This story is part of Select’s New & Notable column, where we highlight our favorite product launches. We will update this article monthly with new releases you should know about.
Top tech launches
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
These headphones from Bose are part earbud, part ear cuff. Rabinowitz received them from the brand before launch and tested them for review for about three weeks. They have a unique design that wraps around the side of your outer ear, leaving your inner ear open to hear the world around you, similar to open-ear fitness headphones. He found them incredibly comfortable, especially for exercise. You can read more about them in our full Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review.
Fujifilm X100VI
The previous Fujifilm X100V was one of the best point-and-shoot cameras on the market, but rarely in stock in any retailer. This new model has a more detailed sensor (40.2MP, up from 26.1MP), higher resolution video capture (6.2K, up from 4K) and in-body image stabilization. Like its predecessor, it has a fixed lens, vintage style and compact size that make it easier to put in a pocket or bag than larger, traditional cameras.
Amazon Echo Hub
Amazon makes some of our favorite smart home hubs, but this is the brand’s first device solely designed to control your smart home. It can sit on a stand or be mounted to a wall and can sync with compatible smart devices like light bulbs, smart plugs, doorbells and more. Once connected, you or anyone else in your home can control all your smart devices using this Hub.
Apple Vision Pro Headset
The Apple Vision Pro is a spatial computing headset. While wearing it, you can do most of the things you would do on a computer like browse the web, watch videos, work on documents, have video chats and more. Unlike your 2D phone or computer screen, everything inside the Vision Pro occupies a 3D space, appearing either in the real world or in entirely virtual spaces like a mountain vista or the moon’s surface.
Unlike other headsets with controllers, you control the Vision Pro using your eyes and hands. It can wirelessly connect to other Apple products like a MacBook or Magic Keyboard — you can expand your MacBook screen into the virtual space of the headset or use the keyboard as an additional input. In the box, it comes with the headset, two types of headbands, a lens cover, battery pack, charger and a polishing cloth.
Top beauty and skin care launches
Act+Acre Showerhead Filter
Act+Acre’s showerhead is built with a filter that removes contaminants from water like heavy metals and chlorine to help improve scalp health, strengthen hair and restore bounce, according to the brand. The showerhead comes with all the materials you need to install, like plumber’s tape and a wrench. Its filter needs to be replaced every three months. You can purchase replacement filters for $32 or buy a filter subscription so a replacement is delivered to your doorstep every three months for a discounted price of $25.60.
Canopy Portable Humidifier
You can now enjoy the benefits of Canopy’s Bedside Humidifier but on a smaller scale. The brand’s 7-inch tall portable humidifier is rechargeable and designed to sit on your desk or come with you while traveling. You can choose from low, medium and high mist settings and fill its 500 milliliter with water to get up to 24 hours of running time, according to the brand. The humidifier is built with dishwasher-safe parts so it’s easy to clean and doubles as an aroma diffuser. You can place an aroma puck on the top of the device and add your favorite essential oil, which wafts throughout your home when the humidifier is on.
Hero Dissolve Away
Hero Cosmetics’ fragrance-free cleansing balm helps remove makeup, dirt and grime from your skin, and it’s specifically developed for those prone to acne, according to the brand. You can add it to your double cleansing regime at night — first remove makeup with the cleansing balm, then follow up with your favorite cleanser. Dissolve Away has a little spatula to help you scoop it out of the container and onto your face.
Billie Body Care
In addition to new body lotions and washes, Billie’s expanded body care line includes its first deodorants, which are aluminum-free and help control odors for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. The All Day Deodorant is solid and sheer upon application, while the AHA Deodorant is a roll-on gel made with alpha hydroxy acids. The deodorants are available in multiple scents. Billie’s body lotions and washes come in four formulations, including one designed for sensitive skin and one for those looking to boost hydration.
Tower 28 LipSoftie Lip Treatment
Tower 28 is one of our favorite AAPI-owned and women-owned brands, and it just debuted fragrance-free lip balms that adhere to the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance guidelines. The LipSoftie Tinted Lip Treatment and SOS LipSoftie Rescue Lip Treatment have ingredients like shea butter and jojoba to heal sensitive, irritated lips and prevent future dryness. The tinted lip treatment comes in four sheer tints so you can wear it during the day, while the SOS treatment is clear and can serve as an overnight lip mask.
Byoma Sensitive Retinol Oil
The four latest additions to Byoma’s skin care collection are now available at Ulta and include a leave-on barrier repair treatment, milky toner, milky cleanser and retinol oil. The Barrier+ Repair Treatment has a buttery texture. It can help encourage the skin’s natural ceramide production, while the Hydrating Milky Toner and Milky Moisture Cleanser are delicate, soothing and made for sensitive skin. The Sensitive Retinol Oil (linked above) is Byoma’s first foray into the retinol space and can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, uneven tone and more, according to the brand.
