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The Rolling Stone Essentials 2021
Our team of product editors review the best new electronics, smart home devices, outdoor gear, grooming devices and accessories to buy this year
By
Brandt Ranj, John Lonsdale, Sage Anderson, Tim Chan
November 1, 2021
Amazon
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Thousands of products come across our desks each year, but only a few earn the Rolling Stone stamp of approval. Our team of product editors spent months testing some of the best new electronics, smart home devices, outdoor gear and accessories on the market to put together our second annual Rolling Stone Essentials list.
With a focus on performance, innovation, and design, this year’s list features more than 50 products that we found ourselves reaching for and using over and over again — whether at home, at the office, or on an outdoor getaway. Products were reviewed based on utility and uniqueness, while factoring in items with a strong aesthetic point of view and diverse features.
From our favorite headphones and speakers, to grooming tools and even an AI-powered home fitness studio, here are the products that caught our eyes — and ears — this year.
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Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Bang & Olufsen HX
Image Credit: Amazon
Noise-cancelling headphones have become a must-have tech tool for anyone who works or learns from home. Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay HXs are the best pair you can get in 2021 because the company prioritized comfort in addition to great sound and supurb active noise cancellation.
The headphones’ padded earcups and headband are plush without being overly stuffed or bulky, but what really makes the HXs special is their clamping force. They don’t sqeeze your head in order to stay on, which means you won’t get a headache or earache during long listening sessions.
If you need to wear headphones for a full work or school day, Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay HXs are the only pair we recommend.
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Best Wired Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X
Image Credit: Amazon
Beyerdynamic designed the DT 900 Pro Xs with music mixing in mind, but they’re also an excellent pick for music listening.
These open-back headphones have a natural sound with especially good performance in the midrange. Once you start listening to an album on the DT 900 Pro Xs it’s very hard to stop. It’s easy to pick up on background instruments or more subtle sounds that lesser headphones wouldn’t be precise enough to showcase.
The high-fidelity sound of these headphones is complemented by comfortable earpads, and well-padded headband. One of our favorite touches is that Beyerdynamic bundled its headphones with two cables of different lengths, which terminate into 1/4-inch connector. You can twist the connector, and the top will come off revealing a 1/8-inch (3.5mm) connector underneath.
Wired headphones are still preferred by audiophiles, and Beyerdynamic’s DT 900 Pro Xs are excellent proof why.
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Best Wireless Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 45
Image Credit: Amazon
Bose has faced steep competition in the wireless headphone space lately, but it’s made big strides forward with the QuietComfort 45s.
Bose’s latest headphones feel great to wear, and blocked out all of the noise in our shared working space during the pandemic. If you’re a frequent traveler, the QuietComfort 45s will make coach feel more like business class too, with plush pads and immersive sound.
One of our favorite features is the QuietComfort 45’s Active EQ, which automatically balances the headphones’ sound based on the volume level. The changes are typically subtle, but make the listening experience feel a lot more consistent.
Technical tweaks like that, combined with their great all-around performance help the QuietComfort 45s consistently stay ahead of the competition.
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Best Wireless Earbuds: Klipsch T5 ANC
Image Credit: Amazon
In 2021, Klipsch’s T5 ANCs overtook Apple’s AirPods as our go-to recommendation for true wireless earbuds.
These Bluetooth buds pair to your devices quickly, maintain a rock solid connection, deliver high-quality active noise cancellation, and produce the best sound we’ve heard from earbuds in this category. It doesn’t hurt that they look sleek both in their case and in your ears.
We were also impressed by the earbuds’ battery life, which lasts up to seven hours per charge. That’s one to two hours more than similar earbuds that don’t sound as good. No earbuds are perfect, but the T5 II ANCs come pretty darn close.
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Best Soundbar: Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Image Credit: Amazon
Bose’s Smart Soundbar 900 isn’t just an upgrade for your TV’s speakers, it’s a complete home audio system.
The soundbar has a full 5.1.2 speaker system built inside, which means sound will be directed both directly toward you and above you. This allows you to experience the surround sound mix of your favorite albums, movies and TV shows without stringing a bunch of wires around your room.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 achieves this high level of performance using its own custom TrueSpace technology to provide the proper amount of seperation between channels. You won’t find this level of performance in other soundbars.
The final touch is support for Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows you to control the Soundbar 900 hands-free, using just your voice.
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Best Portable Speaker: Sonos Roam
Image Credit: Sonos
The Sonos Roam is our top portable speaker pick of 2021 thanks to its versatility and great audio quality.
The speaker is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and supports Apple’s AirPlay 2 streaming standard. While most speakers with smart features are landlocked to an outlet, the Roam can be moved to any room, making your whole home smarter. The ability to change between voice assistants means you’re not locked into one platform if your needs change.
Naturally, the Sonos Roam also sounds incredible, especially for its size. That comes down to Sonos’ use of custom audio hardware, which is simply better than off-the-shelf parts used by other companies, and TruePlay, which uses the speaker’s microphones to adapt to the room it’s in.
Simply put, the Sonos Roam leaves its competition in the dust.
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Best Bookshelf Speakers: Fluance Ai61
Image Credit: Fluance
Fluance’s Ai61 speakers buck the trend of technology getting smaller — and they’re far better for it. These bookshelf speakers are big, and create rich, bold sound whether they’re connected to your phone, computer, or TV.
