Popular Mechanics Home Innovation Awards 2026

1 min readPopular Mechanics; Trevor Raab, Winston ZhouHopefully your home is a place you take joy and pride in, even if it’s a cranky older house that seems to spring a new leak, crack a bit more, or make another interesting (concerning?) sound each month. Second to checking off those necessary repairs, the main reason people undertake home projects is to make their abodes more comfortable, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute.For our 2026 Home Innovation Awards, we pulled from the well of the hundreds of products we’ve tested in the past couple of years. And it’s a broad range of categories: appliances to tech to home security to outdoor living to yard tools. But to earn an award, these had to achieve something more than simply being among the best. They had to be innovative, with the potential to help you make your space better and boost your enjoyment, whether you’re looking for more comfort, efficiency, or envious glances from the neighbors. Here are the 65 products that should hopefully make your life just a little easier.CLEANING, ORGANIZATION, STORAGEWinston Zhou, Trevor RaabThe Roborock Qrevo QV 35A has become one of my favorite ways to keep up with daily messes. I’ve tested the robot vacuum in my roughly 850-square-foot apartment, where it took about 30 minutes to map my space and 61 minutes to vacuum the entire home. And it’s the rare robo vac that vacuums and mops equally well, without one overshadowing the other.Its 8,000 pascals of suction handled a mix of debris across laminate, carpet, and other floor types, and I was particularly impressed by how well the edge brush pulled dirt and pet hair from along the baseboards. The mopping function is similarly convenient, automatically lifting the mop heads whenever the vacuum detects it’s rolling onto carpet. And this Roborock returned to the docking station to wash them periodically during a longer cleaning session.The multifunctional dock also automatically empties the dustbin and refills the reservoir on the robot vacuum for a mostly hands-off experience. It’s not going to replace your regular vacuum, but it’s an excellent maintenance cleaner.—Amber Joglar, Reviews EditorWhen we tested the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Vacuum this year, we were very pleased with how well it cleaned up tufts of dog hair embedded inside our rugs and carpets, all without agitating or damaging the material. That isn’t a given with all vacuums this powerful.Moreover, this vacuum comes with a variety of attachments, including a corner tool, crevice tool, dusting brush, and a spinning paddle brush. The spinning paddle brush (a.k.a. the Turbo Eraser) is a standout. This attachment kicks up deeply embedded hair from most surfaces, offering a more detailed clean than other typical attachments.For further customization, you can use a knob on the front of the vacuum to adjust the roller to move farther from or closer to the surface for different pile heights. We also really liked the lengthy 27-foot power cord that retracts back into the vacuum with the push of a button. For under $200, this vacuum is well worth considering if you have a pet that sheds a lot.—Xavier Piedra, Senior Reviews EditorBest Stick Vacuum for Tight SpacesThe PowerDetect Speed does something no other stick vacuum does: bends in the middle. This hinge at the center of the tube means it can slide easily under tables, beneath your couch, and in the back corner of your desk without you having to stoop down or get on all fours.In my own apartment, cleaning underneath my low-clearance couch and comically ancient wooden dining table used to be a miserable chore (that I rarely actually did). With the PowerDetect Speed, I was almost delighted to do it. Unlocking the hinge and letting the vacuum snake around under these surfaces collecting dust bunnies was a genuine joy.At the same time, the charging station comes with a built-in large dustbin that the vacuum can empty out in. As the lazy cleaner I am, this feature is huge. Instead of emptying out the small dustbin on the vacuum into the trash at least once every time I clean, I’m able to just plop it back down when I’m done and it takes care of the rest for me. During a busy cleaning time, I empty out the larger dustbin about once a month.—Tom Price, Reviews EditorBest Vacuum for Pet OwnersThe V16 Piston Animal is a newer release from Dyson, but it’s one of the better cordless stick vacuums I’ve used for tackling pet hair. What sets this design apart from other Dysons is that it comes with the classic FluffyOptic cleaner head (soft roller brush with green laser dust detection light for hard surfaces) and an All-Floor cleaner head.The all-floor attachment uses two spiraling cones and a row of bristles to pick up hair and debris from different surfaces without anything getting tangled around the brush roll. It dug impressively deep into my area rug and carpet, with not a single strand of my long hair or my cat’s fur wrapped around the brush roll. This is a huge win if you have pets that shed, or you do yourself.Suction power is impressive, too. Whether I’m cleaning carpet or transitioning onto hardwood, the vacuum has consistently maintained reliable pickup without feeling like it’s struggling, making everyday cleaning a lot more manageable.—AJBest Portable Carpet CleanerThe Bissell Little Green Mini proves that a carpet cleaner doesn’t have to be huge to be useful. This compact machine is designed primarily for spot cleaning and is my go-to for cleaning spills on upholstery and carpet. I’ve used it on everything from my couch and armchair to my area rugs and runners, and I’ve been pleased with how much grime it removes from the fabric. There’s also something deeply satisfying (horrifying?) about watching the dirty water collect in the tank as I clean.The three-step process is straightforward, too: Spray the water and cleaning solution onto the surface, scrub with the stain tool, and suck up the dirty water.—AJI bought the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner with the thought that my car could use a deeper clean than my shop vac would allow me to do on its own. And in that respect, it didn’t disappoint. After a thorough pass using the included triangle tool (one of 17 included attachments) and a microfiber cloth, my interiors looked like they de-aged a couple of years.The Dupray is versatile too, which I found out when I moved to the kitchen. Its floor tool is wider than most other steam cleaners, which meant fewer passes and less time before the linoleum floor shined. The wand is sturdy, so you can apply the necessary pressure to pick up caked-on gunk. And the tank holds an impressive 54 ounces of water, so you shouldn’t need to refill and reheat to complete a single task.