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This is what Good Housekeeping readers were shopping in 2023
Can you guess which gadget came out on top?

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we love taking a look at what you’re shopping from our tried and tested recommendations (we’re a bit geeky like that). It’s not just because we’re nosy, though. It also gives us a good insight into how you’re cooking, updating your homes and spending your precious downtime right now.
So, what were you all buying in 2023? Our editors have rounded up the top-sellers below, and we've also asked them to do some future gazing and pick out the one product they think will be on everyone’s wish list in 2024 (so you can be ahead of the game).
Meet the editors
“Fabric shavers are a great tool for extending the lifespan of your wardrobe. They satisfyingly cut away bobbles from your jumpers and coats, leaving them as pristine as the day you first unboxed them. They’re quickly becoming as essential as an iron or a clothes steamer in our book.” Hannah Mendelsohn
GHI expert verdict: Our testers praised this affordable gadget's nifty design, ergonomic handle and in-built waste bin that collects lint as you go for minimal mess.
“As we all try to save money and reduce our energy bills right now, many of us have turned to the handy heated clothes airer to get our laundry dried quickly and efficiently. Minky’s winged airer has a fantastic concertina-style design that makes it easy to move and store, and it dries bedsheets fast. Its popularity is no doubt also down to its affordable price-tag compared to other models we tested.” Megan Geall
GHI expert verdict: With a consistent temperature, speedy drying times and the lowest energy usage of any model we tested, this is a smart buy.
“I wasn't surprised to see this one in our bestsellers list. If you're anything like me, you now spend more on your sleep set-up than you do on your shoe collection. And this pillow combines great performance – it only dropped four marks overall in our tests – with a great price point. At 50% off, it would be rude not to.” Alison Lynch
GHI expert verdict: All our testers scored this pillow a 10/10 and said they'd recommend it to friends and family.
“It’s hardly surprising, but every summer, we always see a flurry of last-minute shoppers buying a fan to help with the predicted heatwave. This sleek model (which also doubles as an air purifier) is our runner-up, has 12 different air speeds, and is well-priced in comparison with its competitors. It's a savvy buy for bringing the breeze to your home on stifling nights. Just make sure you buy it before the heatwave hits!” Hannah Mendelsohn
GHI expert verdict: This solid all-rounder is intuitive to use and adjusts its air flow according to the room temperature. All our testers found it improved their comfort levels.
“This straightener's 16 heat settings provide limitless styling options, all for just under £60. It’s a straight-up great value, high quality product that produces frizz-free, silky results. What’s the catch? Well, actually, testers told us the whole experience was snag-free.” Florence Reeves-White
GHI expert verdict: This is a great tool for all hair types, thanks to the wide range of heat settings. Our panel said it left them with a diamond-like shine.
“The brand behind 2023’s must-have hydration accessory (the Stanley Quencher FlowState) is also the maker of our test-topping coffee mug. If anything will quench your single-use cup habit, it’s this entirely leak-proof design that keeps drinks insulated for hours on end and is available in three different sizes. Whether you’re commuting or walking in the park, it’s a trusty companion for your hot drink of choice.” Hannah Mendelsohn
GHI expert verdict: The double wall vacuum insulation will keep your chosen drink hot or cold. Testers also found it comfortable to hold and easy to drink from while on the move.
“It's not all practical buys on our list – GH readers have also been spreading the joy with the help of our highest-scoring flower delivery service. Saying it with flowers has always been a classy move and Bloom & Wild doesn't disappoint. We love its outstanding selection of chic and seasonal bouquets that make it easy to send a truly thoughtful gift.” Hannah Mendelsohn
GHI expert verdict: With easy ordering and seamless delivery, plus the option to add luxury chocolates and pampering skincare to your order, this service was a dream to use from start to finish.
“For the 'every day is hair wash day', oily hair crew, any formulation that promises to fight grease is one worth investing in. So it's no surprise our best shampoo for oily hair is one of our most shopped beauty products of the year. It changed the game for our testers who said they were able to go an extra day or two between washes.” Florence Reeves-White
GHI expert verdict: This shampoo uses pH-balancing tech to leave scalps feeling fresher, as well as effectively removing product build-up and boosting shine.
“Yes, we may forget about them for months on end, but every home needs one of these hidden away in the cupboard, ready to be rediscovered when you crave a comforting oozing cheese and bean toastie. This one even doubles up as a panini press for when you're feeling fancy. With a nostalgic nod to our student days, and guaranteeing a delicious, filling lunch every time, we're pleased to see the humble toastie maker on our list of bestsellers.” Alison Lynch
GHI expert verdict: Our winning toastie maker from Breville is compact, affordable, consistent and has plenty of room for generous filling.
“Many of us caught the bug for baking bread in lockdown and the sourdough boom shows no sign of slowing. Our top-rated breadmaker from Tefal was a popular buy in 2023 and is ideal for anyone who loves the smell of a freshly risen loaf (that's all of us then). It's stylish, compact, and guarantees golden, crusty loaves every time.” Megan Geall
GHI expert verdict: This is a versatile machine (it has brioche, rye and gluten-free settings) that delivers consistent, delicious results. Stock is low at the moment though – with Amazon flagging a 1 - 3 month delivery time – so check out our popular runner-up, which also makes ice cream and jam, as a worthy substitute.
