5 things to avoid on Prime Day

Plus, more on how we find deals, a new guide on chopsticks and more. [Wirecutter logo]( Sarah Kobos [5 things to avoid on Prime Day]( This year's Amazon Prime Day, which starts on Tuesday, will likely set off a cascade of sales that will last through December. Here are [five things you should avoid]( in order to make the most of your time (and money). Wirecutter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn more](. Don’t fall for fake deals Not all “sales” are actually worth your money. We have a team of bargain hunters who spend their workdays finding exceptional deals on the best stuff. [How Wirecutter Finds Deals]( When our Deals team chooses to post an item to our Deals page, Twitter account, or newsletter, we’re posting [a substantially better price]( than you’d find by doing a typical internet search or ambling into a retail store on a random weekday. [Wirecutter Deals, Explained]( We use an item’s 12-month price history when we assess a deal. And we also take into consideration an item’s street price, which is often not the same as the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Here's [what else you need to know](. More this week [The Best Chopsticks]( We tested more than 40 pairs of chopsticks in a variety of materials, shapes, and lengths to determine [the best pairs]( to buy for your home. [Our Favorite Tools for a Tricked-Out Halloween]( From superior carving tools to candy buckets to vampire fangs, [here are our suggestions]( to help make this Halloween both safer and spookier. [How to Clean and Season Cast-Iron Cookware]( We’ve tested numerous methods and products to determine [what’s best]( for restoring, cleaning, and seasoning cast-iron cookware. [What a Wirecutter Staffer Uses to Make Coffee]( A collapsible kettle, Jirushi Slim Pot, and espresso travel mug are just [a few of the things]( Erin Price uses to enjoy her coffee. Deals These are some of the best deals we’ve seen this week (that are still around). [OXO 4-Piece Reusable Straw and Brush Set with Case]( $10 $13 from Macy's Use code FALL After testing 14 different reusable straws, we love these OXO straws. They have the best design compared with others we tested, and they are the best for on-the-go use. These straws combine a sturdy stainless steel base with a removable silicone tip. This was one of the few sets to come with a carrying case and a brush, so it’s the best option if you want to bring your straw with you. To get this set for $10, be sure to select in-store pickup, or add it to an order of $25 or more. [Read the review]( | [Buy now]( [OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder]( $75 $100 from Macy's Use code FALL Coffee experts insist that the key to a good cup of coffee is a good burr grinder. If you really don’t want to spend too much money on one, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is our favorite budget-friendly pick. It's easy to use and has some nice features, like a mechanism to reduce static when grinding and a hopper you can remove to easily change out beans. [Read the review]( | [Buy now]( [DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit]( $84 $100 from eBay Use code PFALL15 A drill is essential for many DIY projects, and the DeWalt is the most comfortable drill we’ve ever held. It’s also loaded with convenience features. In our tests, it drilled 30 1-inch holes through a 2-by-10 on a single battery charge. This shows it can handle just about anything within the four walls of a home, and even the occasional foray into more-aggressive work, such as a small deck repair. [Read the review]( | [Buy now]( For more great prices on our picks, check out [our Deals page](. Copyright © 2020 Wirecutter, Inc., all rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter's newsletter. [Forward this email to a friend](. [View this email in your browser](. To stop receiving all our emails, [unsubscribe here](. Our mailing address is: Wirecutter, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018‌ [Privacy Policy]( | [California Notices]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Contact Us](