{"id":27151,"date":"2025-10-10T06:38:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T06:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=27151"},"modified":"2025-10-10T06:38:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T06:38:48","slug":"the-filter-is-one-50-things-we-loved-this-year-from-a-sleep-mask-to-the-perfect-pan-life-and-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=27151","title":{"rendered":"The Filter is one! 50 things we loved this year, from a sleep mask to the perfect pan | Life and style"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><span style=\"color:var(--drop-cap);font-weight:700\" class=\"dcr-15rw6c2\">T<\/span>he Filter is turning one. Since we launched a year ago, we\u2019ve run, hiked, camped and swum; we\u2019ve drunk 455 cups of coffee; washed 34 loads of clothes; slept on mattresses for 2,240 hours, and much more, testing a total of 2,040 products \u2013 from coffee machines to gin \u2013 to bring you the most rigorous, informed and entertaining buying advice.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-1iz7gbk\"><\/p>\n<p>The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.\u00a0Learn more.<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We\u2019ve even had a decent stab at identifying the preferred lipstick of a global icon. And we\u2019ve<strong> <\/strong>helped you consume less \u2013 and look after your precious things, from your phone to your wooden kitchen utensils, to make them last longer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">To celebrate our birthday, we\u2019ve asked our contributors \u2013 and our readers \u2013 to tell us the one thing they\u2019ve tested or bought from our 409 articles (and counting) that they\u2019ve loved the most. We\u2019ve included a few of our personal favourites here on the Filter, too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">From a slow cooker to a sleep mask, a highchair food catcher to a hot brush, here are 50 tried, tested and genuinely loved recommendations.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-filter-products-we-and-you-love-the-most\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The Filter products we (and you) love the most<\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"a-perfectly-portable-blender\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">A perfectly portable blender<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ninja Blast cordless <\/strong><strong>blender<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a349.99 at Ninja\u00a344 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After reading the Filter\u2019s best blenders article, I actually went out and bought the cordless Ninja Blast for making protein shakes. It\u2019s fantastic, and I can stick it in my gym bag for a quick protein hit after a workout. <strong>Leon Poultney<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"go-retro-with-an-mp3-player\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Go retro with an MP3 player<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Snowsky Echo Mini<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a349.99 at AMP3\u00a366.99 at eBay<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I\u2019m a big fan of the Snowsky Echo Mini from my list of the best MP3 players. It\u2019s a great (re)introduction to portable music players, and the fact that it\u2019s shaped like a cassette tape gives it a whole extra layer of charm. <strong>Alan Martin<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mix-it-up-with-cordless-blending\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Mix it up with cordless blending<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>KitchenAid cordless hand blender<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3219 at KitchenAid\u00a3219 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I really liked the rechargeable battery concept of the KitchenAid Go cordless hand blender that I tested for best blenders \u2013 not being tied to a plug socket makes all those little jobs so much easier. <strong>Rachel Ogden<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"beach-campfire-in-a-candle\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Beach campfire, in a candle<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Smoky sea salt candle<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a328 at Cornish Sea Salt<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I hugely enjoyed testing scented candles and diffusers. But the one I\u2019m obsessed with is the Smoky Sea Salt candle by Cornish Sea Salt: it makes you feel like you\u2019re sitting around a campfire on the beach. I can\u2019t get enough of it. <strong>Kate Jacobs<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sleep-aids-for-a-blissful-40-winks\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Sleep aids for a blissful 40 winks<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span> Photograph: Jane Hoskyn\/The Guardian<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Otty Original Hyb<\/strong><strong>rid mattress<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From \u00a3499.99 at Otty<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Otty Original Hybrid mattress is my lone five-star review of the year, and the only one I subsequently bought for keeps. It continues to slay the competition. <strong>Jane Hoskyn<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em><strong>For more, read our guide to the best mattresses<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>MyHalos blackout sleep mask<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a39.99 at Amazon\u00a312.99 at eBay<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The best thing I\u2019ve tested is the MyHalos blackout sleep mask, which costs less than \u00a315 and romped to victory in my roundup of the best sleep aids. I now have four, such is my fear of losing one to holiday baggage handlers or the eye mask fairy. <strong>J<\/strong><strong>H<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"cosy-socks\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Cosy socks<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Heattech cable socks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a37.90 at Uniqlo<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">We featured a pair of Heattech socks last Christmas that quickly became the