Editors’ Picks: The 46 best products we tried and loved in June

I love burning candles, but I hate using matches and standard lighters (I’ve burned my fingers too many times), so I typically use long utility lighters even though they’re so ugly. I thought about getting a basic electric lighter on Amazon for years, but they all kind of look like e-cigarettes, so I just gave up — until I got my hands on this gorgeous lighter from Luma. I love that it stands up on its own and kind of looks like a taper candle, so it’s far from an eyesore. It recharges via USB-C, but the battery lasts so long that I’ve only had to plug mine in once so far. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor

Sustainable cleaning brand Blueland recently launched a limited-edition collection of hand soap scents with influencer Alexis Nikole (@blackforager), who creates seriously entertaining (and educational!) videos on social media about her foraging adventures. This collection includes three scents inspired by some of Nikole’s favorite wild plants and berries: Beach Rose, Lilac Clove and Juneberry Basil. The scents are perfectly light and not overpowering, which is great if you’re sensitive to heavy perfumes. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor 

I made a promise to myself that this summer I will go to the beach as much as possible, even if that means a two-hour trek on the New York subway. And with such a trek, I need supplies. This Yeti tote not only carried my snacks, towel, sunscreen, books, etc. but also easily fit my barbecue supplies I picked up on my journey home from the beach. Bonus points for the built-in water bottle dividers. No wonder it’s one of our best beach bags! — Molly Flores, photo editor

My bath routine is sacred. I love feeling like I'm away at a spa, which also helps me decompress when I'm getting ready for bed. I have always wanted waffle towels because something about them screams luxury. I have been on the hunt for the perfect, high-quality towel, and this set from Ettitude is the clear winner! It’s made from 100% clean bamboo, it's hypoallergenic and it dries faster than most cotton towels I have used in the past. I especially love the washcloth for my face. It's gentle and doesn't irritate my face. I’m definitely going to buy more to add to my collection. — Tyler Holender, social strategist

Outdoor entertaining is even better when you have good-looking, unbreakable dinnerware you can pull out. I love the sunny, white and yellow color of Made In’s newest shatterproof melamine collection. It’s so pretty, sometimes my family grabs it even if we’re staying inside to dine. The plates and bowls also happen to be BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, so cleaning up is that much easier. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

I’ve been a big fan of ChappyWrap’s blankets for years. The oversized throw blankets are super soft and cozy, so they’re great for everything from snuggling on the couch to using as a picnic blanket. I’m obsessed with the brand’s latest designs in collaboration with wallpaper brand Chasing Paper — I have the new Samara Vintage Blue Blanket, and both sides of the reversible design are gorgeous. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor

I’ve spent most of my life frustrated by traditional ice cube trays that would leave more water on the floor than in the tray. I recently discovered this ingenious mess-free tray. You fill it with water and can store it any which way in your freezer. When you want ice, you just pull out the sides and dispense the cubes. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

There’s nothing worse than not being able to sleep on a hot summer’s night, especially if you have uncomfortable, scratchy sheets. Lately, I’ve been on a mission to elevate my apartment with high-quality, long-lasting products, and I think swapping out sheets is a great first step. I love these cooling eucalyptus sheets from Buffy in the shade Cinnamon, which feels like sleeping in a dreamy, buttery cloud. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer 

My personal happy place is basking in the aroma of a juicy burger sizzling over the grill on a gorgeous summer day. Nothing beats a truly great summer barbecue with your friends and family, especially when it’s made using Good Charcoal, a 100% chemical-free and sustainable product harvested from acacia. I appreciate its environmentally forward mission, which makes my grilled masterpieces taste even better. —  Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer

We love to chef it up in my household, and my two teenage sons have recently decided to learn how to perfectly cook a steak. Which is applaudable, but, as most amateurs understand, not as easy as it seems. That's why this Typhur wireless meat thermometer has been a godsend in the process. It not only calculates cooking time — alerting you when to take your meat out of the oven, off the flame or off the grill — but also factors in resting time to get to your desired temperature. And, because it uses Bluetooth, you can check up on it via your phone up to 400 feet away. Lastly, it’s simple and convenient, especially if you’re entertaining and don’t want to be standing guardian over your meat. A true BBQ hero. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

I never thought I would fall for the giant 40-ounce tumbler trend that has swept the nation, but thanks to the BrüMate Era, I have. This travel tumbler has been by my side from the second I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. It holds 40 ounces of water, stays ice cold for hours and is 100% leakproof. Compared to other tumblers on the market, this has the best leak protection by far. It also comes apart, making cleaning super simple and letting you deep clean each piece, which is important since I use it so often. The Era also comes in a plethora of colors! — Tyler Holender, social strategist

