Top 13 Innovations of 2020

Think of Scotch’s new shipping solution as inflated cushioning, packing tape and a box all in one. It comes in a roll, so you simply cut as much material as you need, place the item you’re sending on the gray side, fold the wrap over and press. That’s it! The gray side sticks to itself (not your item) to form a secure seal — all you need to do is add a label. Plus, it’s recyclable. Our pros were amazed by how easy this was to use — you can even mold the wrap into a boxlike shape. We like that the outer blue layer is water- and tear-resistant for durability.

Taking out the trash is likely your family’s least favorite chore, but that may change with Townew’s techy can. At first glance it looks like a normal mini sensor bin, opening when you wave and closing on its own. What sets it apart: Once it’s full, you simply press a button to have it self-seal the bag and then auto-line the bin with a new one. This excelled in our Cleaning Lab’s review, making dealing with trash effortless. We think it’s the perfect size for bathrooms, offices, and small kitchens. 

Everything you love about Sonos now comes in a take anywhere package. The chic Move has a rechargeable battery that promises 10 hours of playing time and a super-durable form designed to stand up to spills and splashes, small drops, and even extreme temperatures. This means you can bring it from the living room to the backyard to the beach without worrying. It’s packed with everything you want in a speaker, like great sound quality, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant capabilities to control other smart home tech and features like a carrying nook that make it seem even more high-end. We also like that you can play music over Wi-Fi or connect with Bluetooth on the go.

Love fancy cocktails but don’t have the space (or skill) for a full bar setup? Bartesian’s single-serve machine is about to transform how you indulge (it's also one of Oprah's Favorite Things!). Lock in your go-to spirits, then choose your drink from 15 premixed pods. There’s one to suit every taste, from an old-fashioned to a margarita. This performed well in our evaluations, making consistent, tasty drinks in seconds. It’s also great for preventing heavy pours — before it “brews,” you can adjust the alcohol strength or have it make any drink as a mocktail.

The latest Amazon Kindle is the ultimate “tutor.” Parents can set the digital reader to show definitions of tricky words as kids read. Ideal for beginners and kids up to 12, it even comes with a case to protect it. GH moms appreciated that this tablet was designed just for reading. It connects to the Internet, but doesn’t let kids access social media, YouTube or games.

Who says you can’t make an entire meal in the microwave? Breville’s new three-in-one appliance works as a microwave, a convection oven, and an air fryer. The same machine lets you heat leftovers; make juicy, crispy wings; and bake brownies. Our Kitchen Appliances pros have seen microwaves that bake, but this is one of the first that can air-fry too. In Lab tests, the air fryer setting made crispy fries and cooked chicken thighs in just 20 minutes. We especially appreciated its helpful onscreen notifications, which tell you when to turn food and more.

Most rain gear isn’t that comfortable to wear and can feel stuffy. That’s why we’re excited about The North Face’s latest innovation: Futurelight. Designed using nanospinning tech so it has super-tiny holes to let air pass through, the fabric is uniquely breathable without sacrificing rain protection. Jackets, pants, and gloves made from it are available now and perfect for running, skiing or hiking while braving the elements. Our fiber scientists were blown away by the new technology and the fact that the jacket was both breathable and waterproof. We also liked that it was lightweight and made with recycled materials and didn’t crinkle as the wearer moved.

Whatever your kitchen skill level, sharp knives are a nonnegotiable for safe cooking. Don’t use dull blades or try to sharpen them yourself: F.N. Sharp sends you a new sharp set every four months. One of our gripes about other services is that getting knives back can take days or weeks. This one lets you return dull ones in a prepaid package after you’ve gotten a fresh set.

Set includes three knives, a wood knife block, and three free sharpenings. 

A staple in European homes, Thermomix is, at its most basic, a cooking food processor. It can weigh ingredients, chop and brown veggies and meat, stir and simmer or slow-cook for hours in one pot — no need to dirty a single spoon. Choose from over 50,000 recipes for pro-quality meals. The Thermomix always impresses our Kitchen Appliances Lab experts, and we love that this updated version can also sous vide, slow-cook, and ferment food — along with more than 17 other functions.

GE has solved the most common front-loading washing machine issues — think mold, musty smells, and pooled water—with its new UltraFresh machine. Instead of drying the inside by hand or leaving the door open after each load (risky if you have kids or pets), just press the vent option: It’ll pull in air to fully dry the door, gasket and drum. This wowed in our Lab tests and left everything, even the folds of the rubber gasket, bone-dry. GH pros say it’s best run overnight or after all laundry is done, as it cycles on and off every 15 minutes and can take some time. We also like that the inside is treated with Microban, which prevents mold and odors.

Even with many of today’s best dishwashers, some items still require hand-drying after a cycle. Bosch’s new model has a first-of-its-kind solution: CrystalDry. The cycle add-on removes moist air, passes it through a chamber of minerals and sends it out as heat to dry dishes, even tough-to-dry plastics and glassware. In Lab tests, it easily dried plastic containers, bottles, and more. We like that this new tech works more effectively and in less time than similar add-ons while still being energy-efficient.