Latest news with #NBCSelectWellnessAwards
NBC News
23-04-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Deal of the Day: Apple AirPods Pro 2 are 20% off right now
If you commute in a major city, chances are you see a lot of people wearing Apple AirPods. There's a good reason for that: we've tested them for years, and they are one of the best earbuds for iPhone owners. For our latest deal of the day, the Apple AirPods Pro 2, are 20% off right now. They are also a worthwhile investment if you've been thinking about getting new wireless earbuds. Apple AirPods Pro 2 deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 4.6-star average rating from 25,264 reviews on Amazon The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is one of our top headphone recommendations and an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner. Multiple NBC Select staffers use them for everything: commuting, working out, relaxing, interviewing sources, you name it. They have great sound quality, excellent noise-cancelling and transparency modes and easy to use on-ear controls. Paired with an iPhone, they have additional features like Apple's Find My app and Hearing Aid support. The earbuds get up to six hours of battery life alone and up to 30 hours with the charging case. The earbuds come with four rubber ear tip sizes and a small charging cable in the box. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, running shoes, cameras and more. For this piece, I checked Apple AirPod Pro 2 prices and price history across multiple retailers to find the best deal. Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
NBC News
21-04-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Our favorite workout headphones: tried and tested
Working out can feel like a chore. Pounding the pavement or pumping iron can get repetitive after a long day of work, especially if you aren't used to it. What makes my 45 minute dumbbell workout fly by? Workout headphones, paired with an audiobook, of course. Workout headphones can vary in shape and size. Some look like typically wireless earbuds, others are band-shaped open headphones that rest on your temples. Regardless, good workout headphones stay secure on your head during jumping jacks, burpees, yoga and anything else. How we picked the best workout headphones The NBC Select team has tried dozens of workout headphones over the years, for this guide as well as our annual NBC Select Wellness Awards. To pick our favorites, we selected products while keeping the following qualities in mind: Comfort: Workout headphones should feel comfortable and secure for hours at a time. Different size eartips or a customizable fit can help too. Controls: It can be hard to change volume or skip tracks while working out. The best workout headphones have reliable on-ear controls that work well even with gloved or sweaty hands. Water-resistance: Strong dust and water resistance, often noted by a headphone's IP rating, can prevent dust and moisture from breaking your workout headphones overtime. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up The best workout headphones in 2025 Our top picks came from a mix of large and small brands including Beats, Shokz and. and smaller brands like Apple, Jabra, Shokz and more. We list specs like battery life, water resistance and more below each recommendation. The Beats Fit Pro has been my go-to workout earbud for years, even after trying out dozens of competitors. The fit is a big reason why — the small, built-in wing-tips lead to a secure fit without making the earbuds too hefty. Both earbuds have physical button controls that are easy to use, even when I am wearing thick gloves for a winter run. You can press either button to stop, start and skip songs, and holding the button down changes between noise cancellation and transparency mode. The Beats Fit Pro pair easily with my iPhone and have a similar experience on Android using the Beats mobile app, in my experience. Unlike many competitors around this price point, the case does not charge wirelessly. These headphones rest on the outside of your ear instead of inside your ear canal. They use a mix of vibrations and highly-directional speakers to get sound to your inner ear. NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson has used Shokz open-ear headphones to run the New York City Marathon. She feels safer running with them because they leave her ears open, allowing her to hear things more clearly like nearby cars, bikes and pedestrians. I use them for similar reasons while I'm cycling. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is the brand's most premium headphone, with the best sound quality, comfortable fit and feel and ubiquitous USB-C charging. But, like with all open-ear headphones, don't expect them to block any noisy neighbors while working out at the gym. If the OpenRun Pro 2 is a bit pricey, you could also consider the similar Shokz Open Run, though you lose out on sound quality and USB-C charging. If you are looking to try out an open-ear headphone, or want a second pair of workout headphones just for outdoor runs, consider these budget-friendly Anker Soundcore V20i. The earbud rests on, not inside, your ear, and each bud has a rubber earhook for a more secure fit. They are also IP55 dust and water resistant, so you don't have to worry about sweat or rain. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are some of the most secure workout headphones I've ever tested. They are also some of the most feature rich — they have active noise-cancellation and transparency modes, on ear media and volume controls, a wireless charging case and heart rate sensors built-in to the earbuds themselves. While the sensors are a little finicky to sync with your workout app, they are a nice-to-have for anyone who doesn't use a fitness tracker. You can read more in my Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review. Our previous earhook pick, the JBL Endurance Peak 3, is still a great option if you are looking for something simple, secure and less pricey. Noise cancellation: yes | Transparency: yes | Battery life: rated up to 10 hours | Wireless Charging: yes | Water resistance: IPX4 | Bluetooth Multipoint: no | Works best with: Android, iPhone | Ear tips: silicone (XS, S, M, L, XL) Best budget earhook: JLab Go Sport+ For $30, I was surprised by the quality of these earbuds, especially for quick outdoor runs. They have a large ear hook design that wraps securely around the back of your ears — I found them to be tight and comfortable, but not so snug that I couldn't hear traffic noise or other runners around me. Like most earbuds at this low price point, they do not have noise cancellation and transparency modes or wireless charging. But they do connect to the JLab app, where you can customize settings like sound balance. The NBC Select team mainly consists of iPhone owners, and they love AirPods Pro for working out and everyday life — they are comfortable and secure in our ears during workouts, including outdoor runs and indoor gym routines. The earbuds have excellent sound quality and noise canceling. With noise cancellation turned on, chatter and music at the gym fade instantly, in my experience. When I switch on transparency mode, I can hear my surroundings very clearly, perfect for running outdoors. They also include four ear tip sizes in the box, which can help you get a more comfortable fit for your ears. Anyone with an Android phone looking for one pair of headphones to pull double duty as workout and everyday earbuds should consider