The CNN Underscored team constantly tests new products monthly to find the best ones worth buying. Our objective, hands-on reviews span multiple categories including cleaning and fashion must-haves and health, kitchen and outdoors essentials to electronics, gaming and smart home gear.
Our rigorous testing process begins with extensive research to track down the top contenders in each product category. After we create a testing pool, we use each product multiple times in real-world settings over several weeks (or even months).
In June, we tested tons of cool products, including stylish white T-shirts for men and women that look great all year long, the newest budget headphones, cooling towels to help you beat the heat and smart bird feeders — and found the best you can buy to make life that much better. Here are the best tested products we recommend from June.
Cleaning
Best shop vacs
Ridgid 12-Gallon NXT HD1200
Best shop vac
This shop vac from Ridgid offers excellent capacity and suction power, allowing it to tackle whatever tough task you throw at it. Plus, it's lightweight design makes it easy to haul around.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-Gallon Cordless
Best cordless shop vac
The M18 from Milwaukee features a detachable base for increased portability, efficient battery life, and two solid power modes that are perfect for a variety of jobs.
Vacmaster Professional Wet/Dry Beast
Best compact shop vac
If it's useful attachments you need with a shop vac, the Vacmaster has you covered. This compact model is user-friendly and lightweight yet still offers a lot of suction power.
Electronics
Best budget headphones
EarFun Wave Pro
Best budget wireless headphones
These over-ear headphones from EarFun deliver excellent noise neutralization and sound quality but cost far less than the models sold by Apple, Sony or Bose. They are the epitome of a quality "budget" headphone.
Grado SR60x
Best budget wired headphones
Wired headphones still have their place in the audio world and this pair from Grado proves why. Not only do they feature a retro-style design but they also deliver crystal-clear audio and are comfortable to wear for hours.
Sony WH-CH720N
Best budget noise-canceling headphones
Sony is known for its superb noise-canceling headphones and although this pair may not be regarded as highly as the brand's excellent WH-1000XM5s, it comes quite close, especially when you factor in its 50-hour battery life.
Anker Soundcore Space One
Best feature-filled budget headphones
Anker’s Soundcore Space One headphones cost just $99 yet offer 20-plus EQ presets, customizable sound profiles and hi-res streaming playback. It even has adaptive ANC and a 55-hour, multi-day battery life.
1More SonoFlow SE
Best budget headphones value
It's not often you find a quality pair of over-ear headphones for less than $50 but here we are. This model from 1More has 40mm drivers, Studio EQ and a superb 70 hours of battery life. If you're on a budget, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better pair of headphones.
Best portable chargers
Anker 521
Best portable charger for phones
A compact portable charger with fold-out prongs, the Anker 521 also serves as a USB-C wall adapter. It's efficient and convenient, which is exactly what you want out of a portable charger.
UGreen 145W Power Bank
Best portable charger for laptops and tablets
Portable chargers aren't just for smartphones or tablets, and this model from UGreen packs a serious punch, capable of charging large electronics like a 100W laptop.
Iniu Portable Charger
Best budget portable charger
If all you need is a low-cost but effective portable charger, consider this option from Iniu. It's a 10,000mAh battery that offers enough capacity to keep your phone, tablet or earbuds charged while on the go.
Fashion
Best men’s white T-shirts
Buck Mason Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee
Best men’s white T-shirt
This white tee from Buck Mason is everything you want in a quality shirt. It's heavy-duty yet soft, has a subtle ribbing pattern that allows it to be dressed up to down, and is the kind of clothing piece you'll want to reach for time and again.
Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-Shirt
Best budget men’s white T-shirt
Uniqlo's U Crew white tee can be viewed as a sort of knock-off Buck Mason but it still very much holds its own. It's also a heavy-duty-style shirt with a thick, wide collar but costs less than $20. You'll want to stock up on several of these.
Best women’s white T-shirts
Reformation Classic Crew Tee
Best women’s white T-shirt
The Classic Crew Tee from Reformation is a basic done right. It's soft, lightweight and extremely comfortable, made from 100% organic cotton. It's also just $38 which is a steal considering its quality.
Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-Shirt
Best budget women’s white T-shirt
We loved the men's version of this tee and the women's option is just as great. It costs less than $20, is soft yet sturdy, and feels far more elevated than its price lets on.
Skims Stretch Cotton Jersey T-Shirt
Best fitted women’s white T-shirt
Skims isn't just a shapewear company as it also sells a line of basics like this cotton white tee. It's 90% lightweight cotton and 10% stretch Spandex which gives it a comfortable and although it has a slightly fitted look, it works for a variety of body types.
Leset The Margo
Best splurge-worthy women’s white T-shirt
For a white tee that's wroth the splurge, the Margo from Leset can't be beaten. It features 100% stretch cotton jersey which is incredibly soft and comfortable. It does need to be hand-washed rather than machine-washed but that's a small price to pay.
Gaming
Best gaming headsets
Razer Kraken X
Best budget gaming headset
The Razer Kraken X delivers some of the best comfort and sound quality out of all of the affordable wired headsets we tested. It works with nearly every platform, too, thanks to its versatile 3.5mm wired headphone connection.
