The Strategist

The Strategist is the product recommendation site from New York Magazine, built to help curious, thoughtful shoppers find the best things to buy across beauty, home, fashion, tech, parenting, and more. Since launching in 2016, its team of writers and editors has combined deep research, product testing, expert interviews, and user feedback to surface standout items in a sea of options. Signature features like the “Strategist 100” and in-depth buyer’s guides reflect a strong editorial voice and a clear mission: to recommend only things worth your money, attention, and time.

We believe The Strategist stands out in today’s crowded field of product recommendation sites. While they do earn revenue through affiliate links - clearly disclosed with the line, “Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission” - they maintain a visible separation between editorial judgment and commercial influence. Their recommendations are driven by research, not revenue potential, and their transparency helps build trust. In our view, The Strategist is one of the few platforms currently doing it right.