I cook most of my meals at home, so I use a lot of spices. I was getting tired of dealing with hand cramps from grinding black pepper and accidentally dropping spice jars into the food I’m preparing, so I decided to try a battery-operated grinder. After using the FinaMill for over a month, I can’t believe I ever cooked so much without it! It’s so easy to use, and you can even adjust the coarseness and swap out spice pods with one swift motion. The standard pods work for spices like peppercorns and salt, but the brand also sells bigger pods that can be used to grind larger spices (including coffee beans!). — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor

My crusade to get everyone in my life to ditch bottled water is both relentless and endless, so I’ve raved about a lot of LifeStraw products. And while the brand's water bottles have a special place in my heart and gear closet, this straw might be my new favorite item in the brand’s lineup. It’s even more portable and requires no brainpower — just use it like a regular straw. I saw a demonstration of someone drinking filthy water from a Madison Square Park puddle through it and it turned it totally clear and drinkable, which I would not have believed was possible. — Rena Behar, copy editor

This stainless steel saucepan makes me feel like I’m one of the chefs from “The Bear.” I’ve been trying to swap out my nonstick pans, which are usually coated in PFAs and other scary chemicals and materials that can flake into food. This stainless steel pan is perfect for simmering and sautéing to your heart’s desire, all without the fear of hidden forever chemicals. I also have a tiny kitchen, so I appreciate how compact and stackable this pan is. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer

While I’m by no means a pizza-making pro, I sure felt like it thanks to this easy-to-use countertop pizza oven from Granitestone. The Piezano, which heats up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, made cooking three pizza pies in one night a total breeze. Because it’s so compact and easy to lift, it was easily stored away after use. It also has temperature knobs that allow you to control the top and bottom heating elements as well as suction cups that keep it from budging, and the top of the oven has a circular window so you can check in on the progress of your creation. Plus, the design of the pizza oven (the hinge lifts up like a waffle maker) makes it easy to throw on any last-minute toppings or pop any annoying bubbles in your crust. — Rachel Dennis, editorial coordinator

Luxury cleaning products can make doing chores a bit more enjoyable, so I was very excited when The Laundress launched its home cleaning collection this month. All of the products have an elegant fragrance (designed by master perfumers!) with notes of lavender, jasmine, eucalyptus and musk. There’s dish soap, glass cleaner and surface cleaner — the latter of which is my favorite. I’ve been using it regularly to wipe down various surfaces around the house, and I’ll never get tired of its fresh, floral scent. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor

As my family was discussing taking a portable speaker with us on our upcoming holiday, I was thrilled to be able to suggest the brand-new Beats Pill. An update on the classic Beats speaker from 2012, not only is it sleeker-looking in three different colors (I got Champagne Gold, but it comes in red and matte black as well) but it also packs a whole lot more oomph for your audio. It’s compact enough to pack away yet light enough to carry with you using the included, removable lanyard. And it’s rated IP67, so if it falls in the pool, it’s no problem. In fact, I’d say the Beats Pill sounds just like summer. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

I'm not the biggest over-ear headphones guy, but the Sonos Ace make me think twice about that. These are by far some of the best high-end cans I've ever used; they sound great, they're so comfortable I sometimes forget they're on and, unlike nearly every other pair of headphones I've tested, they don't look absolutely gargantuan on my head. The Ace's noise cancellation has been especially clutch, turning the incessantly annoying construction outside of my apartment into an almost eerie silence. These things aren't cheap, but if you care about sound and style equally — and especially if you have a compatible Sonos soundbar — they're well worth it. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

I’ve relied on Ultimate Ears’ portable speakers for years, always packing the water-resistant Megaboom in my luggage for vacations, but I’ve always had one frustration. These speakers relied on the Micro USB port for charging, which meant digging into boxes to find that cable that’s increasingly irrelevant. Today, Ultimate Ears has finally fixed that by moving its lineup to the reversible and increasingly ubiquitous USB-C, alongside its brand-new Everboom speaker. This new waterproof speaker is the step-up upgrade from my beloved Megaboom, and I’m already loving how it produces a ton of sound. The thumping bass of Charli XCX’s “Apple” and the strong guitar riffs of Screaming Females’ “Swallow the World,” in particular, have been delighting me as I wrote this blurb. — Henry T. Casey, writer (electronics)

The biggest tech shocker of the year in my book is the fact that Walmart makes the best Google TV streaming device. This 4K box offers crisp picture quality, the premium Dolby Vision and Atmos video and audio standards, plus a bunch of features you never get for just $50. That includes a lost-remote finder, touch-free voice controls and an Ethernet port for stable streaming. Oh, and unlike most (if not all) Google TV sets and Google’s own Chromecast, you get a snappy experience with zero lag. — Henry T. Casey, writer (electronics)

