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Tag: underscored-reviews

  • Under $25 scores: The Creative Pebble 2.0 speakers are a cheap fix for bad computer audio | CNN Underscored

    Under $25 scores: The Creative Pebble 2.0 speakers are a cheap fix for bad computer audio | CNN Underscored

    Computer speakers are the unsung heroes of the audio world, dutifully spitting out audio that’s often better than the sometimes aggressively-bad speakers built-in to your monitor, desktop or laptop, even at the budget level. If you’ve been around computers long enough, you’ll know the Creative brand — they’re responsible for the Sound Blaster sound card that allowed many of us to first hear the dulcet voice of Duke Nukem, the shotgun blast in Doom and the glorious MIDI-fied Star Wars orchestral score in TIE Fighter. A few weeks ago I picked up a pair of the company’s budget computer speakers — the Creative Pebble 2.0, to be exact.

    Although they didn’t quite make the cut for our list of the best computer speakers, you could do far worse if you’re looking for a solid, petite daily driver stereo set for your desktop machine.

    The Creative Pebble 2.0 provide a nice upgrade from your computer’s built-in speakers for cheap, all within an attractive, compact design that’s easy to squeeze into any setup.

    After many years of owning an iMac and being satisfied with the built-in speakers Apple uses, I finally decided to upgrade to a true headless desktop. Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, the speaker in the Mac Studio is atrocious for anything other than playing system sounds. But I don’t need much more than that for computer speakers. For the most part, I use my computer for writing, and if I listen to tunes while I write, I’ll inevitably be distracted by my musician brain’s demands to play sections back to hear how a guitar player did something, or to digest a wacky time change. If I care about a movie or show, I want to watch it on my TV. And if I’m going to game, I’d rather use headphones.

    All of that is to say, when I was looking for a set of speakers, I just wanted something cheap that sounded good, looked nice and didn’t hog precious desk space. Several buying guides pointed me to the Creative Pebble 2.0. It seemed to satisfy my requirements well enough, being made up of two petite speakers with a look reminiscent of the spacier elements of mid-century design. What I didn’t expect was that they’d actually sound very good for the money.

    If you’re looking for something with guttural bass that gets loud enough to fill a big ol’ room, the Creative Pebble 2.0 probably isn’t what you need. But otherwise, the Creative Pebble 2.0 are probably the perfect desktop speakers for anyone looking for what I described above. Their sound is honest and straightforward — no fancy computational audio here. They won’t vibrate your desk, but they don’t sound like tin cans, either.

    Granted, they aren’t ideal for everything. “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John feels like a trap door opened underneath it and all of the low end was jettisoned, while Journey’s “Wheel in the Sky” can come across as muddy once the vocals chime in. But for other music, Creative’s little speakers showed impressive dynamics. Charles Mingus’ version of “Jelly Roll” is a deceptively-simple song from a fun jazz album full of musicians hollering in the background, synced horn sections, delicate snare brush work and slapping bass — the speakers faithfully reproduced all of that, never crushing any of the small details that set up the soothing atmosphere that got me the closest to falling asleep while on the road with a band that I ever managed.

    Pebble in formationcnnu

    On top of the fact that they sound good, I love the Creative Pebble’s simple, functional design. They’re powered by your computer’s USB port or not-included 5-watt USB wall adapter, lending them versatility as laptop speakers, while saving you from crawling under your desk and fishing out a hidden power strip for desktop use. They’re angled upward at a 45-degree angle, which let me point them just past my head for ideal stereo immersion. There’s a single volume knob, and on the back, a built-in 4-foot line-out cable with a 3.5mm audio jack to plug into your computer’s headphone port. Between them, a 3.9-foot cable allows plenty of play for a broad spread. Lastly, at less than 5 inches in any dimension, they make a tidy fit in any space-constrained setup.

    Creative sells other versions of these speakers, including the $50 Creative Pebble Plus, which adds a subwoofer to the mix, and the $60 Creative Pebble Pro, which uses USB-C for power and has a built-in microphone and RGB lights on the bottom. If you want a slightly better deal than those, our overall top budget pick is the Cyber Acoustics CA3090 stereo 2.1 speakers with subwoofer, which is an oldie but a goodie I can vouch for, having used the set for nearly a decade. For my money though, I’ve rarely been happier with a gadget I spent $20 on than I have with the Pebble 2.0. It almost feels like getting away with something.

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  • Amazon reviewers are obsessed with this $26 spring dress — so we tried it ourselves | CNN Underscored

    Amazon reviewers are obsessed with this $26 spring dress — so we tried it ourselves | CNN Underscored

    This article is part of Spring Fashion Month, where we’re breaking down your must-have fashion pieces for the next few months. From denim jackets to comfy sandals, we’re asking editors, influencers and experts about the go-to pieces they wear through spring and beyond.

    It’s no secret that in recent years, Amazon has evolved into a somewhat surprising mecca for affordable fashion stapes and standout pieces that tend to go viral. Need proof? See: the inimitable Amazon coat, the eye-catching and easy-to-wear nightgown dress and oh-so-cozy lounge set — just to name a few.

    Now, we’re calling the next Amazon outfit that’s sure to be a craze this spring: The MSBasic V-Neck Dress which we tried out in our quest to test the best spring dresses from the mega-retailer, and it rose the to the top of the pack as our (and readers’) favorite frock for the new season.

    It honestly doesn’t get easier — and more flattering — than this simple V-neck dress, which is available in lots of basic colors and interesting patterns. The style emphasizes all the right places, the material is soft, it’s a great length and you don’t have to worry about wearing any special undergarments.

    In terms of silhouette, this dress is universally flattering. With a simple fit-to-flare shape, it hugs the waist without feeling constricting, and the wrap-top, V neckline shows just the right amount of skin for any bust size. A classic short sleeve and covered back means that any type of undergarment or bra will work underneath, and you won’t have to worry about concealing a strap. The hemline, which hits just above the knee, is perfect for spring weather and doesn’t feel too short.

    The fabric is a blend of polyester and spandex that’s soft to the touch and plenty stretchy — though we’d avoid throwing this one in the dryer; the tag notes it’s hand wash only.

    underscored msbasics dress 2

    And no matter your personal style, you’ll find that MSBasic has you covered: The dress is available in 39 colorways and patterns in sizes S through XXL on Amazon (though not every option is available in every size); Solids include blue, green and purple, and there are plenty of pretty florals, polka dots and even a few tie-dye looks. Prices range from $26 to $32.

    But perhaps the best attribute of this dress is the versatility: Dress it down with a denim jacket and sneakers for a breezy day of running errands, or throw on some cute wedge sandals for a more elevated look. There’s no extra frills or complicated details here — the MSBasic dress is the embodiment of “throw it on and go,” and it’s sure to hit just right no matter the occasion.

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  • Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand vs. Tarte Sculpt Tape Contour: Which is best for you? | CNN Underscored

    Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand vs. Tarte Sculpt Tape Contour: Which is best for you? | CNN Underscored

    This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.

    Contouring is one of those magical makeup techniques that can take your look to the next level. It creates depth and dimension, with the power to enhance or camouflage certain facial features. The technique consists of accentuating the shadows of your face — think under the cheekbones, along the jawline, on the sides of the nose and along the hairline — to sculpt and add definition.

    Cream and liquid formulas are best for contour since they will blend seamlessly with base makeup like foundation and concealer. Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Contour Wand has been a popular choice since it launched in 2017, thanks to its easy applicator and flexible formula.

    Earlier this year, Tarte launched its Sculpt Tape Contour and makeup fans were quick to call out its resemblance to the Charlotte Tilbury wand. We tested the two in a side-by-side comparison to find out if their performance is as similar as their packaging.

    Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand vs. Tarte Sculpt Tape Contour at a glance

    tarte-sculpt-tape.jpg

    Shades

    Light to Medium, Medium to Deep

    Soft Bronze, Cool Bronze, Warm Bronze, Deep Bronze, Rich Bronze, Mahogany, Espresso
    Formula

    Liquid/Cream

    Liquid/Cream
    Finish

    Semi-matte

    Matte
    Size

    12 mL

    12 mL
    Available at

    Charlotte Tilbury, Sephora, Revolve

    Tarte, Ulta
    Price

    $42

    $35

    As someone who loves a five-minute face, I look for products that make my makeup routine super simple. While contouring can be time-intensive when layered with highlighter, blush and powder, products like Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Contour Wand and Tarte’s Sculpt Tape Contour come in a user-friendly format, making them quick and easy to apply.

    In just a few steps, you can sculpt your cheekbones, nose and more. I followed the same method for both products, applying the Hollywood Contour Wand to one side of my face, and the Sculpt tape to the other. Since they basically have the same applicators, the directions are the same: To dispense the product, you twist the top to unlock it, give the tube a squeeze until you can see the cushion-tipped applicator become saturated and then dot or draw on the contour where you want to add some dimension. I opted for the dotting method, applying it in the hollows of my cheeks, along the sides of my forehead and on the sides of my nose. Then, I used my favorite Real Techniques face brush to blend the contour out.

    Testing the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand in Light-Medium.

    The Hollywood Contour Wand shade Light-Medium was a nearly identical shade match to Sculpt Tape’s Soft Bronze. Both liquid formulas blended out far lighter than they initially applied. I found that the Sculpt Tape appeared more matte and felt slightly creamy on the skin (thanks to the inclusion of skin care ingredients like shea butter, licorice root and porcelain flower), while the Hollywood Contour Wand gave a glowy effect and felt more like a true liquid product. I applied both on top of the Saie Glowy Super Skin Foundation, which helped with a smooth and seamless finish. I recommend applying these contours on top of a base product (such as foundation or primer) rather than on bare skin as this will help the liquid formula blend better.

    Furthermore, the Charlotte Tilbury contour wand blended out a bit lighter than Tarte’s contour. In the pictures above and below, the “after” examples were taken following the initial application. For a deeper contour, both products can be layered again until your desired effect. During my additional testing, I found that two layers of the Hollywood Contour Wand gave a more defined contour on my skin tone. With the Sculpt Tape, however, one application was sufficient.

    Testing Tarte Sculpt Tape in Soft Bronze.

    After you use the contour wands, you’ll want to twist the top of the applicator to lock the product and put the cap back on. One of the few complaints for both the Hollywood Contour Wand and Sculpt Tape is their propensity for leaking. Knowing this before testing, I was careful not to squeeze the tubes too much so there wouldn’t be excess product on the applicators.

    Left: Before contour. Right: With Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand on left side of face, and Tarte Sculpt Tape on right side of face.

    Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Contour Wand comes in two flexible shades — Light to Medium and Medium to Deep — which can work on a range of skin tones. However, Tarte offers seven shades of its Sculpt Tape Contour, offering a more tailored range for different skin tones. This allows you to choose a shade based on preference, too — you can try a shade darker or lighter than you would normally go, depending on how exaggerated you want your contour to be.

    While both products make it quick and easy to create a contoured look, the shade range and color payoff of Tarte’s Sculpt Tape make it more accessible. Being able to choose a shade for your specific skin tone allows for quicker and easier application, so you don’t have to fuss with trying to lessen or increase the saturation on a generalized shade. Plus, the formula has nourishing ingredients that feel light on the skin but give enough of a creaminess that it makes blending a breeze.

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  • The best carpet cleaners in 2023 | CNN Underscored

    The best carpet cleaners in 2023 | CNN Underscored

    Pets — they may be your best friend, but they’re your carpet’s worst enemy (and if you have young kids, you know they’re a close second). If your children or pets are constantly dirtying up your carpet, you might want to add a carpet cleaner to your regular cleaning routine.

    Carpet cleaners are wet vacuums that use cleaning sprays, brushes and suction power to remove stains and odors from your carpet. To help keep your floors looking clean and smelling fresh, we tested nine of the most popular portable and upright carpet cleaners to find the best models for any home.

    Best upright carpet cleaner overall

    The Hoover SmartWash+ is built around simplicity, thanks to its automatic carpet spraying system.

    Best premium upright carpet cleaner for pet hair

    bissell 2 pc

    The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro is pricey, but you’ll also get excellent features like a heated clean water tank and a specialty hose attachment for removing pet hair.

    Best portable carpet cleaner overall

    Thanks to the Hoover CleanSlate Pet’s 7-inch vacuum head and compact design, you won’t have to sacrifice performance for portability.

    • Related: All you need to know about how to clean your carpets.

    The Hoover SmartWash+ automatically sprays cleaning solution when you push the cleaner forward.

    From top to bottom, the Hoover SmartWash+ has been designed around one idea: simplicity. Its intuitive triggerless spraying system automatically sprays your carpet when you move it forward and dries the carpet when you pull it backward. It’s much more like using an upright vacuum cleaner and unlike most of the competition, which required us to hold down a spray trigger (which often left us worrying about under- or overwashing our carpet). Most notably, however, it performed just as well as the Bissell ProHeat throughout our testing despite selling for nearly $100 less.

    The SmartWash+ performed excellently during our stain test and other hands-on usage. Thanks to the cleaner’s auto-spray system, we simply ran the SmartWash+ back and forth over our carpet samples until the carpet’s soy sauce, red wine and dirt stains disappeared. After a few passes with the Hoover, our carpet looked good as new without any trace of our test stains.

    The SmartWash+ has dual dedicated solution and clean water tanks and automatically mixes from both tanks as you clean, so unlike many of the other carpet cleaners we tested you don’t have to worry about mixing too much or too little solution together or having water sit in a tank for too long. You can easily refill water once your clean water tank runs out without having to mix a new batch of solution. The SmartWash+ also has a convenient Dry Only mode that lets you “vacuum” your carpet without triggering its forward spraying function. A handy backlit display tells you when the SmartWash+ is in spraying or drying mode.

    The Hoover’s Dry Only button disables its auto-cleaning spray function, letting it work like a vacuum cleaner.

    If anything goes wrong with your cleaner, the SmartWash+ comes with an extended five-year warranty. It has one of the widest cleaning heads we tested at 12 inches, an inch wider than the Bissell ProHeat, and it’s 0.5-gallon dirty water tank was a bit larger than the Bissel’s 0.4-gallon tank. A 22-foot power cord and 8-foot attachment hose give you plenty of room to work.

    That said, the SmartWash+’s lower price compared to the Bissell ProHeat means you’ll sacrifice some convenience for affordability. If you want to spot treat tougher stains in advance with the Hoover, you’ll need to attach its 8-foot hose attachment and manually spray them. With the Bissell ProHeat’s integrated spray head, you can quickly spot treat individual stains and won’t need to carry around a separate spray bottle or a hose carrying bag.

    But overall, the SmartWash+ earned its spot as our top carpet cleaner for a simple reason: It cleans carpets just as well as the Bissell ProHeat and costs $100 less. The Hoover SmartWash+’s automatic spraying system and stress-free design make it a great option if you’re looking for an affordable upright carpet cleaner that’s effective and easy to use.

    The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro is one of Bissell’s best home carpet cleaners.

    During our testing, the Bissell ProHeat 2x easily handled dirt, soy sauce and fruit punch stains on our carpets and ample amounts of dirt embedded in a large area rug, thanks to its 11-inch vacuum head and twin roller brushes. For straightforward carpet cleaning it was just as effective as the Hoover SmartWash+, but its effective pre-soaking feature and Swiss Army knife-like range of attachments made it even more versatile, and the ProHeat’s longer 25-foot power cord and 10-foot attachment hose gave us more range to work, which we appreciated while cleaning stairwells and large carpeted rooms.

    The Bissell’s CleanShot tool shoots a stream of cleaning solution that can be used for spot cleaning.

    Our favorite feature on the ProHeat was Bissell’s CleanShot spot treatment system. When you press the CleanShot button above the Bissell ProHeat’s rear wheel, a sprayer shoots out a Super Soaker-like stream of cleaning solution (a second press shuts it off, so you can control the length of the application). Although it took us a second to get comfortable aiming the CleanShot, we liked using it as a quick spot treatment tool. On the other models we reviewed, the only way to quickly pretreat stains was by connecting an attachment hose and sprayer head to the cleaner. When we tested out the Bissell on a kitchen runner rug, we hit baked-in grease stains with the CleanShot, cleaned the rest of the carpet and easily removed them later once the solution soaked in.

    The ProHeat also uses Bissell’s Heatwave system, which relies on a small fan to heat up the cleaner’s clean water tank. By comparison, some Hoover upright cleaners vent warm air to help dry out your carpet, but none do the same for their water tank. In our testing, the heated water tank wasn’t a huge game changer — the ProHeat and Hoover SmartWash+ performed just about the same during our carpet stain removal testing, though the ProHeat lets you work for longer stretches since you don’t have to refill with warm water as you do with the SmartWash+. If you’re deep cleaning a whole floor with the Bissell, its heated water tank is a nice convenience, but we wouldn’t call it an essential feature.

    The Bissell is versatile, with a strong selection of tools for a variety of carpet and upholstery cleaning tasks. Along with the 10-foot hose (2 feet longer than the Hoover SmartWash+) that attaches to the cleaner, the ProHeat also comes with a general brush head and a specialized brush head that’s an excellent fit for pet owners. The ProHeat’s Pet Upholstery tool catches hair and debris before it reaches your cleaner’s water tank. After a cleaning session, you can unlock the cup and empty any hair that’s inside or wrapped around the tool’s filter. We had no problems using the attachment, and if your home has animals that frequently shed everywhere, you’ll appreciate the tool.

    The Pet Upholstery tool catches pet hair before it reaches your water tank.

    Cleaning your carpet means ending up with a tank full of dirty water, and though upright carpet cleaners are generally harder to clean than portable cleaners, Bissell tried to make the process as painless as possible. The ProHeat’s water tanks can easily be washed out, and Bissell includes a hooked plastic tool for fishing out hair and other debris in the nozzle. You can also pop off the ProHeat’s nozzle housing by holding down two clearly marked buttons on the cleaner’s front side.

    We do wish Bissell made it easier to remove the brush heads if you want to do a deeper cleaning. In order to remove the rollers, you’ll need to disassemble the cleaner’s front housing with a screwdriver and pull off the gear belt. On the competing Hoover SmartWash+, you can simply remove the nozzle cover and pop out each roller brush. Bissell does offer a cleaning tray designed for power washing the ProHeat’s brushes, although it’s sold separately for $29.99.

    Considering the narrow performance gap between the Hoover SmartWash+ and the Bissell ProHeat, the $100 price premium makes sense if you’re regularly cleaning lots of pet hair or stains off your furniture and want to use the cleaner’s specialty hair catcher tool. Otherwise, convenience features like the ProHeat’s sprayer are nice, but for most households, they’re not must-haves.

     The Hoover CleanSlate Pet is designed to be easily stored.

    If you’re not planning on doing any full room or rug deep cleaning and just want a tool that will let you take care of pet messes or spills, a portable carpet cleaner makes a lot of sense. The Hoover CleanSlate Pet was the most convenient to use and effective of the models we tested. During our testing, the CleanSlate dealt easily with salt-crusted car mats, stained kitchen rugs and dirt and food stains, and sucked up dirt without missing a beat. Thanks to the CleanSlate’s 4.5-foot hose, we had the range to comfortably reach stains and didn’t have to constantly drag the cleaner across the carpet.

    The design is well thought out, and every feature and tool is easy to reach. On top of the CleanSlate, you’ll find a carrying handle, water tanks and a removable hose cleaning tool. To use the tool, you simply attach it to the top of the hose and hold down the solution trigger — it’ll spray cleaning solution down your hose and flush any grime right into the water tank.

    Along the CleanSlate’s backside, you’ll find its power cord, hose and narrow head attachment. Unlike a lot of vacuum extension heads, the CleanSlate’s tapered attachment includes a spray head and brush, which makes it perfect for cleaning out tight spots like nooks and seat corners. As with the hose cleaner head, you can store the attachment right on the CleanSlate, and it’s a convenient touch that enhances the cleaner’s portability — you won’t have to sift through a bag or drawer every time you need to switch cleaner heads.

    The CleanSlate’s main cleaning tool features a presoaking sprayer and removable heads.

    The CleanSlate’s jumbo-size cleaning tool is a key reason why it earned its spot as our top portable cleaner. At 7 inches wide with swappable bristle and rubber-tipped heads, the cleaning tool is gigantic compared to typical portable cleaners with tools that top out at around 4 inches. By comparison, the Bissell Little Green Pro has a middling 3-inch cleaning attachment. The wider tool let us get more cleaning done more quickly.

    With the CleanSlate’s large cleaner head, we could cover more territory at once and didn’t have to repeatedly double back to finish cleaning stains. When we were cleaning out a car floor mat, it only took a few presoak sprays — the CleanSlate sprays cleaning solution downward in a wide triangular pattern — and swipes to finish cleaning the mat. With the Bissell Little Green Pro, it took us twice as long to finish cleaning the same mat because of the cleaner’s smaller head. The CleanSlate’s larger head gives it the versatility to tackle more types of carpet jobs compared to other portable cleaners — it’s not simply for spot cleaning.

    The CleanSlate also comes with a two-year warranty along with sizable 23-ounce dirty water and 40-ounce clean water tanks. Although the CleanSlate’s tanks are smaller compared to the Bissell Little Green Pro’s heftier 3/4-gallon tanks, they’re also far easier to clean. The Bissell’s dirty water tank has a small plastic lip that occasionally catches sediment along with nooks that require multiple rinses to be fully cleaned out. By comparison, the Hoover’s tank has a simpler layout, and it’s easy to rinse out with some hot water and a paper towel.

    If your biggest needs for a portable carpet cleaner are price, portability and performance, the Hoover CleanSlate is a tough act to beat.

