Throughout 2024, the CNN Underscored Testing Team has been hard at work every month testing new products to find the absolute best to buy. In each of our hands-on, objective reviews, we make sure to name the top products worth buying across a wide spectrum of categories, from sleep and home to kitchen and electronics to outdoors and health.
Every time we start our rigorous testing process, we extensively research the top contenders in each category. Next, we create a testing pool of products worth reviewing. Then finally, the fun part: we go hands-on with each product, testing and judging each one by our established criteria. We make sure to review them multiple times in the most real-world settings over several weeks or even months.
Last month, we tested various high-performing, quality products. Some of our top picks from October include Yeti coolers that are durable and reliable for keeping food and drinks chilled, mattress toppers that are comfortable and easy to set up, smart TVs that provide excellent color and contrast for all your favorite shows, cordless stick vacuums that make cleaning your home’s floors easier and cat scratching posts that provide a safe and satisfying place for your feline friends to exercise their claws.
Here are all the best products we tested in October:
Audio
Best soundbars
Vizio M-Series Elevate M512E-K6 Soundbar Kit
Best soundbar
The Vizio M-Series Elevate M512E-K6 soundbar impressed us during testing with its clear audio and impressive surround sound. We liked that it’s simple to add to any home theater as well.
Roku Streambar
Best budget soundbar
During testing, the Roku Streambar added an impressive boost to our TV’s sound. We also liked that its built-in Roku streaming device let us easily beam our Spotify playlist to our TV.
Sonos Arc
Best splurge soundbar
The Sonos Arc sounded better than the other soundbars we tested and it was easy to integrate with our home theater system. At close to $900, it’s a splurge for sure but we think it’s worth it.
Beauty and grooming
Best water flossers
Waterpik Ion Water Flosser
Best water flosser
During testing, the Waterpik Ion Water Flosser impressed us with its huge reservoir that let us keep flossing for a long time without needing to refill it. It’s packed with useful features but has a small footprint and doesn’t hog counter space.
MySmile Cordless Oral Irrigator
Best water flosser for travel
If you’re a dedicated flosser planning a vacation or with an upcoming business tip, bring along the MySmile Cordless Oral Irrigator. It delighted us during testing with its large battery and big reservoir. Another plus is it’s easy to use and comes with a fully waterproof body.
Coffee
Best instant coffee
Saturnbird Instant Medium-Dark Roast (No. 4), 24-Pack
Best instant coffee
During testing, the Saturnbird Instant Medium-Dark Roast tasted delicious and had a pleasant aftertaste. It’s a full body roast that doesn’t taste like instant coffee. We liked that we could easily dissolve it in both cold and hot water, too.
Nescafé Clásico Dark Roast Instant Coffee
Best instant coffee, runner-up
For those on a budget, the Nescafé Clásico Dark Roast Instant Coffee is the instant coffee to reach for. We liked its comforting and familiar taste, though it could have been a big stronger. This instant coffee is still easy to drink and is a good option for those who want some affordable java.
Equator Coffees Equator Blend Instant Coffee
Best specialty instant coffee
During testing, the light-bodied Equator Coffees Equator Blend Instant Coffee impressed us with its complex acidic flavor, which it gets from a mix of beans from Colombia, Honduras, Kenya and Sumatra.
Electronics
E-readers
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024)
Best e-reader
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) changes everything thanks to its new display tech that features an oxide backplane that allows its E Ink pixels to move at much faster rates than ever before. It makes the display bright and warm and a pleasure to read on.
Rakuten Kobo Libra Colour
Best color-screen e-reader
During testing, the Rakuten Kobo Libra Colour was a reader we loved because of its 7-inch screen and physical buttons that make navigation a breeze. Note-takers take heed, it's compatible with a stylus that lets you scribble in the margins.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids
Best e-reader for kids
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids delighted us during testing with its 7-inch screen, 300-pixels-per-inch resolution and waterproof design. It also sports a handy sleep cover and comes with one year of Amazon Kids+ for free, which we think is great since it allows your child easy access to a huge library of books for kids.
Boox Palma
Best pocket-friendly e-reader
During testing, the Boox Palma was easy to hold for hours thanks to its mere 6-ounce weight. It’s light, compact and perfect for commuters or frequent travelers who will appreciate its portability and easy-to-use interface.
