The Shop TODAY team spends most days searching for the best everyday items for our readers. But we also spend dedicated hours, both during and outside of work, applying, scrubbing, and testing products to determine what is actually worth investing in.
Our long-term testing series, Ranked, allows our team of editors to implement that knowledge through dedicated, long-term testing on a group of products. This gives us a chance to take a closer look at the kinks that most might miss and reveal what works (and doesn’t) from a range of categories and brands.
Ahead of summer, everyday upgrades for the home and outdoors can help solve common seasonal woes. With the help of Shop TODAY’s executive editor, Adrianna Brach, our team narrowed down the top-performing summer essentials. What you can expect: A powerful speaker for better outdoor entertainment, a quick-drying beach towel and more targeted fixes.
Keep reading to discover what products our team has labeled as the “best overall” for summer and beyond.
Ranked summer savers seen on TODAY
Best budget countertop ice machine maker:
Size rating: 5/5 | Efficiency rating: 4/5 | Volume rating: 3/5 | Ice capacity rating: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.25/5
An ice machine is one kitchen item you didn’t know you needed until you try. If you don’t have a built-in ice maker in your fridge, a countertop ice machine doesn’t require ice trays; you’ll get instant cubes at your convenience.
These kitchen gadgets can be a pricey investment, but while testing the best ice makers, editor Shannon Garlin rated the option above as the best budget find. “While you only get one ice size option, this machine works just as fast and efficiently as the others,” she wrote. “The cycle time is around six to eight minutes, and since it’s a smaller ice basket, I found that it finished filling a little quicker than others.”
Brach also appreciates that the ice machine is “super straightforward to operate, no complicated setup or learning curve — just fill up the reservoir and choose ice size!” for those who have not used one before.
See more top picks for the best ice makers here.
Best non-stick pan:
Overall cooking performance: 5/5 | Comfort: 5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.67/5
“What stood out to us most about this pan was honestly what didn’t happen,” emphasizes Brach. “No sticking, no smoking, no difficult cleanup and no sticker shock.”
Partnerships associate editor Lauren Witonsky used the non-stick pan to cook chicken, steak and scrambled eggs, achieving a golden-brown sear with little clean-up after each test.
It’s important to note that the pan only goes up to 302 degrees, so it is best to use it for stovetop cooking.
See more top picks for the best non-stick pans here.
Best carpet cleaning solution:
Red wine: 5/5 | Coffee: 4.75/5 | Urine: 5/5 | Ink: 4/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Spray functionality: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.79/5
There’s nothing more panic-inducing than a stubborn stain on carpet or a rug. Commerce writer Danielle Murphy claims OxiClean’s Carpet and Rug Stain Remover Spray is one product that instantly calms her nerves, as it gives visual reassurance upon contact.
When tested on red wine, coffee and urine, the spray completely removed the stains after a second spritz. While ink took a bit more effort to see a difference, OxiClean provided better results compared to the other stain removers Murphy tested.
See more top picks for the best stain removers here.
Best standing air conditioner:
Ease of installation: 4.5/5 | Noise level: 5/5 | Weight and portability: 5/5 | Cooling ability: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.75/5
Summer heat is already in full swing, so staying cool is a priority. For those without electric AC (or even if you want more cooling), this portable air conditioning unit works fast to cool down your space. “It brought my place from 76 to 71 in about an hour and a half,” claims associate editor Annie Shigo. “I used it on a 90-degree day, and when I came home, it felt like my living room was an ice box.”
The setup only took the editor 20 minutes total, fitting flush in her window without foams or panels to fill gaps. To use, the AC unit comes with a remote to control modes and settings, but you can also use the app to do the same.
“One huge plus: It didn’t overload the power. Some units we tested actually tripped the breaker, but this one didn’t. The brand says it uses less energy than a washing machine,” shares Brach. “The drainage process was also straightforward, and it even comes with a hose to drain excess moisture from humidity.”
See more top picks for the best portable air conditioners here.
Best portable Bluetooth speaker
Ease of use: 5/5 | Sound quality: 5/5 | Portability: 5/5 | Overall average score: 5/5
“This is one of those speakers that sounds way bigger than it actually is,” says Brach, who also notes that compared to previous Flip models, the bass is noticeably stronger in the Flip 7. The brand contributes this clearer sound to its AI Sound Boost technology, which is designed to reduce distortion at higher volume and add more depth to the speaker’s sound.
Although the Flip 7 is slightly larger than other compact speakers, our team ranked it with a perfect score for portability, mainly for its cylinder shape and removable clips for hands-free use on the go. All of these features make it a must-have for outdoor entertainment this summer, whether for parties, beach trips or outdoor BBQs.
See more top picks for the best portable speakers here.
Best beach towel:
Sand Cloud Turkish Beach Towel
Absorbency: 4.5/5 | Softness: 5/5 | Drying time: 4/5 | Durability: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.63/5
There’s no doubt that the number one item to own this summer is a quality beach towel. Without it, long days by the pool or on the beach would be hot, damp and uncomfortable.
But not all beach towels are alike, and we can argue it, too. Shop TODAY contributor Camryn LaSala spent three weeks testing 10 Turkish towels and labeled this one as the best overall for the beach. Where the towel excels: Its softness, even once it leaves the washer and dryer.