    If you have carpeting or rugs in your home — and especially if you have pets or kids along with them — you’ve probably spent some time trying stain removers of various kinds to deal with spills, pet messes and the grime that builds up with everyday wear. But sprays and scrubbing will only get you so far.

    You’ve likely seen professional carpet cleaning systems for rent at supermarkets and big-box stores, and you may even have hired (or considered hiring) a service like Stanley Steemer when you’ve moved into a new place. But owning your own smaller unit can make a lot of sense, especially if you have pets or small children who regularly dirty your carpets.

    Although most rental shops offer professional-grade carpet cleaners, you’ll typically be paying between $20 and $40 per day in fees (depending on the accessories you need), and that can quickly add up if you’re cleaning more than a few times per year. If you find yourself in this position, it makes sense to add a carpet cleaner to your cleaning tool collection.

    You’ll find two types on the market. Upright carpet cleaners resemble upright vacuums, though they use water tanks in place of a bag or canister, and you use them similarly, pushing them across the room. Portable carpet cleaners are squat, handheld devices — think miniature canister vacuum — meant to be used for spot cleaning or smaller areas; often they include a hose for upholstery and scrubber attachments

    Portable carpet cleaners work best if you’re typically dealing with spills or smaller stains and want a cleaner that doesn’t take up much space. Many of the models we reviewed also include features like pet hair removal tools that’ll undoubtedly be appealing to pet owners. You can also easily move a portable cleaner around if you want to clean a stain out in your car or on a stairwell.

    You’ll want to consider an upright carpet cleaner if you’re regularly cleaning up multiple carpeted rooms and floors. Upright carpet cleaners are much more powerful than portable cleaners, and they use wider cleaning heads to grab more dirt and water from your carpets. Uprights are generally more complex to use compared to portable cleaners — you’ll have to plug in a separate hose whenever you want to do spot cleaning, and they have more parts to clean and maintain once you’re through.

    Our carpet cleaner testing involved staining carpets with a variety of substances.

    To find the best portable and upright carpet cleaners, we tested all nine models for more than a month and ran them through a gamut of cleaning scenarios.

    Our main test involved seeing how well each model cleaned up dirt, coffee, red wine, fruit punch, ketchup and soy sauce stains on a low-pile carpet. All of our tested cleaners could remove the stains, but the best models cleaned up our test carpet without requiring significant force or repeated passes.

    We also tried using our carpet cleaners on alternative surfaces like medium-pile area rugs, floor mats, car floor covers and mattresses. Our top picks, which included an arsenal of attachments for any cleaning scenario, handled these challenges without any issues. For carpet cleaners with rechargeable batteries, we gave each model a full charge and ran them through a standard carpet cleaning until they powered down.

    We also prioritized usability and design during our evaluations. Models that were easy to carry around, clean and maintain earned the best marks throughout our testing.

    With its 5-foot hose, sizable 96-ounce water tanks and attachments like a specialized pet stain tool that combines bristles with hard plastic spikes, the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro is heavier duty and more powerful than most portable cleaners. Despite sporting only a 3-inch head, the Little Green Pet Pro needed just a few passes to remove smaller stains during our testing.

    The Little Green’s lack of built-in attachment holsters, loud motor, smaller vacuum head and higher price compared to the Hoover CleanSlate are slight downsides. But the Bissell can be a decent premium portable cleaner option if you’re interested in paying a little bit extra for its larger tank.

    We loved the Rug Doctor’s portable-friendly design, which includes a carry handle, wheels and a second retractable handle that lets you easily roll the cleaner from one spot to another. The Rug Doctor’s 4.5-inch vacuum head also made quick work of our carpet stain test. But the Rug Doctor was hampered by unfortunate design choices like water tanks with rounded bottoms that made them hard to refill.

    The Hoover ONEPWR Spotless Go weighs only around 7 pounds, and it’s also battery-powered, so it’s easy to take around the house or into your car. Despite the ONEPWR’s small scale, we had no problems cleaning off juice and dirt carpet stains during testing. The Spotless Go is part of Hoover’s ONEPWR series, which includes vacuums and other tools that use ONEPWR-branded batteries.

    We did wish that the Hoover’s hose were longer than 2 feet — we had to regularly move the ONEPWR around during our cleaning tests in order to keep the hose straight. And as with most battery-powered cleaning tools, keep a spare battery or charger nearby if you’re cleaning more than a few stains at once. We got around 18 minutes of cleaning time using the Hoover’s included 2Ah battery, although Hoover also sells upgraded 3Ah and 4Ah ONEPWR batteries.

    With its modest battery life and 9-ounce dirty water tank, the Hoover ONEPWR isn’t necessarily cut out for frequent or even medium-scale carpet cleaning. But if your biggest concern for a carpet cleaner is portability and you already own ONEPWR equipment, the Hoover Spotless Go could be worth a second look.

    Unlike most of the cleaners we reviewed, the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser has a handheld vacuum-like design that makes it portable and easy to store. The cleaner also uses an internal battery that lasted for around 20 minutes during our testing. The Bissell’s rotating roller brush helped the cleaner tackle tough stains during our testing — roller brushes are typically seen only on upright cleaners. But the Bissell’s small 3-inch head means you’ll have to do a lot of cleaning passes compared to other carpet cleaners.

    One of our favorite features on the Hoover Power Scrub is its SpinScrub brush system. Instead of a standard rotating roller brush, the Power Scrub has a series of horizontal brush heads that spin around to dislodge stains. In our testing, the Power Scrub needed only a few passes to clean up dirt, soy sauce and fruit punch stains. It also features a handy Rinse mode that lets you use just water to wash out leftover cleaning solution from your carpet; we’d love to see this option on more carpet cleaners, since many have you premix your water and cleaning solution. The Hoover has two hefty 1.25-gallon water tanks, so you’ll have a good supply on hand.

    But the Power Scrub’s handling can take some getting used to — the cleaner’s handle section consists of the clean water tank and a thinner plastic portion that hovers over the dirty water tank like a turtle shell.

    When we brought the handle down, the jumbo-size clean water tank shifted the weight balance of the handle toward the top and made it awkwardly top-heavy. On models like the Hoover SmartWash+, the handle section includes both water tanks to help evenly distribute weight across the handle. The Power Scrub’s clean mode buttons are also awkwardly placed on the cleaner’s front side, and this can be a slight hassle if you’re adjusting modes mid-clean.

    If you’re looking for a budget upright carpet cleaner, the Bissell TurboClean offers a strong balance between price and performance. We had no problems tackling red wine and fruit punch stains with the TurboClean, and it’s one of the most affordable upright carpet cleaners we reviewed.

    But for the price, you’ll have to settle for a short one-year warranty, a modestly sized 5/8-gallon clean water tank and no hose attachment for spot cleaning. With the TurboClean, you also might need to budget more time after your carpet cleaning for cleaner cleaning — after our test cleans, we had to wipe a considerable amount of wet carpet fuzz that was splattered on the bottom of the TurboClean. The other upright cleaners we tested performed far better when it came to containing and catching carpet cleaner runoff. Overall, we think it’s worth it to spend a little more for better performance and easier maintenance.

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  • Under $25 scores: The Skullcandy Dime 2 wireless earbuds get all the basics right | CNN Underscored

    Under $25 scores: The Skullcandy Dime 2 wireless earbuds get all the basics right | CNN Underscored

    I’m almost always wearing headphones of some kind. At home, I’m usually wearing a pair of over-ear headphones. On the go, I’ll usually have a pair of one of the best wireless earbuds. And when I travel, I take both.

    But having access to different kinds of headphones for different situations can run up a bill, and as such, getting a decent pair of earbuds on the cheap can seriously come in handy. I’ve been using the Skullcandy Dime 2 earbuds, and they fit the bill pretty well and sound better than you would expect for the price.

    If you’re looking to spend less than $25 on a pair of wireless earbuds, the Skullcandy Dime 2’s good sound quality, attractive design and handy Tile compatibility make them well worth it.

    How I found the Skullcandy Dime 2 wireless earbuds

    As mentioned, I’m constantly wearing headphones, for listening to music, the dozens of podcasts I subscribe to and the audiobooks that I’ve replaced physical books with. Because listening to content is such a huge part of my life, I’m always looking for ways to improve on the experience — so when our tech editor here asked if I’d be interested in taking a look at the Skullcandy Dime 2 earbuds, which cost only $23 right now, I jumped at the chance.

    Of course, the low price is particularly interesting. Only a few short years ago, truly wireless earbuds were only available for a few hundred dollars — and anything less than that made for a pretty poor experience. These days, wireless earbuds are available at much lower prices, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re worth buying. After all, features are often as important as audio quality when it comes to wireless earbuds, and at this price, you won’t get things like noise cancellation and multi-point Bluetooth connectivity.

    But what you will get is a no-frills experience for those who want something cheap and accessible. At under $30, and routinely less when on sale, the Skullcandy Dime 2 look, on paper, like an absolute steal.

    The first thing I appreciated about the Skullcandy Dime 2 earbuds is the fact that they’re in a compact and portable case. Often, in an attempt to offer a longer battery life, companies include a huge charging case, but that wasn’t the case here. They’re also available in fun colors, which is neat in a world of black and white tech. I’m reviewing the Light Gray/Blue model, but they’re also available in Dark Blue/Green, Multicolor, True Black, Chill Gray, Golden Orange, Golden Red and Green/Black.

    In total, you’ll only get 12 hours of battery life, including 3.5 hours of constant listening. That’s a bit low, but those who listen in shorter bursts and charge frequently shouldn’t have an issue with it.

    Christian de Looper/CNN Underscored

    While these earbuds don’t have things like noise cancellation and Bluetooth multi-point, they do have a feature that isn’t very common: Tile support. That means that you can add these to the Tile app, and use the app to locate them if they’re lost. Headphones four times the price often don’t include features like that.

    Related: The best headphones for working out

    The earbuds are also quite comfortable. They offer a stem design made famous by Apple’s AirPods, making them easy to put in and take out. And, when they’re in your ears, they punch way above their class in audio quality. Sure, they won’t compete with much more expensive earbuds, but for casual listening the audio is great, with enough bass for most and pretty good response in the high end.

    At this price, it’s really hard to beat these budget earbuds. There are other options out there, like the JLab Audio Go Air Pop, which don’t sound quite as good, and the Tozo A3 headphones, which aren’t as comfortable or as great-sounding. But while the Dime 2 aren’t the most technically advanced earbuds out there, they get the basics right, and at this price that’s what matters most.

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  • The Wemo Smart Light Switch is a fast, easy solution for Apple households | CNN Underscored

    The Wemo Smart Light Switch is a fast, easy solution for Apple households | CNN Underscored

    In the course of my years of writing about smart home products, I’ve used more smart switches — that is, light switches you can control with your phone, smart speaker, tablet, or computer — than anybody reasonably should. I’ve been frustrated and my family has been annoyed — a lot — but I’ve also learned plenty. One of the biggest lessons I’ve come away with has been that Wi-Fi, for all its strengths, is just not a good communication medium for these devices for many reasons, not the least of which is reliability.

    Enter the Wemo smart switch with Thread. This simple, easy-to-install light switch uses the Thread wireless protocol, which means it operates completely independently of the internet, instead forming a mesh network with other Thread-enabled devices. It’s a simpler approach, obviating the need for perfect router placement or investing in costly mesh Wi-Fi routers.

    If you want an easy solution for controlling your home’s lights — and primarily use Apple smart home products — the Wemo Smart Light Swtich is an affordable, reliable choice.

    As a smart light switch, is it up to snuff with the best alternatives out there? If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, absolutely. Here’s why:

    Wemo Smart Light Switch with Thread cnnu

    Smart switches tend to take a couple of different approaches to setup. Some have color-coded wires jutting out from the body of the switch, while others simply let you connect existing wiring either to the screws on the side or through ports on the back. The Wemo smart switch with Thread takes the latter approach, which I tend to prefer as it ultimately saves space — you’re not jamming four wire nuts into an already-cramped electrical box — and allows for more secure physical connections directly to the body of the switch.

    The terminal holes in the back were large enough for me to stick the wire and its housing into the back, leaving no exposed copper. It was a little tough to wiggle the wire beneath the clamping plate inside, but once in, they were snug. And because the switch uses interchangeable line and load wires (the usually-black wires that carry power from your breaker box and to the light, respectively), you don’t have to worry if you get the two mixed up, making installation all the easier.

    In the box, Wemo includes a white jumper cable for connecting to your neutral wires (which should also be white) and a wire nut for easily connecting it. It also comes with clear, well-illustrated instructions with no gaps that I felt the need to backfill with independent research, which is never a guarantee with these things.

    Related: The best smart bulbs you can buy right now

    Unfortunately, Wemo makes some of the huskier smart switches on the market, and that’s true here. If you have an older, shallow electrical box, its 1.7-inch depth may make it difficult to cram in, particularly if you’re dealing with a past homeowner’s haphazard DIY approach to wiring. In those situations, I’d recommend hiring an electrician to sort things out.

    Finally, Wemo includes a nice-looking, simple faceplate that clips on, leaving no visible screws. I was installing this in a three-switch box, so I didn’t use it in my setup, but it’s a nice-to-have. Even so, it works with a standard paddle switch faceplate, so if you don’t like the included one, you can always use your own.

    Note: While installing a smart light switch is one of the easier bits of electrical work, the consequences for doing so poorly can be dire, and even fatal. Turning off the power to the switch is crucial, as is testing the wiring to verify there’s no electricity going to it. It’s a good idea to buy a multimeter or at least a voltage tester to be certain, but above all else, if you’re unsure about this work, hire a professional electrician to do it for you — not only will it save you time, frustration, and potential injury, but the work will be insured should something go wrong down the line. You can find a good write-up for DIY light switch installation at Bob Vila.

    Simple setup and responsive control

    After installation, setup was a breeze. Because the Wemo smart light switch with Thread supports HomeKit, there’s no need to involve the Wemo app — you simply tap the ‘+’ button in the iOS Home app, then ‘add accessory,’ then scan the HomeKit code printed on the front of the switch or enter the numbers manually (I had to do the latter, as my phone’s camera refused to identify the code in my low-light basement). In all, had I not been also installing another light switch in the same box, I would’ve had the whole thing done in less than 20 minutes.

    Being HomeKit-compatible isn’t always a win. For contrast, I also installed an older Wemo Wi-Fi smart dimmer on the same day, in the same three-gang box. It took at least five attempts before I was able to set it up, finally working when I tried an old trick that’s worked for me with stubborn Wi-Fi smart home products in the past: using my iPad for the setup instead. I’ll be replacing that with a Thread smart dimmer switch as soon as I’m able.

    Using the new Wemo switch was a breeze. It mostly reliably toggled within about two seconds when using voice control through my 2nd Gen HomePod, and even faster with Siri or the Home app on my iPhone. Longer term testing will reveal how well it does over time — I’ve never owned a smart device that didn’t at least occasionally fall completely flat — but at least in my testing, this switch has been solid, even as other repeat offenders struggled.

    Wemo’s smart switch is affordable at $50, and it’s frequently on sale for even less (as of this writing, it’s just $40 at various retailers). You can spend less on a smart switch if you want, though you’ll find compromise, there — reliability tends to slip for cheaper smart switches, and it’s hard to find anything that’s compatible with Apple’s smart home ecosystem for less (although as you’ll see in the table at the end of this review, there are some compelling older Wi-Fi options available for less).

    Exclusivity and limited features

    Nothing is perfect in this world, and there are a few things to know if you’re considering the Wemo smart switch with Thread. First, it’s a HomeKit-exclusive, so if you don’t have an iPhone or an iPad, you can’t use it at all, and you need a HomeKit home hub — a HomePod or an Apple TV — to control your devices when away from home. Also, you’ll need the right HomePod or Apple TV for Thread control, as the original HomePod lacks a Thread radio, and it gets a little more confusing for Apple’s TV streaming box — both 2021 models support the protocol, but of the 2022 models, only the 128GB model does.

    It’s also limited to simple on/off functionality, so if you were looking for a dimmer switch with Thread compatibility, you’re unfortunately out of luck for now; there just aren’t any on the market right now.

    Related: Our picks for the best smart plugs

    The biggest potential drawback is Matter support, or the lack thereof. Wemo has said it will release a Matter-compliant smart switch sometime this year, but so far has no plans to update the current Thread switch to the new standard. That’s not a big deal if you’re already in the HomeKit ecosystem, but if you were hoping for Google Assistant or Alexa control, it may be best to wait for the next iteration of the switch.

    At the end of the day, the best smart switch is the one that works the best with your setup. I found the Wemo smart switch with Thread to be reliable, easy to install and set up and the price wasn’t especially painful, but there are cheaper options out there. If you don’t mind something a little older — and possibly a little more frustrating to get going with — the Wemo Wi-Fi smart dimmer switch is a nice dimming option that connects to your Wi-Fi router, works with all three of the major smart home ecosystems, and has a very nice control interface. It’s a three-year-old switch though, so software updates could be a concern (although Wemo tends to be good about supporting its older products, so far).

    Meross makes an even cheaper simple on/off switch in its Wi-Fi smart switch for HomeKit. At half the price of the Wemo smart switch with Thread, it has all the same features (that is, it turns your lights on and off) and it’s actually smaller, making it an easier fit in traditional electrical boxes. Meross also tends to make reliable Wi-Fi smart home devices, which is great because few things are more frustrating than a smart switch that requires regular factory resets. But it has some drawbacks — installation isn’t as flexible as Wemo’s new switch, as you’ll need to know for sure which of the black wires is line and which is load, and it’s again an older product.

    Ultimately, Thread is part of the future of smart homes, and for dedicated Apple smart home users, Wemo’s switch is a good buy, even if the company plans to release the exact same switch with full Matter support and may not update this one to the same.

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  • We tested the Tovala Smart Oven Air Fryer and it sure beats takeout for individual meals | CNN Underscored

    We tested the Tovala Smart Oven Air Fryer and it sure beats takeout for individual meals | CNN Underscored

    The Tovala Smart Oven Air Fryer is a Wi-Fi connected, app-forward countertop oven that, paired with a pricey meal plan subscription, can cook up fresh, individual dishes for one in about 20 minutes or less.

    A perfect companion to a small kitchen and busy schedule, the Smart Oven Air Fryer lets you pick your meals online, scan the barcode on the packaging and dig in. However, if you’re interested in creating your own recipes or cooking for more than one (you can order double portions, though that will up the price tag for the already-expensive meals) you may not need such a targeted smart appliance. And, if you don’t feel like spending the extra cash on a six-week meal delivery, the affordable $70 oven rockets to a less economical $250 — which no longer makes it a budget pick, especially compared to other countertop ovens and air fryers like our favorite, the $300 Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven.

    To help you decide if this smart oven is for you, I prepared a week’s worth of Tovala’s gourmet meals using the Smart Oven Air Fryer. Here’s what you need to know before you get cooking.

    The Tovala Smart Oven Air Fryer offers a simple, fresh meal delivery service for one and Wi-Fi connected, one-touch cooking. A great budget toaster oven if you order meals, it jumps to a pricier, less useful purchase if you’re more interested in cooking from scratch. However, if you’re looking to save time and energy, this countertop oven beats out supermarket frozen food and takeout.

    The Tovala app (available for iOS and Android) is non-negotiable for the Smart Oven Air Fryer because it’s where you sign up, pay for and order your meals. It also walks you through setting up your oven and even comes with access to a recipe base if you do, indeed, decide to cook from scratch. And if you need a recipe for air frying hot dogs (see below), this oven is definitely a win.

    Tovala-from-scratch-app.jpg

    Once you download and sign into the app, it will completely control the Smart Oven Air Fryer as well, though you can still go OG with the appliance’s simple buttons (more below) or use its even handier barcode scanner. And, to keep you organized, the app will also send notifications to your phone about meal deliveries and give you a heads-up when your food is done cooking.

    Because I live with my husband and two kids, I knew I wouldn’t necessarily use this oven the way it’s intended — to offer a tastier, 21st-century version of the lone TV dinner. And, because I love to cook for my family, I was skeptical of the simple smart oven premise. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how incredibly easy and fast it was to use when paired with the meal delivery service.

    The point is to take most of the prep work out of preparing fresh food while simultaneously making it tastier and healthier than the prepared meals you can grab in a supermarket. Not only do you not have to follow a complicated recipe, but you don’t need to fiddle with the temperature, figure out a cooking mode or consider how long to cook it for. This is, simply put, dinner for dummies.

    Tovala-oven-cooking.jpg

    The new Smart Oven Fryer, which launched this year, is a neutral putty color in contrast to the Smart Oven Pro’s soft gray finish. It has a glass window to watch your food cook, a panel of touch controls on one side and a barcode scanner on the top right.

    Super-simple meal subscription and preparation

    Because the meal subscription service is an integral part of the company’s philosophy, there’s not much point in purchasing this oven without ordering at least some of the meals. And, as mentioned above, in order to get the oven for $70, you have to commit to ordering six meals. I ordered eight to get started.

    Though you can get a meal for as low as $10, the average price is $13 per serving (depending on ingredients, prices do vary). Which is about what you’d pay if you were ordering in. You can start at four weekly meals for $52 and shipping is a flat $10. Once you subscribe, you can easily go back and change the frequency or even skip or pause your meals depending on your schedule.

    I chose an array of meals to try out, including four chicken dishes, one filet mignon (which added a few dollars to my delivery price), some meatballs, a beef and rice bowl and one vegetarian option. Each meal comes in a tidy cardboard box with a set of instructions and a bar code, though the corresponding protein is vacuum packaged separately.