Health and fitness
Best bike lights
Cygolite Dash 600
Best front bike light
The Cygolite Dash 600 is an affordable and easy-to-use front bike light with various light modes. These include three day and five night modes. We liked that its adjustable band let us easily wrap it around our handlebars.
Cygolite Hotrod 120
Best rear bike light
During testing, the small, affordable Cygolite Hotrod 120 rear light wrapped around our seatpost and stayed secure, even on bumpy rides. Though it’s low in lumens, we liked how bright it shone plus it’s a water-resistant light.
Best hiking socks
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew
Best hiking socks
The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks are perfect for hiking, are comfortably stretchy yet durable and have a padded heel and ball. We liked how lightweight they felt while being supportive during our hikes.
Swiftwick Flite XT Trail Mid-Crew
Best hiking sock, runner-up
During testing, the Swiftwick Flite XT Trail Mid-Crew socks pleased us with a form-fitting, lightweight feel. They provided contoured compression and great arch support and we could hike for miles without developing blisters.
Best SAD light therapy lamps
Verilux Happy Light Luxe
Best SAD light therapy lamp
The Verilux Happy Light Luxe proved durable during testing as it passed our drop test without breaking. This wall-mountable SAD light therapy lamp is highly customizable, offering four brightness levels and three color temperatures. We also loved its timer, which we could set in multiple time increments, up to an hour.
Circadian Optics Lampu
Best SAD light therapy lamp, runner-up
During testing, the Circadian Optics Lampu was sturdy, easy to use and produced brilliant light that we loved. This well-designed lamp also offers a non-slip base, which we didn’t see in others we tested.
Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp
Best portable light therapy lamp
The Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp folds and swivels to allow you to angle the light exactly where you want it to shine. This lamp surprised us with how much light it emits given its small light surface area of just 9 square inches.
Best waterproof shoes for women
Sorel Out N About IV
Best waterproof shoes for women
During testing, the Sorel Out N About IV waterproof shoes proved durable and impressively watertight, letting no water in even after being fully submerged. Even their laces dried fast after we got them wet. Though heavier than other shoes we tested, they were also incredibly comfortable.
On Cloud 5 Waterproof
Best athletic waterproof shoes for women
The On Cloud 5 Waterproof shoes are perfect for runners and others who need supportive, cushioned shoes that won’t fail in slippery, wet or other hazardous conditions. They sport a thick thread we appreciated and we loved how waterproof they were during any weather we tested them in.
Cottimo Women's Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Best budget waterproof shoes for women
During testing, the Cottimo Women's Waterproof Hiking Shoes were the only pair to pass our dry-sock test after we submerged them in water for one minute. These shoes have a breathable upper, a solid tread and a price that's easy on the wallet.
Home
Best dehumidifiers
Frigidaire Gallery 50-Pint with Built-in Pump and Wi-Fi FGAC5045W1 Dehumidifier
Best dehumidifier
The Frigidaire Gallery 50-Pint with Built-in Pump and Wi-Fi FGAC5045W1 Dehumidifier performed beautifully during testing. It collected the most water of any dehumidifier we tested, and it comes with a comfortable handle that makes the unit easy to maneuver. We also liked its mobile app which is helpful and easy to use to turn the unit on and off, and to set humidity levels and runtimes.
Best leaf blowers
Ego Power+ LB6504 Leaf Blower
Best leaf blower
The Ego Power+ LB6504 is a sturdy, powerful leaf blower that was a pleasure to use during testing. It sports an ergonomic handle that lets us hold it for long periods of time without hurting our hands or wrists. We liked its rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasted the longest of any leaf blower we tested, even when set at the highest speed level.
Black+Decker LB700
Best budget leaf blower
During testing, the Black+Decker LB700 corded blower was surprisingly powerful and we liked how light it was to carry. If you have a small yard or intend to use a blower just to clear leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk, this lightweight, affordable blower is a good choice. That is, if you don’t mind a leaf blower with a cord.
Best space heaters
Dreo Solaris 718 Space Heater
Best space heater
The Dreo Solaris 718 Space Heater impressed us during testing with its ability to heat our space quickly, efficiently and quietly. We liked how its elegant tower design fits great in small bedrooms and larger spaces. We also appreciated that its grille doesn’t get too hot and cools down quickly after the heater turns off.
Lasko Ellipse Ceramic Tabletop Heater
Best budget space heater
During testing, the Lasko Ellipse Ceramic Tabletop Heater took up little space thanks to its small footprint and it spread heat evenly in our test area while being relatively quiet. This budget-friendly heater also has a handy timer, letting us set it in 30- to 60-minute increments.
