Welcome to CNN Underscored, an online shopping guide for the best in style, tech, health and travel. Our editors hunt the Web to find you the products and services we think you’ll love. Here are some of the best products we’ve tested so far in 2021.
The best checked luggage of 2021
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 checked bags that are really worth taking along on your next long trip.
The best drip coffee makers of 2021
Many coffee lovers still rely on the classic, automatic drip for their daily fix. That’s why we tested the best-rated drip coffee makers using a wide range of criteria over the course of several weeks.
The Braun KF6050WH 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.
This was, to our eye, the most handsome and minimally designed of the straightforward auto-brewers, delivering a clean, tasty cup. It lost first place only because the touchscreen may not be for every consumer, and brew time is significantly longer than the other machines we tried out.
In just near five minutes, the Technivorm Moccamaster 59636 KBG Coffee Brewer turns out a whole pot of pretty perfectly brewed coffee, and the process is as entrancing as a targeted Netflix trailer.
The best blenders of 2021
We put nine popular blenders to the test, whipping up smoothies, soups and nut butter and pulverizing ice to find the models that produced the creamiest, silkiest textures and had the best functionality, durability and more. The bottom line: Higher cost also means increased performance and a longer-lasting machine, so if you’re a frequent blender, we think they’re worth the investment in the long run.
The Breville Super Q features a slew of preset buttons, comes in multiple colors, includes key accessories and is quieter than other models. It does carry a steep price tag, but for those who can't imagine a smoothie-less morning, what breaks down to about $1.30 a day over a year seems like a bargain.
Besides doing an admirable job at blending up creamy soups and smoothies, the Ninja Professional Plus Blender comes with a number of presets, as well as low, medium and high manual settings. It doesn't have the heft or quality materials of the high-performance blenders we tested, but for casual users, it won't disappoint.
The best kitchen knife sets of 2021
To help you choose the best knife set for you, we spent weeks testing 11 of the top-rated knife sets. We chopped, diced and sliced, loading our cutting board with fruit, veggies, herbs, bread, meat and cheese to see which blades did the best job.
We were impressed by the sturdy construction, comfort of use and reliable execution that came with each piece in this all-inclusive set.
When you want knives that are super sharp, durable, ergonomic and will last a lifetime, we highly suggest you give this standout set a good look.
This hand-crafted set is elegant, sophisticated, ergonomic and super sharp. It includes the four basic knives that a serious home cook needs.
The best true wireless earbuds of 2021
Apple may have ushered in the wire-free craze with its now-ubiquitous AirPods, but these days, there seems to be an endless influx of wireless earbuds looking to help you cut the cord. Here’s our top picks for the best wireless earbuds of 2021.
The best laptops of 2021
It’s our job to keep up on the latest trends in tech, and we’d be lying if we said we haven’t felt overwhelmed by all of the laptop options on the market today.
But finding the best of the best is our job, and we take it seriously. So for the last few months, our editors have been testing the latest and greatest laptops we could get our hands on, from Apple to Dell, and we’ve found some standout machines.
At $999, the MacBook Air with M1 is a budget laptop that can take on any task — from web browsing to productivity to 4K video editing. And if you're in the Apple ecosystem, it will work perfectly with other Apple devices.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro adds a graphics core and a cooling system that lets it take on more intense tasks. It's a true portable powerhouse with a battery that can last for days.
The best water bottles of 2021
To determine which bottles are truly worth their price tag, we culled thousands of insulated water bottles down to 15 contenders after reading through reviews and browsing bestselling bottles across the internet. We then put them through a litany of tests to determine which is the absolute best.
After two months of testing and drinking a whole lotta water, we narrowed down our picks to two bottles that stood out from the rest.
The 21-ounce Healthy Human Stein was a surprise standout in our testing for its durability and effective thermoregulation. We didn't love the lid, but you can add the optional Flip n' Sip lid to make the drinking experience easier. Plus, it comes in a dizzying range of colors and three sizes to fit most tastes and needs.