At the Filter US, our writers test plenty of things in the line of duty: bath towels, sleep masks, AirPods Pro, blenders, toaster ovens, instant coffee and more. So what are they putting in their own shopping carts?
This holiday season, the Filter team asked our product reviewers to share what they’re personally using and loving. Their answers ran the gamut: a portable projector that transforms any wall into a private theater, a more durable dupe of Converse’s Chuck Taylors, a trigger-point massage tool to loosen tight muscles and laundry detergent sheets that are kind to the planet and easy to use, to name a few. Read on for the 28 most loved items that earned a spot in our writers’ daily lives. Karen Yuan, Filter US commissioning editor
All prices current at the time of publication.
What our writers love to wear
Buck Mason Seafarer Shrunken Crew
I don’t splurge often on sweaters, but this Buck Mason slim-fitted crew was worth the extra cash. The California-based brand offers easygoing staples that lean toward menswear while staying wholeheartedly feminine. I already can’t walk a block without getting a compliment on my Felted Wool Chore Coat. I got this lightweight knit in almost-black dark navy, and it falls the perfect length for high-waisted pants. I can dress it up with a skirt and a statement necklace, or throw it on with a pair of jeans for brunch. Tobey Grumet Segal, product writer and editor
Birkenstock Zermatt Shearling Wool Slippers
Here in New York, my family is well into slipper season, which a footwear-collecting puppy has complicated. Long story short, I suddenly found myself in need of a new pair of slippers. Since I spend all the other seasons walking around in my Birks, I figured I’d make it a year-round thing. Built around the brand’s patented footbed, these winter-forward Birkenstock Zermatt’s are a little stiffer than your average slipper but incredibly easy on your feet. And the shearling makes them warm and comfy. Tim Stevens, tech writer
Moonstar Gym Classic Shoes
I’ve been a fan of Moonstar’s subtle style for years. Since my last few pairs of Converse Chucks fell apart in a depressingly short time, I thought I’d see what the quirky brand from Kurume, Japan, could do. I was lucky to visit a flagship store on a recent visit to Jiyugaoka, and picked up this pair of Gym Classics in navy for the equivalent of about $60. That’s less than half what they cost here in the US. Time will tell, but they feel far higher quality than what Converse is putting out these days, and the design is stellar. Tim Stevens, tech writer
Lands’ End Men’s Calf-Length Turkish Terry Robe
I love fluffy white hotel robes. It’s a weakness. My awesome girlfriend got me a highly rated Parachute robe a couple of years ago, but it showed stray threads among tenacious coffee stains within months. I looked a wreck. So she got me a Lands’ End replacement and it’s been like wearing a cloud ever since.
The Lands’ End white Turkish terrycloth robe has held up better over 12 months than the Parachute robe did. The loops are still tight, the seams don’t rip, and the collar actually cradles your neck without sagging after multiple washes. The faux cuffs give a finished look without the bulk that makes real cuffs impractical. Lands’ End backs this with its famous lifetime guarantee, which increasingly feels like a fever dream from a lost economic era. Chris Allbritton, freelance journalist
Takashi Murakami x Casetify Flowers Bloom Phone Case
Casetify’s smartphone cases are both durable and stylish, so I was thrilled when the Hong Kong-based company again partnered with Takashi Murakami for a new collection for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. No, I wasn’t about to drop thousands on the artist’s Louis Vuitton re-edition, but I snapped up the pink Flowers Bloom MagSafe Impact Case for my iPhone 17 Pro Max, and sometimes I find myself just staring at its colorful, groovy pattern. Plus, I get mad cool points from my teenage sons and their friends. Always a nice bonus. Tobey Grumet Segal, product writer and editor
What our writers love to travel with
Aloha Collection Keep It Light Weekender Bag
Because I travel so frequently for work, I’ve been on a mission to find the perfect carry-on duffel to fit under my seat. Recently, on a trip to visit family in Hawaii, I was browsing the popular Aloha Collection bags in Honolulu international airport – a recent Hello Kitty collaboration saw people lining up outside stores in the middle of the night. This time, I decided to nab the Keep It Light Weekender. Dressed in waterproof, ripstop nylon and available in different colors and fun patterns, it’s got everything I need, including generous pockets; comfy, padded shoulder straps; and a simple trolley sleeve to keep it tightly strapped to my suitcase when I’m wheeling it around. It’s also easy to wipe clean and can even double as the perfect beach bag. But most importantly, it’s a stylish way to keep me from waiting for the dreaded baggage claim after a long trip. Kiki Aranita, food writer
If you’ve ever watched treasure get unearthed, as they are on the show The Curse of Oak Island, you know how thrilling the high-pitched whine of a metal detector can be. But the magical moment doesn’t arrive until a handheld probe helps pinpoint that top-pocket find.