Denon just launched a new off-white style of its PerL Pro true wireless earbuds, and I am reminded just why these have been some of my favorite releases to date. When you’ve tried as many earbuds as I have (hundreds in the past few years), it’s easy to tell what’s just fine compared to the greats, and Denon’s latest certainly rises to the top. I love the personalized audio settings and find the active noise cancellation to be as solid as you’ll find anywhere else on the market. — Rikka Altland, senior editor, deals

Between all the sweat and oil in the summertime, my skin needed a lightweight moisturizer that wouldn’t exacerbate the issues. This gel formula has such a pleasant feeling on the skin without adding any grease factor. It has peptides for firming and niacinamide for oil control. I’ve been using it both day and night, and my skin has stayed super happy. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor

I’m not kidding when I say K18 saved my curly hair after going way too blond. As part of my new hair routine, I limit my wash days to preserve natural oils my hair needs to flourish. K18’s dry shampoo is the first I’ve tried that does not leave a buildup and leaves my hair almost as perfect as it was on wash day. — Molly Flores, photo editor

Cue Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” As someone with perpetually dry lips, I desperately need a lip product that goes the extra mile. I’ve always used Aquaphor or Vaseline but craved something with as much moisturizing power as these products but cuter to tote around. I love this lip tint from “it girl” Hailey Bieber’s skin care line, Rhode. This lip tint not only instantly hydrates my lips but also coats them in the luscious shade Espresso. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer

I’ve never encountered a more useful beauty product for a humid NYC summer. This whole body deodorant cream is a lifesaver on those days when deodorant just doesn’t cut it. I’ve slathered this all over my back and neck right before having to hop into a non-air-conditioned subway and this product has totally changed my commute experience. It’s also nongreasy and lightweight, all in a delightful fresh citrus scent. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer

While I already own a handful of Slip’s coveted Mulberry silk eye masks, my new Virgo-themed one is my favorite. This zodiac collection of the brand’s iconic masks features a stunning pattern inspired by each sign — they basically are a work of art. Plus, the non-absorbent silk ensures your nighttime beauty products won’t seep into the fabric. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor 

Not all sunscreen scents are equal. All of Vacation’s sunscreen scents are superior! When I saw I could smell like the brand's classic sunscreen without actually applying it, and instead wearing it as perfume, I immediately had to have it. Who doesn’t want to smell like paradise all the time? — Molly Flores, photo editor

My husband and I are currently obsessed with finding ways to relieve puffy, tired eyes. Recently, we’ve even been known to keep spoons in the freezer to press on in the morning. But Geske gets us. A master class in simplicity, this little gadget can be used simply by charging it up, pressing a few buttons and applying to your eyes for 90 seconds. You can choose from warm or cool eye massage, depending on your mood, and I found it helped depuff, energize and relax. I keep it on my desk, next to my computer, so I can use it all day long (unless my husband nabs it for himself). — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

I’ll just say it: I get stuff stuck in my teeth. After meals, I’m always putting a hand over my mouth while I try to wedge out errant food without looking like a complete clod in public. And at home, I’m running to grab my Flaus electric flosser to get relief. The Stimmie changes all that. A small, ergonomic, handheld product you can carry with you throughout the day, it will remove food from between teeth, stimulate gums and keep you from sticking fingers in your mouth after you eat. Its rubber tip is soft and comfy to use and was created to repel bacteria. Plus, because it’s reusable, it’s as good for the planet as it is for your teeth. It even has a cover so you can throw it in your bag and forget about it. —Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

Mascara is one of the most challenging makeup products for me to shop for — I have super-stubborn, straight lashes — so I’m thrilled I’ve found this K-beauty product. It manages to hold my lashes in place literally all day long and it doesn’t budge, even though I’m prone to getting raccoon eyes. In fact, it’s even a bit tricky to remove (for me, its only con), requiring a quality oil cleanser to get the formula to lift from my lashes. I even used it without curling my lashes first and it managed to give them a lift. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor

This summer has been incredibly hot so far, and sometimes the last thing I want to do is be out in the heat. That’s where Different Puzzles comes in. The brand has unique and entertaining puzzles that make you want to stay indoors all summer long. This puzzle was challenging yet so satisfying to put together. I also love how aesthetically pleasing the final result is. It’s perfect for any occasion and will put all your puzzle skills to the test. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I’ve been itching to get my hands on a Playdate for years, so when I saw they were finally in stock and shipping quickly while watching this year’s Wholesome Direct, I jumped at the opportunity to add to cart. Since getting my unit, I’ve had a blast cranking my way through all 24 included season one games and even discovering some hidden gems like “the revolutionary and culturally important egg experience” Touch Egg. This pocketable player is great for on-the-go fun and for gamers of any age or skill level. — Daniel Toy, section editor, copy chief