—John Gilpatrick, Senior Reviews EditorBest Garage Storage SystemGarage storage doesn’t always have to mean expensive panels and cabinets or some set of janky shelves the previous owner cobbled together. Rubbermaid’s FastTrack system takes a simpler approach: A heavy-duty steel rail supports individual hooks that securely hold all that awkward stuff, which would otherwise end up leaning against the walls or taking up floor space.I like FastTrack for the things that don’t really need modular storage—ladders, rakes, shovels, extension cords, hoses, and other everyday gear that just needs a permanent, easy-to-reach home. Installation couldn’t be easier, the hooks feel sturdy once locked into place, and you can slide them around as your spatial needs change without drilling holes all over your walls. I also like that FastTrack is an adaptable space-saving solution that complements larger garage storage systems. It’s simple and relatively inexpensive, proving that getting organized needn’t be complicated.—Paul Smith, Test EditorAPPLIANCESTrevor RaabThis budget-friendly portable air conditioner from Dreo became our favorite among the many we’ve tested this year. That’s largely due to its variety of features, including drainage-free cooling, app and voice control, and quiet operation. Rarely does a portable air conditioner have all of those without being expensive.Installing the unit is also a breeze due to easy-to-follow instructions and clearly defined labels for each component. And the Dreo is compact and doesn’t take up much space, making it ideal for smaller rooms. The drainage-free cooling is also convenient if you don’t want to regularly pull out and dump a bucket full of condensation.—XPMost window air conditioners can be eyesores. This one isn’t. At first glance, you may notice that the GE Profile ClearView Window has an inverted U-shape. This leaves an unobstructed view since the unit hangs below the window rather than standing up in front of it.This, alongside a smattering of smart features like temperature adjustment, scheduling, and energy usage monitoring, made this one special unit for us. We were happy to make these adjustments from the comfort of our bed, and noticed that they worked exceptionally well, cooling down a 300-square-foot room with ease.One thing worth noting, however, is that installing this A/C unit isn’t for newbies—we did run into some struggles with the unique saddle-style design. But if you’re up for the challenge, the end result is sure to not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also well worth the effort in terms of overall cooling power.—XPThis new-and-improved version of Coway’s powerful midsize air purifier quickly clears dust and smoke from the air. And it has a self-adjusting smart mode that can switch among three power levels, or even go silent when the air’s clear. But the built-in AQI sensor might be my favorite feature. It tracks three sizes and types of air impurities, and it’s helpful that I can walk over and quickly check how well the purifier is working.It’s not exactly small, but I’d call it compact for its cleaning power, so you can stash it in a corner and it won’t draw much attention. And it barely makes any noise, even in “turbo” mode, so you can truly set it and forget it. Just don’t forget to clean those filters every now and then.—Mike Epstein, Senior Commerce EditorBest Air Purifier for Pet OwnersThis purifier is, as the name implies, designed specifically with pet owners in mind. Its U-shaped inlet collects and traps fur and other particulates in its pre-filter. But what I found really cool is that it automatically scraped the pre-filter and deposited all this collected fur in a tray that was easy to detach and empty.In addition to the pre-filter, the Vital Pet Pro comes with a main filter and activated carbon filter, both of which help it remove odors from the air on top of debris like fur and dander. I place mine close to my cat’s litter box, and it helps prevent my finished basement from ever smelling too much like what my cat had for lunch earlier that day. I also love the mobile app that you can use to control the purifier’s settings, read real-time air quality data, set it to run on a schedule, and receive notifications when your filter is due to be replaced.—JGBefore contributor Katie Tuttle even got her hands on the Avylo Dehumidifier, she was interested in its unique tank design. It sits on top of the unit—no more guessing or waiting for a flashing indicator to tell you it’s time to empty it. This convenience extends to the machine’s controls, which are fairly easy to guess what they do (i.e. the “Speed” button controls the fan speed, there’s a temperature adjustment button, and you can control how much light the unit emits). And the display clearly shows the target and actual humidity.The Avylo did a solid job cutting down on humidity, and it’s Energy Star certified. The initial humidity was at 63 percent, but within four hours, that dropped to within the range Tuttle set it to of 40–60 percent (51 to be exact). And it maintained that level for the entire time she kept the device on.The dehumidifier does weigh a bit (around 35 pounds), so we recommend keeping it somewhere where you know you aren’t going to move it around often.—XPIn 10 years of making pizza dough, I’ve tried a lot of different mixers. And while most of them made dough more easily than if I’d done it by hand, they’ve all been frustrating in some way or another. Ooni’s new Halo Core Spiral Mixer knocks down every complaint I’ve had.The spiral dough hook constantly pulls the ingredients into it, rather than pushing them to the edge of the bowl. So, there is no scraping the edges to facilitate mixing. Everything gets thoroughly kneaded and combined, making the smoothest dough ball.The Halo Core isn’t just for making pizza or bread dough, though. It comes with a beater and whisk for other baking tasks like mixing cake batter or whipping up egg whites. Ooni also includes a clear splash guard for adding liquids while mixing and a silicone cover for the bowl to keep things fresh while resting or storing in the fridge.—Bradley Ford, Test EditorThe first GE Profile Opal 2.0 was already one of our favorite nugget ice makers, but this new “Ultra” version improved on everything that we loved about the original. With the first iteration of the Opal 2.0, you had to wait 20 minutes for ice. However, this Ultra model cuts down on ice production speed, giving you your first batch of ice in 10 minutes and a solid 38 pounds per day.Additionally, improved maintenance features alert you when it’s time to clean/descale the machine. And a scale-inhibiting filter prevents hard water deposits from accumulating quickly, which can clog your machine’s water supply line. However, if you run it through a cleaning cycle and descale it once a month, you should be fine. Something that we really like about this ice maker is that there aren’t any buttons to press—it’s all pretty automatic as long as the water tank is full.—XPSince my fridge doesn’t have a built-in ice maker, the countertop-friendly Euhomy Smart Nugget Ice Maker has been a great addition to my kitchen. This machine makes the kind of crunchy ice that’s great for soda, iced coffee, and cocktails, and smart controls ensure I always have ice at the ready.I have my ice maker running all the time, even when I’m not home, so the companion app has been useful for keeping tabs on how the machine is functioning and whether it needs water added, if the ice basket is full, or stopping and starting cycles from another room. This Euhomy doesn’t require a direct water hookup, and it takes less than five minutes for the ice maker to produce the first batch of pellets.