It’s the Filter’s first birthday! 25 things readers loved most this year … and if we still recommend them

Anyday

Anydeli Silicone Mixed (full set)

$89

$89 at Anyday

My Anydeli containers are still my favorite food storage – and transport – containers. I use them almost daily and lately I’ve been steaming a lot of edamame in them, versus using the bag it’s packaged in. I can’t say I have any complaints, though it’s worth noting that I definitely stained the transparent white color, called Mochi, with my homemade red sauce, but I’d expect that with any non-glass food storage container. They are great for transporting individual elements of a dish or salad to a dinner party, as well as for sending school lunches that need to be microwaved. Emily Farris, Filter contributor

McGuire

Wool-Nylon Blend Glove Inserts

from $12.50

$12.50 at McGuire Army Navy$14 at Amazon

After filing my dual-glove combo away for the summer, I dug them out for a Labor Day camping trip and immediately put them to use cooking, setting up a tarp and hiking on misty 30F-something mornings. It wasn’t the sunny summer sendoff I hoped for, but it did remind me how clutch these gloves are when wet and cold settle in. Since writing my original article, I did try these more expensive merino liners from Minus33, and while they are much softer, they also seemed to bunch up more. I still recommend the classic wool if you can handle a little break-in.Nick Mokey, Filter editor

Aivituvin

Catio

from $223

$223 at Walmart$299.99 at Amazon

This October marks three years since the grand opening of my cat Tux’s Aivituvin catio, and I would still recommend it. I had wanted to build him a catio for years, but planning a custom build felt daunting. Having a prefab option took the guesswork out of the process and turned a “maybe someday” project into something I could tackle in an afternoon. The wood is relatively lightweight, but overall the structure has held up well with only minor upkeep. I haven’t discovered any unexpected uses for it, but it has changed my own routine: I often take my morning coffee in the catio while Tux struts around showing off whichever lounging spot he has decided is his favorite that day. Tracy Allison, Filter photo editor

Brooklinen

Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towels (2 pack)

from $93

$93 at Brooklinen$109 at Amazon

I still totally recommend the Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towels. The thick Turkish cotton loops are soft to the touch and absorbent. Despite my initial misgivings about the durability, these towels have held up and are still a great value buy. Jon Chan, Filter contributor

Read more: The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested

Anyday

Anyday 2-Cup Glass Round Dish Multipack

from $40

$40 at Anyday$40 at Amazon

I still love my Anyday glass food storage containers and reach for them the most when I’m putting away leftovers I plan to eat at home because they are heavier and less durable than the brand’s newer silicone containers. That said, I have been using them for more than a year and haven’t broken one yet, so the thick glass is clearly pretty sturdy. EF

Material Kitchen

The MK Free Board

from $52

$52 at Material Kitchen$52 at Nordstrom

This has become my go-to raw meat board. I love that it’s lightweight and easy to clean – unlike my beloved wooden clunkers, I can store it between shelving units, pull it out when I need to chop some raw chicken, then pop it into the sink. The little trough is extra handy for just this purpose. It has held up well: no warping and minimal knife marks. Marian Bull, Filter contributor

Parachute

Organic Super Plush towel

from $59

$59 at Parachute$59 at Nordstrom

If you want the plushness of a bathrobe in towel form, I still recommend Parachute’s Organic Plush Towels. The fabric’s heaviness is similar to that of a weighted blanket. Since the Organic Plush Towels are easier to wash than a throw blanket, I might start wearing them around as the cooler months roll in. And they are still as squishy and soft as the day I got them. JC

Field Company

No 5 Chef Skillet

$125

$125 at Field Company

Six months in, the Field Company skillet is still my favorite cast iron. The lighter weight and smoother surface than most make it so enjoyable to cook with and it’s only gotten more non-stick as the seasoning builds. I’ve lately enjoyed using it to bake frittatas, and let me tell you, it has been a relief to not have to scrape egg bits off the sides. Karen Yuan, Filter commissioning editor

Handy Laundry

Dryer Balls

from $13

$13 at Amazon$14 at Handy Laundry

Wool dryer balls are still the go-to way to soften laundry without using chemicals. They come in sets of up to 20, which gives you a bulk-purchase discount. A big batch is especially useful if you like to use different kinds of essential oils on your clothes. You can then create multiple sets, each dedicated to a different scent. JC

Mzoo

Sleep Mask

$30

$30 at Amazon

Mzoo

The Mzoo still hangs from my headboard over a year later, and I still reach for it every time I take a nap. (I also bring it with me any time I’m staying in a rental or hotel without blackout shades.) In spite of at least half a dozen spins in the washing machine – in a mesh laundry bag for delicates, of course – it continues to fit perfectly, sealing out light and staying put all night long. Juno DeMelo, Filter contributor

Read more: The best sleep masks in the US in 2026: I spent nine weeks testing 32 masks, and these are my favorites

