From AirPods to Solo Stoves, here are the products that Yahoo editors have crowned the year's best. (Solo Stove, Apple, Amazon)More
We test hundreds of products every year to separate the cream from the crop — from car vacuums to air fryers to the fluffiest towels on the web. Two things we've learned from all this testing: All products are not created equal, and price isn't a good indicator of quality. In fact, some of our favorite finds fell on the lower end of the budget spectrum for their particular categories — and we made sure to share those finds with you every chance we got.
So what's the best of the best? We've been keeping track of our editors' faves and put together a list below. Whether you're looking for the best coffee maker to end all coffee makers, a flattering pair of jeans or some great wireless earbuds, we have the créme de la creme here. Keep scrolling for our favorite editor-tested finds.
In the guide: Best kitchen products | Best cleaning products | Best bathroom products | Best clothing and shoes | Best travel products | Best beauty products | Best tech products
Fabric: 8% recycled polyester, 12% spandex | Sizes: XXS to XXXL | Colors: 7 | Support features: Compression fit, elastic band | Type of bra: Sports
This pull-on sports bra offers medium support and light compression while you move and sweat, so it's no wonder that thousands of Amazon shoppers and our own editors, like Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross, are fans. It uses Nike’s Dri-Fit fabric, designed to pull moisture away from the skin to help keep you dry. The bra is available in three support levels: high, medium and light.
Says Britt: "I hate wearing sports bras. Nikes are the only ones that don't feel like they're digging into my skin. I appreciate that they come with different levels of support — I like light support, since I hate feeling too constricted, but even this one makes me feel like everything is held in place. I also like the clean design and the fact that they come in some pretty colors and neutrals. I mainly wear them while riding my Peloton bike, and nothing's ever felt like it's popping out."
Full disclosure: Our resident cookware tester, Lisa Schweitzer, has been using a Tramontina nonstick pan for years. She says (and this is a direct quote): "Cooking with this pan is a dream! With only a slick of oil, eggs slide right off the surface and over the flared edge onto the plate." It performed as well or better than the other pans we tested, crisping salmon skin to brown ASMR perfection and cooking golden pancakes without hot spots.
Cleanup is a breeze and only requires a few swipes with a soapy sponge, even around the rivets that secure the handle. About that handle: The removable silicone grip is a plus, as it keeps the handle cool on the stovetop. It also gives it added grip and makes it extra comfortable to hold. Read more about this skillet in our guide to the best nonstick pans.
As longtime Lodge skillet owners, we home editors can attest to the fact that the company makes a pan that will last forever, as long as you care for it properly. The brand's Blacklock-edition pan, our top choice for the best cast iron skillet, is lighter and easier to maneuver than the classic version, with slightly thinner walls.
When Schweitzer fried eggs in it, they came away with little effort and crispy edges. Yum! Also of note is the handle — it has Lodge's signature teardrop shape, but is more ergonomic and a little longer, and it feels more comfortable in hand. Schweitzer had no trouble moving the pan from the stove to the oven and back. It's a breeze to clean (as most cast iron skillets are) with nothing more than hot water and a synthetic scrub brush.
Topping our list for the best air fryers is this versatile model, which boasts substantial cooking room, requires minimal maintenance and is easy to use, all while looking sleek. It comes pre-assembled, so there's no setup required, and the accompanying instructions are intuitive.
A bright LED interface displays five functions — air fry, roast, bake, broil, and warm — plus five presets. We assessed the air fry function by making french fries, breaded chicken tenders, chicken wings and crab rangoon, using package instructions and the "frozen" preset where there were none. Everything came out right on time and was juicy on the outside and crispy on the inside.
While air-frying was the main focus of our test, we also tried several other functions: Our roasted chicken breasts, baked salmon and broiled steaks cooked to perfection.
Water tank capacity: 40 oz. | Size: 8.7" W x 12.7" D x 12.8" H | Color options: Gray, red, black and matte black | Wattage: 1,300W
Nespresso pods produce tasty, high-quality cups of drip coffee and espresso, and the VertuoPlus makes the experience as easy as possible. It impressed us so much, we also named it our best Nespresso machine of the year. You push just one button to operate it, and there's a mechanism that automatically tosses your used pod into a receptacle inside the machine.
