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13 Most Popular Products of May Our Readers Are Shopping for Summer

They keep adding this #1 best-seller one-piece to their Amazon cart.

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most popular may products

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Each month at Good Housekeeping, we round up the best gifts on the market, report on top trends of the season and put both new and trusted products to the test in the esteemed Good Housekeeping Institute — and each month, our readers decide which items they want to spend their hard-earned cash on.


April showers bring May flowers ... and great finds on Amazon and Walmart our readers couldn't stop shopping within the last 30 days. Our experts within the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluate almost every product under the sun, giving you tons of shopping inspo.

Ahead of summer, Good Housekeeping readers were prepping with warm weather essentials like top-rated sunscreen, slimming swimsuits and beach totes ahead of the seasonal shopping wave. May also marks a slew of events and holidays, including summer birthdays and weddings. And no one wants to show up empty-handed.

We pinned down the most popular products of May you can shop for every occasion on your social calendar, including adorable presents for college grads and more.

1
cute summer tote

UERRUAM Tote Bag

On Sale
Tote Bag
Now 19% Off
Credit: UERRUAM

No matter the season, a good tote bag is always handy. Whether you prefer a large-sized bag to hold fresh veggies from the farmer's market or a small-sized tote (pictured) for daily strolls, you won't have to spend more than $15. This bag comes in 20 different colors and patterns, and it has a convenient magnetic close and thick strap. One online reviewer said, "As soon as I took it out of the package, I thought, 'Okay, [I'm going to] return [it]; this is way too small. Then, I put all my stuff in it, and then some! I absolutely love it now!"

2
FOR YOUR NEXT VACAY

Eomenie Women's One-Piece Swimsuit

Best Seller
Women's One-Piece Swimsuit
Credit: Eomenie

Sun finally peeking out? Pack this #1 top-selling swimsuit on Amazon with stylish ruched sides and a high-cut design. We also rated the one-piece one of the best Amazon swimsuits because of its cute criss-cross front and adjustable straps. For under $40, scoop up this bathing suit in almost 30 colors and patterns.

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3
Non-Slip Pool Shoe

TheCloudies Cloud Slides

On Sale
Cloud Slides
Now 30% Off
Credit: TheCloudies

Our readers cannot get enough of the cloud slide trend. Available in six solid colors, these slides have drainage holes on the bottom so your feet don't get as wet. Its thick sole offers ample cushion, while its non-slip tread is designed for more secure walking. We love these for a Memorial Day weekend spent poolside or a shower caddy necessity.

4
Adorable Graduation Gift

Squishmallows Zozo Blue Bigfoot

Zozo Blue Bigfoot
Credit: Squishmallows

Whether you're looking for a middle school or a high school graduation gift, the student in your life will love squeezing this Squishmallow upon reaching a major milestone. A tiny grad cap is perched adorably atop Blue Bigfoot's rainbow fur head. The soft cuddle buddy is popular among online Amazon shoppers, even those with older grandchildren.

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5
KEEP WATER EXTRA COOL

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Amazon’s Choice
FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Of all the insulated water bottles we evaluated in Lab, our kitchen pros named the Owala FreeSip one of the best. Either sip through the built-in straw, or tilt the bottle back and drink from the spout opening. Our Lab tests revealed its locking push-button lid prevented the Amazon's Choice bottle from leaking.

6
GREAT FOR PILATES, YOGA AND MORE

Colorfulkoala High-Waisted 7/8 Workout Leggings

High-Waisted 7/8 Workout Leggings

As you venture out and about in the breezy weather, these affordable leggings come in clutch. The top-rated high-waisted leggings retained their shape in Lab tests, impressing our textiles pros. One GH consumer tester who tried the pair said, "I like them better than my other high-end expensive workout leggings."

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7
GET SUNKISSED SKIN

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse

Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Self Tanner Mousse
Credit: Coco & Eve

Tanning season is upon us. In our recent testing, our GH Beauty Lab pros named the Coco & Even Self Tanner Mousse best overall. In fact, 100% of consumer testers reported that it looked natural; they liked how it looked on their skin — achieving the desired depth of color in just one application — and said they would recommend the product to others.

8
A SEASONAL REFRESH

PHYTO Permanent Hair Color

Permanent Hair Color

Come late spring and summer, you may feel tempted to go a couple shades lighter. PHYTO's at-home hair dye performed well in our Lab testing thanks to its ammonia-free formula that left hair feeling soft. It gave the most uniform dye, and testers said it lasted the longest. No mess, no stress: It also scored high for ease of application. However, users noted that the shade range isn't that expansive.

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9
BEACH BAG ESSENTIAL

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk Sunscreen SPF 50

On Sale
Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk Sunscreen SPF 50
Now 12% Off
Credit: Hawaiian Tropic

Sunscreen is a beach bag must-have. However, finding a body sunscreen or a face sunscreen that won't irritate your skin can be challenging. Luckily, GH Beauty Lab pros regularly test SPFs and found this mineral sunscreen a match for sensitive skin types. Our testers found it non-drying and easy to apply. Its affordable price can't be beat, either.

10
WEDDING GUEST CHECKLIST

Maidenform Shaping Brief

Shaping Brief

Once wedding guests lock down the dress, it's time to find accessories and shapewear to boot. A crossover hit when GH Textiles Lab pros tested underwear and bras, shapewear brand Maidenform also has shaping briefs that feature compression in the stomach area and a silicone waistband to prevent it from slipping.

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11
LEVEL UP SUMMER BIRTHDAY PARTIES

IFLOVE Bubble Machine

On Sale
Bubble Machine
Now 12% Off
Credit: IFLOVE

Amp up birthday parties with a bubble machine that blows more than 5,000 bubbles, per the brand. All it needs is four AA batteries (not included). From there, manually adjust the head, and click the single button to start the machine. The manufacturer also claims the bubble blower is designed to resist leakage, so you can use it both indoors or outdoors.

12
FOR BIRD LOVERS

WOSIBO Hummingbird Feeder

On Sale
Hummingbird Feeder
Now 33% Off
Credit: WOSIBO

Bird lovers will adore this Amazon's Choice hummingbird feeder. It comes in stunning multi-colored, hand-blown patterns designed to look like a flower. The wide opening allows for easy filling, and birds can eat from four feeding ports. One satisfied shopper left a five-star review online, writing: "Purchased four of these and would not hesitate to buy more. Quality is excellent with heavy glass and vibrant colors." At 33% off right now, you can buy multiple for less than $100!

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13
FUN TEEN ACTIVITY

BiC BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers for Skin

On Sale
BodyMark Temporary Tattoo Markers for Skin

While bubbles may be for the younger kiddos, temporary tattoos are more teenagers' speed. Let their creativity sprawl with these temporary tattoo markers designed for use on skin (easily removed with soap and water). An Amazon reviewer bought the set for their daughter: "Her and her friends are always using markers to write on their hands. I thought, well, at least, I'll give them some designed for that use."

Headshot of Elizabeth Berry
Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

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