By Katie Okamoto and Daniela Gorny
Across cultures and different groups of people, coziness remains a universal concept. The need to feel cozy is as much about emotion as it is about physical comfort, and though the idea of coziness varies from person to person, it’s something that seems innately human and shared.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTSo maybe, like editor Katie Okamoto, your idea of cozy is a steaming bowl of ramen and a movie night. Or maybe you need 2,000 vintage Scandinavian wooden trolls stuffed into every nook and cranny of your home, like you’d find at the family cabin of editor Signe Brewster (Wirecutter’s resident Minnesotan and Northwoods hygge expert). These vetted and tested recommendations from Wirecutter staffers are sure to turn a cold, dark mood into one that’s warm and fuzzy. At least one thing will meet your needs for coziness—with or without the trolls.
Warming spices
Diaspora Co. Bestseller Masala Dabba & Katoris ($285 at the time of publication)
Diaspora Co. Build Your Own Spice Shelf (from $65 for six jars at the time of publication)
Burlap & Barrel Fundamentals Collection (about $55 for six jars at the time of publication)
Consider turning up the heat in your hot chocolates and stews with fragrant, direct-trade spices from Diaspora Co., which we recommend in our gift-basket guide. “Even a lazily brewed cup of basic black tea steeped with a couple cloves of Diaspora Co.’s Baraka Cardamom and a sprinkle of Burlap & Barrel’s Vietnamese Royal Cinnamon is enough to make the day seem more autumnal,” says Katie. Diaspora Co. also sells a gorgeous hand-spun brass Masala Dabba (pictured above) filled with the company’s seven most popular spices, which would make a great gift. Another good spice source is Burlap & Barrel; Chef Sohla El-Waylly buys its cured sumac by the pound. Katie says, “I also love Burlap & Barrel’s lightly smoky Cobanero Chili Flakes for pretty much everything when I want to feel warm.” Supervising editor Daniela Gorny is also a fan. For the spice-obsessed, she recommends a subscription to Burlap & Barrel’s Spice Club, which ensures fresh seasonings for all your pies, soups, stews, and braises.
Time for tea
Harney & Sons Best Sellers - 20 Count Sachets ($35 at the time of publication)
Ippodo Tea Essential Matcha Kit ($130 at the time of publication)
Firing up the kettle for a hot cup of tea is one of the first things people do as soon as the weather gets chilly. For some crowd-pleasing favorites, we recommend Harney & Sons tea, which is featured in our gift-basket guide. If you’re a fan of green matcha tea, the Ippodo Tea Essential Matcha Kit includes everything you need for the whole tea-making experience, including a traditional whisk and ceramic bowl. And if you need a mug to go with it, we have several recommendations, from ceramic staff favorites to high-tech mug warmers that keep your beverage hot.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPut a record on
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo ($600 at the time of publication)
There’s a reason why vinyl made a comeback: Putting a record on a turntable—like Pro-Ject’s Debut Carbon Evo, our top pick—asks you to listen in a different way than when you DJ digital streams from your phone. As most people struggle to reclaim their attention spans, it’s a relief to commit to a full album and allow it to set the mood. If you’re just getting started in the world of vinyl, our audio experts have recommendations on where to begin, from easy, all-in-one record players to great-sounding standalone speaker options.
Hotdish
Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker ($70 at the time of publication)
Signe, who lives in Minnesota, is our source for all things hotdish: a comforting, delicious, warm, all-in-one Midwestern meal served in a casserole dish. We love the 9-by-13-inch Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker because it heats evenly and holds a lot. It’s not too fancy for everyday use, but it’s still gorgeous enough to have at your holiday table. If you want something that’s easier to transport to a potluck, the OXO Good Grips Glass 3 Qt Baking Dish with Lid is a great option. And if you need inspiration for what to put in said casserole dish, the tater tot casserole—a true Midwestern staple—is the king of hotdishes, thanks to its creamy mushroom base and tangy ketchup drizzle. Or try one of cookbook author Molly Yeh’s various takes on the meal, like this latke hotdish. For coziness of a less Midwestern, more Sopranos-style flavor, you can always use the casserole dish for baked ziti.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTKeep your toes warm
L.L.Bean Men’s Wicked Good Moccasins ($90 at the time of publication)
L.L.Bean Women’s Wicked Good Moccasins ($90 at the time of publication)
Having cold feet is the opposite of being cozy. Nothing feels as good as a pair of slippers to warm your body from the ground up. L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins have been a favorite of ours since 2016: The classic sheepskin slippers are notably soft yet still durable enough if you need to jaunt outside. Senior software engineer Jacob Baker loves his Glerups Wool Slipper Boots, the upgrade pick in our guide to the best slippers. “I’d been searching for a good pair of slippers for years, but my sweaty feet always ruin them,” Jacob says. “The Glerups boots have held up incredibly well!” And if thick socks are more your thing, Wirecutter’s Joanne Chen swears by these cozy boot socks (which also helped her sleep better).
