These Items Earned Our Illustrious HuffPicks Awards — And They're On Sale For Prime Day

It's rare to find a tech device that's so useful yet so affordable, but Kasa Smart's mini smart plugs are exactly that. A favorite of former HuffPost senior editor Janie Campbell and a frequent bestseller amongst HuffPost readers, these small adapters turn your everyday outlet into an automated smart one with a simple plug in and WiFi connection. They're so useful that Campbell bought 10 (!!!).

“Turning every outlet in your home into one you can control by app or voice assistant opens up a world of possibilities,” Campbell previously wrote. “I have houseplants under grow lights in darker corners of my home, and can turn those on and off even if I’m halfway around the world. I can put them on a schedule when I travel, but still turn that schedule off if someone needs to stay in my apartment. […] Beyond automation and energy savings, I also use one so that I can turn a lamp on without having to strain to reach behind my couch to find its switch. For hard-to-reach outlets or behind-furniture outlets, they are an absolute game-changer. I can think of a thousand more uses.”

Reviewers agree, with many saying these are absolute game-changers for home automation, and it's so easy, you won't have to hover over an instruction manual to set it up. “I used the Kasa app to initially establish connectivity to the devices and then to setup an automation between the two,” says one user. “No home automation is required.”

Once that connection is established, you can link it with Alexa or Google Home for voice commands, plus you can set each individual plug on its own schedule. It's also nifty for those moments you'd like to set the ambiance before you arrive home (switching the lights, prepping a coffee maker, etc.), or even for safety reasons, like forgetting to turn off a home appliance before heading out the door.

The under-desk walking pad first came on the HuffPost scene when deputy Life director and resident wellness expert Lindsay Holmes wrote about how this clever and compact fitness appliance changed her sedentary work style — especially when combined with a FlexiSpot standing desk (also on sale for Prime Day for 39% off). Since then, the Walking Pad has been immortalized as a reader-favorite item and now the recipient of a HuffPicks award.

“The slim Walking Pad folds in half and comes with wheels, making storage a breeze. (I keep it under my desk when I’m not using it.) It comes with a remote control, and you can also connect it to via app,” Holmes previously said. “It goes up to about 3.7 miles per hour and has two modes: automatic, which allows you to control how fast the belt goes using your feet and your own walking speed, or manual, through which you can set your walking speed using the remote.”

When HuffPost editorial director Kristen Aiken saw her elegant, older neighbor strolling “cool as a cucumber” in the blazing midsummer sun under an umbrella, she had questions. Luckily for us, her neighbor had answers – she was using a cooling UV umbrella, which boasts a specially designed cover that protects against UV rays (though it can be used in the rain too) and promises to keep you noticeably cooler under its shade.

When we wrote about this inventive sun protection device, it became a clear reader favorite, thanks to its easy one-button open feature, an anti-glare underside and double-canopy design with a mesh insert for extra ventilation. Weighing just under a pound and collapsing to 11 inches, it’s easy to take on the go as added sun protection.

Reviewers love it for travel: “Took it on a trip to a very hot, humid country,” wrote Msparks on Amazon. “Was the envy of others in the group who hadn't thought of it.” Reviewer Travel Junkie, who brought the umbrella to India for a monthlong voyage, “used it daily” and found it “[seemed] to lower the outside temp by 10-15 degrees, so not only protected but also lot cooler."

Senior shopping writer Tessa Flores has dealt with severe car sickness nearly her entire life – until recently. In 2022, she grabbed a pair of these funny-looking motion sickness glasses that promised to relieve the nausea that plagues many folks while traveling in cars, boats or airplanes.

“In the name of science (and at the risk of my stomach), I wore the glasses sitting in the backseat of the car, while reading, as my partner drove around,” Flores wrote in previous coverage. “Normally, and especially under these circumstances, it would take less than a few minutes for the nausea and headaches to hit. But this time, my symptoms never came.” (Be sure to check out our Instagram reel to see Flores test-drive the spectacles – literally – in real-time.)

Uribe, who is also prone to motion sickness, was influenced by Flores to purchase the glasses as well. “I've had them for years now and literally do not leave the city without them,” she said. “They saved me driving around Australia and also in Mexico City – and that traffic kills me.”