most popular item ever on the Filter (since overtaken by the Otty mattress and a sub-\u00a310 mascara, among other things). I finally succumbed to curiosity and bought myself a pair towards the end of winter, and they were just perfect for the shoulder season, keeping me warm even with bare legs. I\u2019ve since developed a full-blown obsession with Uniqlo technical fabrics (Heattech scarves, Airism shorts \u2026), but I don\u2019t think I can hold the socks fully responsible. <strong>Monica Horridge<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"lovely-booze-free-bubbly\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Lovely booze-free bubbly<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>L\u2019Arjolle Zero sparkling equilibre<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a313.45 at Wine at Home<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I was surprised to discover there are some really good non-alcoholic wines out there that taste like the real deal. The L\u2019Arjolle Zero sparkling equilibre was my favourite: with fine bubbles and depth of flavour, it\u2019s a convincing alternative to real bubbly. I\u2019m planning to get in a few bottles for Christmastime to moderate the intake a little and offer booze-free imbibers something tasty. <strong>Sophia Longhi<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-forever-dress\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">A forever dress<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Reiss Atelier maxidress<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3428 at Reiss\u00a3428 at Next<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">This Reiss Atelier dress was one of the most expensive things I\u2019ve recommended, and I hesitated to include it, but it is a truly beautiful piece that I will wear for ever. Also \u2013 it\u2019s on offer now! <strong>Jess Cartner-Morley<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-boot-to-hike-for\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">A boot to hike for<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Sorel waterproof sneaker boot<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3139.49 at Sports Shoes\u00a3155 at Sorel<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">And I never get tired of recommending my Sorel hiking boots. Sturdy but lightweight, ridiculously comfy, not stupidly expensive \u2013 and they actually look nice too. <strong>JCM<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"pitch-perfect-camping\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Pitch-perfect camping<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>MSR Hubba Hubba NX tent<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3474.99 at Cotswold Outdoor\u00a3560 at Go Outdoors<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I take my MSR Hubba Hubba tent wild camping all the time: it\u2019s quick and intuitive to pitch and has two roomy porches, so it\u2019s easy to share with another camper. And our Boutique Glamping bell tent comes to weddings, festivals and family camps with us; I love having headroom. <strong>Sian Lewis<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em><strong>For more, read our guide to the best tents<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-knife-made-for-gardens\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">A knife made for gardens<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Niwaki hori hori knife<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a332 at Niwaki\u00a332 at Burford<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">My green-fingered aunt bought me a hori hori knife from Niwaki (as recommended in our piece on gifts so good we buy them on repeat) and I\u2019m obsessed: it makes weeding really fast \u2013 and fun!<strong> SL<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"joggers-to-pep-up-the-wfh-wardrobe\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Joggers to pep up the WFH wardrobe<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Adidas Originals Firebird track pants<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a360 at Adidas\u00a360 at Asos<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I bought the Adidas Firebird joggers in green after Peter Bevan highlighted them in his 50 men\u2019s summer wardrobe updates. I wanted to update my work-from-home attire, so I don\u2019t feel like such a slob when I pop out on my lunch break. These fit the bill perfectly: they\u2019re comfy to sit in all day, but they also look good \u2013 plus they add a nice pop of colour to my wardrobe. <strong>Lily Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"steamed-rice-microwave-style\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Steamed rice microwave-style<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Sistema rice steamer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a37.99 at Currys\u00a37.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I\u2019ve always wanted a rice cooker, but I don\u2019t have the counter space. So when I saw Joanne Gould recommend this affordable microwave version in her review of the best rice cookers, I gave it a go. It produced much more delicious and less starchy rice than I\u2019d ever managed in a saucepan, and all for \u00a37.99.<strong> LS<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-perfect-hot-brush\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The perfect hot brush<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>GHD Duet <\/strong><strong>Blowdry hairdryer brush<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3379 at GHD\u00a3379 at Lookfantastic<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I thought nothing would make me part with my well-tried and very trusted Revlon One Step hot brush, but the GHD Duet Blowdry I tested for best hot brushes really did blow me away. A new favourite. <strong>Lise Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-great-kickstart-coffee-machine\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The great kickstart coffee machine<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>De\u2019Longhi Magnifica Evo bean-to-cup coffee machine<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3419.99 at Lakeland\u00a3580 at Argos<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">My family loves our De\u2019Longhi Magnifica Evo bean-to-cup coffee machine (a kind