    Tovala-meals-1.jpg

    Making the meals was a snap. Everything is already cut and portioned, and any sauces or condiments you need come in handy, individual packets. I had my teen try making them on his own, and my 16-year-old was charmed by how easy it was to assemble the meal and throw it in the oven — then just scan the barcode and wait for his dinner. As mentioned, you can use the app to start the oven, but there is something strangely satisfying about holding that barcode under the scanner and watching it go to work.

    The food is good. It’s not restaurant quality, but it’s more appealing than a frozen dinner. Though if you’re watching calories or salt, you may want to check the nutrition list online before you order specific meals — my Italian Meatballs with Roasted Red Peppers and Potato Wedges was a whopping 720 calories and contained 45 grams of fat, with nearly 2,000 grams of salt (compare that to a Big Mac, which has 540 calories, 25 grams of fat and just over 1,000 grams of salt).

    Tovala-sausage-card.jpg

    If you’re looking for a more comprehensive toaster oven for all kinds of food and types of cooking, the Tovala is not the best choice. And no, you can’t go to the supermarket and pick out a Tovala meal. There is a list of food under the “Groceries” tab in the app if you want to grab something from brands like Amy’s, DiGiorno or Trader Joe’s, but at that point, you may as well use your microwave.

    Tovala-groceries-app.jpg

    The oven itself is smaller than the $449 GE Cafe Couture Oven with Air Fryer I usually have on my countertop and it comes with a lot fewer bells and whistles. Though this austerity may be better for the prepared meal subscribers, it’s not as helpful if you’re making food from scratch or cooking for a larger group.

    Though this newer oven is billed as an air fryer, I realized after I received the meals that none of them used this feature. At least I don’t think they did, because it doesn’t tell you what it’s doing when it’s cooking. It just does.

    Tovala addressed this by responding. “The air fryer is not actually compatible with Tovala meals at the time, it’s only meant to be used for other items you might want to air fry.” Like hot dogs, apparently.

    Here’s something I didn’t consider before I signed up for my meal plan: Where exactly do I store eight individual boxes of food in my fridge? I ended up having to completely rearrange things to stack them, then put the proteins in the freezer. If you have a small kitchen and even smaller refrigerator, you may want to consider this before you order more than four meals at a time.

    Of course, if your fridge is empty because you don’t cook for yourself, the Smart Oven Air Fryer is a perfect fit.

    tovala-meal-1.jpg

    The Tovala Smart Oven Air Fryer and accompanying meal plan are a time-saving way to enjoy fresh food at home. Assembling the meals is simple, and you can choose to use the app or the strangely gratifying bar scanner to cook without any further instructions.

    Of course, if you don’t feel like paying at least $52 a week for a minimum of four meals, that inexpensive $69 oven goes up to $250, and you’re better off with a basic toaster oven/air fryer like the Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp for just $100 with no strings attached. And if you are a more adventurous home cook, you may want something larger and more versatile, like our pick, the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven with Air Fry ($200).

    But if you simply want to cook your own food with almost no effort, prep work or clean-up, the Smart Oven Air Fryer is, well, a smart choice. Even my 16-year-old, who spends more time waiting on line at Chipotle than making his own meals, appreciated Tovala’s ease of use and minimal mess.

    So, how was the food? “It’s good, mom, but I’d rather eat your cooking.” Music to my ears, but for him, it’s certainly a step up from takeout.

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  • The best white noise machines of 2023 | CNN Underscored

    The best white noise machines of 2023 | CNN Underscored

    This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Guide to Sleep, a week-long focus on everything you need to sleep better. We’ll be featuring new products and exclusive deals all week, so check in every morning to see what’s new.

    Noise can affect sleep for better or worse. White noise machines that emit just that — consistent noise — fall squarely in the “better” category. Constant white noise, like the kind produced by a white noise machine, has been shown to improve sleep quality because it helps mask sudden bursts of noise that may help some people more easily fall and stay asleep.

    “White noise machine” is a blanket term that consists of basic machines that do the bare minimum (that is, emit white noise at varying volumes) to high-end pieces of tech that feature lights, automations and more. We tested 12 top-rated white noise machines (and four white noise apps), aiming for solutions with a variety of sound options and great volume control for heavy and light sleepers alike. After several months, four stood above the rest:

    Best white noise machine overall

    The Sound+Sleep Mini white noise machine contains 48 different sounds like rain, brooks, fans, ocean sounds and white noise. The other devices we tested feature some of these sounds, but the Mini is one of the only ones that has them all.

    Best upgrade white noise machine

    hatch noise machine product card

    While our overall pick is a classic sound machine, the Hatch Restore white noise machine packs extra features like a color-changing light on the front, a digital clock display and routines to help you wind down and fall asleep easier.

    Best white noise app overall

    White Noise app

    We liked the White Noise app for its ease of use, handy timers and alarms, and large selection of various types of sounds. You can download additional sounds in its marketplaces.

    Best upgrade white noise app

    Calm app

    The Calm app offers white noise and other sounds, and also meditation and breathing exercises, daily movement videos, music, motivational talks and tons of sleep options. The app also offers a free trial period.

    sound + sleep mini

    If you’re looking for a plethora of sounds to soothe you into sleep, the Sound+Sleep Mini will fit the bill with more than 48 tracks across 12 categories that range from the standard (white and pink noise) to the environmental (rain or ocean).

    It would be a lot to list out 48 individual sounds, but here are a few highlights: Fireplace inspired the same warm, cozy vibe you get from a nearby crackling fireplace. Crickets with light rain filled the space with a medley of natural sounds, transporting us to a relaxing night outdoors (without any of the actual bugs and rain). All of the soundscapes under the “Crowd” category reminded us of when we could go out to a café with a laptop. With such an array of sounds — more than any other we tested — it prevented the mundanity that we experienced hearing the same sounds over and over with most of the other machines.

    Speaking of mundanity, some sound machines, such as the SoundSpa Portable and the Hatch Restore, have somewhat short soundtracks where you can recognize where the loop restarts. Sometimes hearing that tiny glitch when a soundscape has restarted made it more difficult for us to relax. With the Sound+Sleep Mini, we never recognized those repeats.

    Of course, if you can’t set the volume just right, you’ll be adjusting it all night. And few devices offered as many gradations between whisper quiet and booming loud as the Mini. You can thank the high-fidelity 2.5-inch speakers for the latter. It’s not necessarily room-filling, but it does pack a punch on the audio scale and can sound bigger than it appears — helping to better mask ambient noises that could disturb sleep. The Sound+Sleep Mini features an upfiring speaker on the top, so it’s directionally pushing the sound upward. Thanks to its comparatively wider volume gradient, we were easily able to pick out a precise volume that we preferred.

    The device also features an adaptive sound mode, wherein a built-in microphone detects environmental sounds and increases the volume in an attempt to cover them up. We tested this by clapping near the machine, then farther away and finally while having people converse loudly in the next room. We only noticed a significant volume change when the sounds originated in the same room as the machine. So if you have a noisy roommate, it could help, but with loud neighbors, you may have to change the volume yourself.

    The sound quality is decent. The Mini is more than capable of reaching high and low notes, which greatly helped our immersion once we closed our eyes and listened to each track. It handled the tracks better than most of the others we tested, and there wasn’t a tinny quality to the sound, even when the pitches rose. Still, the Hatch Restore, which is nearly double the price, bested the Sound+Sleep Mini in this regard. The sound it puts out has more depth, and is produced with a much higher level of clarity, whereas the Sound+Sleep Mini is less crisp overall.

    The Sound+Sleep Mini, as the name may suggest, is a compact device, with an asymmetrical teardrop shape and a flat top upon which the speaker resides. Like most of the sound machines we tested, it’s a cinch to set up. All you have to do is plug the included power cable into the bottom of the Mini, then plug that into the wall. Alternatively, you can insert 4 AA batteries beneath a bottom panel.

    The device’s controls are laid over a flat surface on the side. They may look complex, but they’re not. A central circular button cycles through each category, while another button, labeled “selection,” controls which track is playing within that category. LED lights inside this panel intuitively indicate exactly which selection is currently playing. There’s even a snooze timer with 30-, 60- and 90-minute options. This particular timer is unique, lowering the volume gradually as it nears its end. It’s not a feature we often noticed, as we were asleep before it kicked in. The LED lights fade out too, so as not to distract you — although, they didn’t distract us at their full brightness either.

    On the side near the controls are two audio ports: one is for audio input if you want to use the Mini as a speaker; the other is a headphone jack, a feature we wish more machines included. Using this option, you can become even more immersed in your selection of choice. The sound quality is even a little better with headphones on if you have a half-decent pair.

    Overall, the Sound+Sleep Mini has everything you’d want in a sound machine. It comes with a multitude of soundtracks, expansive volume control and a timer for dozing off. In terms of design, it’s a sleek piece that will go well on your nightstand with controls that you’ll learn in a flash. At $64.95, it isn’t the cheapest option out there, but its multitude of features can appease any sleeper.

    hatch restore lead

    Boasting a companion app, class-leading soundscapes, routines that help you fall asleep and wake up easier, along with several lighting options (to, again, lull you to sleep or gently wake you up), the Hatch Restore is the ultimate sleep gadget. It also comes at a premium price: $129.99. But when you put all its functionalities together, that cost is justified.

    We were blown away by the Restore’s 31 sound choices, consisting of soundscapes, music and narrated selections for meditation and rest. The tracks are high-quality in both fidelity and composition. Ocean Sounds in Maine, for example, consists of waves that you can hear splashing underfoot, with overtones of oceanic bird calls and an implacable yet soothing hum. If you close your eyes, then any one of the Restore’s soundscapes can whisk you away to another place. Even better, the tracks were long enough for us to fall asleep to before they ended and started over the loop, lasting longer than those of any other machine we tested. Oceans of Maine is a whopping 45 minutes in duration.

    And while its maximum volume is a smidge lower than that of the Sound+Sleep Mini, the volume control is even more precise with 100 levels of volume to choose from, which is easily adjusted in the app or on the side of the device.

    The Hatch Restore has a very pleasing design, resembling a semicircular dome with a woven strip along the bottom to house an LED dot display and a sizable light above. Then there’s the large light on the front of the Hatch Restore. Using the companion app, you can change this light to any color or brightness you want. You can go for a bright light for reading before bed, a dull warm light to simulate a sunrise or anywhere in between. The color can’t be controlled on-device (only through the app), but the brightness can.

    In addition to sounds of rain, waterfalls, whale calls and other beautiful soundscapes, you can also select relaxing music and narrations. The music is primarily composed to induce feelings, and the tracks are named accordingly. Acceptance contains hopeful string instruments and synth notes, making you feel like you’re floating on a cloud. A Stormy Cabin, on the other hand, has a lower, more somber tone with a deep violin. The narrated segments have mindfulness training on being aware of your breathing and muscles as well as techniques for clearing your head after the day and many more options. You can even listen to stories, such as readings from famous novels or calming tales about fictional events. We, for one, enjoyed one about taking a vacation to a warmer place; it helped us escape the winter under some cozy sheets.

    To tie it all together, there are what the app calls Routines. These are customizable sequences that can be activated with a tap or scheduled for a specific time. For example, we relied on a built-in sequence called Bedtime to relax us before bedtime. With that, when you tap a touch control on the top of the Restore, a warm white light comes on for reading. When you tap it again, a 10-minute track called Meeting Sleep With Ease plays, wherein a narrator helps you calm your mind with visualization meditation before bed. Lastly, a track called Light Rain rings out with the pitter-patter of rain until you tap again the next morning, or until your morning routine begins. You can have any number of steps happen in any order you’d like for as long as you’d like. And you can schedule them to occur on specific days of the week too. It’s a feature that we found endlessly useful, helping us keep our sleep regular and allowing us to wake up feeling refreshed.

    We loved the ability to control all of this — from volume to the light color to soundscapes — through the app. But there is a catch: You only get six months of the app for free, after which you’ll have to add $49.99 annually (or $4.99 monthly) on to the already high price tag to keep the full library of ever-changing sounds and features. If you opt not to subscribe, you’ll keep fewer than 10 free options, so your library will be greatly limited.

    The Hatch Restore truly modernizes the sound machine, with excellent sound quality, a customizable light, a digital clock and an app that upgrades the experience. The only setback is the $129.99 price tag. However, we think you get what you pay for — and more — with the Hatch Restore.

    White Noise app

    If you’re looking for an app that has a large selection of sounds and is easy to use, we liked the White Noise app. It has a variety of different color noises, including white, pink and brown. It also has varying water sounds, from light rain to extreme rain, campfires and different fans like box, oscillating or bathroom. We also liked that we couldn’t tell where the loop is in the sounds we tried, so there’s no sound disruption.

    The app also lets you set timers to stop sounds and set alarms to wake up in the morning. While it doesn’t include meditation features like some of the other apps we tried, it does offer quite a bit for a white noise app that costs $.99. It has over 50 sounds that you can listen to individually or mix together, and if that isn’t enough, you can also download additional sounds in its marketplaces.

    Calm app

    Unlike some other white noise apps, the Calm app offers more than just white noise and soundscapes. According to Calm, its goal is to “help you improve your health and happiness.” The app offers meditation, breathing exercises, daily movement videos, music for work, motivational and mindset talks, a section for kids and a ton of sleep options.

    The options for color noises are limited to white and pink noise, but there are numerous other sleep options, including sleep stories, nature sounds, sleep soundscapes, relaxing music and sleep meditations. There are also celebrities narrating sleep stories, including Harry Styles, Black Pink’s Rosé, Matthew McConaughey, LeBron James and more.

    Calm and Headspace are extremely similar, both in terms of offerings and price. However, Calm edged out Headspace since Calm was the only one that had white and pink noise. It also worked equally well on an iPhone and Samsung phone, whereas Headspace had trouble on the Samsung.

    What is white noise? White noise is a type of noise that contains noise of all frequencies equally and sounds similar to static. Because it contains all frequencies, it is said that it will mask out other sounds, which is where white noise machines come in.

    How white noise works. Rather than being woken up by a noisy neighbor or partner snoring, white noise machines are able to mask sudden noises with its continuous sound so you’re not suddenly jolted awake and you stay asleep. If you’ve ever had a friend who swears they can only sleep with a fan on, it’s the same concept as white noise: that the continuous sound of the fan can mask other sounds. This lull of constant noise may also help you fall asleep.

    Not for everyone. That being said, white noise machines may not work for everyone. Some may find the sound of white noise irritating, which is why you’ll often find other sound options with white noise machines. Also keep in mind, some may find white noise machines work well, some may prefer other soundscapes and some may need total silence. It varies person to person and may take some experimenting to find which noises, if any, work for you.

    Try different color noises. For some, white noise may sound irritating rather than soothing. If that’s the case, then you may want to experiment with different color noises, such as pink or brown, which sound deeper than white noise. It may take some experimenting to find which color noise works best for you.

    Variety of sound. If you already know your preferred sleeping sound, then you may want to purchase a machine that has only that specific sound or just a few sounds. This way, you’re not scrolling through endless options to get to your favorite sound. However, if you’re new to sleeping with white noise, then consider purchasing a device with numerous options so you can figure out which works best for you. While white noise is a popular option, not everyone finds they can sleep with it; you may want to try different soundscapes instead.

    White noise apps. If you’re unsure about sleeping with white noise or don’t want to invest in a device just yet, then apps are a good place to start. Many offer an assortment of sounds and are low cost compared to white noise machines. Just keep in mind that the sound quality is only as good as your phone’s speaker, and you may need to keep your phone charging at night since it will drain the battery.

    To really get a grip on each machine’s capabilities, we took notes on setup, listened to every soundtrack, pressed every button and control, examined the overall design, noted and tested additional features and researched warranties. We then compared and contrasted these features to find the best of the best.

    Naturally, our first step was setup. Out of the box, we wanted to know just how easy or hard it was to get each machine up and running. This included cable management, battery insertion and setting up apps.

    Once the devices were operating, we dove into our sound options category. Variety was important to us — how many unique sounds can each sound machine make, and how many categories were there? As we listened, we also noted sound quality. Does the sound come out fuzzy or clear? And how much tonal range does each device have? Realistic-sounding bird calls, for example, require a lot of higher pitches, whereas a thunderstorm takes deep notes to reproduce. Finally, volume control was a big factor for us. The more volume options the better.

    On top of sound quality, a lot of the devices we tested had additional features. A standard we looked for was a snooze timer so you can set your device to eventually turn off. But any functional extra features like lights, fans or headphone jacks were deemed to enhance the user experience and thus improved a device’s score.

    Design and controls were our final categories. It’s important for a sound machine to have understandable controls, especially if you may be drowsy during a lot of its use. Most devices had on-unit controls in the form of buttons or touch sensors. We looked at these controls — where they were placed, how they were labeled and how numerous they were — to determine whether they were intuitive or cluttered and hard to understand. Design wasn’t a huge category, but we still considered the visual aesthetic and size of each sound machine. In general, a sleeker, more modern design caught our eyes, which most of the devices fulfilled. The real kicker was size — a big, clunky sound machine that will hardly fit on your nightstand scored fewer points here.

    Last but not least, we researched the warranty of each device, be it on an included pamphlet or from the respective company’s website.

    The Honeywell Dreamweaver isn’t strictly a sound machine, but instead it’s a fan. Still, we included it because many sound machines feature tracks meant to simulate fans. The Dreamweaver is a cylinder with a vent on the side; it’s about the size of a gallon of milk.

    The device has three fan strengths, a timer and an oscillating mode. Naturally, since it doesn’t have to simulate a fan, it’s great for people who enjoy that sound. If you’re not interested in the breeze that comes from the vent on the side, then you can close it. It’s a nice machine, but it doesn’t feature as many sounds as other devices we tried.

    The Lectrofan is another one for fans … of fans! This small, octagon-shaped device produces 18 different sounds, half of which are the sounds of various fans and vents. The other half are colored noises like white noise, pink noise and brown noise. These color labels just indicate the range of tones that each noise contains.

    The sound quality is on the higher end, but otherwise, this sound machine is rather simple compared to the Hatch Restore. Plus, the Sound+Sleep Mini has more categories and total options, including both colored noise options and fan sounds, so the Lectrofan falls short there too.

    The Lectrofan Micro 2 is another fan-themed device but with a twist. The cylindrical Micro 2 fits in the palm of your hand and comes with colored noise, fan sounds and ocean audio, totaling 11 built-in sounds. It also has a nifty swiveling speaker on the top that can be turned to point in any direction. Then there’s the twist: The Micro 2 doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Thus, it has the potential to play any sound or music you can find.

    That being said, you’d have to track those down on your own and keep your phone on all night for the speaker to function that way. Though the sound quality is great and the Micro 2 is the most compact device out of those we tested, it doesn’t functionally compare to our winners.

    The SoundSpa Portable is the definition of a basic sound machine. It’s about the size of a clock radio but more circular and recumbent in shape. In a ring around the central speaker are the lone six sound options: summer night, thunder, brook, ocean, white noise and rain.

    The Sound+Sleep Mini leaves this selection in the dust, and features better sound quality too. Fortunately, the SoundSpa at least has a few timer settings and a precise volume knob. There really isn’t much more to say about it. It’s definitely one of the cheapest options out there if you are going for a bare-bones sound machine.

    The Hatch Baby Rest comes from the same family as the Hatch Restore. This sound machine is a tapered cylinder that primarily serves as a light and uses the Hatch Sleep app for control. This lets you change the color of the light as well as the sound that’s playing. You can also schedule alarms and bedtimes with it. Though it’s advertised toward babies and toddlers, adults can certainly get use out of it too, save for the fact that several of the 11 sounds on the app are gentle music and lullabies.

    Like the Restore, you can operate it by touch, except it has button controls hidden on the bottom too. The Baby Rest resides in an awkward middle ground between the Sound+Sleep Mini and the Hatch Restore, both of which offer far more sound options.

    The Yogasleep Dohm Classic was our least favorite sound machine. It has a plain cylindrical shape and a switch on the back that controls its internal fan. The fan has two power settings, and the actual sound comes from a series of slots on the side and top of the machine. By twisting the body of the device (an admittedly cool control scheme), you open more of these slots and can change the volume of the sound. However, that’s all there is to this machine. If you like fan sounds, then it’s a decent choice. But it doesn’t provide as strong of a breeze or as many strength options as the Honeywell Dreamweaver.

    Yogasleep Dreamcenter Mini Multi-Sound

    $30 at Amazon

    We found this sleep machine easy to use, with intuitive illustrated buttons and almost no need to read the instruction manual to learn how to use it. It has 26 sleep tracks, including nine white noise options, 10 sleep songs and seven nature sounds and fan sounds. The sleep songs also include lullabies, plus the device has a night light, so this would work well for a kid’s room. However, it also has a headphone jack for those who sleep with a partner who does not also want to listen to the sleep sounds.

    We found the sound quality muffled compared to some other machines, but it may be preferable for those who like a low pitch to their sound. But it was so muffled that it was a deal breaker for us. At its current price, it’s one of the better deals on this list for the variety of noises available and its 25-setting volume range. It also has a sleep timer with 45- or 90-minute shutoff as well as an eight-hour option. This timer feature is handy for those who do not like to sleep with noise all night or who want it to shut off after a full eight hours.

    In addition to having white noise, this device also has a few meditation features. There’s a guided breathing soundtrack that has a soft voice that gently tells you to breathe in, hold and breathe out. After a few rounds, the voice fades off, leaving you with the sounds of a soft inhaling and exhaling sound to guide you on your own. We found it to be very relaxing to use on occasion. But if you’re looking for a lot of meditation options, then you’re better off going with one of the apps like Calm or Headspace.

