Hobby & Crafts
Take on a craft project, learn a new musical instrument, hone your calligraphy skills, spend some time with a coloring book, or find the tools and supplies you need to practice a new pursuit with our thoroughly tested picks. Our experts have found the best tools and accessories to keep you and your family learning, doing, and making something new in your spare time.
Music
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The Best Acoustic Guitar for Beginners
With its traditional look, solid craftsmanship, and clear, balanced sound, the Yamaha FS800 is our pick for the best acoustic guitar for beginners.
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The Best Bass Guitar for Beginners
We tested 10 basses, and the classic-sounding, well-made Yamaha TRBX174 is our pick for beginners; the short-scale Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro is great for kids.
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The Best Electronic Drums for Beginners
The Simmons SD600 is the best electronic kit for beginning (or returning) drummers because of its realistic feel, sturdy construction, and wealth of sounds.
More Hobby & Crafts Reviews
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The Best Drones Under $100
We spent 40 hours researching and testing 12 of the top-rated drones to find the best ones for beginners or pilots on a budget.
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How to Turn a Raspberry Pi Into a Game Console
You can make a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ into an easy-to-use retro game console with the Recalbox software, the NESPi case, the Buffalo USB Gamepad, and a microSD card.
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Why We Love the Raspberry Pi
We love the Raspberry Pi because it’s a tiny $35 computer you can use for almost anything, and because it’s a fun way to teach yourself more about technology.
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Our Favorite Paper Planners
The best paper planner for you depends on what your organizational style is—with these nine planners, we’ve found great options for every style.
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The Best Nintendo Switch Accessories
We’ve researched and tested dozens of cases, controllers, stands, docks, and other accessories for the Nintendo Switch to separate the good ones from the junk.
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9 Muji Items That Are Beautifully Simple
Wirecutter staffers love Muji’s simple yet stylish aesthetic, and these nine organizing and decor items are some of our favorite finds.
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The Best Online Framing Services
After placing orders from five online framing services, we think Framebridge offers the easiest way to frame your art and photos with the best results.
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The Best Ukulele for Beginners
The Alvarez RU22C is the best ukulele for beginners because it has great sound and styling, and its concert-size body is good for kids and adults alike.
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The Best Electronic Cutting Machines From Cricut and Silhouette
After testing the top Cricut and Silhouette craft cutters, we think the Cricut Explore Air 2 is easiest to use and comes at a better price for most beginners.
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The Best Kids Craft Subscription Boxes
After testing 14 craft subscription boxes with nine kids, we recommend the Koala Crate for preschoolers and the Kiwi Crate for early elementary students.
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The Best USB Audio Interface
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is our favorite USB audio interface because it offers the best combination of features, portability, and ease of use.
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The Best Budget Digital Piano for Beginners
The Casio PX-160 is our top pick for a budget digital piano because it has a realistic feel and sound as well as great features for teachers and students.
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The Best Soldering Irons
After testing 10 soldering irons, we found that the X-Tronic 3020-XTS LED Display Soldering Iron Station is the best for beginners and hobbyists.
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The Best DNA Testing Kit
If you’re okay with the privacy risks that accompany a DNA testing service, AncestryDNA is best for exploring your ethnicity or finding contemporary relatives.
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The Best Record Player Setup for Beginners
Start your vinyl music journey here with our picks for turntable, receiver, speakers, and more.
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The Best Digital Piano for Students
The Yamaha YDP-181 is the best digital piano for students because it sounds like a grand piano, it has great action, and its controls are easy to use.
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The Best Label Maker
We printed dozens of labels while testing the top seven label makers to find the best one to organize your office, kitchen, media cabinet, and more.
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The Best MIDI Keyboard Controller for Beginners
Our digital-music experts found that the Arturia MiniLab MkII is the best way to get into computer music production affordably—no instrument skills needed.