While I no longer own a full-sized detector, I couldn’t resist this small, waterproof model that’s easy to tuck into a jacket or bag for impromptu scans at the beach or along a trail. If I drop my keys in deep grass, a brook or the snow, this is the tool I reach for. Held sideways, Dmyond probe scans wider and deeper, while the tip performs a targeted, narrow scan. In side-scan, it even doubles as a stud finder and costs about the same, a little over $20. Alan Truly, tech writer
Yarn & Whiskey Project Pouch
As an avid crocheter, I’ve long used Yarn & Whiskey’s project bags, intended for toting around yarn and embroidery projects – mainly because they fit perfectly on my lap for long car rides. Recently, I added this mini pop-up pouch to my collection for smaller crochet projects, but I found that it also works just as well as a regular purse. The handy strap fits nicely around my wrist, and its unique silhouette folds up completely flat, which is perfect for packing in a carry-on. Yarn & Whiskey’s founder started the company by sourcing her incredible African textiles, but as a recent graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she is adding her own designs in her next project. Kiki Aranita, food writer
DJI Neo Mini Drone
Sometimes I just need to see more. What’s down there, over the rise, around the corner or across the stream? And it’s not just the path I didn’t take – it’s the inaccessible spaces among the leaves, across the ravine or over the waves. That’s what a drone is for, but we all know those have costly barriers to entry.
That’s what makes the DJI Neo so special. It takes off from my palm, and I can pilot it without a controller, just using my phone. It also tracks movement, so I can use it like a flying selfie camera to take photos from the air or record videos as I walk along a trail. It’s kind of like having a professional videographer following my adventures (and no, it’s not creepy at all). Starting at just $200, it’s priced more like a toy drone, yet it offers the first-rate video stabilization and camera quality DJI is known for. Alan Truly, tech writer
Mophie Portable Charging Pack
This designer tech brand’s Powerstation Plus Mini 5K Power Bank is small, easy to tote and just right for that coveted extra charge. Its integrated USB-C cable works for most Android phones and more recent iPhones, and because it’s half an inch thick, it’s perfect to take on the go. The USB-C port and the built-in cable are bi-directional, which means you can simultaneously charge with both. Adam Doud, tech writer
Airhood Induction Cooktop
As a kitchen and dining editor, I’ve tested countless induction burners. And as a chef who frequently runs pop-up events out of kitchens other than my own, I’ve lugged these devices all over town – and even across state lines. So I’m happy to report that the surprisingly slim Airhood induction cooktop has completely changed my life. It heats up super quickly, and at less than 5lbs, it’s unbelievably lightweight. In fact, it weighs less than my laptop and takes up about as much space. I am shocked at how evenly this cooktop distributes heat for such a small device, and I’ve even carried it to potlucks when I’m not up for jockeying for time with fellow cooks. Best of all, I can quickly turn any location, even an outdoor picnic table, into a stove (hello, tailgating!). Kiki Aranita, food writer
What our writers love for self-care
Nulastin Brow Shape Altering Serum
Former professional mountain biker and ESPN sideline reporter Leah Garcia founded Nulastin to help women harness elastin protein as they age. I was drawn to the brand’s serum, which claims to help grow thicker, stronger eyebrows. Because, guess what? Nobody mentioned that after plucking, waxing and threading my thick, unruly brows for over 30 years, they would suddenly start thinning when I turned 40. I started using the Shape Altering Serum about six weeks ago, and though the instructions say full results show after 12 weeks, I am already amazed at how much fuller my brows look. Plus, the tiny little brush makes it simple to swipe on twice a day. Tobey Grumet Segal, product writer and editor
Boreal Folk Yarrow Face Oil Cleanser
Anyone with combination skin knows how challenging it can be. And in my quest to seek out a gentle cleanser that helps balance my skin rather than strip it, I found that this luscious blue oil does the trick. There’s a lot to love in this bottle: the herbal scent, how soft it makes my skin feel, and the fabulous indigo color. Bonus: when I travel, this doubles as a face oil, so I can leave one product at home. Julia Skinner, food writer and culinary instructor
Chapel Factory Hermit Coat perfume
Hermit Coat was an impulse buy on one of my first visits to Cork Niche Fragrances in Ireland. The instant I smelled it, I just knew it had to come home with me. I’m not a fan of most smokey perfumes, which smell like I’ve been slapped in the face with a campfire or lean too heavily on the spice, like a too-strong aftershave. But Hermit Coat does neither. The subtle scent feels more like burning incense with a floral base, and it’s never overpowering. I’m also fond of how it lingers, even after a full day, maintaining its subtle complexity. Julia Skinner, food writer and culinary instructor
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Waking up with a kink in my neck is a poor start that can dampen my mood all day long. It can also cause headaches and mess with my productivity. Over the years, I’ve learned a massage can make a huge difference, but getting into the trapezius and shoulders, where tension often lives, can be challenging.