We’d describe the Ai61s’ sound as well-rounded. They produce thumping bass without sounding overblown, and we’ve never heard any sibalence on more treble-heavy tracks. We love that you can crank up the volume without running the risk of distortion, which is great if you’re hosting an outdoor party or have rooms with a lot of open space.
We mentioned this before, but getting gear that can be upgraded over time is very important, and the Ai61s have a subwoofer port that allows you to add more bass to the system if you need it. Fluance’s Ai61s stand out from the moment you open the box, and only get better as you start listening.
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Best Home Theater System: Platin Milan
Image Credit: Platin
Platin’s Milan Home Theater System is a complete, audiophile-grade home theater system that’s easy to setup and use. The package comes with five wireless speakers, a wireless subwoofer and the SoundSend, which works like an audio receiver. You control the entire system via an app on your phone (iOS or Android).
Platin’s speakers pack a punch for their compact size, and never go out of sync, which is a nice surprise for a totally wireless audio system. Equally impressive is this system’s support for Dolby Atmos, which you won’t find in similar home theater setups.
If space constraints have kept you from setting up a 5.1 home theater system, Platin’s Milan gives you no excuse.
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Best Speakers: JBL 4309
Image Credit: JBL
We didn’t feel like it was fair to pigeonhole JBL’s 4309s into one style of speaker, since they’re by far the best pair we’ve hear this year in any category.
Everything from its cabinets to its drivers to its golden connectors (single or bi-wire) scream premium. From the moment you turn them on, the 4309s are guarenteed to give you an incredible listening experience, with virtually perfect sound and a wide soundstagw.
We couldn’t detect any distortion whether listening to digital or analog music, though your milage may vary based on the equipment you use. One thing we can say for sure is that integrating the JBL 4309s into any audio system is gaurenteed to get you better sound. In many cases, these speakers will be the crown jewel of your setup.
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Best Bluetooth Speaker: Elac Discovery Z3
Image Credit: Elac
Elac’s DS-Z31W-GG Discovery Z3 offers the perfect blend of style and substance.
The speaker’s oak and fiber cabinet make it look right at home on a desk, on a living room shelf, or a kitchen counter. If anything, the Discovery Z3 will improve the aesthetics of any room it’s in.
The speaker’s classy-looking exterior is matched by an audio system featuring a pair of four-inch woofers guaranteed to deliver solid treble, midrange, and bass. Elac also elected to support wireless streaming via Bluetooth, Roon, and AirPlay in addition to letting you plug gear into a 3.5mm aux input.
Offering such a wide variety of connectivity options in a speaker this nice-looking puts the Elec Discovery in a league of its own.
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Best Smart Speaker: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
Image Credit: Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin was the first audiophile speaker designed for the digital music age, and the latest generation continues that legacy.
The speaker retains its iconic shape, but under the hood is an all-new audio system that takes cues from Bowers & Wilkins’ professional loudspeakers. In our tests, music sounds incredible, with particularly astounding stereo separation. We’ve never heard true stereo sound this good from a single powered speaker.
The new Zeppelin has Amazon’ Alexa built inside, and you can also stream to it using Apple’s AirPlay 2. Bowers & Wilkins says its committed to updating the Zeppelin’s firmware with new features as time goes on, so this speaker will only get smarter with time.
If your idea of a smart speaker is a short cylander that sits on a desk, Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin will blow your mind.
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Best Smart Home Hub: Echo Show (3rd Gen)
Image Credit: Amazon
The Echo Show (3rd Gen) extends Amazon’s lead in the world of smart speakers by embracing a radically new design.
The 10-inch screen is attached to its speaker, which sits on a rotating stand. The Echo Show can detect motion and follow you around, so the screen is always accessible. This feature makes a big difference in usability, whether you’re video chatting with family, or moving around a kitchen while you try out a new recipe Alexa recommended.
The screen remains the star of the show on the third-geneation Echo Show 10, but the Alexa-enabled device also sounds a lot better than most smart speakers. It’s the only smart home hub that can replace a kitchen TV, Bluetooth speaker, and webcam without it feeling like a stretch. At this point, it’s hard to find something the Echo Show 10 can’t do well.
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Best Turntable: Andover Audio SpinDeck MAX
Image Credit: Andover Audio
Andover’s Audio SpinDeck MAX manages to deliver the same level of performance we’d expect from a $1,000 turntable for nearly half the price.
That’s due in equal part to Andover’s use of high-quality materials for the deck, and its decision to outfit the record player with an Ortofon OM10 cartridge. If you’d like to upgrade your cartridge down the line, you have the option to.
We’re also fans of this record player’s simple setup process and ease of use, which makes it great for beginners who are just discovering vinyl. If you’ve been curious about getting into record collecting, or want to revisit your classic LPs for the first time in years, they deserve to be played on the SpinDeck Max.
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Best OLED TV: Sony A80J
Image Credit: Sony
Sony’s A80J was hands-down the most impressive television we tested in 2021, and it wasn’t even close.
The OLED set produced ultra-vivd colors that sharply contrasted the pitch black pixels in darker scenes. Movies and tv shows looked uniformly excellent — especially those shot with HDR cameras — and games from all three current-generation consoles ran smoothly.
Sony launched the A80J alongside its new Bravia Core streaming service, which allows you to stream 4K movies at the highest possible resolution. These videos allowed us to push this TV to its limits, and it never disappointed.
If you can only make one home theater purchase in 2021, it should be the Sony A80J.
