We challenged our staff to come up with their must-have products for this year. After thousands of hours of product research and testing, these items are our can’t-miss choices. From coffee makers to Bluetooth speakers, here’s everything our staff recommends this year.
Home and kitchen
Baking, cooking and more
Homearray Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls — Andrea Boudewijn, Cooking and Baking Expert
“These are possibly the safest, handiest and easiest mixing bowls on the market. You can heat and freeze them, and they won’t shatter. With the wide-open tops, there’s plenty of room to mix!”
Sold by Amazon
Chicago Metallic Nonstick Baking Sheet — Alan Rosenberg, Editor
“This excellent Chicago Metallic nonstick baking sheet lets cookies and everything else slide off easily and cleans simply with a sponge. What else could you want?”
Sold by Amazon
Off the Eaten Path Veggie Crisps — Kathy Huston, Editor
“I love these crisps. They're pretty healthy (you can see the veggies and chickpeas in each chip). They're gluten- and cholesterol-free and a good source of protein and fiber (a good alternative for other salty snack fanatics like me). They come in a few options, but I like the ones made with real purple sweet potatoes the best.”
Sold by Amazon
Deemton Plastic Saran Wrap Dispenser — Allen Foster, Writer
“This little thing is a miracle. It lets you pull as much or as little Saran Wrap off the roll as you need. Getting the plastic wrap started is never a problem, and it doesn't stick to itself. You can cover leftovers without any aggravation.”
Sold by Amazon
Ovente Sandwich Maker — Jennifer Manfrin, Writer
“The Ovente Sandwich maker is inexpensive and simple, but great for quick, easy meals!”
Sold by Amazon
Joseph Joseph Scoop & Pick Jar Spoon — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“The Joseph Joseph Scoop & Pick Jar Spoon is a gadget that I use every day. It solves the spoon/jar problem I had digging olives and minced garlic out of tight openings. It's seriously amazing! It’s the best $10 I've spent, and it's more durable than I expected.”
Sold by Amazon
Hamilton Beach Waffle Maker — Tara Graves, Assignment Editor
“I got this Hamilton Beach waffle maker ahead of Mother's Day to add to my waffle-making assembly line for making a brunch for about 20 people. It worked like a champ — cooks waffles quickly and evenly, and if you're serving little kids, each of the four slices can be an individual serving.”
Sold by Amazon
NexTrend Ginger Twister for Garlic, Herbs, and Nuts — Emilie DeFazio, Content Production Manager
“This little garlic grinder has changed my life! It's so much more intuitive than a garlic press and much easier to clean.”
Sold by Amazon
Coffee makers and other drink essentials
Cosori Electric Glass Kettle — Angela Garretson, Community Editor
“As long as you don’t care about temperature control, this electric kettle is tough to beat for the price. It has a stainless steel filter, heats water quickly and is easy to clean. I love the cool-looking blue LED indicator light at the base that lets you know when it’s on, and it shuts off automatically when it’s done.”
Sold by Amazon
Capresso EC100 Espresso Machine — Laura Duerr, Writer
“This year, we got ourselves the Capresso EC100 espresso machine. For a little, no-frills espresso maker, we're really happy with it! It's easy to use, small, and does exactly what we need it to — brew tasty espresso and foam milk.”
Sold by Amazon
Cuisinart Coffee Maker with Automatic Grinder — Megan Carver, Assignment Editor
“We are a bit particular about coffee in our house, so we finally took the plunge and got a really good coffee maker. We use this one from Cuisinart every single day! I love having fresh ground coffee ready first thing in the morning. Cleanup is a little tedious, but the result is 100% worth it.”
Sold by Amazon
Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker — Ariana Sheehan, Engagement Editor
“A friend bought me this cold-brew maker with a subscription for coffee from around the world. I brew a new pitcher every time it's empty and leave it in my fridge for the days when hot coffee just won't be what I want. It's super simple and easy to use!”
Sold by Amazon
Bodum 12-Ounce French Press — Katy Palmer, Writer
“I got this cute French press, and it’s perfect. We never make more than 1-2 cups of coffee at once, and it’s less involved than our pour-over coffee maker.”
Sold by Amazon
AeroPress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker — Tara Graves, Assignment Editor
“I received an AeroPress as a gift nearly 10 years ago, and hardly a week has gone by since when I haven't used it. It's great when you want to make a single cup of coffee in the morning, if you have only one or two dinner guests who like an after-dinner coffee, and for camping. I have a reusable filter for it, which reduces waste.”