house-warming gift), which takes the sting out of waking up by brewing fresh barista-style coffee at the touch of a button. It\u2019s quick, easy to clean, and has a handy milk steamer for lattes and cappuccinos. I can\u2019t face the morning without it. <strong>LS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em><strong>For more, read our guide to the best coffee machines<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"brilliant-slow-cooking\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Brilliant slow cooking<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Green<\/strong><strong>Pan stainless steel slow cooker<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3215 at Currys<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ninja 8-in-1 slow cooker<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3149 at John Lewis\u00a3150 at Argos<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Two of the snazzy slow cookers I tested during my epic kleftiko saga were particularly brilliant (the GreenPan and Ninja Foodi Impossible 8-in-1). <strong>Joanne Gould<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"microwave-toasties\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Microwave toasties<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Morphy Richards Mico<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a319.99 at Morphy Richards\u00a319.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In testing toastie makers, I came across a nifty microwaveable version from Morphy Richards that will have to be prised out of my cold, dead hands when the time comes to pass it on to the lovely people at Gratitude Upcycle in Barnet. However, shout out to the McGuigan Mid shiraz red wine \u2013 which I tested for my piece on the best mid-strength drinks \u2013 as it\u2019s the most surprising thing I keep buying; at 7% it just about tastes like the stronger stuff and is a good Sunday option. It\u2019s in loads of supermarkets, too. <strong>JG<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"smash-the-potato-mashing\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Smash the potato mashing<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Oxo Good Grips smooth potato masher<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a312 at Dunelm\u00a312 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I included the Oxo Good Grips potato masher in my Father\u2019s Day gift guide, and it has revolutionised my mashing game. Light, fluffy and sorting your mash in seconds, it beats a wire-based design hands down and its ergonomic hand position is much easier to use. It\u2019s also a doddle to clean: you won\u2019t find old bits of potato stuck in the curves next time you go to mash. <strong>Charlie Allenby<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"big-props-to-no-drops-food-catcher\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Big props to no-drops food-catcher<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Highchair food catcher<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a339.95 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I\u2019ve got a nine-month-old, and there are an awful lot of things you throw cash at in the pursuit of making your life easier. One thing I couldn\u2019t live without, though, is the Catchy. It\u2019s essentially a bit of plastic that you fit beneath a highchair, and it catches any food, cutlery, plates and cups tossed over the side. They can then be plonked back in front of your baby because they haven\u2019t hit the deck. <strong>CA<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hydrogen-hydration-in-a-bottle\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Hydrogen + hydration in a bottle<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Echo water flask<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3283.99 at Healf\u00a3299 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I was sceptical about the hydrogen-infused water bottle (the price, the price!) in my test of the best water bottles, but became a convert \u2013 chug a bottle of it and there\u2019s no dehydration the morning after boozing. A gamechanger. <strong>Zo\u00eb Phillimore<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"juice-on-the-go\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Juice on the go<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Anker Nano power bank<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a319.99 at Anker\u00a319.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As someone who uses my phone for everything, from paying for things to unlocking my front door, it cannot be without battery. The Anker Nano \u2013 rated best for portability in Pete Wise\u2019s test of the best power banks \u2013 gives me peace of mind that I won\u2019t lock myself out of the house if my phone dies. <strong>ZP<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-rise-and-shine-alarm-clock\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The rise-and-shine alarm clock<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 sunrise alarm clock<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a399 at Argos\u00a399 at Boots<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I had modest expectations when I started writing the Filter\u2019s guide to the best sunrise alarm clocks, but the Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 dazzled me with its natural-feeling sunrise simulation. It often woke me pleasantly before the alarm went off. <strong>Pete Wise<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"budget-but-still-the-best-childs-bike-seat\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Budget-but-still-the-best child\u2019s bike seat<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Polisport Bubbly Maxi Plus child seat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a345 at Halfords<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A dirt-cheap Halfords child bike seat. I tried frame-mounted bike seats from a number of leading brands, from \u00a335 up to \u00a3140. In the end, it was the cheapest of the lot that caused the fewest headaches. <strong>Paddy Maddison<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>skip past newsletter promotion<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1xjndtj\">Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian\u2019s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-1eusqlu\"><strong>Privacy