Things a new home can use right away, from a cutting board and a skillet for the first meal to a speaker and a board game for the first night in. Each pick was recommended by independent reviewers.
Every product below comes from recent independent reviews, and an automated fact check confirmed each detail against its source. We don't test products ourselves. How we pick.
Products last fact-checked .
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Cutting board
A large board for chopping and serving.
Mid-range pick
John Boos Chop-N-Slice Maple Cutting Board (18 x 12 x 1.25 in)
- A maple board measuring 18 x 12 inches and 1.25 inches thick, weighing about 8 lb. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Reversible. Yahoo's tester found it kept no odors after repeated washing with soap and water. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo's reviewer says it stays put on the counter and can double as a serving piece. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Hand-wash only, with monthly oiling using food-grade mineral oil. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonCast-iron skillet
A heavy pan that works on the stove and in the oven.
Budget pick
Lodge Pre-Seasoned 10-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet
- Comes pre-seasoned. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Reviewers at Yahoo Shopping said it does exactly what it's supposed to do and holds up over time. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
Victoria 10-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet
- Weighs about 5.5 pounds. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Has a long, curved main handle plus a helper handle. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Reviewers at Yahoo Shopping found its cooking surface smoother than most and its pour spouts left only a few drips. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Made by Victoria, a Colombian brand that has made cast iron since 1939. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonChef's knife
One all-purpose kitchen knife for chopping and slicing.
Budget pick
Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Western-style 8-inch knife with a high-carbon stainless steel blade and a Santoprene handle; Yahoo lists it at 8.5 oz. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo's tester found it cut tomatoes and onions nicely, with mild resistance on the onions. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo lists a nonslip grip, easy sharpening and a limited lifetime warranty. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Global Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife
- Japanese-style 8-inch knife with a stainless steel blade and handle; Yahoo lists it at 5.5 oz. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo says it is made from a single piece of CROMOVA 18 steel. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo's tester diced onions with no noticeable resistance but found butternut squash a challenge. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo lists it as easy to maneuver and lightweight, with a lifetime warranty. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonPortable Bluetooth speaker
A small speaker that plays music from a phone, indoors or out.
Budget pick
Soundcore Select 4 Go
- Rated IP67 for dust and water, and it floats. (TechGearLab)
- TechGearLab measured about 25 hours of battery life in its test, more than the 20-hour rating. (TechGearLab)
- Weighs about 9.3 oz, has a carrying loop, and two units can be paired. (Engadget)
- The Soundcore app offers a 9-band equalizer. (SoundGuys)
Recommended in: SoundGuys, TechGearLab, Engadget
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
JBL Clip 5
- A built-in carabiner clips onto a backpack, and output rose to 7W from the Clip 4's 5W. (SoundGuys)
- Supports multipoint connections and has presets and a custom EQ in the JBL Portable app. (SoundGuys)
- Rated IP67 for dust and water and weighs about 0.6 lb. (TechGearLab)
- Reviewers at TechGearLab found it survived drops without a scratch and clips onto a showerhead. (TechGearLab)
Recommended in: SoundGuys, TechGearLab
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen)
- Rated IP67 and floats. In TechGearLab's testing it survived repeated 3-foot drops onto concrete. (TechGearLab)
- Weighs about 1.3 lb, and two Bose speakers can be paired. (TechGearLab)
- The Bose app adjusts bass, mid and treble. (TechGearLab)
- Has a built-in microphone for calls and works with phone voice assistants. (Engadget)
Recommended in: TechGearLab, Engadget, SoundGuys
See price on AmazonHeated throw blanket
An electric throw blanket with adjustable heat.
Budget pick
Sunbeam Royal Sherpa Electric Throw with Foot Pockets
- Has six heat settings and turns off automatically after four hours, or earlier if programmed. (Yahoo Shopping)
- With the cord detached it can be machine-washed cold, then partly tumble-dried on low and hung to dry. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Reviewers at Yahoo Shopping measured from about 95°F to 111°F, with the top reading reached in about 10 minutes. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
Beautyrest Zuri Heated Blanket (faux fur throw)
- Faux fur throw sold in 50 x 70 inch and 50 x 64 inch sizes. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Has three heat settings and shuts off automatically after two hours. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo Shopping says it is certified by UL Solutions. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Reviewers at Yahoo Shopping measured about 99°F on low and 111°F on high and found it warmed up quickly. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonPour-over coffee set
A pour-over brewer for making coffee by hand.
Budget pick
Coffee Gator Pour-Over Coffee Maker (27 oz)
- Brews into a 27-ounce carafe; a 14-ounce version is also sold. (Taste of Home)
- Uses a reusable, dual-layer permanent mesh filter. (Taste of Home)
- Has printed measurements on the carafe and a handle for pouring. (Taste of Home)
Recommended in: Taste of Home, Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Chemex Classic Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker (40 oz)
- Brews up to 40 ounces at a time. (Taste of Home)
- A glass carafe with a wooden collar that serves as a heat-blocking grip. (Taste of Home)
- Homegrounds notes the Chemex design is in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. (Homegrounds)
Recommended in: Taste of Home, Homegrounds
See price on AmazonBoard game for 2 to 4 players
A board game for game night with 2 to 4 players.
Budget pick
Carcassonne
- Plays 2 to 5 players in about 45 minutes, per Board Game Quest. (Board Game Quest)
- A tile-laying game: players build the board as they play, so there is almost no setup. (Board Game Quest)
- Players build cities, roads, monasteries and farms and score points as they complete them. (Board Game Quest)
- Wargamer's writer calls it the oldest game in their collection and says play gets competitive. (Wargamer)
Recommended in: Board Game Quest, Wargamer
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
Pandemic
- Cooperative: 2 to 4 players work together to control a pandemic and find a cure. (NBC Select)
- Each player takes on a character with their own traits. (NBC Select)
- Board Game Quest lists about 45 minutes per game and calls it easy to learn but very hard to win. (Board Game Quest)
- Wargamer's writer says they are still playing it more than a decade later. (Wargamer)
Recommended in: NBC Select, Board Game Quest, Wargamer
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Wingspan
- For 1 to 5 players, per NBC Select. (NBC Select)
- Players collect bird species into their aviary, using food tokens and eggs to grow their habitats and score points. (NBC Select)
- Wargamer describes it as an engine-builder that sits between a gateway game and a deeper strategy game. (Wargamer)
- NBC Select calls it educational and good for animal lovers, but notes it may be complicated for some. (NBC Select)
Recommended in: NBC Select, Wargamer, Yahoo Lifestyle
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