance writing career on my terms.

As I continue to care for my youngest, now enrolled part-time in preschool, and find balance in professional pursuits, I think about the cost of care and how many other parents find themselves in the same position I was in. I don't regret my decision to stay home with my boys; I wish it felt like a real choice.

• I recently tried Red Lobster's new Lobsterfest menu, which ends later this month.
• It's one of the chain's longest-running and most popular promotions, celebrating all things lobster.
• I was impressed by my meal, and I'm eager to return to try more of the chain's revamped menu.

Red Lobster is clawing its way back into the spotlight — and after trying its revamped Lobsterfest menu, I'm hooked.

I recently checked out the chain's newest offerings in its Lobsterfest lineup, which typically runs between January and the end of April each year.

While Lobsterfest is nothing new — it's been running for around 40 years — CEO Damola Adamolekun, who took over in 2024, is making some changes at Red Lobster.

The chain is currently in comeback mode, swapping out its infamous Endless Shrimp promotion for more value-focused deals like "Shrimp Your Way" and doubling down on hits like Lobsterfest as part of a leaner, refreshed menu aimed at fueling a 2026 turnaround.

I admittedly haven't been to Red Lobster much in the two years since it filed for bankruptcy. I recently returned for the first time and was so impressed by the experience that I decided to head back for Lobsterfest.

After this latest visit, I was impressed by the chain's newest items, and I'm already planning another return trip to try more of the revamped menu.

I visited Red Lobster's Times Square location to try out the chain's Lobsterfest menu.

Lobsterfest is Red Lobster's annual, limited-time menu event celebrating all things lobster.

A staple at the chain since the 1980s, the promotion features a lineup of lobster-focused dishes, from classic surf-and-turf combos to new items like seafood boils and pasta bakes.

This year's offer finishes at the end of April.

I ordered the new Create-Your-Own Lobster Lover's Dream, which allows diners to mix and match two or three lobster dishes.

Options range from new additions like lobster pasta au gratin and crispy dragon teriyaki lobster to classic picks like Maine or rock lobster tails and lobster-and-shrimp linguini.

The menu also features splashier items, including a surf-and-turf special with a Maine lobster tail and a 6-ounce filet mignon steak ($57.98), and a lobster version of the chain's new seafood boils ($54.99).

The menu also includes longtime Red Lobster staples, like its cheesy lobster dip ($18.99), lobster flatbread ($19.99), and lobster-and-shrimp linguini ($32.99).

The you-pick-two version of the Create-Your-Own Lobster Lover's Dream costs $54.99, while three dishes cost $64.99.

I asked my server which items were the most popular on the Lobsterfest menu, and they said that while the linguini remains a favorite with guests, many people have also been trying the new items, like the fried teriyaki lobster and baked lobster pasta au gratin. I decided to follow their lead.

I ordered a choice of two Lobsterfest items, plus two sides and an added premium side.

My Lobsterfest feast ($54.99) included the lobster pasta au gratin and crispy teriyaki lobster, coleslaw, and fries.

I also added a lobster-topped baked potato to my meal for an additional $8.49, excluding tax.

The lobster pasta au gratin was similar to a baked mac and cheese.

The pasta dish is only available for a limited time during Lobsterfest.

It's made with Maine and langostino lobster tossed with cavatappi pasta in a rich, cheesy lobster sauce, then topped with mozzarella and baked until golden brown.

The pasta was decadently rich without being too heavy.

The lobster pieces were tender and buttery, adding a subtle sweetness that complemented the dish.

Meanwhile, the cheesy sauce was perfectly gooey and indulgent, clinging to each curl of cavatappi and coating every bite in a smooth, savory finish.

The most interesting item I tried was the crispy teriyaki lobster.

The crispy Maine lobster tail was coated in a glossy, sweet-and-spicy teriyaki sauce that struck the perfect balance of savory and bold. It was also served inside a lobster tail, which meant the presentation equally matched the dish's decadent flavor.

Each bite had a satisfying crunch on the outside, giving way to tender, buttery lobster inside.

The sticky, slightly spicy sauce clung to every piece of lobster for a punch of flavor that made it hard to stop eating.

The teriyaki sauce leaned heavily into Asian-inspired flavors — something that isn't exactly commonplace on the Red Lobster menu.