Kitchen
Best cast-iron skillets
Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Skillet
Best cast-iron skillet
The Lodge Chef Collection 12-inch Skillet comes pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil. We loved how its two pour spouts let us easily remove oil from the pan without making a mess. This skillet’s surface was smooth and delivered great results during testing.
Smithey No. 10 Cast-Iron Skillet
Best non-stick cast-iron skillet
During testing, the Smithey No. 10 Cast-Iron Skillet delighted us with its ultra-smooth, polished interior. We liked its signature three-hole design on the helper handle, as well. This copper-colored skillet made perfect cornbread, fried eggs and steak during testing while delivering impressive non-stick capabilities.
$170 at Smithey Ironware Company
Outdoor gear
Best tent stakes
All One Tech Tent Stakes 12-Pack
Best tent stakes
The All One Tech Tent Stakes 12-Pack handled all our basic tent needs well during testing. These aluminum 7-inch tent stakes kept our shelter securely grounded and properly ventilated. They are lightweight but sturdy, are available in six colors and come in a storage pouch.
MSR Mini-Groundhog Stakes
Best backpacking tent stakes
During testing, the 0.35-ounce MSR Mini-Groundhog Stakes were ultralight but durable and reliable. They were wind-resistant and great at keeping our shelter stuck in the ground, even during a thunderstorm with wind whipping across our tent.
Best Yeti coolers
Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler
Best Yeti cooler
The Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler is a rotomolded cooler we found convenient to transport during testing. It was large enough to hold all our goodies and features fantastic insulation that kept our cold drinks cold for several days.
Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler
Best Yeti soft cooler
During testing, the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler was lightweight, portable and comfortable to carry over the shoulder. We liked its soft foam insulation and how its outer softness wouldn’t damage our wood flooring, fiberglass boat deck or interior walls when we swung it around. An added plus is its heavy-duty, leak-proof zipper.
Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler
Best portable Yeti cooler
The Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler impressed us with its portability and capacity, able to transport a huge amount of goodies while still rolling easily thanks to its big wheels. We appreciated the oversized aluminum handle that allows a single person to maneuver it without much effort.
Pets
Best cat scratching posts
Frisco 35-Inch Heavy-Duty Sisal Cat Scratching Post With Toy
Best cat scratching post
During testing, the Frisco 35-inch Heavy-Duty Sisal Cat Scratching Post With Toy was the tallest of all the upright options we tested. As tall as it was, its round base proved incredibly sturdy, never rocking or wobbling when our cat climbed on it.
SmartCat Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher
Best budget cat scratching post
The SmartCat Bootsie’s Combination Scratcher is well-made and affordable. It has a unique design that lets us lay it flat on the ground or mount it to the wall. This scratcher features a durable cover that’s composed of dense woven sisal fabric, which survived even our cat’s most aggressive clawing during testing.
PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge
Best cardboard cat scratching post
During testing, the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge proved well-suited to our larger cat and supported her throughout multiple scratching sessions, climbing and napping. We liked how durable it was and how the dense corrugated material didn’t shed as much as others we tested.
Sleep
Best electric blankets
Serta Luxuriously Soft Plush Electric Blanket
Best electric blanket
The Serta Luxuriously Soft Plush Electric Blanket impressed us during testing because of how well it kept us warm and cozy, but also did so while being thin but plush and soft. It’s also lightweight enough to be used without turning it on during warmer months.
Bedsure Electric Heated Thick Striped Blanket
Best budget electric blanket
During testing, the budget-friendly Bedsure Electric Heated Thick Striped Blanket delighted us with its plush, soft, ribbed design. It’s velvety and thick and provides excellent heat. We found it a hassle to clean and had to line-dry it since it came out slightly damp after machine-drying it.
Sunbeam Ultimate Lofttec Foot Pocket Electric Heated Throw
Best heated throw blanket
The Sunbeam Ultimate Lofttec Foot Pocket Electric Heated Throw was fluffy and lightweight. During testing we discovered a delightful feature: it has a spacious foot pocket that you can place your toes into to keep them extra toasty. This blanket is easy to clean; all we had to do was toss it into the washer on a cold, gentle cycle.
