The Archive
All Top Picks
Every five-pick list we have published, organized by category. The full chronological run is at the issues archive.
Apps & Software 4 issues
Top 5 Calorie Tracking Apps in 2026
Five calorie tracking apps worth installing in 2026, ranked. PlateLens at the top on independent accuracy data; MyFitnessPal, Cronometer, MacroFactor, and Lose It! defended where they belong.
Top 5 AI Writing Tools in 2026
Five AI writing tools worth installing in 2026, with Claude at the top and a defended argument for the four below it. Long-context first, marketing-first never.
Top 5 Note-Taking Apps in 2026
Five note-taking apps worth committing to in 2026, with Obsidian at the top and a defended argument for the four below it. Local-first when it matters, sync-first when it doesn't.
Top 5 Budgeting Apps in 2026
Five budgeting apps worth committing to in 2026, with Copilot Money at the top. Built for the post-Mint era, ranked on the work that budgeting actually requires.
Books & Culture 2 issues
Top 5 Literary Fiction Picks of 2026
Five literary novels from 2025-2026 worth committing to, with The Bittern Hour at the top. Books that survive a second reading.
Top 5 Business Books of 2026
Five business books from 2025-2026 worth reading, with The Slow Build at the top. Books that earn their thesis rather than declaring it.
Travel & Carry 2 issues
Top 5 Carry-On Luggage Picks for 2026
Five carry-on luggage picks for 2026, with the Away The Carry-On at the top. Tested across long-distance multi-leg travel, ranked on the durability and design that matter.
Top 5 Travel Adapters
Five travel adapters worth carrying in 2026, with the OneAdaptr OneWorld65 at the top. Tested for actual hotel-room use across multiple continents.
Audio 1 issue
Top 5 Podcasts for Engineers
Five podcasts worth subscribing to for working engineers, with Software Engineering Daily at the top. Edited audio, real expertise, no ad-monetized listicle content.
Kitchen & Coffee 3 issues
Top 5 Home Espresso Machines
Five home espresso machines worth committing to in 2026, with the Breville Bambino Plus at the top. Defended where they belong against the temptation to spend more.
Top 5 Cast Iron Skillets
Five cast iron skillets worth owning, with the Lodge 12-inch at the top. Tested for two months in a working home kitchen against the seasoning, sear, and weight criteria that matter.
Top 5 Chef Knives Under $200
Five chef knives under $200 worth committing to, with the Mac Mighty MTH-80 at the top. Tested against the cuts a working home cook actually makes.
Home Office 1 issue
Top 5 Home Office Chairs
Five home office chairs for 2026, with the Herman Miller Aeron at the top. Tested across full working weeks, ranked on the long-term comfort and durability that matter.