HyperX Cloud Alpha S
Best wired gaming headset
The HyperX Cloud Alpha S sounds great and boasts excellent controls that make it easy to adjust volume levels and activate surround sound. They're quite comfortable to wear, too.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max
Best wireless gaming headset
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is our favorite wireless headset thanks to its cooling, gel-infused ear cups, various available features and ability to connect to PlayStation and Xbox consoles via one dongle.
Health & fitness
Best electric bikes
Velotric T1
Best standard electric bike
Slim, sporty and featuring high-quality hardware, the Velotric T1 is an excellent e-bike. It feels like riding a normal bike but is backed by enough boost to keep you cruising along.
Aventon Abound
Best electric cargo bike
Able to carry cargo of all types and a large motor and battery, the Aventon Abound is our favorite hauler. Plus, it comes in at a reasonable price that's impressive considering the hardware Aventon included, like front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes.
Best electric toothbrushes
Philips Sonicare 4100
Best electric toothbrush
The Sonicare 4100 can help you improve your oral hygiene routine as it's affordable, effective and compatible with various replacement brush heads from Philips and third parties.
Oral-B iO Series 2
Best smart electric toothbrush
The Oral-B iO Series 9 offers the most features and brush modes of any electric toothbrush we tested. It has a connected app that provides useful feedback, too. It's expensive but a 60-day guarantee makes it easy to see if it will work for you.
Philips One by Sonicare
Best electric toothbrush for travel
The slim, compact Philips One by Sonicare has a form-fitting case and 30 days of battery life, making it the perfect electric toothbrush for travel. It doesn't have all the features of some more expensive brushes but offers more than enough to keep up your tooth care routine while traveling.
Best workout headphones
Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Best workout headphones
The Beats Fit Pro is perfect for any type of workout, whether you prefer to be in the gym, outside, or any combination of the two. They're also great for commuting to work and for use in the office. They offer a secure fit, have a sweat-resistant design and high quality audio.
Shokz OpenRun Pro
Best headphones for running and outdoor workouts
The Shokz OpenRun Pro bone conduction headphones may not sound as good as sealed earbuds but we still liked using them for running and hiking since they let you hear your surroundings.
Home goods
Best cooling towels
Mission Original Cooling Towel
Best cooling towel
The Mission Original Instant Cooling Towel delivers immediate, refreshing cooling. It's lightweight and breathable, comfortable to wear and very portable.
Best charcoal grills
Weber Original Premium Kettle Grill
Best charcoal grill
The Weber Original Premium Kettle Grill measures 22 inches wide and was the easiest grill we tested for controlling temperature, which is a must for charcoal grills.
Weber Original Kettle Grill
Best budget charcoal grill
With the 18-inch Weber Original Kettle Grill, you can still get the full Weber charcoal grilling experience for a lot less than our top overall pick.
Best pellet grills
Traeger Ironwood 885
Best pellet grill
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is one of our favorite pellet grills. It allows you to easily manage temperatures and does everything from convection cooking to smoking. There's even an easy-to-use companion app.
Best grill brushes
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Best grill brush
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Kitchen
Best can openers
Kitchen Mama Auto Electric Can Opener
Best electric can opener
We appreciated the Kitchen Mama Auto Electric Can Opener's compact, space-saving design. It's easy to use on a variety of cans large and small plus its simple, one-touch operation allows for hands-free use.
OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Manual Can Opener
Best manual can opener
The OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Manual Can Opener impressed us during testing with its ability to widen out to a straight 180 degrees, letting us easily access and clamp down on cans from all angles. It has a built-in bottle opener that's handy for many home cooks, too.
Best ice cream makers
Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker ICE-21P1
Best ice cream maker
The Cuisinart ICE-21 churns some of the best, creamiest ice cream and is also one of the cheapest machines we've tested. You do have to freeze the bowl overnight before making ice cream and it's quite loud, but we still think it's the best ice cream machine to buy.
Whynter ICM-201SB Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker
Best compressor ice cream maker
This compressor-style ice cream maker has a built-in refrigeration unit, so no overnight prep is required. The Whynter ICM-201SB is pricey but it's a very convenient, surprisingly quiet ice cream maker that churns extra-creamy ice cream.
Best kitchen knife sets
Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Kitchen Knife Set
Best kitchen knife set
We were impressed by the sturdy construction and ergonomic, comfortable handles of the knives in the Chicago Cutlery Fusion 17-Piece Knife Block Set. This all-inclusive set includes nearly any knife a home chef could need.
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro 7-Piece Knife Block Set
Best kitchen knife set runner-up
We found the knives in the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro 7-Piece Knife Block Set to be super sharp and durable during testing. We think these high-quality knives will last a lifetime and suggest you give this kitchen knife set a good look.
Wüsthof Classic Ikon 6–Piece Starter Knife Block Set
Best luxury kitchen knife set for serious home cooks
The Wüsthof Classic Ikon 6-Piece Starter Knife Block Set is elegant, handcrafted and proved super sharp during our testing. The set includes the three basic knives that every serious home cook needs.