these latest Google Pixel buds. The new design adds mini wing-tip stabilizers that fit snugly in your ears and make the earbuds much bette for exercise than the originals. Like Airpods Pro 2, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have strong noise cancellation and transparency modes. But they also have the longest battery life on our list — up to 12 hours in the earbuds alone and 48 with the case. Noise cancellation: yes | Transparency: yes | Battery life: rated up to 12 hours | Wireless Charging: yes | Water resistance: IP54 | Bluetooth Multipoint: yes | Works best with: Android | Ear tips: silicone (XS, S, M, L) How to shop for workout headphones We've tried dozens of excellent headphones fit for everyday use, but not all of them make for ideal workout headphones. Keep the following in mind as you shop for your next fitness headphones: In-ear versus open-ear In-ear headphones are typical earbuds like Apple Airpods Pro 2 or Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 with rubber eartips that rest inside your ear canal. Open earbuds rest on the outside of your ear instead of the inside, usually on your ear or around your temple. Open-ear headphones are great if you want to listen to music but still hear your surroundings clearly — I prefer open-ear headphones when I am running or cycling outdoors. Earbud fit Your earbuds need to fit your ears well, or else they will fall out during intense exercise, in our experience. All of our in-ear headphone recommendations come with multiple sized ear tips. Try a few different ear tip sizes and feel out which one fits best. If you want to avoid worrying about eartip all together, look into open-ear headphones instead. Water and dust resistance Water and dust resistance is denoted by an earbuds IP (ingress protection) rating. IP ratings contain two numbers. The first represents intrusion protection against dust and debris. The second denotes water resistance. Many of our recommended headphones have an IP rating of IP55, which indicates protection against dust and jets of water. Earbuds meant for swimming or water sports should be fully waterproof, with a rating of at least IPX8. Automated noise canceling and transparency modes Noise cancelation and transparency (sometimes called hear through) are both useful features to have in any kind of headphone. Noise canceling can block outside noise like chatter or music at the gym. Transparency lets in sound and is useful for outdoor activities like running, when you may want to hear nearby traffic or pedestrian noise more clearly. Noise canceling headphones with transparency are typically more expensive than headphones without those features. Why trust NBC Select? I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on fitness trackers, running shoes and cameras. For this piece, I tried over a dozen headphones and earbuds while doing different fitness activities. I spoke with other members of the NBC Select team about their experiences with headphones and earbuds they've used for fitness.
NBC News
25-03-2025
- NBC News
Sony's best headphones are at their lowest price ever right now
Sony's best headphones, the WH-1000XM5, are at their lowest price ever: $249.99 at the time of writing. If you are looking to upgrade your audio, these are the best over-ear headphones and an NBC Select Wellness Awards winner. If you are looking for best-in-class over-ear headphones, these are one of the best on the market. Sony WH-1000XM5 deal These are Sony's best headphones, full stop. We've used them for work, commuting, vacations, international flights, relaxing at home and everything in between. They are good for just about everything, with excellent sound quality, powerful active noise cancellation and responsive touch controls. You can connect wirelessly over Bluetooth to up to two devices at once, plus they come with a wired cable for plugging into seatback entertainment on flights. They get up to 30 hours of battery life and have USB-C quick charging. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. Why trust NBC Select? I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, running shoes, cameras and more. For this piece, I checked Sony WH-1000XM5 prices across multiple retailers to find the best deal. Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
NBC News
25-03-2025
- Health
- NBC News
2025 NBC Select Wellness Awards: all the winners available on Amazon
At NBC Select, we do the hard work so you can be, well, selective. For our third annual NBC Select Wellness Awards, we spent nearly three months testing hundreds of products to find the best of the best across categories like dental care, sleep and fitness. After countless hours of hands-on testing, our editors narrowed it down to just over 50 standout winners — each earning our Best of Wellness Awards stamp of approval. Check out the list below for our favorites, available on Amazon. For our full list of winners, check this out. How we chose our winners Our team spent two months evaluating hundreds of wellness products to uncover the best in each category. Throughout this rigorous process, our editors and staff took detailed notes on every product, ensuring that only the top contenders made the final cut. We take a comprehensive approach to product evaluation. To earn a Best of Wellness Award, a product must not only meet our readers' needs but also enhance their daily lives. We assessed a range of factors tailored to each category, including price, size inclusivity, quality, and effectiveness, to determine the ultimate winners. Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Award: Best workout shoes | Type: Running The Brooks Hyperion Max 2 has cushioned soles for a soft, lightweight feel while running and is designed to help propel you forward, according to the brand. It's also made from breathable mesh that ventilates your foot as you wear it. Saucony Guide 18 Award: Best workout shoes | Type: Walking These workout shoes are designed with high side walls and medium-firm cushioning to help cradle and support your feet as you walk, according to the brand. They also have an interior sock liner to help prevent blisters, and a heel pull tab that NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin says is a small but impactful feature. Ostrich Pillow Bamboo Compression Socks Award: Best socks | Type: Compression Ostrich Pillow's Bamboo Compression Socks are designed to apply a gradual compression to your legs that helps to improve blood flow, decrease muscle soreness, and reduce swelling, according to the brand. Bamboo fibers are naturally lightweight and antibacterial, so the socks are very breathable and can help to control odor. Bala Bangles Award: Best ankle weights These bangles are an NBC Select editor favorite because they're easy to carry and comfortable for long-term wear. Malin, a Bala Bangles user since 2020, says she uses her set daily, and they've never let her down. These ankle weights have a Velcro strap that lets you customize the fit and are made from soft silicone that doesn't irritate skin. Oceanfoam Tidal Roller Award: Best foam roller | Type: Standard This firm roller has a wavy, textured surface that gently massages your body to help with muscle relief, according to the brand. Our staff love its high density and large size, which help to cover a wider area while massaging. It's made from recycled foam and comes in 33 different colors, including Seafoam, Maroon and Champagne Gold. Chirp RPM Award: Best foam roller | Type: Electric You can use this electric roller for a more