—AJDo you want burgers and steaks made right but don’t have the backyard to support a full-size grill? The Ninja Foodi indoor grill is your answer. The indoor grill uses a combination of cyclonic air and an electric grill grate to replicate the total heat of a real grill so you can simply set the temperature and cook exactly how you would at a backyard barbecue. This is a major step up from many other indoor grills which really function more like an electric cooking surface with a lid. If you’ve ever been curious why a pan-fried steak isn’t quite the same, that’s your answer. On the Foodi indoor grill, I was able to take two cuts of relatively cheap and thin New York strip steak, season them, and cook them so precisely, I almost wept.While the grill can be used manually by setting your own temperature and time, like I typically do whenever cooking steaks, burgers, or hot dogs, it also has several preset cooking options and a built-in meat thermometer. This makes items like chicken or pork, which require more specific internal temperatures, a lot easier to cook properly without leaving them rubbery and dry (the greatest sin food can be according to my mother). Outside of grilling, the Foodi works as an air fryer, broiler, oven, and dehydrator. That said, I really only love it because it’s helped me cook my steak to a perfect rare without fail.—TPAfter 10 years, I finally retired my GoWise air fryer in favor of the Instant Pot Vortex Plus. And it’s been one of my favorite kitchen gadgets in 2026. The window and optional light let you check on food progress without having to open the basket and potentially lose heat, which is something I couldn’t do with my old air fryer.I appreciate that this fryer has both touch controls for managing cooking modes and a separate dial for adjusting temperature and time. Once you’ve picked your desired cooking mode and temperature, the air fryer preheats before alerting you when it’s time to add food so you’re never left guessing. I use the Vortex multiple times a week, and it always provides an even, consistent cook. It’s efficient and extremely easy to use, and you can also roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate all in one appliance.—AJI’ve been switching out fans almost every summer, but I think I finally cracked the code with Dreame’s new bladeless fan. This is the closest I’ve seen a fan come to a portable air conditioner, and it has a lot of A/C-adjacent features: a removable (and washable) filter, 270-degree coverage up to almost 540 square feet, and three dynamic airflow modes that auto-adjust for even, natural cooling. It’s pricey, but it’s far cheaper than a Dyson. And it’ll save you money on your electric bill in the long run. You can use it all season long—it also helps disperse heat in the winter at its lowest settings. And as someone who loses remotes all the time, I appreciated the magnetic dock at the top of the fan to secure the physical remote. But the Dreame is also fully programmable and controllable from your phone.—Tim Kohut, Deals and Trends EditorHeat pump HVAC systems are known for being extremely efficient. A.O. Smith’s new Signature 900 Smart Hybrid Water Heater is novel for taking that same heat pump technology to heat water. The Signature 900, 66-gallon unit I installed and tested in my basement is Energy Star rated and costs an estimated $127 per year to run. That’s compared to $573 for the 50-gallon electric water heater it replaced.Efficiency isn’t the only reason I like the Signature 900 Smart Hybrid Water Heater. It comes with leak detection and an auto shut-off valve to prevent catastrophes. And when paired with an app on your smartphone, it will alert you if that ever happens. The app will also allow you to adjust water temperature and switch modes from full electric, heat pump, or hybrid mode, where it automatically uses traditional electric elements to quickly warm water during high demand periods.The Signature 900 Smart Hybrid Water Heater is more expensive than a standard electric water heater, but there are significant rebates available that help close the cost gap. Rebates plus the savings on your electric bill can actually lower the overall cost in the first year of use.—BFHard water has a way of insidiously making everything in your home a little worse. I installed Rheem’s Preferred Platinum Smart Water Softener and immediately noticed a big difference in water quality. Soap and shampoo lather better, skin and hair feel less dry, and towels come out of the wash way whiter than they used to. After a few weeks, I started to see improvements elsewhere. That nasty calcium scale that coated my shower doors and clung to my fixtures was disappearing (honestly, I once used a razor scraper to remove it all). My stainless steel sink stopped showing water spots. And my glasses were coming out of the dishwasher crystal clear.What makes this softener Home Award-worthy is how DIY-friendly it was to install. Rheem clearly had this in mind, as the unit comes with a bypass valve, drain tubing, and instructions that don’t require an advanced degree in engineering to follow. Plumbing connections were straightforward, and the programming was simple to follow once I had everything in place. Maintenance is all about keeping the salt tank filled and adding a Rheem cleaning agent every three months or so. The system runs itself, which is nice as I’ve got enough things to think about. If your home is plagued by hard water, this Rheem softener is a quality-of-life upgrade.—PSELECTRONICS AND TECHTrevor RaabThe Samsung S95H 4K OLED TV is worth its considerable price tag, mainly thanks to its glare-free screen. This standout feature allows the TV to deliver incredible picture quality with contrast and vivid colors—an OLED calling card—even when facing a light source. That’s unlike rivals with glossy screens from other makers. By giving me the luxury of enjoying signature OLED visuals without having to worry about light sources, this quality alone sold me on the S95H.And the design is as notable as the picture quality. The TV’s metal frame, along with its ability to display artwork of your choice, ensures the device looks beautiful even when you’re not watching.—Stefan Vazharov, Senior Reviews EditorTCL’s QM7L 4K TV offers the most bang for the buck in a highly competitive realm. It’s available for less than $1,000 with a 65-inch screen—almost half what a 4K TV this feature-packed costs. And the QM7L packs a Super Quantum-Dot (SQD) Mini-LED panel like its pricier sibling, the QM8L, delivering vibrant yet true-to-life colors. Combined with high peak brightness and many local dimming zones for precise contrast, the visuals are price-defying.The TV’s integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker system is just as impressive and worthy of a higher price category, handily surpassing similarly priced TVs in all-around quality. The same goes for its gaming performance and connectivity features. To top it off, the TCL QM7L is available in multiple sizes—from 55-inch to 98-inch—all at a reasonable price for the amount of screen real estate it offers.