It's the kind of profile that feels intentional under Adamolekun, who previously led P.F. Chang's, a chain known for its punchy, crowd-pleasing sauces and Asian-inspired cuisine.

Serving the teriyaki lobster inside a scooped-out lobster shell elevated the presentation.

It added a bit of visual drama when it hit the table, making it stand out from the rest of the meal.

It also felt like a smart, practical touch — a creative way to reuse parts of the lobster that might otherwise be discarded.

The lobster-filled baked potato was my favorite of all the items I tried.

The baked potato comes topped with Maine and langostino lobster meat and a creamy lobster beurre blanc sauce.

It is available for an additional cost as part of a meal or as a substitute for one of the chain's standard sides.

The baked potato was perfectly tender and buttery.

While the baked potato did cost extra, I thought it was well worth it. The potato practically melted in my mouth, as did the buttery, juicy lobster.

The sauce was slightly cheesy, adding a tangy flavor that brought the dish together.

I thought this item was a strong example of how Red Lobster is elevating its menu by serving rich flavors, high-quality ingredients, and more thoughtfully composed dishes as it tries to reposition itself and win back diners after exiting bankruptcy.

And it appears to be working. When I visited during lunchtime on a Friday afternoon, the dining room was heaving, filled with families, couples, and even a few solo diners.

When I asked one couple sitting close by why they'd chosen Red Lobster for lunch that day, they said because it was "consistent" and felt "slightly fancier compared to the average chain restaurant."

I ordered coleslaw as my first side.

The meal I ordered came with two classic sides, with options like fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, mashed potatoes, and more.

The coleslaw brought a light, citrusy flavor that balanced my otherwise rich meal.

I also tried the chain's seasoned fries.

The fries were crispy and golden brown, tossed in a signature seasoning mix of salt, paprika, dehydrated onion, dehydrated garlic, and other spices.

I was really impressed by my meal and can see why Red Lobster is potentially on the up-and-up.

While the chain has yet to release any numbers confirming its turnaround, anecdotally, I can say Red Lobster seems to be doing a lot of things right when it comes to bringing customers back through the doors.

I thought the food is of better quality than it was two years ago, prices are pretty reasonable — especially given the increased cost of seafood — and the chain appears to be experimenting with new and exciting menu innovation and value-focused initiatives, two facets that are proving successful for other casual-dining chains like Chili's.

The restaurant design and atmosphere have largely stayed the same, but Red Lobster plans to remodel its 545 locations. The renovation is expected to cost upward of $500,000 per restaurant and could take four to five years to complete, The Los Angeles Times reported.

I was also impressed by the serving sizes of all the items I ordered — they were more than enough to split between two people or take home half for leftovers, which I did.

I was thankful for that, especially as the final cost of my meal, including a soft drink, came to $71.27, before tax and tip.

Going out to eat at Red Lobster can cost more than at another casual-dining chain like Chili's or Applebee's, simply because seafood tends to be more expensive. However, I'll still be coming back for more.

• Morningstar recommended a trio of ETFs for investors seeking protection against more volatility.
• Stocks surged after the US-Iran ceasefire, though the deal looks fragile.
• But investors taking a "wait-and-see" approach risk being sidelined when stocks turn higher, the firm said.

Markets remain volatile after the Iran war ceasefire, but investors have a few options as they hunt for safety from more violent swings, according to Morningstar.

The firm pointed to the latest big swing, with US stocks surging after the US announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday. The deal has calmed fears of the worst-case scenario stemming from the Iran war — that higher oil prices could stoke inflation while lowering growth — but a resolution to the war still hangs in the balance, with Iran accusing the US of violating the ceasefire agreement Wednesday evening.

Indeed, oil prices were hovering near $100 again on Thursday after logging their biggest one-day drop since 2020 on Wednesday.

Cash and bonds have traditionally been safe havens, but investors piling into those areas may be sacrificing long-term portfolio growth, Zachary Evens, a passive strategies analyst at the firm, wrote on Thursday.

"As we've seen in recent cycles, a wait-and-see approach can leave you sidelined just when markets roar back," Evens said.

The firm recommended three exchange-traded funds for traders to buy amid the latest market moves. Two of them could be held by investors long term, while the third protects investors from "unexpected inflation," Evens added.

