The Best Products Our Staff Purchased in 2025

“Not gonna lie, I bought this mini waffle maker earlier this year as a tactical Target exit strategy — my daughter wanted a toy, and this was our compromise. Little did I know it would become one of our most-used kitchen items, making an appearance almost daily — and yes, sometimes twice when breakfast for dinner calls. If you or your kids love hot breakfast but don't want the commitment of a full-size waffle, this is your answer. We prep a batch of batter at the beginning of the week and store it in this other lifechanging find, then each morning it takes just minutes to make one or two. The frozen ones have been officially retired — turns out fresh, warm waffles are surprisingly doable on a weekday morning, and my kids actually notice the difference.” – Mary Agnant, Senior Video Producer

“Listen, I know $80 for a lip balm is way too much. I also know that I’ve never been so delighted with a lip treatment in my life. Let’s start with the 'hint of mint' flavor. Y’all, it’s full-on Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie goodness. What’s more, this balm not only moisturizes but also imparts a perfect matte sheen — great for lips of all genders. And yes, as I said, $80 is too much, but a little dab will do you. I’ve had mine for months, and that’s really priceless.” — Danny Feekes, VP Affiliate Commerce

“I started running earlier this year for a Hyrox race, and I went about it the old school way initially — no tech, just instincts. But I wasn’t being consistent, and I definitely wasn’t getting any faster. After scouring Reddit for help, I finally decided to try a wearable to track my speeds and intervals. I settled on the Garmin Forerunner 55 since I already use a Whoop for other metrics like strain and sleep performance. The Forerunner is simple and well-designed, and it allowed me to upload the running program I was following to train for the race." — Sherrie Gonzalez, Senior Web Developer

"Along with the wearable, I needed some better headphones for audio cues. My wired headphones were cumbersome while jogging and were starting to fail. I finally decided to look into some wireless ones, but I didn’t want to break the bank. Most of running earbud recommendations articles list top options at $180+, except these JLab buds, which appeared on a few listicles as a good budget option. I didn’t expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised by the sound, battery life, and design…I was just floored, especially knowing people drop $99 and up on the Apple AirPods without even blinking. To get all that for a ¼ of the price was wild. I actually started to enjoy running.”  — Sherrie Gonzalez

"I keep my skincare routine to as few steps as I can get away with, but I did add an extra product to the repertoire this year. My partner found and recommended this fantastic spray, which uses hypochlorous acid to remove bacteria, minimize redness, and soothe irritation. I give my face a quick spritz as a final step before walking out the door, and it really does help with redness and any itchiness I'm feeling after shaving. Plus, it just feels refreshing, and who doesn't want to start the day with that?" — Ryan Buxton, Features Director

"This is absurdly specific, but after losing more plastic lighters than I care to admit, upgrading to one I don’t immediately misplace feels like a personal triumph. This electric lighter uses a tiny arc of current to spark candle wicks, incense — basically anything you’re trying to set aflame — without a whiff of butane. It’s rechargeable, kinder to the planet, and looks ridiculously chic perched atop my sideboard, as if it’s judging every plastic lighter I ever bought." — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“The best thing I bought this year was my Skylight Calendar, which has helped me finally manage the often invisible, yet completely exhaustive cognitive and emotional labor it takes to balance all the responsibilities of a family. For me, that means a spouse who travels frequently for work, two kids with multiple after-school and weekend activities, a puppy who has a knack for needing to visit the vet when it’s least convenient, and did I mention I have a full-time job of my own? We used to have a dry-erase board on the kitchen wall to keep track of our weekly schedules, and while it was helpful, it just wasn’t cutting it. A friend recommended the Skylight Calendar, a WiFi-connected digital display that showcases your family's schedule. It includes features such as weather alerts and an app for on-the-go updates. Six months ago, I bit the bullet — and hefty price tag — and got one. I quickly learned it's worth every penny. Our skylight calendar is now the hub for our family’s organizational needs. Not just scheduling, but to-do lists, grocery lists, and chores. It has encouraged my 10- and 7-year-olds to be more independent, add items to the grocery list as needed, and be more aware of what our family has going on in a given day, week, or month. While the mental load is still heavy, it’s a little lighter thanks to Skylight.” — Mary Agnant