In an effort to understand why the glasses were so effective, Flores spoke to Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya, board-certified otolaryngologist and professor of otolaryngology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, who said they likely work by creating an “artificial horizon” for your eyes with the moving liquid in the rings. “The brain depends on sensory input from many organ systems, such as the eyes and inner ear, to tell if the body is in motion and where it’s positioned in space,” Bhattacharyya said. “When you get into a car that’s moving, your organ systems are still sensing the motion around you, but the body itself is stable, causing the integration of those messages to get disrupted.”

While he didn't personally endorse the glasses, he explained they may help you find stability (and therefore less puking) on the go.

Portable power stations have taken off in the last few years — and for good reason. Unlike traditional generators that demand oil and gas, give off noxious fumes and can be super loud and cumbersome, these sleek machines are silent, electric and easy to pack in a car or keep in the basement.

While there are many on the market, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is an editor and reader fave at HuffPost for its large output capacity and compact shape. Reviewers love it for keeping a mini fridge running during hurricane season and charging tablets and phones during camping. It boasts eight outlets: three AC, two USB-As (one with quick charge), two USB-C ports with PD and a car outlet.

Rating: 4.8 stars across over 113,000 ratings

We included Dawn Powerwash dish spray in some of our Prime Day roundups and were pleasantly surprised to find that it became one of the top three products across all categories in earnings the first day. Now, we bow down to the “holy grail of dish soaps” — which, by the way, can also clean countertops, laundry stains and makeup brushes, among other things. (Oh, and a little life hack for you? This stuff can kill bugs, too, according to reviewers. What can’t it do?)

Our readers aren’t the only ones who love the stuff, however: I can also personally vouch for Powerwash’s ability to cut through grease and grime with virtually no scrubbing.

Shopping writer and avid home cook Griffin Wynne, who compared themselves to Shel Silverstein’s housework-averse heroine Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout, found that Powerwash eliminated the need for scrubbing during a particularly tiresome chore. “I truly spray down my scary pile [of dishes], wait a beat, and then the gross food bits just... fall off,” they wrote in a 2022 editor’s picks roundup.

The spray, which has been called “magical,” “life changing” and “legit sorcery,” has three cleaning boosters and can remove 99% of grease and grime five times faster than other brands. The suds also activate on contact, and the spray functions lets a little go a long way and makes it easy to tackle larger dishes like pots and pans. It’s ridiculously popular and this refill pack comes with four fresh-scented bottles for less than $20.

Rechargeable, hands-free reading lights are among the most popular HuffPost reader buys during the gift-giving seasons, and — please, excuse the pun — it's not hard to see why. These things are useful. This particular one from Glocusent lets you read, work or craft with completely free hands. It's also bendy, so you concentrate that light directly on a specific page or task so you can view it clearly, even in the dark. This has been a huge winner with HuffPost readers since we first covered it back in 2023.

HuffPost readers are absolutely besotted with Oofos' entire range of incredibly supportive shoes. We've gotten podiatrist recommendations for the clog, while the recovery sandal is one of HuffPost's best-selling shoes. We almost couldn't decide which pair of shoes deserved the HuffPicks seal of approval because there are so many Oofos hits to choose from, but ultimately we couldn't ignore the Ooahh slide’s comfort and widespread popularity among editors, podiatrists and readers.

Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a podiatrist at U.S. Foot & Ankle Specialists, previously recommended opting for these biomechanically engineered slides from Oofos. Dr. Howard E. Friedman, a podiatrist certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, likes them, too, and they've even been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The slides are a great alternative to flatter, less supportive options while still keeping true to a cool poolside silhouette. They are made with cushy, shock-absorbing materials that promise to be moisture-and odor-resistant. The plush insoles conform to your arches and help to reduce. stress on the rest of the body.

Sorry to tell you, but your bed is gross.

The average mattress “can have thousands of dust mites that produce millions of droppings,” Dr. Manal Mohammed, a medical microbiologist and senior lecturer at London’s University of Westminster, previously told HuffPost. These mites feed on your dead skin cells, sweat, food crumbs and sweat. Terrifying bugs aside, mattresses are also prone to mold and fungi due to their ability to hold moisture and warmth.