Notice: <\/strong>Newsletters may contain information about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. If you do not have an account, we will create a guest account for you on theguardian.com to send you this newsletter. You can complete full registration at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"EmailSignup-skip-link-174\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"after newsletter promotion\" role=\"note\" class=\"dcr-jzxpee\">after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"go-to-cross-body-bag-and-refillable-deodorant\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Go-to cross-body bag \u2026 and refillable deodorant<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Round mini shoulder bag<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a314.90 at Uniqlo<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Fussy Tropic Tonic deodorant starter pack<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a315 at Fussy\u00a38.71 at Holland &amp; Barrett<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I discovered the brilliant Uniqlo cross-body bag. I also had the confidence to invest in Fussy deodorant: it\u2019s expensive, and too much to spend when you aren\u2019t sure if it works \u2013 but you were correct, it does! <strong>Pippa<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"nice-ice-baby\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Nice ice, baby<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>L\u00e9ku\u00e9 ice cube box<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a317.50 at John Lewis\u00a38.93 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a bid to become the adult I always wanted to be \u2013 someone who always has ice in the house \u2013 I bought the L\u00e9ku\u00e9 ice box from one of our gift guides last Christmas. The abstract-shaped cubes are sharp and stylish, and were small enough to fit in my daughter\u2019s water bottle this heatwave summer. <strong>Hannah Booth<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ultimate-camping-mattress-for-one\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Ultimate camping mattress for one<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Coleman Supercomfort single camping mat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3124.95 at Outdoor Action<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">My wife caught sight of Linda Geddes gamely testing camping mats and was taken by the write-up of the Coleman Supercomfort. She ordered a single mattress immediately, and tells me it\u2019s excellent. I\u2019m not allowed anywhere near it. <strong>Andy Shaw<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-anytime-massage-gun\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The anytime massage gun<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Bob &amp; Brad Q2 Pro massage gun<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a389.99 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I tested dozens of massage guns and was impressed by the Bob &amp; Brad Q2 Pro \u2013 a small-but-mighty pummeller that\u2019s portable. I packed it in my 100-mile ultra drop bag and, with 17 miles to go, its soothing muscle mashing turned me from the Tin Man to skipping Dorothy. Well, almost. <strong>Kieran Alger<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"bye-chub-rub-hello-comfy-run-shorts\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Bye chub rub, hello comfy run shorts<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Light control thigh slimmers, two-pack<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a320 at M&amp;S<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">My Marks &amp; Spencer chub rub shorts were featured in our guide to keeping cool in hot weather. They\u2019ve saved me for many summers now. <strong>Rhiannon Evans<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-game-for-all-ages\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">A game for all ages<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Marble run<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a315 at Argos\u00a320 at John Lewis<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I also bought my son the marble run he asked for last Christmas. Both my kids loved it, actually \u2026 as did I. <strong>RE<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"stylish-twist-on-the-waterproof-coat\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Stylish twist on the waterproof coat<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Patent faux leather coat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a336 at Sainsbury\u2019s<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Inspired by the Filter\u2019s feature on how to look good in wet weather, I upgraded my waterproof jacket. It hadn\u2019t occurred to me that a faux patent leather jacket could work just as well as a traditional waterproof. <strong>Sabine Wiesel<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"open-your-eyes-to-the-swim-mask\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Open your eyes to the swim mask<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Defy Ultra swim mask<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3115 at Aquasphere\u00a397.55 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Aquasphere Defy Ultra swim mask \u2013 which I included in my roundup of cold-water swimming essentials \u2013 is the most expensive pair of goggles I\u2019ve bought, but worth every penny. I\u2019ve swum multiple long-distance events in them. I look a bit like I\u2019m wearing ski goggles and often get comments, but for comfort and field of vision in open water, they\u2019re excellent. <strong>Ella Foote<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"brilliant-babygrows-with-two-way-zips\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Brilliant babygrows with two-way zips<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Two-way zip baby sleepsuits, four-<\/strong><strong>pack<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From \u00a319 at Next<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I was pregnant when Paddy Maddison\u2019s article on baby gear parents wouldn\u2019t go without came out, and soon discovered that it should be <em>illegal <\/em>to make newborn babygrows or sleepsuits <em>without <\/em>two-way zips. I