personalized massage experience — it has five customizable intensity levels that use percussion and rolling massage techniques to help with muscular aches and pains, according to the brand. It's designed with two handles for extra control, and is covered in a bubble texture that helps you get a deeper massage. Malin also loves that the Chirp has a stand that allows with extra stabilization while rolling. Therabody Prime Plus Award: Best massage gun This massage gun has a heated percussive attachment that helps speed up healing up to three times faster than a regular percussive massager, according to the brand. It's also compatible with cold and vibration attachments, and comes with a pouch for easy travel storage. Airpods Pro 2 Award: Best earbuds | Operation System: Apple The Apple Airpods Pro 2 are our top choice for iPhone users — they have great sound quality, noise-cancelling and transparency modes, and work well for travel, walking, working out and more, according to our testers. NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez loves that they not only fit easily and comfortably in her ears for all-day wear, but also effectively block out the city's noise. Award: Best earbuds | Operation System: Android These earbuds are the best for anyone with an Android. NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz loves the updated, stabilizing design of these earbuds, which he says helps them to fit much better in your ear while exercising. They're small and light, and get up to eight hours of listening time. Garmin Forerunner 165 Award: Best fitness tracker | Type: Overall We love this fitness watch for people of all fitness levels — it has a lightweight design and great features for workouts, especially running. NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman, a beginner runner, found the watch just as helpful as NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson, who wore the watch during multiple marathons. You can read more about the watch in our full Garmin Forerunner 165 review. Apple Watch Series 10 Award: Best fitness tracker | Operation System: Apple The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch for iPhone owners. This version has improved health and fitness features, including sleep trend tracking and a thinner design with a bigger screen. For more on the Apple Watch Series 10, you can check out our full review here. Google Pixel Watch 3 Award: Best fitness tracker | Operation System: Android For those with an Android, this smartwatch from Google is an excellent choice for its fitness tracking features. Rabinowitz especially likes its custom run settings, which he uses to set warm-ups, cool-downs and heart rate targets. It also comes in two sizes and includes four watch bands. Oura Ring 4 Award: Best fitness tracker | Type: Ring The Oura Ring 4 is a stylish alternative to a traditional smartwatch, and can provide data on health, sleep, wellness and more, according to the brand. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio loves how accurately and easily the ring tracks her sleep and anxiety patterns. Wellness Awards 2025: Sleep winners on Amazon Ozlo Sleepbuds Award: Best sleep earbuds | Type: Splurge Ozlo Sleepbuds are made from a soft silicone and come with four different size tips, so you can customize them for the most comfortable fit, according to the brand. They can hold a charge for up to ten hours (long enough to last all night), and have a Smart Case that gives you an extra charge while on the go. Hatch Restore 3 Award: Best sound machine | Type: Overall We love the Hatch Restore at NBC Select, and this latest model is no different. According to the brand, it works as a bedside light, a clock, and a sunrise alarm, allowing you to have a gentler morning experience. It's also designed to work phone-free since most of the controls are on the Hatch itself. Award: Best sound machine | Type: Travel This white noise machine is small and lightweight, making it ideal for travel or for use on the go. The built-in LED light has three settings and a long, 48-hour battery life at a single charge. Ostrich Pillow Eye Mask Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Travel The Ostrich Pillow Eye Mask is designed to contour to your face, and has contoured eye cups to help relieve pressure on your eyes, according to the brand. It fully blacks out light, making it ideal for people who like to sleep while traveling. It weighs just one ounce, so it's light to wear. Theraice Sleep Mask + Cooling Gel Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Contoured This sleep mask is filled with a soft gel that can be heated or cooled, according to the brand, It has an adjustable strap and a contoured design, along with weighted areas around the eyes to help with relaxation. QUOTE TK. Crest 3D White Deep Stain Remover Award: Best toothpaste | Type: Overall This toothpaste is formulated to help whiten teeth and prevent staining by weakening the bonds that hold the stains to teeth, according to the brand. NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson, who tested the toothpaste, says her dental hygienist thought she'd had a recent whitening treatment after using. The toothpaste is also safe for sensitive teeth. Sensodyne Extra Whitening Award: Best toothpaste | Type: Sensitive Sensodyne toothpaste is great for sensitive teeth and is formulated to help reduce tartar and plaque build-up, resulting in smoother, cleaner teeth, according to the brand. NBC Select social editor Rosalie Sparaco also said the toothpaste helps soothe the sensitivity of her teeth to cold drinks. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Award: Best toothbrush | Type: Electric This electric toothbrush comes with a travel case, charger and stand, and also has an accompanying app that includes guidance, recommendations and reports on brushing, according to the brand. It's one of our editors' favorite toothbrushes for its sensory technology that helps to track your pressure, motion and coverage while brushing. Award: Best toothbrush | Type: Manual Alvarez calls this 'the goldilocks of toothbrushes ' — it has a silicone tongue and cheek cleaner and over 5,000 bristles to help clean plaque from teeth and gums, according to the brand. The toothbrush also has a textured handle to help you keep your grip while brushing. Listerine Total Care Award: Best mouthwash This mouthwash has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance, and uses fluoride to help freshen breath and strengthen teeth, according to the brand. Schneider says the minty flavor leaves her mouth fresh and clean whenever she uses it. Cocolab Cocofloss Award: Best floss | Type: Standard Cocofloss thread is made of vegan wax, recycled polyester, and coconut oil, which helps it reach smaller, harder-to-reach areas, according to the brand. It's designed to remove as much plaque from between the teeth as possible and is available in 15 flavors, including Pure Strawberry, Confetti Cake, and more. Award: Best whitening strips This kit is enamel-safe and easy to use and can whiten your teeth up to 20 levels whiter, according to the brand. Once applied, you just have to leave them on for 45 minutes. Schneider says they're easy to use and get the job done, while Malin says she's never had an issue with them moving or coming off. What our badge means At NBC Select, we prioritize our readers, so when a product has our badge, you can trust that our experts have thoroughly vetted it. As journalists, we will always do our research and commit to honest reporting.