That’s why a trigger point massage tool is one of my favorite personal care products. The hook shape helps take the effort out of applying pressure in just the right spot. No batteries required – I just grab and pull, using the ball-shaped ends to press. At a little over $20, it’s a must-have massager for anyone who occasionally needs relief from tight muscles in the back, shoulders or neck. Alan Truly, tech writer
What our writers love for a home upgrade
Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Humidifier
As the seasons shift, heating takes a toll on indoor air quality. Both processes reduce relative humidity, which tends to dry our eyes, nose and lips. The best solution? A humidifier offers a steady stream of vapor to provide quick relief in small areas. I turn to the Levoit Dual 150 humidifier, which is one of my favorite low-cost devices for the home. Its 3-liter reservoir is big enough to ease my sinuses for hours yet small enough for quick refills or moving from room to room. As an ultrasonic humidifier, it’s barely audible, requires minimal maintenance and is easy to clean.
For under $50, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for relief from the dry heating during winter. If you live somewhere warm and dry, the Levoit Dual 150 humidifier would also help air quality if (when?) you have to blast the air conditioner during a heatwave. Alan Truly, tech writer
Tapo C113 2K 3MP Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera
A few years ago, I invested in a couple of Wyze cameras to cover my home and property and keep an eye on things. Over the years, I kept adding more and more cameras, while Wyze kept pulling more and more features into premium tiers. Sick of monthly fees, I’ve been switching over to TP-Link’s Tapo cameras. They’re dirt-cheap but still do AI detection without a monthly fee. Tim Stevens, tech writer
XGIMI Halo+ Portable Projector
If you like to bring the big screen with you – on vacation or to a friend’s house, for instance – or if you need a quick way to present in multiple conference rooms, this one is tough to top. It has no loose panels or janky flaps that feel flimsy. The picture is bright, big and comes with a number of enhancements such as auto keystone, auto focus and auto adjustments to screens and obstacles to ensure the picture is straight and tight. It projects in 1080p at 700 lumens, which isn’t the brightest in the world, so don’t use it in fully lit rooms, but it presents sharp, vibrant images with shades drawn and lights turned down. The sound is also kicking, with two 5W Harman Kardon speakers that can pump it out, and its built-in battery will give you 2.5 hours of screen time.
And it comes with the latest version of Google TV and Google Play, though you can also use the multitude of connection options on the back to play your own media if you’re nowhere near wifi. Chris Allbritton, freelance journalist
JLab Pop Party
The JLab Pop Party speaker quickly became a favorite in my house – my daughter kept stealing it to listen to music on her bike. So, I ended up getting a second one. The Pop Party was still loud enough to hear when we were going 28mph on an electric bike, and it comes with a nice, detachable silicone strap that fits around a handlebar. The battery lasts a good long time, too, which means I only have to charge it about once a week. Most importantly, the sound quality is excellent for such a tiny, low-cost speaker; the only tones I miss are the deep bass. Adam Doud, tech writer
Logitech Signature Slim Wireless Keyboard
As a longtime reviewer of keyboards, I can tell you with confidence that Logitech is one of my all-time favorite brands. The Signature Slim is outstanding if, like me, you prefer chiclet-style keyboards (mechanical keyboard lovers need not apply).
