Our Editors Tried Hundreds of Products This Year — We Loved These 54 the Most

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At the Good Housekeeping Institute, products are the name of the game. Our dedicated team of Lab experts and editors rigorously test and rate thousands of products annually. In 2023, our testing broke into new realms (like the world of pickleball) while we refined our top picks for staples from bedding to cookware. Our engineers, scientists and product analysts invest weeks to months conducting hands-on evaluations in our Labs and gathering feedback from real consumer testers nationwide. So, who better weigh in on the top products of the year than the people who know them best?

We asked the Institute's esteemed Lab experts and editors to curate a collection of the products that defined our year, from top-tested items to the things they couldn't stop buying themselves. With the holidays knocking, consider this your ultimate gift guide, spanning the various categories (fashion, home, beauty, toys, wellness and electronics) that grabbed and held our collective attention. Ahead are the 54 very best products of 2023, according to our pros — and some of the most popular product picks of the year, per GH readers.

Interested in past favorites? Explore GH's favorite products from 2022 and the most popular products from 2021 for additional inspiration.

The Best of Bedding & Home

Sherpa Fleece Throw Blanket

Nothing beats curling into a cozy blanket once temperatures drop. Consider the quintessential sherpa throw blanket — that's right, our experts even gave it a 2023 GH Bedding Award. We enjoyed snuggling under the soft, lightweight fabric, which is very easy to launder. Best of all, you can get one for your couch and one for your bed thanks to its different sizes (available in twin to king). Psst: Your co-worker probably wouldn't be mad about getting this as a Secret Santa gift.

Flower Delivery Service

From birthdays to holidays, special events always spring up, so when the occasion calls, it's smart to have an option on hand. Among the dozens of flower delivery services, The Bouqs Co. takes special care in packaging thoughtful, stylish bouquets. GH experts and readers couldn't get enough of this unique service that sends you everything needed to make arrangements your own. "The flowers always arrive fresh and come really secure in the box," says Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos. "The arrangements are absolutely stunning, even the vases are high quality." In tests, even after a week, flowers kept cheery and bright.

Super Plush Bath Towels

Brooklinen's Super Plus Bath Towels blew us away, then wrapped us up in top-tier coziness. Rated as one of the best bath towels we've tried, the set stood above others for its superior softness scores. Senior Textiles Analyst Emma Seymour even stocked her linen closet with them: "They have a super plush, cozy feel that is perfect when jumping out of the shower," she says. If you fall in love with the towels, there's also a matching bathrobe made of the same material.

Querencia Candle Warmer

Your candle deserves some TLC, too. Candle warmers extend their life by warming and melting candle wax evenly. Our pros raved about it — not to mention that it's one of the most-searched gifts of 2023, per Google. "It immediately creates such a cozy environment in my apartment," says Seymour. "While I used to go through about a candle a week, my candles now last multiple months." Doubling as a mini table lamp, the candle melter fits most sizes (even large) and comes in black, white and pink.

Reusable Grocery Bag On Wheels

Schlepping laundry or hauling groceries? The HULKEN bag can bear it all. Calling it a "game-changer" when running errands, Seymour relies on this roller bag that deceptively totes a lot, like large loads of clothing and heavy packages. "I constantly get stopped and asked where I got this bag!" she adds. "It goes flat for easy storage, too."

Silk Sleep Mask

The perfect sleep mask doesn't exis-- Drowsy's silk eye mask gives you complete coverage by taking up more facial real estate. Its puffy padding rests comfortably against the eyelids, while its luxurious silk fabric means you can get some shut-eye without waking up with hair and skin creases. Make it snug to your preferences thanks to its velcro closure. A GH editor who is a notoriously light sleeper cannot get a good night's rest without it.

Luxury Queen Sheets Set

It's rare to find top-notch bedding at an affordable price — nonetheless for under $40. California Design Den's cotton sheets check both boxes. When testing for the best sheets, our pros found that this set struck an impressive balance of softness and crispness, earning it a 2023 GH Bedding Award. In fact, our testers rated it higher than pricier styles.

The Best of Clothing

Round Mini Shoulder Bag

Crossbody bags like the Luluelmon Belt Bag and Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag have held a strong grip on our staffers this year. Notably, Uniqlo's gender neutral design comes in a variety of colors and a curved shape that makes it more comfortable to carry around your body when out adventuring. "I love how lightweight yet spacious this bag is," says Textiles Product Analyst Grace Wu. "I can always fit so much in it (once, I even fit a pair of jeans)."