NBC News
25-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- NBC News
NBC Select Wellness Awards 2025: The best fitness, sleep and self care products
At NBC Select, we do the hard work so you can be, well, selective. For our third annual NBC Select Wellness Awards, we spent nearly three months testing hundreds of products to find the best of the best across categories like dental care, sleep and fitness. After countless hours of hands-on testing, our editors narrowed it down to just over 50 standout winners — each earning our Best of Wellness Awards stamp of approval. Check out the full list of winning products below, many of which you can shop on Amazon and other major retailers. How we chose our winners Our team spent two months evaluating hundreds of wellness products to uncover the best in each category. Our editors and staff took detailed notes on every product throughout this rigorous process, ensuring that only the top contenders made the final cut. We take a comprehensive approach to product evaluation. To earn a Best of Wellness Award, a product must meet our readers' needs and enhance their daily lives. To determine the ultimate winners, we assessed a range of factors tailored to each category, including price, size inclusivity, quality, and effectiveness. Brooks Hyperion Max 2 Award: Best workout shoes | Activity: Running 'When I run in these sneakers, I feel like they're doing all the work for me,' says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. 'The combination of their nylon plate, thick layer of cushioning and rocker-shaped outsole pushes me forward so I don't have to exert as much energy, letting me run further and faster without getting super tired.' Brooks' Hyperion Max 2 sneakers are best for speedwork, according to the brand — Malin finds them most beneficial when she's running under a 10-minute mile. They're lightweight and made from breathable mesh, plus they have notched laces, which helps keep them tied. You can buy them in men's and women's sizes, including half sizes. Saucony Guide 18 Award: Best workout shoes | Activity: Walking 'While I love a fast shoe, sometimes I need a cushiony sneaker, which is exactly what the Saucony Guide is,' says NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. 'It's perfect for long or short walks because it gives my feet the right support.' The shoes have a broad base and high side walls that cradle the foot, stabilizing every step. They're also made with medium-firm foam, and there's a soft sock liner inside the shoe to prevent blisters or chaffing if your socks slip down. Malin's favorite small but impactful feature is the heel pull tab on the back of the Guide 18s. 'It's big enough to hook my finger through, which helps me comfortably pull the sneaker on my feet,' she says. You can buy these sneakers in men's and women's sizes, including half sizes and three widths: regular, wide and extra wide. On Cloudpulse Award: Best workout shoe | Activity: Training 'I've noticed a significant difference in my strength training workouts since using these sneakers,' says Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select manager of editorial operations. 'The rigidity of the shoe and the flat bottom makes me feel stable in different positions, and since there's light cushioning and arch support, my feet never feel uncomfortable.' On's Cloudpulse training shoe has a wide toe box, which prevents your feet from feeling constricted, and it's made from a breathable mesh material, so Rodriguez's feet stay cool during activities like weight lifting, HIIT classes and walking. Beyond these shoes' performance, our reviewers find them fashionable. 'In general training, I feel like sneakers aren't always very stylish, but I love the look of the Cloudpulse,' says Rodriguez. If we've convinced you to add a pair to your cart, consider buying a half size up, says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio — doing so made the shoe more comfortable for her. Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Leggings Award: Best leggings 'There's nothing that makes me happier than putting on a pair of leggings, going for a 10-mile run and not having to pull up the waistband once,' says Malin. 'I can't say that about many leggings I've tested, but I can say that about these.' Lululemon's leggings have a semi-compressive high waistband with an internal drawcord that you can pull to make the fit tighter, and a hidden pocket large enough to store keys or a credit card. There's also a pocket on the side of each leg, where Malin puts her phone and headphones. The leggings are made from a stretchy, flexible, breathable, quick-drying fabric, so Malin says they're reliable no matter what workout you're doing or how sweaty you'll get. She's owned one of her pairs for almost two years, and they still look and feel good as new. 'I've washed and worn the Wunder leggings dozens of times and there's no pilling, see-through spots or color bleeding, so you're definitely getting your money's worth.' Neiwai Core High Support Sports Bra Award: Best sports bra | Activity: High impact 'This is the most supportive sports bra I tested for Wellness Awards,' says Bianca Alvarez, NBC Select associate reporter. 'It helped keep everything secure and in place during all types of workouts, like strength training, running and HIIT classes. It also didn't get soaked in sweat and was quick-drying, making me more comfortable as I finished my exercises.' Neiwai's high-impact sports bra has molded, padded cups lined with moisture-wicking material, with reflective details on its outer layer of fabric. The bra's X-shaped racerback straps and hook-and-eye closure are both adjustable. If you're between sizes, Neiwai recommends sizing up. Spanx FlexFeel Medium Impact Sports Bra Award: Best sports bra | Activity: Medium impact 'I've never met a Spanx sports bra I didn't like, and from the moment I put this one on, I knew it was a keeper,' says Malin. 