Read the latest articles from Bob Vila

HOTO screwdriver controls
Reviews

This Compact, Modular Tool Kit Makes Organizing Easy

The Hoto Tools Snapbloq system keeps each tool and its bits grab-and-go ready for small repairs, crafting details, and other small projects.

DeWalt Gas Lawn Mower Review
Reviews

This Mower Cut Hours Off the Time I Spent Mowing

I put DeWalt’s powerful new 224cc mower to the test on acres of lawn. Find out how it compares to battery-powered models.

Aiper Hydrocomm closeup
Reviews

Learn How to Monitor Your Pool Water Without Test Strips

No more squinting at color charts—this connected device tracks your pool’s water chemistry automatically and offers tailored tips for improvement through the Aiper app.

LIt candles on a windowsill at night with a city landscape in the background.
Home Safety

3 Things You Should Absolutely Never Put on a Windowsill in Your Home

There are plenty of other places to display or store these items.

Curved sofa with neutral cushions and a brown throw blanket.
Interior Design

5 Returning 90s Home Trends That Are Anything But Cookie-Cutter

Experts weigh in on the top design elements making a comeback from the last decade before the turn of the century.

Rear view, silhouette of a woman wearing headphones, looking out window at illuminated city at night.
Windows

5 Smart Tips for Soundproofing Windows

Is the world outside your window so loud you can’t hear yourself think? Overcome outdoor noise with these window-soundproofing strategies.

House insurance paperwork and calculator on a table.
Home Insurance

As Home Insurance Prices Surge, These Perks Can Help You Get the Most Out of Your Plan

Don’t forget about these parts of your policy that homeowners often miss.

Blue Signature air purifier in a room setting
Reviews

This Advanced Air Purifier Is More Than a Pretty Face, (and Yes, It Is Pretty)

It may look minimalist, but this purifier packs serious power, especially in homes with pets and open-concept spaces.

A person using the best push mower to mow a lawn.
Mowers

We Tested More Than 30 Lawn Mowers to Find the 7 Best Push Models

Keep your lawn perfectly manicured with one of these indispensable turf-maintenance tools.

Bluetti Elite 200 02
Reviews

I Powered a Full-Size Fridge for 30 Hours With a Power Station That’s Only 1 Cubic Foot

I hooked this portable charger up to Bluetti’s solar panels and put it through its paces under the Florida sun—here’s what I learned after months of hands-on use.

beatbot aquasense 2 swimming 02
Reviews

Can the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Really Clean Your Pool Walls, Waterline, and Floor?

From setup to shutdown, it’s one of the smoothest pool-cleaning experiences I’ve had. But is it worth the price?

A white Ring doorbell camera.
Home Security

Does Ring Work With Google Home?

The compatibility of Ring and Google Home is complicated. Here’s what to know if your home is supported by products of both tech families.

Ace Hardware Milwaukee Packout Slashing Prices Deal
Deals

Ace Hardware Is Slashing Prices on Milwaukee’s Packout System

I’ve tested lots of tool storage, and Milwaukee’s Packout system is one of the toughest I’ve used. Ace Hardware’s latest bundle deal makes it easy to save—if you know which modules to grab.

A person is repairing a burst pipe in a damaged wall.
Plumbing

How to Turn Off Water to Your House

Do you know where your home’s water shut-off valve is, and how to turn it off? Learn what to do before you’re faced with a plumbing emergency.

A group of the best laser levels together before testing.
Tools & Materials

We Tested the 7 Best Laser Levels for DIYers and Pros. Here Are Our Top Picks

Laser levels are indispensable for ensuring measurement accuracy. We tested the best-selling models—see how they fared.

A smiling man wearing yellow gloves cleans the interior of an oven's window.
Repair & Maintenance

How to Clean Oven Door Glass 

The inside of your oven may be spick and span but the glass on your oven door, not so much. Grease-splattered though it may be, it’s possible to restore the porthole to your oven to spotless condition.

Bob Vila writer holding Stihl FSA 80 R Battery-Powered String Trimmer during battery trimmer testing.
Power Tools

We Spent Over 20 Hours Testing the Best Battery Trimmers to Find the 9 Best Options

Cordless string trimmers are quieter and more eco-friendly than their gas-guzzling cousins. We tested today’s top models to find out how they fared.

The Best Detail Sander Options
Power Tools

Our Favorite Detail Sanders After Hands-On Testing

Sanding is a vital step in woodworking. We tested today’s best detail sanders in our woodshop—find out which ones made the cut.

Six of the best right angle drill kits on a wood floor in front of a cement wall.
Power Tools

We Tested the Best Right-Angle Drills—Here’s What Stood Out

Don’t resort to hand tools when a standard drill won’t fit into that tight spot. Instead, add the best right-angle drill to your arsenal.

A row of floor heating distribution PEX Pipes.
Interior

The Complete Guide to PEX Pipe

Find out why this colorful tubing is a popular plumbing alternative to copper, especially for DIYers.