Make
A Plan
Don’t let moving stress you out. Here’s everything you’ll need for a seamless move, expert advice on creating a move-in checklist, how to pack your stuff, and the best things to outfit and organize your new home.
![Piles of cardboard boxes bearing labels like "Bedroom" and "Dishes" sit in an empty, sunny room. In the foreground, a man in a blue tracksuit sits on a stack of pizza boxes, working at a makeshift desk made from milk crates.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/03/moving.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=75&width=1024)
Prepare
Creating a financial and logistical plan before moving will save you money and reduce stress down the line. We’ve collected our best, expert-backed advice for what to do—and what to avoid.
![Young couple packing and checking stuff by using checklist before moving to new residence.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/02/movingchecklist-2048px-istock-1092549906-2x1-1.jpeg?auto=webp&quality=75&crop=3:2&width=677)
The Ultimate Moving Checklist
by Dorie Chevlen and Kit Dillon
Our expert-backed moving checklist has all the tips and advice you need to make moving less stressful.
Before you move
![People carrying a coffee table near a moving truck.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/03/movinglessmiserable-2048px-movingtruck.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
Most Moving Hacks You See Online Are Terrible. Here’s What to Do Instead.
by Rose Maura Lorre
Most of the quirky moving hacks you see on TikTok aren’t worth the trouble (we’re looking at you, knives-in-oven-mitts). Here’s why and what to do instead.
![A stock photo of a person working on their taxes using a calculator and their laptop.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/02/budgetingforamove-2048px-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
Moving is Wildly Expensive. These 8 Tips Will Help.
by Paulette Perhach
Moving requires a shockingly large outlay of resources in both time and money. Here’s how to set a realistic budget—and stick to it.
The Best Supplies and Packing Advice for Making Moving Less Miserable
Here's everything we recommend. Read the review
Move
Between packing up, schlepping your stuff, unpacking, deep cleaning, and even painting walls or buying appliances, moving can take weeks. Here’s how to make the process smoother.
![Two people lifting a dresser into a moving van.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/03/movinghacks-2048px-8475-2x1-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=75&crop=3:2&width=677)
4 Easy Tips for Packing a Moving Truck Like a Pro
by Rose Maura Lorre
Wirecutter’s resident relocation expert talks you through the toughest part of a DIY move: loading up the truck. But have no fear! It’s a lot like playing Tetris.
Must-haves for the move
![A TP-Link Archer A8 router sitting on a beige background.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/03/reliable-wifi-gear-2048px-4648-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
The Gear to Get Reliable Wi-Fi in Any Home
by Ivy Liscomb
We've spent hundreds of hours testing dozens of routers, mesh kits, and extenders to find the best gear to get strong Wi-Fi throughout your home.
![A toilet brush cleaner, a hand broom and dust pan and a robotic vacuum cleaner](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/06/cleaningpicks-2048px-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
90(ish) Wirecutter Picks to Clean Just About Anything
by Wirecutter Staff
These are 90(ish) of our favorite Wirecutter picks to help you tackle a deep clean of your home.
![](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/paint-a-room-3x2.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
Everything You Need to Paint a Room
by Harry Sawyers
Good paint tools make your work look better with less effort—here's what it takes to improve what you can do.
![A stack of boxes and miscellaneous household items ready for moving.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/02/afteryoumove-2048px-iStock-1209930579-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
Essentials to Help You Conquer the First Week After Your Move
by Dorie Chevlen
Avoid scrambling for essentials after a big move and set these items aside for a painless transition into your new home.
![A close-up of the Anvil Homeowner's Tool Set, our pick for best basic home toolkit.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/basic-toolkit-lowres-0090.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
Essential Tools for Basic Home Repair
by Doug Mahoney
Our favorite things for building your own toolkit for minor home repairs.
The Fire Extinguisher, Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Detector, and Other Safety Essentials You Need in Your Home
Here's everything we recommend. Read the review
Big-ticket appliances
Surprising things you should clean
![A close-up of white bathroom tiles in a corner that are grimy and stained, especially in between the tiles.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2021/09/cleaneverything-tilegrout-2048px-486600012-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
How to Clean Bathroom Tile and Grout
by James Austin and Ellen Airhart
Once you identify the type of tile and grout stain you’re dealing with, you can be more effective and targeted while cleaning.
