“Grocery store cashiers keep asking me about my tote bag”

Several different items packed in a Tom Bihn Monster Truck tote

Sarah Gannett/NYT Wirecutter

Everywhere writer Sarah Gannett goes — the grocery store, the farmers market, and even the library — she receives compliments on this massive tote.

She uses it (and its 38 liters of storage) to schlep everything from beach towels and swimsuits to delicate glassware. Its three main compartments provide just the right amount of structure. “Bulky jugs, pastries, and delicate produce nestle together and make it home unscathed,” Sarah says. “Two side pockets spare me the embarrassment of frantically digging for my glasses case, wallet, or keys.”

Seven years later, Sarah’s bag has nary a scratch→

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And for your next grocery store run: The best butter

All of our picks for best butter, positioned amongst many slices of artisanal bread.

Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter; food styling by Maggie Ruggiero

The not-so-secret culinary trick to making everything taste better? Butter, baby. We tasted 17 salted versions and baked with 11 unsalted butters to crown seven winners.

Including a luxuriously creamy and addictively salty option→

More for your bags

Hydro Flask water bottle in lthe color orange

Our favorite water bottle

For reliably cold water, whether you’re sitting at a desk, commuting, or working out→

Three Rhode Peptide Lip Treatments in front of a pink background

A clear glossy lip balm

This squeezy balm is very shiny and hydrates for hours→

The Nite Ize G-Series Size 3 Dual Chamber Carabiner holding car and house keys while hanging from a pant belt loop.

The carabiner one Wirecutter editor never leaves the house without

It’s made of sleek stainless steel and has two clasps for extra security→

Your daily deal: A convenient, reliable coffee maker

The OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker, an also great option for the best drip coffee maker.

Michael Hession/NYT Wirecutter

This surprisingly stylish coffee maker comes with a number of convenient features, including a clock and solid heat retention. But perhaps most important: It’s programmable, so you can have a pot ready when you wake up.

It’s more than 30% off right now→

One last thing: The best chef’s knife

Our four picks for best chef's knife, on a cutting board with sliced citrus.

Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter

Our longtime favorite chef’s knife — crowned after cutting more than 70 pounds of produce — is comfortable to hold, agile, and razor sharp. Chop, chop.

Our favorite knife for 13 years→

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