    There are also two other melodies that, according to iHome, mimic brainwaves. The “Zen” tonal melody is said to mimic Delta brainwaves of a mind in meditation or healing sleep. The “Dream” sound supposedly mimics the theta brainwaves of a mind in dreaming REM sleep. While we didn’t measure the brainwave activity while listening to the sounds, the sounds did lull us into a pleasant afternoon nap.

    In addition to these soundtracks, it also has ocean, storm, nature, brown noise, pink noise, white noise, white noise combined with melodies and heartbeat sounds. We found the sound quality was crisp and, because the whole device is a speaker, it sounds more like it’s filling the room compared to some other devices. It doesn’t get as loud as some other devices, so this is best for someone who sleeps next to or close to their device. It can also run on four AA batteries for portability, and it’s lightweight if you want to travel with it.

    $60 at Ulta

    With this machine, you get a sunrise alarm clock and white noise machine in one. We found it was easy to set up and program different functions such as “Wake to Sunrise,” but we did need to refer to the instruction manual in order to program it, which was clear and easy to follow.

    It comes with 15 soundtracks, including nature sounds like ocean waves and storms as well as relaxing music. It’s confusing which sound is white noise since the brand gives its sounds names like “Zen,” “Air,” “Drive,” etc., and it’s not listed in the instruction manual if any are white noise. We found the “Quiet” sound was most similar to white noise.

    We liked that the clock has an auto-dim feature that changes with the brightness of the room so it’s not glaring in your face while you’re trying to get to sleep. The brightness level is also adjustable and there’s an option to turn the clock off altogether. You can program the device to wake to sunrise and wake to sound.

    The one downside, for those who like to leave sound on all night, was that the
    Wake to Sunrise feature turns the sound off when it starts, which can be jarring if you’re still sleeping. However, this sunrise alarm clock is about half the price of other sunrise alarm clocks with more features, so it may be worth it if that doesn’t bother you.

    The Brookstone Sleep Sound Mixer does not technically have a white noise option, so it’s best for those who like to sleep to nature sounds or for someone who will use this while working in their office for background noise. There are eight sound options, including a fan that is lower-pitched and sounds similar to a box fan. The remaining sounds are ocean waves, rain, flute music, campfire, thunderstorm, crickets and birds.

    It has a fun design that resembles a music mixer that a DJ would use, letting you mix all the sounds at varying volume levels. We loved that we could play DJ with our sounds and blend multiple sounds, unlike other white noise machines that allow for only one sound at a time. We liked the sound quality too; the only drawback is that the speaker is located at the bottom of the device, so, depending on what surface it’s set on, it sounds slightly different.

    Headspace is equally geared toward meditation and sleep to help you relax during the day and sleep better at night. It has abundant choices for both sleep and meditation, so if you like variety, it will be hard to run out of choices with this app.

    It has four main categories: meditation, sleep, focus and move, which includes guided yoga, dance and cardio workouts. Within the sleep category, there are plenty of options for sleep sounds, such as music, stories, “sleepcasts” (think sleep music and podcast in one) and typical soundscapes like jungle, forest and water sounds. There are even sleepcast options with celebrities like John Legend who’ll tell you a bedtime story.

    There isn’t a plain white noise sound; when we searched for it in the app, other soundscapes came up like “warm engine” and “static with strings,” which have some white noise but are not solely white noise. If you’re looking for a white noise substitute in the app, then it may take some time to find one you like.

    This app costs $69.99 per year or $12.99 per month, so it’s best for someone who will take advantage of all the features the app has to offer. If you’re unsure, it also offers a free seven-day or 14-day offer depending on which plan you choose. Samsung phone users may want to avoid this app, as we found it did not work well, taking a long time to buffer each sound on our Samsung Ultra 21 phone. However, it worked well on our iPhone.

    The MyNoise app offers the most sound customization of the apps we tested. It comes with a set of eight noises, including white noise. Within each sound, there are sliding buttons to adjust the sound to your liking. Some soundtracks also have the ability to adjust the frequency and “color” of the sound, both of which can make the sound higher or lower pitched, depending on the option chosen. The app also offers different scenarios for some sounds like rain, which lets you choose options such as “distant storm,” “under porch” and more.

    There are additional free sounds available and some that cost $.99 to download. There are also sounds that are only included in the “bundle-only” option, which costs $11.99 and includes all sounds. Unfortunately, we found that this app is not as intuitive or straightforward to use as others. Also, unlike most apps, swiping out of the app does not close it; it requires you to manually pause the soundtrack and then close out.

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  • The best pillows for side sleepers, tried and tested | CNN Underscored

    The best pillows for side sleepers, tried and tested | CNN Underscored

    This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Guide to Sleep, a week-long focus on everything you need to sleep better. We’ll be featuring new products and exclusive deals all week, so check in every morning to see what’s new.

    If you sleep on your side, you need a pillow that keeps your shoulder, neck and head in a neutral, comfortable position. For many side sleepers that means a different type of pillow from those meant for back or stomach sleeping.

    Hundreds of pillows are sold specifically for side sleepers, so we set out to find the best ones, sleeping on 23 pillows ranging from those specifically sold for side sleepers to those that are intended to cover all sleep positions, many of which we examined in our search for the best pillows overall. We also spoke with doctors, sleep specialists and academic researchers that study sleep positions to find answers on the best shapes and fill for side sleepers. In the end, we came up with three great choices that should suit those who sleep on their sides.

    Best pillow for side sleepers overall

    The supportive Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow has a U-shaped cutout that makes room for your shoulder when sleeping on your side. It also cradled our necks well when we slept on our backs, so it’s great for anyone who shifts positions.

    Best memory foam pillow for side sleepers

    Casper Hybrid best pillow prod card underscored

    The squishy yet supportive Casper Hybrid pillow offers a better balance between softness and support than other memory foam pillows we tested, and it is well ventilated so you won’t overheat.

    Best pillow for side sleepers on a budget

    Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows for Sleeping - Queen Size, Set of 2

    The affordable Beckham Hotel Collection pillow is just right — not too soft or too firm. The dense fill kept our heads and necks supported through the night. It’s also one of the least expensive pillows we tested.

    A great body pillow for side sleepers

    Coop Home Goods Original Body Pillow

    The plush Coop Original Body Pillow is long and narrow, giving side sleepers something to hold on to with your arms or legs, and the adjustable fill lets you customize it to your proportions. 

    From $105 at Eli & Elm

    The Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow

    The supportive Eli & Elm Side Sleeper pillow has a curved cutout that creates room for your shoulder when sleeping on your side, setting this pillow apart from the rest. We found the extra room quite comfortable and also appreciated how it let us hold onto the edges of the pillow while sleeping on our side, keeping our arms and hands more comfortable too. As a bonus, we loved that we felt like we were cradled when we slept on our backs too, so it’s a great choice if you shift positions often.

    The pillow is filled with a blend of latex and polyester that is adjustable and removable. Similar to other adjustable pillows, you can take out as much fill as you want to achieve the exact height and firmness level that’s most comfortable. We found the pillow came with plenty of fill for those that like a firm pillow, though we had to remove some to soften it up. If you like an extra-firm pillow, Eli & Elm offers an option to buy extra fill. It took a few nights of trial and error before we figured out the optimal amount of fill, but once we did we found the pillow very comfortable.

    The Side Sleeper has two slight drawbacks. First, we found that the pillow sleeps slightly hot — not so much so it disturbed our sleep but if you are sensitive you may want to keep that in mind or plan to accessorize with some of our recommendations for hot sleepers.

    Also, the odd shape doesn’t fit well in standard pillow cases. However, the cover is removable and washable so you can use it without a pillowcase (which is what we did in testing). If you absolutely need a pillowcase, Eli & Elm also sell a custom pillowcase that you can buy separately. We also appreciate the company’s 45-day return policy in case the pillow doesn’t work out.

    From $89 at Casper and Amazon

    The Casper Hybrid Pillow

    Casper describes this pillow as “feeling like a marshmallow” and we couldn’t agree more; that’s exactly what this pillow feels like. The squishy yet supportive Casper Hybrid pillow has a synthetic fill core surrounded by an outer layer of memory foam, which offers the perfect balance between excellent support and comfortable plushness, unlike some other foam pillows which we found too firm or too soft in our testing. The ventilation holes in the foam layer also give the Casper Hybrid an advantage over other memory foam pillows — it never left us feeling overheated while sleeping, so it’s a great choice if you are a hot sleeper.

    While the Hybrid Pillow is sold for general use, we liked it for sleeping on our side because of its rectangular shape and substantial side gusset, which helped keep our head elevated in a comfortable position but didn’t dig into our shoulder or neck. It also kept its shape throughout the night.

    The Hybrid Pillow comes in two heights, regular with a 2-inch gusset and low loft with a 1.25-inch gusset. You can take a quiz on Casper’s website to help determine which loft height is right for you. Casper recommended a low loft pillow for our tester’s needs and we found it was the perfect size for our petite tester, so if you have a larger frame you may want to consider the regular loft size.

    The Casper Hybrid Pillow comes with a removable and machine-washable cover and Casper offers a 30-night return policy on most pillows, although at time of testing the low loft version is on final sale.

    The Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow

    The Beckham Hotel Collection pillow has a denser fill compared to most down alternative pillows, giving it a firmer feel but enough give that it cradled our heads comfortably as we slept on our sides. The Beckham pillow’s support didn’t fade over the course of the night, as the firm fill doesn’t fall flat, unlike some other pillows we tested.

    We appreciated that it could be machine-washed, however, the instructions state it should be dried flat which is less than ideal and takes at least half a day depending on the temperature inside your living space. We did machine-dry it, however, to see how it fared and it held up without any noticeable changes, but we suspect over time machine-drying could potentially cause the pillow to degrade faster.

    This was one of the most budget-friendly pillows that we tested and it’s far more comfortable than you might expect given the low cost, so if you don’t want to splurge on a more expensive pillow this is a great pick.

    Unlike some similar body pillows, Coop Home Goods' The Original Body Pillow is adjustable to fit your body's proportions

    Popular for the extra comfort they can provide during pregnancy, a body pillow can help any side sleeper who needs more support. A supportive, stable cushion that you can wrap your arms or legs around or drape them across, the body pillow’s long length, extra cushioning and support can help reduce pain in the hips, knees or other pressure points due to the extra cushion and elevation body pillows provide.

    But a one-size-fits all body pillow may not work for everyone — if it’s overfilled or flat for your taste, it won’t help. We loved the Coop Original Body Pillow because  it’s adjustable — you can remove or add fill to choose the level of support you need, making it even more versatile.

    The Original Body Pillow comes generously stuffed for those that like a full, thick body pillow, but the fill can also be removed to create a softer, flatter body pillow. We had to play around with the fill amount for a few nights to find the optimal level, but we found it extremely comfortable once we found the perfect amount. The fill itself is a blend of pieces of memory foam and microfiber fill, and we appreciated that it conformed to our body much better than plain fiber-filled pillows we’ve tried. With the Coop body pillow our limbs were supported but gently enveloped by the memory foam fill; with fiber-fill body pillows we found that our leg simply rested on top of the pillow, which wasn’t as comfortable.

    The outer cover material is Coop’s signature quilted fabric, making the pillow feel extra plush. An inner zippered cover holds the fill, so it’s easy to remove the cover for washing and keep the fill contained.

    It was hard to find fault with this body pillow. We do wish Coop sold body pillow cases in various colors to match more bedding styles, though since the Coop body pillow measures 20 by 54 inches — a fairly standard size — it should be easy enough to find  a body pillow case elsewhere that fits the pillow and the look of your bedroom. If you want something to cover the pillow that offers more protection, Coop sells a breathable and waterproof body pillow protector. We didn’t try the protector but someone that needs the extra protection or likes the look of the pillow cover may want one.

    Not sure a body pillow is right for you? Coop offers a 100-night sleep trial and you can return it if you find it doesn’t work for you.

    While many brands design and market pillows tailored specifically to back, stomach or side sleepers, all of the experts we spoke to told us that pillow comfort is very personal, and just because a pillow is marketed for side sleepers doesn’t mean it will work for you. According to Dr. Andrew Varga, neuroscientist and physician at The Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, “There is limited, if any, scientific evidence regarding pillow types.”

    After testing dozens of pillows, we have found that the way pillows are labeled can give at least some indication of how the pillow will feel, and that makes a good starting point when shopping for side sleeper pillows (or for other sleeping positions). In general, pillows meant for side sleepers — like those for back sleepers — are often firmer and loftier than pillows for stomach sleepers, which helps keep your head elevated properly when laying on your side. And some contoured or cutout designs may provide better comfort for some side sleepers.

    According to Josh Tal of Josh Tal & Associates Sleep and Health Psychotherapists, people who sleep on their sides need to look for a pillow that provides support for the shoulder, neck and head, and allows for a neutral, supportive position. Because of this, Tal says, “side sleepers usually prefer a pillow with more loft to cradle the head, paired with an indentation to comfort the shoulder and a potentially an elevated bump in the bottom of the pillow to support the neck.”

    Also, keep in mind that everyone’s neck is different, so the type of contour or density of fill that achieves this will vary from individual to individual. If you’re smaller-framed, you may need a lower loft pillow; if you’re bigger, you may need a higher loft pillow to keep the neck aligned with the spine.

    We found that pillows for side sleepers come in more unique shapes than other types of pillows and can offer certain benefits such as allowing more room for your shoulder or more neck support.

    • Cutout: Some pillows for side sleepers have a semi-circular cutout at the bottom. This allows more room for your shoulder when you’re laying on your side without the pillow getting in the way. We found that this design let us lay our head more comfortably on the pillow when sleeping on our side.
    • Gusset: Gussets are extra rectangular side panels sewn into the edges of the pillow; these create a more structured feel than the flat sewn edges of traditional pillows. These gussets help the pillow maintain its shape and offer extra elevation to keep the head supported, which can be more comfortable when sleeping on your side.
    • Contour: Some pillows are designed with an upper face meant to match the contour of your head, neck and shoulder. These curves and indentations they are meant to support your neck and cradle your head. Most of these pillow types are made with firm foam so they keep their shape and don’t shift.

    Fill and firmness

    For side sleepers, Tal recommends a medium to soft fill that allows the head, neck and shoulder to fall gracefully into the pillow, with enough balance to keep the head and spine neutral. Good fill materials to achieve this include memory foam, down and down alternatives. If you’ll be adding or removing fill, make sure to balance the amount of fill throughout the pillow to achieve the correct alignment — you don’t want a lumpy pillow.

    Susan J. Gordon research professor at the Flinders University College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Adelaide, Australia, who has studied the effect of pillow types in relation to sleep quality and their effect on waking back and neck pain, recommends laying on a pillow for at least 15 minutes to try it out. That’s the time it takes for the body to fully settle so you’ll know whether or not the pillow is right for you.

    Since one pillow will not work for everyone, make sure to check the brand’s return policy. Many brands offer a trial period or returns, but some brands do not allow you to return the pillow. You’ll want to choose a pillow with a good return policy in case the pillow does not work for you, unless you’re willing to take the risk of not being able to return it.

    After narrowing down our list to the most popular pillows and brands, we slept on each for a minimum of two nights, noting factors like construction quality and comfort. We evaluated each using the following criteria.

    • Comfort: After sleeping on each pillow for a few nights, we judged how comfortable each pillow was to sleep on, noting if we had to make adjustments throughout the night, the pillow fell flat or retained a lot of heat.
    • Durability: In order to assess the durability of each pillow, we washed and dried each pillow twice, if applicable, according to the manufacturer’s care instructions. If the pillow indicated it was not machine-washable, we washed the cover where possible. We evaluated each pillow for how much it flattened or changed shape after washing and sleeping on it. We also looked at the overall appearance of the pillow after wash and use and noted if anything broke in the process.
    • Ease of cleaning: For each pillow, we scored it on how easily and if it could be cleaned, taking into account if it’s machine-washable, dry clean, spot clean or not washable at all.
    • Firmness options: We looked at how many firmness options are available for each pillow or if it can be adjusted to anyone’s fill preference, which makes it more likely you’ll be able to find the right fit for you.
    • Trial and return policy: Since pillows are highly personal, we also scored each pillow brand on its trial policy, whether or not you could test it out and how many days you had to return it.

    Coop makes this pillow specifically for side sleepers with a cut-out for your shoulder, a feature that made the Original Cutout Pillow more comfortable than a traditional pillow and one of our favorite pillows for sleeping on our side. The Coop’s cutout is smaller than the ones used on several other side sleeper pillows we tested, which gave us more surface area to grab when sleeping on our side, which we found comfortable.

    It may not be the best choice for someone who rolls onto their back occasionally since it’s not quite as roomy in the shoulder area as the Eli and Elm side sleeper pillow, and though the fill is adjustable we couldn’t make it quite as firm as the Eli and Elm — so overall we give the edge to the Eli and Elm. That said, if you sleep exclusively on your side or you’re a side sleeper who prefers a softer pillow, the Coop makes a great choice.

    We liked the Coop Original Crescent pillow, which features a crescent-shaped cutout similar to the one used on our preferred overall pillow for side sleepers, the Eli and Elm. As with the other Coop pillows, the fill amount is adjustable, and we were able to find a comfortable amount of support with a little experimentation. It was edged out by the Eli and Elm side sleeper pillow since the Coop doesn’t have a gusset around the perimeter, so it didn’t keep its loft as well over the course of the night. As with the Coop Original Cutout Pillow, we found it softer overall than the Eli and Elm, and if that’s what you’re looking for you might prefer the Original Crescent Pillow.

    We loved the Garnet Hill Heirloom European White Goose Down Pillow, so it’s no surprise we also liked their down-alternative pillow as well. It’s more plush and supportive than most other synthetic fill pillows we tested and keeps its shape throughout the night. It’s washable and comes in three firmness levels. Garnet Hill also has a 90-day return policy.

    Down pillows can fall flat throughout the night, but the Parachute down side sleeper pillow has a side gusset, and when we tested this pillow it kept its shape fairly well. It contains some feathers as opposed to 100% down, which is not ideal, but we found the feathers didn’t poke through the material or make too much noise. It also comes in a down alternative version for those that are allergic to down or prefer synthetic fill.

    The Saatva latex pillow has two components: an inner core filled with shredded latex that’s removable and a surrounding outer layer that’s filled with down alternative. This allows for some adjustability in how high and firm you want the pillow and makes it easier to adjust than other pillows, where you’re taking out bits and pieces of fill, but it’s limited to two options. All of our testers found the pillow most comfortable without the inner core.

    Like many other adjustable pillows, the Layla Kapok pillow can be adjusted by adding or removing fill to achieve a personalized height and firmness level. It’s filled with a combination of shredded memory foam and kapok fibers that come from a kapok tree and feel similar to a mix between cotton and wool. The honeycomb-patterned cover adds an extra layer of plushness and it can be removed and washed. One of our testers noticed a slight musty smell, though it seemed to get better over time as the pillow aired out. Another tester didn’t notice a smell at all on their pillow, so keep in mind this pillow may need to air out for a while if it has a smell.

    Snag 30% off the Layla Kapok Pillow using the code CNNSLEEP at checkout through March 18.

    The Brooklinen Marlow pillow immediately caught our attention with its side zippers that allow you to adjust the firmness by opening or closing the zippers. We were intrigued by this unique system, however, we found only a slight difference in firmness when the zippers were closed versus open. We found it too firm for side sleeping; it may be better-suited for a larger-framed side sleeper, as our petite sider sleeper found it too high. It only comes in one firmness level but does come in standard and king sizes.

    Tempur-Pedic recommends this pillow for back and side sleepers, saying its molded contoured design follows the curve of your body, supporting your head and neck. It comes in small, medium and large sizes and has a guide on its website to help you choose the correct size based on your body measurements. While we found the contour pillow supported our neck and allowed our head to lay in the dip, it was also extremely firm, much more so than most Tempur-Pedic beds and pillows we’ve tried, with little to no give. This is great for someone who wants an extra-firm pillow that won’t change shape at all, but it’s likely too firm for most.

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  • Under $25 scores: The Chef’n Garliczoom will change the way you cook | CNN Underscored

    Under $25 scores: The Chef’n Garliczoom will change the way you cook | CNN Underscored

    I’m by no means a prolific chef, but like many people, my culinary pursuits infinitely expanded during the pandemic — more as a way to pass time than solely a way to subsist. And now I think of whipping up new recipes in my tiny apartment kitchen as an actual hobby. But there’s one thing I quickly learned as a burgeoning home cook: Most recipes call for garlic, and I absolutely hate chopping garlic.

    While initially I painstakingly chopped up garlic with a knife (hello, garlic fingers), I eventually resorted to buying jarred minced garlic. That is, until I came across the Chef’n Garliczoom this past fall, and I’m still passionate about it months later.

    This tiny kitchen gadget makes mincing garlic a cinch. Simply toss in a few whole cloves, then roll the device along the kitchen counter for a customized chop — less rolling results in a coarser chop, while more means a finer mince.

    I’m the first to admit my knife skills are subpar, and garlic cloves are so small already that I really struggled to mince them evenly (and safely) by hand. As a result, I became accustomed to coming across unsavory chunks of garlic in the dishes I was preparing and sometimes the occasional finger cut. The practice just wasn’t sustainable.

    And if you’ve ever used jarred minced garlic, you know it’s, well, not good. The premade stuff just isn’t as flavorful as the real thing, so you end up using a lot of it. Even then, it doesn’t taste quite right.