![An array of cleaning products for cleaning an oven.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2022/09/clean-everything-oven-2048px-2053-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
How to Clean an Oven
by Rachel Wharton
We tapped experts to help us refine an approach to cleaning ovens that reduces labor and eliminates the use of harsh chemicals.
![A clean and shiny stainless steel showerhead, that is installed in a bathroom and turned on.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2022/02/showerheads-2048px-1682-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
How to Clean a Showerhead
by Joshua Lyon
If your showerhead isn’t working as well as it used to, it’s probably time for a cleaning. There are some crucial dos and don’ts to know along the way.
![A shallow basin with cleaning supplies including cloths, vinegar and washing machine cleaner tablets.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/02/clean-everything-washing-machine-2048px-7016-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
How to Deep-Clean Your Front-Loading Washing Machine
by Andrea Barnes
A deep clean of your front-loading washing machine will keep it running and smelling fresh.
![Close-up of a person using a sponge to clean the top rack of a dishwasher.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2022/09/clean-everything-dishwasher-2048px-2310-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
How to Clean a Dishwasher of Mold and Other Suspicious Stains
by Ellen Airhart
Got mold on your dishwasher? We discovered that it might not technically be mold after all, but it’s still important to clean off. Here’s how.
![Caulk, paper towels, ant traps, and cleaning solution used to get rid of ants and bugs.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2021/07/cleaneverything-pests-2048px-1698-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
How to Get Rid of Ants, Mice, and Other Pests
by Doug Mahoney
With basic cleaning products, traps, and a dab of peanut butter, you can conquer the pests invading your home.
Settle in
We’ve tested gear for every room in your home so you can avoid overthinking your purchases and prevent buyer’s remorse.
![The eames coat rack with bags, hats and coats on it.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/coat-racks-top-2x1-lowres1024-8492.jpg?auto=webp&quality=75&crop=3:2&width=677)
Coat Racks to Declutter Your Entryway
by Alex Arpaia
After rigorous testing, we found six wall-mounted coat racks and two freestanding racks that impressed us with their functionality and style.
Gear for every room
Browse by category
![Four chairs we recomend, clustered close together on a green rug.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2020/09/officechairs-2048px-9607.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
The Best Office Chairs
by Melanie Pinola and Kaitlyn Wells
The impressively supportive, adjustable, and durable Steelcase Gesture is still our pick for the best office chair for most people, as it has been since 2015.
![A person wearing black boots, shirt, and leggings sits at the edge of the WinkBed innerspring mattress. A light wood nightstand and bookshelf are visible at the edges of the image.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/best-mattress-2020-lowres-09221.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
The Best Mattresses for 2024
by Joanne Chen and Caira Blackwell
The perfect mattress is highly individual. We’ve researched and tested dozens of mattresses, in a range of prices, to help you find your best night’s sleep.
![A TP-Link Archer A8 router sitting on a beige background.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2024/03/reliable-wifi-gear-2048px-4648-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
The Gear to Get Reliable Wi-Fi in Any Home
by Ivy Liscomb
We've spent hundreds of hours testing dozens of routers, mesh kits, and extenders to find the best gear to get strong Wi-Fi throughout your home.
![A few shower curtains in different patterns and textures hanging from a shower rod.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2023/06/showercurtains-2048px-00988-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
The Best Shower Curtains
by Claire Perlman
After testing dozens of shower curtains, from classic neutrals to neon vinyls, we share our favorite options to help embellish any bathroom.
![The GE Profile PVD28BYNFS French-door refrigerator, shown in stainless steel with its doors open.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2021/09/refrigerators-2048px-ge-PVD28BYNFS.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
The Best Refrigerators
by Liam McCabe
We surveyed 5,000+ readers and analyzed 28,000+ customer reviews and found that among the major brands, LG fridges tend to make their owners the happiest.
![Four of our top pick bath towels, from Frontgate, Riley, Fieldcrest, and the Onsen Bath Towel.](https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/media/2021/08/bath-towels-2048px-0085-3x2-1.jpg?auto=webp&quality=60&width=570)
The Best Bath Towel
by Jackie Reeve
We’ve researched hundreds of towels and tested dozens, and the Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel is the softest, warmest, and most durable towel we’ve found.
Coat Racks to Declutter Your Entryway
Here's everything we recommend. Read the review