—SVBefore using the Ergo K860, I had spent weeks testing ergonomic keyboards. This one quickly became my top recommendation because it strikes a good balance of ergonomic benefits and familiarity.It’s a one-piece, curved layout that creates a more natural position for your hands and wrists, while the cushioned palm rest provides lots of support during long typing sessions.The keys are smooth, quiet, and responsive, and the reverse-tilt design encourages a more neutral wrist position than a traditional model. There is an adjustment period, particularly if you’re used to a laptop keyboard. But if you’re interested in improving the ergonomics of your workspace, the Logitech Ergo K860 is a good introductory keyboard, with the benefits of more wrist support but not a huge learning curve.—AJI haven’t tested a single record player that costs less than 1,000 bucks and offers more control, customization, and pure sound quality than the Fluance RT87. The turntable is built with a unique dual-plinth design that separates the motor from the platter. This reduces minor vibrations and helps smooth out playback. Beyond this, the high-mass anti-resonant acrylic platter takes care of any lingering vibrations that might make their way up. This translates into some of the clearest, fullest, and “truest” sound that I’ve experienced.—TPBest Portable Record PlayerThe Audio-Technica Sound Burger is a portable record player, and there’s basically nothing else I’ve found from a reputable source that’s close to as small that works as well. It has an aux port and Bluetooth connectivity, and I was able to slide it into a tote bag next to a few records and play them at my friend’s apartment with absolute ease. In fact, it’s become a small party token I bring with me so we can all listen to records in homes without a turntable.Despite being so compact, it comes with pleasantly surprising audio quality. In fact, during my first listen of “Rocket Man” by Elton John, I picked up small notes and sounds I couldn’t on some lower-end, full-size turntables. Even over Bluetooth, the sound is warm and full, with nothing coming out tinny or shallow. Especially for picnics, parties, or just hangouts away from home, the Sound Burger lets you take that sweet analog sound with you.—TPThe Dreamie captivated me because, unlike many smart alarm clocks, it didn’t require an app or a monthly subscription to allow me to enjoy it to the fullest. With a touchscreen and an intuitive interface, this bedside gadget was easy to set up and use, so I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.It offered a rich selection of sounds to help me fall asleep and a plethora of alarms to wake me, all through its high-quality onboard speaker. There’s a built-in light to enhance both rituals.I also like the Dreamie’s industrial design as much as its features. The alarm clock has a rotating volume control knob around its touchscreen, as well as a touch-sensitive strip for easily adjusting the intensity of its built-in light.—SVThis smart E Ink canvas by Fraimic looks amazing, courtesy of a high-quality display panel that reflects light naturally and a frame crafted from natural wood. More importantly, the gadget makes changing the art it displays easy by letting you create your own with voice commands. The OpenAI-generated results were consistently top-notch during my testing, allowing me to instantly change the art on display based on the occasion or the mood I was in.And for those who prefer traditional art, Fraimic offers a vast selection of original artworks on display at the Met Museum. You can also use your photos, of course. Another thing I like about the Fraimic is that it’s cordless. Two benefits of that are that you can hang the frame wherever best suits your decor (it’s not tied to an outlet) and there’s no unsightly power cord hanging out from behind it. Its battery can last for over a year between charges, and it’s easy to charge via USB-C. You also don’t need a paid subscription or a standalone app to manage it.—SVThere are a lot of smart thermostats to choose from; some work well, some don’t, and some need to be part of a larger smart home infrastructure. The X8S is a standalone thermostat that offers adaptive style, as well as useful smart functionality. The feature that sets the X8S apart is a larger screen, with multiple layout options and screen color combinations. These allow the thermostat to blend in with your home’s palette, as well as show the info you want to display in a format you can read from across the room.You can pair the X8S with and manage it from a smartphone app. The app allows remote control, monitoring, and schedule setting. Plus, you can use the thermostat to access and view compatible doorbell cameras on the display.—BFThe Bose Soundbar Ultra is my favorite in a very crowded field. True to its Ultra moniker, the soundbar impressed me with an elegant design and, most importantly, superb sound quality. With a multi-channel speaker setup, the device pumps out detail-rich Dolby Atmos sound that was easy to customize via its companion app.Thanks to onboard WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, the Soundbar Ultra can play music from any device you own. You can also expand the audio output with optional subwoofer and surround speakers. I did, and I loved the results.—SVIn 2026, every tech accessory brand redesigned their battery packs and wireless chargers to add Qi 2.2, a new and improved charging standard that powers phones, smartwatches, and other tech more quickly. Most brands simply added the new charging and called it a day. That’s especially boring for three-in-one personal chargers, which are great if you carry a phone, a smartwatch, and earbuds everywhere. Everyone needs one of these, I think, but they all look and feel so similar these days, which makes the whole category a bit boring.The charging masters at Mophie leveled up their charger in the most obvious way possible. They made it a “four-in-one” by adding a 65-watt retractable USB-C charging cable. That gives you the power to juice up your phone fast if you’re in a hurry or charge another device you keep close at hand such as a battery pack or maybe your wireless mouse and keyboard. It’s even fast enough to charge a laptop in a pinch. It’s a big leap for a little tech accessory I rely on a lot.—MEBest All-Around Work LaptopAfter taking a couple of years off to pursue A.I.-themed laptops, Dell revived its XPS line of ultrathin, ultralight productivity laptops. This year’s models are a return to form, offering fairly powerful work-focused systems. XPS was once the best Windows-based alternative to a MacBook, and the new lineup seems to be gunning for that title once again.This year, in a time of rising component prices, I think the small XPS 13 is an especially appealing option. Named for its 13-inch 1440p touchscreen display, this compact system starts at just $800 for a config with a six-core Intel Core 5 320 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage. Personally, I’d say you should splurge for the more powerful $1,000 model, which ups the memory to 16GB. (You’ll need the extra memory for any kind of graphics-based production work or if you’re working with A.I.) While it is not quite as thin as a MacBook Air, it’s still quite svelte, and weighs just a hair over 2 pounds. Maybe I’m a bit too excited about the return of a brand name, but I’m happy to see the XPS back and in fighting shape. It’s a laptop you can build life (and, especially, a work-life) around.