However, LaSala also adds that “Water absorption is strong and reliable, allowing the towel to pull moisture off the skin quickly with minimal effort,” she wrote. “It performs at a high level across both light and heavier drying use, making it a dependable option for after-shower routines or beach use,” and not just for short-term.
See more top picks for the best Turkish towels here.
More Ranked summer products to shop
Absorption: 5/5 | Construction: 4/5 | Cooling time: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.67/5
Whether you’re a runner, at the gym or spending time outdoors, cool down with this top-rated cooling towel. It provides a chilling sensation that won’t transfer water to clothes, with easy absorption and quick drying for convenience on the go. Our team also highlighted that the towel’s temperature was 20 degrees less than the outside, making it an ideal option to bring along on your summer adventures.
See more top picks for the best cooling towels here.
No white cast score: 5/5 | Long-lasting score: 4.75/5 | Makeup compatibility score: 5/5 | Scent score: 4.25/5 | Feel score: 5/5 | Application score: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.83/5
You’ve most likely heard it multiple times: Wearing sunscreen is the most important step in your skin care routine, regardless of the season.
K-Beauty brand Innisfree offers a blemish-friendly sunscreen that left zero white cast and complete comfort on Murphy’s skin. “The formula sinks into the skin effortlessly and requires hardly any dry-down time before starting your makeup routine,” she said. “Plus, it offers a dewy base that gives the skin a glow even with a little foundation and concealer on top.”
See more top picks for the best face sunscreens here.
Torras Coolite Neck Fan
Power: 5/5 | Comfort: 4/5 | Battery life: 4/5 | Noise level: 4/5 | Additional features: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.4/5
You might be wondering: Do neck fans really work? Similar to a handheld fan, neck fans provide instant cooling in a convenient design. But unlike their opposites, neck fans provide direct air to the neck and head to promote evaporative cooling, per our testing.
However, this neck fan offers the benefits that both devices deliver. “What really sets this fan apart from others is its design: Instead of just having air blow out of one side, this has slots all along the top and bottom, so air blasts all along the nape of your neck, into your face and toward your chest,” explained commerce writer Emma Stessman. “...it provides more of an all-over cool, which makes a big difference.”
See more top picks for the best neck fans here.
Size rating: 4/5 | Efficiency rating: 5/5 | Volume rating: 5/5 | Ice capacity rating: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.75/5
The VivoHome Countertop Ice Cube Maker Machine was the overall winner in our ice makers round-up solely for the little yet important things: Included ice bags, no loud rumbles while in use, quick cycle time, to name a few. If those details matter to you, just like they did to our team, then this machine is worth the splurge.
Freshness: 5/5 | Scent: 5/5 | Ease of use: 5/5 | Reusability: 5/5 | Overall rating: 5/5
Outdoor adventures are most likely on your itinerary this summer. But constantly being on your feet and reusing the same shoes can lead to sweat, bacteria and strong odors.
As a solution, shoe deodorizers are a great way to combat smell and address the microbial causes. Our favorite mess-free find is this one from cleaning brand Arm & Hammer. Just stick each ball into your shoe and let them sit as baking soda, an ingredient recommended by our experts, absorbs and neutralizes odor. Plus, they leave a light, fresh scent and are just under $6 for a three-pack.
See more top picks for the best shoe deodorizers here.
Ease of use: 5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 3/5 | Overhead bin compatibility: 4/5 | Comfortability: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.25/5
If you’re traveling this summer, former associate editor Sierra Hoeger recommends the travel backpack above as your carry-on for longer trips if you’re a lighter packer (or else you’re destined for a gate check).
“This pack was deep,” she wrote. “Rather than employing the use of multiple meshed zipper pockets like some other carry-on backpacks I’ve seen, it used its 45-liter capacity to the best of its ability: An open space to pack however you’d like rather than being limited to pre-sized pockets.”
See more top picks for the best carry-on backpacks here.
Formula: 5/5 | Coverage: 5/5 | Long-wearing: 5/5 Overall Score: 5/5
When determining the best skin tints, the It Cosmetics Do It All Sheer Tint Face Balm was an easy winner, earning a perfect score across all categories from one of our editors, mainly for its skin-favorable ingredients, natural coverage and comfortable wear.
“This formula just glides across and blends seamlessly into your skin,” raves Garlin. “Despite being a ‘balm,’ the formula is serum-based, making it lightweight and packed with anti-aging and hydrating ingredients. I found my overall complexion looks radiant, plumper and more even.”
See more top picks for the best skin tints here.
Leg: 4.75/5 | Underarm: 5/5 | Bikini: 4.5/5 | Maneuverability: 4.75/5 | Design: 5/5 | Cleaning: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.8/5
Razors are one beauty product we probably don’t think too much about before purchasing. But the right razor can lead to a smoother and more comfortable shave on the bikini and underarms, legs and more. This one from Harry’s might look like a standard men’s razor, but the weighted handle makes all the difference, as it allows for a more controlled shave that doesn’t require much pressure to remove hair.
See more top picks for the best razors here.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Adrianna Brach.
- Adrianna Brach is the executive editor at Shop TODAY, with over a decade of experience as an editor covering beauty, fashion and shopping.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites and more finds available on Amazon that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
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