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Best LCD TV: Hisense U7G
Image Credit: Hisense
Hisense U7G offers near-OLED performance from a TV that’s half the price.
Movies, TV shows, and games all looked sharp, with color reproduction and contrast that was always consistant. We were also a fan of the way this TV looked on a media console, especially the ultra-thin borders that practically melt away the moment you turn it on.
The U7G is one of the most impressive gadgets we’ve gotten to test recently, and by far the best TV you can get for under $1,000.
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Best Projector: BenQ GS50
Image Credit: BenQ
TVs have gotten larger over the past few years, but when it comes to truly big screen entertainment, they can’t hold a candle to projectors like the BenQ GS50.
The projector can create a 1080p screen that’s well over 100 inches across, with the only limiting factor being the size of your wall or screen. We’ve traditionally been hesistant about recommending projectors because they’ve needed extra accessories to work, but BenQ addressed all of those complaints.
The GS50 has a custom-designed 2.1 audio system, so you won’t need to hook up speakers, and it runs Android TV, so you can stream videos without having to plug in a media streamer. The best part is that the GS50 can run on battery power, so you can literally take a movie theater with you wherever you go.
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Best Digital Camera: Nikon Z FC
Image Credit: Nikon
Smartphones may have overtaken point-and-shoots over the past decade, but Nikon’s Z FC is a perfect example of why you should still keep a dedicated camera around for special events.
The camera can take 20.9 Megapixel photos and record video in 4K. Those specs may sound similar when compared to the camera system in a premium smartphone, but the photos you’ll get will be very different.
The Z FC has a much larger sensor, and it can let in more light, which means your photos won’t look grainy. The 28mm lens it comes with provides enough optical zoom that you can get shots of faraway subjects that don’t look blurry.
Nikon’s Z FC succeeds in providing a bridge for smartphone photographers who want better pictures but don’t need a DSLR.
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Best Instant Camera: Fujifilm Instax Mini 40
Image Credit: Fujifilm
Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 40 is the latest analog entry in the company’s line of instant cameras, with an old-fashioned look for old-fashioned photography souls.
This edition forgoes the blob-like square design for a more retro, grainy look. Despite the name, you won’t be able to fit the Instax Mini 40 in your pocket, but it’s great for tossing in small bags or purses.
The anti-smart camera, Fujifilm encourages you to mess around with exposure and timing to get the right shot. That being said, it does automatically adjust to the right level of lighting, which makes sure that your subjects don’t wind up looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost. Press one button, and the 2 x 3-inch photo pops out and develops in about 90 seconds.
For an instant camera with minimal fuss for beginners, or photographers that just miss the good ol’ days, Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 40 is a successful throwback.
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Best Recording Device: iZotope Spire Studio (2nd Generation)
Image Credit: Amazon
iZotope’s Spire Studio was one of the most innovative pieces of recording gear we’d ever seen, and the company has improved upon it with this second-generation model.
The Spire Studio (2nd Gen) allows you to record up to two tracks of lossless audio wirelessly to your phone. You can also hook it up to a computer to use it with your recording software of choice.
What puts the Spire Studio (2nd Gen) in a league of its own is the ability to make recordings on the interface itself. Your tracks will be stored onto its internal memory, and you can transfer them to your phone or computer later for mixing.
iZotope’s Spire Studio (2nd Gen) is a powerful multi-track recorder that allows you to create studio-quality demos anywhere you go. This is the ultimate recording device for any aspiring musician.
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Best Smartphone: Microsoft Surface Duo 2
Image Credit: Microsoft
Many companies have tried to popularize the foldable smartphone, but Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 is the coolest one we’ve seen.
The phone actually has two separate displays, which fold on top of one another like a Nintendo DS. Each screen can display a different app for productivity purposes, or stretch one out on a larger canvas. The phone is aware of the gap between the two screens, so software scales accordingly.
The Surface Duo 2’s design side-steps one of the biggest issues foldable phones have had: screens getting damaged as a result of constantly folding and unfolding the device. Foldable phones are becoming more popular every year, but Microsoft’s Duo 2 is the one you should pick up.
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Best Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
Image Credit: Lenovo
Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is a premium computer in a highly portable package.
It has enough processing power memory to run all of your apps without slowing down, and enough storage to hold your important files and media. Its 14-inch HD display will make text, photos, and high-resolution videos look strikingly clear.
One of our favorite features of this machine is its array of ports, from USB-A to HDMI. Ports are more convenient to use than adapters. What really stands out is this laptop’s size. At three pounds, it’s lighter than most PC and Mac laptops.
If it’s important for you to get work done whether you’re traveling or sitting at your desk, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 is the laptop you should trust.
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Best Tablet: Apple iPad Pro (12.9-Inch)
Image Credit: Amazon
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is nothing short of a flex from a company that’s dominated the tablet world for nearly 12 years.
Apple’s latest iPad Pro uses a high-resolution Mini LED display that can display colors and contrast far better than the LCD screen it replaced. It runs on the same M1 processor Apple used in its 2020 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and it flies through everything from web browsing to 4K video editing.
It may have gotten a big boost to performance, but the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro didn’t sacrifice a minute of its 10-hour battery life, which is incredible. If you want to try using a tablet as a replacement for your laptop, Apple’s new 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the clear choice.
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Best Gaming Laptop: Razer Blade 15
Image Credit: Razer
PC gaming on the go used to be a fantasy, but Razer’s Blade 15 turned it into a reality.
