Some of our favorite products we tested this year
Best blender: Vitamix 5200 Blender
Best portable espresso machine: Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
Best handheld vacuum: Black+Decker Max Flex BDH2020FL handheld vacuum
Best bidet seat: Toto Washlet C2
Best shoes for standing all day: Hoka Women’s Bondi 8
Best dehumidifier: Frigidaire Gallery 50-Pint with Built-in Pump and Wi-Fi Dehumidifier
Throughout 2024, the Underscored Testing Team was constantly testing and writing product reviews to help you, our readers, find the absolute best things for your life. We had our hands on everything from shoes, handheld vacuums and bidets to blenders, portable espresso makers and dehumidifiers.
As this year wraps up, senior editor of testing Rick Stella has begun to ask us about which products we each loved testing the most and which ones stood out in our minds over the past year. We’re answering him here by putting pen to paper, so to speak, about the products we each tested that won our hearts after we put them through all kinds of unforgettable testing scenarios. And oh do we have tales to tell.
For instance, associate writer Carolina Gazal unleashed her inner party host by using blenders to whip up countless smoothies, associate writer Gareen Puglia pulled shots at the Hollywood Bowl with various portable espresso machines at her side, associate writer Joe Bloss diligently cleaned his home with handheld vacuums until no dirt could be found, testing editor Kai Burkhardt found himself in his bathroom for days sitting on bidets, and testing and updates writer Michelle Rae Uy patiently stood and worked in different pairs of shoes all day long without taking a break. Finally, yours truly braved a disturbing amount of mold and mildew to test out dehumidifiers in my basement.
We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. So just sit back, relax and enjoy our reminiscent look at the products we each were most impressed with over the last 12 months. Included in our list of products are our top picks from brands like Black + Decker, Hoka, KitchenAid, Lululemon, Oxo, REI, Serta, Ugg, Vitamix and more.
Carolina Gazal’s picks
Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant, 28-Inch
Best leggings
We tested over 20 different kinds of leggings, all in a range of price points and designs. Lululemon's buttery-soft material and barely-there comfort easily won us all over. Every tester appreciated the magic of Lulumen’s material, which practically molded to the body — all without feeling constricting. Lightweight, breathable and durable, the Align's ultra-smooth feel lives up to the hype. — Carolina Gazal, Associate Writer, Testing
From $98 From $49 at Lululemon
Reformation Classic Crew Tee
Best women’s white T-shirt
A classic, go-to white t-shirt is a wardrobe essential. The process of finding the perfect white t-shirt can vary depending on so many factors, like fit, fabric, brand loyalty and even sleeve length. After wearing, washing, drying and styling a range of white t-shirts for women, our testers of all sizes and heights agreed the Reformation Classic Crew Tee was a winning t-shirt. — Carolina Gazal, Associate Writer, Testing
Vitamix 5200 Blender
Best blender
I firmly believe this is the only blender you’ll ever need in your life. The powerful Vitamix 5200 is known for its high voltage and can do it all. However, it’s best for making sauces, butters and smoothies — even ice creams and sorbets. It’s tall enough to make portions large enough for family dinners, but it’s slim enough to free up counter space. — Carolina Gazal, Associate Writer, Testing
Oxo Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer
A time-saving mandoline
If you’ve been curious to try the viral cucumber salad, then you’ve probably wondered about getting a mandoline. I’m here to tell you to add this one from Oxo to your cart. A mandoline will help you slice and dice veggies in seconds. I loved this handheld and affordable appliance that can easily fit over any bowl or container, which is helpful for small kitchens. I also appreciated the adjustable thickness, meaning I only needed this one blade. — Carolina Gazal, Associate Writer, Testing
Flecha Azul Blanco
Best celebrity tequila
It’s hard to land on one stellar tequila, which is why we put a range of celeb-founded brands to the test. The taste test, that is. After breaking open this bottle from Mark Wahlberg, our testers agreed this rich and silky tequila was worthy of high praise. We were impressed by the sweet, slightly floral scent that tasted smooth, with or without orange and lime wedges. — Carolina Gazal, Associate Writer, Testing
Gareen Puglia’s picks
Wacaco Nanopresso
Best portable espresso machine