Anker

511 Nano 3

from $16

$16 at Amazon$16 at Anker

This little USB-C charger continues to prove it’s well worth the $15.99 price. Until we start to see another revolution in chargers like the one that gallium nitride brought, I have a hard time imagining this little charger will stop being an easy recommendation. It may not be the ultimate brick that can juice up a beefy laptop or ebike battery in a flash, but the 30W charging speed will be sufficient for virtually everything else you are likely to need USB-C charging for. Its compact and foldable design is wonderfully portable, so it’s easy to bring along. I have had one knocking around in various backpacks for a few years now, and it still performed perfectly. It may not be as splashy as new charger models that include screens and boast more advanced cooling, but ultimately it’s a simple tool with a single job, and it does that job very well. Mark Knapp, Filter contributor

Read more: We stress tested 22 USB chargers to find the best for phones, laptops, travel and more

Kent

Comb

from $10

$10 at Walmart$10 at Amazon

I still wholeheartedly recommend the Kent 16T comb. It’s an affordable upgrade from a basic plastic comb, with smooth teeth that glide through hair without pulling and mine has held up well to daily use. My relatively short, straight hair doesn’t give it much of a challenge, but my wife and daughter have long hair with waves, curls and plenty of tangles. They borrow it so often that when it goes missing, I know to check the other bathrooms first. It turns out my favorite men’s comb is a favorite with the women in my house, too. Josh Patterson, Filter contributor

Read the full review: Better hair, less waste: this durable British classic replaced my basic plastic combs

Illy

Intenso Instant Coffee

from $13.49

$14 at Illy$13.49 at Walmart

I am an avid coffee drinker who loves to explore new brands, so on a daily basis, I still brew from beans – but I also still enjoy the Illy instant coffee. And as a pastry chef, I often use instant coffee in baked goods, frostings and ice creams so I almost always keep some on hand to provide that bold coffee flavor. Rachel Sherman, Drexel University

Anker

Travel Adaptor

from $26

$26 at Amazon$26 at Anker

Not only has this charger been around the world with me two or three times since I first wrote about it, I have accidentally dropped it on the floor of more airports and airplanes than I care to think about. It’s still working every bit as well as the day I first got it. Likewise, its tiny size means that hauling it along still never feels like a burden. Tim Stevens, Filter contributor

Read more: Travel essentials: eight items to pack for your next trip – and what to leave at home

Trtl

Neck Pillow

from $48

$48 at Trtl$60 at Amazon

I don’t always travel with my Trtl, but I’ve had the misfortune of taking a few economy red-eye flights lately, and it has more than proven worth the space in my bag on those trips. I recently put a small eye mask and some extra ear plugs in its storage bag. That way I’m always set for a decent night’s sleep in an unfortunately small seat. TS

Our Place

Titanium Always Pan Pro

from $179

$179 at Our Place$179 at Amazon

After months of use, we still like the Our Place Titanium pan. The only real complaint we have heard from users is that the pans can be hard to clean due to the size of the gaps on their surface, which are a result of their NoCo technology. However, it sounds like Our Place has already addressed this concern. I recently saw the Our Place Titanium set featured at Costco, where the sales representative explained that the new version has smaller gaps that are easier to clean. RS

Read more: The seven best non-toxic cooking pans in the US, tested in a food lab

Xtreme Comfort

Office Chair Cushion

$34

$34 at Amazon

After testing out the Xtreme Comforts seat cushion for the Guardian earlier this year, I bought one for myself and still use it daily at my kitchen table. It continues to provide excellent support for my back when I sit there for work and for dinner. It’s also handy for raising up a chair if you’re sitting at a particularly tall desk. Adam Doud, Filter contributor

Thule

Compression Cube Set

from $47

$47 at Amazon$54 at REI

I still recommend the Thule cubes for the construction quality. It still feels luxurious, but as I originally noted, they do scuff easily. Because they hold their shape, I like using them for shoes or delicate items. Les Shu, Filter contributor

Asahi

Cookin’ Cut Antibacterial Rubber Cutting Board

$76

$76 at Amazon

In my kitchen, the lasting benefit of this board is its small size. I like that I can prep something on it, and then whisk the board away to a different part of my (tiny) kitchen. The rubber is a breeze to clean, and takes wear well. MB

Tors+ Olsson

X Frame Heated Drying Rack

$180

$180 at Walmart

Last winter, regular contributor and editor, Megan Reynolds, introduced us to this energy saving laundry device. This folding model quickly became one of your most-loved items, and was recommended for drying larger loads.

Doc and Phoebe’s

Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder Kit

from $16

$16 at Chewy (three toys)$28 at Amazon (five toys)

Over the year, we learned that many of our readers are cat parents. Another one of your favorite products of the year was this hunting feeder kit, that was recommended by a certified cat behavioral specialist in our guide to enriching your cat’s life.

GoCat

Da Bird

$23

$23 at Amazon

“It really looks and sounds like a bird flapping its wings. I can’t imagine a cat owner not having this toy,” another expert told us of this feather toy. We hope your cats have enjoyed the product that has officially earned a spot in your favorite items of the year.