The machine’s key specs are its 144Hz HD display, which can update what’s on screen over twice as fast as a standar laptop’s monitor. Every second counts when you’re playing a competitive online game, and having a high refresh rate display can keep you competitive.
The Blade 15’s other standout feature is the Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card inside, which delivers a smooth experience when playing modern games at higher graphics settings. If you’re used to playing games on console, the difference this makes will be immediately apparent.
You may not be able to bring your full desktop gaming rig with you wherever you go, but Razer’s Blade 15 can give you a comperable experience from a backpack-friendly laptop.
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Best Gaming Headset: HyperX Cloud II Wireless
Image Credit: HyperX
The HyperX Cloud II Wireless takes one of the best gaming headsets available and finally cuts the cord.
This new wireless model is compatible with the PC, PS4 and Nintendo Switch, and can connect to these systems directly instead of through an adapter.
HyperX didn’t sacrifice any of the features its headsets are known for in order to achieve true portability. The heatset features large, 53mm drivers for excellent sound, and can simulate 7.1 surround sound for a more immersive experience.
The company says you can get out of 30 hours of use from the Cloud II Wireless on a single charge, which is outstanding given its featureset.
If you regularly play games online, HyperX’s Cloud II Wireless is a must-have accessory.
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Best Gaming Chair: Mavix M4
Image Credit: Amazon
Mavix’s M4 is not only the best gaming chair of 2021, it’s the top desk chair we’ve tested all year.
The chair offers outstanding overall comfort, and especially lumbar support. Its neck rest, which can be height-adjusted, cradled our neck without making us feel clastrophobic. The seat had more than enough padding, and its arm rests (also height-adjustable) were surprisingly comfy.
The ability to customize parts of the chair to suit our height made a big difference in how we felt after a day of work. If you tend to hunch over your desk, or move your arms regularly to find the right position, the M4 will be a game changer.
This is the only gaming accessory we can wholeheartedly recommend to just about anybody.
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Best Portable Storage: Seagate FireCuda Gaming Hub
Image Credit: Amazon
Seagate’s FireCuda Gaming Hub offers welcome features we’ve never seen on an external hard drive.
The biggest ones are the USB-A and USB-C ports on the front of your drive, which allows you to quickly connect a flash drive or smartphone to your computer. Many computers don’t have front-facing ports, and we found ourselves plugging something into the FireCuda almost every day.
Because it was designed for gamers, the FireCude Gaming Hub has an LED light strip that actually looks cool on a desk. Seagate offers the drive in 8TB and 16TB configurations, so you’ll have no issues fitting your entire game library, and then some.
We didn’t think it was possible for an external hard drive to surprise and delight us, but Seagate’s FireCuda Gaming Hub proved us wrong.
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Best Fast Charger: Anker Nano II
Image Credit: Amazon
Anker’s Nano II solved every problem we’ve had with fast chargers in one fell swoop.
At 45W, it’s powerful enough charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro at full speed, but it’s small enough to fit in a pocket. In fact, it’s not much larger than the power adapter most companies include with their phones and tablets. The difference is that this one can charge those same devices two to three times faster.
If you value your time, Anker’s Nano II is guarenteed to be one of the best tech upgrades you make this year.
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Best Portable Charger: Raptic Titan Air
Image Credit: Raptic
If you’d like to completely eliminate your battery anxiety on multi-day trips, Raptic’s Titan Air is the right tool for the job.
It holds enough juice to fully recharge most smartphones over four times, and can charge up to four pieces of gear simultaniously. In our tests, we were able to get three to four additional hours out of a laptop by plugging it into the Titan Air when its battery got low.
We also appreciated this portable charger’s design, which features an aluminum case with rubberized grips on the sides that make it easy to hold.
Raptic’s Titan Air is the first portable charger we’ve tried that’s earned a permanent spot in our travel bag.
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Best Exercise Equipment: Brrrn Board
Image Credit: Brrrn
Most high-tech home gym equipment requires you to give up half a room in your house, but the Brrrn board is an apartment-friendly solution for working up a sweat.
The board, which comes in a handful of sizes, sits flat on the floor, and is thin enough to fit under a coffee table or bed. To exercise, you put on Brrns’ booties, which fit over your sneakers to move around on the board’s smooth surface.
The company’s workout videos guide you through exercises from cardio to strength training to yoga. The videos are available on-demand, and you can watch them for as long as you’ve got a subscription to Brrrn’s service.
It may not look flashy at first, but the Brrrn Board is one of the best — and most fun — ways to get a full-body workout at home.
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Best Home Workout: Tempo Home Gym Bundle System
Image Credit: Tempo
Tempo’s AI-driven display has made exercising at home feel way more accessible than ever before.
This year, the company decided to one-up itself and release its bundle systems: the Starter, the Plus and the Pro.
Everything we loved about the Tempo is still available: the stylish, freestanding frame, live and interactive workout routines, a rep counter, and a 3D sensor that can help adjust your form.
With the Starter, Plus and Pro, Tempo makes it easy for everyone to build their own home gym. Each bundle offers a different amount of gear, letting you pick the setup that’s right for you and your space. The Starter, for instance, comes with essentials like a workout mat, dumbbells and weight plates, while the Pro includes a foldable weight bench and squat rack, adjustable kettlebell and even a barbell.
No matter which system you choose, Tempo remains the best way to get in shape — and stay in shape — at home.