I had so much fun testing portable espresso machines, pulling a shot at the office, in the outdoors and even at the Hollywood Bowl. The best and easiest portable espresso machine I tried was the Wacaco Nanopresso. It’s easy to use but also produces great espresso with lots of crema. For coffee lovers out there (and espresso purists), give the Nanopresso a try. — Gareen Puglia, Associate Writer, Testing
Owala 20-Ounce SmoothSip Slider
A totally leakproof travel mug
I tested many travel mugs this year and the Owala SmoothSip Slider 20-Ounce remains my favorite. Its Smooth Sip spout truly changes the game when it comes to comfortable sipping. Plus the slide on top of the lid lets you lock in your liquid and not deal with any spillage if you’re on the go. It’s a great travel mug with fun colors to choose from. Plus, you’re getting a 20-ounce product for under $30. — Gareen Puglia, Associate Writer, Testing
Kavat Coffee Premium Modern Armenian Coffee (Medium Roast)
Delicious Armenian coffee
My testing colleague and associate writer Carolina Gazal and I wrote an article highlighting Armenian coffee this year. For the piece, we interviewed System Of A Down lead singer and Armenian coffee enthusiast, Serj Tankian; he had just opened Kavat Coffee Café, a coffee shop and art gallery in Los Angeles. Carolina and I tried the “soorj” blend from his brand, Kavat Coffee. The Premium Modern Armenian Coffee is delicious. I enjoyed the flavors of this blend, reminding me of the traditional taste in a smoother finish. If you’re looking to try Armenian coffee, then this is a great blend to start with. — Gareen Puglia, Associate Writer, Testing
Keiko Furoshiki Reusable Fabric Gift Wrap Furoshiki
Beautiful reusable fabric gift wrap
As someone who is not the best at wrapping presents, I had lots of practice testing different gift wrapping tools in 2024. Keiko Furoshiki stood out to me for its beautiful designs and practice of sustainability. After trying this product in the traditional Japanese method, I found my preferred gift wrapping moving forward. I experimented with different furoshiki tying methods and learned the story behind the family business during my testing for this piece. Keiko Furoshiki’s bold patterns and multi-use nature makes it a great product to invest in. — Gareen Puglia, Associate Writer, Testing
Joe Bloss’s picks
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
A useful attachment
My dessert game has never been so good. I've tested several different kinds of ice cream makers and the fact that this attachment makes use of the stand mixer I already have on my counter — while still making darn good ice cream — is such a win. Its results are creamy and consistent. The fact that it has no lid means all mix-ins are fair game. And since it's really just a giant bowl and one chunky paddle, cleaning it is so easy. — Joe Bloss, Associate Writer, Testing
Lancaster No. 8 Cast-Iron Skillet
A sharp-looking cast-iron skillet
This cast-iron skillet has become the do-it-all weapon in my kitchen. I make an absurd amount of breakfast sandwiches and it has held up remarkably. You'll get your money's worth with plenty more stovetop uses but, if the price still scares you off, then just know that investing in any of the cast-iron skillets we’ve tested is such an upgrade over cheap cookware. I wish I'd done it sooner. — Joe Bloss, Associate Writer, Testing
Black + Decker Max Flex BDH2020FL Handheld Vacuum
Best car vacuum
I've written a lot about how I need to keep my car clean and this vac is my number 1 tool in that mission. It has the canister to handle significant messes, the reach to find hidden debris under seats and cushions and the portability to come with you far away from any outlet. It's a mainstay in my trunk. — Joe Bloss, Associate Writer, Testing
Groove Life Groove Wallet
Best metal cardholder for men
Even after testing dozens of wallets in 2024, this metal cardholder I've been using daily for years has remained my go-to. It's small enough for any pocket, and its slide-up deployment of my credit cards is lightning-quick. Paying a few extra bucks for the Groove Wallet Trace's FindMy capabilities might be worth it if you often misplace things. — Joe Bloss, Associate Writer, Testing
The Windmill Air Purifier
A great performing air purifier
I test a lot of products for this job and not everything gets the stamp of my fiancée's approval to stay in our apartment. The Windmill Air Purifier — launched this year — did. It looks great as part of any aesthetic. More importantly, it has all the certifications we look for in a trustworthy air purifier. I know it works because every time my kitchen gets smoky, the Windmill alerts me of a drop in air quality. — Joe Bloss, Associate Writer, Testing
Kai Burkhardt’s picks
Paka Men’s Apu Lightweight Puffer
Best down-alternative jacket