'Its semi-compressive fabric, molded cups, padding and soft underband give it the ideal amount of support for medium-impact workouts with short bursts of running or jumping, like HIIT, vinyasa yoga and weight lifting. I also felt perfectly comfortable and held in while walking in it and using the elliptical machine.' Spanx's sports bra is made from breathable, sweat-wicking, quick-drying fabric. Its criss-cross straps and hook-and-eye band closure are both adjustable, letting you customize its fit and feel. The bra also has a lower neckline, so you can easily hide it under shirts. The brand says it's best for B, C and D cups. Award: Best sports bra | Activity: Low impact If you're doing a low-impact workout like gentle yoga, barre, Pilates or stretching, everything you wear should be soft, flexible and stretchy — that's exactly how our testers described Quince's longline sports bra. 'It's not tight or restrictive; instead, it's really breathable and comfortable, so I'd buy it in every color,' says Alvarez. 'I also love that it's a little longer than some other sports bras, so I can wear it as a regular top or under a workout shirt.' The racerback, pull-over sports bra doesn't have much compression, so you can move freely. It's also moisture-wicking, quick drying and antimicrobial, according to the brand. The price of the sports bra, $30, made it highly desirable among our testers. Forme Ankle Guard Socks Award: Best socks | Type: Workout The Forme Ankle Guard socks offer a generous amount of support and compression. 'There's specialized zones of support on the sock, making some areas a bit more compressive than others, like the arches, the sides and the ankle,' says Malin. The socks are thin and breathable, so you have adequate airflow while exercising. Godio also tested the Forme socks and says, 'They provide that necessary ankle support when I'm running, taking long walks or doing high-intensity workouts like HIIT. Plus, I feel my balance is much better when I wear these.' Award: Best socks | Type: Compression NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown tested a handful of socks for Wellness Awards and this pair from Ostrich Pillow came out on top. 'Compression is a must for me: I lounge on my couch once or twice a week while wearing my Hyperice compression boots. And I never work out without wearing compression socks because they make recovery easier and keep my feet and calves from getting super achy,' she says. Brown also noted that the compression level was comfortable even when she wore layers like leggings. These socks also maintained their compression and shape after multiple washes. Doublesoul Quarter Grip Award: Best socks | Type: Grip 'These grippy socks are such a great pair to have on hand for Pilates and barre classes. They're cushioned but not too thick, and I love that they extend up my ankles, which I find helps prevent them from rolling down while I'm exercising,' says Malin. The socks have grip dots on the bottom and a breakable top layer, allowing you to work out and stay secure while keeping your feet dry. Malin liked the size of the grippy dots, which covered the bottom of the sock completely. That added traction made Malin feel more stable and grounded during her workouts. 'I love that they're breathable, and although they are a medium thickness, they still feel lightweight and don't hold onto my sweat. After washing it a couple of times, the grip remains intact,' says Alvarez. NBC Select Best of Wellness fitness tech and equipment winners Alo Warrior Mat Alo Warrior Mat $148.00 Alo Award: Best yoga mat The Alo Warrior Mat consistently raises the bar for durability and comfort. It's soft and cushioned, moisture-wicking, and slip-resistant, so you don't have to worry about sliding around during your workouts (especially in heated classes). The bottom of the yoga mat also grips the floor well, so it doesn't move around while you're using it, according to our reviewers. 'This is the best yoga mat I've ever used. I've tested over a dozen between all three years of Wellness Awards, which is constantly the one I compare all others to because it sets such a high standard,' says Malin. 'Though heavy, it's worth it for the non-slip factor.' Malin cleans the mat with an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber towel, and every month, she deep cleans it with a gentle dish soap in my shower to get all the grime off. 'I've now used this mat for over two years and there really aren't any stains, despite me using it at least twice a week for hot yoga,' she says. Bala Bangles Award: Best ankle weights Bala Bangles are a favorite among our editors because they're a great addition to everyday workouts and activities. 'I've been a Bala Bands user since 2020, and they have never let me down. I use my set every single day,' says Malin, who wraps them around her wrists or ankles when walking, using the elliptical machine or during yoga, barre, Pilates, sculpt and HIIT classes. 'They up the intensity of any workout I'm doing, and I actually enjoy wearing them since they're less bulky and more comfortable than other ankle/wrist weights I've tried.' The weights have a long, stretchy Velcro strap that lets you customize how tight you want them. Their soft silicone exterior doesn't irritate the skin and is easy to wipe off post-workout. Malin says the Balas also come in a small storage bag, so you can easily throw them in your gym bag or suitcase. Barre3 Circle Resistance Bands Award: Best resistance bands These resistance bands are great for those who want to build strength in their upper body, abs, glutes and legs. They come in a set of three and include light, medium and heavy resistance. 'There's a noticeable difference in tension between the light, medium and heavy bands, but each one feels accessible — they don't feel tense to the point that you can't stretch them,' says Malin, who uses them during barre, sculpt and Pilates classes to make them more challenging. 'Because these resistance bands are made from a thicker, more durable fabric and are wide, they stay in place better than some of the plastic resistance bands I've tested,' she says. Alvarez uses these resistance bands during at-home workouts because they provide even tension and they're durable. 'No matter how much I stretch them out, they stay good as new,' she says. Plus, the bands come with a small pouch to store them in, so you can take them with you while you travel, says Alvarez. Owala FreeSip Sway Award: Best water bottle The Owala FreeSip Sway has become a fan favorite among NBC Select editors thanks to its simple design and ease of use. 