Fresh Upgrades
To help you get the wheels turning, here are some productsthat you deserve to upgrade in the new year.
Your mattress
Mattress expiration dates fall somewhere between eight and 12 years, with many brands suggesting that a decadeold mattress is one that’s ready to be replaced. Along with the expiration date, there are other signs like tossing and turning or sniffling and sneezing that could mean you’re due for a new mattress.
For better, healthier sleep, consider investing in a brand new mattress for the new year. We’ve tested plenty of mattresses, including hybrid mattresses, which bring the best of both foam and innerspring coils for a comfortable yet supportive bed. Out of all the hybrid mattresses we put to the test, the Leesa Hybrid was our top choice—it’s the most comfortable option for side, back and stomach sleepers alike. The mattress itself is soft, yet firm, and features a luxurious detailing that will make your upgrade feel extra fancy.
Get the Hybrid Mattress at Leesa from $1,019
Your coffee maker
Can’t remember when you first bought your coffee pot? Or where you even bought it? Maybe it was passed down to you, but you’re not even sure. If you can’t recall, now might be the time to upgrade your humble coffee pot for something a little more sophisticated.
From all the coffee makers we’ve tested, the Technivorm Moccamaster KBG is a gorgeous, mid-century-style appliance that performs just as beautifully as it looks on your counter. While this high-end coffee maker costs around $300, the Moccamaster is handmade in the Netherlands and brews a complex, smooth pot of coffee that ranked highest in our taste tests. It also maintains a full pot of coffee at optimal temperatures between 175of and 185of, ensuring it won’t burn.
Get the Technivorm Moccamaster KBG from Williams Sonoma for $329.95
Your refrigerator
Like mattresses, a refrigerator is an appliance you typically buy once every 10 years. If your dated refrigerator has been on the fritz as of late, 2022 may be the year to upgrade it to a new, top-ofthe-line choice.
Shopping for a new fridge can be overwhelming—there are plenty of design options, handy features and even smart capabilities to choose from. For a new luxurious touch to the kitchen, a French-door refrigerator may be a good option to look into. This kind of refrigerator features double doors supplying tons of functional space and a bottom
Your vacuum
Felicity Warner freezer that provides a great depth for storage.
Our favorite option for a French-door fridge is the Frigidaire Gallery FG4H2272UF, as it’s beautifully designed with as much customizable storage as any homeowner could ask for. With adjustable-width sliding bins, retractable shelves and storage pockets all throughout the appliance, you’ll likely never have to play Tetris in your fridge again with this top choice.
Get the Frigidaire Gallery FG4H2272UF from Abt for $2,969
A good vacuum gets the job done, but a great vacuum can take your home to new clean horizons you haven’t seen since your move-in day.
If you’ve been eyeing a new vacuum from top brands like Shark or Dyson, we’re here to tell you that a new, quality vacuum is worth the investment. Before buying a new one, we’d recommend reading up on the many types of
vacuum cleaners—uprights, canisters, robots, cordless and wet-dry vacuums —to decide which one is best for you.
The Shark NV352 Navigator Liftaway proved to be the best affordable upright vacuum cleaner we’ve ever tested. The vacuum cleaner performed well when we put it to the test, navigating smoothly around obstacles and tight spaces and picking up a great amount of dirt on the ground. The Lift-away feature of the vacuum means you can detach the motor from the handle, creating a smaller “pseudo canister” to use for awkward spaces like stairs or furniture.
If you’re looking to say goodbye to cords with your next vacuum cleaner, the Dyson V15 Direct cordless vacuum surely lives up to the hype. With a powerful battery and a genius dust-illuminating laser to track down dust in the home, the V15 features smart functions and a powerful cleaning performance that any home could benefit from.
● Get the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-away from Amazon for $179.29
● Get the Dyson V15 Direct from Abt for $699
Your TV
If you’re ready to trade in your old TV for something new and sparkly, you’ve got plenty of options and upgrades available to you. While you’ll find the widest selection of special features and elevated technology in the most expensive models, you can find a TV with the specific specs you’re looking for at a decent price these days.
Reviewed’s best overall choice for TVS is the elegantly-designed LG C1 Oled—you’ll receive stunning 4K/HDR picture performance and plenty of future-forward features for a massive upgrade over most televisions (old and new). For something a little more affordable, the TCL 6-Series is a great value considering it features excellent brightness, 4K/HDR resolution, quantum-dot color and a built-in Roku smart interface for intuitive streaming at a very competitive price.
● Get the LG OLED65C1PUB from Amazon from $1,196.99
● Get the TCL 55R635 from Amazon from $699.50
Your sneakers
Let’s face it—although we’d love for our favorite pair of sneakers to last a lifetime, most won’t. When soles become completely worn down and permanent fraying and scuffing are visible, it might be time to invest in a new pair.
There are plenty of casual sneaker options for men out there, including the on-trend Adidas Stan Smith sneakers which can go with pretty much any outfit. With over 10,000 glowing reviews on the Adidas website, Stan Smiths are a great go-to sneaker that could replace your tried and true pair. Plus, they’re unisex, so they’ll look good on everyone.
Another great unisex sneaker option is the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star, a classic option that’ll probably last you as long as your old sneakers did. Converse has a cult following for good reason—their sneakers have rarely ever gone out of style and are comfortable to wear for any occasion.
● Get the Stan Smith Shoes from Adidas for $100
● Get the Chuck Taylor All Star from Converse for $60
Your face masks
As we near two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, if you’re still using the same reusable cloth masks since May 2020, it is more than time to swap out those masks. Think of face masks like underwear—yes, just like underwear. If your mask begins to tatter, get worn down or show any holes, it’s time to replace it just like you would your undergarments.
With masks here to stay for the foreseeable future, take the new year as an opportunity to refresh your mask collection. The experts at Reviewed have tested the most popular face masks to determine which ones offer the best protection and comfort based on fabric, fit, effectiveness, quality and overall experience of wearing the mask.
We found the Athleta Non Medical Face Masks to be the best choice, as they’re ultra-comfortable, breathable and protective with triple-layer construction and an adjustable nose clip. For an affordable option for the kids, we love the Vistaprint Kids Masks—our kid testers found these uniquely-designed masks to be comfortable and lightweight, especially with the adjustable ear loops that minimize any ear pain.
Get the Non Medical Face Masks (Pack of 5) from Athleta for $25