We loved the sleek and stylish look of the VertuoPlus (this model is made by De'Longhi; Breville also makes one with similar specs) and how compact it was for such a powerful machine. It also requires minimal upkeep: Just empty the used-pod receptacle (which holds about 10 pods) and descale (aka deep clean) every three months or 300 pods.
One of the main issues with single-serve machines is the amount of waste they produce. At least Nespresso offers a recycling program for its aluminum pods. You can drop off used pods at 250-plus locations or order free recycling bags with prepaid labels.
Topping our list for the best food storage containers is Rubbermaid's Brilliance line, which comes in a variety of sizes, available with either a glass or BPA-free Tritan plastic bases. We tested the Tritan plastic and they were durable yet lightweight, the flip-style lids were easy to clean and, when locked, the set proved to be airtight. Based on our experience, the containers are also odor- and stain-resistant, so they still smell fresh and look like new after being used to store saucy foods such as marinara sauce and hot wings.
Unlike some other plastic containers on the market, these have excellent clarity. Another biggie: The bases and the lids in both the plastic and glass versions are dishwasher-, freezer- and microwave-safe.
The Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle is resilient, practical and — thanks to numerous cap and capacity options — customizable. It was the best insulated water bottle we tried.
The pliable loop on the cap made for agile carrying, while the Flex straw option provided quick access to water. The double-wall vacuum insulation kept our drinks cold for the promised 24 hours, and the entire water bottle proved dishwasher safe. Our tester, Granero, has owned and used Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottles for several years and, despite countless drops and washing cycles, they remain leakproof and look like new.
Size: 9.65"L x 5.63"W x 45.87"H | Weight: 4 pounds | Bin capacity: 0.55 liters | Vacuum type: Corded featherweight | Anti-allergy (HEPA) filter: Yes | Power: 240 watts
Featherweight vacuums are among the lightest and most compact, with Eureka's hitting the sweet spot in our testing of the best lightweight vacuums for value, form and function. The dust cup holds 0.55 liters, which is fairly generous for a featherweight vacuum, and detaches easily for handheld use. We also like how it's transparent, so you can see when it's getting full.
For being so lightweight (only 4 pounds), this model packs a good amount of suction power and proved a solid match for all the materials in our tests. That included sand, which proved a sticking point for other models we evaluated.
In real-life testing, we appreciated the Eureka Featherweight's 18-foot-long cord for skirting around bigger rooms and pieces of furniture. The vacuum is also freestanding, with the cleaner head remaining propped at a 90°-angle for easier carrying.
Size: 12.01"L x 15.12"W x 46.18"H | Weight: 17.08 pounds | Bin capacity: 1.9 liters | Vacuum type: Corded upright | Filter: Yes, HEPA | Power: 1,416 watts
Using a network of sensors, our pick for the best upright vacuum adapts to different environments and zaps everything in sight. For being on the heavier side (a common feature among vacuums with strong motors and sizable dust cups), it proved incredibly agile, with swivel steering and a shallow cleaner head that allowed us to get under and around furniture. LED lights helped with visibility, and the cord measures 30 feet, on the longer side for a vacuum in the upright category.
The PowerDetect proved a match for a wide range of messes, sucking up Cheerios, rice, kitty litter, sand and stubborn pet fur. Its automatic "Detect" mode helped it cruise from bare floors to low-pile and plush carpets swimmingly. This feature was particularly impressive when it came to tackling smaller areas of carpet, like kitchen mats, because it used just enough suction to vacuum effectively without getting stuck or pulling up corners as a result of excessive gripping. Based on our experience, that's not an easy feat!
Weight: 3.2 pounds | Dust cup capacity: 17 ounces | Battery life: about 15 minutes | Features: Cordless, for pets | Warranty: 2 years
I tested for the best car vacuums in my compact SUV and I really liked this little gadget, which has the power of some of the bulkier car vacuums but in a more compact body. Pebbles, crushed leaves, crumbs of all sizes and larger clumps of dirt proved no match for its powerful suction.
But what really makes this cordless vacuum stand out is its reach. It has a flexible 4-foot hose with a curved nozzle that helped me access the tightest, most awkward spaces. For the first time ever, I was able to get alllll the way under the front seats of my car without having to strain my back or crouch down.