Muse Sweatpant

One can never own too many pairs of sweatpants, and both Seymour and Wu swear by these. Known for making some of our favorite athletic wear, Alo Yoga elevates a classic jogger with stylish ribbed fabric that keeps you soft and cozy, sans overheating. Seymour adds: "I have probably washed these pants over 25 times, and they have held up beautifully, while most of my other sweats have shrunk or pilled."

Bagheera Long Sleep Set

We wouldn't mind finding these pajamas wrapped up under our Christmas tree. A winner in our GH Bedding Awards, Printfresh converted even the most vehement anti-cotton PJ staffers. That's all thanks to its crisp, breathable material that got "softer with each wash." Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine wears them year-round and says, "The print options are gorgeous and bold — a maximalist's dream!" Plus, they come in petite and tall sizes and XXS to 6X.

Period Swimwear Tank Set

Thanks to period underwear and period swimwear, you can simply go with the flow without it hindering your plans. "Period swimwear is an emerging category, but Black-owned brand Ruby Love stands out for offering a variety of different silhouettes with a built-in absorbent core, ideal to keep you protected during your period," says Seymour. The female-owned brand even sells plain black bottoms separately if you'd like to mix and match them with your normal rotation of swim tops.

The Transport Tote

A fast favorite when searching for the best tote bags, Madewell's leather tote is incredibly "versatile," per Executive Director Lexie Sachs. She recommends it for those in need of a trusty work bag or an everyday errand bag. And while leather totes can skimp on structure, this one marries sturdiness and spaciousness. "I am pretty rough on my bags, and it has held up exceptionally well," Sachs says. "And [it] has a wide opening, so I can easily find everything I need."

Pure Luxe Custom Coverage Contour Bra

It's no easy feat finding the right bra for you. But of all the 200+ bras we've tested, Natori earned a love letter from our staffers this year, and it was the most popular bra purchased among our readers. Wu sings its praise as the best bra she's ever owned. "'Drapey' and 'silky' feel inadequate in describing just how soft it feels on my body," she says. Its fabric is equal parts soft and silky, designed with straps that don't dig but give you the right amount of lift.

The Best of Fitness

Clifton 9

Many runners swear by the French running shoe brand, and we must admit that it impressed us in equal measure. "Chunky sneakers like HOKA have been extremely popular this year with this pair being our favorite from testing," says Seymour. Among the entire HOKA shoes lineup, the Clifton 9 is "a great compromise with thick cushioning that's still lightweight and easy to maneuver in," she adds.

Conscious Crop A-C

Calling all yogis, Pilates enthusiasts and all those in-between: Athleta's Conscious Crop was tester and staffer loved this year. "I started wearing this after Emma's recommendation, and it's a current favorite," says Sachs. The cropped sports bra tank hybrid features a built-in bra with removable cups and a higher neckline for more coverage. Complete the buttery soft set with its matching leggings.

FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw

It was the year of the emotional support water bottle. And along with the viral Stanley cup, Owala garnered cult status for its funky colorways. For GH's Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou, this one beat out others for its versatility: "Sip out of it like you would a straw or tilt it back to drink out of it like a cup," she explains. No need to dread cleanups, either. Our experts found it both easy to clean and able to withstand drops.

Pickleball Paddle

Pickleball recently rocketed into the mainstream, and our pros found themselves just as fixated on the wildly popular pastime. Sport this statement pickleball paddle on the court. Sassos, who is also a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer, loves its matching tote bag that "neatly stores everything you need for your pickleball session."

Double Roller

Any gym-goer needs a foam roller in their repertoire for pre-workout warm-ups or post-workout recovery. And while they can be a dime a dozen, we found this two-in-one foam roller a fitness fixture. "It's very thoughtfully designed to target certain areas, while also looking great in my home gym!" says Sassos. "Testers loved how it comes together for compact storage."

Mini Massage Gun

Small but powerful, this top-rated massage gun is an on-the-go staple in Sassos's gym bag. Target different muscles thanks to its different head attachments. Plus, it pairs with the Therabody app for guided treatment routines. "I find the design very easy to maneuver so I can target sore muscles," she says.

7/8 High-Waisted Leggings

Great for low-impact exercise, Colorfulkoala's popular leggings check off every box, outperforming styles at four times the price in our tests. "I was impressed by their comfortable fit that didn't budge while bending into yoga poses," says Seymour. And if you decide you love your pair, it also comes in 29 more shades.