Sold by Amazon
La Rochere Bee Tumblers — Meredith Gallo, Testing and Research Editor
“We got these tumblers as a present, and I love them. I like that they are classic and a little whimsical with the bee design.”
Sold by Amazon
Igloo Electric Countertop Ice Maker — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“I picked this up at a deep discount on Prime Day. Consider me impressed! It makes a pound of ice every hour, and it's much quieter than expected. Iced coffee and super-cold water, here I come!”
Sold by Amazon
SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker — Angela Garretson, Community Editor
“Water is so much better when it’s bubbly. Our SodaStream saves us from having to buy endless cans of seltzer at the store, and, honestly, it’s fun to press the button and hear it fizz.”
Sold by Amazon
For the home
Dremel Multi Max 50 Oscillating Multitool — Beth Allen, DIY Expert
“This multitool is my favorite must-have. It is the MacGyver of power tools. It can cut wood, metal and PVC. It also sands and removes grout. Every home needs one under the tree and in the garage!”
Sold by Amazon
iRobot Roomba i7 — Jeremy Reed, Chief Marketing Officer
“We’re finally buying an iRobot. The price is now under $500 (almost half off) for the first time I remember.”
Sold by Amazon
Amazon Basics 500-Watt Personal Mini Heater — Tara Graves, Assignment Editor
“I've had this little heater for three years, and it does a fantastic job of keeping my desk area warm. When not in use, the design is unobtrusive and blends into the background.”
Sold by Amazon
Shark Navigator Upright Vacuum — Jennifer Manfrin, Writer
“I've had this vacuum for two years, and it's the best upright model I've ever owned. It has awesome suction and is easy to maneuver around objects. It also does a great job removing pet hair.”
Sold by Amazon
Puxu Knot Pillows — Ariana Sheehan, Engagement Editor
“I bought a few of these knot pillows for my couch and love how firm they are to rest on but also how different they look from the other pillows.”
Sold by Amazon
Sunbeam Electric Heated Blanket — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“This blanket is an under-the-radar gift. If you like feeling warm while you sleep without piling on bulky comforters and blankets, it's a great investment.”
Sold by Amazon
Red Co. Acrylic Book Holder — Meredith Gallo, Testing and Research Editor
“I saw this on TikTok, and I think it would be a great gift, along with a meaningful coffee table book.”
Sold by Amazon
Philips Color and Tunable White Dimmable Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Connected Wireless Light Bulbs — Meredith Gallo, Testing and Research Editor
“We got a few of these Wi-Fi-enabled dimmable smart bulbs a few months ago. You can control them with an app, so they're great if you travel a want to set the lights to turn on at a certain time.”
Sold by Home Depot
Bissell Little Green — Allen Foster, Writer
“My wife got the Bissell Little Green, and she loves it. She's actually excited that the water is disgustingly filthy after she uses it because she said the couch is that much cleaner now.”
Sold by Amazon
Bissell SpinWave — Margot Malverty, Writer
“I love this — especially with kids and pets!”
Sold by Amazon
Toys and crafts
Feisty Pets Glenda Glitterpoop The Unicorn — Robin Allday, Trends Editor
“I have a sweet-natured nephew who sometimes behaves like a monster. He was delighted to find this perfect gift for him. This cute and cuddly animal bares fangs and becomes enraged when squeezed.”
Sold by Amazon
National Geographic Rock Tumbler — Angela Garretson, Community Editor
“Kids (and even adults) will be amazed as they watch the rock tumbler transform dull-looking rocks into beautifully polished gemstones. While the process does take a solid four weeks and it’s fairly noisy, my kid learned a lot about how gemstones are made and she created some nice jewelry with the included pieces.”
Sold by Amazon
Viviva Watercolor Paint Set — Bradley Geiser, Writer
“These are the coolest art supplies I’ve tried in recent months. It’s a portable artist-quality watercolor set in the form of a book. Thanks to the wax sheet between each page, you can easily take this anywhere. Despite its look, the book doesn’t buckle with water.”
Sold by Amazon
Kid Made Modern My First Art and Crafts Library — Angela Garretson, Community Editor
“I’m a big fan of everything from Kid Made Modern! This is a terrific starter set for the very young crafter. It comes with everything they’ll need to create fun creatures and whatever else they can dream up. The more than 200-piece set includes fuzzy pipe cleaners, sticky-backed googly eyes and jewels, yarn, felt, beads and craft sticks.”
