Entertaining

There’s more to a kitchen than just cooking. Smart lighting lets you adjust and optimize the lights for cooking, entertaining, cleanup, and breakfast the next day.

To keep your grill in working order, take time to do some simple cleaning tasks, as well as the occasional deep scrub-down, every time you cook.

We’ve tested eight grills since 2017. The Weber Spirit II E-310 is our top pick for its durability, ease of use, and great value.

Here’s a selection of our favorite gear to help turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis, including our go-to string lights, fire pits, patio gear and more.

After four years of testing and 115 hours of research, we’ve found that Royal Oak Ridge Briquets are the best charcoal for your grill.

The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22″ has been our pick since 2017. It’s solidly constructed and easy to control, offering great value.

We researched and tested to find the best-looking and best-sounding home theater equipment that will take your personal setup from functional to fantastic.

We spent 50 hours researching what makes good patio furniture. To find the ideal dining sets and outdoor lounge furniture for your backyard, we tested dozens.

Create a bug-free bubble outdoors with these spatial insect repellents.

This guide will help you plan out the purchase for the hot tub of your dreams.

The UE Wonderboom 3 is the all-around best portable Bluetooth speaker because it sounds good and looks cool, and it’s the most rugged model we’ve tested.

When you’re staying in with Netflix, these cheap(ish) Wirecutter picks can turn a movie night on the couch into a super-cozy cinematic experience.

Ditch your air mattress for an affordable, tri-fold foam mattress that overnight guests will adore (and thank you for).

The OSD Audio AP650 is the best all-around choice in a passive outdoor speaker because it sounds great and has a rugged, sealed design with a versatile mount.

Make the most of your chill time at home with Wirecutter-approved games, Lego sets, puzzles, and more—for kids and grown-ups.

From outdoor lounge chairs to musical instruments to puzzles to plants, these are the things we rely on to help us relax.

This edition of the Ask Wirecutter advice column is on having a fun at-home New Year’s Eve party.

The AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-SSxxx packs 48,000 BTUs of heating power for cool-weather outdoor socializing.

There’s a small learning curve with the Solo Stove Bonfire fire pit, but once you know how to use it, it facilitates a beautiful backyard hangout.

A great Thanksgiving guest helps solve a host’s quandaries before they arise. Here are three simple things you can bring from home to do just that.

Stress less and make guests feel at home by stocking up on these cheap(ish) essentials and nice-to-haves before they arrive for an overnight stay.

Throwing a dinner party in a small living space isn’t easy, but these Wirecutter picks can help you maximize space and minimize headaches.

Transforming a communal area into a comfortable, peaceful escape for your visitors is easy as long as you have the right stuff.

On a chilly evening, we like to cluster around the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 (for smaller yards) or the Tiki Fire Pit (for larger yards).

Here’s everything you need to host a dinner party with confidence and ease.

Sure, electric carving knives work faster than regular carving knives. But they aren’t always the most efficient option.

Our favorite folding chair, the HDX Plastic Folding Chair, is affordable, durable, and feels more comfortable for long sits than any other chair we tried.

Outdoor lighting enhances home security. Smart lighting makes it versatile and attractive. Here are our picks for smart bulbs, path lights, and fixtures.

All the gear you’ll need for a successful tailgate this football season, according to a seasoned tailgater.

What’s the best way to watch TV at a tailgate? Our in-house experts have some suggestions.

Up your backyard hosting game with these eight reliable, mostly reusable and cheap(ish) Wirecutter-approved picks.

We looked high and low for fun birthday party favors—including good-quality trinkets and special standalone items—that aren’t bound straight for the trash.

After setting up and breaking down nine folding tables, we’d choose the sturdy and compact Office Star Resin Multipurpose Table for extra table space.

After testing more than 90 tools from spatulas to tongs to grill gloves and more, we have recommendations for everything you need to have an amazing barbecue.

Skip the cinema this summer and enjoy a movie night in your backyard.

We interviewed four Airbnb Superhosts and over a dozen frequent rental guests to determine the top items to invest in for an overnight rental.