love these ones from Next. If you have a pregnant friend, do them a favour and get them a pack. <strong>Laura Potter<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"shoes-to-climb-high-in\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Shoes to climb high in<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Veloce climbing shoe<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3110 at Nevisport\u00a3140 at Go Outdoors<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After writing my climbing kit article, I bought some Scarpa Veloce climbing shoes that were recommended by the coach I spoke with. They\u2019re now my favourite ever climbing shoes. <strong>Tom Bruce<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"an-actually-leak-proof-water-bottle\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">An actually leak-proof water bottle<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ion8 water bottle<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a312.99 at Decathlon\u00a313 at Argos<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Ion8, voted top budget option in Zo\u00eb Philimore\u2019s test of the best water bottles, is the only leak-proof bottle I\u2019ve used. It\u2019s managed to survive in both my daughters\u2019 school bags without an incident. <strong>Rebecca Goodman<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"camping-loveseat-for-outdoor-comfort\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Camping loveseat for outdoor comfort<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Kelty low loveseat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3114.95 at Wildbounds\u00a3148.95 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Kelty loveseat camping couch won me brownie points when I bought it for my other half\u2019s birthday. Well made and robust, it comfortably sits two people in a slouchy, relaxed manner. Perfect for evening campsites with a glass of beer in hand. <strong>Deborah<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em><strong>For more, read our guide to the best camping chairs<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-frying-pan-thats-chemical-free\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The frying pan that\u2019s chemical-free<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>De Buyer steel round pancake pan, 30cm<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a359.98 at Nisbets\u00a357 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I\u2019m a convert to frying pans with no coating that you season with oil instead. Having researched Pfas-free pans, I decided that even if the health risks are uncertain, I want to try to minimise the number of products I buy that contain forever chemicals because of the potential environmental cost. So I\u2019m gradually replacing our pans with stainless steel and carbon steel ones. I\u2019ve also discovered the joys of cooking with a crepe pan: as well as turning out excellent pancakes, my De Buyer Mineral B crepe pan is great for toasting wraps, and making okonomiyaki (Japanese fritters). <strong>Linda Geddes<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-truly-magic-wand-vibrator\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The truly magic wand (vibrator!)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Doxy die cast wand<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3131.55 at Secrets Shop\u00a3154.99 at Boots<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I named the Doxy Die Cast as my No 1 wand vibrator in my test of the best vibrators, and I stand by that decision. It\u2019s unapologetically loud and hefty, and packs so much power that I\u2019ve witnessed it make women climax through thick jeans. <strong>Alix Fox<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"must-have-beauty-gadget\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Must-have beauty gadget<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Ziip Halo<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3379.99 at Ziip Beauty<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There are so many beauty gadgets with high-ticket prices that it\u2019s hard to know what\u2019s worth investing in. The Ziip Halo microcurrent device, which I featured in my piece on at-home beauty treatments, is one of the unicorns. I\u2019ve been using it for six months, a few times a week, and my skin looks more glowing, firmer and more snatched around the jaw. It\u2019s so small that it fits in my makeup bag for holidays, too. <strong>Hayley Spencer<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"electric-toothbrush-with-pearly-service\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Electric toothbrush with pearly service<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Suri 2.0 electric toothbrush<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3105 at Suri\u00a3105 at Boots<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I bought a Suri toothbrush and, while it\u2019s definitely more of a pleasure to use than my previous one and is more sustainable, the thing I was most impressed with was the customer service. It stopped working, but I received a prompt response, and a replacement handle was posted to me straight away. <strong>Lisa Foreman<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-pregnancy-pillow-you-always-needed\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The pregnancy pillow you always needed<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Dreamgenii pregnancy pillow<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a337.99 at Robert Dyas\u00a353.99 at Debenhams<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A lot of pregnancy pillows are good at supporting your tummy while elevating the legs, but they\u2019re less good at looking after your back. The Dreamgenii did both beautifully, keeping me in a stable position without waking at 3am to stuff cushions behind my lower back. The flat section joining it together also meant nothing moved about in the night \u2013 other than the baby, and me getting up to pee. It saw me through two pregnancies, as well as being a handy feeding pillow after each of my sons arrived. My husband tried (unsuccessfully) to pinch it for himself. <strong>Lucy Pavia<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"elevate-your-home-dining\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Elevate your home