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Every month, the CNN Underscored team is hard at work testing new products to find the best ones worth purchasing. You can count on our hands-on, objective reviews where we find the top products across various categories, from beauty, health and electronics to smart home gadgets, kitchen tools and outdoors gear.

Our testing process is rigorous, each time kicking off with extensive research to track down top contenders in each product category. After creating our testing pool, we acquire and use each product multiple times in a real-world setting over several weeks or even months.

The month of July was no different, in which we tested plenty of high-quality and reliable products, including cooling pillows that will keep you comfy throughout the night, the most rugged hiking daypacks to make your next adventure a blast, delicious sparkling wines to help you unwind and relax with loved ones and the sharpest utility knives that will help you cut open any box or package — and found the best products you can buy to make life that much better. Here are the best-tested products we recommend from July.

Alcohol

Best sparkling wines

Best sparkling wine

Our editors loved this delicious sparkling wine, which is grown and harvested in California’s renowned Napa Valley. This buttery, bubbly cuvée had the perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of fruitiness and freshly baked pastries. Pick up this elegant bottle for your next get-together.

Beauty

Best dry shampoos

Best dry shampoo

The DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo was the best at absorbing oil and removing sweat and dirt during testing. It’s a must for those mornings when you don’t have time to fully shampoo your hair. Its scent was a hit with our testers, too, making their hair smell as fresh as it felt.

Coffee

Best drip coffee makers

Best drip coffee maker

If you need an amazing cup of coffee fast or even 10 cups at a time, then the Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker delivers. It features a handy built-in grinder that can ground your beans to your desired size and then make robust cup after cup that will hit the spot.

Electronics

Best headphones and earbuds

Best wireless over-ear headphones

The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless over-ear headphones improve on the WH-1000XM4, and were a hit during testing with their slimmer design and refined noise-canceling microphones. The XM5 are the high-end headphones to get right now.

Best true wireless earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer superior sound and tons of features, including powerful ANC. Their attractive design also won us over during testing.

Best laptops

Best laptop

This 13-inch Apple MacBook features an M3 chip for super-fast performance, a comfortable keyboard that is a pleasure to type on and a pleasing display that is crisp and clear. Plus, its long battery life will last you throughout a long workday or weekend.

Best portable Bluetooth speakers

Best portable Bluetooth speaker

The Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is packaged in a waterproof, dustproof canister that you can take to the beach, pool or anywhere you want robust, 360-degree sound. Plus, it’s a great value at less than $200.

Best tablets

Best tablet

In our testing, the 10th-generation Apple iPad impressed us with its powerful processor which easily performs daily tasks powerfully. Our editors loved its clear display, tablet-optimized apps and its overall value.

Best webcams

Best webcam

The Logitech C920S delivers an outstanding picture in dim and bright lighting conditions. Our editors found it sturdy and versatile during testing, coming with handy companion software for customizing your shots.

Best Wi-Fi range extenders

Best Windows laptops

Best Windows laptop

We think Microsoft finally got it right with its new Surface Laptop. It has long-lasting battery life and high-end performance. We prefer this model right now, considering all the new Copilot+ PCs available. But instead of AI trickery, this laptop impressed us with all the gains from its Snapdragon X Elite processor.

Health and fitness

Best bike hitch racks

Best bike hitch rack

The 1UP Super Duty was recently redesigned, and we think this hitch rack was the burliest and most durable bike rack in our testing. It has great stability on 4x4 roads and can carry various tire widths and sizes. With a max weight of 100 pounds per tray, it is also e-bike compatible.

Best bike phone mounts

Best bike phone mount

The Quad Lock Out-Front Bike Mount is simple but robust and worked like a charm during testing. Its locking mechanism held firm even during extreme testing, and we liked that it comes in at a lower price than some competitors.

Best sunscreens

Best sunscreen

Our team of testers loved this sunscreen; its bright and pocket-sized packaging was just one of the things they liked. It contains potent vitamins and biofermentation technology to supercharge aging protection. We loved how it evened out our skin tones and liked how its omega-packed chia seeds nourished our skin.

Home

Best utility knives

Best utility knife

This Milwaukee Fastback utility knife felt heavy-duty in our hands during testing. We loved its press-and-flip blade, and its impressive blade storage gave it the edge over the competition. For a durable, usable and portable knife, it’s the utility knife to get.

Best window ACs

Best window air conditioner

This air conditioner from Midea features a U-shaped design, which makes it easy to install in our window. This design also keeps the compressor outside, with the window acting as a noise barrier. As a result, it was quieter compared to other air conditioners we tested. It cooled our room quickly and effectively; we loved its motorized vent that automatically moved to waft cold air throughout the room.