'I've tried a ton of water bottles and the Owala is consistently my favorite,' says Godio. The Owala's 2-in-1, sip or swig design is part of its appeal. 'I particularly love the built-in straw — it makes it so much easier to drink while I'm on the go, and it prevents it from spilling everywhere,' says Godio. The FreeSip Sway also has a large bucket handle, making it easy to carry around. 'I enjoyed using the Owala FreeSip water bottle, mainly because it was the perfect shape and size for taking with me to the gym since I could fit it in the pocket of my backpack,' says Cory Fernandez, NBC Select commerce editor. He also loved that the Owala bottle kept his water cold even after being in a hot workout room for a long time. Alo Moves Award: Best fitness app 'I was okay with quitting my gym membership because I was getting everything I needed with Alo Moves,' says Alvarez, who's been using the fitness app for over a year. 'I tell everyone that if they're going to spend money on at-home workouts, it has to be this.' Alo Moves has a digital library with thousands of on-demand workout classes across types, lengths and levels of intensity. Alvarez appreciates the variety because there's always something new to try, so she never gets bored. She also likes doing the curated class series and month-long challenges. 'They were an excellent way for me to push myself, stay motivated, and feel accountable,' Alvarez says. Godio also swears by Alo Moves, especially since the instructors are motivating and welcoming, encouraging her to try classes she wouldn't normally do. The app is easy to navigate, and beyond fitness classes, Alo Moves offers videos about nutrition, recovery and mindfulness, like breathwork and meditation. 'I love doing those videos in the mornings to get me calm and motivated to tackle the day,' says Godio. Award: Best foam roller | Type: Standard The Oceanfoam Tidal Roller was a favorite among NBC Select staff thanks to its large size and firm density. 'Other rollers are a little smaller which is easy for transportation, but not the best for when I want to use it on my back. Because of the larger size and firm texture, I was able to comfortably use this roller on so many parts of my body, especially my lower back,' says Natalia Chancafe, NBC Select social media associate editor. The waved ribbed texture of the roller also helps with muscle stimulation, helping your body feel even more relief after strenuous workouts. It also comes in a variety of basic and marbled color options. Chirp RPM Award: Best foam roller | Type: Electric 'This is a revolutionary foam roller and massage gun hybrid that I have used daily, if not more, since I started testing it in December,' says Malin. It has two handles and a unique bubble-like design around the roller. Malin says she loves that the Chirp comes with a stand, which allows her to move different areas of her body up and down the roller, like her feet or the front and back of her legs and arms. That hands-free aspect was part of the Chirp foam rollers' appeal. It also has five customizable intensity levels that you can use to target different parts of your body, like your IT bands or upper back. 'The device really doesn't take up much space at home. I store it under my couch. The battery also lasts for a while. I've only had to charge it twice since I got it,' says Malin. Therabody Prime Plus Award: Best massage gun 'The Theragun Prime Plus is an excellent massage gun,' says Harry Rabinowitz, NBC Select reporter. Thanks to its triangle hand grip design, you can easily massage hard-to-reach areas. 'I especially love their ergonomic handles because I have a weak right side (my dominant side), so it's easier to handle than other brands,' Says Brown, who also tested the Prime Plus massage gun. The heated ball head attachment was also a favorite among our testers. 'Let me tell you, there is something extra cozy and relaxing about a heated massage — I didn't think it would be that big a deal, but it helped loosen target areas more than usual,' says Rabinowitz. The Prime Plus has four massage attachments, a USB-C charging cable and a travel pouch. Apple Airpods Pro 2 Award: Best earbuds | Operation System: Apple Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continues to impress years after launch — they remain our go-to earbuds for iPhone owners. They have impressive noise-cancelling, an industry-leading transparency mode, clear and crisp sound quality and robust on-ear controls. We love using them for working out, relaxing, commuting, flying and anything in between. 'I love that they fit comfortably in my ears but most importantly that they block out all the outside noise from the city,' says Alvarez. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Award: Best earbuds | Operation System: Android These are some of the best do-anything earbuds for anyone with an Android phone. The new design adds mini wing-tip stabilizers that fit snugly in your ear and make these much better for exercise than the originals, says Rabinowitz. The battery is another standout: these earbuds get up to eight hours of listening time with noise-canceling on — competitors like Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 only get six hours. Plus, they are small, light and come in bright colors like green and pink. Garmin Forerunner 165 Award: Best fitness tracker | Type: Overall The Garmin Forerunner 165 is our favorite running and fitness watch for beginners and experts alike. It's comfortable, lightweight and packed with features to help you guide your run and understand your workouts. Swanson wore this watch during the New York City and Chicago marathons in 2024 — it helped her maintain her target pace, heart rate zone and more. NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman wore it too, but to help him start running, and found it just as helpful. You can learn more in our Garmin Forerunner 165 review. Apple Watch Series 10 Award: Best fitness tracker | Operation System: Apple If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch you can get, full stop. It's comfortable, easy to use, and great for fitness and wellness tracking. This latest version is a little bit thinner, charges a little bit faster, and has a slightly bigger screen than the Series 9. But it's the software that won us over: fitness and health data is more visual than before with features like training load and Vitals. Both helped us make sense of our fitness and sleep trends. You can learn more about it in our Apple Watch Series 10 review. Google Pixel Watch 3 Award: Best fitness tracker | Operation System: Android The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a fantastic smartwatch for anyone with an Android phone, especially for fitness tracking. It automatically detects runs, bike rides, treadmill time, spin class and more exercises after five minutes of activity. For runners, you can set up custom runs yourself, with warm-ups, cool-downs, intervals and heart rate targets. 