Wirecutter
Skip To Content
Wirecutter

The Answer

Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. Let us help you.

a Logitech webcam on the edge of a monitor
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Wirecutter’s 5 Most Popular Picks in March 2020

As a frightening pandemic continues to sweep the globe, and millions of people the world over have health and safety on their minds, it’s no surprise that Wirecutter’s most-purchased picks in March were our top-pick thermometers. In fact, thermometers are so in demand these days that all of our recommended ones are widely out of stock (readers purchased more than 15,000 in March). But if you still need one and can’t buy a top-rated traditional thermometer—or any type, for that matter—don’t worry. You have options.

Other COVID-19–related picks were also popular last month, from respirator masks (for folks trying to avoid spreading germs) to bidets (for those running low on toilet paper). For more advice on life in this new age of the coronavirus, see all of our coronavirus coverage here.

At Wirecutter, the majority of our staffers were already working from home before companies and states across the US started issuing mandates to do so. But as millions of people made the swift transition to working from home, office chairs, monitors, standing desks, webcams, and laptop stands all zoomed onto Wirecutter’s top 20 list in March.

Also popular last month: adjustable dumbbells and resistance bands for at-home exercise, nonstick pans, and portable solar battery chargers.

These are the top picks our readers purchased in March:

1. iProven DMT-489 Thermometer

A close up of our pick for best forehead and ear thermometer.
Photo: Michael Hession

Although adults may appreciate the speed of ear and forehead thermometers, where these devices really shine is when you’re taking a kid’s temperature. The iProven DMT-489 switches easily from forehead to ear functionality and features an easy-to-read, color-coded display that takes the guesswork out of classifying a fever.

Read more:
The Best Thermometer for Kids and Adults
What to Do If You Can’t Buy a Top-Rated Thermometer Right Now

2. Vicks ComfortFlex Thermometer

Vicks thermometer
Photo: Michael Hession

The Vicks ComfortFlex was faster than any other thermometer in its class. The clear, backlit display is larger than those on competitors, and it delivers easy-to-read measurements. The fever alarm—which lights up the display in green, yellow, or red, depending on the temperature reading—is a straightforward guide for anyone unsure of what qualifies as a fever.

Read more:
The Best Thermometer for Kids and Adults
What to Do If You Can’t Buy a Top-Rated Thermometer Right Now

3. Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam

a Logitech webcam on a desk.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

The Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam is the best option for most people who need a standalone webcam, thanks to its superb image quality, ease of setup, and helpful (but optional) software. Its video—1080p at 30 frames per second—was crisp and clear in our testing, and the autofocus and auto white balance features worked better than those of any of the other webcams we tested.

Read more:
The Best Webcams
The Tools to Ace Every Video Meeting

4. Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier

Coway air purifier on a rug, between a plant and a chair.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

After a fifth round of testing, encompassing 32 different air purifiers and more than 400 hours of lab and real-world trials, the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty remains our pick as the best air purifier for most people. It has kept its spot for so long for many reasons. In raw performance, it stands among the best purifiers we’ve ever tested, achieving as much as 98.9 percent removal of airborne particulates in just 30 minutes in our latest test.

Read more:
The Best Air Purifier
Can HEPA Air Purifiers Capture the Coronavirus? Yes and No.

5. Honeywell HCM-350 Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier

Honeywell HCM-350 Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier
Photo: Michael Hession

Since 2015, the Honeywell HCM-350 Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier has consistently delivered rapid, impressive humidification results. But equally (or perhaps more) important: The HCM-350 is affordable, simple to use, and extremely easy to live with.

Read more: The Best Humidifier

Rounding out the top 20:

Mentioned above

Edit