“There's something wonderfully satisfying about getting stubborn stains out of carpets, so it's no surprise this carpet cleaner from market-leaders Vax, proved popular. It only dropped one mark across all our tests and two passes were all it needed to remove even the toughest of stains.” Megan Geall
GHI expert verdict: This machine was effortless to use and left our carpets looking restored and only slightly damp. Our runner-up, the Vax Platinum Power Max, also made it onto our list. It’s slightly bigger and comes with a hard floor cleaning tool for tackling tiles, wood and laminate.
“Vacuums are always a permanent fixture on our list of top sellers, and cordless models are the most popular of all. It’s not hard to see why this Vax was our readers’ go-to; its lightweight and nimble design, plus the winning combination of solid performance and affordable price point, made it a surefire hit.” Hannah Mendelsohn
GHI expert verdict: This is a good everyday vacuum that's designed with pet owners in mind. It left our carpets spotless.
If you don’t want a stick vacuum, however, the Shark Handheld Pet Vacuum was our best-selling handheld model, while readers loved the Hoover HL4 Pet Upright Vacuum and Beko’s first-ever robot vacuum.
“Weighted blankets are one of this season's hottest buys and this Oodie option has been flying off the shelves, thanks to its velvety soft material and even weight distribution – so much so, that it completely sold out over Black Friday and now has a lengthy waitlist.
“However, our next top seller, the Silentnight Wellbeing Weighted Blanket, also deserves a spot in your wellness arsenal. It’s made with cooling cotton and looks extremely chic thanks to its quilted design.” Priyankaa Joshi
GHI expert verdict: The Silentnight blanket is soft to the touch, fully machine washable and looks like a traditional throw so it will fit seamlessly into your interiors.
“Collagen is key when it comes to bouncy, supple skin, but supplementing it has never been more confusing. With so many brands on the market, I think consumers really value tried, tested and trusted recommendations, which is where our panel testing comes in. Some of our testers said they noticed a transformation in their skin in half the time promised on the bottle with this KIKI formulation. Bravo.” Florence Reeves-White
GHI expert verdict: Tests in the GHI lab showed this supplement did effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots after the recommended 12 weeks of use.
“Proving some of us are still ironing – despite more and more people turning to clothes steamers (see below) – is this bestselling, wallet-friendly steam iron from Tower. It can be used cordless and left our clothes impressively crease-free. We're on board with anything that takes the drudgery out of this sometimes unavoidable chore.” Alison Lynch
GHI expert verdict: This versatile steam iron can be used corded or cordless (but note that its charge only lasts for 35 seconds at a time). It removed creases with ease and its tank lasted for almost 19 minutes on test.
“Narrowly beating its more traditional rival is this handheld Philips clothes steamer. No one wants wrinkled clothing but sometimes the thought of doing a big pile of ironing is just too much to bear. That’s why this trusty steamer has proved so popular.
“It’s compact so doesn’t take up too much space and is easy to pack into a suitcase when travelling. It heats up in an impressive 29 seconds too, so you can enjoy freshly steamed clothes in a matter of minutes.” Megan Geall
GHI expert verdict: Heating up in less than 30 seconds, this made light work of creases across all fabrics.
“This winning electric toothbrush is from Irish brand Spotlight, which was founded by two dentists who’ve been disrupting the market with affordable, effective dental care. The sonic vibrations push toothpaste and air into hard-to-reach areas to combat plaque and freshen breath, for a minty mouth other brands can’t compete with.” Florence Reeves-White
GHI expert verdict: Our testers praised this toothbrush's cleaning power, its long battery life and range of cleaning modes, including sensitive and whitening options.
“When it comes to convenience in the kitchen, the microwave may have been slightly overshadowed by the air fryer in recent years, but this slim but powerful model from Panasonic has earnt its place on our list. Testers liked the sleek design, and it doesn’t disappoint on performance either, delivering fully cooked (and fluffy) jacket potatoes and piping hot ready meals.” Megan Geall
GHI expert verdict: User-friendly, with a 20-litre capacity and nine automatic programmes, this is a reliable buy.
“In third place is this top-rated steam cleaner, which uses a combination of heat and water to blitz bacteria and dirt from your floors and surfaces with ease – which sounds like a pretty satisfying way to spend a morning, if you ask us.” Alison Lynch
GHI expert verdict: With a flexible joint that means you can clean under furniture and the option to add perfume to the steam, this will refresh your surfaces in no time. It was particularly impressive on hard and sealed floors.
If you don't want to spend that much on a mop and prefer to keep it traditional, this flat mop from E-Cloth was also a popular buy with readers.
“This dryer blew us away in testing – boasting all the features of a device twice the price, it won points for its ability to tailor your blow dry to your hair type. It provides a salon-level service in the comfort of your home, so it’s no surprise it’s been hot property this year.” Florence Reeves-White
GHI expert verdict: All our testers said their strands looked smoother and frizz was tamed after using this ghd dryer.

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