—MEPart of Denon’s new line of Sonos-esque modular speakers, the Home 400 is a dynamic home speaker that works effectively as a solo unit, in a bedroom or on a kitchen counter, or as part of a larger audio system.Denon’s HEOS wireless connection is designed to make setting up a fully wireless audio system as easy as possible. That means, whether you’re putting together two Home 400s and a subwoofer to make the most nuanced stereo system possible or syncing with even more speakers throughout the house, it should take you more time to plan out how to place your speakers than actually setting them up.And, of course, they sound great. With sharp clarity and a soundstage that only improves as you turn the volume up, they generate a nuanced sound that’s perfect for podcasts, amping up your favorite movie, live sports, and, of course, listening to favorite records. On the home theater front, it features two up-firing speakers for true Dolby Atmos support, and the ability to adjust the height of the sound, in addition to the usual EQ, allowing you more placement flexibility. As my colleague Stefan Vazharov said when he took a closer look at one, this is also a speaker you won’t mind showing off: It looks sleek and feels at home in an elegant, minimalist space.—MEPopular Mechanics Contributor Brandon Russell found the FastFoto FF-680W to be a game-changer for digitizing his family’s photo collection. When scanning in batches, this photo scanner churns through about a photo per second, uploading digital images at 300 pixels per inch (ppi). And Epson’s auto-editing tools can help with color correction, reducing red eye, and other common edits that make your photos look better, no matter how they’ve aged. Plus, it’s small enough to move around, so you can bring it to your photos instead of bringing the photos to it. And when you’re done with saving old photos, it also works well as a basic document scanner, so it has everyday utility for any home office.—MEContributor Matt Jancer recommends the Brother HL-L3280CDW, our favorite printer since last year, because it works fast and clean. Many people balk at the prospect of using a laser printer because toner is more expensive than ink. It also lasts much longer, however, and enables a better print with sharper edges and no bleeding ink. If you print often and need those prints to look good, the HL-L3280CDW is a relatively affordable option. And unlike most cheap printers, it’s built to last for years.—MEWe’re in the middle of a renaissance for physical media, especially for cinephiles. While Netflix and other streaming services are convenient, their image and sound quality is limited: Not every movie runs in 4K with HDR and surround sound support, and even those that can will only do so if you have the bandwidth. If you’re investing heavily in a home theater, a 4K Blu-ray player is a must. Novices (like myself, frankly) can get away with using a PS5 or Xbox Series X they already own. But serious movie nerds should invest in a dedicated player.Sony’s UBP-X700K 4K Blu-ray Player is not top of the line, but it has a great feature set for a little over $300, which is a price that should feel approachable for new collectors. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 high-dynamic range, as well as 4K upscaling. On the audio side, it supports Dolby Atmos 7.1 surround sound and is Hi-Res Audio certified. So it’s ready for your serious soundbar and/or speaker system. This should set you up to see the difference when you pop in a disc.—MEWe’re about to see the kickoff of a new networking generation, WiFi 8. But it’s going to be a few years before most devices catch up and support that standard, which is why we remain committed to our current favorite WiFi 7 router, the RS200 Nighthawk.If you’re ready to ditch your ISP-rented router for something that can actually keep up with all the devices in your home, the RS200 has six streams across 2.4- and 5-gigahertz (GHz) frequency bands, so it can juggle signals from many, many devices before things get backed up. That will allow it to actually deliver the speeds you’re paying for from your service provider.And while no router looks amazing, this one is slim and just a bit slick-looking, so it won’t feel like an eyesore when it’s set up in plain sight, which is where it needs to be for you to get the best possible signal.—MEHOME SECURITY AND BACKUPTrevor Raab, Winston ZhouWith 9,000 running watts (11,000 watts surge) at your disposal, you could use this Duromax inverter tri-fuel generator to easily power several critical 120- and 240-volt circuits in your home, including high-powered systems like HVAC. Meanwhile, the inverter helps protect sensitive digital equipment, like TVs and home medical gear, by outputting cleaner power.It’s also the quietest home backup generator I’ve tested yet, registering just 61 decibels on a 20 percent load (when fueled by propane). That’s about as loud as a dishwasher. You can use it to connect directly to tools and appliances or connect it to your home over a 30- or 50-amp connection. Plus, it offers safety features such as a carbon monoxide shutoff, low-oil shutoff, and an integrated battery tender that keeps it ready to start, even if the generator has been sitting for a long time.—David Dritsas, Reviews EditorWhen my colleague Bradley Ford reviewed Generac’s iQ3800 portable inverter generator, he was impressed with how low the total harmonic distortion was in electrical current frequency. Why is that important? If distortion is high (often a problem in non-inverter generators), it can damage sensitive electronics, such as TVs, computer equipment, and smart household appliances.Meanwhile, the iQ3800 is one of the quietest generators we’ve tested of this size, registering around 61 decibels from 25 feet away. With 3,000 running watts, you can power several things at once. And it has more outlets than we typically see on a generator of this size: four 120-volt, 20-amp outlets; one 120-volt, 30-amp outlet (useful for powering RVs); and two USB ports. The bottom line is: This is a quiet, reliable, and versatile generator that’s a pleasure to use.—DDIf there’s one standout feature of the Elite 300, it’s the battery capacity. At 3,014 watt-hours, this power station offers one-third more potential runtime compared to similarly sized stations. In a practical test of this, I powered a refrigerator by itself for an impressive 29.5 hours—10 more than the Anker Solix. Its 2,400 watts of output power is plenty enough to run up to four 120-volt devices at the same time, and a 120-volt, 30-amp outlet can power a small RV or camper, too. For overlanders, there’s a high-voltage direct current output—rarely seen in power stations this small. For computer setups, it works well as a universal power supply, too, with a 10-millisecond switchover time. For all of these reasons, this has become one of my favorite power stations, and I now take it on all my camping trips.