The vacuum comes with a crevice tool, a nozzle with a flip-down brush and a pet hair tool. Some of the other models I tried came with more attachments, but I found these worked on most messes. Expect about 15 minutes of run time off a single charge. Not too shabby!
Fabric: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 30" x 58" | Colors: 27 options | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Topping our list of the best bath towels is this large and cushy, but still breathable, towel that comes in a cornucopia iterations. Woven of long-staple Turkish cotton, it's extremely soft, a feature it maintained even after Granero put it through the wringer (aka five wash-and-dry cycles). Despite being on the thicker and more absorbent side, it also dried fairly quickly. It took about 40 minutes, versus comparative styles that typically took close to an hour.
Last time we checked, this Frontgate towel was available in 27 colors — with or without monogramming — and several sizes. It's meant for the bathroom, but its bold, bright hues would make it a great pool or beach towel in a pinch.
Fabric: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 28" x 55" | Colors: 11 options | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
For a slightly plusher, slightly heavier, slightly more absorbent towel, I recommend Garnet Hill's Cloud-Loft.
Design and feel: The dreamy towel features a half-inch hem and 2.25-inch dobby on both ends for a look that's classic, though still minimalist. It's woven of soft, long-staple Turkish cotton and feels more like a lofty throw blanket than a towel.
Absorbency: In my absorbency test, the towel held as much as four liters of water at a time, more than any other towel I tested. Despite how much it guzzled, it was out of the dryer in about 45 minutes.
Durability: Garnet Hill's Cloud-Loft retained most of its softness and plushness throughout five wash and dry cycles. The only con is that it did shrink a bit — in this case, down to 51.5 inches in length — but this was fairly typical among the towels I tested.
It comes in 12 colors (I tested the Sage Green) and is available as a bath towel, hand towel and bath sheet, with or without custom embroidery. (See here for more plush towel favorites.)
Dimensions: 12.5"H x 12.5"D | Weight: 15 lbs | Fuel type: Wood
Solo Stove’s low-smoke fire pits have garnered a cult-like following among campers and beachgoers, with the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 among their most popular models. It's compact, intuitive and versatile. Just take it from Carolin Fuller, director of partnerships at Campspot, an online camping resource and directory. "The Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 is small enough to fit among the rest of our gear but big enough to throw off plenty of heat during cold nights in camp. It comes in a convenient carrying case, the removable ash pan makes for easy cleanups, and the smokeless design means we don’t have to play musical chairs to avoid stinging eyes.”
Don't forget the Solo Stove fire poker for (safely) maneuvering those wood logs and sticks! And for other recommendations, check out our complete story on the best fire pits.
In addition to four full-length inseams — 23, 25, 28 and 31 inches — Lululemon Align leggings range in size from 0 to 20, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding your fit. They're among our picks for the best leggings with pockets (and who doesn't love pockets?) but our testers say there are more reasons to splurge.
"I didn't get the whole Lululemon obsession until I actually tried a pair, but now I understand — and actually feel confident leaving the house in leggings," said Laura Kenney, Yahoo's commerce editor-in-chief.
Fitness trainer Tammy Foxx is also a fan because of their "exceptional material quality, shape-retaining pockets, and just the right amount of compression for various activities."
Read our full review of Align leggings.
Gifting Editor Amanda Garrity loves this bestselling tee by Madwell — so much so that we crowned it the best white T-shirt over competitors from Gap, Hanes, Uniqlo, J.Crew and others.
"I have a hard time finding T-shirts that aren't too loose and boxy for my petite frame, and this one has a shrunken fit that hits right at my hip, making it easy to tuck in," she said. She has owned the shirt for over a year and raves about how durable it is. "I've worn it more times than I can count and thrown it into the wash a million times, and it looks like new." Garrity gave it a 4.5 out of 5 on the opacity scale, so you don't have to worry about your bra showing through it, and she hasn't noticed any unwanted stretching or shrinking.
Bonus: You can monogram the top to give it a personal touch!
It doesn't get much more classic than these high-rise, straight-leg jeans by Levi's, which we named the year's best timeless jeans. There are 15 washes to choose from, so you'll find a pair that suits your style, and they hit just above the ankle so your shoe collection can take center stage.