Disgusting, yeah, but don’t burn your mattress yet. Clean it the right way. Mohammed says one way to combat your germy bedtime woes is to clean your bed with a mattress-designated vacuum cleaner with a UV light. These handheld devices glide over the surface, vibrating to loosen dirt, sucking up time particles and trapping them in a HEPA filter.

Another thing I have no trouble buying, and buying in bulk, is iPhone chargers. More chargers, less worries is my life motto. And while I'm generally a knock-off, cheapie charger guy, I can't deny that this Apple brand MagSafe charger is a great buy, especially on sale for 18% off.

The official Apple MagSafe charger is a little gadget with a 1-meter-long cord that wirelessly charges those pocketable Apple devices (with the exception of the AirPods 4) just by setting it on its dock. Several reviewers say the Apple MagSafe charger provides fast wireless charging and its magnetic backing ensures that Apple products snap into alignment when docked.

It’s not bulky, either; this is just a 1-meter cord that can plug into your MacBook or a USB-C port and a small charging hub fit for iPhone 12 up to the latest iPhone 16 and any Apple AirPods with charging cases, excluding the AirPods 4. The MagSafe Charger charges up to 15W when paired with a 20W power adapter.

Earlier this year, one humble little foot care story revealed an undeniable truth: readers care massively about toenail fungus and, it would appear, they also struggle to get rid of it. Based on the rate at which readers (and Amazon customers) snatched this stuff up, we've been led to believe that Foot Cure's nail treatment is the antidote for the most stubborn cases of fungus and is thus undoubtedly worthy of a HuffPicks award.

Promising to address not only fungus, but also nail psoriasis and overall nail damage, Foot Cure is a naturally powered solution that many have found successfully restores thickened, discolored and flaking nail beds and has provided hope when “I didn’t believe there was for decades,” according to one reviewer.

When we asked board-certified dermatologist Dr. Angela Brimhall why the formula could possibly be so effective, she explained that it contains 25% undecylenic acid, “a compound that has antifungal properties that disrupt the cell membranes of fungi, inhibiting their growth and reproduction.”

The treatment is also enhanced with oregano oil and tea tree oil, a combination that Brimhall said creates a synergistic effect that can enhance treatment efficacy, thanks to their antimicrobial, antifungal and antiseptic properties.

Whatever the magic therein, Foot Cure seems to have turned devout skeptics into true believers and given hope that even those with the most tarnished toes can eventually become sandal-worthy, according to reviewers.

You may be thinking: "Did I just read that correctly? A pillow for sex and acid reflux?" Let us explain. A strategically designed wedge pillow called The Liberator has been a regular fixture in the world of sexual aids for its ability to enhance a near-endless array of intimate positions with much more comfort and stability (and presumably for longer periods of time). However, according to gastroenterologist Dr. Kristle Lynch, who previously spoke with HuffPost, these wedge-style pillows can also prevent conditions like acid reflux by “[keeping] the esophagus and stomach at a more upright angle and letting gravity assist with forward movement of stomach contents when one is asleep."

Our HuffPicks award goes to one of the most popular wedge pillows on Amazon (it's got over 16,570 5-star ratings). This elevated sleeping pillow is made from a high-density foam core and a plush memory foam top layer to provide the ideal amount of support. It features a removable jacquard pillowcase for easy cleaning and is available in a variety of height and width options, as well as styles like a pregnancy support pillow and a headboard wedge pillow.

"This is a quality-made product," one reviewer on Amazon wrote. "It is just firm enough, while still providing comfort. "The price is reasonable and these are very nice to have on hand for someone who snores, has acid reflux issues and especially when congested during sickness."

Yes, it's possible to clean your home without chemicals, scrubbing or even hunching over the bathtub to save yourself from back pain. Enter the Steamify's pressurized steam cleaner, which flips the script on cleaning with just water and heat. It tackles dirt, soap scum, grime and bacteria, saving you time and money just by steaming it all away. Whether it’s your floors, sinks or showers, steam reaches into all the nooks and crannies with no harsh chemicals needed.