A flickering glow
Keap Wood Cabin candle ($55 at the time of publication)
Lomar Farms Pair of 100% Pure Beeswax Tapers ($17 at the time of publication)
In the land of cozy, you can never have enough candles, whether you prefer scented candles that emit fall scents—cinnamon, pine, pumpkin—or unscented ones that add a glow to your space and just look good. If you want that woodsy cabin feel, Keap’s Wood Cabin candle has notes of “lush evergreen boughs, freshly cut firewood, and moss-covered bark,” writes senior staff writer Sarah Witman in our guide to the best scented candles. “You can almost feel the scratchiness of a Pendleton wool blanket draped over your shoulders.” We also tested dozens of tapered candles, like the Lomar Farms Pair of 100% Pure Beeswax Tapers, that are not only perfect for setting a festive table but also have a rich, honey scent. And if you don’t want a real flame around, we love the Wick, a portable LED lamp that provides a flickering ambience without the fire hazard.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPile on the blankets
Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Blanket and Throw ($120 for the throw size at the time of publication)
Faribault Mill Pure & Simple Wool Blanket ($200 for the queen size at the time of publication)
When it comes to cuddling up and getting warm, the perfect blanket is a must. We have tons of recommendations for blankets and throws, but we particularly love Garnet Hill’s Plush-Loft Blanket and Throw, which feels like a cool quilt on one side and has supersoft faux fur on the other. It was one of the fluffiest blankets we tested, but it’s still durable enough to withstand kids and pets. If you want a more classic cabin look, Faribault Mill’s Pure & Simple Wool Blanket is a gorgeous all-wool option. Faribault Mill also releases seasonal versions of its wool blankets.
Cozy loungewear
Sleepy Jones Twyla T-Shirt Dress (from $60 at the time of publication)
Hanna Andersson Adult Unisex Long John Pajama Top (from $18 at the time of publication)
Hanna Andersson Adult Unisex Long John Pant (from $18 at the time of publication)
In addition to a big pile of blankets, wearable comfort is essential. Katie has a soft, oversize Sleepy Jones Twyla T-Shirt Dress, which they’ve owned for several years and say gets better and softer with time. And though we have several cozy robe and comfy pajama picks for you to lounge in, senior staff writer Jackie Reeve is partial to Hanna Andersson’s long-john tops and bottoms, which come in fun, seasonal prints for both adults and kids—the whole family can match.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTLight a fire
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 ($300 at the time of publication)
Tiki Fire Pit ($395 at the time of publication)
Nothing beats the cozy ambience that a fireplace or wood stove can bring to a living room, but if you’re not lucky enough to have one, you still have a few options. If you have an outdoor space, a fire pit is well worth the investment. We tested several smokeless fire pits, and our two top picks, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 and the Tiki Fire Pit, were our favorites. Though they definitely don’t eliminate all the smoke from your fire, they are significantly better than a traditional fire pit, which is great if you’re easily bothered by smoke or have neighbors close by. And finally, while we know this last option is not the same, we love Netflix’s Fireplace for Your Home to get the feel of a warm, crackling fire without an actual fireplace.