Senior Home and Garden Editor Jessica Dodell-Feder calls them the "perfect wide (but not too wide) jeans. They feel timeless and also trendy, which is pretty impressive!" And while she would love to get them in another color, she notes that she would need to try them on because "the fit of Levi's jeans varies wildly by wash, in my experience."
Dodell-Feder also says they're surprisingly comfortable despite having a structured silhouette. "They have a very high waist and button fly, so they are not sweatpants-comfy. But for no-stretch denim, I find them very comfortable, probably because of the wide-legged fit."
Commerce Manager Julia Webb really knows her stuff when it comes to the best cashmere sweaters — she even directly compared three machine-washable options. During testing, she found that this softie from Naadam reigned supreme, calling it flattering, cozy and affordable. While it might not be the softest cashmere she's ever tried, she says it "still feels luxe and it's also not too fragile — it's durable enough I can wear it multiple times a week."
What really makes this piece a standout is how long-lasting and easy to care for it is. It's also under $100 — a steal for cashmere — and comes in an impressive 34 colors.
Three staff members listed these L.L.Beans as their go-to boots for winter, and it's easy to see why. Not only are the boots (which come in both men's and women's sizes) incredibly warm thanks to their cozy shearling lining, but they're waterproof, so you can walk through snow and puddles without wet toes. Each pair is hand-sewn in Maine, so they're durable and built to last.
Home Editor Lisa Schweitzer and I have both had a pair for several years, and they still look good as new. The boots aren't overly bulky, weighing less than 4 pounds, and they have a rugged rubber sole that prevents you from slipping and sliding.
While most of the best gym shoes are designed for a particular activity, if you're looking for a well-rounded pair that can handle everything from running to weightlifting, take a look at these Brooks. The knit upper is stretchy and breathable, while the arrow-point pattern in the rubber outsole provides ample traction for wet gym surfaces and outdoor terrains alike.
Julie Lohre, women's fitness expert, IFBB fitness pro athlete and certified personal trainer, calls them "my absolute go-to all-around favorite shoes because they strike the perfect balance between support and responsiveness. They give me a stable base for heavy lifting and enough cushioning for cardio sessions, making them incredibly versatile. The fit is snug and comfortable, which makes me feel secure no matter the workout."
When we polled healthcare pros, they overwhelmingly cited Brooks as a top shoe for nurses because they "offer comfortable and durable shoes in styles that are fun and functional," according to Sarah K. Wells, founder of New Thing Nurse. And the Ghost 15 is the shoe most recommended by the brand for healthcare workers. Along with an APMA Seal of Acceptance, these comfortable kicks boast ultra-lightweight cushioning, a breathable upper and a system of shock absorbers to prevent foot pain. They come in a variety of color combos and widths.
The No. 1 Amazon bestsellers have racked up over 7,000 five-star ratings, with many from nurses. "I'm on my feet all day. Every other tennis shoe I have tried ended up with my feet aching at the end of a shift or my toes going numb. These are so comfortable and light, and my feet haven't hurt at all,” raved one.
Perhaps best of all, Brooks offers a 25% discount for healthcare workers!
If you've seen a pair of Hokas in the wild, there's a good chance they were Cliftons. These are among the brand's most popular picks, and it's for good reason. "They're absolutely cloud-like," raves Zaydenberg. "They were the only shoes that didn't exacerbate my plantar fasciitis (especially when I walked for hours at Disneyland)."
I also own a pair of Cliftons, and I wear them every time I go for a long walk, whether I'm on a treadmill, a trail or around town. The cushioned sneakers are undoubtedly the most comfortable walking shoe I've ever tried, and I loved that there was no break-in time. They come in a wide range of colors, so it's easy to find a favorite style (or two). They've even earned an APMA seal of approval.
Check out our other recommendations for Hoka walking shoes.
Sizes: 5 to 13 | Colors: 14 options | Weight: 9.3 oz
When we polled our team of experts for their favorite running shoes, both running coaches we spoke with, Carleth Keys and Kim Clark listed these New Balance sneakers as their top picks. "This is the most comfortable shoe on the market, ideal for daily training and long runs that don’t involve intense workouts," says Keys. Clark agrees telling us "The cushioning is so plush and soft. It seriously is the most comfortable cushioning underfoot for easy runs!"