Sold by Amazon
Tech and electronics
Computer and gaming gear
Keychron K3 v2 Low-Profile Keyboard — Jay Gambol, Writer
“I use this with my MacBook when I'm at my workstation. I love how typing on it makes me feel like I was on my first computer when I was young. This model allows you to hot-swap the switches to customize the key feel. It's rechargeable with backlight lighting effects.”
Sold by Amazon
KYY Portable Monitor — Tara Graves, Assignment Editor
“I've really enjoyed having this second monitor for my laptop. It stores flat when not in use, which lets me use my desk space for other things.”
Sold by Amazon
Dell Curved Gaming Monitor — Kyle Harper, Trends Writer
“I bought this monitor toward the beginning of the year, and it is excellent. I have been working on my laptop for the past few weeks, and all I can think about when I work is how much I miss having that monitor in front of me.”
Sold by Amazon
Lenrich iPad Pro 12.9 Case With Keyboard — Allen Foster, Writer
“My old iPad case dry-rotted away, and I can't believe I found this one for my 2015 iPad Pro. It has made my 7-year-old iPad feel brand-new.”
Sold by Amazon
Oculus Quest 2 — Missy Nott, Senior Editor
“For my teenage son’s birthday this year, we splurged and got him the Oculus Quest 2. It’s a virtual reality headset that can put you in some amazing virtual gaming situations, and it was everything my son wanted and more! I was a ‘cool mom’ for at least a week! This piece of tech varies in price throughout the year, and you can save money by getting the 128GB instead of the 256GB if your giftee doesn’t mind. (Mine didn’t. He was just happy to be the kid in his friend group with the Oculus.)”
Sold by Amazon
Samsung Chromebook — Jennifer Manfrin, Writer
“This Chromebook is very easy to set up and is quite user-friendly. It also has decent battery life.”
Sold by Amazon
Homerays Bamboo Monitor Stand Riser — Katy Palmer, Writer
“I’d been searching for a monitor riser with storage for a while. I finally went with this one and love it. It holds my paper goods, headphones and chargers and covers up my Wi-Fi router. And I get more desk space back!”
Sold by Amazon
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Gaming Keyboard — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“I'm a big fan of how responsive this is — great for gaming, and perfect if you need a keyboard that can take the beating of heavy, everyday work use.”
Sold by Amazon
Other tech essentials
Roku Express 4K+ — Beth Sturges, Producer
“Thanks to the Roku Express 4K+, we've given up our satellite dish! We have access to all our favorite movie and TV apps, as well as some new ones we can't wait to explore. Plus, it's super easy to set up. The remote control works and feels like any standard TV remote. I plan to purchase additional Roku units for each TV in the house.”
Sold by Amazon
Anker Charging Phone Stand — Emilie DeFazio, Content Production Manager
“I got the Anker charging phone stand to simplify all the cords I had on my bedside table, and I love it. It has a small footprint and charges quickly. The only downside is that it made it much easier for me to turn off my morning alarm!”
Sold by Amazon
She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm — Kali Shilvock, Product Tester
“With its loud alarm and flashing strobe light, this affordable device that can attach to your keychain is a super nice thing to have handy.”
Sold by Amazon
JBL Flip 6 — Ariana Sheehan, Engagement Editor
“I bought this during Prime Day and have already used it a ton while I'm working outside on the deck, during dinner, during a barbecue with friends and, my favorite use so far, on the kayak with my daughter. We blasted ‘Zombies 3’ tunes while paddling, and I didn't need to worry about possibly dropping the speaker in the lake!”
Sold by Amazon
Apple Watch Series 7 — Emilie DeFazio, Content Production Manager
“Gotta love my Apple Watch! I got the Series 7 as a birthday present back in February. I use it way more for Shazam-ing songs than I thought I would. Technology is full of wonderful surprises!”
Sold by Amazon
Beats Fit Pro — Fadumo Osman, Paid Media Manager
“The Beats Fit Pro have been a lifesaver as I've been training for the NY marathon. They stay put but also are comfortable and provide sound quality.”
Sold by Amazon
Beauty, personal care and apparel
Beauty and makeup essentials
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer — Jennifer Manfrin, Writer
“This concealer from Tarte is usually on sale during the Black Friday weekend. It's the best concealer I've ever used; it gives me outstanding coverage that looks natural and wears all day.”