This compact powerhouse comes with a 12-piece accessory set and a 9.8-foot cord, making it a cinch to clean everything from countertops to tile (and even your grills and appliances). Just fill it with up to 350 milliliters of water, turn it on, and in three to five minutes, you’re ready to go with 230-degree pressurized steam. The included brush helps with stubborn messes, and the window squeegee and nozzle reach even the tightest of spots. You can even use it to steam wrinkles out of clothing!

During those warmer months, nothing beats on-the-go cooling. HuffPost readers are partial to this Jisulife neck fan that, yes, looks silly, but is a messiah for when it's sweltering out, whether you're at Disney or walking on your commute to work. (Heck, even Lupita Nyong’o was spotted wearing a similar one.) This thing is perfect for when your neck sweat just won’t let up. Some even say it's useful for hot flashes (like the reviewers in our roundup of products for people who run hot).

Simply put it around your neck and choose one of the three wind settings: weak wind, natural wind or strong wind. Since it’s bladeless and wireless, you don’t have to deal with any annoying wires that would get in the way or tangle in your hair. It's got 78 ventilation holes and has a battery life of 4-16 hours depending on which wind setting you’re using. It's rechargeable, too, and comes with a USB-C charging cable.

The future is now and we light our candles with electricity. Suprus' windproof electric lighter is a genius invention that saves users from relying on butane, disposable BICs and matchstick after matchstick, instead replacing it with an easy-to-use plasma coil. That plasma is strong enough to light wicks, grills and more, and when it's out of juice, you can just recharge it via USB-C.

With each passing allergy season, major wildfire, and the latest EPA report on pollution, concern for air quality has and will continue to be a major factor in our health and wellness reporting. Based on former in-depth conversations with associate professor of otolaryngology at Stanford University Zara M. Patel and a respiratory therapist and member of the American Association for Respiratory Care Joyce Baker, air purifiers (and most importantly, the right air purifier) are one of the greatest defenses we have against poor indoor air quality, which “can be two to five times more polluted than outdoors because of the lack of fresh air, circulation and ventilation,” according to Baker (who cited an assessment from the Environmental Protection Agency).

The decision to award BlueAir's blissfully quiet and top-performing 211i Max air purifier a HuffPick was the result of combined guidance from Baker and Patel and our very own personal experience.

“[The] BlueAir 211 is remarkable because it just works — as soon as it’s on, you can feel the difference in the air, leaving air crisper and fresher," former HuffPost shopping writer Haley Zovickian previously said. It should be worth mentioning that, like myself, Zovickian lives in smog-filled Los Angeles, a city that was recently ravaged by one of the worst wildfires in recent history.

“I no longer sneeze and itch from dust, pollen and who knows what, and my close friends with cat allergies are able to comfortably relax in my cat hair-filled room as long as the air purifier is on,” Zovickian said.

Aside from its sleek Scandinavian-inspired design, Zovickian points to BlueAir's excellent filtration system that uses a dual HEPA filter, a washable fabric pre-filter and an active carbon filter to trap both large and tiny airborne particles like bacteria, viruses, dust, potentially harmful chemicals, and those responsible for odor.

The purifier featured here is offers a slight upgrade from Zovickian's preferred model with its Wifi capability, which makes it easier to keep track of air quality and trends over time using the accompanying app, plus do things like schedule run times remotely and use voice commands. It also comes in three sizes, depending on the square footage of the space.

We've rarely seen an audience response quite like we did when former HuffPost editor Janie Campbell introduced our readers to the Revision Skincare YouthFull lip replenisher. You purchased this nourishing lip product in droves, and upon closer inspection, it's clear why. Campbell made a compelling case for this balm, calling it a "truly stellar and game-changing product."

Formulated with several peptides, vitamins E and C, green tea and shea butter, it's designed to target visible signs of lip aging like puckering, wrinkles, dryness and dullness.

And while it's not typically like us to recommend such an expensive lip balm, the results speak for themselves. It has a thick, tacky texture that really grips the lips, making it a great overnight treatment.

If there's one thing that HuffPost readers and editors love, it's French pharmacy skin care products. A313 cream is the highest-strength retinol cream you can get over the counter, with three kinds of retinol that can help stimulate collagen. Its efficacy is renowned, as is the reasonable price point, making it a unique entry in the retinol category.