The sporty kicks have a breathable mesh upper to prevent your feet from overheating and a durable rubber outsole that offers great traction for everyday runs. There are 14 styles to choose from and sizes not only range from 5 to 13 but they also come in narrow, medium, wide and extra-wide options so you can easily find your ideal fit.
Ugg slippers have been in demand since the early 2000s, but this pair is probably the most popular right now. The Tasmans, our picks for best women's slippers, are lined with the same cozy sheepskin as your favorite Ugg boots, but their backless design makes them easier to slip on and off. The rubber soles are also the same as the brand's signature boots, which I love because it means I can wear them indoors and out with ease.
These look just as good with pajamas as with athleisure and are my go-tos for when I need to quickly let my dog outside to do his business. The grippy soles mean you won't be slipping and sliding around, and they're cozy enough for hunkering down at home on chilly days.
Hundreds of shoppers and podiatrists are fans of this ultra-cushioned pair of sneakers. Dr. Hillary Brenner, a podiatric surgeon, said this pair of supportive slip-ons "is hands down my favorite. They meet all the criteria of a supportive shoe, and I especially like that they make their shoes with the EVA material for shock absorption."
Not only do the sneakers have the signature Hoka cushioning, but they boast a memory foam heel for added comfort and an elastic band at the ankle that cradles the foot and keeps it from sliding around. They're made from 100% vegan materials and have a mesh upper, making them super-breathable. Plus, they weigh less than 6 ounces.
This crowd-pleaser, our overall best checked luggage, sports 360-degree spinner wheels and side-mounted TSA locks, and it comes in a variety of snazzy colors (Burnt Orange! Caribbean Blue!) that'll make it stand out on the luggage carousel ... which will save you time.
And don't fret about your gorgeous new suitcase getting dinged up — shoppers confirm that it'll endure even the most rough-and-tumble international treks. "It holds a lot and rolls very well. I've taken it on six flights so far (filled it up to 48 pounds!) and it has held up great … no damage, no issues," wrote one five-star reviewer.
If you're looking for a hardside suitcase that has it all, this is the one to buy. It's expandable and extremely lightweight. The interior is as roomy as it gets for a checked suitcase. However, you won't be able to tell unless you expand it with the hidden zipper.
It's also fully lined and features two compartments with multiple pockets for easy access and organization. There's a TSA-compliant lock and multidirectional spinner wheels. Commerce Writer Moriba Cummings has owned this suitcase for over six years and says he has used it more times than he can count. After all these years, it still looks brand new, he reports.
These compression packing cubes were the sleekest and most well-made of all that we tested. They have a breathable mesh panel that helps with air circulation and lets you see what's inside each cube without unpacking. And the anti-catch zippers ensure that packing is always snag-free. It was easy to fit a lot into these cubes. The cubes come in well-proportioned sizes and nested together easily to fit into my carry-on suitcase.
The exterior of each Monos cube is made from a tear-resistant nylon twill that feels sturdy and durable (no matter how much I stuffed into each cube) and the interior is lined with a soft anti-microbial fabric that keeps items looking and smelling fresh.
When I first saw this Natori bra, I was skeptical that the pretty lace option would provide the all-day comfort and support I expect from a T-shirt bra, let alone become our pick for the best bra overall. I was shocked by just how comfy it was. It is the epitome of fashion meets function. The partially lined bra has a feminine lace trim that gives it a more fashion-forward feel, contoured plunge cups that give my bust a flattering shape and boost, and elastic-lined edges that keep it securely in place without digging.
While I typically try to avoid underwires, I barely noticed it in this style. I love the plunging neckline, and while I was worried the lace would show underneath my clothes, it was unnoticeable. The adjustable straps were thin yet sturdy, and while I thought the lace and mesh might get itchy or uncomfortable, they were soft and comfortable even after hours of wear. The width of the straps increases as the sizes go up to give larger busts the support they need.
This sleek pick is our best strapless bra thanks to the raves of more than 2,000 Nordstrom customers. I also own this smoothing bra, which uses molded cups and light foam padding to provide a nice natural shape. I love that the back and sides have boning and gripper strips to help keep it in place. I've been able to comfortably wear it for hours without having to adjust it.
Even better, it comes with straps, so you can add them when you need extra support. The bra can be worn conventionally, halter style or criss-crossed in the back.