    Finally I figured there had to be a better way. Since my line of work involves seeking out and reviewing products, I’m always perusing the internet for a life-changing gadget. In this case, I think I simply pulled up amazon.com and typed “garlic chopper” into the search bar.

    The Chef’n Garliczoom was one of the first results, and it stood out because it really doesn’t look like other choppers. And hey, does it have wheels? I was intrigued. At just $13, I didn’t think twice about adding it to my cart.

    • Related: More kitchen gadgets we love

    The Chef’n Garliczoom is incredibly easy to use: Pop a few garlic cloves into the round chamber, then roll the green wheels along your countertop to chop. More rolling means a finer mince, while less results in a coarser chop.

    When it’s time to clean up, the blades in the Chef’n Garliczoom are easily removed from the chamber — I usually just toss both pieces in my dishwasher. And in terms of storage, this device is ultra compact, so you don’t have to worry about adding another bulky tool to your kitchen arsenal.

    I find myself whipping out the Chef’n Garliczoom a few times a week now, and I haven’t bought another jar of minced garlic since purchasing it. My fingers never smell garlicky (and they’re safe from my sloppy chopping skills), and my food tastes awesome — if I do say so myself.

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  • The best travel pillow of 2023 | CNN Underscored

    The best travel pillow of 2023 | CNN Underscored

    Travel pillows need to strike a tricky balance. Not supportive enough and you’ll end up with a crick in your neck, too big and stiff you’ll, er, end up with a crick in your neck. They also need to be compact, lightweight and easy to clean — no small feat for a humble travel accessory!

    To find the best travel pillow on the market, we spent weeks testing 11 of the most popular and highest-rated travel pillows on the market. We evaluated pillows of all different designs and materials on both comfort and build to determine the best travel pillow for trips via plane, bus or car. And while many of the pillows we tested had their merits, there were two clear winners.

    Best travel pillow overall

    The Cabeau Evolution S3 is the Goldilocks of travel pillows: We found it firm enough to support our head and neck, soft enough to fall asleep on and perfectly portable, thanks to its being made of springy memory foam that enables you to compress it to half its size.

    Best splurge travel pillow

    The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow will give you a truly luxurious travel experience if you’re a frequent traveler who’s willing to spend a bit more. Unlike traditional U-shaped travel neck pillows, it has full 360-degree memory foam neck support so your head and neck won’t bounce around, and still compresses down to 60% of its expanded size for easy transport.

    neck pillow

    The Cabeau Evolution S3 updates the standard U-shaped travel pillow design with raised sides that gently cradled our head and neck when we used it. The S3’s flat back also rested relatively flush against our seat, preventing our head from uncomfortably jutting forward, while an adjustable front clasp let us slightly tighten or loosen the neck opening to our liking, which makes it possible to tailor the pillow to travelers of different sizes.

    We found that the S3 works best when leaning your head to the side or as a cushion against a solid surface, but it still offered decent chin support. Its two built-in straps attached to nearly any seatback we tested on, keeping the pillow in place and helping to lessen whiplash during sudden stops or turbulence.

    The S3’s memory foam manages to be soft, springy and supportive all at once; it’s firm enough that it kept our head from slouching too far to the side but not so firm that it dug into our cheeks and ears (unlike another popular memory foam model we tested). Of course, memory foam, however cushy, is never going to be the lightest or most breathable material around. And while we didn’t overheat while using the Cabeau, it also wasn’t the coolest pillow we tested.

    The S3's cover (right) is made from a more breathable, quick-dry fabric that felt cooler to the touch than Cabeau's original Evolution pillow (left).

    That said, the S3’s cover is a definite upgrade from Cabeau’s original Evolution pillow. Whereas that older model’s cover is made entirely from velour, the S3’s is made from a more breathable, quick-dry fabric that did indeed feel cooler to the touch. The S3’s cover is also fully removable and machine-washable — a must when it comes to something that touches highly trafficked surfaces like airplane seats. Actually getting that cover on and off the S3’s memory foam insert proved trickier than we’d have liked, but it held up perfectly well in a standard wash cycle.

    The comfiest travel pillow in the world is useless if it’s too big to travel with, which is why one of the best things about the Evolution S3 is the fact that it compresses down to half its size. All you have to do is roll the pillow up like a cinnamon bun and then stuff it inside the included carrying case. Doing so took a bit of elbow grease and was easiest on a solid surface, but we think that’s a fair price to pay given how much space it ends up saving.

    The S3’s carrying case, in turn, is another major upgrade from the original Evolution pillow and was far and away our favorite case of the bunch. It clips directly to your luggage and is made from ripstop fabric that’ll keep your pillow clean and protected until you’re ready to use it.

    underscored ostrichpillow lead

    The Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow has everything you might be looking for in a travel pillow companion. It’s firm, but not too firm, and we found it to offer a tremendous amount of support. Plus, the exterior is made of a silky-soft, jersey-like fabric that made for the perfect environment for getting some rest while in flight. It’s more expensive than our overall recommendation, but it’s a great option if you travel a lot, want a truly luxurious experience and are willing to spend a bit more

    Unlike traditional U-shaped travel pillows that see an opening at the front of the neck, the Go Neck Pillow offers 360-degree support. We found that this feature is worth its weight in gold. During our testing, we loved how the front Velcro enclosure created the perfect resting place for our chin, resisting our attempts to slump forward mid-nap. Plus, because it’s attached by a Velcro strap, the closure can be customized to fit any traveler’s size and desired support level.

    underscored ostrichpillow go neck pillow plane test

    When it came to transporting the Go Neck Pillow, we found that it couldn’t have been easier. Though the pillow offered enough firm support to keep our neck upright — without being too upright — the pillow also folds down. When we were done using the pillow, the memory foam compressed to 60% of its size, allowing us to store it in the included travel storage bag for easy transport. Plus, the storage bag has its own drawstring closure to ensure the pillow stays compact and in its case.

    Alternatively, the Go Neck Pillow can be left in its 360-degree position and wrapped around your luggage’s handle. However, we found it to be more convenient to be able to store the pillow in its bag in between uses, helping to avoid it getting dirty during the travel process. If it does get dirty during travel, the exterior sleeve is removable and washable to ensure your neck pillow stays clean ahead of your next trip.

    The Go Neck Pillow is on the pricier side, which was our only gripe. But if you don’t mind paying $60 for the pillow, it’s a solid investment that’ll help to ensure your next flight — or train ride, car trip or bus journey — is much more comfortable.

    The most important things to look for when shopping for travel pillows are comfort and portability. You need something that’s going to offer real support without taking up a bunch of space in your luggage (thus defeating the purpose of being a travel pillow). With these considerations in mind, we settled on two major rubrics for our pillow testing criteria: comfort and build. We then had one short tester and one tall tester evaluate how comfortable and supportive the pillows felt when behind our heads, under our chins and in the crooks of our necks. We gauged how easy the pillows were to transport by rolling them up, smooshing them down and packing each into its carrying case (if included). We attached those carrying cases to our luggage and noted how doing so impacted our mobility. We also noted how the pillows’ covers felt against our skin and then slipped those same covers off and put them through a machine wash cycle. Finally, we factored in the cost and looks of each pillow to determine their overall value and to choose the best pillow for most travelers.

    We used the following specific categories and subcategories for testing.

    • Behind-head comfort/support: We noted how comfortable and supportive the pillow felt when placed around the neck and/or behind the head.
    • Side comfort/support: We noted how comfortable and supportive the pillow felt when leaning our necks to the side as well as when leaning against a hard surface (as a traveler would be able to do when sitting in a window seat). We also noted how simple it was to readjust the pillows while resting on them or to switch sides.
    • Front comfort/support: We noted how comfortable and supportive the pillows felt when letting our heads droop forward and resting our chins on them.
    • Fit: We noted whether each pillow fit people of different heights equally well and if they were adjustable at all.
    • Portability: We noted each pillow’s size, whether it included a strap or bag for easy toting and if it could be compressed to take up less space. While some pillows were indeed heavier than others (looking at you, memory foam models), we found that a few extra ounces weren’t noticeable when carting the pillows around. Overall size, case quality and the ability to attach pillows to our luggage made a much more meaningful difference in portability.
    • Fabric: Nearly all the pillows featured a soft, velvety shell made from a velour or fleece-like material, but there was a range in terms of plushness. We noted how each pillow felt against our skin.
    • Washability: Given that travel pillows touch your face, they need to be easy to clean. We also noted how difficult it was to get the pillows’ cases on and off when necessary.
    • Breathability: We noted whether the pillows felt breathable and cool to the touch as well as if they tended to trap heat.
    • Appearance: We made note of each pillow’s overall look and gauged how likely they were to attract funny looks.

    The J-Pillow is a fantastically comfortable option with a big caveat: It works best if you’ve got a window seat. Because the J-Pillow doesn’t attach directly to your neck or your seat, it tended to slip around unless it was wedged against a hard surface. The J-Pillow was also too bulky for us to easily stuff into a carry-on bag or personal item.

    While a less versatile option than our top picks, the J-Pillow’s lack of neck attachment might actually be a plus for those who find regular U-shaped travel pillows restrictive. And when we could lean against a hard surface, the J-Pillow offered excellent head, neck and front-facing/chin support. Like the Cabeau S3 and Ostrichpillow Go Neck, it comes with a sturdy (though less compact) travel case that clips to your luggage. There also aren’t any covers or zippers to deal with; the entire pillow can be tossed in the wash.

    The Trtl is essentially a padded neck brace and was the most portable pillow we tested. It folds down relatively flat, taking up almost no space in your luggage, and one of our taller testers loved its sturdy support. That said, the Trtl proved far too big for our shorter tester, and both testers could feel the plastic brace in the middle poking through its padding. The Trtl was also very warm (which makes sense, given that you’re basically wearing a wool scarf), and we didn’t love that you have to fully unwrap and rewrap the pillow around your neck if you want to switch the side you’re sleeping on.

    $29.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

    Cabeau’s original Evolution model is a very decent travel pillow and cheaper than our top picks. That said, it lacks the S3’s straps, more-breathable cover and far superior case. In a choice between the two, the S3 is definitely worth the minor bump in price.

    As a lightweight option to toss in your bag for camping or backpacking trips, Therm-a-Rest’s compressible pillow is an excellent choice. It compresses down into a compact roll and is both supportive and comfortable when used like a normal pillow (lying down). But because it doesn’t wrap around your neck or have any straps to keep it in place, it’s not a great option for trying to rest while sitting upright.

    Bcozzy’s popular pillow didn’t offer us nearly enough neck support, and the material, while soft to the touch, felt less luxurious than our top picks. On the plus side, it’s relatively small and lightweight, and can be folded in half for more support if you’ve got a surface to lean against (it’s prone to slipping around otherwise).

    Travelrest’s bestseller is a well-made and supremely soft pillow, but its memory foam proved too stiff in our testing, and its sides were so tall that they pushed uncomfortably against our cheeks. This stiffness also made it difficult to compress the pillow into its carrying case. We prefered the squishier memory foam and shorter side profile of the Cabeau models.

    If you know you’ll have a hard surface to lean on, the Huzi can be finagled into a very comfortable position. It requires an illustrated guide to do so, however, and on its own doesn’t offer very much neck support. And while we loved (loved!) its silky, breathable bamboo fabric, the Huzi doesn’t come with a carrying case and took up a ton of space in our luggage.

    The ubiquitous microbead pillow is lightweight and inexpensive, but its low profile leaves much to be desired when it comes to actual neck support. We didn’t love the feel and sound of the microbeads when pressed against our ears, and this pillow also doesn’t come with a carrying case. Given that it also isn’t machine-washable, this probably isn’t a pillow you’d want to rub your face against long-term. We also found that it tended to flatten out a bit with continued use over the weeks that we tested.

    If you want a very lightweight and portable lumbar pillow, the AirComfy Ease isn’t a bad choice. If you want a versatile travel pillow, this is simply too stiff, too small and too slippery to be of use. It conveniently attaches to the back of any seat for extra support, but it just isn’t very comfortable. And while inflatability is cool in concept, in practice it feels like trying to sleep on a fuzzy balloon.

    Read more from CNN Underscored’s hands-on testing:

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  • Dodow sleep aid review | CNN Underscored

    Dodow sleep aid review | CNN Underscored

    This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Guide to Sleep, a week-long focus on everything you need to sleep better. We’ll be featuring new products and exclusive deals all week, so check in every morning to see what’s new.

    If you’re like me and countless others, you may have trouble falling asleep at night. Dodow is looking to change that, one insomniac at a time, with its sleep aid that focuses on calm breathing.

    The device aims to help you relax and clear your mind as you prepare to fall asleep. It takes the form of a small disk, and tapping on the top will activate a slowly pulsing blue light. This dim light projects onto your ceiling to help you pace your breath.

    As it expands, you inhale, and as it contracts, you exhale. When you follow along with this slow breathing, you allow your body to relax and help it enter a calmer neurophysiological state. This is often referred to as “rest and digest,” wherein the muscles relax, heart rate slows and the body generally conserves energy. You can use either an eight-minute or 20-minute light cycle and three levels of brightness.

    The Dodow device costs $60 on Dodow’s site. The company also has bundles that shave the individual unit prices. And through March 18, when you buy one Dodow sleep aid, get another one free when you use our CNN exclusive offer code CNNSLEEP at checkout.

    The Dodow sleep aid is a unique and useful device. It helped me fall asleep faster, and more consistently. It isn’t hard to learn to sync your breath with the light, and once you get used to the process, you’ll feel the results. Just breathe in when it expands and out when it contracts. Today, CNN Underscored readers can take advantage of an exclusive buy one, get one free offer when ordering through Dodow.

    The sleep aid has a simple, elegant design. The white disk measures a little under 3.5 inches in diameter and about three-quarters of an inch thick.

    There is a pattern of small perforations on the top that includes a touch control for starting a light cycle, turning it off and changing the settings. The top also features a small set of LEDs that emit the blue light, and around the edge of this surface is a thin lip that slopes upward.

    On the bottom of the device is a light blue disk that serves as a base with grip. The Dodow logo is engraved on it, and below that are two images that show you how to activate the eight-minute or 20-minute light cycles.

    Below that, there’s a horizontal divot you can twist to unlock the battery compartment. The device runs on three AAA batteries that you insert in this compartment, which is easy to unlock with a coin or screwdriver. It’s a nice, minimal design with a pleasing color scheme.

    2-underscored Dodow sleep aid

    Once you’ve inserted the batteries, you’re ready to start. It’s hard to overstate the simplicity of this device’s operation. For an eight-minute cycle, just tap the top once. For a 20-minute cycle, tap it twice.

    From there, all you have to do is focus on the light and match your breathing to it. If you want to manually turn off the light before the cycle ends, you can hold your finger on the surface for three seconds. It will also automically turn off the light once either of the cycles concludes. A pamphlet provides detailed instructions.

    Although the light isn’t very bright, you can switch between three brightness settings with ease. While the device is off, hold your finger on the top for three seconds. Once the light turns on, release your finger and then tap the surface to switch between the brightness levels. When you’re happy with the level, hold your finger on the surface for three seconds again to turn it off and save your setting.

    I have been using the Dodow for over two months and have not had to replace the batteries. And considering how little power it uses and how infrequently I run it, I don’t anticipate the batteries running out for a long time. Plus, since it runs on batteries (and it’s so small), you can take it with you wherever you go and don’t need a cable.

    4-underscored Dodow sleep aid

    Staring at a pulsing light and breathing to the rhythm might sound like an odd ritual, but I found it was easier to get used to than I anticipated.

    The light is a gentle color and less than one lux, so it isn’t harsh on the eyes. And it’s easy to get used to the breathing pattern the light dictates. It doesn’t go too fast or too slow, just slow enough to get you relaxing. I found it most helpful not to worry too much about being exactly right — just do your best to follow the pattern. You may want to use the 20-minute cycle when you’re getting started. After a while, it should become easier to sync with the light and easier to fall asleep. After just a few nights, I used the eight-minute cycle and dozed off before it ended.

    When I said earlier that I had trouble falling asleep, I meant it. Not only am I a light sleeper, but I often have trouble falling asleep even with a consistent schedule. Using the Dodow has made a noticeable improvement in my ability to fall asleep.

    In the pamphlet, Dodow suggests concentrating on your body in addition to the light and attempting to breathe with your lower abdomen. I found that this technique, combined with the light, provided me with full, deep breaths as well as a way for my mind to concentrate and tune out distracting thoughts. You can even try, as the pamphlet suggests, reciting “inhale” and “exhale” as you breathe in and out. It’s all about relaxing your body and quieting your mind.

    Dodow also advises not “trying” to fall asleep. If you concentrate specifically on trying to fall asleep, you may become occupied with that thought, thus sabotaging yourself. Instead, try to focus on the techniques, and sleep should come naturally. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts don’t work very well. With practice, you should improve.

    3-underscored Dodow sleep aid

    If you’re wondering if this is all mumbo jumbo, the science behind it is sound. Deliberately slowing your breathing can, in fact, shift your body into a relaxed state. This state, which operates on circuitry called the parasympathetic nervous system, slows your heart rate, relaxes your muscles and halts the release of excitatory chemicals in your brain. Breathing from your abdomen is also an efficient mode of breathing. And finally, focusing on syncing with the light and your body can help you tune out other thoughts and environmental distractions.

    The Dodow sleep aid is a unique and useful device. It helped me fall asleep faster, and more consistently. It isn’t hard to learn to sync your breath with the light, and once you get used to the process, you’ll feel the results. Just breathe in when it expands and out when it contracts.

    And it doesn’t hurt to try to breathe from your abdomen and follow the other advice included in the pamphlet.

    Try one for $60 from Dodow’s site. If you love it, you can buy a bundle on the website that lowers the cost of the individual units and share your secret for better sleep with family and friends.

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  • Best silk pillowcases in 2023 | CNN Underscored

    Best silk pillowcases in 2023 | CNN Underscored

    This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Guide to Sleep, a week-long focus on everything you need to sleep better. We’ll be featuring new products and exclusive deals all week, so check in every morning to see what’s new.

    Silk pillowcases are having a moment, bolstered by claims they can help reduce wrinkles, acne and even frizziness in hair — all while giving you a better night’s sleep. And beauty benefits aside, there’s no doubt that these silk pillowcases are ultra soft, smooth and a wonder to sleep on.

    To find the latest and greatest silk pillowcases that are worth your money, we slept on cases from 13 popular brands for weeks and spoke with experts to find out whether the added beauty benefits are real or clever marketing myths. We laundered each pillowcase, carefully noted texture and fit, and more importantly slept on each one, checking on how our skin and hair looked following each night of rest. In the end, we found four silk pillowcases that stood out:

    Best silk pillowcase overall

    The Fishers Finery pillowcase felt luxuriously silky, fit our pillows perfectly, offered beautiful nights of sleep and were easy to wash and dry both by hand and in the machine.

    Best affordable silk pillowcase

    CNN Underscored_best silk pillowcases_MYK

    The MYK Silk Natural Silk Pillowcase, featuring silk on one side and white cotton on the other, offered a good fit and restful sleep for about half the price of the Fishers Finery option — though it’s notably less luxurious-feeling.

    Best luxury silk pillowcase

    lunya.jpg

    We couldn’t get enough nights of sleep on the Lunya Washable Silk Pillowcase, it was so pleasant. Lunya’s silk surface case was lavish to the touch, and design details made it feel significantly elevated.

    A great luxury alternative

    company store.jpg

    The Company Store’s silk pillowcase was the smoothest we tried, with a shiny, satiny feel, and it left our hair the smoothest in the morning. It’s a great alternative to the Lunya, though it is only available in a standard size.

    Fishers Finery silk pillowcase.jpg

    Far and away the best silk pillowcase we tested, the Fishers Finery 100% long-strand, luxurious mulberry silk is an excellent, easy-to wash pillowcase with great fit on our pillows, that felt better against the skin than anything we tried and is so well constructed it should last for years to come.

    The first time we slept on Fishers Finery, it was almost like we didn’t notice the pillowcase — the silk felt noticeably softer against the skin and hair than any other pillowcases we tested. The cases are weighted at 25 momme (momme count is a standard unit to measure the weight and quality of silk), the upper end of desirability for silk pillowcases. They’re spun from 100% pure grade 6A Mulberry silk, which is generally considered smoother, stronger and more uniformly colored than other silks.
    Fishers Finery’s cases also had the best fit on our standard pillows: well-fitting but slightly loose, so they’re easy to put on and pull off. The case has an envelope closure that looks nice and makes the bed feel neater than a loose, open pillowcase end.

    We also found these easiest to wash and wear. Like all of the brands we tested, the Fishers Finery cases are both machine- and hand-washable. These cases were the least wrinkly after hand washing — a plus if you’re someone who is never going to iron or steam a pillowcase. We also machine washed (on delicate) and hung dry these pillowcases, which led to less wrinkling than hand washing.

    These come in three sizes (standard, queen, and king) and 11 colors––more than most of the brands we tested. Fishers are priced solidly in the middle range of the brands we tested, and we found these to be an excellent mid-range pick that ranks above its price.

    Myk silk pillowcase hero.jpg

    MYK Silk’s Natural Silk pillowcase is less luxurious than Fishers Finery’s lush Mulberry silk, but terrific in lots of ways, including its affordable price. For a third of the cost of Fishers Finery, you may not get the most luxurious feeling pillowcase, but you’re not giving up a lot, and you’re getting plenty of color options, and a fantastic night of sleep.

