18 Most Popular Items Our Readers Are Buying Right Now
You can even grab a few of them on sale during ongoing holiday deals
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We test and evaluate more than our fair share of products here at CR. And more often than not, a few pop up on our radar because of their popularity with our readers.
Unlike fad purchases, these particular items have merit. They’ve either been rigorously tested and approved in our labs or thoroughly vetted in our editors’ homes, where they’ve gone through the rough and tumble of real life.
What follows are the standout favorites, according to what our readers are buying.
Fitness, Health, and Beauty
REI Co-Op Lightweight Compression Stuff Sack
Being an efficient packer is a valuable quality for a camper, and this stuff sack is one way to keep your gear organized. Use it to store a sleeping bag, clothing, and other puffy layers in a neat and compact bundle. Made with water-resistant material, this durable sack is available in a variety of sizes for adventures big and small.
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Renpho R4 Pro Massage Gun
The Renpho R4 Pro massage gun’s triangular shape makes it easy for users to get a good grip for those hard-to-reach spots on their body. It’s not particularly powerful, but its moderate massage should still be sufficient for many users. It’s straightforward to use, with one button to change speeds. It also did very well in our evaluations for handle ergonomics, postural stress, and ease of use, but changing the attachments was a bit clunky and required a bit of effort.
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The Heybike Cityrun performed well in our tests for range, acceleration, braking, hill climbing, and unassisted cruising. Even without battery power, it still managed to perform capably when climbing a hill at the lowest gear setting. It also has hydraulic disc brakes and a hub-drive motor, as well as front LED lights and a seven-speed Shimano shifter. The Cityrun is available in three colors: black, green, and orange. At 64 pounds, it’s slightly heavier than some other models, which can make it more challenging to move if you need to put it away or load it into a car.
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Dior Addict Lip Glow Butter
Our evaluators agreed that this tinted lip balm by Dior was one very special pick. It’s easy to apply and hydrating, with just the right pop of color and shine. The icing on the cake might just be the little charm that dangles from the tube.
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Vacuums
The corded Shark PowerDetect HZ4002 offers top-notch cleaning for bare floors and pet hair, and performs above par on carpets. It features an auto-detect mode that adjusts the brush roll speed to the surface, transitioning efficiently between carpets and hard floors. It also has two brush rolls, one with rubber fins for optimal contact with surfaces and a soft roller to capture small particles. It can be converted into a handheld vacuum, making it easier to clean stairs and tight spots in your home. It also pulls apart for compact storage, allowing it to stand on its own and take up minimal space. In our member surveys, Shark corded vacuums earn a top-level mark for predicted reliability and a decent mark for owner satisfaction.
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The inexpensive Black+Decker DustBuster CHV1410L picks up almost all the debris in our bare floor and carpet tests—no small feat for a handheld vacuum. The filter is snugly set inside the dustbin and is easy to remove and empty. This model doesn’t come with detachable tools but has a built-in slide-out crevice tool and a pop-out brush. It’s a little noisier than the competition, making a light whistling sound when you turn it on.
As seen in: Best Handheld Vacuums
While we haven’t tested the Shark Rocket HV301 firsthand, we expect it to perform at the same level as the Rocket HV302, a similar model we tested that currently has limited distribution. That vacuum proved exceptional at picking up pet hair and cleaning bare floors.
Both the HV301 and HV302 come with a 30-foot-long cord and can be used as a hand vacuum, making it easier to clean furniture and stairs. For higher, hard-to-reach places, the hand vacuum comes equipped with a wand. In our member surveys, Shark corded vacuums earn a top-level mark for predicted reliability and a passable mark for owner satisfaction.
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Kitchen and Cookware
In our tests of the Caraway Ceramic-Coated Non-Stick pan, fried eggs easily slid out one after another, and the surface heated evenly with no hot spots. The handle is sturdy and stays cool to the touch as you cook. The nonstick ceramic coating, which the manufacturer claims is made without PTFE, stood up very well in our durability test. This pan is also induction-compatible and is claimed to be oven-safe up to 550° F.