Reviewers have long noted that it's nearly as potent and effective as prescription-strength Tretinoin, without the negative side effects. In fact, some users who had been using prescription-strength Tretinoin then made the switch to this alternative, say they prefer A313 and have maintained the same results that they had with the prescription-strength formula.

In past reporting, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus explained that, “[A313] contains minimal ingredients in its vehicle, which is helpful for those who are sensitive to fragrances or other ingredients that are commonly found in OTC retinol products."

Ultimately, what makes A313 distinctive (along with the price) is the thick occlusive texture, which is closer to a balm, and according to reviewers, can be more hydrating compared to other pricier formulations that you might find on the OTC market. The brand claims that the 2% retinol concentration can help unclog pores, minimize fine

In 2022, we asked the question: “What are the items that physical therapists always keep at home?” Resistance bands were one of the suggested items that would later recur in at least four separate stories and become one of the most versatile tools in the HuffPost wellness arsenal. And when we say versatile, we mean everything from reducing pain to improving mobility to even increasing bone density as we age.

Physical therapist Chris DeRosa once told HuffPost that resistance bands are most often used for leg, knee and back injuries, but they can also be used for general exercise, stretching, and strength training. As a recreational ballet dancer, I also use them to help build specific muscles in my feet and ankles and prevent injury.

“[My] number one choice is usually resistance bands with handles,” DeRose explained to HuffPost, and suggested this five-pack of bands specifically. “They are cost-effective and come in varied resistance so people can use lighter or stronger bands if they feel the exercises [are] too easy or too hard."

In addition to these band's durable features, such as double-knit construction, 100% latex hoses and stainless steel connector pieces, the set comes with a detailed training guide that can help you perform every possible exercise and assist anyone new to resistance band training.

Experts and HuffPost readers alike are big fans of the Japanese hori hori knife for gardening. First, Kat Aul Cervoni, founder of Staghorn NYC Landscape Design and The Cultivation by Kat and Patrick Farrell, partner at EAS Landscaping LLC in Philadelphia, both named the knife as a must-have gardening tool for a story on lawn maintenance, with Farrell calling it “indispensable when it comes to planting and clearing.”

Then, in a Facebook callout for a different HuffPost story, long-term gardener Sue Mazer, 54, also suggested the knife as an accessible tool to make gardening more comfortable, saying, “Lightly spray mist the mixed soil and use a Japanese [hori-hori] garden knife to make individual holes for the seeds, seedlings or transplants.”

From there, we chose to feature Nisaku’s original hori hori knife in its own story, to strong audience interest. The knife has a near-perfect 4.8 stars across almost 10,000 reviews. Made in Japan, the rust- and scratch-resistant stainless steel blade has a serrated edge on one side and straight edge on the other, with inch markings so you can measure depths when planting seeds. The knife weighs 10 ounces and has an ergonomic wooden handle.

“This is one of those tools that once you get your hands on it, you use it around your garden, and you wonder how I've been gardening for so long without owning it before,” a reviewer wrote. It can come in handy for digging up weeds, cutting grass, loosening dirt, planting seeds and so much more.

The Beckham Hotel Collection pillows are already in the top 10 of the most ordered Amazon products we’ve covered this year, so our readers’ appetite for them is still growing. No wonder, since they’ve been called a “miracle” for back and side sleepers, especially, and are also beloved by hot sleepers.

“I like the firmness,” said editorial director Kristen Aiken of the famous bedding. “They're mid-firm – squishy but not rock-hard, and they're not too heavy/dense.”

You can buy a pack of two in a queen, king or throw size. The pillows are made with a 250 thread count cover and filled with down alternative that has a bounce-back design, so you won’t be stuck with a saggy pillow that can’t keep its shape as you sleep. They’re also machine-washable for easy maintenance, unlike many memory foam pillows. Over 160,000 5-star ratings on Amazon agree that these are the real deal, making these officially viral.

Bottom line: In a story about hotel-quality bedding, an expert told us these pillows are, "Very fluffy and really hold up over the years” — for $21 each, that's not too bad at all.

Shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe sang the praises of these reusable and biodegradable Swedish dishcloths after a recommendation from her sister for a lower-waste alternative to paper towels in 2022.