    Despite only being silk on one side (the back is constructed from OEKO-TEX certified cotton), the MYK Silk pillowcase felt amazing to sleep on and kept our hair smoother than all-cotton pillowcases. Made from 19 momme mulberry silk — lower weight than Fishers Finery but still quite nice to the touch—these are well-made pillowcases for the price.

    Myk-front-back.jpg

    The MYK cases are also easier to maintain than many we tested and they were a great fit on our pillows. MYK can be machine or hand-washed and line dried––they showed no signs of wear after a gentle cycle.

    These cases fit our queen-size pillows snugly both width- and length-wise. They have a zipper closure, which is a nice functional touch, but because the zipper’s opening and closing points are placed about an inch in from the actual end of the pillow, the opening of the case is a bit shorter than the length of the pillowcase. This meant that inserting a fluffier down pillow with more volume into the pillowcase was slightly more difficult than doing so with some of the looser, larger pillow cases we tested. Once fitted to the pillow, though, MYK Silk’s looked nice on the bed. The MYK Silk pillowcases are sold in three sizes (standard, queen, and king), and nine colors.

    Lunya silk pillowcase.jpg

    The Lunya Washable Silk pillowcase was just downright dreamy, offering the best night’s sleep and keeping our hair the smoothest of all the pillows we tested. The Lunya pillowcase is now made from 100% silk (when we first tested it, it was silk on the front and cotton on the back), making it even more worth the additional cost.

    The Lunya pillowcase is so soft and touchable it was downright evocative to use. Sleep felt so restful on Lunya’s silk we didn’t want to lift our heads out of bed. But once we did, our hair seemed noticeably less frizzy, even compared to other pillowcases we tested.

    This pillowcase hits all the right notes on fit and care. The Lunya fits a bit more loosely than the others we tested with a narrow width, but extra-long length. We didn’t mind this, since the pillowcase was still easy to put on or remove.

    The Lunya is easily machine washed on cold, or by hand, and Lunya’s site says you could even put this case in the dryer on low, but we didn’t test that out. Lunya’s silk pillowcases only come in two sizes, standard queen and king, and in just one color, Tranquil White, which may be too limiting for some customers. It may not be for everyone, but if you want the absolute best feel and don’t mind the limited options, the Lunya Washable Silk pillowcase is worth the money.

    And, you can save 15% on orders of $100 or more with code FOR-CNNSLEEP-15 through March 18.

    Company store silk pillowcase.jpg

    The Company Store’s silk pillowcase is satiny smooth, and was a delight to sleep on. Made with high-quality 22 momme, 100% mulberry silk, this model had a pleasant weight to it, and the fabric was smoother and silkier than anything else we tested, with a visible shine that feels delightful on clean skin, and imparts a feeling of luxury that other pillowcases lacked. The Company Store’s fabric is also a bit thicker, which made it feel more durable, although we didn’t encounter any wear issues with any of the silk pillowcases we tested.

    Like others, this pillowcase also has an envelope enclosure, for a clean look, and gave us a roomy, but not saggy fit on most standard pillows. Company Store recommends hand or machine washing inside out on cold (ideally in a mesh laundry bag), and air drying. We followed these instructions and didn’t encounter any issues.

    Although this pillowcase is the most expensive we recommend, the price is borne out in its quality. The silk feels more ample and luxurious than our other high-end recommendation from Lunya, which was a bit thinner, in comparison. It’s well constructed, with high quality stitching. And the maintenance is no more labor intensive than any other silk pillowcase we liked. The Company Store silk pillowcase comes in three colors, but only a single size (standard), which is a bit limiting, but if you’re in pursuit of the absolute highest quality and don’t mind paying the higher price, this pillowcase is worth it.

    There’s a lot to consider when buying silk pillowcases. Whether you’re wondering about the type of silk, possible benefits, ease of care or price point, we’ve compiled all our research to walk you through exactly what you need to know before buying.

    While studies have suggested silk pillowcases might reduce acne, other skin benefits — such as reducing wrinkles — are mostly anecdotal. Dendy Engelman, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist with the NYC-based Shafer Clinic, said that no one should expect silk pillowcases to completely eliminate wrinkles, but adds that they can “help to slow down the formation of them,” especially “sleep wrinkles,” the lines some dermatologists believe develop from sleeping on your side or your stomach as your face scrunches into your pillow. “Silk creates fewer wrinkles and indentations on the skin as you sleep because it helps reduce strain or friction,” Engleman says.

    Silk is less absorbent than cotton, Engleman adds, so it doesn’t drink in our nighttime skin care products the way cotton can, which means night serums and moisturizers stay on the skin doing their work there, not on the pillowcase.

    We did not see any short-term difference in the condition of our skin while sleeping on silk during our testing. That said, whereas the acne study we cited above lasted 12 weeks, our testing process lasted only six, took place during winter, when skin is more dry, and during a pandemic, when stress levels have been higher than normal. In other words, our first-hand experience wasn’t long enough for us to definitively assess the impact sleeping on silk has on skin. There could be long-term benefits to our facial skin that we’ll see accrue over a longer time, including that we are getting better nights of sleep sleeping on silk — it’s just impossible to say without more research.

    The decreased friction of silk is thought by many to aid in managing frizzy hair. The smoother surface of silk can potentially mean “less messing, fuzzing, split ends of your hair,” says textile expert Deborah Young. This benefit is more pronounced for those with thick and curly hair. Simply put, Young says, “less texture equals less bedhead.” Our testers both noticed a reduction in dryness and frizziness while sleep on silk pillowcases, and our hair seemed more supple and healthy during the weeks of the testing process, though we didn’t find that one specific pillowcase brand was quantifiably better in its treatment of our hair.

    To those worried that silk bedding is too high maintenance, Young outlined a simple care routine. “Silk can absolutely be machine washed – inside out, in a mesh lingerie bag, with a detergent formulated for silk on a delicate cleaning cycle and absolutely no bleach – ever!” Young advises washing separately, or as she prefers, by hand and in cold water, gently squeezed out in a rolled up towel, lay flat or hung to dry. We washed all of the cases we tested both by hand and in the machine, with fine results from both. Though most of the care instructions for these pillowcases indicate that drying in a machine on low heat is OK, as an option to line drying, we adhered to our expert’s advice and only line-dried. Machine washing was less laborious than hand-washing, but took about the same time to complete.

    If you’re shopping for silk pillowcases, Young advises, you’ll find the highest quality if you select real silk (which includes most of the pillowcases we tested, including our winners). Young notes though that some “silk” pillowcases are actually made of 100% polyester, which “could be a budget, but successful, alternative.” (A couple of the cases in our testing pool were polyester, a noticeable difference from real silk in terms of touch and quality, but still effective in terms of offering good, comfortable sleep and less flyaway hair.) Pure silk is perceived as more valuable and luxurious, Young says, but silk blends may be more affordable and still quite effective when it comes to pillowcases.

    There’s a range of types of silk you’ll hear about when shopping. A momme number, as noted above, denotes the thickness and durability of the fabric, a higher momme being a heavier weight, Young explains. Mulberry silk comes from cultivated silkworms that eat only leaves from the mulberry tree. “There are other silks that are rougher and more cotton-like, but the shiny stuff is mulberry or cultivated silk,” Young says. Charmeuse is a lighter weight silk. And the grade of silk rates its quality. Silk is graded on an A, B or C scale, A being the finest quality. A number attached to that grade is a more specific marker of quality, 6 being the highest (and the number linked to our top winner.)

    • Sleep feel: We slept on each pillowcase noting things like how comfortable the pillowcase felt on our face and hair, whether the fabric was too slippery, if the fabric felt cool to the skin, and whether it absorbed any skin care products we applied before sleeping.
    • Post-wash feel: We washed and dried each pillowcase at least once. After laundering, we observed how soft the pillowcase felt, and if anything had changed.
    • Durability: After multiple sleeps and laundering, we noted whether the pillowcases pilled, shrank, or faded in any noticeable way. We also noted if fit remained consistent.
    • Fit: We noted how each fit on our standard-size pillows, and tried each case on different types of pillows (down, polyester, and memory-foam filled).
    • Ease of care: We read the washing instructions on each pillowcase and noted how simple they were to care for. We paid special attention to whether the cases were machine washable, and what the drying instructions included. We also noted if the pillowcases wrinkled after line-drying.
    • Reduction in hair frizziness or skin improvements: After each night of sleep, we surveyed the condition of our facial skin and the texture of our hair, looking out for any improvements in complexion, or changes in hair texture. We should note that while we experienced that sleeping on silk reduced frizziness and could understand how they might even help soften facial wrinkles, we couldn’t discern significant differences in these benefits from one brand to the next.
    • Sizes: We noted how many sizes each pillowcase is available. Most come in standard or queen, and king (or all three), at a width of about 20 inches, and length ranging from about 26 to 40 inches. Some cases have a smaller travel or toddler size, or a slightly longer than king size.
    • Colors: We recorded how many colors are available for each case. Some of the higher end brands are only available in white, and many of the more affordable ones have upwards of 25 colors, and some patterns.

    This pillowcase came recommended from dermatologist, Dr. Engelman. The Slip is, aptly, more slippery than some of the other high-end brands we tested, reminding us of a silky robe––it’s soft and sleek to the touch and against the skin and hair. Slip, while deliciously soft and wonderful to sleep on, didn’t feel necessarily more pleasing than Fishers Finery, nor did it feel more over-the-top fantastic than Lunya, which is why, at its price point of $89, Slip didn’t end up one of our winners.

    A highly ranked option recommended Young, Blissy’s silk pillowcases cases are 100% silk, 22 momme 6A grade — indulgently soft for sure, and similarly high quality, but more of a satin finish than that washable silk feel of Fishers Finery or Lunya that we loved so much. Blissy’s silk offered amazing nights of sleep and comes in a range of sizes, but only one color— that limitation, plus the almost-double price as compared to Fishers Finery, kept Blissy from being one of our winners.

    We like Brooklinen’s bedding, including their linen sheets and plush bath towels, and enjoyed using their 100% long-strand pure mulberry silk pillowcases too. The brand’s specialty charmeuse weave, generous in width and length, and multiple color options were all points in favor of this pillowcase. They came in just under our top pick because we loved the Lunya’s silk touch just a little bit more.

    SpaSilk 100% Pure Silk Pillowcase for Hair and Skin Beauty

    SpaSilk’s silk pillowcase is a bargain option but it feels high grade, silky, and even sumptuous. We like that SpaSilk comes in travel size, in addition to standard size options, and a broad range of colors. Ultimately, though, SpaSilk didn’t feel quite as nice to the touch as MYK Silk did, which is why it didn’t come in as our first-place bargain pillowcase.

    Made of 100% silk charmeuse and finished with piped hems and French seams, Cuddledown’s cases look minimalist chic, feel divine and fit our pillows perfectly. They offered several restful nights of sleep, and didn’t seem to dry out our hair and face. They didn’t rank as high as some of our winners only because we didn’t love them quite as much to the touch, but they were more than satisfying.

    Quince’s 100% mulberry silk pillowcase is soft to the touch, but it didn’t feel nearly as luxurious as our main pick from Fishers’ Finery. Despite being 22momme mulberry silk, we didn’t find it quite as satiny as our other recommendations. That said, this pillowcase comes in six colors and two sizes, and the price is a steal for 100% silk.

    Parachute’s silk pillowcase feels similar to our luxury pick from The Company Store. It’s made from 100% mulberry silk, although Parachute fails to disclose the weight of the fabric. We liked this pillowcase overall, but as with other Parachute pillowcases, it was slightly too small on our pillows. The envelope enclosure didn’t overlap on the back of the pillow and at $89 for a single pillowcase, that was a dealbreaker.

    The Casper pillowcase is made from 100% mulberry silk, but regrettably it had an unnatural and almost synthetic feeling in our hands and on our face when we were testing it. Although the pillowcase is well-made, and fits well on our pillows, we didn’t find ourselves reaching for this option compared to the others we tested.

    Blissford’s satin pillowcase, made from 100% polyester, is less luxurious than the 100% silk cases we tried. It feels synthetic compared to many of the silk brands, and we felt the difference against our face during sleep. Blissford cases fit our pillow perfectly, and look nice, with a zippable flap closure. These were a breeze to hand wash and line dry, and they’re machine washable as well. Perhaps because they’re satin and not silk, they stand up to being wrung out by hand better than silk, and hardly wrinkled at all once air-dried.

    Bedsure is another decently-made 100% polyester satin option that we dismissed because they felt far less luxurious than the silk pillowcases we tried. Bedsure’s cases come in a package of two for less than Blissford’s one. They are looser and drapier than some we tested, but they also have an envelope closure at the end for a neatly-made pillow. On their Amazon page, Bedsure looks cheesy and lower quality, but in person, the packaging is attractive and the product is quite decent, especially for the price.

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  • Get the classic Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card with a 60,000-point bonus | CNN Underscored

    Get the classic Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card with a 60,000-point bonus | CNN Underscored



    CNN
     — 

    CNN Underscored reviews financial products such as credit cards and bank accounts based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through the LendingTree affiliate network if you apply and are approved for a card, but our reporting is always independent and objective. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

    Our quick take: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an ideal choice for people just getting started with travel rewards, since it offers a solid return on travel and dining purchases and earns some of the most valuable travel points around.

    Pros:

    • Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on travel or 5 total points if purchased through Ultimate Rewards.
    • Earn 3 points for every dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and select online grocery purchases.
    • The welcome bonus is worth at least $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
    • Points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point.
    • Points can also be transferred to any of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners.
    • Earn a 10% anniversary point bonus on all purchases made the previous year.
    • $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards
    • Strong travel and shopping protections.

    Cons:

    • $95 annual fee isn’t waived for the first year.
    • No introductory rate on purchases or balance transfers.
    • No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.

    Current sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

    Best for: People with larger than average travel and/or dining expenses who want basic transferable travel points.

    See if you qualify for the Chase Sapphire Preferred with an 60,000-point bonus.

    If you’ve done any research on credit cards, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred may sound familiar. At over 10 years old, it’s practically the granddaddy of travel rewards credit cards.

    The Sapphire Preferred offers 2 points per dollar on all travel or if purchased through Ultimate Rewards, you’ll earn 5 total points per dollar spent. You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming purchases and online delivery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs) and 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 2025.

    When you have the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll also get discounts on DoorDash food delivery orders, strong travel protections and a 60,000-point sign-up bonus — all for a reasonable $95 annual fee. Plus, the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you earn with this card are among the most valuable points around.

    Additionally, on your account anniversary, you’ll earn a 10% point bonus on all purchases made the previous year. That means if you spend $10,000 on the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you’ll earn an additional 1,000 bonus points.

    But is that enough for the card to justify a spot in your wallet? The credit card market has evolved immensely since the Chase Sapphire Preferred was first introduced. Other cards now offer bonus points or cash back in those same travel and dining categories — in some cases at higher rates — as well as other notable benefits like annual travel credits and airport lounge access.

    The key difference, however, is that those other cards are typically accompanied by higher annual fees. So if you aren’t ready to shell out a lot of money for an expensive credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent starting point.

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred currently offers new card holders 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account. While that isn’t the highest sign-up bonus we’ve ever seen on this card, it’ll still get you off on the right foot for your next vacation. If you’re looking to earn more points, then you can look at the Sapphire Preferred’s older sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which carries a $550 annual fee. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve you’ll earn the same 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 after the first three months of account opening.

    Related: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?

    Points earned with the card can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point, so you’re guaranteed at least $750 in travel right off the bat.

    You can potentially get even more value by taking some time and effort to maximize Chase’s airline and hotel partners. In fact, the Ultimate Rewards program features some of the best transfer partners, including United Airlines, Southwest and Hyatt Hotels.

    Here’s a complete list of Chase’s 14 partners, all of which transfer at a 1-to-1 ratio -— meaning for every 1,000 Chase points, you’ll get 1,000 airline or hotel points or miles when you transfer them:

    Airlines
    Aer Lingus AerClub Air Canada Aeroplan Air France-KLM Flying Blue
    British Airways Executive Club Emirates Skywards Iberia Plus
    JetBlue TrueBlue Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Southwest Rapid Rewards
    United MileagePlus Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
    Hotels
    World of Hyatt IHG Rewards Club Marriott Bonvoy

    The reason you’d want to transfer Ultimate Rewards points instead of redeeming them through the Chase travel portal is because airlines and hotels sometimes sell travel for different rates depending on whether you’re paying in cash or points, which means you can sometimes score some fantastic deals by transferring points, especially if you want to fly in first or business class.

    Even with many airlines and hotel chains shifting to dynamic-pricing frequent flyer systems, award redemption rates around high-demand dates and holidays often don’t get the same markups as the cash rates. And as travel companies emerge from the pandemic, they’re offering some great points deals in an effort to fill seats on planes and rooms in hotels.

    There are also many hidden gems when booking award flights on partner airlines, particularly in premium cabins. A little bit of research and due diligence can definitely save you a lot of money (or points) in the long run.

    Click here to earn 60,000 bonus points on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

    Beyond the sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on all travel (or 5 total points if purchased through Ultimate Rewards), 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming purchases and online delivery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs) and 1 point on everything else.

    It should be easy to quickly score plenty of points, since Chase defines both of these popular categories very broadly. “Travel” includes purchases like cruises, mass transit, tolls, parking and even ride-shares, while “dining” includes coffee shops, bars, vending machines and most food delivery services.

    Additionally, you’ll earn a 10% bonus on all purchases made the previous year on your cardmember anniversary. So if you spend $10,000 on the card during the previous year, you’ll earn an additional 1,000 bonus points.

    There’s one exception to the travel bonus category, but it’s a positive one. Thanks to a partnership with Lyft, through March 2025, Sapphire Preferred card holders earn 3 additional points per dollar on Lyft rides for a whopping total of 5 points per dollar.

    Other key benefits of the card include discounts on DoorDash food delivery orders via a complimentary DashPass membership that’s valid for at least 12 months as long as you activate it by Dec. 31, 2024. You’ll also receive a $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards.

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred also has a comprehensive suite of purchase and travel protections, including an additional year of coverage on eligible purchases with a manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less, protection on your new purchases against damage or theft, coverage of up to $10,000 in the event your trip gets delayed or canceled, reimbursement for delayed or lost baggage and, most notably, primary rental car coverage.

    What does “primary rental car coverage” mean? Whenever you use your card to pay for a car rental, you can safely decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company — which is usually expensive — and submit the claim directly to Chase instead if you have an accident with your rental car.

    The car rental coverage that’s offered by other credit cards is usually secondary, meaning you have to look to your own auto policy first in the event of an accident. With the Sapphire Preferred, you can skip that step and avoid potentially seeing your auto premiums increase as a result of a claim.

    To top it all off, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has no foreign transaction fees, so you can safely use it and earn rewards when traveling overseas once borders reopen. Other credit cards can charge 3% to 5% in fees for foreign transactions, so having this benefit can make a big difference to international travelers.

    Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred for its travel perks and bonus points on travel and dining.

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer the same luxury travel perks — like airline lounge access and travel credits — as the Chase Sapphire Reserve. That’s expected, considering the annual fee is also a lot lower, but worth noting given the other similarities between the two cards.

    It’s also worth pointing out that although the Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee is fairly standard among mid-tier travel credit cards, a few other cards in this category waive their annual fee in the first year, though many no longer do. On the flip side, the Sapphire Preferred does have a higher sign-up bonus than most other cards.

    While the bonus categories cover a wide range of purchases, keep in mind there are cards like the Citi® Double Cash Card that earn 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you make a purchase, and another 1% when you pay it off — and come with no annual fee at all.

    Related: CNN Underscored’s review of the Citi Double Cash Card.

    So if it’s straight cash back you’re after, you might be better off with another card. But if you spend a lot on dining, travel (especially on Lyft rides), streaming services and online grocery shopping and could use the travel and shopping protections, you’re going to come out ahead with Sapphire Preferred.

    Even if you don’t utilize the Ultimate Rewards program’s transfer partners, you’re getting at least 2.5% back toward travel on all your travel and 3.75% on all dining, select streaming services and select online grocery purchases since your points are worth at least 1.25 cents each, and 6.25% back on Lyft rides. Just don’t plan to carry a balance with the card, as there’s no introductory interest rate on purchases or balance transfers.

    The one other downside of the Chase Sapphire Preferred pertains to the application process, and it applies to all Chase credit cards. Chase has an unpublished “5/24” rule, which means if you’ve gotten five or more credit cards across all banks in the previous 24 months, your application for a new card from Chase will be automatically denied. Given this restriction, it’s important to time your credit card applications and apply for the Sapphire Preferred early on.

    CNN Underscored has chosen the Citi Double Cash card as our current “benchmark” credit card. That doesn’t mean it’s the best credit card on the market — rather, we use it as a basic standard to compare other credit cards and see where they score better, and where they’re worse.

    Here’s how the Chase Sapphire Preferred scores against our benchmark. The features of each card in the below chart are colored in green, red or white. Green indicates a card feature that is better than our benchmark. Red indicates the feature is worse than our benchmark, and white indicates the feature is either equivalent or cannot be directly compared to our benchmark.

