CNN Underscored is constantly testing products — from checked luggage to cooling pillows to e-bikes — to find the absolute best in each respective category. Our testing process is rigorous, starting out by spending hours of research to find the top products in each category. Once we create a testing pool of products, we test and retest each product multiple times in real-world settings over several weeks or even months.
This year, we’ve already tested thousands of products — from mattresses to weighted blankets to wireless chargers — to find the best products you need to make life better. Here are the winning products from July.
Audio
Budget earbuds
We'll make this really simple for you: If you want to spend less than $100 on wireless earbuds, you won't find a better pair than the EarFun Air.
If you're willing to pay a bit more for quality active noise cancellation, the EarFun Air Pro 3 are the best budget earbuds you can get.
Beauty
Hair straighteners
The Dyson Airstrait uses massive blasts of air to transform hair from air-dried to straight — without damaging your locks with extreme heat.
Coffee
Drip coffee makers
The Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker produced consistently delicious, hot cups of coffee, brewed efficiently and cleanly, from sleek, relatively compact hardware that is turnkey to operate, and all for a reasonable price.
Gaming
PlayStation 5 and Xbox games
Armored Core 6 brings this cult-favorite action series to the modern era with fluid mech combat, streamlined mechanics and all the brutal difficulty you’d expect from a From Software game. Pick up your copy when it’s officially released on Aug. 25.
Health and fitness
E-bikes
A retro-style e-bike aimed at everyday riders and city commuters, the Loft Go! comes from Trek, so you get big-brand convenience and in-store support, though at a higher price than some similarly equipped competitors.
The Super73-R Adventure electric bike is a retro motorcycle-style electric bike that’s great for getting around in style, and it’s better built than its competitors. It’s impractical and expensive, but it is a very enjoyable ride.
Post-workout sandals
These plastic slides from Hoka cushion, support and massage tired, sore feet. Perfect for anyone who runs or works out regularly, they come with extra ventilation to keep your feet cool and sweat-free. You can also find them in 23 different colors to add style to comfort.
Prescription eyeglasses
Eyeconic is aimed at people with insurance with everyday tastes and needs, who might not have time to visit a local shop but want dependable results from familiar brands. If that’s you, then pay the site a visit next time you’re in need of new glasses.
Overnight Glasses is a great service to keep in mind if you need glasses fast. It’s likely best for those who need single-vision prescriptions, since those will get you the fastest shipping and they require the simplest manufacturing process.
Running shorts for women
Crafted from a lightweight nylon/spandex blend, these low-cost, high-waisted shorts outperformed a slew of cheaper options and offered plenty of coverage while staying breathable and quick-drying. And you can nab them on Amazon, which is always a plus.
Get the best of both worlds with these Brooks shorts. A compression layer adds coverage and prevents chafing, while the ultra-thin outer layer won’t bunch up between your thighs when you run. They're a perfect mix of comfort, utility and style.
Made from recycled, moisture-wicking fabric, these fitted shorts from On have just enough compression for support without digging into your legs while you run. Plus, they come with five pockets so you can carry everything from your phone to your keys without hassle.
Soft, smooth and breathable, these barely-there, classic running shorts not only feel great on but also hold up to anything you throw at them, including sweat and heavy-duty washing. We also appreciate the helpful side-zippered pocket and exposed elastic waistband.
Trail running shoes
The newest trail version of the Pegasus, the Trail 4 Gore-Tex, can go just about anywhere. These shoes feel great when running on pavement but can just as easily stand up to dirt and water (though, yes, you can splash though puddles, you won’t stay dry putting your foot in a stream).
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 offers tons of support and stability, starting with the more flexible upper and holding up with a lighter midsole and even more grip on the outsole. A favorite of ultramarathoners, the Speedgoat 5 is a perfect choice for anyone who racks up the mileage and likes to take on a slew of different terrains.
A super-lightweight training shoe, the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 makes short work of short, steep terrain. The 5mm lugs make this shoe closer to a racing shoe, replacing traditional spikes to better grip dirt. But it’s the innovative full-length, nylon-based plate that helps push you forward with every step.
The Brooks Cascadia, now in its 16th iteration, is 20% lighter than its predecessor — and can tear up any type of terrain you intend to traverse. The wide base may feel big at first, but you’ll be glad to have the extra space when your feet inevitably swell up during your run. We also love the extra-cushy midsole, which prioritizes stability over speed.
Home
Flying insect traps
Get rid of annoying fruit flies and other pests with this simple, nontoxic insect trap. The Zevo is a plug-and-play solution that safely and easily rids your home of all types of flying bugs.
Kitchen
Whisk attachments
This simple whisk attachment catches all that extra goodness from your wire whisk. It fits snugly over the included whisk and sits right above the handle as you hand-beat your frosting, cream or pancake batter. You'll never waste a teaspoon of frosting or batter and it makes cleanup a cinch.
Sleep
Cooling pillows
The crescent shape of this pillow makes room for your shoulders, helping your head stay aligned; you can adjust the fill level to taste; and the cool-to-the-touch cover and ventilated foam prevent overheating.
Pluto builds a customized pillow based on your height, weight, sleep position, preferred firmness and more — meaning the pillow we tested was exactly the right thickness and firmness, and was built with cooling materials that ensured we didn’t overheat.
Mattresses
With a hybrid, pillow-top build that combines memory foam, coils and cooling fabric, the Helix Sunset Elite mattress is soft, supportive and one of the most comfortable beds we’ve tested. It’s perfect for side sleepers who need relief for pressure points.
The Mint Mattress is a great choice for back sleepers and couples, with medium-to-firm support and very little motion transfer. The unique removable, washable cover helps keep the bed clean.
Weighted blankets
Saatva’s all-natural-fabric weighted blanket is comfortable, snuggly and beautifully constructed, but it never made us overheat. It costs more than the competition, but it’s a better blanket.
Travel
Checked luggage
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.
For not much more money than a polycarbonate case, the lightweight aluminum/magnesium alloy MVST suitcase is a great way to get the durable, beautiful look of a metal case without breaking the bank.
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.
Hard-shell carry-on luggage
The Away Carry-On has everything you want in a suitcase: durability, thoughtful organization, smart features and chic design — at a fair price to boot.
The removable laptop sleeve gives you the convenience of a second laptop bag with the ease of a single spinner. It’s a great bag for road warriors who need to get stuff done.
The Samsonite Omni has a fully polycarbonate shell with a micro-diamond texture that prevents scuffing and keeps the back from feeling bulky.
Electric lunch boxes
The Reabulun Electric Lunch Box not only makes taking your meals on the go even easier, but it also allows you to eat what you want, when you want — and save some cash while you’re at it.
Vacuums
Cordless stick vacuums
The Dyson Gen5detect is a stellar cleaner and includes excellent features like its auto-calibrating vacuum power system. But with its higher price tag compared to the competition, getting the Dyson brand name will cost you extra.
Work-from-home essentials
Wireless chargers
The Nomad Stand is a great wireless charger that’s especially ideal for iOS 17’s upcoming StandBy mode. It’s not the charger to get if you’re looking for the fastest speeds or maximum versatility, but its premium design and craftsmanship make it one of the nicest chargers on the market.