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We review hundreds of products a month. Here are the 10 absolute best our editors tested this week.

These winners wowed our experts and came out on top in each of their categories.

Best tested roundup
Our editors spend the time testing products so you know what you're buying. (Amazon)

Our team of shopping pros has one job here at Yahoo: to ensure you're not wasting your hard-earned money on subpar products. That's why we spend the bulk of our time testing (and re-testing) products across categories (it's a tough job, we know). Here are 10 products that impressed our experts this week — so much that they've won the title of "best" in each of their respective categories.

In this guide: Budget earbuds | Stainless steel pan | White T-shirt | Root cover-up spray | Knife sharpener | Keurig | Water bottle | Bath towels | Single-serve coffee maker | Streaming device

There wasn't much not to like about the Made In Stainless Steel Pan: It was light enough to maneuver it easily from the range to the oven and felt balanced while searing chicken thighs, sautéing onions and deglazing the pan. The handle (which isn't something you might give much thought) stayed cool on the stove.

This pan is made from 5-ply clad stainless steel, and if you're wondering what that means, that's totally fair. Most stainless steel pans are constructed of layers of metal bonded together; "clad" refers to the process of layering the metals, so 5-ply means five layers. Because stainless steel is not the best conductor of heat on its own, it's usually layered with aluminum (as it is with this pan) or copper for improved heat distribution/retention and durability. This helps the pan produce a deep golden-brown sear on proteins like chicken or steak and ensures it will perform at high temperatures. All of this translates to an exceptional skillet that you will be able to rely on for years. 

This pan is oven-safe up to 800°F, which is a very high temperature that a home oven can't even reach, but it means that the pan holds up under the broiler. 

Pros
  • Comfortable to maneuver
  • Heats evenly
  • Cleans easily
Cons
  • Pricey
$119 at Amazon

Our Gift Guide Editor Amanda Garrity loves this Madewell bestseller. "I have a hard time finding T-shirts that aren't too loose and boxy for my petite frame, and this one has a shrunken fit that hits right at my hip, making it easy to tuck in," she said. She has owned the shirt for over a year and raves about how durable it is. "I've worn it more times than I can count and thrown it into the wash a million times, and it looks like new." Garrity gave it a 4.5 out of 5 on the opacity scale, so you don't have to worry about your bra showing through it, and she hasn't noticed any unwanted stretching or shrinking in the shirt.

Garrity loves the white T-shirt so much, she bought it in gray and navy too. And she's not the only one; over 1,300 Madewell shoppers have given the tee a perfect five-star rating, with many calling it "the perfect white T-shirt." Bonus: You can monogram the top to give it a personal touch!

Pros
  • It comes in a wide range of sizes
  • The shirt can be monogrammed
  • It is very durable and doesn't stretch or shrink
Cons
  • Not the softest T-shirt but still feels very nice
$24 at Madewell

L'Oreal's Magic Root Cover Up is the gold standard of temporary silver hair concealers and for good reason: It's available in nine shades, as opposed to the three that many brands offer and, once applied, it quickly and effectively conceals gray roots until your next shampoo. It's a super popular product, with tens of thousands of 5-star Amazon reviews and even has celebs like Eva Longoria singing its quick-fix gray-covering praises. 

"Great product!" one five-star reviewer wrote. "Always a saver. When I can’t get to the salon to get my hair done this saved me so much, even when I didn’t go for like a month or two longer than I should’ve gone. You can always depend on this. And it really matches well with my hair. No one could really tell."

"I got this to spray on the dreadful grays that show up in the part on the top of my head," another reviewer explained. "I hate paying the high prices at the salons, so I use this to hide the grays and extend the time between visits."

Some fans consider it a beauty life saver, calling it "a staple I can't live without."

We mostly agree with all of these assessments, though if we're quibbling, Magic Root Cover Up has a few downsides. We found it to be a bit sticky, even after it dries and can feel a bit heavy on your scalp. Despite all the shade options, the color match is imprecise. During our testing, it worked fine for one tester's naturally dark brown/black hair. But we couldn't get the right Magic Root Cover Up hue for another tester's blonde mane. 