Best flannel sheets
Garnet Hill Hemstitched Supima Flannel Bedding
Best flannel sheets
During testing, the Garnet Hill Hemstitched Supima Flannel Bedding provided us with a warm, restful night. These sheets are luxurious but not overly thick or heavy. Their design is simple yet pretty and they come in nine attractive colors match anyone's bedroom vibe.
L.L.Bean Ultra-Soft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set
Best heavyweight flannel sheets
This L.L.Bean Ultra-Soft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set is well-made, ultra-soft and comfortable. We liked its woven-in-Portugal brushed cotton, which felt velvety and warm.
Best mattress toppers
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper
Best mattress topper for pressure relief
During testing, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress Topper felt squishy and comfortable thanks to its memory foam that molded to our bodies as we slept. We appreciated how it helped relieve pressure on our shoulders and hips. We also found sleeping on our side very comfortable.
Helix GlacioTex Mattress Topper
Best mattress topper for back pain
The Helix GlacioTex Mattress Topper provided extra firm support during testing and kept our back from uncomfortably sinking into its foam. We liked its GlacioTex cooling fabric, which helped pull heat away from our body, preventing overheating.
$499 $374 (queen) at Helix Sleep
Mood Pod Moon Cloud Mattress Topper
Best pillow-top mattress topper
During testing, the Mood Pod Moon Cloud Mattress Topper’s memory foam clusters and microfiber fill felt soft and cushy while we slept. We also liked that it has four elastic straps that helped secure it to our bed.
Casper Comfy Mattress Topper
Best firm mattress topper
The Casper Comfy Mattress Topper is best suited for those looking for a firm mattress topper. This isn't a model you'll sink into while sleeping. It provided great support while sleeping on our back and stomach but wasn’t as comfortable when we slept on our side.
Lift by Amerisleep Mattress Topper
Best cooling mattress topper
During testing, the Lift by Amerisleep Mattress Topper kept us cool while we slept thanks to its cooling cover and open-cell memory foam. Its foam feels soft and has some give, which we appreciated. We also liked that it comes in two firmness levels, Comfort and Support, which are great for different sleepers (back, side or combination).
$429 $322 (queen) at Amerisleep
Best silk pillowcases
Fishers Finery 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Best silk pillowcase
The Fishers Finery 25mm 100% Pure Mulberry Silk pillowcase felt silky soft during testing. Its silk felt smoother and better against our hair and skin than any other pillowcase we tested. It is machine- and hand-washable and comes in 11 colors, which is more than the others we tested as well.
MYK Silk Natural Silk Pillowcase
Best budget silk pillowcase
During testing, the MYK Silk Natural Silk Pillowcase kept our hair smooth and felt amazing to sleep on thanks to its 19-momme mulberry silk construction. It was easy to care for as it's machine- and hand-washable. It comes in nine colors and three sizes (standard, queen and king).
Lunya Washable Silk Pillowcase
Best luxury silk pillowcase
The Lunya Washable Silk Pillowcase was a dream to sleep on during testing, proving it's worth the luxurious price. Its silk is soft and left our hair noticeably less frizzy than other pillowcases we tested. Be aware it only comes in the standard queen size and the Tranquil White color. But if the size and color suit you, this is a great silk pillowcase option.
Smart home
Best smart TVs
Samsung 65-Inch OLED S90C 4K Smart TV
Best smart TV
During testing, the Samsung OLED S90C 4K UHD Tizen TV impressed us with its excellent viewing experience. We loved its bright quantum-dot OLED screen and that it's picture was clear from any angle. It offers vivid colors and gamers can use it too thanks to its four HDMI ports that support HDMI 2.1.
Hisense U6K Mini-LED QLED TV
Best budget smart TV
The Hisense U6K Mini-LED QLED 4K Google TV impressed us during testing with its beautiful colors, rich contrast and decent sound. It features high-end tech like mini LEDs and quantum dots at an affordable price.
Hisense U8N
Best midrange smart TV
During testing, the Hisense U8N smart TV offered excellent brightness and reliable color. It featured an extra-luminous panel that allowed us to see every detail of our favorite shows. The Hisense U8N’s four HDMI ports include one eARC port and two HDMI 2.1 ports, so we can also enjoy high-quality audio.
Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV
Best luxury smart TV
The Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV is the most impressive TV we’ve ever tested, so if price is no object to you, then we say it's well worth it. The A95L’s OLED screen produced amazingly realistic colors and its high contrast made it easy to see activity during dark scenes of whatever we were watching. It also produced great sound thanks to its 2.2-channel sound system.