The Best Toys & Kids' Products

Rest Go Portable Sound Machine

When tantrums ensue, soothing restless tots may seem near impossible. Try cycling through Hatch's 10 calming noises, including white noise and heartbeats. Don't be fooled by its pint size; it packs a nice volume. "Parents can toss this in a diaper bag and use it to help their baby sleep anywhere," says GH Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn. Plus, it's available in pretty modern finishes and earned a 2023 GH Parenting Award.

Gender Neutral Cotton Sleep N Play Onesie

Kudos were given to the Honest Baby Clothing line from Jessica Alba's brand. Outfit your babies and toddlers in the brand's soft, high-quality offerings. Hartshorn appreciated the use of certified organic cotton woven into stylish kids' pajamas. Best of all, most styles fall under $40.

Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray

Messy eater? No problem. Strawberries, ketchup, chocolate — you name it — stains don't stand a chance thanks to this spray. While marketed for babies, Sachs uses it on both her kids' clothes and her own clothes. "[Spots] seem to fade instantly after spraying it on," she attests.

Sing-Along Numberblock Five

When stuffing kiddos' stockings this season, consider one of the toys that won a 2023 GH Toy Award. "It's rare that I would say a plush was a top favorite, but this Numberblocks character is quirky, adorable and educational for toddlers and preschoolers," says Hartshorn. "Look at that big high-five hand!" Sachs agrees, adding that her 5-year-old daughter was "obsessed" with it.

Butterfly Ultra-Compact Stroller

The less time spent finagling with a stroller, the better. And we found just the one. Winning a GH Parenting Award and a GH Family Travel Award, Butterfly's whip-smart stroller made traveling easier for parents. For starters, it comes ready out of the box and takes only a few seconds (we counted!) to fold up. It also only weighs 16 pounds and fits in an airplane's overhead compartment.

Kanoodle Pyramid

A kids' tablet certainly makes a great gift, but those who want to wind down kids' screen time can find a new favorite in this non-electronic logic game. Kanoodle proved to be oodles of fun during our 2023 GH Toy Award testing. "Anyone 7+, including adults, can enjoy building puzzles with this," adds Hartshorn. "It's easy to take on the go and priced to be a great birthday present, too."

Fresh Dolls

Your little one will be overjoyed to find a doll that looks just like them. Known for its range of skin tones and washable hair like Bantu knots, head wraps and Afro puffs, Fresh Dolls have plenty of personality and style to match. GH kid testers appreciated the fairy doll's cute outfits and accessories and especially loved the fact that they could be clipped to a backpack.

The Best Skincare, Haircare & Beauty

Super Clear Acne Treating Serum

Bubbling up to the top of our skincare regimen, this powerful serum with a potent salicylic acid concentration effectively kept blackheads at bay for Beauty Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. And to help combat dryness, it's loaded with emollients like squalane to restore moisture. "It's so easy to use nightly, and it keeps my pores clear," raves Butler. "Plus, it's affordable."

Ultra Facial Refillable Moisturizing Cream with Squalane

It's a classic for a reason. Kiehl's hydrating moisturizer outperformed all others in the GH Beauty Lab's test, increasing skin moisture levels by 47% over six hours (!). And while it's a bit of a splurge, the moisturizer has been a crucial winter skincare savior for many of our dry skin staffers. "I use it every day and keep a stash of extras so I never run out," admits Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. "It's one of my absolute essentials."

HD430 FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

Dubbed the Swiss army knife of hair tools by our editors, the Shark FlexStyle does it all. It blew us away with its speedy drying and innovative interchangeable attachments — including a pair of Coanda curlers, a diffuser, an oval brush (that mimics the results of a hair dryer brush), plus more. And yes, it rivaled the Dyson Airwrap blow-for-blow at half the price — read our full Shark FlexStyle review for more.

tartelette™ tubing mascara

Mimic the volume and curling of fake eyelashes without the maintenance. Tarte's tubing mascara creates tiny "tubes" around lashes for a lush look that had Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann, Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek and Malzahn all marveling over it. "It's like a push-up bra for my lashes," adds Malzahn. "I'm completely obsessed." After a long night, simply add a little water and pressure to remove, sliding it off in hollow tubes.