Still, for a quick-fix problem solver and a product that actually works and works well — especially for $10 — the pros here far outweigh the cons.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Highly pigmented
  • Dries fast
  • Covers gray instantly
Cons
  • Feels heavy on the scalp
  • Shade match could be better
$10 at Amazon

The Longzon 4-in-1 offers three progressively finer slots for Western knives and one that's meant for scissors and shears. The directions were easy to understand and they included a QR code that linked to a helpful how-to video. The sharpener even comes with a pair of cut-resistant gloves for anyone brand-new to sharpening.

To sharpen a knife, you begin with the second notch (the coarsest grind) and run the blade through it from base to tip five to 10 times in only one direction. (Do not, we repeat, do not use a sawing, back-and-forth motion unless you want to ruin your blade). Repeat through the third notch and then the fourth notch (the finest grind). Follow the directions, and you cannot mess this up. 

What we like about this sharpener is that it's a compact size (9 inches long by 3 inches wide) and gets the job done. It also offers so many safety measures at such a reasonable price point. 

Pros
  • Easy-to-grip, stable handle
  • Tungsten and diamond abrasives
  • Compact size
Cons
  • Does not work with Japanese knives
$13 at Amazon

The K-Café Barista Bar is a first-rate Keurig that delivers everything you'd want from a single-cup coffee maker and more. It makes four cup sizes (8, 10 and 12 ounces, and a 2-ounce shot), the buttons are clear and intuitive and it offers an "over ice" option that automatically adjusts brew temperature for less-watery iced coffee. Plus, it comes with a handy bonus for anyone who likes lattes, cappuccinos and other espresso-style drinks: an excellent standalone milk frother.

Keurig makes four versions of the K-Café, all of which feature frothers. The Barista Bar stands out for being the most affordable and streamlined of the bunch. At about 5 inches wide and 13 inches deep, it won't take up a lot of space on your counter, and it has a slim, modern design that would work in any style kitchen. The frother is incredibly easy to use, whipping up both hot and cold froth that strikes the balance between creamy and cloudlike fluffy. 

Cleanup is also a breeze. The machine has very few parts, so while they are hand-wash only, it's a quick job. If the needles that pierce the K-Cup become clogged, you can loosen any grounds with a straightened paper clip — just do this carefully, because the needles are sharp! The only other maintenance to note: You'll want to descale the machine every three months or so. You'll know when it's time because an indicator light will glow. It doesn't get more foolproof than that.

Our one big gripe with the K-Café Barista Bar is the amount of waste it produces, but this is an issue with all single-serve coffee makers. Used pods can really add up over time. For its part, Keurig has made strides toward sustainability by creating a reusable filter that you fill with grounds. 

All in all, this machine combines the best features of a Keurig with a great milk frother at an affordable price. 

Pros
  • Slim and lightweight
  • Comes with a milk frother
  • Accommodates a reusable filter
  • Can make iced coffee
Cons
  • Parts are hand-wash only
  • Comes in only one color
$140 at Amazon
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$140 at Macy's$140 at Wayfair

We tested over 100 water bottles (we're passionate about what we do!) and Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle topped our list as the absolute best water bottle of 2024. It offers resilience, practicality and — thanks to numerous cap and capacity options — customization.

The pliable loop on the cap made for agile carrying, while the Flex straw option provided quick access to water. The double-wall vacuum insulation kept our drinks cold for the promised 24 hours, and the entire water bottle proved dishwasher safe — making it easy to clean.

Our home writer, Kristin Granero, has owned and used Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottles for several years and, despite countless drops and washing cycles, found that it remains leakproof and still looks like new, with no chipping or fading.

Pros
  • Insulated
  • Spill-proof
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Wide shade/lid selection
  • Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
  • Pricey
$28 at REI
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$39 at Abt Electronics$40 at CampSaver.com

The Frontgate Resort Towel is woven of long-staple Turkish cotton and was among the softest towels we felt in early assessments. It has a quarter-inch hem and a four-inch honeycomb-like dobby (the row of threading at a towel's top and bottom) for a look that's classic yet modern.

This towel absorbs about three liters of water in one go and measures 30" x 58" (29" x 55.5" post-wash/dry), similar to other premium brands we tested. But it's unique in that it maintained nearly all of its softness and color throughout the process. 

Despite being on the thicker, more absorbent side, it also dried fairly quickly. It took about 40 minutes, versus comparative styles that typically took close to an hour.