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Best Massage Device: Therabody Wave Solo
Image Credit: Amazon
Massage therapy guns have become a great way to recover after your workouts. But they’re not always the easiest gadgets to use when you’re on the road. The Wave Solo from Therabody changes all of that.
Around the size of a softball, it’s a powerful-and-portable recovery tool for travel (or just to use at your desk). With a 120-minute battery life and Bluetooth technology built-in, the Wave Solo has three vibration settings to more easily roll over tight spots like your arms, feet and hamstrings.
With Therabody’s app, you can get even more out of the Wave Solo with guided tutorials that show you the best ways to use it.
When it comes to rapid relief, the Therabody Wave Solo is a simple, innovative and travel-friendly recovery tool that you’ll reach for time and time again.
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Best Fitness Tracker: Whoop Strap 4.0
Image Credit: Whoop
Whoop’s sleek fitness band proved that if you’re only tracking your steps, calories burned or working out harder than everyone at the gym, you’re probably missing the bigger performance picture.
With its app and monthly membership, Whoop lets you track metrics like activity strain, sleep performance and how much you have or need to recover after a workout. And this fall, with the new Whoop 4.0, the gadget just got a (few) major upgrades.
For starters, Whoop made the 4.0 33% smaller than its previous version, and it gave the band haptic alerts, giving you the option to set a wake-up call within the Whoop app. You can even check your skin temperature, blood oxygen levels and measurements like your heart rate.
Whoop made its wireless battery pack waterproof (key for recharging in the shower), and made it easy to download a full month report from the app you can show your trainer or take to your doc.
At the end of the day, no other health and fitness tracker can compete with the Whoop 4.0.
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Best Smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch4
Image Credit: Samsung
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch4 tops our list as the best smartwatch of 2021 because of its improved health features, its compatibility with both iPhone and Android devices and its ease of use.
As a fitness tracker, the Galaxy Watch4 can be favorably compared to Apple’s latest smartwatch, only with a more premium look and feel. Features-wise, the watch can track your steps, sleep, blood oxygen level and make sure your heart rate is considered healthy.
You can use Google Assistant to get answers to your questions, buy goods using Samsung Pay, and download additional apps to increase the Galaxy Watch4’s functionality.
We like to think of the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 as a great-looking timepiece that also functions like a super computer on your wrist.
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Best Sunglasses: Facebook x Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
Image Credit: Ray-Ban
The “smart glasses” trend seemingly came and went years ago with Snapchat’s Spectacles, but Facebook is taking the technology to the next level thanks to its new partnership with Ray-Ban.
Dubbed “Ray-Ban Stories,” these stylish frames let you capture video, take calls and listen to music, all from a pair of classic Wayfarers. The internal storage has enough memory for up to 500 photos (or 100 videos), and the accompanying app makes it easy to instantly share your content too.
Find intuitive touch controls along the temples, or use Facebook Assistant to snap pics and change settings using just your voice.
Whereas other smart frames can look cheap and clunky, Ray-Ban Stories provides a premium look and experience to help you capture and enjoy content in an exciting new way.
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Best Hiking Shoes: Filson x Danner Hiking Boots
Image Credit: Filson
The Trail 2650 Hiker Boots are a powerhouse collaboration from arguably the world’s best outdoor apparel brand and our favorite hiking footwear company.
Filson and Danner brought their A-game to these hikers, with a lightweight build and rugged construction that can hold up on the trail, but still feel comfortable when you’re taking a break at the peak. Wet routes or streams can’t stop ‘em either, thanks to their waterproof exterior, Gore-Tex and grippy Vibram outsoles. They’re even outfitted with a removable OrthoLite footbed so you can fully dry them off between treks.
Versatile and tough, these boots go that extra mile.
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Best Running Shoes: Hoka Bondi X
Image Credit: Hoka
The first time we slipped on the Bondi X sneakers, we were immediately reminded of what Hoka continues to lead the pack with premium performance footwear.
Everything just feels that much more comfortable, from the lightweight construction, to the all-over foam cushioning and breathable mesh upper for ventilation.
Runners will appreciate all the tech upgrades Hoka has put into the shoe too, like a carbon-fiber plate for traction and an extended rocker for greater acceleration. What that means: faster takeoffs, smoother landings, and — thanks to the supportive design — less recovery time too.
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Best Mesh WiFi System: Netgear Orbi RBKE960
Image Credit: Netgear
Having great WiFi has never been more important, and if you’re running a small business from home, or have a lot of people on video calls all the time, Netgear’s new Orbi RBKE960 Mesh WiFi System is a worthwhile investment.
These are the first WiFi routers to send a signal out from four bands, which can clear up network congestion, and make it easy for every device to have a rock-solid connection to the internet.
For some perspective, Netgear says the Orbi RBKE960 can serve areas up to 9,000 square feet, and manage over 200 simultanious devices. If you’re experiencing slowdown, the problem is likely with your internet service provider, not Netgear’s routers.
If having the fastest-possible WiFi in your entire house is an absolute priority, Netgear’s Orbi RBKE960 can do the job better than any other router available today.
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Best Single Point Router: Archer AX6600
Image Credit: TP-Link
TP-Link’s Archer AX6600 was designed with gamers in mind, but it’s a fantastic WiFi router for anyone running into internet speed or connectivity issues.
It supports WiFi 6, the latest wireless internet standard, and boasts speeds up to 4.7Gbps, which virtually eliminates the speed difference between wired and WiFi connections.