'I use custom runs on Apple Watch and Garmin all the time — it's great to have this on Google Pixel Watch too,' says Rabinowitz. The Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes with four different watch bands. Oura Ring 4 Award: Best fitness tracker | Type: Ring The Oura Ring 4 is the best health tracker for people who don't want a bulky smartwatch blasting them with notifications. It's a sleek ring that fits comfortably and subtly on your finger but still provides useful health, sleep and wellness data through the Oura app. The app is intuitive, easy to understand and has more complex data the further you dig into it. Godio struggles with sleep and anxiety and loves that the Oura Ring easily and accurately tracks both daily. You can learn more in our Oura Ring 4 review. NBC Select Best of Wellness sleep winners Loop Dream Earplugs Award: Best sleep earbuds | Type: Overall If you have trouble falling asleep due to distracting sounds or are easily overstimulated in social settings, consider the Loop Dream Earplugs strongly. Godio tested the earplugs and says they help her fall asleep, even though she lives in a noisy area. 'I love the soft and smooth silicone material — I can wear them for hours and it doesn't bother or hurt my ears,' she says. 'They also don't fall out of my ears as I sleep, which is a huge plus (especially since I tend to move around at night).' The Dream earplugs have up to 27 decibels of noise reduction and a loop that sits flush against your ear, so they're even a fit for people who sleep on their side. Ozlo Sleepbuds Award: Best sleep earbuds | Type: Splurge Ozlo Sleepbuds are made from soft silicone and come with four different size tips so you can customize them for the most comfortable fit, according to the brand. They can hold a charge for up to ten hours (long enough to last all night) and have a Smart Case that gives you an extra charge while on the go. Hatch Restore 3 Award: Best sound machine | Type: Overall The Hatch Restore is a multifaceted device that can help you sleep better through soothing light and calming sounds. Powered by an app, the Hatch Restore 3 is the newest version of the sound machine-alarm clock hybrid. NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider tested the Hatch Restore 3 and particularly loves using the light function, which you can customize via the app and choose from various options. Award: Best sound machine | Type: Travel The Drift Away white noise machine from Australian brand Ergopouch is around the size of a small round bar of soap but has a loop attached, making it easy to connect to your backpack, purse or duffel. It's ideal for babies, particularly newborns, because it plays calming sounds to help you and your baby fall asleep and develop sleep cues, according to the brand. It has a 48-hour battery life and an adjustable LED light on one side with the speaker on the other. NBC Select video producer Josh Rios tried out the sound machine and loved how easy it was to find the right sound to fall asleep. 'Drift Away White Noise Machine is one of the best compact sound devices I've used in the last couple years,' he says. 'The amount of sounds in this small package has a sound for every sleeper. Ocean waves, heartbeats and more contribute to finding your sleep preference on the go or at home.' Ostrich Pillow Eye Mask Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Travel Fernandez tried out the Ostrich Pillow Eye Mask and says it truly changed his outlook on sleep masks entirely. 'I typically don't go to sleep with an eye cover, mostly because I find it too overstimulating and all I can think about is taking it off rather than simply sleeping. With the Ostrichpillow, this wasn't a problem at all,' he says. 'What I loved about it is that their shape isn't like your traditional eye mask — it has eye cups that fit securely around your eye without pressing down on them when they're closed.' Plus, the velcro strap on the back is adjustable, so you can prevent it from being too tight. It's also extremely lightweight and easy to collapse, making it ideal for putting in your bag during a trip. TheraICE Sleep Mask + Cooling Gel Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Contoured The TheraIce Sleep Mask is ideal for those who love something to cover their eyes to help them fall asleep, but it also helps you wake up with less swelling and dark circles around your eyes. In addition to keeping light out and letting your eyes rest, the mask has a cooling gel within each eye cup to calm your face. You can also heat the mask to compress the face for relaxation. NBC Select production associate Jem Alabi tested the sleep mask and it helped her stay cool and relaxed. 'The heat in my apartment is really strong, so I put the TheraIce in the freezer for about 15 minutes and loved the cooling sensations,' she says. 'The section for the eyes is a bit weighted, so there's a nice pressure that helps me to fall asleep that I like.' With that said, avoid storing the mask in the freezer with any fragrant foods to prevent the smells from attaching. Bearaby Tree Dreamer Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Weighted The Bearaby Tree Dreamer sleep mask has added heft, similar to a weighted blanket, to help you fall asleep and keep the light out. NBC Select community engagement manager Rosalie Sparaco tested the sleep mask and says it helped improve her sleep, especially as a hot stomach sleeper. 