James Harris/CNN Underscored

With the final days of 2023 fast approaching, we’re taking a look back on the products Underscored readers like you scooped up the most over the past year.

This year, our readers were shopping for things to make travel more enjoyable, to take better care of their skin and to feel prepared for whatever life throws their way. From ice rollers to emergency radios, check out the 30 products on Amazon that Underscored readers couldn’t stop buying in 2023. (Psst, many of them make excellent last-minute gift ideas too.)

This reusable gel will scoop up dust and crumbs from all those hard-to-reach crevices in your car — air vents, cup holders, door handles and so on. (Our readers love this cleaning gel from Ticarve too.)

Editor Favorite

Swap your old loofah for Goshi’s bestselling towel, which has an exfoliating weave that gently scrubs away dry, dead skin every time you shower. 

Editor Favorite

Keep your phone secure and accessible while driving with Vanva’s top-rated mount, which proved extremely stable in our reviewer’s testing.

Editor Favorite

An excellent stocking stuffer for the more forgetful among us, AirTags combine Ultra Wideband technology with the power of Apple’s Find My network to quickly locate keys, wallets, luggage and more. (You can also get a single AirTag for $27).

Editor Favorite

An Underscored reader and editor favorite, Slice’s safety cutter features a nonslip grip and tiny, ultra-sharp blade that makes opening packages a breeze.

This affordable, cruelty-free mascara boasts nearly 250,000 5-star ratings, with reviewers praising it for making their lashes bold and voluminous without clumping.

Best Tested

Our readers couldn’t get enough of our favorite sleep mask, which is supremely soft and comfortable. It also features a built-in nose wire to completely block out light. 

Streamline your routines for less with close to half off this useful smart plug, specially enabled to work with Alexa to add voice control to any outlet. 

Editor Favorite

This simple but effective device will make any plane journey easier, and it’s worth buying even when it’s not on sale. It clamps to the tray table of the seat in front of you, allowing you to insert your phone and stream your favorite TV shows and movies hands-free.

Best Tested

For the person who loves to grill, a grill brush is a gift you can buy over and over again because it’s important to replace grill brushes regularly for safety’s sake. The Kona grill brush was our favorite in testing, so you can assure its recipient that you got the best of the best.

The compact Thermacell E55 is an effective alternative to sticky, stinky bug spray. Unlike bulky bug zappers of the past, the E55 is silent and can run for up to 5.5 hours on a single charge.

Editor Favorite

ChomChom’s reusable roller uses a patented brush system to swiftly remove hair from, well, pretty much anywhere! It’s a must-have for pet parents.

Meal prep is a cinch with this 4-in-1 chopper, featuring swappable blades that slice, dice, and spiralize fruits and veggies.

Laneige’s beloved mask is packed with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients that promise to deeply nourish dry, cracked lips overnight. A little goes a long way, so it’s an incredibly great value.

LifeStraw’s compact filter can remove 99.999% of bacteria and parasites from up to 1,000 gallons of water and is the perfect size for tossing in a purse or pack.

Best Tested

Looking for a tech gift? Our reviewer dubbed the AirPods Pro 2 the gold standard for Apple earbuds, and it’s easy to see why: They feature great sound, fantastic noise cancellation capabilities and upgraded controls. 

CosRX’s ultra-popular essence makes for a great entry into the world of snail mucin. A well-known skin care ingredient in South Korea, snail mucin is packed with antioxidants and can help with hydration and healing.

Best Tested

The best pillow for slide sleepers on a budget, Beckham Hotel Collection’s pillow strikes the right balance between softness and support.

Best Tested

Emergency radios can help keep you safe in severe, quickly changing weather situations, making them a smart item to pack on camping or hiking trips. Our top choice is the Midland ER310, which features four power sources (including a solar panel and hand crank), plus a built-in flashlight.

This popular soap from Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day promises to get hands squeaky clean without drying them out.

Best Tested

True to its name, Honeywell’s fan is both ultra quiet and powerful enough to cool down a large room. We also love its clean design and affordable price point.

Crest’s powerful whitening strips can remove up to two decades of stains in just 22 days, leaving you with a brighter smile in time for the new year.

An eco-friendly alternative to aluminum foil, these reusable baking mats are made from food-grade silicone and oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Editor Favorite

Pop a few cloves in the Garliczoom, roll it around a few times and voila! Perfectly minced garlic, no mess or dreaded “garlic fingers” required.

Unlike traditional strainers, the SinkShroom allows water to pass through even when it’s full of food, meaning it’ll prevent clogs without causing icky dishwater to build up in the sink.

Editor Favorite

The AirFly is one of those gadgets that’s so great you won’t know how you ever traveled without it. Just plug it into the headphone jack of your flight’s entertainment system to transmit audio directly to your own wireless headphones.

Best Tested

Black+Decker’s Dustbuster is our pick for the best cordless handheld vacuum. Easy to empty, carry and charge, the Dustbuster is ideal for tackling quick messes.

The Katchy utilizes UV light, a fan and sticky glue to stop pesky fruit flies and gnats in their tracks. One Underscored editor raved, “I’m shocked (and slightly grossed out) at how many bugs it has caught in just a few short days of using it.”

Editor Favorite

Esarora’s TikTok-famous ice roller promises to depuff skin, soothe inflammation and even counter headaches. It’s one of our absolute favorite multitasking beauty products.

This adorable fan, which doubles as a flashlight and power bank, is the perfect size to toss in a pocket or small purse. (Check out more expert-approved portable fans here.)