If you’re worried about staying safe online — especially if you’ve got kids at home — TP-Link offers on-router security features, including parental controls. This means you’ll be able to limit internet access to a specific device.
Mesh WiFi routers are en vogue right now, but TP-Link’s Archer AX6600 is a great single-point alternative that matches (or beats) many multi-router systems.
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Best Air Purifier: Molekule Air
Image Credit: Molekule
Looking for cleaner air around your home without stressing over a bulky, complicated air purifier? The Molekule Air is not only incredibly easy-to-use, but boasts a sleek, portable design that’ll fit perfectly into any space.
There’s not a ton of button mashing here, but that’s a good thing — a simple touch-display lets you adjust settings and check your filter status, but it has a useful smartphone app so you can control it from anywhere. Though you can really just set it and forget it, thanks to a nifty “Auto Protect” mode, which adjusts the filtration levels and fan speed based on the levels of pollutants in the air.
The Molekule Air uses PECO filters, nanotechnology that destroys a wider range of pollutants than the HEPA filters found in most standard air purifiers. Molekule’s research also showed that PECO tech destroys SARS-CoV-2 by over 99% in under one hour, which certainly helped me breathe a little easier in my home.
Designed to purify rooms up to 600 square feet, yet just as light to pick up and move around, allergens in any nook or cranny of your home don’t stand a chance with the Molekule Air.
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Best Outdoor Security Camera: Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
Image Credit: Amazon
Ring’s Floodlight Cam is the ultimate way to keep an eye on what’s happening outside of your property.
The 1080P camera can capture extremely crisp footage, and will send your phone a notification each time its motion sensor gets triggered. The motion sensor will also activate its two lights, and trip its 105dB alarm. The burglar will know they’ve been spotted, and the additional light will help the camera get a better-looking recording.
Most home security equipement will give you evidence of what happened after a break-in, but Ring’s Floodlight Cam Wired Pro may actually prevent the burglary from happening.
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Best Indoor Security Camera: Wyze Cam v3
Image Credit: Amazon
The Wyze Cam v3 proves that powerful equipment can come in a small, light package.
The camera can record 1080p video, has a night mode, motion sensor, integrated speaker and microphone system, and the ability to store your clips on a memory card rather than in the cloud. These features are common in cameras around $100, but the Wyze Cam v3 costs well under $40.
In our tests, Wyze’s security equipment has always worked just as well (if not better) than its competition. Not only is this the best indoor security of 2021, it’s one of the best values in tech.
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Best Robot Vacuum: iRobot Roomba j7+
Image Credit: iRobot
In the oversaturated world of robot vaccums, j7+ is the clear choice when it comes to advanced navigation and comprehensive smart connectivity.
This Roomba is controlled with the intuitive iRobot app, or home assistants like Alexa and Google Home. The j7+ also debuts a big improvement in technology here with “PrecisionVision Navigation”, which lets the j7+ recognize specific objects and avoid obstacles like pet waste (essential for pet owners) and charging cords.
But power and navigation are where the j7+ really shines. The robot learns your home’s layout in real time, including different rooms, furniture and no-go zones, so that it can clean precisely and efficiently without getting in the way.
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Best Cordless Vacuum: Miele Triflex HX1
Image Credit: Miele
Miele has beeen in the business of making powerful, corded vacuum cleaners for a while, but their first-ever wire-free model gives any Dyson a run for its money.
The Triflex HX1 packs a lot into one portable package, giving you three ways to clean while keeping the overall body lightweight at just seven pounds. It extends for cleaning ceiling corners and hard-to-reach places, while a compact mode converts it into a smaller, hand-held vaccum.
A solid 60-minute runtime with its rechargable battery, combined with and a HEPA filter that captutes >99.9 percent of allergens also makes it a fantastic choice for deep-cleaning.
Triflex HX1 has all the features you need while keeping simplicity at the forefront, for a no-nonsense, powerful clean.
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Best Air Fryer: June Oven
Image Credit: June
Like if Steve Jobs designed a convection oven (because let’s get real, that’s all air frying really is), June Oven acknowledges that sometimes more is more. A tech-y home cook’s dream, it claims to replace “12 cooking appliances in one.” We love it for air frying, but settings like Bake, Broil, Roast, Slow Cook, and Dehydrate mean you could say goodbye to unitools forever.
The June uses a built-in HD camera to intelligently recognize what’s air frying — from crispy wings, to bacon slices — and adjusts the time and temperature accordingly. Connect it to your smartphone over WiFi to adjust temperature and time, and keep an eye on the progress of your meal with live video.
It’s definitely a splurge, but with a plethora of innovative controls and smart features, the June Oven can’t be beat.
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Best Espresso Machine: Café Affetto Automatic Espresso Machine
Image Credit: CAFÉ
If you’re looking to dip your toes into the chrome-tinged, frothy world of owning a barista-level espresso machine, then newcomer Cafe Affetto’s Automatic Espresso Machine is a great place to start.
Made by the same people responsible for that TikTok-famous Nugget Ice Maker, this espresso machine is similarly streamlined, with minimal buttons to create the smoothest cup of Espresso, Americano, or Lungo at home.
The 20-Bar Pump Pressure is exactly what you want for brewing, with the water reservoir conveniently stored in the body of the machine for less bulk on your kitchen countertop.
