This week was all about finding balance and making compromises, whether it's between performance and efficiency in computer hardware, or between strategy and luck in board games. We saw some underdog stories emerge on betting markets, while housing market trends continued to shift across regions.
picksbyaudio
Over on picksbyaudio, the focus was on wireless headphones this week. The standout pick from September 28 was the Fluance RT81, but by September 29, Sony WH-1000XM6 had taken over as the top recommendation. The following day, Sony WF-1000XM5 also made an appearance, and by October 1, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) took the spotlight for a change of pace with its audio interface capabilities. WiiM Ultra was recommended on October 2, but JBL Charge 6 stole the show on October 3 before FiiO K7 wrapped up the week.
picksbycard
picksbycard focused on graphics cards this week. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 was a top pick from September 28, touted for its balance between performance and efficiency. However, by September 29, AMD Radeon RX 9070 had taken over as the top recommendation, especially for 1440p gaming with extra VRAM. The following day saw the introduction of AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, which continued to be a popular choice throughout the week.
picksbyevent
This week on picksbyevent, live music and theater were in focus. Piano Man in Las Vegas was recommended on September 28, followed by Drunk Dracula in Phoenix the next day. Pitch and Pair - Pitch Your Single Friend in Los Angeles made an appearance on September 30, while The Visit in Pasadena took center stage on October 1. Sofi Tukker in New York closed out the week on October 2, with Ministry, Acid Bath & Windhand in Chicago being recommended just a day later.
picksbygame
picksbygame highlighted board games this week. Root for the Asymmetric Gamers This Week was recommended on September 28, but by September 29, Perfect Storm had taken over as the top pick for family game nights with Forbidden Island. Splendor's Spark Ignites this Weekend was introduced on September 30 for small gatherings, while Exploding Kittens closed out the week for a laugh at holiday gatherings.
picksbyodds
The betting markets were abuzz this week on picksbyodds. The Trump Card: Volume Doesn't Always Translate to Odds made an appearance on September 28, followed by Market Sentiment on Long-Shot Bets Reveals Investor Curiosity and Speculation the next day. Kalshi and Polymarket Markets Reveal Underdog Politics Storylines took center stage on September 30, while The Unlikely Favorite in the 2028 Republican Nomination closed out the week.
picksbyproperty
This week on picksbyproperty, housing market trends were in focus. Price Cuts Offer Buying Opportunities Amidst Regional Variations was recommended on September 28, but by September 29, Cooling Trends Gained Momentum in Select Markets. Housing Market Volatility Continued Amid Shifts in Regional Demand took center stage on September 30.
picksbyrecipe
On picksbyrecipe, international cuisine stole the show this week. The Tendir Choreyi: A September Bread that Transcends Tradition was recommended on September 28, but by September 29, Mbuzi Choma (Roasted Goat): September's Grilling Delight had taken over as the top pick.
picksbytown
Last but not least, picksbytown highlighted essential home maintenance and repair tasks. Inspect Before You Seal: Don't Skip Concrete Driveway Crack Inspection made an appearance on September 28, followed by Inspect Your Appliance Repair Estimates for Red Flags Before Signing the next day. Don't Get Shocked: Hire an Electrician Before the Weather Changes closed out the week.
Browse our week-by-week archive to see more picks from this and previous weeks!