Here are Morningstar's three investment ideas:

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

Ticker: USMV

Morningstar rating: Silver

Year-to-date performance: +0.50%

Thesis: "Most low-volatility ETFs look at each stock independently, resulting in a portfolio of similar companies with shared risks. USMV plays defense at the portfolio level, looking for the optimal set of low-volatility companies based on how they interact with one another," Evens said.

"USMV won't keep up during market rallies, but its steady approach makes it a worthwhile ETF in any market environment," he added.

JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF

Ticker: HELO

Morningstar rating: Bronze

Year-to-date performance: -1.99%

Thesis: The ETF combines stocks with options to "smooth market returns, using a strategy that limits investors' potential losses to around 5% over a 3-month period," Evens said.

"This ETF takes a very different approach than USMV, but it has similarly followed through on its defensive ambitions. Since its inception two and a half years ago, HELO has been 60% as volatile as the S&P 500 while capturing just 61% of the index's downside."

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF

Ticker: VTIP

Morningstar rating: Gold

Year-to-date performance: +1.11%

Thesis: Evens described the ETF as an "ultraconservative index bond" fund composed of inflation-protected securities, which helps protect investors against unexpected inflation spikes.

"Adding short-term TIPS to your portfolio, such as through VTIP, can help your returns keep up with inflation without adding much additional credit or interest rate risk. And should inflation storm back, VTIP could be just what the doctor ordered," Evens said.

• The new CPI report will be published on Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
• The inflation rate is expected to accelerate due to energy prices and the Iran war.
• The war's effects will likely last for months, even after it ends.

A new inflation report is around the corner, likely unveiling the effects of the Iran war on prices, but even if a tentative ceasefire holds, energy prices could stay high for months.

It's likely that inflation surged in March due to energy prices; annual inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, is expected to rise from 2.4% in February to 3.4% in March, the highest rate since 2024.

Gas prices hit a milestone recently; after speeding up throughout March, the national average ended the month at $4.018. AAA said the price surpassed $4 a gallon for the first time in four years. The current average for regular gas is $4.166.

"Even if the prices of gasoline and diesel start to come down after the conflict resolves, the effect on the economy will be more long-lasting," Stephen Kates, a financial analyst at Bankrate, said. "Fuel prices will not fall as quickly as they rose, but they should decline relatively quickly in the months following the end of the conflict," adding that it could take at least six months for inflation to drop back below 3%.

Kates added: "The ripple effects from these events, however, will take longer to play out and will affect the prices of shipped products, manufactured goods, building materials, and consumer products for far longer."

Inflation had been steady at 2.4% in both January and February after cooling down from 2.7% in November and December.

In the short term, energy prices could stay volatile. "The ceasefire had an immediate cooling effect on the spot price of oil, but tensions remain high," Kates said. "Oil will likely swing wildly on rumors throughout the duration of the ceasefire, and there is no guarantee it will lead to a lasting peace."

Stephen Dover, chief market strategist and head of Franklin Templeton Institute at Franklin Templeton, said in a LinkedIn post that the "ceasefire is clearly market-positive because it directly reduces the risk of an oil-driven inflation and growth shock. But given its temporary and conditional nature, it should be treated as a relief rally—not a definitive all-clear."

The exact effects on prices will be dependent on how consumers respond. "If consumers continue to spend despite rising prices, it will exacerbate inflation," Kates said. "Alternatively, if price increases begin to reduce demand as consumers are forced to spend less or substitute lower-cost options, inflation may be more contained."

Changes in consumer behavior could have other effects as well. "Looking at the economy as a whole, the risk is that inflation continues to run at a much higher level, which leads to weaker real income growth and less purchasing power," Stephen Juneau, senior economist in BofA Global Research, said.

It's not just the war that could affect consumer prices; tariffs are still filtering through the economy. "We estimate they are adding about 50-60bp to y/y inflation," Juneau said.

"For now we expect headline inflation to peak in May and June then fall after," Juneau said, adding core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, will likely accelerate through the year. Core inflation is expected to increase from 2.5% in February to 2.7% in March. He said it's too early to "see material pass through to core" just yet. He suggested people keep an eye on delivery services and airfares for signals, though.

Juneau said that headline inflation could slow down in April, which we will learn in May.

Minutes from the March Fed meeting said that Federal Open Market Committee members expected inflation to get closer to the Fed's 2% target by the end of next year, as effects from both higher crude oil prices and tariffs are expected to dwindle later in 2026.