If you’re aiming to downplay your cup size, this affordable option from Vanity Fair may be just what you’re looking for, and it's our best minimizer bra of the year. (This full-coverage bra is also a pick on our overall best bras list!) It can minimize your bustline by up to 1.5 inches. Along with a built-in underwire, it has non-padded cups that comfortably cover and support your breasts.
"Depending on the bra style and if you need a larger cup size, you might look for side panels or a wide back band and straps," said Elisabeth Dale, author of The Bra Zone and founder of the Breast Life. "These details are more critical in bras for people with fuller busts (anything over a DD)." This bra delivers, with extra side and back bands made from a four-way stretch material that smooths any bumps and bulges.
These are soft, warm and easy to put on — just a few of the reasons we named them the best heated socks of the year. I was able to slip these on with ease, and they fit seamlessly into bulky snow boots and sneakers. In addition to a comfy cushioned heel, they have incredibly thin, flexible infrared fiber heating elements that didn't cause discomfort. The socks were warm even without the heat on, and while they did go up very high on my calves, they didn't dig in like others I tested.
They warmed up quickly, and I loved that they heat the top and bottom of your foot and your toes — other socks I tested heat just the top or bottom. I could switch between three heating levels by pushing the button built in at the top of the sock. Plus, these socks came with a wall plug that made charging the battery easy.
Benefits: Hydration, plumps up skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines, helps reduce "crepey" appearance | Formulation: Cream | Size: 3.52 ounces | Skin type: Dry, dehydrated | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, sea buckthorn water
CosRx has helped popularize snail mucin as a skin-care ingredient, but you shouldn’t sleep on its other products. Case in point: the Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cream. A favorite among the K-beauty crowd, this face cream packs and seals moisture into dry, dehydrated skin to prevent further hydration loss. I love this moisturizer for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula and antioxidant ingredients. The texture is perfectly rich without being too heavy and the product itself absorbs fast.
Bonus points: In addition to hyaluronic acid, this cream contains vitamin tree water (also known as sea buckthorn), which is filled with vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids that help strengthen the skin barrier and increase hydration even more. The midrange price point is the cherry on top. — Marie
I've been re-testing eye creams to update our best eye creams list, and I have to say, I'm newly impressed with this version from Peter Thomas Roth. After three weeks of regular use, it minimized the fine lines under my eyes and had an immediate impact on my under-eye puffiness.
No skin-care product will ever perform miracles, of course, but this eye cream helps smooth surface texture (the dreaded crepiness!) on upper lids while improving the appearance of bags underneath. And at this moderate price (not a total bargain, but still not luxury), it's an all-around win.
In midlife, I've developed blackheads on my nose that seem worse than when I was 16. But these truly revolutionary patches help solve the problem fast. You just carefully apply the soft, wide strips across your nostrils and the bridge of your nose, shuffle off to bed and let them do the hard work of clearing your pores while you sleep. In the morning, you'll be astonished when you see all the grime that was trapped inside.
"Amazing" and "miraculous" are common themes among five-star reviewers.
One happy reviewer said, "I was amazed! It was slightly annoying to have on at night, but when I woke up, all of those problem blackheads on my nose were either gone or loosened up. ... The patch is easy to remove and doesn't hurt at all, like some of the other nose strips. I'm so impressed!"
Another reviewer called these "Seriously an unexpected miracle. ... Pore strips have always pulled a few [blackheads] out, but mostly just left a white film behind. I applied this clear plastic patch and went to sleep. [In the morning] I could see that about 75% of my blackheads/sebum were gone."
L'Oreal's Magic Root Cover Up is the gold standard of temporary silver hair concealers and for good reason: It's available in nine shades, as opposed to the three that many brands offer and, once applied, it quickly and effectively conceals gray roots until your next shampoo. It's a super popular product, with tens of thousands of five-star Amazon reviews and even has celebs like Eva Longoria singing its quick-fix gray-covering praises.
"Great product!" one five-star reviewer wrote. "Always a saver. When I can’t get to the salon to get my hair done this saved me so much, even when I didn’t go for like a month or two longer than I should’ve gone. You can always depend on this. And it really matches well with my hair. No one could really tell."
"I got this to spray on the dreadful grays that show up in the part on the top of my head," another reviewer explained. "I hate paying the high prices at the salons, so I use this to hide the grays and extend the time between visits."
