A coway air purifier in a room
A coway air purifier in a room

Wirecutter’s 5 Most Popular Picks in August 2020


For the past several years, at the start of “wildfire season,” we have seen a spike in reader interest in our guide to the best air purifiers. August 2020 was no exception, as fires continued to burn in several states across the country and their smoke spread far and wide. Three of our air purifier picks made the list of most-purchased Wirecutter picks for the month of August.

There were also a few new additions to our list last month. We published a guide to the best cloth face masks a few weeks ago, and two of our recommended masks have been top sellers since. Dog harnesses also shot up the leaderboard, as hundreds of readers welcomed new furry friends and family members into their homes. And 965 of you ventured out into the world with our favorite reusable pee funnel, from a recent guide to portable toilet gear.

Also popular last month: office chairs, standing desks, and Chromebooks for those working from home; scales and electric toothbrushes for the bathroom; and vacuum cleaners and bug repellents for those dealing with dust and pests.

Read here for the top picks Wirecutter readers purchased in August.

Eksplore Plis kontni

Medya Mansyone

Why use a plastic bag when you can simply screw on this end cap, specifically designed for Sawyer water filters?

Zooe Pòtay
Editor at Backpacker

Medya Mansyone

In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange
montè mòn

Medya Mansyone

For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds.

Philip Werner
Author and Backpacker