'The Bearaby's 360° pillow-like style was the most comfortable for me to sleep on. The strap didn't squeeze my head but felt secure, and I especially liked that this was cooling, so it was never sweaty when I woke up,' she says. 'Out of all the masks I've tested, this is the one I reach for again and again.' NBC Select Best of Wellness dental care winners Award: Best toothpaste | Type: Overall Crest's 3D White Deep Stain Remover Toothpaste uses the brand's patented technologies to gently prevent stains and whiten your teeth by weakening the bonds that hold the stains onto the teeth, according to the brand. 'At a dentist appointment, the hygienist asked me if I had had a recent whitening treatment. The only thing I did differently? I used this toothpaste,' says Swanson. 'My teeth were absolutely whiter after only a few days. It was truly incredible.' Aside from the noticeable results, our testers love that the sensitive teeth-friendly toothpaste strengthens enamel and has a pleasant taste with just the right amount of spearmint freshness. Sensodyne Extra Whitening Award: Best toothpaste | Type: Sensitive 'Sensodyne is a must-have if you have sensitive teeth,' says Schneider. 'We tested a lot of whitening strips for Wellness Awards, so my teeth were getting super reactive, and I was slightly in pain. The minute I reincorporated this into my routine, my teeth were back on track.' According to the brand, this toothpaste combats cavities and removes stains, provides sensitivity relief and prevents the pain from returning. Sparaco also noticed her teeth tolerated and reacted well when using it because it alleviated her sensitivity to cold drinks. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Award: Best toothbrush | Type: Electric This electric toothbrush has been a favorite and go-to of our editors for years now. 'Every time I use it, my breath, tongue and teeth genuinely feel fresh and clean,' says Schneider. The toothbrush uses the brand's technology to sense your pressure, motion, and coverage to adapt to your technique as you go. This allows it to ensure its effectiveness at cleaning, protecting your gums and whitening your teeth by reducing stains, according to Phillips Sonicare. It comes with a travel case, charger, and stand. It also has a companion app to see brushing guidance, recommendations and reports. Award: Best toothbrush | Type: Manual This manual toothbrush uses over 5,000 bristles to help remove build-up from the surface of your teeth and gums as well as hard-to-reach spaces, according to the brand. 'This is the goldilocks of toothbrushes and works just as well as an electric one,' says Alvarez. 'Some alternative options have bristles that are too soft that they aren't able to remove the plaque from my teeth effectively, but this was able to get everything without needing aggressive brushing.' The toothbrush has a built-in silicone tongue and cheek cleaner on the back of its head and has a textured handle to help you maintain your grip. 'That feature makes it more comfortable to use, hold and maneuver around my mouth,' she says. Listerine Total Care Award: Best mouthwash This alcohol-free mouthwash, which has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance, uses ingredients like fluoride to strengthen teeth, prevent cavities and remove the germs that cause bad breath, according to the brand. 'This is exactly what I want in a mouthwash: it's strong and leaves me with that overwhelming minty breath that leaves me fresh and clean anytime I use it,' says Schneider. Cocolab Cocofloss Cocolab Cocofloss $36.00 Amazon $36.00 CocoLab Award: Best floss | Type: Standard Cocofloss is one of our favorite floss brands because it removes more plaque and build-up than other alternatives, according to Sparaco. The thread is made of vegan wax, recycled polyester, and coconut oil to help access hard-to-reach crevices without irritating your gums, according to the brand. 'Sometimes it can get a little stuck between my teeth and then becomes thready, but this is the only drawback I've found and is worth it for getting the gunk out,' she says. The potential fraying is a result of the interwoven material expanding. It does this to remove as much grime between the teeth. 'My favorite part about this floss is the flavor because it leaves my mouth feeling so refreshed after,' says Chancafe. It's available in 15 flavors, including Delicious Mint, Pure Strawberry, Confetti Cake and Unscented. Panasonic Portable Cordless Water Flosser EW-D1511 Panasonic Portable Cordless Water Flosser EW-D1511 $104.99 Panasonic Award: Best floss | Type: Electric 'Compared to other water flossers that I've tested, this one is gentle and is easy to maneuver in my mouth to get all the hard-to-reach spaces and spots,' says Swanson. It uses pressurized water and its rotating nozzle to remove plaque, bacteria and food from your mouth, according to the brand. The water-resistant, portable water flosser focuses on five key points: interdental (cleans where food collects), periodontal (removes plaque from pockets), gums (gently stimulates gums), the surface of your teeth (to remove stuck-on plaque) and orthodontic care (for those with braces and bridges), according to Panasonic. It has five water pressure settings to tailor to your needs and sensitivity. Crest 3DWhitestrips Professional Effects Crest 3DWhitestrips Professional Effects $44.95 Amazon $44.95 Walmart Award: Best whitening strips This at-home teeth whitening kit uses hydrogen peroxide, an enamel-safe ingredient, to remove old stains and whiten your teeth up to 20 levels whiter, according to the brand. 'These are classic and popular for a reason: they're easy to use and get the job done,' says Schneider. All you have to do is peel the non-slip grip whitening strips, apply them directly to your teeth and leave them on for 45 minutes. 'I've never had an issue with them moving or coming off,' says Malin. 'They're very low profile, so I can easily talk when I have them on. After consistently wearing them, my teeth definitely look whiter.' What our badge means At NBC Select, we prioritize our readers, so when a product has our badge, you can trust that our experts have thoroughly vetted it. As journalists, we will always do our research and commit to honest reporting. 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