Paka is one of the best apparel brands I’ve tested this year. And if there’s one piece I think everybody should try, it’s the Apu Lightweight Puffer. Our pick for the best down alternative jacket, the Apu Lightweight uses alpaca fiber to create an amazingly warm and sustainable puffy. I’m a big fan of Paka’s unisex staple hoodie, but the delicate care required might be too much for a lot of people. The Apu Lightweight Puffer, on the other hand, requires little to no care while still being amazingly warm and lightweight. I’ve worn this jacket to the ski slopes, while rock climbing, on hikes and more, and it’s my go-to puffy for fall and winter. — Kai Burkhardt, Editor, Testing (Outdoors, Sustainable Living & Pets)
$279 (for men) at Paka Apparel
$279 (for women) at Paka Apparel
Gunner G1 Kennel
Best crash-tested dog crate
Not many people know about crash-tested dog crates, but they’re one of the most essential pieces of pet gear if you drive with your dog. These crates can help your furry family members stay safe in an accident. After testing various crates for ease of use and setup, the Gunner G1 Kennel is our favorite. It’s unbelievably durable, comes in multiple sizes to fit nearly any dog, and is a 5-Star Crash Tested crate per the Center for Pet Safety (CPS). — Kai Burkhardt, Editor, Testing (Outdoors, Sustainable Living & Pets)
Owala FreeSip 32-Ounce Water Bottle
Best straw water bottle
The Owala FreeSip 32-Ounce Water Bottle had its moment this year, and after testing it out ourselves, it’s easy to see why. It’s the easiest bottle we’ve ever tested to drink from — and it’s super cute too. In fact, we liked it so much, we named it our newly crowned winner in our best water bottle testing. It’s amazing to drink out of, easy to operate with one hand and comes in loads of fun colors. If you always drop your bottle, then go with the more durable Yeti Rambler. But if you love drinking from a straw, then the Owala FreeSip is the bottle for you. — Kai Burkhardt, Editor, Testing (Outdoors, Sustainable Living & Pets)
Toto Washlet C2
Best bidet seat
Our favorite bidet ended up on top after another round of testing and it’s the one bidet we think everyone should have. There are lots of bidets to choose from but we still think the Toto Washlet C2 is the perfect one. It’s not absurdly expensive but it has all the luxurious features you could ever want. After putting it through another round of testing this year for an update to our best bidets guide, it came out on top once again. — Kai Burkhardt, Editor, Testing (Outdoors, Sustainable Living & Pets)
REI Men's Rainier Rain Jacket
Best budget rain jacket
After another round of rain jacket testing this year, we found a brand-new rain jacket winner: the REI Co-op Rainier. For only $100, it isn’t as durable as our top pick, the Patagonia Torrentshell, but the Rainier is still a high-quality rain jacket that can handle nearly any storm. So if you’re not planning on spending hours in a downpour and just need a layer for your commute, then you can’t go wrong with the Rainier, our clear choice for best budget rain jacket. — Kai Burkhardt, Editor, Testing (Outdoors, Sustainable Living & Pets)
Michelle Rae Uy’s picks
Hoka Bondi 8
Best shoes for standing all day
There’s a reason the Hoka Bondi 8 for women took our highly-coveted best shoes for standing all day accolade. These stylish shoes may be designed for everyday running, but they’re excellent for walking and standing all day as well — whether you’re traveling around Europe or working a 12-hour shift at the hospital. They’re supportive and comfortable, with amazing shock absorption. They also come in different colors. — Michelle Rae Uy, Writer, Testing & Updates
Serta Luxuriously Soft Plush Electric Blanket
Best electric blanket
After testing so many electric blankets, I’m more convinced than ever that ease of cleaning and maintenance is just as important as heating performance and durability when you’re choosing the right heating blanket for you. This is our current top pick — and the blanket that’s been keeping my cats and me warm and cozy at night — for good reason. It delivers great and reliable performance, is durable, and best of all, easy to clean. Unlike others I’ve tested, it’s completely machine washable and dryable, which makes my life easy. — Michelle Rae Uy, Writer, Testing & Updates
Suzanne Kattau’s picks
Bissell 3177A IconPet Turbo Edge
Best budget cordless stick vacuum
When it comes to pet hair, my house has plenty of it all the time thanks to Gizmo, my Pembroke Welsh corgi. He sheds all over the place all the time. So when I had the opportunity to test out a couple of cordless stick vacuums this year, I jumped at the chance to find one that could handle sucking up mounds of dog hair without clogging. And I found it in the Bissell 3177A IconPet Turbo Edge cordless stick vacuum, which is lightweight, easy to maneuver and has a dustbin that’s simple to clean. — Suzanne Kattau, Editor, Testing (Sleep, Kitchen & Home)