    KEY DETAILS
    Citi Double Cash Card Chase Sapphire Preferred
    Card type Mastercard Visa
    Sign-up bonus None 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
    REWARDS
    Earning rate 2% on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off) 2 points per dollar on travel (or 5 total points if purchased through Ultimate Rewards), 3 points per dollar on dining purchases, select streaming services and select online grocery purchases, 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2025) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Plus on each account anniversary, earn a 10% bonus on all purchases made the previous year.
    Redemption value 1 cent (cash back) 1.25 cents per point when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards or the “Pay Yourself Back” tool, 2.0 cents per point for transfers*
    Ease of basic redemptions Easy Easy
    Advanced redemption options Can transfer ThankYou points to 16 airline partners if you also have the Citi Premier℠ or Citi Prestige® Yes, transfer to 14 airline and hotel partners
    Quality of advanced redemptions Good Great
    FEES
    Annual fee $0 $95
    Foreign transaction fee 3% None
    BENEFITS AND PROTECTIONS
    Travel perks None None
    Purchase protections None Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
    Travel protections None Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Primary Auto Coverage, Baggage Delay Insurance, Trip Delay Reimbursement
    Other perks None At least 12 months of DashPass membership when activated by Dec. 31, 2024, and a $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards
    INTEREST RATES ON PURCHASES AND BALANCE TRANSFERS
    Introductory APR on purchases None None
    Length of introductory APR on purchases N/A N/A
    Introductory APR on balance transfers 0% None
    Length of Introductory APR on balance transfers 18 months N/A
    Introductory balance transfer fee 3% or $5, whichever is greater N/A
    APR after intro period ends/standard APR 18.49%-28.49% variable 20.49%-27.49% variable
    * Based on point valuations calculated by frequent flyer website The Points Guy.

    When reviewing other credit cards, we use this format and these criteria to compare them with our benchmark. You can read our credit card methodology for more details on what we take into account when it comes to perks, protections and redemption value.

    Start earning points to fly in first class with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

    Aside from the Sapphire Preferred’s older sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the closest comparison to the Sapphire Preferred would be the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card.

    It has the same $95 annual fee as the Sapphire Preferred, but it comes with a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit worth up to $100 that helps offset it in the first year. It currently has a sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account.

    Capital One miles are somewhat less valuable, as they’re worth only 1 cent apiece when redeemed toward travel. They can also transfer to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners, and the issuer has recently improved its transfer program by setting almost all of its transfer ratios at 1-to-1, with just one hotel at 2-to-1 and one airline at 2-to-1.5. You can find more details in our review of the Capital One Venture card.

    American Express fields the American Express® Green Card, which was refreshed in 2019 and now offers 3 points per dollar on all travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. It also features an up to $189 annual CLEAR® credit for expedited airport security, and up to $100 in annual LoungeBuddy credits for purchasing airport lounge access.

    However, these additional perks come at a cost. The Amex Green has a higher price tag of $150 a year, and it comes with a lower welcome bonus of just 45,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months after opening the account.

    Related: Get up to $100 a year in airport lounge access with the Amex Green card.

    All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by CNN. The American Express® Green Card is not currently available through CNN.

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred is an ideal card if you want to have a stash of credit card rewards for travel.

    With travel picking up, having a stash of travel points is going to be extremely useful. But whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred makes sense for you personally ultimately depends on what you spend the majority of your money on, and what you hope to get in return.

    Given its bonus categories, the Sapphire Preferred is ideal for those who spend a significant amount of money on travel, dining, online groceries and streaming services. Likewise, while you don’t need to be loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain, you do need to actually travel (or at least want to travel more) to maximize the card’s benefits and redemption opportunities.

    While you can get decent value from your points with the card’s fixed-value redemption option, the Chase Sapphire Preferred unlocks access to some of the best transfer partners around, so it’s also an excellent opportunity to dip your toes in the world of travel rewards and grow your knowledge on loyalty programs.

    If cash back sounds more appealing to you, a card like the Citi Double Cash could make more sense. Or if you’re chasing more luxurious travel perks like airport lounge access, you’ll also want to look elsewhere — the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve version of this card is a great alternative for that, and The Platinum Card® from American Express is also a popular option.

    But in the end, regardless of which redemption option you pick, the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 60,000-point sign-up bonus is more than sufficient to book your first award trip. So consider whether the card fits your needs, and as always, be sure to pay your balance in full each month to avoid high interest rates.

    Learn more and apply now for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

    Find out which cards CNN Underscored chose as our best credit cards currently available.

    Get all the latest personal finance deals, news and advice at CNN Underscored Money.

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  • Lululemon Align vs. a $23 Amazon lookalike: We put these cult-favorite leggings to the test | CNN Underscored

    Lululemon Align vs. a $23 Amazon lookalike: We put these cult-favorite leggings to the test | CNN Underscored

    This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.

    Between the self-care explosion — from yoga and Pilates to meditation — and the pandemic’s resultant work-from-home situation, women are wearing leggings longer and more often than ever before. As such, we’ve become more judicious about which leggings are actually worth investing our money in. Fit, comfort, design and style are musts, as are name brand and cost.

    In recent years, Lululemon’s Align Pants have become a cult-favorite item thanks to their “buttery soft” fabric that makes wearing them 24/7 an easy decision, and a fit that skims the body rather than pinches or droops. Need proof? The pants have more than 20,000 reviews and the #Lululemonalign hashtag on Instagram has more than 9,000 posts attached to it, ranging from influencers’ workout videos and try-on sessions to on-the-go street shoots. While reviewers are hard-pressed to find fault in Align, the price would likely be high on the “cons” list — each pair typically runs between $98 and $128.

    Equally popular on Amazon are Colorfulkoala’s Buttery Soft High-Waisted Yoga Pants, which have a whopping 46,000 positive reviews — hundreds of which liken the pants to Align — and a much (much) cheaper price tag at $23 per pair.

    What’s so great about these leggings, which we named the best workout leggings? They are soft and slinky and literally skim your curves, from waist to ankle. Second, there’s the fabric. Called Nulu, the material is über-soft, sweat-wicking and has a four-way stretch. You can move in these pants — whether you’re doing hot yoga or hopping in and out of your car doing errands.

    leggings colorfulkoala buttery soft

    Our pick for the best budget leggings of the year, the Colorfulkoalas are available in more than 40 colors and are just as soft as Lululemons, but at a fraction of the cost.

    Lululemon’s Align and Colorfulkoala’s Buttery Soft are both ultra-popular pants designed for yoga. The chief selling point of both options is the super-soft fabric they’re made of.

    Align is comprised of the brand’s proprietary “Nulu” fabric, which is a combination of nylon and lycra that is sweat-wicking, stretchy and, as I’ve mentioned more than a few times, buttery soft. I’ve been an Align devotee for years and can attest that the leggings are great for low-impact exercise like Pilates or yoga — and that they’re so comfortable (and flattering) that I end up wearing them the whole day after my morning workout. Unlike other yoga pants, the Align fabric doesn’t constrict, squeeze or pinch your body, instead it skims over your shape without creating any sort of muffin-top situation.

    Lululemon's Align leggings (left) and Colorfulkoala's leggings (right)

    Having tested Colorfulkoala’s Buttery Soft pants as well, I can say that the nylon/spandex fabric is the closest I’ve ever seen to the Nulu softness, but it’s not quite as buttery as the Align and they have a sheen to them. I didn’t mind the sheen at all, but the Align leggings definitely have a softer, matte texture. Interestingly enough, the Colorfulkoala pants are brushed on the interior and that texture is nearly exact to Align — so they do feel identical on the inside of the leggings, but on the exterior they are shinier.

    Given Align’s matte texture, the fabric can be prone to catching lint or stray hairs, which is more visible on darker colors and patterns. I didn’t experience this with the Colorfulkoala leggings, however, because the fabric’s slight sheen doesn’t attract debris.

    Lululemon's Align leggings (left) and Colorfulkoala Buttery Soft leggings (right)

    More about that fabric: Align’s Nulu fabric is completely opaque. Maybe it’s attributable to the brand’s “see-through pants scandal” from a decade ago, but you’re never going to see someone’s underwear during a downward-facing dog if they’re wearing Align. And nowadays, Lululemon is also double-lining its lighter hues to triple-confirm the coverage (which results in a thicker, cozier feel to the legging). Undies aside, the fabric density also camouflages the other bits you might want to conceal (read: cellulite, a tummy roll, whatever).

    The same cannot be said for Colorfulkoala’s coverage. I tried the leggings in both black and a lighter mauve pink hue and while the black had me covered, the pink was very see-through. I actually wore the pants to Pilates and spent much of the class feeling overexposed. Not just due to my underwear lines being visible, but also those aforementioned bits that I’m not dying to show off — the pant fabric is so thin that, especially in a lighter color, you can see every detail of your tush, legs and beyond. I did appreciate that the waistband is lined, which provides decent tummy control.

    Two pairs of Lululemon's Align leggings (left) and the Colorfulkoala leggings (right)

    In terms of design, both pants are pretty much identical, with flat, exposed seams cut exactly the same way. I didn’t experience any drooping or sagging with either pair — both stay put all day long. The Align waistband is a bit more generous, coming in at 3/8 inches longer than the Colorfulkoala pants’ and thus providing slightly more tummy coverage. Align leggings also have a hidden waistband pocket for keys, cash or credit card, which is a thoughtful detail.

    Both the Lululemon Align and Colorfulkoala High Waisted Yoga Pants are very comfortable to wear all day long. I wasn’t racing to take either pair off after working out, which is a good sign! While their fabrics aren’t identical, both are incredibly soft, and given that their designs are so similar, they fit the same way, contouring your curves rather than pinching or squeezing. Yes, the Colorfulkoala pair are thinner, which affects coverage, but it doesn’t affect comfort at all.

    Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

    Colorfulkoala Buttery Soft High-Waisted Yoga Pants

    Sizes

    0 to 20

    XS to XL
    Lengths

    17”, 21”, 23”, 25”, 28”, 31”

    25”, 28”, “full length”
    Fabric

    80% nylon, 20% lycra

    80% nylon, 20% spandex
    Color options

    20+

    40+
    Number of reviews

    20,000+

     46,000+
    Care

    Machine wash cold, line dry

    Machine wash and dry

    Lululemon’s Align leggings are the sure bet and worth the investment. Yes, you can buy four to five pairs of Colorfulkoala pants for every one pair of Align, but the quality of Align far outweighs the competition. I’m writing this story while wearing a pair of five-year-old Align leggings that still look and fit like they’re brand-new — the ROI is legit.

    Ultimately what it came down to for me is that I can’t endorse Colorfulkoala’s inconsistent coverage. While the black pair did provide opaqueness, the fabric is still thinner than Align’s Nulu, and that left me feeling more vulnerable, especially as I was doing squats and lunges on a reformer machine. The Align fabric is bulletproof when it comes to coverage and leaves me feeling more confident when I wear them. As a mom of four in my 40s, that is worth the price of admission.

    If budget is a concern, however, Colorfulkoala is a decent legging to buy, but I’d advise sticking to the darker colors and patterns to be safe.

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  • Hike the rainbow: Merrell collabs with Unlikely Hikers on a size-inclusive Moab 3 hiking boot | CNN Underscored

    Hike the rainbow: Merrell collabs with Unlikely Hikers on a size-inclusive Moab 3 hiking boot | CNN Underscored

    Merrell recently launched the Moab 3 x Unlikely Hikers hiking boot, a playful and size-inclusive version of the brand’s bestselling hiker. The collaboration was designed in close partnership with Unlikely Hikers, an outdoor community that celebrates diversity, encourages authenticity and actively works to protect and promote the outdoors as a free, open and safe space for all.

    The updated Moab 3 hiking boot, which was released in September, provides greater comfort, increased traction and more sustainable materials than previous versions of the Merrell Moab hiking boot. It features a Vibram outsole with 5-millimeter lugs (deep grooves for better traction), a removable contoured footbed for reinforced heel support, protective and abrasion-resistant rubber heel and toe caps and a built-in heel shock absorber. The boots also feature 100% recycled laces, webbing and breathable mesh lining.

    The new collaboration with Unlikely Hikers adds a vibrant colorway and the “My Body Took Me Here” logo on the tongue. The collaboration boots run in extended sizing from women’s 5 through 13 and men’s 7 through 16. (The traditional Moab 3 sizes are available up to a women’s 12 and men’s 15.) Wide width sizing options are available in all women’s sizing and men’s up to size 15.

    Waterproof hiking boots designed for everybody and every body

    Made for hikers of all sizes and experience levels, the Moab 3 Mid Waterproof x Unlikely Hikers were built to stand up on muddy trails, in damp conditions and along rugged terrain. These durable and size-inclusive hiking boots will keep your feet comfortable, protected and styling on the trail.

    “Partnerships [like this] allow us to redefine and reimagine the outdoors through products that amplify the importance of inclusivity in sizing and representation,” says Jenny Bruso, founder of Unlikely Hikers. “The right gear and clothing are also a safety issue within outdoor adventures and we need to see ourselves represented in the marketing to even know these things exist to be purchased.”

    Not in the market for hiking boots? The full Merrell x Unlikely Hiker collection also features two bags, a hat and “My Body Took Me Here” shirts in extended sizing.

    Countless studies and globally recognized research point to the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in nature. However, a recent study by Merrell unveiled numerous barriers that many communities face to fully enjoying the outdoors, ultimately preventing them from doing so.

    The Merrell Inclusivity in the Outdoors Report found nearly one in five people experience discrimination when outside. Moreover, the report found the LGBTQ+ community is 8% more likely to feel unwelcome in the outdoors than the global total and people of color are 8% to 13% more likely to experience discrimination when outside than white people.

    In partnership with Unlikely Hikers, Merrell launched its Unlikely Hikers collection to represent outdoor adventurers who haven’t traditionally seen themselves represented in the outdoor industry. The collection aims to inspire, support and celebrate diverse voices, experiences and identities in the outdoors, including people of size; people of color; queer, trans and gender-nonconforming people; people with disabilities; and allies in support of Unlikely Hikers’ mission.

    “We set out more than six years ago to build a community of hikers and adventurers of all shapes, sizes, genders and abilities after seeing a need to have more diversity represented in the outdoor community,” says Bruso. “Now, we’re able to give a voice and provide product to those not always heard or represented in the outdoor community.”

    Unlikely Hikers' message of

    You’ll not only turn heads in these flashy boots, but also stay protected and dry on the trail. The Moab 3 x Unlikely Hikers were designed to provide cushion and support when hiking on rough trails and keep moisture out too. They also come in various size, width and height options — which means they cater to all types of hikers.

    My favorite thing about these boots is the fact that they’re size-inclusive — giving everyone the opportunity to get outdoors. Feet of all different shapes and sizes can find their perfect fit in the Unlikely Hiker Moab 3.

    Size options range from women’s 5 to 13 and men’s 7 to 16. They come in a mid height that rests above the ankle and a low height that rests below the ankle. The mid-height Unlikely Hiker Moab 3 boots come in a medium width and wide width in both women’s and men’s sizing. The mid-height boots are also waterproof. The men’s low-height shoe comes in a wide width option, but the women’s does not.

    I tend to opt for wide shoe sizes because I find they fit my feet best. Especially when hiking in summer heat or on a long-distance trail, it’s nice to have the wide-fit boot to accommodate for when my feet swell and need extra room. These boots are also true to size, which isn’t the case for a lot of boots I’ve worn in the past. Even with a wool hiking sock on, I found my foot fit perfectly inside. I didn’t have to worry about my foot slipping and sliding, which leads to blisters, hot spots and irritation around the outside of the foot, toe bed and ankle.

    An added bonus of the Unlikely Hikers Moab 3 is the positive messaging stamped on the tongue and inside of the boots. As Unlikely Hikers founder Jenny Bruso describes in a post on Merrell’s blog, the “My Body Took Me Here” message reminds us that, “The outdoor industry and social media have, for too long, displayed a very narrow definition of who is ‘outdoorsy’ that isn’t representative of most of us. Unlikely Hikers creates space for people of all body types, sizes, abilities, disabilities and ages. I created the hashtag #mybodytookmehere to honor this and shed light on the unrepresented diversity of bodies in the most diverse space there is: nature.”

    You won’t need to worry about these boots breaking down any time soon after you buy them. The Moab line by Merrell has long been known by the hiking community as some of the longest-lasting and most accessible (in size and price) hiking boots on the market. The Unlikely Hikers version of the boot was designed with even more durable (and sustainable) materials than previous versions.

    Constructed with Vibram outsoles, studded with 5-millimeter lugs and reinforced with protective and abrasion-resistant rubber heel and toe caps, these shoes were built for trudging through rugged terrain. The rubber compound sole and Merrell’s Air Cushion technology can absorb up to four times the hiker’s body weight. I found that when hiking over smaller rocks and roots my feet weren’t bothered by uneven ground and obstacles underneath me. This is perfect when needing to navigate rough terrain over a long distance. Normally, the soles of my feet start to get sore from feeling the terrain under my feet. With the Unlikely Hiker Moab 3, that wasn’t the case.

    The Unlikely Hikers version of Merrell's Moab 3 was designed with even more durable (and sustainable) materials than previous versions.

    The mid-height version of the Unlikely Hiker Moab 3 gives you the best of both worlds. They keep your feet dry from rain, snow and pools of water on the trail, but also allow your feet to breathe without trapping excess moisture. These hikers are great for all types of adventures all year round.

    In the spring and fall when the weather is less predictable, the boot’s waterproof membrane seals out water around all sides of the boot. In the summer, when feet tend to get hot and sweaty, they’ll be able to breathe through the Moab 3’s mesh upper on the sides and tongue of the boot. Merrell also designed the Unlikely Hiker Moab 3 with a bellows tongue to keep debris and dirt out of the inside of the shoe. This style of tongue, which attaches directly to the upper of the boot, also makes the shoe more watertight.

    I recently took these boots out on a super-wet and muddy trail at Ryerson Conservation Area outside of Chicago. The bad news: Only five minutes into the hike, the outside of my boots was caked with water and mud. (Oh, no! Not my pretty boots!) The good news: Inside my boots, my feet were completely dry. I also gave these boots a dip test in a stream along the hike. Even when I submerged my boots totally underwater, no moisture seeped in through the outer fabric of the boot. I could instantly see the water bead up on the outside of the boot’s waterproof membrane as soon as I pulled them out of the stream.

    Note that the low-height Moab 3 x Unlikely Hikers boots do not come in a waterproof option.

    Heavy and clunky

    Weighing in at 13.57 ounces per shoe, or around 1 pound 11 ounces per pair, these boots are beasts. They have an 11.5-millimeter drop (height of the heel) and 5-millimeter-deep lugs. This is great news for durability and protection on the trail, but bad news if you’re looking for a lighter-weight boot.

    While I didn’t think the weight of these boots inhibited me in any way on the trail, I probably wouldn’t opt for these boots on a long-distance hike. The weight of these boots was the biggest issue for me when hiking along muddy trails. Mud clung to the sole of the boot once it was wedged in between the 5mm lugs and around the boot’s heel. I found myself struggling to keep my normal pace while hiking with the extra added weight under my feet.

    The Unlikely Hiker Moab 3 is heavily padded around the inner lining and collar of the boots. This extra padding was great for added support around my ankles, but also caused some unexpected irritation while hiking. The V-shaped cut of the collar of the boot also rested against the base of my ankle. After hiking in the mid-height boots for more than a couple of miles, I started to feel a slight irritation against the underside of my ankle. The irritation increased even more when walking on uneven ground. Wearing higher and thicker socks could help prevent some of this irritation. However, as you break in these boots over time, this agitation will likely fade.

    Hiking in the mid-height boots for more than a couple of miles led to slight ankle irritation that increased on uneven ground.

    It’s safe to say there are no other boots on the market that share the same aesthetic as the Moab 3 x Unlikely Hikers. The rainbow gradient upper and turquoise tongue pop against the classic brown and black suede accents of the boot, creating a unique look that embodies a playful and creative style and expression.

    In terms of weight and fit, a number of boots compare. Other mid-height waterproof boots, like the REI Co-op Flash Hiking Boots ($150) and the Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX Hiking Boots ($185), are slightly more expensive and clock in around the same weight. In comparison to the Unlikely Hikers x Moab 3 boots that weigh in at about 1 pound 11 ounces per pair, the Hoka Anacapa boots weigh in at 1 pound 12 ounces and the REI Flash boots weigh in at 1 pound 13 ounces per pair. I found the Hoka Anacapa to have a bit more give and flexibility while hiking over rocky terrain and the REI Flash boots stiffer than the Unlikely Hikers x Moab 3 boots.

    If you’re searching for similarly waterproof mid-height hiking boots but are concerned about weight, check out the Salomon Outpulse Mid Gore-Tex ($160) or the Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX FG ($210) boots. Both weigh in around 1 pound 7 ounces for the pair, but are more expensive.

    We recognize that rainbow hiking boots might not be for everyone. But if you’re looking for a durable and waterproof hiker that can accommodate larger foot shapes and sizes, you can’t go wrong with the Moab 3 x Unlikely Hikers hiking boots. These boots are my go-to for trips from casual day hikes to rugged adventures, and are more than reliable while hiking nearly every season of the year (minus winter). From their durable build to extended sizing, these boots were made not only to perform, but also to protect your feet on the trail.

    Merrell’s Moab 3 collaboration with Unlikely Hikers reminds us the outdoors are for everyone. It also reminds us that our bodies — all bodies — are capable of taking us on amazing adventures in the outdoors.

    Related: The best winter hiking essentials, according to experts

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  • ReMarkable’s new Type Folio keyboard makes the best paper tablet even better | CNN Underscored

    ReMarkable’s new Type Folio keyboard makes the best paper tablet even better | CNN Underscored

    ReMarkable — the company behind the incredible paper tablet ReMarkable 2 — just launched its new Type Folio, a keyboard case attachment that transforms the ReMarkable 2 into a full-fledged writing machine. Previously, you could only take handwritten notes on the tablet and convert it to text. Now, with the launch of Type Folio, you can turn your ReMarkable 2 into a mini laptop that can combine handwritten and typed text with ease.