Kitchen

Best panini presses

Best electric panini press

We loved how the Cuisinart Electric Griddler Five GR-5BP1 features a pair of reversible, removable plates, which meant we could grill courtesy of the flat-top side or easily griddle and get those ridges that added the tell-tale heat marks to our wrap. This press can lay completely flat or press down on two sandwiches and do so without taking up too much countertop space.

Best pizza ovens

Best pizza oven

The Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo was the only electric pizza oven we tested, and it turned out to be our favorite pizza oven of all the units we tested thanks to its predictable, consistent results. Every pizza we made with it came out evenly cooked and delicious.

Best stand mixers

Best stand mixer

We loved the KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer the best of all the mixers we tested due to its amazing durability and performance. It’s available in 20 colors and has a classic profile, which means this tilt-head mixer can fit in with almost any kitchen decor and not take up too much counter space.

Outdoor gear

Best hiking daypacks

Best hiking daypack for men

The men’s version of the Maya, the Miko 25 weighs only 2.1 pounds, which makes it one of the lightest and most comfortable daypacks we tested. Its extended sizing, from 2X to 6X, ensures a proper fit for larger bodies. We also loved that it can comfortably hold up to 25 pounds of gear.

Best hiking daypack for women

The women’s version of the Miko daypack, the Maya 25 ranked at the top of nearly every test we ran. We loved its amazing adjustability and unmatched comfort. This hiking daypack resists water and boasts stellar breathability at the same time. With pockets galore, there’s space for anything you might need to bring along on a day hike. For larger-bodied hikers, this pack also comes in a plus-size 20-liter option.

Best water shoes

Best slip-on water shoes

The Teva Outflow Universal Water Sandals’ extra-grippy sole helps them stay comfortable and stable on wet and dry terrain alike. They are made with eco-friendly materials and provide excellent toebox protection. We liked Teva’s men's version as well.

Pets

Best cooling mats and pads for dogs

Best dog cooling mat

We found the Green Pet Cool Pet Pad to be a great addition to our camping trip in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. It was portable, durable and chic. But it also performed well at home on our living room floor, giving our dog Marla a comfortable, cool place to rest. Our pooch especially loved resting atop this mat when it was placed on her dog bed for the extra padding.

Best dog bowls

Best dog bowl

The Max and Neo Stainless Steel Dog Bowl is a stainless steel dog bowl that is easy to clean. Its classic style fit into our decor, and we liked that it was a bit heavier than the others we tested. Most of all, we loved its full rubber base, which means you will get no messes from your bowl-flipping doggo.

Sleep

Best cooling pillows

Best cooling pillow

During testing, the Pluto Pillow we slept on was exactly the right thickness and firmness we needed. This was because we could customize the pillow based on our specs like our height, weight, sleep position and preferred firmness. We also loved its cooling material, which ensured our heads didn’t overheat.

Best linen sheets

Best linen sheets

More luxurious than all the other linen sheets we tested, the Parachute Linen Sheet Set felt comfy and lightweight to sleep with. Its weight in hand was pleasant and we liked its unique texture on our skin. You can pick from a wide range of colors and sizes and buy each piece of the set individually if you need to replace one.

Best sleep masks

Best sleep mask

One of our favorite features of the Mavogel Sleep Mask is its nose wire that completely blocked out all — and we mean all — the light during testing. The mask rested softly on our eyes and fit snugly and comfortably around our head. No matter our sleep position, it never budged and helped us enjoy a sleep in total darkness.

Smart home

Best home security systems

Best home security system

The Ring Alarm Pro home security system was the most seamless for us to set up during testing. We liked that it’s customizable with a range of add-ons, and offers features that other systems can’t match.

Best smart bulbs

Best smart locks

Best smart lock

Our tester loved the Yale Assure Lock 2’s sleek, modular design, which means you can buy only what you need and upgrade later if desired. The lock is easy to use and sharing access to our home with others was simple. Another plus is that it integrates easily with smart HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home.

Best smart TVs

Best smart TV

The Samsung OLED S90C 4K UHD Tizen TV impressively balances performance and price. Our testers loved its vivid colors and intense brightness, which made images appear lively and robust. This TV is packed with the latest tech, making it a great choice for gamers, too.

Travel

Best checked luggage

Best soft-sided checked luggage

We found this bag easy to navigate through the airport thanks to its CX expansion-compression technology and smooth wheels. Its front pocket is convenient and ideal for stowing away travel documents. We also appreciated its SmartLink Strap which lets you attach an extra bag. It is heavier and costs more than others we tested, but we think it's a top choice for avid travelers who value durability and practical features.

Best hard-shell checked luggage

During testing, this bag's durable polycarbonate shell impressed us with its toughness. The bag features a 50/50 split opening and an organized interior, which is great for neatly packing all your essentials for your next trip. Its 360-degree spinner wheels slide the bag effortlessly, making it easy to walk with. The lighter colors of this bag scuff easily, so keep that in mind as you travel.