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.
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.
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
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.
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
Deal
Sharpie Permanent Markers
$10$7 from Amazon
(pack of 12)
$11 from Walmart
3M High Strength Small Hole Repair All in One Applicator Tool
$10 from Walmart
$7 from Lowe's
$12 from Amazon
Belador Extra-Thick Queen Mattress Bag with Handles
$19 from Amazon
BungoBox
Buy from BungoBox
Cheap Cheap Moving Blankets
$150 from Amazon
$13 from Amazon
$23 from Walmart
HaulPro Heavy Duty Hand Truck
$190 from Amazon
Home Depot HDX Tough Storage Tote
$10 from Home Depot
Husky Contractor Clean-Up Bags
$20 from Amazon
Buy from Home Depot
Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade Storage
$15 from Home Depot
$18 from Ace Hardware
Scotch General Purpose Masking Tape
$5 from Amazon
Buy from Home Depot
Scotch Long Lasting Storage Packaging Tape
$17 from Amazon
$17 from Lowe's
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.
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
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.
by Wirecutter Staff
These are 90(ish) of our favorite Wirecutter picks to help you tackle a deep clean of your home.
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.
by Dorie Chevlen
Avoid scrambling for essentials after a big move and set these items aside for a painless transition into your new home.
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
Deal
Top pick
Eufy Indoor Cam C120
The best indoor security camera for daily use
$38$28 from Amazon
You save $10 (26%)
$43 from Walmart
Deal
Top pick
Ring Alarm (2nd Generation)
If you don’t need a built-in Wi-Fi router
$200$120 from Amazon
(five-piece kit)
$200$120 from Home Depot
(five-piece kit)
$200$120 from Best Buy
(five-piece kit)
$300$198 from Amazon (14-piece kit)
You save $102 (34%)
$300$198 from Ring (14-piece kit)
You save $102 (34%)
Deal
Top pick
ThruNite Archer 2A V3
The best flashlight
$30$23 from Amazon
You save $7 (23%)
Top pick
AirNow
Accurate, local, free of charge air monitoring
$86 from Apple App Store
Buy from Google Play
Buy from AirNow
Top pick
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
The best headlamp
$50 from REI
$50 from Amazon
$50 from Dick's Sporting Goods
Top pick
D-Link DCH-S1621KT Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi Water Leak Sensor Kit
The best smart water-leak sensor
$60 from Amazon
$60 from Walmart
Top pick
First Alert PRO5
A fine extinguisher
$43 from Amazon
$59 from Walmart
Buy from Lowe's
Top pick
First Alert SCO501CN-3ST Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice Location
A battery-powered combo smoke alarm
Buy from Amazon
$48 from Walmart
Top pick
Kidde AccessPoint KeySafe
The best lockbox
$45 from Amazon
Top pick
Nordic Pure MERV 12
The filter we would get
$54 from Amazon
$42 from Walmart
$29 from Home Depot
Top pick
Radians MR0111ID Mirage
Comfort, strength, protection, and an unbeatable price
$16 from Amazon
Top pick
Ring Alarm Pro
The best DIY security system
$300 from Amazon
$300 from Home Depot
$300 from Best Buy
Big-ticket appliances
- The Best Refrigeratorsby Rachel Wharton
- The Best Dishwashersby Andrea Barnes
- The Best Electric Stoves and Rangesby Rachel Wharton
- The Best Slide-In Electric Rangesby Tyler Wells Lynch
- The Best Gas Stoves and Rangesby Rachel Wharton
- The Best Wall Ovensby Sharon Franke
Surprising things you should clean
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.
by Doug Mahoney
With basic cleaning products, traps, and a dab of peanut butter, you can conquer the pests invading your home.
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.
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.
by Andrea Barnes
A deep clean of your front-loading washing machine will keep it running and smelling fresh.
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.
Settle in
We’ve tested gear for every room in your home so you can avoid overthinking your purchases and prevent buyer’s remorse.
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
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.
by Dorie Chevlen
A good bath mat can keep you from slipping and add pizzazz to your bathroom. These seven durable, comfortable options will work for a variety of styles.
by Katie Okamoto, Gregory Han, and Abigail Stone
In this guide we walk you through what to look for before buying a sofa online and the best furniture companies to shop from.
by Jackie Reeve
We tested dozens of rugs and found several different styles to suit a variety of price ranges and preferences.
by Wirecutter Staff
Whether you’re escaping the cold or embracing it, our favorite throws, slippers, space heaters, and more will keep you toasty until spring.
by Wirecutter Staff
Your bathroom deserves to be the best room in your house—and with these under-$50 towels, tub trays, bidets, and more, you can make it happen on the cheap.
Coat Racks to Declutter Your Entryway
Here's everything we recommend. Read the review
Top pick
Eames Hang-It-All
Iconic design
$245 from Design Within Reach
Buy from 2Modern
Top pick
Modway Gumball Mid-Century Wall-Mounted Coat Rack
An Eames imitation
$40 from Amazon
$52 from Home Depot
$49 from Wayfair
Top pick
Rejuvenation Brendon Farrell 6-Fin Hook Rack
Mid-century meets modern
$155 from Rejuvenation
Top pick
Best for bulky items
Top pick
Schoolhouse Mollie Hook
Compact and multitasking
$70 from Schoolhouse
Top pick
The Container Store Maple Shaker Peg Rack
An affordable wood rack
$15 from The Container Store
Top pick
Umbra Flapper Standing Coat Rack
A tall, sturdy coat tree
Buy from Amazon
$198 from Home Depot
$214 from Walmart
Top pick
Yamazaki Plain Coat Hanger
A compact coat tree
$108 from Amazon
$108 from Wayfair
$108 from Nordstrom
Make your place more efficient
- How to Weatherize Your Homeby Tim Heffernan
- The Best LED Light Bulbby Thom Dunn and Anna Perling
- How to Save Money and Energy With Smart Home Devicesby Rachel Cericola
- The Furnace and Air Conditioner Filters We Would Buyby Tim Heffernan
- How to Shop for a Ceiling Fanby Harry Sawyers
- A Heat Pump Might Be Right for Your Home. Here’s Everything to Know.by Thom Dunn
- How to Pick a Solar Panel and Battery Backup Systemby Tim Heffernan
- Everything I Did to Flood-Proof My Old Houseby Sabine Heinlein
- The Best Power Outage Tools and Suppliesby Erica Ogg
