Popular Mechanics

Discover the latest in technology, engineering, and tools with Popular Mechanics. Plus, get essential advice on your home and car, useful DIY ideas, in-depth explanations on how things work, and more!

THE 4 ADVANTAGES OF PROFESSIONAL GRADE TOOLS

// ON THE COVER //

1 My Pop Life • // EXPERT HACKS, GEAR RECS & LIFE-TESTED WISDOM FROM OUR STAFF //

Popular Mechanics

Who Should Buy an Electric Car in 2021?

The Air Force Is Putting Death Rays on Fighter Jets. Yes, Death Rays

A BRIEF TIMELINE OF MILITARY LASER HISTORY

Some of the Trendiest Craft Beers Are Exploding. WTF?!

ALL BOTTLED UP

A Firefighter’s Guide to Getting Keys Out of a Locked Car

Uh Oh—New Research on Extinctions Shows Life Doesn’t Always Find a Way

EXTINCTION 101

After You Die, You Could Be Resurrected as a Chatbot. That’s a Problem.

STRANGER THAN (SCIENCE) FICTION

The Hidden Binary of Knitting Could Create the Toughest Gear You’ve Ever Worn

2 Essential Tips for Ultra-Tough Knits

The Truth About the Black Knight Conspiracy Theory

How the Black Knight Could Exist

The Case for the 59-Second Minute and Why It Could Wreck Us

HOW WE GOT THE LEAP YEAR

You’ve Been Conditioned to Believe Conspiracy Theories Have You?

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA AMPLIFIES THE SPREAD

THE WORLD’S FIRST TACTICAL CHAIR • How a chair designed to survive torpedoes became a timeless icon of industrial design.

The Real Story of OAK IS LAND’S LEGENDARY MONEY PIT • A treasure vault full of ancient riches, or a futile wild goose chase?

How Sinkholes Form

Waterproof Your Basement in 3 Easy Steps!

HOME AWARDS POPULAR MACHANICS 2021 • OUR HOMES HAVE BECOME OUR WHOLE LIVES—OUR WORKSPACES AND CLASSROOMS, THEATERS AND RESTAURANTS, GYMS AND SHOPPING MALLS. THESE 20 PRODUCTS, TESTED BY OUR EXPERTS, WILL MAKE EVERY ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE SAFER, SMARTER, COMFIER, AND MORE FUNCTIONAL THAN EVER.

EXPERT ADVICE

HOME AWARDS POPULAR MACHANICS 2021 • SEE EVEN MORE 2021 HOME AWARD WINNERS. OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE’VE TESTED HUNDREDS OF HOME PRODUCTS. GO TO POPULARMECHANICS.COM/HOME-AWARDS-2021 TO READ REVIEWS AND SHOP OUR FULL LIST OF THE 50 BEST HOME APPLIANCES, TELEVISIONS, SPEAKERS, SMART DEVICES, OFFICE EQUIPMENT, AND TOOLS FOR YOUR GARAGE AND YARD.

THE ONLY SUBSCRIPTION BOX & MAGAZINE FOR CAR-LOVING KIDS!

Work Sharp’s Mk.2 Knife & Tool Sharpener

The Microscope Tech That Helped Make the COVID-19 Vaccine Possible

HOW WE TESTED

Touch Up Your Lawn With One of These String Trimmers

6 Pellet Grills That Make Cooking Easy

WHICH GRILLS BROUGHT (AND KEPT) THE HEAT

HOW WE TESTED

15 How to Be Good at What You Do