But we cannot emphasize enough how convenient it is that the machine comes with an automatic steel burr grinder and steam nozzle, worthwhile additions if you’re a java aficionado. Normally, these kinds of machines go for upwards of over $1,000, but the Café Affetto feels like a luxurious, yet accessible machine for any home.
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Best Coffee Maker: Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee Maker
Image Credit: Ninja
K-cups. Love ‘em, or hate ‘em, they do have their die-hard fans, even if that’ll upset some of you who obsessively use a burr grinder for fresh beans every morning and use a temperature-setting kettle. But if you love both and refuse to choose, Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee Maker does more for your morning cup of Joe.
Unlike using filter pods for ground coffee, the DualBrew Pro has an open system you slip a coffee liner in and steep grounds for nine brew sizes (including large travel mugs and full carafes) in addition to an adaptor four traditional pod sizes (6, 8, 10, or 12 oz).
The machine uses a combination of consistent water temp, even water saturation, and drip cycles that, paired with the right beans, it can make seriously strong lattes, iced coffee, and other café-style beverages.
Using the touchscreen felt intuitive, but the real star is a bonus attachment: a built-in, fold-away frother for silky-smooth cold foam.
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Best Electric Razor: Freedom Grooming Eagle Flex
Image Credit: Freedom Grooming
You’ve never seen a razor quite like this before, and after using Freedom Grooming’s “Eagle Flex,” you’ll never use another razor again.
The palm-sized electric razor allows for a better grip and more control over your shave, while five rotary blades work together to tackle even the coarsest hair with ease.
The blades are gentle enough to use on your skin without shaving cream (and gentle enough to use on your head, chest and more sensitive areas too). The razor is also fully waterproof, so you can take it into the shower with you.
Ergonomic, effortless and effective, this is a true all-in-one razor and proof that the best shave is well within reach.
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Best Manual Razor: Gillette Labs x Bugatti Heated Razor
Image Credit: Gilette
What happens when the world’s best-known shaving brand meets an automotive icon? You can the Gillette x Bugatti Heated Razor, a beast of a razor that combines the comfort of a hot shave with the styling of a Bugatti.
Designed in Germany, the razor features a sleek aluminum handle, stainless steel warming bar and five precision-cut blades all detailed in Bugatti’s “Agile Bleu,” the same color seen on the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport.
Everything is packaged inside a collectible box, with a specially-designed charging stand and cleaning cloth. Who says shaving has to be boring?
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Best Shaving Gel: Bull Dog Original Shave Gel
Image Credit: Bull Dog
We’ve swapped shaving cream for shaving gel after trying Bulldog’s super soothing skincare line.
Their Original Shave Gel lathers evenly over your face, for a smoother, gentler shave with no annoying residue (or annoying nicks and cuts). Nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and eight essential oils keep your mug refreshed and hydrated, and Bulldog’s formula is free from artificial colours, synthetic fragrances, or ingredients from animal sources.
Whereas cheaper shaving gels can leave a sticky feeling, Bulldog’s shave gel rinses cleanly off your face. It also rinses easily off your blades after each stroke, keeping your razor in tip-top shape.
Clean, simple and effective, Bulldog’s shave gel is worth swapping for.
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Best Moisturizer: Ghost Democracy Lightweight Daily Face Moisturizer
Image Credit: Ghost Democracy
Skin care routine haters rejoice! Ghost Democracy will streamline your skin care needs, with their Clean Lightweight Daily Moisturizer giving you all the good stuff you want, and nothing you don’t.
Ghost Democracy’s cut out silicones, oils, and fragrances from this moisturizer, so you’re only left with all the good stuff — think oat seed extract to soothe, pro-vitamin B5 to moisturize and probiotics (a.k.a. “good” bacteria) to balance out skin tone.
We like that the clean moisturizer isn’t greasy, gloopy, or oily, and absorbs into the skin fast for a refreshed, balanced feel. It’s made with all skincare types in mind too, so you don’t have to spend time obsessively researching whether or not it’ll make your pores explode.
The Ghost Democracy daily moisturizer is an effective moisturizer with ingredients and results that you can trust.
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Best Body Wash: Every Man Jack Aged Bourbon Body Wash
Image Credit: Every Man Jack
Not everyone wants to leave the shower smelling like citrus and roses, which is why we love Every Man Jack’s “Aged Bourbon” Body Wash.
It easily powers away dirt, sweat and grime for a deep clean, while leaving behind a sweet “bourbon” scent.
Everything is naturally derived, with ingredients like coconut, juniper and cypress helping to refresh and revitalize your skin, while naturally moisturizing as well.
Every Man Jack was founded on the idea that guys deserve high-end grooming products too and their body wash is one of the best-smelling things you can reach for in the shower.
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Best Deodorant: Bravo Sierra Deodorant
Image Credit: Bravo Sierra
Bravo Sierra’s deodorant is field-tested by members of the U.S. military so it’ll easily hold up to your toughest workout — or sweatiest festival weekend.
Its formula is vegan-friendly and free from parabens, aluminum and baking soda, the latter of which can often lead to dryness and flaking. Everything swipes super smoothly and we like the nature-inspired scents which are subtle enough to add a little freshness without being annoying.
Think of this as your deodorant upgrade, to keep you smelling — and feeling — fresh all day long.
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Best Electric Toothbrush: Oral B iO Series 9
Image Credit: Oral B
It’s no surprise that Oral B makes the best electric toothbrush on our list, as it’s one of the most-recommended brands by dentists in the U.S.