dining<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Delouis mayonnaise<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a33.25 at Ocado\u00a33.30 at Waitrose<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">After testing so many delicious foods for the food filter, I\u2019m slowly building a shopping list of my favourites. Here are a few standouts: Delouis mayonnaise (incredible, minimally processed dijon mustard), Ollie\u2019s kimchi (a fiery, funky and lively local ferment), Cauldron authentic organic tofu (clean, complex and well priced) and M&amp;S pitted green queen olives (delicious chunky gordal olives). <strong>Tom Hunt<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"secateurs-that-are-a-joy\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Secateurs that are a joy<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Niwaki GR Pro secateurs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From \u00a384 at Niwaki\u00a399.99 at Crocus<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">It was love at first snip with Niwaki\u2019s GR Pro secateurs. I\u2019d seen them about, but never before had the pleasure of taking a plant to task with them; the experience of testing a pair out for the Filter\u2019s roundup of the best secateurs was a joy. The cut is more of a glide, and they sit so comfortably in the hand that it feels like being reunited with a favourite jumper. <strong>Matt Collins<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-gorgeous-gunk-free-cafetiere\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The gorgeous gunk-free cafeti\u00e8re<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Espro P7 French press<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a385.09 at Amazon<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Of the products I\u2019ve tested, I\u2019ve developed something of a soft spot for the Espro P7 French Press. The Espro has gone on a camping trip and a holiday to Scotland, and it\u2019s been a godsend. It\u2019s insulated so we could brew a litre of gorgeous-tasting coffee and work our way through it without it going stone cold, and the filter prevented 99% of the sludge from getting into our mugs. Spending almost three figures on a cafetiere may sound a bit bonkers, but when it makes great, gunk-free coffee and keeps it warm for an hour in the middle of a Welsh field, it almost seems like good value. <strong>Sasha Muller<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-ultimate-office-chair\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">The ultimate office chair<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Herman Miller Aeron chair<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a31,385 at Herman Miller\u00a31,399 at John Lewis<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The Herman Miller Aeron chair, from my test of the best office chairs. I loved it, my wife loved it, and the courier was mildly horrified when we sent it back, as he barely ever had to return one. Sadly, we can\u2019t afford it. <strong>Stuart Andrews<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hats-off-to-the-best-cap\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Hats off to the best cap<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Original Pirate Material cap<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a345 at Scrt<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">I bought my husband the Original Pirate Material cap from Peter Bevan\u2019s 50 men\u2019s summer wardrobe updates just in time for Glastonbury. He loves the Streets and is never without a hat, so it was the perfect fit. Judging from the number of people we saw wearing the cap around Worthy Farm, I think a fair few Filter readers had the same idea. <strong>Ella Jinadu<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hair-care-honey-pot-style\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Hair care, honey pot style<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Gisou Honey Gloss ceramide therapy mask<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a319 for 75ml at Cult Beauty\u00a319 for 75ml at SpaceNK<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The best thing I\u2019ve tested this year, hands down, is the Gisou Honey Gloss ceramide therapy hair mask. I had tried the brand\u2019s original mask before, and found it pretty average, but this new formulation somehow made my glossy hair dreams come true without weighing my hair down. It\u2019s an investment, but if you have long, thick hair you want to look after, it\u2019s a brilliant choice. <strong>Sarah Matthews<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"stirring-stuff-from-a-great-fan\" class=\"dcr-n4qeq9\">Stirring stuff from a great fan<\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Lume air circulator fan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u00a3149 at Lume<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The best product I tested for the Filter this year was the AirCraft Lume fan. It\u2019s so well made that it\u2019s practically silent, so the biggest challenge is forgetting it\u2019s on. It has a cute backlight, too. Unsurprisingly, it\u2019s been on preorder ever since we recommended it. <strong>Caramel Quin<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em><strong>For more, read our guide to the best fans<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><em><strong>Do you have a favourite Filter buy? Let us know <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>at thefilter@theguardian.com<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Filter is turning one. Since we launched a year ago, we\u2019ve run, hiked, camped and swum; we\u2019ve drunk 455 cups of coffee; washed 34 loads of clothes; slept on mattresses for 2,240 hours, and much more, testing a total of 2,040 products \u2013 from coffee machines to gin \u2013 to bring you the most<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[3999,337,3934,16236,2635,2305,4025,891,1569],"class_list":{"0":"post-27151","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-technology","8":"tag-filter","9":"tag-life","10":"tag-loved","11":"tag-mask","12":"tag-pan","13":"tag-perfect","14":"tag-sleep","15":"tag-style","16":"tag-year"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27151"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27151\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}