Last time we checked, this Frontgate towel was available in 27 colors — with or without monogramming — and several sizes. It's meant for the bathroom, but its bold, bright hues would make it a great pool or beach towel in a pinch.

Pros
  • Smooth, plush feel
  • Widest color assortment
  • Monogram option
  • Quick-drying
Cons
  • No loop for hanging
  • Shrank significantly in length
$46 at Frontgate

Nespresso pods are as close as you're going to come to a really good-tasting cup of drip coffee or espresso, and the VertuoPlus makes the experience as easy as possible. You push just one button to operate it, and there's a built-in mechanism that automatically tosses your used pod into a receptacle built into the machine.

But how do I choose what kind of brew I want? you might be wondering, considering that there's no way to program the machine. Nespresso VertuoLine coffee machines use pods printed with a bar code that indicates the type of drink it makes. There are espresso pods for shots of espresso, double espresso pods for double shots, coffee pods for an 8-ounce mug of joe and so on. Pop in the pod you want, and the machine automatically adjusts to brew your desired drink. Note that all Nespresso drinks are brewed with a layer of crema on top — we found it added to each cup's richness, but if that's not for you, you may prefer a K-Cup machine instead. Also: Nespresso Vertuo pods typically cost more than $1 per pod, so while using one is cheaper than buying a latte every day, it's definitely an investment.

As far as looks go, the VertuoPlus (this model is made by De'Longhi) is sleek and stylish and doesn't have a huge footprint. Another nice touch is that the 40-ounce water tank is movable — you can swing it to either side of the machine or keep it tucked behind it. We liked this flexibility, but we also found that it made the reservoir less secure than other models. More than once we accidentally toppled it, getting water all over my counter.

The VertuoPlus requires minimal upkeep: Just empty the used-pod receptacle (which holds about 10 pods) and descale every three months or 300 pods.

Pros
  • One-button operation
  • Movable water tank
  • Virtually maintenance-free
  • Brews premium coffee
Cons
  • Water tank didn't clip on securely
  • Pods can get expensive
  • No reusable single-serve filter available
$110 at Amazon
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$166 at Walmart$169 at Wayfair

Roku's secret sauce has always been simplicity. If you want a streamer that's both easy to learn and easy to use, the Roku Ultra is without question the top pick.

On the feature front, it ticks all the important boxes: 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Atmos — all the stuff to ensure a crisp, colorful picture and the best possible sound (with a compatible TV and/or soundbar, that is). Beyond the usual assortment of streaming apps, you'll find fun animated screensavers and some free casual games (mostly of the Pac-Man and Tetris variety). The newly launched Backdrops feature adds an extensive art-gallery screensaver similar to what you'd find on Samsung's The Frame TVs, but at no extra charge.

Mostly, though, it's about the interface: Roku employs a simple grid of tiles, three or four across (your choice) and easy to rearrange by tapping the "star" button on the remote. There's also a simple sidebar menu for quick access to things like search, live TV and watch recommendations. (Too many options? You can customize that menu to show only the ones you want.)

The Ultra offers hands-free voice controls available as well. You can say "Hey Roku" and then speak a variety of commands: turn on the TV, launch Netflix, watch a particular movie or even find the remote if it's missing. (There's a find-it button on the box itself as well, just in case the clicker is buried in the couch cushions and unable to hear you.)

Speaking of which, the Voice Remote Pro borders on perfection, with an intuitive layout, six shortcut buttons (two of them programmable to do whatever you like), a rechargeable battery and a headphone jack for plugging in wired earbuds (included!) or headphones. Doing so instantly activates Private Listening, great for those who might be hard of hearing or just don't want to disturb others. If you prefer a wireless option — say, AirPods or Bluetooth headphones — that's available as well.

Pros
  • Very good printed setup instructions
  • The easiest and most intuitive streaming interface
  • Hands-free voice operation
  • Instant private listening through wired earbuds (included)
  • Rechargeable remote that can beep if it's lost
  • Nifty art-mode screensaver
  • Ethernet port for those seeking wired connectivity
Cons
  • Last-generation Wi-Fi
  • Limited gaming features
  • Remote doesn't always catch voice commands
$59 at Amazon
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$100 at B&H Photo$111 at Macy's