21 Genius Products That Help Make Winter a Little Easier
Our faves to help with everything from dry, cracked skin to snowy windshields.
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While I love the beauty of winter snow, cozy clothing and festive holidays, there are a few things I don’t love about the coldest season of the year. I'm talking about dry, cracked skin, shivering cold temperatures and slippery ice. But our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute are always testing everyday essentials and buzzing about their latest finds, and with their insights, I put together a list of the top 21 genius products to help get you through winter.
Some of these products you may be familiar with, but others may come as a total surprise. Who knew blankets with a special foot compartment exist or windshield covers that effortlessly remove ice and snow? You might just find a game changer below that'll help make winter feel a little more cozy.
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
When our team of GH Institute experts tested the Pure Enrichment humidifier, they raved about the machine's quiet operation, ease of use and affordable price point. Bonus, it shuts off automatically when water levels are low.
RELATED: Best Humidifiers for Coughs, Allergies, Dry Skin and More
I had to mention Good Housekeeping's new wall mount space heater. Simply plug it into an outlet, and adjust the thermostat as needed with the included remote. It's great for small spaces and includes a safety setting to prevent overheating, making it an ideal office companion.
RELATED: The Best Small Space Heaters to Warm up Your Bedroom, Den or Office
These fleece-lined tights come in several sheer neutral tones. They're perfect for pairing with winter dresses or skirts or to wear underneath pants for added insulation.
Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer
A favorite amongst our team and our readers, the Orastone hand warmer is a must for any outdoor winter activity. Place it between your hands to warm up in less than two minutes.
Instead of chiseling ice and snow off your windshield with an ice scraper or waiting for it to melt on defrost, use this nifty tool to simply lift the snow off. The cover acts as a blanket and helps to protect your windshield from snow and hail. It comes in various sizes to match your vehicle and stays in place via window flaps and elastic straps that wrap around your car mirrors.
Sure, bundling up in layers of clothing is an option for staying warm, but so is wearing a single-layer, heated vest. Testers from our Good Housekeeping Institute loved the heated collar and lightweight fit of this ORORO vest. It features three heat settings and 10 hours of battery, that you can even use to charge your phone!
This premium road kit features jumper cables, a flashlight, first-aid materials, an orange safety vest, duct tape and more — just in case you run into a winter roadside emergency. Reviewers love that it’s compact and easy to store in the trunk.
Throw this on your back, neck and shoulder to cozy up after a cold winter day. It's great to wear while reading, sitting on the couch or even working from home. It has six temperature settings and weighs two pounds, providing a bit of relaxation and grounding when worn.
When it comes to winter, dry skin is public enemy number one. Luckily, there are ways to combat it. In tests done by the GH Institute, Dove's Dryness Relief Body Wash increased skin's moisture levels for four hours — without the aid of lotion. Not to mention the product's cheap price point.
Trust us, Uniqlo's HEATTECH crew neck is the ultimate base layer that our staffers love since it helps keeps wearers extra warm. Wear it under your regular outfit to help retain heat. It's also moisture-wicking, making it great to wear when playing winter sports.
This fashionable find is a favorite among GH staff. These earmuffs from Brook + Bay are foldable, making them easy to carry in a purse or bag. If cream isn't your hue of choice, the ear muffs also come in four other stylish colors.
You don't have to be a member of Costco to get this Kirkland brand pack that comes with four pairs of merino wool socks. Our team loves them for their softness, warmth and durability. They're a great, non-bulky option for wearing with boots.
Blankets are a necessity for enduring winter, but this one has more to offer than your standard 50 x 70-inch throw. It has a built-in foot pocket to nestle feet in, so they're never left peeking out of the covers.
A quality winter coat doesn't need to exceed $200. In fact, you can find one of the best layers on the market for $160. Columbia's Long Suttle Coat stood out as a surprisingly breathable and light jacket option in GH Lab tests. It's warm, provides wearers with a good range of motion and offers a defined waistline.
RELATED: The Warmest Winter Coats for Women, Tested by Experts
This variety pack of scented shower steamers comes with six different scents. Simply place the tablet on the floor of the shower, outside of the main stream, to unlock the scent. Over 10,000 Amazon shoppers purchased the set last month, with many saying it's a game changer for winding down.
This Good Housekeeping Bedding Awards winner has everything you want in a heated blanket. It offers six heat settings, four time settings and warms quickly and evenly, according to our tests. Not to mention its two cozy sides made of sherpa and ribbed fleece.
RELATED: Best Electric Blankets to Stay Warm All Winter Long
For those who work in a shop, garage or other uninsulated indoor area, a space heater is essential. This small option from ISILER made a big impression when testing. It features adjustable heat control, weighs only 2.5 lbs and has a tip-over sensor safety feature. For under $50, it can certainly crank out some heat.
For an everyday glove that'll hold up against the cold and daily life, you can't go wrong with Uniqlo's cashmere knitted gloves. They come in over 12 subtle colors for under $20. At that price, you may be tempted to buy a few pairs.
Buttah Skin CocoShea Revitalizing Cream
Amidst dry air, hand-washing and the use of hand sanitizer, lotion is a non-negotiable. Customers love Buttah Skin's Revitalizing Cream for its non-greasy feel, deep hydration and buttery ingredients. Use on your face, hands or other dry spots.
This wearable blanket from Bedsure was a top pick among testers. It received high marks for its ultra-soft texture and cinched cuffs. It also comes in four sizes, ideal for children and adults.
RELATED: Best Wearable Blankets to Snuggle up in This Winter
Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