Kitchen textiles
Williams Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins ($70 for a set of six at the time of publication)
Rough Linen Smooth Linen Tablecloth (about $110 at the time of publication)
When you’re spending more time in the kitchen or dining room—even if all that means is boiling water for tea or boxed mac and cheese—a bright tablecloth or colorful cloth napkins can add warmth and softness to your space. In our guide to the best napkins and tablecloths, we recommend the Williams Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins, which come in several colors and are both beautiful and functional. We also love Rough Linen’s Smooth Linen Tablecloth, which has the relaxed look of linen as well as an heirloom quality that is above and beyond anything we tested. It comes in several soft pastels that add a cozy, glamorous feel to any dining table.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTAdd a rug (or several)
Revival Ombre Wool Rug ($300 for the 4-by-6-feet size at the time of publication)
Area rugs are an easy way to make your space feel instantly new and cozy. Besides adding softness underfoot, they also help dampen sound and define an area, whether it’s a living room, a hallway, or a small area around your bed. You can also layer different-size rugs to add more texture and dimension to your space. One of the softest area rugs we tested, Revival’s Ombre Wool Rug, comes in several colors that are reminiscent of the sky at sunset, dusk, or dawn. We recommend investing in a good rug pad too, which not only adds an extra layer of cushion but helps keep the rug in place and protects it from excessive wear and tear.
Mood lighting
WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb ($11 at the time of publication)
Lighting is probably one of the most important elements for making a room feel cozy. Though you can achieve the kind of lighting you want in several ways, from floor lamps to table lamps, the bulbs you use can make a huge difference, which is where smart LED light bulbs come in. Smart bulbs allow you to play with color, temperature, and brightness, making your rooms endlessly customizable to whatever mood you’re in. Our top pick, the WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb, is affordable, has an easy-to-use app, and has a good color-temperature range. If you’re looking to cozy up a porch or backyard instead, we also tested several kinds of outdoor lighting to make any space feel special.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTA soft bed for pets
4Claws Furry Pet Bed/Mat (about $40 at the time of publication)
Majestic Pet Suede Bagel Dog Bed (about $35 for 24-inch bed at the time of publication)
Hanna Andersson Pet John Pajamas (from $14 at the time of publication)
If your pets aren’t warm and cozy, neither are you. Why not spoil them a bit with a brand-new bed? For cats, we love this cozy, soft 4Claws Furry Pet Bed/Mat; it comes as a flat mat but quickly converts to a bed, though your kitty will love kneading (aka making biscuits) on it either way. For dogs, we recommend the Majestic Pet Suede Bagel Dog Bed, which has been a Wirecutter favorite for years. Pair it with some Hanna Andersson Pet John Pajamas to keep your furry friend warm and to match the pj’s for humans we mentioned above.
This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.
Meet your guides
Katie Okamoto is an editor on the discovery team and leads Wirecutter’s sustainability coverage. She has been covering products—from food to furniture—and their intersections with environmental impact and environmental health for more than a decade. Previously, Katie was an editor at Metropolis Magazine.
Daniela Gorny is the supervising editor for the home section at Wirecutter, covering home decor, textiles, and furniture. She previously studied and worked as an architect and received a master’s degree in urban planning. You can usually find her exploring the hilly trails of Los Angeles or adventuring in the Mojave Desert.
Mentioned above
- Through multiple rounds of testing since 2013, the Cuisinart CPK-17 has remained our favorite electric kettle. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use—all at a great price.The Best Electric Kettle
- At Wirecutter we love tea and coffee, so it’s no surprise we’re passionate about the vessels we drink them out of. Here are the mugs we can’t get enough of.Our Favorite Mugs
- If you rarely get to enjoy your coffee or tea before it gets cold, we can relate. Here are a few great ways to make sure every sip is a warm one.The 3 Mug Warmers We Love for Keeping Our Coffee (and Tea) Hot
- The Fluance RT85N is our favorite turntable under $600 because it’s easy to set up and use, and it sounds great with all types of recordings.The Best Turntables and Record Players
- After testing 15 casserole dishes since 2014, we recommend the Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker for its good looks and generous capacity.The Best 13-by-9 Casserole Dish
- We’ve been testing (and retesting) slippers since 2014, and we feel confident that our picks are the coziest, comfiest, most durable pairs available.The Best Slippers
Further reading
Wirecutter’s 100 Most Popular Picks in November 2022
by Wirecutter Staff
These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in November 2022.
The Best Throw Blankets
by Jackie Reeve
We spent hundreds of hours researching and testing more than 50 throws. Here are 11 throws we think are the best to curl up with for a nap.
What to Buy: How Not to Feel Dead Tired This Winter
by Joanne Chen
Many sleep-promoting products don’t actually do much. Here are four expert-approved strategies for improving sleep quality.
49 Easter Basket Ideas We Love
by Jackie Reeve
Easter falls on March 31 this year. We’ve searched for good-quality gifts to fill a basket, including art supplies, classic toys, spring-themed books, and—of course—the best candy.
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