The Filtered Showerhead

The path to better skin and hair starts with clean water. Also one of Google's most-searched gifts of 2023, the Jolie saw a lot of buzz this year. And after one of our editors tried the Jolie shower head for herself, she cannot look back. "I easily installed it in my shower and love its sleek look," she says. "I've noticed less hard water marks between cleans, and my hair has felt noticeably fuller in the months since I've started using it."

Cake Batter Liquid Lipstick

No more searching high and low for that just-right red lip. Beauty brand Pound Cake took the time to carefully formulate what it calls the perfect red lipstick for every skin tone, from fair to deep. "The lipsticks are incredibly rich, opaque and long-wearing," says Butler. Plus, they smell good enough to eat.

The Best of Kitchen

The Table Knives Set

Yes, Chef! A favorite of Nicole Papantoniou, Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director, Material's elite kitchen cutlery will have you slicing like a pro. These steak knives and their stand not only sit pretty on any countertop, but they also run sharp and nimble, she says. We especially like them for beginners thanks to their reasonable price point as well as their sturdy, natural grip. It comes in a number of chic colors — Mocha, Almost Black and Sage — directly on the Material site.

Splatter Protector

Living rent-free in Deputy Editor Sarah Gregory Wharton's microwave, this expandable cover safeguards your appliances from messes and traps steam so that foods don't get dry and crusty during the reheating process. "I use the lid alone to top bowls and pop it back onto the expandable dome to cover plates and larger vessels," she says. "It's also safe for pots on the stovetop, and I've even used it to cover items in my fridge."

10-Piece Best Sellers Set

While we've loved GIR's cooking tools for years, our pros finally put the full set to the test in our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. The silicone material proved to be sturdy, durable and easy to clean. This multi-colored cooking utensil set combines many of our favorites, from a big, sturdy ladle to a standout spoonula (a cross between a spoon and a spatula. "It's a great, versatile set that can be used on all types of cookware, including stainless steel, enameled and nonstick," says Papantoniou.

Good Grips Fridge Organization

It's easy to lose food items to the depths of your fridge, but OXO's set of bins, trays and beverage mat makes it easy to shelve items in an orderly fashion. "Great quality," remarks Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté, noting that the assortment works well in a wide variety of refrigerators. They make small items and containers that often get pushed to and stuck in the back easier to find, corral and use up," she adds.

Ice Cream Maker Machine

Anytime is a good time for ice cream, and Cuisinart's ice cream maker makes it so you can stir up some delectable concoctions right from your home. To make it your own, the lid has an opening so you can easily add mix-ins during churning, and the cap for the opening includes measurement markings. Wharton loved the creamy, smooth ice cream and sorbet it made.

The Best of Media & Tech

WH-1000XM5

Over-the-ear headphones have been all the rage in recent years thanks to their stylish hardware and superior noise cancellation. We think the Sony WH-1000xM5 are some of the best in the category. Great for traveling, they charge up quickly, feel comfy and offer amazing sound quality. "[I] used mine for nine hours straight on a full charge on a plane ride to Japan, and it only went down to 70%," says Test Engineer Alec Scherma.

Meta Quest 2

In the realm of virtual reality headsets, the Meta Quest 2 is a great intro for novices. "It has tons of fun, immersive games as well as workouts and other experiences," says Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski. Even for VR skeptics, she says, "the Meta Quest 2 is an exception. I love that it makes VR accessible to anyone thanks to its perfect price point."

Step Wireless Mobile Photo Mini Color Printer

As one of the most popular gifts our readers bought this year, KODAK's wireless photo printer instantly turns your snapshots into tangible keepsakes. Simply connect it to your smartphone and use the starter pack of paper to print precious moments hassle-free. Its compact size means you can easily take it with you anywhere and start your travel scrapbooks off strong.

QuietComfort Earbuds II

An earbud that cancels noise like no other? Bose introduced us to the QuietComfort Earbuds II this year, and we've never been the same. "These were one of the best things I tried this year," says Papantoniou. "You can set up different settings and adjust your quiet levels accordingly. I love using them on the plane (they cancel out the loud engine sounds), and they're great for exercising." Another editor adds: "Super impressed by how well these noise cancel," calling them scary-good for earbuds.

4.0 Wearable Activity Tracker

Unlike other wearable smart activity trackers out there, WHOOP lets you disconnect from your devices without missing a beat. Log daily behaviors like activity and diet to alcohol consumption and caffeine intake. Then, WHOOP helps calculate which behaviors work toward healthier habits. Sassos says, "[Its] metrics are very insightful, and it's nice to have something working in the background so you don't get distracted by vibrations and notifications throughout the day."

