Kristie Pryor

If you have ever pulled a glass out of the dishwasher only to find it covered in spots, you already know why I started testing water softeners. After watching my water heater die eight years early and replacing two washing machine valves, I decided it was time. Our team spent three months installing, measuring, and … Read more

I learned the hard way why you should never trust stream water without treatment. On a 14-mile hike in the Sierras, I drank from a “crystal clear” spring and spent the next two days with stomach cramps that I would not wish on my worst enemy. After that trip, I started carrying water purification tablets … Read more

If you have ever stood under a shower that dribbles instead of pours, you already know how frustrating low water pressure can be. After testing eight different booster pumps in real homes over the past several months, I can tell you that the right pump turns weak municipal flow into a steady, satisfying stream across … Read more

After two winters of testing heat pumps across three climate zones, our team learned that picking the best whole house heat pumps for is less about brand hype and more about matching capacity, efficiency ratings, and installer quality to your home. We pulled eight top-rated models, watched how they handled real temperature swings from 5F … Read more

I tested these smart pet doors for months with my dogs and a neighbor’s cats to find which ones actually deliver on the promise of pet freedom without sacrificing home security. After 90 days of side-by-side testing and analyzing over 30,000 customer reviews, I’ve narrowed down the best smart pet doors available today. Smart pet … Read more

I started growing herbs on my kitchen counter three years ago, and I’ve never bought a clamshell of basil since. If you’ve been thinking about getting into indoor gardening, the best AeroGarden hydroponic systems make it almost effortless. I’ve spent the last six months testing eight current AeroGarden models side by side in my kitchen, … Read more

I still remember the first time I bought a clamshell of fresh basil from the grocery store, used two leaves, and watched the rest turn black in my fridge within four days. That tiny frustration is exactly what the best indoor herb garden kits solve, and once I started testing them in my own kitchen, … Read more

I have spent more time than I would like to admit staring at my face under bad lighting, wondering why my foundation looked flawless at home and clown-like at brunch. That is the moment every makeup lover eventually meets the best lighted makeup mirrors. They turn guessing into seeing. After testing eight of the most … Read more

A bedside table lamp quietly does more work than almost anything else on your nightstand. It is the reading light at 11 p.m., the soft glow that lets you find your water glass, and the only thing standing between you and a partner jolted awake by a flick of the overhead. I have spent the … Read more

Finding the best wire wrapping tool sets can transform your jewelry making from frustrating to genuinely enjoyable. I spent the last three months testing eight popular kits side by side, working with everything from 28-gauge copper to 18-gauge sterling, wrapping cabochons, making ear wires, and building chainmaille links. Some sets felt solid in my hands … Read more