I have always wanted to grow my own vegetables and herbs, but I've never had the space to do so. I have always heard great things about AeroGarden but only just finally got my hands on my own this month. It is super easy to manage and hardly requires any effort, which, if you are anything like me, can make or break an item. It’s stress-free, and I love that I’m able to grow my own food. I look forward to getting more seeds and having some great veggies! —  Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I’ve owned these shoes in leopard print for years and I can confidently say that they’re the most comfortable pair of flats I’ve owned in my entire life (yes, they’re even better than a similar designer pair). There’s no break-in time and I’ve never gotten a blister from them, which is unheard of. So, when I saw the summer-ready raffia pair was at the lowest price I’ve seen for Memorial Day, I didn’t hesitate adding them to my cart. I tend to just wear sneakers during the summer, but it’s nice to have a more elevated, comfortable shoe in my rotation for the warmer months. And now I’m thinking of other styles to snag in the future (I’m already eyeing the tweed for fall)! — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor

Argot is a new-to-me swim brand that combines vintage and modern styles. I was instantly drawn to this one-piece thanks to the cute collar. I love that the suits are sustainably made, sunscreen- and oil-resistant, offer UV protection and are ethically produced. As far as coverage goes, this one has fuller back coverage and offers padding pockets at the bust. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

I’ve been looking for more fun shoes to add to my wardrobe, and I couldn’t resist these green flip-flops. The platform adds some extra cushioning for comfort, and the rubber sole means that you can do some serious walking. (Although, they did take a day to break in with some bandages in strategic spots, but that’s the case for most of my sandals.) They’re definitely heftier than a foam flip-flop, but that’s the point. These are stylish and substantial, so you can dress them up for dinner or tread them around the city. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor

These have been one of my go-to summer shoes for the last few years — just strappy enough to look cute but not so much so they won’t go out of style, easy to dress up and comfortable enough for me to rack up my New York City summer miles. I actually bought a second pair now that mine have started to wear out, which I almost never do. — Rena Behar, copy editor 

I've recently become re-obsessed with playing basketball, and my usual New Balance runners weren't going to cut it on the court. When I started shopping around and landed on the company's 550 sneaks, I instantly fell in love. These shoes give me the support I need during my nightly shootaround sessions but are also stylish enough for me to wear to the office or on a night out. The Knicks should be calling me any minute now. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editor

This plaid golf skort is a summer staple! It is incredibly comfortable and stretchy and looks cute with a tank and sneakers. The compression undershorts stay in place thanks to the gripper tape, and these even have side golf ball pockets and come with a Tuckernuck-branded tee. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

My boyfriend’s birthday was this month, and I had a super-hard time figuring out what to get for him. When I came across Simone I. Smith’s necklaces for men, I knew he would love it. The necklace is super shiny and sturdy. It is also a great price for what you get. He absolutely loves it, and it’s perfect for any men who want to add a bit of bling to their life. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I’ll be honest: I’m not the biggest soda fan out there. But when I tell you these changed everything for me, I mean it. These sparkling drinks are super light, refreshing and low calorie too! I love how every single flavor in this variety pack tastes great. You can also use these to make a crisp summer cocktail. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I just recently started drinking coffee, and I’m so glad I found this pour-over coffee kit during my journey. Every drink you make will taste like your favorite local coffee shop. I haven’t been back to mine in weeks since using this, and I don’t know if I could ever go back. It’s perfect for when you’re on the go too, and it's made with sustainable materials. If you appreciate a great brew, then this is for you. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I love playing bartender at home, but sometimes I just want a cocktail that’s cold and ready-to-pour. This RTD (ready-to-drink) collection from Diageo has all your favorites already mixed, and the Ketel One Cosmopolitan is the perfect sip of sweet and sour that even Carrie Bradshaw would approve of. Other bottles include an Astral Margarita, a Tanqueray Negroni and a Bulleit Manhattan. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor

Mysa has one of the best curations of natural wine for both those who are looking to explore more like me and those who are just getting into the natural wine world. I encourage everyone to try a natural wine with their best pals and get comfortable diving into those funky tasting notes! — Molly Flores, photo editor

It almost feels wrong eating Ellenos yogurt for breakfast because it really does taste like dessert. It is so creamy and delicious and bursting with flavor, making it worth the price in my opinion. My current favorite flavors are the Blueberry Pomegranate and the Key Lime Pie varieties. If you have a sweet tooth like I do, this yogurt hits the spot when I’m craving ice cream. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

As we say in Yiddish, sometimes you need a little "epes" (which translates to "a small something"). That's exactly what I love about these bite-size oat treats. Their outer oat cookie shell tastes like a top-secret family recipe, while their strawberry lemonade jelly filling adds a refreshing zing. They make for the perfect pop of energy any time of day and take up so little space in my bag for on-the-go snacking. — Marissa Miller, contributing editor