Travel
Water bottles
Yeti Rambler 26-Ounce Water Bottle
Best water bottle
During testing, the Yeti Rambler 26-ounce Water Bottle was amazingly durable. We loved its unique, super-wide mouth and chug cap that let us comfortably and quickly drink our favorite liquids. The bottle also won our durability test in which we dropped each bottle from 4 feet high; it barely even experienced a scratch.
Owala FreeSip 32-Ounce Water Bottle
Best straw water bottle
The Owala FreeSip 32-ounce Water Bottle was the star of our testing because of its built-in straw. Put plainly, it's the easiest water bottle to drink out of we tested. Plus, it's easy to clean since the entire cap is dishwasher-safe.
Yeti Yonder 34-Ounce Water Bottle
Best plastic water bottle
During testing, the Yeti Yonder 34-ounce Water Bottle delighted us with its BPA-free plastic construction and we found it to be the most durable plastic bottle in our pool. In our drop tests, it scratched a bit on the bottom but didn’t shatter. It comes in seven modern colors and multiple sizes to fit any need.
Vacuum cleaners and mops
Best canister vacuums
Miele Classic C1 Turbo Team
Best canister vacuum
The Miele Classic C1 Turbo Team PowerLine was great to use during testing. We loved its power, maneuverability and solid construction. Its six suction speeds do well for grabbing hair and debris from hard floors and low-pile carpets. We also liked the 90-degree pivot of its included dusting brush, which made it easy to dust our baseboards without having to stoop or contort our arms.
Kenmore BC4026 Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go
Best canister vacuum for pet hair
During testing, the Kenmore BC4026 Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go was the most effective canister vacuum against pet hair, thanks to its motorized Pet Powermate tool. Its powerful suction did a great job cleaning pet hair and other dirt off our hard floors, deep-pile carpet and upholstery.
Miele Complete C3 Kona
An upgrade canister vacuum that does it all
The Miele Complete C3 Kona canister vacuum was the best we tested but it comes at a premium price. If price isn't a barrier, we think it’s worth the investment for its superb filtration, great hard floor performance and maneuverability. It offers six suction speeds and has handy accessories like a pivoting dusting brush, a crevice tool and an upholstery brush.
Eureka Mighty Mite
Best budget canister vacuum
During testing, the Eureka Mighty Mite cleaned our hard floors and low carpet well, so we think it’s a good choice for those living in dorm rooms or small apartments. It was easy to use and maintain, as well. For those wanting a vacuum that meets HEPA standards, it can be easily upgraded by adding a HEPA filter on the back of its canister.
Best cordless stick vacuums
Dyson V11 Animal
Best cordless stick vacuum
The Dyson V11 Animal cordless stick vacuum cleaned our vinyl, tile and hardwood floors well during testing. Its swivel head and lightweight body make it highly maneuverable, letting us get into hard-to-reach spots and corners. We also liked its assortment of attachments, including its combination tool, dirt brush and crevice tool.
Bissell 3177A IconPet Turbo Edge
Best budget cordless stick vacuum
During testing, the Bissell 3177A IconPet Turbo Edge cleaned our low-pile carpets and throw rugs well and its swivel head was handy when reaching dirt and debris under furniture and corners. This budget-friendly vacuum was also great at scooping up all our copious dog hair, never clogging once. It also features a handy battery strength display indicator in its handle that makes it simple to see how long we had before we needed to charge it again.
Black+Decker Powerseries Extreme Max
Best cordless stick vacuum for smaller spaces
The Black + Decker Powerseries Extreme Max cordless stick vacuum was not as powerful as some of the other vacuums we tested, but its suction was strong enough to easily pick up hair, debris and crumbs from our tile and wood floors. While it struggled a bit on our high-pile shaggy rug, it cleaned our low-pile carpets and rugs without a problem. We loved its swivel head and ability to lay flat while retaining suction power in hard-to-reach areas.
Why you should 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 with several years of testing experience across various categories, including audio, health and fitness, home, outdoor gear, pets, sleep, smart home, vacuums and more. We ensure each product review is carefully edited and that every product is properly vetted. We talk to experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item.
Suzanne Kattau Editor, Testing
Suzanne Kattau is Underscored's product testing editor, managing best-of hardware reviews in the sleep, home and kitchen verticals. Outside of work, you can find her running and hiking with Gizmo, her Pembroke Welsh corgi, as well as reading and trying out new vegan recipes and restaurants.
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.