    ReMarkable 2 is hailed as “the world’s thinnest tablet,” according to the ReMarkable website. Specifically, it’s a “paper tablet” on which you can digitally take notes, sketch and write using a stylus it dubs as the Marker or Marker Plus (the Marker Plus has a built-in eraser, while the Marker does not). Using the stylus to take handwritten notes is super fluid and feels like writing on paper, with even the same satisfying scratchiness as paper.

    At 4.7mm thin and just 14 ounces, it’s extremely portable and easy to hold. While its lack of backlight might turn some folks off from it, it’s meant to be easier on the eyes so you can focus solely on your writing or sketching. It also lacks internet browser access for a truly distraction-free experience; this is a tablet specifically designed to keep you focused on your creativity instead of constantly checking social media.

    The ReMarkable 2 also connects to your mobile device and laptop via Wi-Fi so you can access your notebooks from anywhere you go. With a monthly Connect membership ($3 per month), you can even edit your notes from other devices and receive unlimited cloud storage. With its impeccable hardware and robust software, the ReMarkable 2 is our favorite paper tablet on the market, outperforming even Amazon Kindle’s new offering in the Kindle Scribe.

    First of all, the Type Folio for ReMarkable 2 is an extremely well-built and gorgeous accessory. It’s both a keyboard attachment and protective case in one, and at just 1.3mm thick and 16 ounces, it doesn’t add much bulk or weight to your existing ReMarkable tablet. Setup is a cinch — all you have to do is magnetically attach your ReMarkable tablet to the inside of the Type Folio, and voilà! You’re ready to go. No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection necessary. No having to charge the Type Folio — ever. Just snap it into place and you’re ready to start typing.

    Despite the Type Folio’s slim size, I was never worried about it not protecting my ReMarkable. It covers the entire tablet when closed, leaving just the edges exposed so you can still charge it, power it on or off and magnetically attach the stylus to it. From a closed position, you open the front, then lift and slide the ReMarkable upward to reveal the ultra-slim keyboard underneath. From there, you can prop it so it’s in a laptop-like position or you can lay it almost flat to make writing by hand or drawing using the stylus easier.

    But let’s address the most important factor: typing on the Type Folio. Well, I’m happy to report that using the keyboard is a dream. It’s very similar to an Apple Magic Keyboard, but its keys are a little less clicky and — dare I say? — more comfortable. I loved it so much, I decided to type this entire review on it. Getting accustomed to the placement of certain keys like Delete and Shift takes about a couple of minutes of typing, then it’s smooth sailing from there. I think the Type Folio works so well because it combines such a slim profile with full-size letter keys. I have a keyboard attachment for my iPad Mini, but I hardly use it anymore because the keys are much smaller than a regular keyboard’s and it’s extremely cramped to type on. I’m thrilled that this isn’t a problem with the Type Folio.

    I’m also happy that there’s no latency between clicking the keys and text appearing on the screen. I can type 98 words per minute (humblebrag), and the Type Folio had no issues keeping up with me. It felt very much like typing on a laptop, except I could also use the stylus to make handwritten notes in the margins of my text when I wanted or needed to. I took it for a spin at my local coffee shop, and I gotta say, I felt like the coolest person there. The ReMarkable with Type Folio looks like a device of the future with its compact frame and ability to combine handwritten and typed text.

    remarkable type folio review 3

    In terms of design, hardware and functionality, there’s not much to dislike about the Type Folio for ReMarkable. Unfortunately, though, it all comes at a price: $199, to be exact. That’s double the price of an Apple Magic Keyboard and more than most decent mechanical keyboards. Given that the price of a ReMarkable and stylus is already around $400, I’m not sure the price of this accessory will be easy to swallow for most consumers.

    For such an expensive device, I’m also bummed that it doesn’t include sleep/wake functionality. When you open the cover, it doesn’t wake your device, and when you close it, it doesn’t put it to sleep. I’m used to this feature on most of the Kindle and Kobo e-readers I own, so its nonexistence here is curious.

    If you’re an avid writer and ReMarkable 2 owner, the luxe-looking and -feeling Type Folio is a game changer for the tablet, allowing you to effortlessly combine typed text with handwritten notes. I personally enjoy toting it around with me more than even a laptop, as it keeps me focused with its distraction-free backlightless screen and lack of internet browser access. However, the expensive price may turn away even the most devoted paper tablet users.

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  • Under $25 scores: The phone strap that changed my life | CNN Underscored

    Under $25 scores: The phone strap that changed my life | CNN Underscored

    Like most people who have a smartphone, I use mine everyday. It comes with me pretty much everywhere and I’d be a little lost without it. That’s why I love the Sinjimoru Silicone Cell Phone Strap. For just $11, it gives me more confidence that I won’t drop or damage my phone during my daily commutes, workouts or impromptu photo sessions.

    After having the Sinjimoru Strap on my phone for about a year now, I have to say I truly cannot imagine life without it. Every time I pick up my phone, I instinctively slip my hand under the strap and it has completely changed how I interact with my device. 

    Admittedly, I love a good mirror selfie. But, capturing the perfect fit check in crisp focus was a real challenge for me since my hands are a bit small and have a hard time managing both holding and pressing buttons on my iPhone 11. Using two hands ruins the aesthetic of a mirror pic, so I set out to find something that would let me steady my phone but still allow me to easily navigate apps with one hand.

    I thought about buying a PopSocket or similar style grip, but I wasn’t in love with the idea of sticking something to the back of my phone case and was concerned with how it might add bulk to my phone. I settled on the Sinjimoru Silicone Cell Phone Strap since it hooks around my phone case instead of attaching to it. Plus, at less than a millimeter thick, I figured it wouldn’t add bulk. Also, the fact that it came in black meant I could keep my black on black minimal phone aesthetics in line.

    sinjimoru strap 4

    After having the Sinjimoru Strap on my phone for about a year now, I have to say — at the risk of sounding a bit dramatic — I truly cannot imagine life without it. Everytime I pick up my phone, I instinctively slip my hand under the strap and it has completely changed how I interact with my device.

    Now, although yes, I did by the Sinjimoru Strap for better mirror selfies, I also was in the heat of training for my first marathon and knew I wanted something that would allow me to run with my phone in my hand without fearing that it might come loose and get damaged. It works perfectly for that as well, and in the year I’ve used it, it’s never once come undone from my case or broken apart. In fact, it really shows no signs of wear at all for something that gets used multiple times daily.

    Unlike PopSocket-designed phone aids that require you to have some level of tensioned grip, as long as the Sinjimoru Strap is behind most of the length of your fingers, you can keep your hand completely relaxed making for a more comfortable texting, calling or scrolling experience. The silicone strap itself takes just seconds to apply to your phone case and is very comfortable. It’s super easy to stretch and slide your hand under, creating a tight grip that secures your phone without digging into the skin or sliding around. At less than a millimeter thick, the strap still allows my phone to slide in and out of all my pockets with ease, which is part of the reason why I barely notice it’s there.

    sinjimoru strap 8

    For just $11, the strap gives me an extra piece of mind that my quite expensive phone won’t get jostled out of my hand and run over by an oncoming subway car if I stumble on a platform or get lost down a sewer grate as I try to search for directions on the street. It also gets rid of the pinky strain that comes from propping up the bottom of your phone all the time and is great insurance if you’re the kind of person who is willing to hold their phone up high or over ledges to snap the perfect photo.

    The Sinjimoru Strap has become so integrated into my daily life that I forget I bought it — it just feels like a natural extension of my phone. If you’re someone who is accident prone, always on the move or just who just wants to feel a little more secure, you can’t go wrong with this phone strap.

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  • Under $25 scores: This $10 car phone mount is the best we’ve ever tried | CNN Underscored

    Under $25 scores: This $10 car phone mount is the best we’ve ever tried | CNN Underscored

    For those who don’t have cars with GPS-enabled screens, a smartphone is the best way to know where you’re going. However, it’s never a good idea to be constantly looking down to check your phone in your lap or propped up in a cup holder. If you need a better way to hold your phone in the car, you need to try the Vanva Universal Air Vent Car Mount. I’ve had one for months (and even drove cross-country with it) and love how easy it is to install and use. It’s also actually stable and, best of all, only $10.

    If you’re looking for a phone mount that won’t wobble around and will actually hold your phone in place, this is the one for you. It connects to most common air vents, is easily adjustable and, at $10, is a cheap accessory that will make your driving experience a whole lot better. 

    I’ve tried a handful of vent phone mounts over the years, but I’ve never found one I really liked. No matter the brand or flashy promises online, they all turned out to be so frustratingly wobbly and unstable that I’d stop using them after a couple of months. Then, after several hours scrolling on Amazon, I found the Vanva Air Vent Car Mount. Finally, a mount that could hold my phone in a stable, secure position that was easy to use, install and adjust.

    vanva air vent car mount front inline CNNU

    I can’t believe it took so long to find a car mount I was satisfied with, because I’m really not asking for much. Thankfully, the Vanva checks all the boxes on my list. The first and most important feature I was looking for was stability. A lot of car vent mounts don’t attach in a secure way, so after repeatedly taking your phone in and out of the mount, its connections get loose and your phone starts to sag or the whole thing just falls out. The Vanva, however, has stable connections at both the attachment point to the vent and the ball joint that holds your phone upright. Both tighten down snugly, and after months of using it, my phone hasn’t sagged and I haven’t had to retighten any of the connections at all.

    vanva air vent car mount side inline CNNU

    This mount’s stability is its star feature, but I also love how easy it is to take your phone in and out of the Vanva. It has an adjustable width that fits phones up to 7 inches, which is more than enough to fit my iPhone 11 with a bulky case, and according to the Amazon listing, it can fit large phones like the iPhone 14 Pro Max too. These adjustable sides clamp down to keep your phone secure and prevent it from flying out if you’re driving on a bumpy road or taking a turn too fast. Plus, the mount has a quick-release button that allows you to quickly and easily take your phone out of the mount with one hand.

    If you are considering buying a Vanva mount, the one thing I’d urge you to do is double-check the type of vents in your car. The Vanva is compatible with horizontal and vertical vents, which are most common, but if you have round or some other special vents it might not fit (there are reference photos on the Amazon listing).

    vanva air vent car mount side detail inline CNNU

    I love the Vanva Air Vent Car Mount. It’s secure and actually does its job like I want it too, which is a lot more than other car mounts I’ve tried. It’s normally priced around $17 — which is a great deal for such a sturdy mount in my opinion — but right now it’s even cheaper at $10. So if you’re looking for a better, safer way to navigate the roads than propping your phone up in a cup holder, check out the Vanva Air Vent Car Mount.

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  • Best checked luggage in 2023 | CNN Underscored

    Best checked luggage in 2023 | CNN Underscored

    Facing rising fees and busy airports, many air travelers depend on carry-on luggage to get them through every trip. But if you’re going on a long journey or traveling with family, a bigger checked bag is a must. To help you wade through the options, we tested nine of the most popular checked suitcases for weeks, examining durability, capacity, maneuverability and more, to see which one is truly the best.

    We packed and unpacked each suitcase with a typical load, wheeled them around New York City streets and even dropped them down a flight of stairs to simulate the treatment they might get from baggage handlers, all to find the bags that are really worth taking along on your next long trip.

    Best overall checked suitcase

    With fantastic internal organization and compression, a durable exterior and comfortable handles, the Away Medium suitcase was the most well-rounded bag we tested, with a great combination of maneuverability, capacity, durability and style.

    Best budget checked suitcase

    Samsonite Freeform Medium Spinner

    At about half the price of our top pick, the Samsonite Freeform Medium Spinner rolls super smooth, fits more thanks to its expandable zippers and is one of the lightest bags we tested; you’ll sacrifice some style and it has less comfortable handles.

    best checked luggage away

    The Away Medium suitcase was undoubtedly the most well-rounded piece of luggage we got our hands on, outdoing the other bags in many of our most important tests. It’s solidly durable, with only a few scuffs from its trip down the stairs, has an incredible interior compression system, is easily maneuverable and is even comfortable to carry for those times you need to lift it in and out of the car.

    One of the biggest reasons the Away suitcase claimed our top spot was its fantastic interior organization and compression system. While most of the bags we tested utilize the classic X-shaped straps to keep your clothes in place, one side of the Away has a panel that you can cinch down to flatten out its contents. This panel compresses your items more evenly than straps, which makes closing the two halves and zipping a much easier process. Another bonus of this panel: If you unzip your suitcase and accidentally open it with this side on top, your things won’t come tumbling out onto the floor the way they can with traditional straps.

    The suitcase’s other half has a simple zippered mesh netting, and between the two we were able to fit a surprisingly large amount of clothes into the Away Medium. We packed eight button-up shirts (including a few bulky flannels), six hoodies and sweaters, two bathing suits, one towel, a puffy winter coat, five pairs of jeans, a toiletry bag and three pairs of sneakers. We stuffed our sneakers into what was probably our favorite feature of the suitcase — an included zippered bag that you can use to stash your shoes or dirty clothes while traveling, but can pack into itself when not in use.

    best checked luggage away open

    While a few other suitcases had more capacity than the Away, thanks to expandable zippers or a larger interior, the Away’s better organization made it by far our favorite to pack. And if you do want more room, you can opt for Away’s Large suitcase, which is 29 inches tall to the Medium’s 25 inches. Just be careful to stay under the 50-pound airline limit when packing, as suitcases that big are easy to overstuff.

    Aside from its internal features, the Away also did great in our other tests. It got scuffed up after we dropped it down some stairs, but it comes with a scuff eraser, which worked surprisingly well. It came out of the drop with only a couple of lasting scratches, which is better than many of the other bags we tested.

    In terms of maneuverability, it wasn’t the absolute best we tested, but it was definitely better than most. The Away Medium is well balanced, has smooth wheels and rarely tipped over, even when we rolled it over deep cracks in the sidewalk and street outside our Brooklyn apartment. The Rimowa Essential Check-In M and the Paravel Aviator Grand had a better overall performance when we wheeled them around, but the Away handled well enough. However, we did have one wheel that rattled around once or twice during testing, and when the bag was fully packed, the handle was a little sticky coming up.

    On top of all its technical attributes, the Away suitcase is undoubtedly gorgeous. We ranked it second in terms of looks (again behind the Paravel), and its sleek, minimalist design is available in six different colors.

    So whenever your next trip might be, if you need a reliable checked bag that’s comfortable to wheel around, easy to pack and can endure through the abuse of any airline, the Away Medium suitcase is the best out there.

    best checked luggage samsonite

    The Samsonite Freeform Medium Spinner performed quite well in our tests, especially when taking into account that the other bags that performed as well cost closer to $300. The Freeform’s wheels are smoother than the ones on the Away suitcase, and with an expandable zipper on the outside, it can fit more than our overall winner, while weighing nearly a pound less.

    The Freeform doesn’t have a compression panel like the Away, but you will find the traditional X-shaped straps that do the job on one side, while a zippered compartment on the other side features an additional thin pocket to stash any odds and ends. While the organization and compression isn’t as good as the Away suitcase, this Samsonite roller makes up for it in size. The internal space feels a touch bigger than the Away, and when you expand the bag by unzipping the outer zippers you can definitely fit more than our overall pick.

    best checked luggage samsonite open

    But even though it fits more, the Freeform weighs less than the Away, coming in at exactly 9 pounds on our scale (the company’s site lists it at 8.48 pounds). That’s 0.8 pounds lighter than the Away at 9.8 pounds, which means carrying the same load up and down flights of stairs felt a bit better with the Freeform. However, its handles aren’t as comfortable as the Away’s, since they’re thin and not super cushioned.

    While the Freeform was one of the better bags to maneuver around both in our apartment building and outside of it, one downside was its telescopic handle. It’s flimsier than a lot of the others we tested, which means there’s a lot of give when you’re trying to change directions, especially when the bag is packed full. It also didn’t come out of the drop test the cleanest, with a solid amount of scuffs and scratches; however, there was no real structural damage like dents or cracks.

    The Samsonite Freeform Medium Spinner is a lot cheaper than the Away Medium, and it has more internal capacity without sacrificing on weight. So If you’re looking for a suitcase that’s light and easy to roll around, but you don’t need it to be the sturdiest, the Samsonite Freeform is definitely the bag we’d recommend.

    We got our hands on nine check-in sized suitcases and tested them for weeks, taking note of their packing capabilities, durability, maneuverability and more. Like the best carry-on luggage, checked bags these days are meant to be wheeled around easily, so all the suitcases we tested have four 360-degree wheels and a hardshell exterior. We tested medium-sized bags whenever possible, which are typically about 25 inches tall. This is because while you can fit much more in the larger sizes — which are normally around 29 inches tall — it’s easy to overpack and exceed an airline’s weight limit.

    The Paravel Aviator Grand and the Samsonite Maxsum Eco are the only bags we tested that are larger than 25 inches, coming in at 28 inches and 29 inches respectively. Many of the other suitcases we tested do have larger sizes, so if you want the extra room you can opt for those.

    Here’s a breakdown of all the tests we ran:

    Durability

    • Impact: After fully packing each suitcase, we pushed it down a large flight of stairs. We then took note of how scuffed and scratched it was, and looked for any dents.

    Usability

    • Capacity test: We packed the Away Medium suitcase to the brim, and set the contents as our standard amount. We then packed each suitcase to see how well it fit that standard amount, taking note if everything fit, if it was harder to zip up the suitcase or if there was extra room.
    • General maneuverability: We wheeled each packed suitcase around our apartment building and on the sidewalk and streets. We purposely went over cracks and rough terrain to see how easily each suitcase would tilt and tip. We also weaved the suitcase around to see how hard it was to change directions.
    • Wheel maneuverability: We paid attention to any rattling or stiffness we felt in the wheels while rolling each suitcase around, and while outside made sure to notice if the wheels got stuck on cracks.
    • Carrying experience: We carried each packed suitcase up and down several flights of stairs to see how comfortable the handles were and how comfortable each was to carry.
    • Handle: We took note of how sturdy the handle was, how comfortable it was to hold and pull, how many height settings it had and if it was easy to pull in and out, especially when the bag was fully packed.
    • Zippers: We zipped and unzipped each packed bag several times to see if the zippers would snag. We also took note of how smooth each zipper felt.
    • Interior features: We noted each suitcase’s interior organization system.
    • Exterior features: We looked for any exterior features on each suitcase. The only extra features on the outside were expandable zippers to help you pack more.
    • Locking capability: We looked to see if each suitcase has a lock, and if it’s a TSA-approved lock.

    Design and build quality

    • Unpacked weight: We weighed each suitcase on a scale.
    • Color and design options: We counted the color and design options on each brand’s website and noted if the suitcase had a larger size.
    • Warranty: We took note of how long each suitcase’s warranty lasts and what it covers.
    • Design: We examined each suitcase and ranked them in order of which ones we thought looked the best.

    Paravel Aviator Grand

    The Paravel Aviator Grand is a fantastic suitcase, almost grabbing a top spot in our testing. It holds a ton, has a super smooth roll, is the most sustainable bag we tested and, in our opinion, looks the best. However, it was the second biggest bag we tested and weighed the most. At 12 pounds (the company’s site lists it at 11.8 pounds), it was more than 2 pounds heavier than the Away and 3 pounds heavier than the Freeform. When you’re trying to stay under the dreaded 50-pound limit at the airport, those extra ounces really count. If you don’t mind packing strategically and want a stylish suitcase that’s surprisingly maneuverable and durable, the Paravel Aviator Grand is still a great pick.

    The Rimowa was one of our favorites to roll around, with the smoothest wheels, sturdiest handle and best overall maneuverability of any suitcase we tested. However, the handle got extremely hard to pull in and out when it was packed full, and it didn’t excel in our drop tests either. While it is an incredibly nice piece of luggage, we just don’t think it’s worth the high price tag.

    The Delsey was another solid contender, with decently smooth wheels and some of the most comfortable handles we tested, making it easy to carry up and down stairs. It performed very similarly to the Samsonite Freeform, so if you’re interested in that bag but don’t like the look or want a different color, the Delsey (when it’s on sale) is a great pick.

    This Samsonite bag was another solid suitcase, and it performed pretty well in many of our tests. In fact, it came out of the drop tests with the least damage of all the suitcases we tested. It’s also very light for its size, coming in at 29 inches tall but only 9.4 pounds. However, the suitcase has a latching system instead of a zipper, which we found harder to open and close.

    This suitcase looks great and has very comfortable handles and a decently smooth roll, making it a serious contender for our budget pick spot. However, it’s a bit pricier than the Samsonite Freeform, and since our testing process has sold out on the Calpak site. When it’s back in stock, it’s another solid option along with the Freeform and the Delsey Paris Helium Aero, if you’re looking for a cheaper suitcase but still want top-notch performance.

    The Hue has a nice minimalist design, similar to the Away, and features an expandable zipper, comfortable handles and wheels that are smooth enough for most. However, during its trip down the stairs, it did get a big dent in one of its corners, the worst damage out of all the suitcases we tested.

    American Tourister Upland Spinner

    This suitcase did well in our drop tests, picking up only a couple of scuffs and a small number of scratches. Where it fell short, however, was with its wheels. They were the smallest wheels we tested and got stuck on cracks much more easily than nearly all the other suitcases. And with its middling performance in our other tests, we don’t think this suitcase is worth it.

    Read more from CNN Underscored’s hands-on testing:

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