Best kitchen trash cans
Simplehuman 38-Liter/10-Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can
Best kitchen trash can
The Simplehuman 38-Liter/10-Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can has both a latch to keep the lid open and a removable bin, two features we view as essential.
Simplehuman 40-Liter/10.6-Gallon Slim Kitchen Step Trash Can With Secure Slide Lock
Best budget kitchen trash can
It may not add pizzazz to your kitchen, but the Simplehuman 40-Liter/10.6-Gallon Slim Kitchen Step Trash Can is a quality, budget-friendly choice that gets the job done.
Kohler 13-Gallon Stainless Steel Slim Step Trash Can With Bifold Lid
Best splurge kitchen trash can
With the Kohler 13-Gallon Stainless Steel Slim Step Trash Can, you get a stylish-looking kitchen accessory that’s convenient. It's expensive but worth the investment for those who can afford it.
Nine Stars DZT-50-28 Motion Sensor Rectangular Trash Can
Best touchless motion sensor kitchen trash can
If you’d enjoy opening your trash can with the wave of a hand, we recommend the Nine Stars DZT-50-28 Motion Sensor Rectangular Trash Can. Although high-tech for a trash can, it’s not high-priced, nor does it have a steep learning curve.
Best meat thermometers
ThermoWorks Thermapen One
Best instant-read meat thermometer
The ThermoWorks Thermapen One was the fastest and most accurate thermometer we tested, and it had a display that was the easiest to read.
Oxo Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer
Most stylish instant-read meat thermometer
If you prefer a sleeker look, then the OXO Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer is accurate and easy to read. It is almost as fast as the ThermoWorks Thermapen One plus it has a stylish case design.
Kizen IP100 Digital Meat Thermometer
Best budget instant-read meat thermometer
The Kizen provides accurate readings in under four seconds and super-easy calibration. Its interface and styling are slightly clunky, but it’s a solid buy.
ThermoWorks ChefAlarm Cooking Alarm Thermometer and Timer
Best leave-in meat thermometer
The accurate, stable and easy-to-read ThermoWorks ChefAlarm Cooking Alarm Thermometer and Timer is the most versatile leave-in thermometer we've used. It even has a stand mount that lets you place it anywhere.
Outdoor gear
Best beach chairs
Tommy Bahama Wavy Marlin Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair
Best beach chair
The Tommy Bahama Wavy Marlin Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair is simple to use, packed with storage features and the most comfortable chair we tested.
Best bike locks
Kryptonite New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini
Best U-lock
The Kryptonite New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini is modestly sized but mighty strong, capable of holding up to all but the most serious theft attempts. This is a compelling lock for most bike owners, with a convenient design and a good price.
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain 1415 & New York Disc Lock
Best chain lock
Combining a heavy-duty chain with a small but robust U-lock, the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain 1415 & New York Disc Lock provides extreme flexibility alongside robust security.
Hiplok DX1000
Most secure bike lock
The Hiplok DX1000 is specifically designed to resist attacks from an angle grinder, which chewed through most other locks with little sweat. While it isn’t indestructible, it presents enough of a challenge that thieves will likely look elsewhere first. It's expensive but worth it for serious cyclists and commuters.
Best multitools
Leatherman Sidekick
Best multitool
The Leatherman Sidekick is highly functional and compact, weights just 7 ounces and sports an impressive 14 tools. We loved its sturdy pliers, 420HC knives, multiple screwdrivers and low price point.
Gerber Dime Multi-Tool
Best mini multitool
Compact enough to toss onto a keychain or ultra-light backpacking kit, yet boasting a robust array of 10 functional tools, this 2.2-ounce pocket multitool wowed us with its usefulness and portability.
Sleep
Best air mattresses
King Koil Luxury Air Mattress
Best air mattress
In addition to providing the most comfortable night’s sleep during testing, the King Koil Luxury Air Mattress uses a built-in pump for quick and convenient inflation and has a raised pillow that helps create the feel of a real bed.
Best mattresses
Saatva Classic Mattress
Best mattress for back sleepers
The Saatva Classic Mattress in Plush Soft uses a combination of buoyant coils and a soft foam top to provide solid yet cradling back support. Even in the softest firmness level, it feels closer to a traditional mattress than a memory foam mattress.
$2,095 $1,695 (queen) at Saatva Mattress
Helix Sunset Elite Mattress
Best mattress for side sleepers
With a quilted foam pillow top and layers of foam and micro coils on top of a zoned coil base, the Helix Sunset Elite Mattress allowed our body to sink in, relieving pressure points on the shoulder and hip while still being supportive.
$3,749 $2,812 (queen) at Helix Sleep
Nectar Premier Mattress
Best mattress for stomach sleepers
Stomach sleepers who need a firmer mattress will like the Nectar Premier Mattress. Even though it's labeled medium-firm, we found it on the firmer side, which can help with spine alignment in the facedown position. It's also a great value, costing less than $1,500 for a queen.
Smart home
Best bird feeders
Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder
Best smart bird feeder
The Bird Buddy was the best smart bird feeder we tested thanks to its sturdy, attractive build, solid AI recognition and streamlined app. It's pricey but performed better than any other feeder we tested.
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.