—DDBest Portable/Solar Power StationThis power station sits in a sweet spot between being a capable portable power station and a home station that can power a few appliances during an emergency. With its 2,400 watts of output, 2,048 watt-hours of battery capacity, and five AC outlets, you could confidently run a refrigerator, TV, a few lights, and a computer for a couple of hours. During my tests, I ran a refrigerator by itself for 18 hours! And you can double that runtime by adding an expansion battery. There are several ways to recharge this station, the most eco-friendly of which is solar. The C200 can accept up to 800 watts of solar input, and this model is paired with a 400-watt portable panel. But you can also fast-charge it using AC power from the grid or from a vehicle using 12-volt power or an optional alt charger. The name of the game here is versatility.—DDBest Power Station for Home BackupEcoFlow’s newest battery-based home backup system is not only the most powerful and expandable power station from the brand; it’s the most expandable and powerful I’ve ever seen and tested on the consumer market. Even the entry-level configuration of the Ultra X offers 12 kilowatts of output power and 12 kilowatt-hours of battery capacity, which is nearly double what other brands offer with their base configurations.Pair it with the Smart Home Panel 3, and the backup power switches on automatically when the power goes out. The entire system is capable of powering up to 32 circuits—enough electricity for most homes. In fact, the smart panel could even replace your existing main panel. And if you need more power, you could add up to two more Ultra X units, each able to support up to 10 batteries. Nothing comes close to this level of expansion.—BFNot every smart home device actually solves a problem. Many of them are simply "nice to haves" that save you a few seconds here and there or prevent you from needing to get off the couch. The Schlage Encode Smart Deadbolt, however, is a problem solver.It takes about 10 minutes to install yourself and another five to connect to your phone. From there, you can set up as many as 100 unique codes (which is great if anyone visits you frequently or takes care of your house when you're out of town), and you can operate multiple locks from the same interface if you manage more than one property, for instance. I love the peace of mind it affords me when I'm away and I know the cat sitter has locked up behind her after a visit. It's also nice to let someone into the house when I’m attending to my toddler in another room.Entering the house with arms full of groceries is also a lot easier, as the keypad is spacious, which helps prevent annoying mishits. What’s more, the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) gave this lock its top rating (AAA) for durability, security, and finish.—JGOUTDOOR LIVINGTrevor RaabThe Sylvox Frameless Pro Full Sun Outdoor TV looks surprisingly close to something I’d want to hang in my living room. Its defining feature is the nearly bezel-less 1.5mm edge, which gives the 4K display a much more immersive appearance than the chunky frames found on a lot of other outdoor TVs.And it doesn’t sacrifice durability for that slim design. The all-metal housing has an IP65 rating, while the screen’s 2,000-nit brightness and matte anti-glare coating make it remarkably easy to see in direct sunlight. I’ve used the TV in temperamental Pennsylvania weather with bright sunshine and light rain, and the screen stayed vibrant and easy to watch in most conditions. Take the sleek design, durable construction, and full-sun performance and pair it with a set of outdoor speakers, and the Sylvox Frameless Pro makes for a pretty impressive backyard upgrade.—AJThe GreenPan Stanley Tucci Pizza Oven (yes, that Stanley Tucci; he’s a foodie in case you didn’t know) turned out to be one of the best electric ovens I’ve tested—ever. Reaching proper pizza-making temperatures in this electric oven was a breeze, and the rotating pizza stone (a feature I’ve often thought gimmicky and unnecessary) surprised me.Unlike most pizza ovens, which tend to get hotter near the burner, I found the pizza stone heated very evenly when I used the rotation feature during the warm-up period. The even stone temp and rotation made cooking the pie a simple process too. Plus, the oven has a timer. So once you’ve made a few pizzas and dialed in your timing, you can set it without having to constantly monitor the pie.Ovens like the Tucci, with a round pizza stone, can make it challenging to pitch the pizza accurately onto the stone. However, GreenPan has addressed this by articulating a device attached to the oven door that lifts the stone and pulls it partway out, making it easier to drop the pizza in the center. This eliminates messy mishaps, spilling cheese or other toppings off the stone.—BFIf the Pit Boss Navigator 1600 proves anything, it’s that a quality pellet grill-cum-smoker doesn’t have to come at a premium price. When I reviewed it, I was impressed with the quality of the build and the design details, particularly the sturdy frame and solid hood that’s lined with a thick, heat-retaining seal. Pellet grills are still a niche method of outdoor cooking, but the Navigator is simple and intuitive to learn and use—you’ll be up and running in no time.The WiFi-enabled app controls help you keep an eye on everything from anywhere in the house, which is great if you’re smoking food for several hours. It’s a true time saver. Often on sale for under $1,000, this grill offers more than most in its price range and will likely last you for many years to come.—DDBest Charcoal Grill and SmokerNot everyone has $1,000 to spend on a grill with lots of bells and whistles, especially if you’re only going to use it a few times a year. That’s where something simple and effective, like Oklahoma Joe’s Laredo Deluxe Grill and Smoker, really shines.Despite its lower cost (around $300), my testing of this grill revealed some great features, including a large, lower front door that makes it easy to adjust coals while smoking food, a three-position coal tray that comes in handy when controlling heat, and an easy-to-read thermometer.It also doesn’t skimp on total cooking area. With 940 square inches available, you can easily cook enough food for a small party. This is a charcoal grill, so it requires a bit more tending than a gas or pellet smoker. But if you’re looking for “just the basics,” you get that and a little bit more with the Laredo Deluxe.—DDInstead of having to burn multiple layers of oil like you do with larger Blackstones, the OTG Portable Griddle comes with a ceramic-titanium coating and works right out of the box, making it extremely convenient for camping trips.The griddle plate has plenty of surface area to cook multiple meals at once, and the OTG has two heat zones. It’s very easy to tailor temperatures depending on the food type so things don’t burn or overcook. I used this unit with 1-pound propane bottles, but it’s also compatible with adapters if you want to hook it up to larger tanks.The griddle is built kind of like a suitcase, with latches on the front and a carrying handle for quick transport. It’s larger than the Coleman camping stove I usually use, but I’d happily sacrifice the car space to bring it with me on outdoor adventures.