Introducing the first-ever CNN Underscored Innovation Awards, highlighting the year's most ingenious products

CNN

5 days ago

The internet is packed with product reviews by a huge herd of reviewers and service journalists telling you which products they think are best. That's why, in 2026, we're introducing our biggest feature yet: the first-annual CNN Underscored Innovation Awards. This new program aims to cut through that clutter and acknowledge the year's truly inspired products that can improve your day-to-day through outstanding design, functionality and ingenuity.
These products aren't just original, though; they also have a clear purpose, and they make users' everyday lives more efficient, convenient and enjoyable. Think: a vacuum cleaner that picks up your socks, a meat smoker that brings the joy of barbecue indoors or an electric flosser that makes maintaining oral hygiene easy — and maybe even a little fun. Rather than bestowing yet another accolade upon the same old 'award-winning' products you're used to seeing on these lists, it's the combination of inventiveness, usefulness and value that we'll highlight through this initiative.
Winners will be determined via rigorous hands-on testing by our writers and editors, who will put these products through their paces in real-life scenarios. We'll also focus on each product's value — is it reasonably priced, and does the price sync well with the cost per use? — and consult experts to ensure we're 100% confident in our recommendations.
We're now accepting submissions for the 2026 CNN Underscored Innovation Awards. If you have a product you think we should consider, here's what you need to know.
In order to submit a product for consideration, please fill out this form (one product per submission, please, but multiple submissions per brand are allowed). The deadline for all submissions is Oct. 15, 2025.
Eligibility
Product must have been released between Jan. 1, 2024, and Oct. 15, 2025
Product must be widely available for purchase in the US by Dec. 31, 2025
We're seeking submissions from the list of product categories below.
Beauty and grooming
Electronics
Travel
Outdoors
Home
Fitness and wellness
Samples for testing
Samples are required for participation and must be received by Oct. 15, 2025. They can be mailed to the address below.
CNN Underscored / DaVonne Bacchus30 Hudson Yards, 21st FloorNew York, NY 10001
Evaluation criteria
Performance and efficiency
Innovation
Design and build quality
Market impact
Value and accessibility
Timeline
Winners will be announced in January 2026.
Contact
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to [e-mail].
CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products we review and provides full transparency about our testing methodology. We're made up of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted.