Eliana Willis

Due to remote and hybrid work, you likely have a home office setup of some sort — and that setup usually includes a printer. Printers are essential for creating hard copies of work assignments. Students need a printer for their essays, notes, and other tasks. You may also need one for legal documents or even for creating travel itineraries for your next holiday. There’s nothing worse than your printer refusing to function when you’re on the clock to submit a work assignment. Printers need to be reliable, fast, preferably affordable, and compatible with your PC or mobile device. It’s best to stick to inkjet, photo, or laser printers for home use as these types of printers are great for work, school, crafts, and printing out recipes or to-do lists. Also: The best cheap printers (starting at $105)If you don’t have a printer in your home office or you are looking to upgrade an old model, you’ve come to the right place. What is the best printer right now?Our overall top pick is the $240 Epson Ecotank EcoTank ET-4800 More

While GFCI outlets offer reliable protection compared with standard outlets, they aren’t meant for every type of electrical device. Some items should never be plugged into a GFCI, as they could malfunction or trip the circuit unnecessarily, leading to power disruptions or unsafe situations. Below is a list of devices not suited for GFCIs.1. Devices with a “high inrush” currentAppliances like refrigerators, freezers, air conditioner units, and power tools require a serious initial burst of electricity when powered on. Yes, even though refrigerators are almost always located in kitchens, the counterintuitive truth is that they can cause the GFCI to trip because of the large initial surge of current, even if there is no actual fault. This is known as “nuisance tripping,” and it is aptly named. Don’t risk spoiling a fridge full of foods by plugging it into a GFCI.2. Outdoor equipmentSimilarly, outdoor equipment such as electric lawnmowers or pressure washers should ideally be plugged into a dedicated outdoor outlet. While GFCIs are designed for outdoor use to reduce shock hazards, high-powered equipment can cause the GFCI to trip if it draws too much current at one time. Also: The best home EV chargers of 2025: Expert tested3. High-powered appliancesAppliances that use significant power, such as space heaters, microwave ovens, or vacuum cleaners, can cause a GFCI outlet to trip, especially if they are used on a circuit with high loads. These appliances could create a situation where the GFCI trips frequently (more nuisance tripping).4. Surge protectors or power stripsSome power strips and surge protectors, particularly those with multiple plugs for high-powered devices, could cause the GFCI outlet to trip due to the combined electrical load. A sudden power surge or imbalance could cause the GFCI to trip unexpectedly, defeating the GFCI outlet’s purpose and causing repeated circuit tripping.5. Sump pumpsWhile the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifically mandates that new construction includes GFCIs in basements, there is another ironic exclusion among the list: sump pumps. Sump pumps are designed to prevent flooding, but if the GFCI trips and cuts off its power, your basement might end up under several inches of water.Also: How I used this portable power station to bring electricity to a caveman6. Medical equipmentMedical equipment like CPAP machines and oxygen concentrators require continuous, uninterrupted power, so we advise plugging these vital devices into conventional outlets, not GFCIs. Some medical devices have sensitive circuitry, and the GFCI may trip unnecessarily, causing a loss of power to life-sustaining equipment. More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Phelinta 3-in-1 charger is available now on Amazon for $43 a pop. It charges all of your Pixel devices in one convenient place. It isn’t the fastest charger on the planet, but it does exactly what it needs to. –> What’s the deal? On Amazon, Phelinta’s 3-in-1 wireless charger has […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe new year is a great time to score lingering deals, and the Apple AirTag 4-Pack More

OpenAI What’s better than an AI chatbot that can assist you with tasks? One that can do them for you. OpenAI continues to build out its AI agents in ChatGPT with the launch of Deep Research.  Deep Research Earlier this month, OpenAI unveiled Deep Research, an AI agent that can conduct multi-step research for you […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is available for $80 in five colors: Black, Blush, Charcoal, Starlight, and White. This indoor camera pans 360 degrees and tilts up and down to cover the entire area it’s set up in, letting you watch over your home, business, or pets. The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor […] More

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETDoomscrolling got you down? Tired of seeing misinformation on social media? Can’t put your phone down while you’re driving? Our cell phones have us more connected than ever, but being chronically online has its drawbacks.Also: A new Android feature is scanning your photos for ‘sensitive content’ – how to stop itStress and mental fatigue seem to be rampant these days, but it turns out that one simple thing can help boost your mental health — reducing your phone internet usage. As part of a recent study, nearly 500 people aged 18 to 74 agreed to have all mobile internet access blocked from their phones for two weeks. Texts and calls were still available, as was an internet connection through a non-mobile device. Is phone use negatively tied to mental health?According to this study, research shows that smartphone use is negatively tied to mental health, but few large-scale experiments have been conducted. Ninety percent of American adults own a smartphone, and 50% of that group (80% under the age of 30) worry they’re using their phones too much. This study put that to the test. At the end of the two weeks without mobile internet, 91% of people reported improved mental health (more than the effect of antidepressants), higher satisfaction with their lives, and a better attention span. Total screen time decreased significantly, dropping from more than 300 minutes a day to an average of 161 minutes a day. Also: 6 ways to deal with mental fatigue at workWhat changed? The digital intervention meant people spent their time doing other things, the study said, like socializing in person, exercising, and being in nature. The impact wasn’t immediate, though, as the positive effects increased each day as the study went on. More

Satellite phones are a true game-changer for anyone venturing into remote areas beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks or during emergencies or natural disasters. Unlike standard smartphones which rely on cellular networks made up of physical towers, satellite phones communicate directly with satellites orbiting approximately 500 miles above the Earth. This ensures reliable connectivity even in the most isolated and challenging locations.Staying connected in areas with poor or non-existent cellular coverage can be incredibly difficult, making a satellite phone an invaluable tool. Over the years, I’ve used a variety of satellite phones and communicators during off-grid adventures. Sometimes, I rely on them to stay in touch with others, while at other times, they serve as a safety precaution in case of emergencies. The ability to hit an SOS button and summon help, even in the most remote environments, provides unparalleled peace of mind—a feature I’m grateful to have but have yet to use (and hope I never will).Also: The best cheap phones you can buy: Expert testedSatellite connectivity is an essential communication lifeline for many people, including emergency responders, military personnel, remote field researchers, and avid adventurers. However, accessing these networks often comes with a steep price, requiring expensive subscriptions that may not be accessible to everyone.What is the best satellite phone right now?If you’re keen on staying connected no matter where you roam, ZDNET has done extensive research and hands-on testing with some of the best satellite phones and gadgets on the market. Our top pick right now is the Starlink Mini More