—AJPackfire’s portable fire pit got the "Oh, duh" reaction from me when I first saw it a year ago. It’s that kind of innovation that, once you see it, makes you wonder why you didn't think of it yourself.To boil it down, this isn’t “portable” simply because it’s small. It’s a backyard-worthy fire pit that’s easy to to take to the campsite. The ring comes off the top, the wall is segmented so it can collapse flat, and the feet fold in toward the base. The whole fire pit fits inside the included backpack, which stays upright on its own thanks to the kickstand (my favorite feature). Cleanup was also very easy, since I wasn’t turning an entire fire pit over to dump the ash out; I took the top ring and wall off, then simply tipped the base over the trash.The best endorsement I can give is that it usually lives in the trunk of my CR-V, ready to go with me wherever I want to set it up.—Will Egensteiner, Director of Product ContentWhenever I used to leave loose items in my truck bed, my pickup turned into a rolling washing machine—tools, groceries, and beach gear tumbling everywhere. The Tmat Truck Bed Organizer finally gives that chaos some structure.Tmat sends durable, lightweight plastic tiles sized for your truck’s year, make, and model. They lock together to form a bed liner you can slide toward the tailgate for easier access to your gear. Each tile features deep X-shaped grooves that connect with Tmat’s blocking and clamping accessories, keeping cargo securely in place while you drive. I recommend a few extra sets of these for boxes, though Tmat also offers holders for everything from 5-gallon buckets to golf bags. If you’re tired of scratching your truck while reaching over the sides or climbing onto the bumper to grab gear, Tmat makes organizing—and accessing—your truck bed much easier.—PSBest Portable RefrigeratorThis portable refrigerator from BougeRV takes electric coolers to the next level by including a removable rechargeable battery that enables it to run for nearly 12 hours. I confirmed that spec when I took it on several outdoor excursions over the summer and found it very handy, not having to worry about packing it with ice while driving over long distances.There are two compartments, both with independent thermostats that range from 4 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use one side as a freezer and the other as a fridge or run both at the same temperature. There’s also an Eco mode that helps conserve battery life and a Max mode that cools things down as quickly as possible. The real bonus? Priced at $550 (and often on sale for less), this is half the price of similar portable refrigerators.—DDI love grilling over charcoal and live fire, but I wasn’t sure how useful Big Green Egg’s new Hell Hands would be—until a July family gathering changed my mind. While prepping the Breeo Live Fire Grill, I dumped a chimney of glowing lump charcoal into the fire area before realizing I’d forgotten to reinstall the ash pan. Big problem. Fully lit lump charcoal burns hotter than the devil’s wrath.I grabbed the Hell Hands, pulled them on, and picked up every burning coal, loading them back into the chimney so I could reset the ash pan. Made from thick cowhide leather with Armortex lining at the fingers, palms, and knuckles, the gloves are rated for heat up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit and are easy to pull on and off. I could feel the heat, but it never felt dangerous. If they can handle burning coals, hot pans and grill grates are easy work.—PSYARD WORKWinston Zhou, Trevor RaabIf you’ve been waiting to upgrade to an electric mower but don’t like the plastic composite decks found on many models or fear battery runtime will be too short, this may be the one you’ve been waiting for. This Greenworks 22-inch mower has a metal cutting deck, single-lever controls for height adjustment and mulching mode, and a powerful 80-volt motor that will rival a comparable gas engine.In fact, when I took it for a spin around the backyard, I was very pleased with the results; not only did it perform well in both bagging and mulching modes, but it had battery life to spare after the job was done.It’s self-propelled, too, which I found effective and fast, with easily adjustable speed. Plus, the lack of emissions and fairly quiet operation (a standard of electric mowers) made the job of cutting the grass a much more pleasant one.—DDBest Electric Zero-Turn Lawn MowerThe 370RS is John Deere’s newest electric zero-turn mower, and it runs on six Ego-brand batteries. While this might seem strange, it makes a lot of sense. Deere doesn’t make small outdoor yard equipment. But by using Ego batteries, it allows owners of the 370RS to take batteries out of their mower and plug them into Ego’s various small tools—hedge and string trimmers, shop vacuums, snow blowers, leaf blowers, and even walk-behind mowers.The 370RS is great to use: Being electric, it’s fairly quiet and is straightforward to operate, and it cuts well. It’s rated for up to 1.25 acres of mowing per charge. If you already have other tools on the Ego platform and have other batteries, you can just pop those in and use those in the 370RS as well.While this is not a cheap mower, it offers all the convenience of a battery-powered mower and throws a lot of versatility on top.—Colin Aylesworth, Deputy Reviews EditorWe test and review many electric lawn mowers here. And many of them are genuinely capable machines that make sense for a lot of people—no “for an electric mower” qualifiers needed. However, some people prefer gas mowers for a number of valid reasons, and the Toro Super Recycler is one of the best.Its aluminum deck won’t rust, metal drive gears and ball-bearing wheels provide maximum longevity, and the Briggs & Stratton gas engine is easy to work on and get parts for. Cut quality is respectable. And with Toro’s Personal Pace self-propel system, you can select the speed that the mower moves simply by how forcefully you press into the handle as you walk.The Super Recycler is a mower that has all the makings of a varsity athlete—it’s good at what it does and is built for longevity.—CABest Gas Zero-Turn Lawn MowerZero-turn mowers can save you a lot of time with their speed and maneuverability. But because of that speed, they can also be bumpy and uncomfortable at times. Toro’s Titan Max MyRide smooths out those bumps with a unique—and effective—three-point operator platform suspension. It’s one of the most comfortable zero-turn mowers we’ve ever tested.Easy operation, a powerful engine, and very good cut quality make the Toro Titan Max MyRide a great zero-turn lawn mower, but the advanced suspension sets it apart as outstanding. Plus, the fast 9-mph ground speed and wide cutting deck mean you’ll get the job of mowing done sooner. This does come at a cost of about $1,000 more than a similar mower without MyRide suspension. But considering the time it saves on large yards, the remarkable operator comfort makes a big difference and is well worth the higher price.—BFRobot lawn mowers are some of the coolest things in lawn care right now, but they can be quite an investment. Luckily, the Segway Navimow i110N does a lot for less, which is why it’s the best value pick of our best robot lawn mowers.After Contributor Ed Oswald tested this model, he found its professional-grade GPS navigation “shockingly good” for the price range, accurately navigating his yard and leaving behind a perfect cut. Plus, the initial setup was straightforward. He wouldn’t recommend it for properties with steep slopes or complicated obstacles. But for generally flat yards with just a few trees and garden beds, the Segway Navimow will get the job done at half the price of some other robot mowers.All you have to do is sit back and watch it mow or, even better, schedule it to do the job while you’re off doing something more fun.