Some fans consider it a beauty lifesaver, calling it "a staple I can't live without."
For a quick-fix problem solver and a product that actually works and works well — especially for $10 — the pros here far outweigh the cons.
Dream Coat is an award-winning anti-frizz treatment that works at the cuticle layer of hair, rendering it humidity proof. It's the ideal product for taming both frizz and more wiry gray hair and roots. After applying Dream Coat for the first time and blowing my hair out, it looked silky and shiny without feeling at all crunchy or weighed down.
But my favorite part of this product is how it lasts — the treatment stuck around through four shampoos. I was able to air dry my hair without putting in any additional product and it remained entirely frizz-free. Though you can totally use other styling products with Dream Coat, I found I didn't need to.
I try hundreds of products a year and it's rare that I enjoy one this much. My only regret with Dream Coat is not testing it sooner — it's excellent for fine, thin, mature hair and I've found few products better for taming frizz without a tedious amount of drying and ironing. If I had to find a complaint, I'd say that it's not the most budget friendly. I've already gone through my initial $12, 1.7 ounce travel size and — since Dream Coat is now in my regular product rotation — I'm already burning through my $28, 6.7 ounce bottle.
Even if you don't think of yourself as a "lipstick person," the ultra-popular, 90s-chic (Drew Barrymore fave!) Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey will change your mind. Its creamy, universally flattering formula is made from a blend of blue, red and yellow pigments, so it works for any and all skin tones. It's particularly good for drier, more mature lips like mine, as it glides on like a balm and has none of the waxy feel of some lipsticks. The shade looks dark in the tube but, once on, works like a customized tint, lightly staining the lips a natural-looking berry hue that's just a hint or two above bare.
This lipstick has been around for decades, but after re-trying it this year, I can't believe I went so long without adding it back into my makeup arsenal. I've been wearing it casually to lunches and meetings at my kid's school. As the name suggests, Almost Lipstick makes you look pulled together but not too "done." It's my new favorite everyday lip color and a clear winner for winter.
You got me, Apple. I didn't think you could engineer hard-plastic earbuds that I'd like as much as the AirPods Pro, but the AirPods 4 with ANC kick butt (and ear). Finally, rock-solid noise-cancelling without the need to wedge silicone tips deep inside my ear canals.
You also get most of the other features found in the AirPods Pro, including spatial audio, wireless case charging, full support for Find My and great call quality. Missing, alas, are the Pro's revolutionary hearing-aid capabilities, but if you're not at the point where you need them, there's everything else to like here.
Read my full Apple AirPods 4 review to learn more, and check out the best wireless earbuds roundup for other options you might like.
With a permanent price cut dropping it to $349 and frequent sales driving it even lower, the current-generation base-model iPad is arguably the best tablet for anyone and everyone. It's a shockingly capable device, able to run an unrivaled selection of apps and work with a broad selection of accessories (including, notably, the Apple Pencil for drawing and note-taking).
This iPad features a gorgeous 10.9-inch screen, impressive front and rear cameras and some zippy color choices. It's also one of very few tablets available with a cellular option (at extra cost), something to consider if you need internet access while out and about.
Looking for a budget option? That nod goes to the Amazon Fire HD 8. Read about that and other great models in our roundup of the best tablets you can buy right now.
Every TV needs a soundbar, and if you're going to get one, you might as well add a subwoofer and rear speakers into the mix. Those elements add considerably to the home-theater experience — but in the case of Hisense AX5125H, they don't add considerably to the price.
Indeed, for a very modest $350 (often discounted to $300), you get not only a Dolby Atmos-equipped main speaker, but wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer. That means real surround sound, not simulated.
Small wonder, then, that I named this the best soundbar overall in my roundup of the best soundbars of the year. Click through to learn more.
If you're in the market for a new TV, don't base your decision solely on vague specs (looking at you, "QLED," "DTS," etc.). While the Roku Pro Series delivers all the important ones, it's my favorite for one simple reason: It's easy to set up and easy to use. It's a TV for the non-tech-savvy.
Make no mistake, it's also a really good TV — though you could make the argument for a less-expensive model that also has the Roku software baked in.
Read my Roku Pro Series TV review to learn more.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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