The Best of Cleaning

Rinse & Refresh Liquid Laundry Odor Remover and Fabric Softener

While home remedies like vinegar can help remove residues from fabric, it doesn't quite satisfy on scent. Enter Downy's Rinse & Refresh. "A liquid laundry additive, this citric acid formula from Downy works during the rinse cycle to remove build-up from hard water minerals, detergent or fabric softener that leaves fabrics feeling harsh and scratchy," says Forté. "It's an easy way to deeply clean and restore fabrics without having to strip them in the bathtub."

BESPOKE Jet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

A star from our 2023 GH Cleaning and Organizing Awards, Samsung's Bespoke Vacuum is the brand's latest and greatest. Setting the bar high in our tests, its smart sensors and artificial intelligence select the best power mode. Plus, "the fact that it self-empties makes it super easy to care for and keep clean," chimes Forté.

Plant Based Degreaser Cleaner

When it comes to cleaning, strong chemical fumes tend to come with the territory. Nuvera flips that on its head with this plant-based cleaner that not only works amazingly at cutting grease but also sprays out a pleasant aroma. Forté attests: "[It] is safe to use on a variety of surfaces. Consumers also loved it in our testing."

Go Cordless Kitchen Vacuum

Kitchen pros Papantoniou and Bleyer considered this small handheld a must-have innovative tool. "We found that it's great for getting scraps on the stovetop, on the counter and in drawers," says Papantoniou. Clean-up is easy on loose coffee grounds, crumbs, et al.

La Droguerie Odor Removing Candle

Cooking up a storm can mean cooking up an odd mix of aromas. When spices or scents linger, this Diptyque candle comes in clutch for "removing cooking odors very quickly and leaving a lovely scent behind," per Forté. Also, a 2023 GH Cleaning Award winner, La Droguerie makes a great housewarming gift.

Lightweight Cordless Stick Blower

Skip the heavy leaf blower or tedious broom:"This little genius tool makes it super easy to clean leaves and other debris from outside surfaces, like porches, patios and decks," suggests Forté. "Zoom Broom is lightweight and rechargeable and with two speeds is a simple way to spruce up outdoor spaces." Easy breezy!

The Best of Home Improvement

16-Zone Smart Sprinkler Controller

Waste not: Moen's smart sprinkler system uses WiFi-enabled soil sensors that ensure your lawn only gets water when it needs it. "Smart irrigation saves so much water — this one more than ever thanks to its soil sensors," says Home Improvement & Outdoor Director Dan DiClerico. We're talking up to 15,000 gallons over a year. When evaluating it for our 2023 Home Renovation Awards, one tester said it cut down on water use significantly while her landscape looked healthier than ever after just one growing season.

Classic 3.0 Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment

If bidets strike you as too fancy, may we introduce the TUSHY? It was one of the most popular items that our readers gifted this year. The affordable manual bidet delivers a pleasant, effective cleansing experience that impressed enough to end up on our 2023 Home Reno Awards list. Our pros loved its easy installation and operation as its knobs make it easy to go from a gentle spritz to a powerful wash.

E7

Working from home often means remaining idle. Stretch your legs with a desk that'll afford you the space. The FlexiSpot standing desk stood out during our Home Reno Awards testing for its host of wireless device charging, USB ports and programmable sit and stand reminders. We appreciate it for its uninterrupted operation and its ability to stretch from 25" to 40.6" tall.

Porcelain Countertop

When it came to home interior trends this year, DiClerico loved porcelain as a new countertop option in kitchens. Caesarstone, specifically, offers 22 striking finishes that range from pearly white to dramatic black. We even loved integrating it into exterior spaces since it's designed to hold up against stains, heat and scratches. "With subtle yet intentional veining, these porcelain countertops look as beautiful in an array of light and dark styles," adds Associate Lifestyle Editor Alyssa Gautieri.

GTA 26 0 in. Battery Garden Pruner Kit

Perfectly manicured gardens aren't too far off. DiClerico marveled at Stihl's "handly garden tool that cuts down on hand fatigue." No thorny rose bush is too strong or stem too hard to reach: The battery-powered garden pruner can handle an array of landscaping tasks behind the strength and precision of its mini chainsaw. On one charge, it allowed for hundreds of cuts in our tests. The whole package includes the tool, battery, charger, maintenance oil and a canvas carrying case.

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