—DDBest Electric Pressure WasherMore pressure isn’t always better. DeWalt’s 2,600-psi electric pressure washer proved that while I was prepping my house for paint. It had plenty of power to strip away dirt, algae, and loose paint but offered up enough control that I wasn’t constantly worried about gouging my siding.Pressure washers come in many different forms. What really jumped out at me about the DeWalt, though, is its design. The wand breaks into three pieces that store beneath the lid alongside the spray tips and turbo nozzle. The foam blaster has its own molded compartment, the hose tucks away neatly beneath a cross-body handle, and a telescoping handle and wheels make the machine easy to move and store. It’s compact and capable enough for everything from washing an entire house to cleaning your patios and walkways without wrestling with a larger gas-powered machine. To that end, it’s incredibly quiet, which keeps the neighbors happy.—PSRyobi’s Expand-It line is a multitool attachment system based around a string trimmer with a detachable end that lets you swap out the trimmer for other tools, including a hedge trimmer, a gutter blower, and even an electric snow shovel, which we tested last winter. It’s a versatile system that can theoretically cut down on clutter in your garage or shed by running a multitude of attachments rather than buying dedicated tools for each task, and it cuts down on the number of batteries you need to buy, helping to keep costs down.I’ve been using the string trimmer—the default attachment of the Expand-It line—all season to trim along my driveway and the perimeter of my yard, and I’ve been impressed with its capability and power. Also nice is its easy feed string system. Similar to that of other trimmers, the Expand-It trimmer makes it pretty easy to add more string when needed.—CAA top pick for a handheld electric leaf blower, the Ryobi 40V model delivers among the highest numbers we’ve recorded in air speed and air volume tests for handheld blowers. And, after using it several times this summer to clean up after mowing, I can attest that it’s easy to use and feels powerful.If you squeeze the trigger fully and aren’t prepared, the blower’s force will push your arm back. It has a variable speed trigger and can be set on cruise control, so you can take your finger off and the blower will keep running at the speed you set it at. This is helpful for finger fatigue and for preventing accidental bursts stronger than you may want.If you don’t want or need a backpack blower but want something that can push wet leaves out of beds, this Ryobi is a good pick.—CAStihl’s brand-new MS 260 C-O is one of the most powerful 18-inch cordless chainsaws we’ve tested. The saw comes as a kit with the 18-inch bar, a scabbard, an AP 300 battery, and a charger for $760. It’s also available with a 16- or 14-inch bar, for $10 or $20 less, respectively.The saw tore into wood when I tested it, feeling as though it was pulling itself through when the bar touched a log. The MS 260 C-O has a transparent bar oil tank, so it’s easy to see how much is left. And if you aren’t paying attention, it also has a low oil light right above the rear handle. The saw also features cooling improvements, including an easy-to-clean wire mesh air filter. I was impressed with its speed and power, cutting multiple species of wood.And the new AP battery has a runtime of over half an hour—that’s as much or more than a tank of gas.—BFThis is one of our favorite chainsaws, and it makes a lot of sense for the typical suburban homeowner. With no need to mess with gas and oil mixtures, the only maintenance that you need to perform is keeping the chain sharp and properly tensioned and adding bar oil.The Power Axe delivers ample power, and its 18-inch bar means it’s large enough to manage decent-size limbs. If you’re an arborist using a chainsaw every day, this may not be the right option for you. But if you are an occasional user and you don’t want to feel like you’re compromising when the saw does come out, this is the one to get.—CAThe Husqvarna Hedge Master is our best overall hedge trimmer in part because of its ample power, smooth operation, and rotatable handle.The power obviously serves to enable the trimmer to make quick work of overgrown bushes and shrubs. The smooth operation means this machine is fairly quiet and doesn’t transmit a lot of vibration, minimizing fatigue for the user. And the rotating handle lets you position the secondary handle on top or either side of the machine to give you better control and comfort while cutting at different positions on the shrub.All of these small factors add up to a great hedge trimmer that delivers uncompromised performance.—CABest Electric Snow ShovelWhen winter hits, snow blowers can be great. But for a small property, they can be overkill. That’s why I ran this 40-volt Ryobi electric snow shovel attachment through its paces during a snowstorm last winter. The results were good. With a 12-inch clearing width and a depth of 6 inches, I was able to quickly clear a driveway and a sidewalk in just 20 minutes. And the motor was powerful enough to make the job physically easier, not to mention the fact that it greatly reduced any back strain commonly associated with using a regular shovel. Plus, this is an attachment for Ryobi’s Expand-It Multitool, not a dedicated tool you’ll only use a few times. The main unit works with a variety of attachments, including string and hedge trimmers. Because, hey, sometimes you need one tool to rule them all.—DDThe Toro SnowMaster is an interesting option because it looks like a two-stage blower, but it’s actually just a large single-stage. Its large intake means it can take in a good amount of snow, and the joystick control for adjusting the chute is easy to adjust on the fly with one hand.The SnowMaster comes as either a gas snow blower or a battery-electric one, and both deliver strong performance. As is the case with other outdoor equipment, the amount of use it gets dictates which powertrain is best suited for your property. But in either case, this snow blower makes a case for itself with its easy usability and strong performance for a single stage.—CARetractable hose reels seem like a great idea, and they are when they work. While they do neatly store your hose, you often have to pull the hose all the way straight out to use it, because the reel binds when you pull it on an angle.Orbit’s Retractable Hose Reel is articulated, so it automatically swivels—up to 180 degrees—in the direction you’re pulling from. The retracting mechanism is easy to use and reliably reels the hose back in when released. The reel comes loaded with 100 feet of durable, 5/8-inch PVC hose. Handles on the reel body make it simple to lift off its mount for winter storage. Without a doubt, Orbit’s Retractable Hose Reel takes the frustration out of long hose runs.—BF