As seen in: Best Nonstick Frying Pans
The Dash Tasti-Crisp DCAF260 has a measured capacity of 2.4 quarts and an overall footprint of less than a square foot, making it one of the most compact air fryers in our ratings. This is a no-frills model that doesn’t come with any accessories, but it’s the highest-rated air fryer we’ve tested. It earns high marks for its controls and ease of cleaning, and it excels in our noise test. It weighs just 6 pounds.
As seen in: Best Air Fryers
Teakhaus Traditional Edge Grain Professional Cutting Board
This Teakhaus cutting board is both beautiful and substantial, making it feel like a centerpiece on your countertop. It’s a solid serving piece, too, a perfect board for bread at a big gathering or a cheese or charcuterie platter. The board is easy to cut on and sits firmly on a counter. It’s also worth noting that it still looks pretty good after a decent amount of prep.
As seen in: Best Cutting Boards for Your Kitchen
Chef’s Choice AngleSelect Professional Manual Knife Sharpener
This model from Chef’s Choice has two basic sharpening settings, one for sharpening knives to 15 degrees and another for sharpening knives to 20 degrees. A third stage polishes the edge of any knife, regardless of which sharpening angle you choose. The 4643 feels well designed, with grooves that hold your knife at the perfect angle as you slowly drag it through the stage. Both knives we sharpened emerged exceptionally sharp.
As seen in: Best Knife Sharpeners for Chef’s Knives
Bedding
Buffy Cloud Comforter
Buffy’s Cloud Comforter was the softest choice in our at-home assessment. Thanks to its smooth, silky feel and fluffiness, the duvet is comfortable enough to use without a duvet cover. Made of recycled materials, it’s uniformly stuffed in layers to prevent clumping and shedding. The shell material is 100 percent sateen-weave Tencel lyocell.
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The Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable pillow is made of shredded memory foam and excels in our tests for support, regardless of your size or sleep position. It comes with extra foam, allowing you to adjust the filling to your preferred level of comfort. It also keeps its shape well, showing little or no change in height or fluffiness in our resilience tests. Our panel of testers was also impressed by its look and feel. The only area where this pillow falls a bit short is in its ability to allow air to circulate effectively. It sleeps slightly warm.
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Brooklinen Down Comforter (Twin)
Brooklinen’s down comforter stands out for its high-quality construction, soft feel, and excellent temperature regulation. Available in both down and down-alternative options, it comes in lightweight, all-season, or ultra-warm varieties. The all-season down version is cozy and breathable, with no noticeable clumping or feather leakage. Its sateen shell adds a touch of luxury and features a grid design and corner ties to keep it in place.
As seen in: Best Holiday Deals on Home Products
Giftable Items
Rancho Meladuco Signature Hand-Packed Medjool Dates, 2-lb. box
The first time I tried Rancho Meladuco dates, I was floored by their quality. They were tender and indulgently rich, unlike the harder, saccharine versions I typically find at the grocery store. They’re from a farm in California’s Coachella Valley (yes, the one and the same), handpicked, sun-ripened, and pretty sublime.
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HAY Patterned Taper Candles
Hay can do no wrong in my book, and these color-blocked candles are no exception. Featuring a motif that pays homage to the brand’s Danish roots, these artful accent pieces are perfect when you’re entertaining during the holidays. Choose among three different color palettes—or grab them all to mix and match.
As seen in: Our Favorite Gifts to Bring to a Holiday Party
Cup of Sea Sailor's Cure-All Ginger & Turmeric Tea with Bladderwrack
This is more than just your run-of-the-mill tea. Made with seaweed (don’t worry, the flavor is subtle), it has a blend of ginger and turmeric. Brew a cup and spoon in a bit of honey for a sweet nighttime treat.
As seen in: Holiday Gifts for Every Budget
Skylight Calendar Max
The Skylight Calendar is the wall display that our evaluators said they want hanging in their homes. It has a robust set of features, but its core calendar feature is straightforward for people of many ages to use. You can invite multiple calendars to sync to Skylight, such as work and personal calendars, and each gets its own customizable color, so users can assign their favorite ones. The Skylight can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Events show up immediately, whether you’ve added them directly to your Skylight display or to the Skylight app or your calendar app. The device’s Magic Import feature is a nifty tool that can grab events from your email, a PDF, or a screenshot, and import them directly to your Skylight so you don’t need to do so manually. It has a parental lock feature, too, that prevents your child from adding, deleting, or modifying events or chores.
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