Frigidaire Gallery 50-Pint FGAC5045W1 Dehumidifier
Best dehumidifier
I loved testing the Frigidaire Gallery 50-Pint with Built-in Pump and Wi-Fi FGAC5045W1 Dehumidifier. It’s a powerhouse that saved my basement from the throes of humidity and worse. You see, before testing, I had mold and mildew growing in my basement, after a window leaked (a result from a heavy storm). Once I wiped down the walls and furniture of the mold and mildew, I set this Frigidaire dehumidifier to work on the heavy humidity still lingering in the air. In no time, its bucket was full of water and the air in the basement was once again breathable. I named this Frigidaire our best dehumidifier with no hesitation at all. It’s so easy to use, with a mobile app that lets me easily control it. — Suzanne Kattau, Editor, Testing (Sleep, Kitchen & Home)
Honeywell QuietSet 5-Speed Oscillating Tower Fan
Best cooling fan
I have tested many of the best cooling fans available but I keep reaching for the Honeywell QuietSet Tower Fan whenever I need a reliable fan to help cool me off. This fan oscillates, has a built-in timer, a remote control and a console that is easy to use. I have recommended this fan to so many people who have asked me if I know of a reliable, quiet and sturdy fan at a reasonable price — and one that doesn’t take up too much space. — Suzanne Kattau, Editor, Testing (Sleep, Kitchen & Home)
KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker
A great rice cooker
The KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker has changed the way I cooked rice forever. This favorite rice cooker of mine automatically weighs rice, beans, oats and other grains and then dispenses the right amount of water for me. Every batch of food I try cooks to perfection and this unit even keeps the food warm for whatever length of time I set it to do so. The main unit, lid and nonstick ceramic cook bowl are easy to clean as well. I keep this cooker on my kitchen counter at all times within easy reach. — Suzanne Kattau, Editor, Testing (Sleep, Kitchen & Home)
How we tested
No matter the product category, our testing process was rigorous, as always, this past year.
Before testing, we first spent many hours doing research, reading editorial reviews and perusing user ratings to identify the products we wanted to bring in to test next. Some products we chose to test had existed for months or years while others were brand-new contenders that promised to beat the others in durability, performance or other factors.
Next, we consulted subject matter experts to help us narrow down which features were the most important to test in each product category.
Finally, we created a testing plan for each test and then spent weeks or even months testing and retesting each product multiple times in real-world settings.
We put all the products we tested through the sort of use and abuse they’re likely to encounter in your own home. We’re confident that our process let us identify the very best things so you can rest assured you’re buying only what you need.
Why Trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have an experienced team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item.
As a whole, the Underscored Testing Team has decades of experience testing and writing about products across a spectrum of products. Senior editor of testing, Rick Stella, has years of experience testing health and fitness products, and currently manages the testing process for Underscored.
Editor of testing, Suzanne Kattau, has years of experience testing home and kitchen products and has written our best cooling fans, best cordless stick vacuums, best dehumidifiers and best leaf blowers guides, among others.
Editor of testing, Kai Burkhardt, has tested products for the outdoors, sustainable living & pets for many years. He has written our best alarm clocks, best bidets and best rain jackets guides, among others.
Writer of testing & updates, Michelle Rae Uy, has tested a variety of products as well over the years and has written our best electric blankets, best instant cameras, best pillows for side sleepers and best space heaters guides, among others.
And finally, associate writers of testing, Joe Bloss, Carolina Gazal and Gareen Puglia, also have many years of experience testing products, too. Joe has written our best air mattresses, best Christmas tree lights, best ice cream makers, best paper shredders guides and best wool socks guides, among others.
Carolina has written our best blenders, best celebrity tequilas, best leggings and best white T-shirts for women guides, among others. And Gareen has written our best electric kettles and best gift-wrapping tools guides, among others.