It’s the Signature Slim’s key built-in solar array that has caught my attention. Splayed across the top of the keyboard, it keeps the device charged even in artificial light – and it has remained at 100% for the full 45 days I’ve been using it in my basement office (far from windows). The pitch and travel of the keys is lovely, and it’s also a full-sized keyboard that includes a number pad, which is always a nice bonus. Adam Doud, tech writer
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2
I work from home where the distraction level is very high. My basement office also houses my washing machine, dryer, HVAC system and, as if that wasn’t enough, a 3D printer. When all of them are running, I’m sitting in a smorgasbord of audio annoyances. That’s why I wear the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones: all that noise just disappears. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is so good that my wife routinely gets upset when I don’t hear her calling me from upstairs. Also, as a frequent traveler, these are my go-to headphones for drowning out airplane noise. I can’t prove that Bose employs actual ANC wizards, but I have my suspicions. Adam Doud, tech writer
What our writers love for a deep clean
Wolfbox MF200 Compressed Air Duster
I seem to go through one or two cans of compressed air a year. I guess I’m a stickler for a clean keyboard. Anyhow, with the stuff costing nearly $10 a can, I’ve been trying to find a better way to get this done. I’ve tried a few handheld air dusters in the past, all way too weak for a true cleanse. But this MF200 from Wolfbox is impressively powerful, enough to launch itself out of your hand if you’re not holding on tight. It charges quickly over USB-C, has a swappable battery, and comes with four nozzles and a little storage bag. The thing is painfully loud, so you’ll want some hearing protection if you’re going full-speed for long, but otherwise it’s finally ended my pricey canned-air habit. Tim Stevens, tech writer
Sheets Laundry Club Detergent Sheets
Here’s the math: humans ship 3.4bn lbs of liquid detergent in plastic jugs every year. Only 30% get recycled, while the rest – 700m jugs – end up in landfills where they will sit for centuries. And, thanks to impossible-to-read measuring caps, a jug advertising 64 loads usually only delivers 42.
That rankled me, so my girlfriend introduced me to Sheets Laundry Club ($21.29 for 50 sheets, $15.97 a box if you subscribe). Founded by a military veteran couple who saw first-hand the plastic waste crisis overseas, Sheets Laundry Club is not just a greenwash of the same broken system. The sheets arrive in a recycled cardboard box the size of a beefy paperback, with the option for carbon-free shipping. Each sheet weighs about 0.09oz, compared with 1.4oz of liquid or powder a load. That’s a 94% reduction in weight being trucked around the country. Chris Allbritton, freelance journalist
O-Cedar ProMist Max Microfiber Spray Mop
With three cats, mopping has become a staple chore in my weekly cleaning regimen. (It’s not that bad, really.) What I love about this mop: being able to put whatever cleaning product I like in the reservoir instead of relying on proprietary products, as you must with other companies (cough, cough, Swiffer). And though the company says the microfiber mop head can be washed 100 times, we have washed it more than that, and it’s still going strong. You can also use it as a dry mop if you just need to clean up some stray dust or hair in the nooks and crannies. Plus it needs no batteries, so nothing goes into the landfill every six to eight months. For light mopping, this is the one to beat. Chris Allbritton, freelance journalist
What our writers love to eat and drink
Thousand Cranes Origami Sake
The holidays mean there will certainly be an uptick in my alcohol consumption. To combat the effects of the many drinks that will inevitably be placed in my hand, I lean into low-ABV cocktails. I ordered this lovely, dry sake because it’s organic, gluten-free and brewed in the US using Arkansas-grown rice (no tariff worries here). I like to serve it chilled and straight up instead of wine at meals, but it’s also an excellent substitute for stronger spirits in mules, martinis (hello, saketini!) and even a classic negroni. If you are going for the full 0% ABV, Thousand Cranes also sells Zero, a tasty non-alcoholic version. Tobey Grumet Segal, product writer and editor
Cabi Mini Mayonnaise Keychain
As dangling Labubus have taken the world’s purses by storm, I have but one question: can any of them squirt mayonnaise? If you’re like me and would prefer easy access to three tasty condiments rather than a trendy plush toy, Cabi’s purse dongle is a worthwhile investment. In the last few weeks, I’ve been switching this quirky mayo keychain between my work bag and a smaller handbag so that if I encounter a dry fry, I have a quick and easy solution.
I’m a huge fan of Cabi’s condiments, especially the sweet yuzu vinaigrette, but I also adore its Japanese mayos, which in this set include miso, wasabi and spicy yuzu flavors. Of course, it only makes sense that these mayos need refrigeration, and the silicone gripper on the keychain allows you to pop off each mini bottle to keep cool before the next squirt. Kiki Aranita, food writer
Portrait Coffee Stankonia Limited Edition Coffee
I find every coffee from Atlanta-based Portrait to be delicious, but this one is my new favorite. A round, rich, full flavor that’s fruity but not too sweet, this blend makes me look forward to my morning coffee more than usual. And it’s not just a distinct flavor profile. I also dig that it was specially created to honor recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees (and Atlanta natives) OutKast and the 25th anniversary of their iconic album Stankonia. If you’re an Atlanta hip-hop fan or looking for a unique holiday gift for someone who is, you may want to add this limited-edition blend to your cart before it’s gone. Julia Skinner, food writer and culinary instructor