Top home and kitchen launches
Caraway Kitchen Gadget Set
Caraway’s first-ever kitchen gadget set includes five stainless steel tools: a can opener, pizza cutter, garlic press, ice cream scoop and peeler. The gadgets come with a birch wood organizer that you can slide into a drawer or place on a shelf, keeping the tools neatly stored away when not in use. Caraway recommends hand-washing its kitchen gadgets to keep them scratch-free and shiny.
Ullo Uno Wine Purifying Wands
Ullo makes one of our favorite wine aerators that also serves as a purifier — its built-in filter removes sulfites and histamines from wine, which some people are sensitive to, according to the brand. Ullo turned that same filter into a disposable wand, allowing you to purify wine while traveling and at restaurants. You simply swirl the wand in a glass of wine for about two minutes before drinking it and throw it in the trash afterward.
Owala FreeSip Twist
Many NBC Select staffers love Owala’s reusable water bottles, and its newest model offers similar features to the FreeSip, but with a twist-off lid in a slimmer shape. The FreeSip Twist is cup-holder friendly and easily fits inside bags, according to the brand. The water bottle is made with a spout that has a built-in straw, allowing you to sip from it or tilt your head back and take a swing. It’s made from stainless steel and is triple-layer insulated. The FreeSip Twist is available in 18-ounce and 24-ounce sizes.
Sunsip by Health-Ade
Health-Ade, best known for its bottled kombucha, launched a low-sugar, prebiotic sodas line. According to the brand, the sodas are made with prebiotic fibers and sweetened with fruit juice and cane sugar. Sunsip is available nationwide at Whole Foods Market or direct from the website in packs of 12 in raspberry lemonade (linked above), cherry cola, strawberry vanilla, and root beer flavors.
Algae Cooking Club Chef-Grade Algae Cooking Oil
Algae Cooking Club is a newly launched brand that makes cooking oil from the algae plant. The oil’s smoke point is 535 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than olive oil, so it’s suitable for roasting, grilling and frying food over high heat. It offers a neutral, light and slightly buttery taste and has a high concentration of Omega-9 fats, according to the brand. The oil comes in a recyclable aluminum bottle.
Ikea Daksjus Home Planting Collection
Ikea debuted a new collection of 25 planting products designed to help bring greenery into any space in the home. It includes hanging planters, plant stands with matching pots, trellis sets, glass vases and more.
Top fitness and outdoor launches
On Cloudmonster 2 Running Sneakers
On makes some of our favorite running gear, and the brand recently launched the second iteration of its Cloudmonster running shoe, which is available in men’s and women’s sizes. The Cloudmonster 2 has more cushioning than the original model and is built with a new type of foam that gives you extra bounce while propelling you forward, according to the brand. On also debuted its Cloudsurfer Trail sneaker this month.
Thule Urban Glide 3 Running Stroller
The Thule Urban Glide 2 was released in 2018 and has since become a top-rated running stroller according to consumer and professional reviews. Its wide design and large air-filled tires make it better suited to running and off-road exploration than a traditional stroller. This new version has a more upright seat position, an adjustable leg rest (upgraded from a non-adjustable one), and a full-coverage sun canopy, according to the brand.
Priority Eight Bike
Priority Bicycles makes one of our favorite commuter bikes. This hybrid bike is billed as your one do-it-all bike, fit for cruising, commuting and fitness, according to the brand. It has a clean, weather-resistant belt instead of a typical bike chain, and all the usual cogs and gears are housed internally in a hub in the rear wheel, keeping potentially dirty components away from your clothes and nasty weather. The bike weighs 27 pounds and has eight-speed trigger shifting.
Current Backyard Model G Dual-Zone Electric Grill
One of our favorite products from CES is a full-size outdoor electric grill that reaches temperatures up to 700 degrees, far hotter than any gas grill I’ve ever used. You can control the left and right cooking zones independently of each other using the dials on the front panel. You can also connect the grill to Wi-Fi, monitoring and controlling the temperature remotely from your phone.
Top pet launches
Tuft+Paw Really Great Cat Food
Tuft+Paw makes some of our favorite cat litter and furniture, and the brand recently expanded into cat food. The grain-free wet food is formulated to meet nutrition standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which experts recommend looking for while shopping, and is mainly composed of rabbit and chicken protein. It’s formulated to help with weight control, digestion, hairball prevention, hydration and coat health, according to the brand.
Petcube GPS Tracker
This GPS tracker is from Petcube, makers of some of the best pet cameras, and you can attach it to your dog’s collar. Using the Petcube app, you can see the tracker’s live location on a map. You can set up safe and no-go zones and the app will notify you when your pet enters or exits them. The tracker has up to 30 days of battery life, and it’s made of a glow-in-the-dark silicon case that’s IP67 dust and water-resistant, according to the brand. A subscription is required to use the tracker — the Basic subscription is $12 a month, less if paid annually.
Why trust NBC Select?
Zoe Malin and Harry Rabinowitz choose products NBC Select readers should know about to round up the best new launches each month. They include products from brands NBC Select previously covered or brands NBC Select staffers recommend. Malin and Rabinowitz also regularly try new product launches to share their experience with items.
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