“I’m obsessed with my T3 hairdryer — it’s literally saved me from getting a salon blowout pretty much ever again, so when I found out the brand was releasing a curling-straightener, I had to snap it up. In the past, when I wanted to curl my hair, I needed to flatiron out the waves, then use my curling iron. Now I can use a single tool to achieve a range of styles, from curls and waves to simple straightening. So worth the investment.” – Sara Levine, Managing Editor of Newsletters

“There’s no bigger ick for me than towels that stay damp hours after I’ve hung them up to dry. Living in a pre-war apartment, I’m not exactly blessed with incredible air circulation — and forget about a ventilation fan in the bathroom — so I’ve been paying closer attention to the types of towels I use to avoid any musty smells. These ones from Nossara have become a quick favorite because they’re soft, absorbent, and dry super fast, even when hung on a hook as opposed to a rod — because yes, I tried swapping my towel rack, too.” — Katie Pittman

"This summer, I finally purchased the Hypervolt 2 after eyeing it for months. I’ve tried just about every running recovery tool out there, and while many were OK, this one was genuinely life-changing. Instead of awkwardly rolling around on the floor trying to loosen my hips and calves, I can sit comfortably and actually target the sore spots that need it. The best part? It’s currently $100 off." — Sam Vastis, Account Manager and retired high school cross country star

“This gorgeous jewelry case keeps all my pieces organized, saving me so much untangling time. Thanks to the rich color and embossed floral pattern, I don’t just stash this in a drawer; I display it on my dresser. It’s handmade from vegan leather and built to last. It also has a little zippered pouch that I can take out, which is perfect for stashing my necklaces and earrings when I travel.” — Sara Levine, Newsletter Editor

“At the ripe age of 28, I have decided to go all in on my skincare. Following Dr. Samantha Ellis on social media has been one of my best decisions of 2025. She has a very inexpensive skincare line called Prequel, and their Gleanser, Vitamin C, retinol, and AM/PM Moisturizer are all non-negotiables in my routine. It’s all science-backed and developed by a derm, so I feel good knowing that it’s not a placebo effect! PS: She has a YouTube channel where she talks about how to use the products and her own skincare routines.” – Adriana Fazio, Producer

“I recently bought The Dakota Saddle Bag from Madewell, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite purchases of the year. I’d been carrying a purse that never felt quite big enough and was a little too structured for my taste. The Dakota Saddle Bag, on the other hand, is the perfect size for everything I need — whether I’m out exploring for the day or heading to dinner at night. The softer, more relaxed silhouette also keeps it from feeling bulky on my shoulder. It comes in four styles, but I’m especially fond of the Dark Carob suede version. It’s chic, versatile, and pairs effortlessly with nearly all my outfits. My favorite detail? The magnetic flap closure, which gives me peace of mind that everything inside is secure.” — Becca Sweredoski, Senior Account Manager

"I truly enjoy buying new denim — even when I don't actually need any — so of course my pick of the year is my pair of Sofie Wide-Leg Jeans from Rag & Bone. I'm in love with Rag & Bone's super-light, easy-breezy, featherweight denim — I'm not one for heavy, structured jeans. And the wide leg cut always makes me feel so casual and effortlessly cool, even when that's the furthest thing from the truth.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“I am far from a minimalist, so I was fairly certain my bed search would end with a Facebook Marketplace find that was ornately beautiful to some and wildly overdesigned to others. Then I came across Sundays. The women-founded brand creates thoughtfully designed furniture in Vancouver, Canada, with a mid-century aesthetic and a sustainable approach, using solid oak instead of the plywood that’s become all too common. While it comes with a higher upfront cost, it'll last decades, not years. It genuinely transformed my bedroom into a calmer, more grounded space. And the storage drawers are a perfect place to stash my obscene collection of bed linens.” — Justine Carreon, Affiliate Content Manager