Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 24)

A bunch of the best light bulbs on a table before testing.
Lighting & Electrical

The Best Light Bulbs for All Your Home’s Lighting Needs, Tested

Whether you’re after a basic replacement bulb or a color-capable light bulb with smart features, you’re in the right place. We tested some of the best options on the market.

A group of the best concrete paints on concrete steps before testing.
Paint Needs

The Best Concrete Paints for Masonry Surfaces, Tested

Concrete surfaces require a special approach to painting. We tested today’s top masonry paints—find out how they fared.

A person with their hand on the best gate latch option
Reviews

The Best Gate Latch For Fences is Self-Locking and Easy to Install

Secure your fence and keep it closed with a gate latch.

The Best Box Fans
HVAC

The Best Box Fans for Any Room in Your Home, Tested

Beat the heat in any room of the house with the simple addition of a box fan, and let a personal box fan keep you cool at work.

The Best Deck Boxes Option Rubbermaid
Outdoor Furniture

The Best Deck Boxes for All of Your Outdoor Storage Needs, Tested

Deck boxes are must-have components for helping to keep backyards clean and clutter-free. Check out our picks for the best ones on the market today.

Best Pool Skimmers
Pool Maintenance

No More Gunk: The Best Pool Skimmers for Clear Water

A good skimmer is an absolute necessity for clear and healthy pool water. Dive in to learn how to select the best available skimmer for your pool.

The Best Pool Closing Kits
Pool Maintenance

Get Your Pool Ready for the Off-Season With the Best Pool Closing Kits

A good pool closing kit will provide the necessary chemicals to prepare your pool for closing and ensure an easier spring opening.

Containers of joint compound and spackle with a putty knife and drywall tape.
Walls & Ceilings

Joint Compound vs. Spackle: What’s the Difference? 

Are you repairing a small hole, or hanging new drywall? The answer will determine whether spackle or joint compound is the better material for the job.

WhiteDuck Sunshade assembled
Lawn, Garden & Pool

For Instant Shade, I Got This Instead of a Pop-Up Canopy, and I Couldn’t Be Happier

Hot sun, gusty winds, and hard rain are no match for this rugged shelter.

Enbrighten landscape lights night
Lawn, Garden & Pool

I Tried Enbrighten Lights and My Yard Has Never Looked Better

From backyard fence to front yard, these lights elevated my outdoor space with zero hassle.

Best flashlights
Reviews

After Weeks of Testing, We Found 8 Flashlights That Won’t Flicker Out When You Need Them Most

Evaluated based on brightness, durability, and ease of use, these flashlights are built for both everyday and emergency use.

EcoVacs Deebot x9 omni Pro 01
Cleaning Supplies

This Is Why I Rarely Vacuum or Mop My Floors

Between work, pets, and daily messes, keeping the floors clean used to feel like a full-time job. This little machine quietly changed that.

Kensgrove Smart Ceiling Fan
Reviews

Spin Smarter, Not Harder: Our Favorite Smart Ceiling Fans

Adjust the airflow in your home using your smartphone or voice with one of these smart fans.

A happy older couple is getting ready to travel with luggage.
Home Security

I Always Do These 5 Things Last Before Heading Out the Door on Vacation

To keep my home safe and secure, I make sure to check these tasks off my pre-vacation to-do list.

Behr Paint's Hidden Gem, 2025 color of the year, on both walls and trim in a green living room.
Paints & Finishes

Should I Paint My Walls and Trim the Same Color?

Five reasons why people love the look.

Best Light Bulbs
Lighting

We Tested 7 Popular LED Light Bulbs—This is the Best One for Everyday Use

Looking to save money and conserve energy by switching to LED light bulbs? Check out our top picks and smart shopping tips to make the right purchases.

Landscaper cutting and installing landscape fabric
Landscaping

Are Weeds Growing Through Your Landscape Fabric? Don’t Do What I Did

I wish I had known this lesson sooner.

A group of the best pole saws together before testing.
Power Tools

The Best Pole Saws For Trimming and Pruning That We’ve Tested

Trim and prune the trees on your property safely and efficiently with a high-quality pole saw that best suits your needs.

Jigsaw and reciprocating saw propped on 2 x 4s.
Tools

Jigsaw vs. Reciprocating Saw: Which Cutting Tool is Best for Your Project?

Jigsaws and reciprocating saws are versatile tools, but their uses are often confused. Let’s take a closer look.

Person points hair dryer at hole in a wall covered with pink spackle.
DIY

How Long Does Spackle Take to Dry?

Planning to paint and sand your spackled wall? Learn how the size of the repair, the type of spackle, and other factors affect dry time.