What did surprise is was how much Oral B has improved the electric toothbrush, with its iO Series 9 packing a ton of cleaning power into a slim and sleek package.
Rather than scraping at your teeth and gums, the Oral B brush uses gentle “micro vibrations” to loosen plaque and polish your enamel. A “Smart Pressure Sensor” will alert you if you’re brushing too hard, while AI technology shows you an interactive color display to guide you to where you need to brush most.
What you get: a more effective and targeted clean that’s not just about keeping your teeth clean, but about keeping them healthy too.
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Best Checked Luggage: Paravel Aviator Grand
Image Credit: Paravel
After extensive testing, Paravel’s Aviator Grand is the only checked bag we trust to keep our stuff safe during international travel.
The hardshell luggage meets all the size requirements set by the airlines, while offering two ultra spacious compartments for storage. The Aviator Grand’s wheels handled everything from gravel to cobblestones without getting chipped or dingled up, and glided smoothly during walks in and out of the airport.
Our favorite feature is that many pieces of the Aviator Grand are made out of recycled materials, including plastic bottles and recycled aluminum.
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Best Carry-On Luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite
Image Credit: Travelpro
Travelpro’s Platinum Elite is the carry-on you’ll want to keep by your side during all of your upcoming trips.
It complies with the carry-on size standards of most domestic airlines, but we’ve taken it on international trips without any hassle.
We had no problem fitting a week’s worth of clothes inside, and appreciated its ability to expand by a couple of inches. This allowed us to keep more gear on us at all times instead of risking it in a checked bag that could get lost during a connection.
If you’re the type of traveler who begrudingly checks in a bag because your carry-on can’t quite cut it, Travelpro’s Platinum Elite will change how you travel.
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Best Commuter Bag: Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack
Image Credit: Everlane
Everlane’s ReNew backpack was designed with travel in mind, but it’s the ideal bag you’ll want as an everyday commuter. It has a dedicated exterior pocket for a 15-inch laptop, plus interior slip compartments for magazines and notebooks, and zip pockets so you can fit all the gear you need to carry into one backpack.
Durable and sleek, the bag is made of recycled materials with a water-resistant finish. That being said, it still manages to be super lightweight for its 27L capacity.
It’s a great transitional backpack too if you do need to switch from the subway to the airport terminal — ReNew has pass-through straps that easily attach to your luggage handle for traveling, as well as two water bottle pockets to stay hydrated for your entire trip.
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Best Backpack: Matador Freerain22
Image Credit: Maradorup
It’s easy to find a backpack for every situation these days, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that’s tougher (or more portable) than Matador’s Freerain22. It’s easily the most versatile bag for all your trips, from hiking to camping and commuting to and from work.
Once you stuff all your gear into the insanely durable 22-liter pack, you’d never realize that you could roll it up into a ball that you can grip with one hand. On top of being ultra portable, the pack has a waterproof shell with a rolltop for complete protection, plus water-resistant pockets and zippers that help keep your gear dry.
Sure, it’s equipped for intense adventures, but it’s also one of the coolest daily haulers of the year.
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Best Weekender: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
Image Credit: Patagonia
Believe it or not, sometimes having an excessive amount of organizational pockets in a bag makes it useless when it comes to actually fitting in all the essentials (i.e. clothing). Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel is our go-to whether you want to pack smart for an extended trip, or just shove it all in and go.
Made from durable, 100 percent recycled fabric, lining, and webbing, the material can withstand the elements and general abrasions. The bag itself opens up to a wide 55L main compartment, although there is a zippered side pocket and interior mesh pocket to keep things organized.
It has a padded bottom if you’re worried about your duffel getting crushed, and the padded removable shoulder straps give you the flexibility to wear it as a backpack or over-the-shoulder. Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel gets your gear from here to there in style, and you can’t ask for much more than that.
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Best Cooler: RTIC Cooler
Image Credit: RTIC
Warning: this cooler is not a dainty, lightweight pick you can toss a couple brews in for the beach. What RTIC’s Hard Cooler has is sheer toughness, a cooler meant to be parked in one spot for the long haul.
Trust us, you’ll want to have this multi-purpose 45 QT cooler as your camping companion, or for setting up and settling in for a long afternoon of tailgating. We took this cooler out to a lake for the Fourth of July, and the freezer-style lid combined with three inches of insulating foam kept pounds of ice and tons of cans cold all day long (specifically, 36 cans and up to 40 pounds of ice).
The heavy-duty rope handles made this cooler easier to manage, but the fact that the website describes it as “bear-resistant” should be an indicator that this cooler is made to be set down and withstand nearly anything.
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Best Meal Delivery Service: Blue Apron
Image Credit: Blue Apron
For the self-proclaimed foodies inside us all, Blue Apron will help you learn how to make restaurant-level dishes at home that will seriously impress. Chef-designed recipes come with all the ingredients you’ll need to put together an amazing dish for $7.49/serving. Choose 2-4 servings a meal and two, three or four recipes per week.
On my never-ending quest to find the best meal delivery service out there, Blue Apron’s recipes were the ones that actually strike the perfect balance of convenience and “this looks like I went out and paid $30 for an entree”. Bonus: they also deliver wine!
Even for someone like me who almost went to culinary school, you’ll actually learn new kitchen skills, too (their guide to searing and cutting steak really helped my NY Strip steaks shine). Blue Apron is one of the best options if you know your way around a kitchen.
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