Gear of the Year 2021: Home

One of our test editors, after going through nine pillows in the past year alone, finally found the PillowCube Pro. It’s supportive, stays cool, and retains its shape throughout the night thanks to viscoelastic polyurethane and nanofibers. He’s sleeping better, is waking up less sore, and no longer has five pillows stacked on his bed at any given time.

If you’re a hot sleeper, consider Casper’s new Snow technology. We tested it in this mattress, with its HeatDelete Bands and QuickCool Cover, which Casper claims will keep you 6 degrees cooler than the standard Wave Hybrid. While we didn’t get actual data, our tester was certainly more comfortable and supported.

No humidifier is perfect. But the Classic 300S addresses many common complaints with its huge, six-liter tank that can run for two days on low, quiet operation, and smart connectivity that eases adjusting settings and keeping up with refilling. We appreciated its efficacy and convenience during a very cold and dry winter.

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Ooni has made it possible—and easy—to make Instagram-worthy, artisan pizza at home with its Karu 12. We were as impressed with cooking a delicious pizza in 60 seconds as we were with the design and construction of the multi-fuel oven. Made from stainless steel and riveted with tight seams, it’s sleek, compact, and simple to set up.

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The Woodwind Wi-Fi 24 is an attractive, versatile pellet grill that fits in tight spaces due to its small footprint. It has remarkable heat distribution and consistency due to the advanced digital proportional integral derivative (PID) controller. We found the grill’s sear zone effective and straightforward to operate by exposing the center of the cooking grate to the direct heat of the flames. With the Wi-Fi functionality enabled, we could set the temperature and monitor the food without hovering over the grill.

While the Foodi LG450 Grill impressed us with its five functions and grill marks last year, the SP301 includes eight additional ways to cook your food in addition to a sear plate and cyclonic grilling fan that we loved about the grill. Unlike your standard convection or regular oven, crust is noticeably crisper, meat comes out juicier, and the motorized fan in the grill ensures every dish is evenly cooked from all sides. While the extra-large capacity fits roasts or chicken parm, the device flips backward to use vertical space and give you more room on the kitchen counter. If you want an all-in-one appliance, this is it.

Sleep trackers are nothing new. But without the right bed, the fancy watch wrapped around your wrist may be moot. Where the Ergo excels is in packaging that tech right in the bed itself. During testing, we were able to easily adjust the frame to find a comfortable position (via either the included remote or Tempur-Pedic’s phone app) and fall asleep faster. Plus, the Ergo works with any foam mattress. For everyone? Decidedly not. But if you were already looking to purchase an adjustable base and have an interest in tracking your sleep, it is a solid investment, especially if you have a history of sleep issues.

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