“They’re wildly absorbent,” Uribe wrote. “Cleanup that would usually require multiple paper towels is easily mopped up with just a single reusable Swedish dishcloth. They are made from cellulose and cotton, making them soft and gentle for hands and surfaces while wet, but are gritty enough to really scrub and scour a particularly grimy spot when dry.”

She also raved about the long-term cost- and waste-saving benefits, adding, “I’ve used ten compostable dishcloths in the same amount of time I would have used approximately 24 paper towel rolls.”

Since then, thousands of shoppers — including my own parents! — have used and loved these dishcloths to cut down on paper towel usage, and we usually include them in our big sale stories since they became an unexpected bestseller during Prime Day in 2024.

The dishcloths come in tons of colors and work on so many different surfaces, from glass to wood, marble, stainless steel and tile. They can absorb up to 15 times their weight in liquid, and can be used over 100 times before you need to discard them (in the meantime, you can toss them in the washing machine to clean them).

In previous reporting, HuffPost Shopping beauty reporter Tessa Flores noted that while we see a lot of skin care products come and go here at HuffPost, there are a few that make a lasting impression. One of the best examples of this is Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Concentré face cream, a longtime French pharmacy staple that, according to her, “may just be the beauty world’s not-so-secret weapon.”

It's been recommended by makeup artists and dermatologists to much success, with HuffPost readers scooping it up anytime they get a chance. The world at large seems to be catching on to this French hidden gem, but it's a longtime HuffPost fave.

“Crepey” skin is a common-yet-tricky skin concern to treat. Lots of products with big price tags make big promises about the ability to restore elasticity to skin, but few are as time-honored and popular as this lotion. HuffPost readers adore Gold Bond's crepe-correcting body lotion that harnesses the power of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and powerful botanicals to deeply hydrate and smooth, which can help to reduce the look of crepey skin.

Reviewers have long gone wild for this drugstore staple, and it's tried-and-true reputation has earned this hard-working body cream a coveted spot on this list. It's a classic HuffPick — affordable, effective, multi-functional, sneakily luxurious, and widely beloved (it has over 40,000 reviews on Amazon). We wholeheartedly agree with one user who said, "It works better than the expensive stuff."

Washing your face daily can feel like an arduous task, made more so when you factor in the labor or having to launder washcloths. As if that weren't annoying enough on its own, dermatologist Joshua Zeichner previously told HuffPost, “Items like washcloths can be a breeding ground for microorganisms if they are left out wet and reused.”

The search for a sanitary solution led former HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian to the cult-favorite Clean Skin Club towels. Plant-based and disposable, they’re designed to help keep skin germ-free post-wash, so you can apply products with a fresh face, clean conscience and without added microorganisms. At press time, the towels were the #1 bestseller on Amazon for facial cleansing cloths and towelettes, and the #2 bestseller in beauty and personal care.

Endorsed by thousands of happy reviewers, these soft, plush and surprisingly large towels are as good as it gets. Some users even noted that they helped to reduce skin irritation. It's no wonder they've become a staple in myriad HuffPost readers' skin care routines, making them worthy of high praise.

Flats are notoriously unsupportive, but these Vivaia flats are as elegant as they are shockingly comfy. When they first came on our radar, we dismissed them as another overly-orthopedic option that sacrificed style for comfort, but we're pleased to report that we were incredibly wrong.

Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, these truly lightweight flats have a square toe, a V-cut upper silhouette and soft, flexible and subtly ribbed fabric made from recycled plastic bottles.The square toe feels edgy without being too aggressive, and the V-shape adds some unexpected visual interest. Best of all, the springy insole and sturdy rubber outer sole make them great for long walks or days spent on your feet. HuffPost readers love them as well — they sell like hotcakes anytime they're featured in our stories. They're highly coveted in our catalog of comfy shoe articles.

There are a few shoe brands out there that have similar designs and fabrics, but the Vivaia shoes look much more elegant than their counterparts while still providing ample comfort. They really nail the aesthetic in a way that competitors haven’t. As if that weren't enough, they are washable, which is ideal for dealing with city grime. All of these qualities more than earn these lovely shoes a HuffPicks stamp of approval.