“If you don’t already have a toddler bed, moving right to a twin bed will help you avoid spending extra or having more transitions,” says pediatrician Dr. Katy Gibson. “Twin beds can even last until adulthood.” Keeping Dr. Gibson’s advice in mind, we researched and tested some of the top twin mattresses on the market, assessing them on firmness, material, thickness, and overall quality. Our top pick is the Casper Original Mattress, an exceptionally comfortable bed-in-a-box boasting a perfect balance of cushioning and support....

“When deciding which mop to invest in, there are several features to look for that will ensure you are happy with the performance and benefits for years to come,” says Noell Jett, the creator of Jett Set Farmhouse and author of From the Ground Up. “While individual preference can play a role in which qualities are most important to you, some are universally applicable.” Jett says to consider finding a mop that is lightweight, so it’s easy to transport between rooms and floors....

We researched the top STEM toys for girls, considering the educational value, ease of assembly, and challenging factors of each. Our top picks include the LEGO Women of NASA and the ever popular Snap Circuits Junior Exploration Kit for budding engineers. Here, the best STEM toys and gifts for girls of all ages. STEM toys are great for all children, regardless of gender. “Girls and boys both love STEM,” says Chuck English, Virginia STEM Coordinator at the Science Museum of Virginia....

Our top picks include the Kids’ First Chemistry Set from Thames & Kosmos, 4M’s Bubble Science, Snap Circuits Jr.’s Electronics Discovery Kit and the Interactive Human Body from Be Amazing! Toys. Ahead, find the best science toys to foster science curiosity in kids of all ages. Price at time of publish: $130 Price at time of publish: $37 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $17 Also included is a 48-page, full-color manual to guide experimentation with clear step-by-step instructions and further reading to contextualize the experiments in easy-to-understand terms....

We spent hours researching products from well-respected brands that appeal to a range of needs. Our favorites include the Royal Craft Wood Bathtub Caddy for a little luxury at home and a cute Digital Planner to help mom stay organized. Here are the best gifts for the busy mom. Made from water-resistant, anti-microbial bamboo, the caddy fits most bathtubs and extends to 43-inches across. It features two convenient detachable trays and the bottom has silicone grips to keep it firmly in place....

We’ve performed hours of research to only recommend products you’ll use over and over this winter, considering the recommended age, material, intended use, and weight capacity of each pick. Our favorites include a durable snow tube from Big Mouth, a wintery chemistry set from Crayola, and a light-up scooter from Geospace designed for the snow. Here, the best snow toys for a fun-filled winter. Price at time of publish: $13....

While there can’t be a best overall gift for all couples, we especially liked the MASTERSCreative Faceless Custom Portrait, as it offers a unique and personal sentiment that will stay with the couple forever. Here are the best wedding gifts on the market. It’s up to you to decide the background color, and you can opt for either a digital or physical print, available in three sizes. If you want to include more than just the couple, you can request up to 15 characters in the illustration (just note that the price goes up with each addition) and opt for either a physical or digital print....

We researched brands that offer Hanukkah-themed gifts, those that have a connection to lights, and gifts that are just downright tasty. Our list includes a menorah set from West Elm, hand-blown wine glasses from Estelle Colored Glass, and more. Here are the best Hanukkah gifts. Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $68 Price at time of publish: $70+ Price at time of publish: $9 Price at time of publish: $170 Price at time of publish: $150 Price at time of publish: $13+ Price at time of publish: $36 Price at time of publish: $23 Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $7 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $85 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $16 Price at time of publish: $100 Price at time of publish: $29 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $46 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $15+ Price at time of publish: $12 Price at time of publish: $165 Price at time of publish: $6 Price at time of publish: $6...

We researched the best retirement gifts available, considering factors like gifting value, practicality, and whether or not the item was appropriate for the work setting. Our favorite pick is the Parachute Cloud Cotton Robe. The luxuriously soft robe is absorbent, stylish, and perfect for any recipient. Here are the best retirement gifts. Price at time of publish: $80 Price at time of publish: $29 per month Price at time of publish: $299 Price at time of publish: $48 Price at time of publish: $80 Price at time of publish: $171 Price at time of publish: $140 Price at time of publish: $150 Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $55 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $215 Reviewers love the fit of the robe and how it is thick and warm while still feeling breezy, making this a go-to option for every season....