Sold by Ulta Beauty
BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream — Melinda Harris-Snowden, Production Lead
“This is my new favorite beauty product. I don't generally wear much makeup during the week, so I apply Complexion Rescue daily and a touch of lip gloss for a clear, dewy, healthy-looking appearance. It also contains hyaluronic acid to keep my face hydrated all day. I love this stuff!”
Sold by Amazon
Scout Packin’ Heat Large Makeup Bag — Meredith Gallo, Testing and Research Editor
“I'm planning on gifting some of these makeup bags for the holidays. They make great toiletry bags and are super durable. They're also relatively easy to hand-wash.”
Sold by Amazon
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat High Cover Radiant Under-Eye Concealer — Angela Garretson, Community Editor
“This product makes dark circles magically disappear, and you don’t have to be a makeup genius to apply it. It works much like a paintbrush, and just a few dabs are all you need to look like you slept 10 hours the night before.”
Sold by Sephora
Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“I caved and bought the viral Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara. It works wonders with adding volume. It’s one of the few nonwaterproof formulas that don’t flake. It gets bonus points for being easy to remove at the end of the day.”
Sold by Amazon
Saviland Acrylic Nail Kit — Tara Graves, Assignment Editor
“I've started doing my nails at home. I'm loving this Saviland acrylic starter kit I got. Also, this gel polish starter kit has been easy to use, though I did order a matte gel top coat as well. A matte finish shows fewer of the imperfections.”
Sold by Amazon
Buxom Lash Volumizing Mascara — Jennifer Manfrin, Writer
“Buxom is one of my favorite mascaras. And I use Stila Liquid Eyeliner Pen in Midnight — it's blue, but not too blue.”
Sold by Ulta Beauty
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil — Alvina Wang, Photographer
“I love this makeup oil remover. It doesn’t make your face feel dry after using it.”
Sold by Sephora
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Face Mask — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“I'm not a huge fan of nighttime moisturizers, but the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Face Mask, one of the brand's newest formulas, totally changed my mind. It's lightweight and nongreasy. It also makes your skin noticeably softer, brighter, and less red in the morning. A little goes a long way, so the bottles last forever.”
Sold by Ulta Beauty
The Kenra Platinum Texturizing Taffy — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“This is my blowout must-have because it smooths out all the frizz and keeps hair soft for a couple of days afterward. My salon uses it and everyone raves about it.”
Sold by Amazon
Apparel and personal care
Hoka One One Clifton 8 — Angela Garretson, Community Editor
“I can’t recommend these running shoes enough. They really are like running on a cloud. My mom’s podiatrist recommended the Hoka brand to her as well, so now we’re twins!”
Sold by Amazon
Reef Men’s Fanning Sandals — Jeffrey Harper, Writer
“For years, I have been buying these sandals for the beach, but the shock-absorbing footbed and heel air bag make them comfortable for walking anywhere. The bonus feature is a church key bottle opener built into the rubber outsole that ensures you are never without a way to open a cold one.”
Sold by Amazon
Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Sunglasses — Angela Garretson, Community Editor
"Fashionable for decades, Ray-Ban Wayfarers are always a worthy investment. They offer excellent UV protection and are perfect for wearing around town or to the beach."
Sold by Amazon
Remington Shortcut Pro Self-Haircut Kit — Allen Foster, Writer
“I love this thing. I have cut my own hair since the '90s, and it's always been tough. It involves my wife and a few arguments about going to get a professional touch-up. But this thing is contoured to the shape of my head. I can get a perfect cut in about two minutes — all by myself.”
Sold by Amazon
Weleda Body Butter — Emilie DeFazio, Content Production Manager
“I love my Weleda Body Butter; anything in the Skin Food series is fantastic (it makes me smell like a Froot Loop). I also have been a big fan of my Supergoop Unscreen Sunscreen — it’s super easy to apply and reapply all day long.”
Sold by Amazon
TheraGun Elite — Sian Babish, Content Manager
“I have gotten way more use out of my TheraGun Elite than I thought! Huge fan of using this for post-workout recovery.”
Sold by Amazon
Supergoop Matte Screen — Katy Palmer, Writer
“This is amazing as a matte primer and SPF all in one! It’s creamy and blends so well. It’s one of the few sunscreens I love using on my face, either alone or with makeup.”
Sold by Amazon
Neutrogena Hydroboost SPF 50 — Meredith Gallo, Testing and Research Editor
“This Neutrogena sunscreen lotion doesn't leave a white cast and seems to do well with water and sweat.
Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.