“They’re also constantly curious and are interested in trying new activities that’ll allow a feeling of mastery and success,” says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a New York City-based neuropsychologist, school psychologist, and director of Comprehend the Mind. While toys that can help them improve their language and communication skills are especially great, Dr. Hafeez also recommends doing at-home science experiments, building something together, and playing brain games, like puzzles, which can “improve their memory, attention, and cognitive thinking....

Our top pick, the Sawyer Products Picaridin Continuous Spray Insect Repellent, is long-lasting, odor-free, and budget-friendly. Here are the best bug repellants. If you’re looking for an insect repellent that uses CDC-recommended ingredients, reach for a can of Sawyer Insect Repellent. It contains 20 percent picaridin, a compound recommend by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to repel all types of insects, including gnats, mosquitos, chiggers, ticks, and flies, for as long as 12 hours....

With that in mind, we researched dozens of bulbs, weighing their brightness, color rendering index (CRI) rating, longevity, and energy efficiency. Our top pick is the GE LED Reveal Light Bulb since it produces a light that mimics natural daylight and saves energy. Here are the best light bulbs for bathrooms. The GE LED Reveal Light Bulb offers you everything you could want in bathroom lighting. It brings you clear, white light that emulates natural daylight and has a CRI score of 90 or more for great color contrast without any yellow overtones....

To help you choose, we tested 10 mattress toppers from a variety of brands in The Lab for 16 hours to sort out the winners—testing the set-up process, overall comfort, and airflow. For additional insight, we tested to see whether we could feel hard objects placed underneath the surface (simulating a lumpy mattress), as well as how warm the material got when someone was laying on it. After extensive research and testing, the clear winner was the Saatva Mattress Topper....

We researched the best herb garden kits, evaluating products based on their size, capacity, placement, and special features. Our best overall pick, the iDOO Hydroponics Growing System, has automatic water and lighting systems and can hold up to 12 plants. Here are the best herb garden kits on the market. The three-step germination kit makes this unit very easy to set up (although it’s important to note that seeds are not included)....

One of the main choices you’ll have to make when buying a lock is your preferred unlocking mechanism. There are many traditional keyed locks, as well as combination locks that use both numbers and letters. You can even find high-tech locks that unlock via your fingerprint or Bluetooth on your phone—though these are more expensive. No matter what you need to secure, here are the best locks for the job....

An effective method to avoid mosquitoes on or around your property includes cleaning out gutters that hold debris or leaves, in addition to dumping stagnant water sources such as bird baths, kid toys, and pool covers,” says Cindy Mannes, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the National Pest Control Association, whom we consulted with for this article. After talking with Mannes, we reviewed mosquito traps from indoor to outdoor, based on their effectiveness, coverage, and cost....

Another positive of artificial trees—they can be used year after year and even beyond the holiday season. “You can use the tree for multiple seasons, not just Christmas,” says Michelle Essix, owner and executive designer at home decor company SwayM.E. Vegas. “I had one for Halloween, Easter, and Valentine’s.” We purchased 24 fake Christmas trees and tested them in The Lab for a full day, evaluating ease of setup and storage, appearance, sturdiness, and lighting quality....

We’ve spent hours searching for the best powder room vanities available online, assessing quality, style, ease of installation, and overall value. Our top pick, the Joss & Main Knighten 24-inch Single Bathroom Vanity Set, has a pre-installed ceramic sink and a double-door cabinet and comes in four color options. Here are the best powder room vanities. Joss & Main’s Knighten Vanity Set is hard to beat. Made of durable fiberboard in your choice of gray, dark brown, white, or dark blue, this fully assembled, free-standing vanity has a chic yet understated appearance....

Here are 9 types of trees that work well for landscaping around a swimming pool. Leaf drop: Make sure the tree you choose has minimal leaf drop and it is not messy. You will not want to clean seed pots, fruit, dead flowers, leaves, and other plant and tree debris from your pool filter. Root system: Does the tree have a shallow root system? Roots can get into plumbing and cause concrete to crack....

We spent hours researching the top wrench sets available online, making sure to include a wide range of wrench types and brands. For each set, we assessed size range, durability, and value. Our favorite, the TEKTON 30-Piece Combination Wrench Set, includes just about any metric or standard-size wrench you might need, all made of strong chrome-vanadium steel. Here are the wrench sets for every type of project. These strong wrenches are durable enough to stand up even to tough tasks without bending, cracking, or slipping....