Best overall
Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels, 8 Double Plus Rolls
Among the strongest, most absorbent paper towels tested, at a higher price per sheet.
Best of the pile
The top three in each category by score. Scores come from research for now, and get refined as our own notes come in.
Kitchen & home
Runner-up
Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels, 12 Rolls
Among the strongest, most absorbent paper towels tested, at a higher price per sheet.
Also great
Melitta #4 Bamboo Cone Coffee Filters, 80 Count
Sturdy, chlorine free #4 cone filters that compost, for a small premium over white paper.
Tech
Best overall
AMD Ryzen 5 5600
Strong six core gaming chip for AM4 upgrades, on a platform with no newer CPUs coming.
Runner-up
SilverStone CPF04 1-to-8 PWM fan hub
A cheap, dependable way to run up to eight PWM fans from one header.
Also great
Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB DDR4-3600 C18 (CMK32GX4M2D3600C18)
Plain, low profile DDR4-3600 kit that suits most AM4 builds once XMP is switched on.
Tools & fixes
Best overall
Leviton 80409-NW 2-Gang Decora Wallplate
A tough, cheap nylon cover for two Decora devices that will not crack when tightened.
Runner-up
Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks (small, 22 to 30 lb rated)
Handy no drill hooks for light items on steel; heavier bags need a larger hook.
Outdoors
Best overall
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
A light, cheap emergency filter, awkward for daily trail use since it cannot fill bottles.
Runner-up
BODYPROX Shin Splint Ice Pack 2 Pack
Strap on shin packs for cold or warm use that may run tight on wide calves.
Baby & kids
Best overall
Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers, Size 3
A soft everyday diaper with strong lab results, though the fit can run small.
Runner-up
Babyganics Foaming Dish & Bottle Soap, Fragrance Free (16 oz, 3 pack)
A fragrance free foaming soap that rinses clean, with one preservative worth knowing about.
Also great
Hello Bello Baby Wipes
Low cost, fragrance free wipes with a short ingredient list, but smaller than premium brands.
Pet
Best overall
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice
A well liked everyday adult food with chicken first and some filler protein.
Runner-up
Wellness Crunchy Puppy Bites, Chicken & Carrots
A small grain-free puppy treat with a clear label and thin owner feedback.
Also great
PetLab Co. Probiotic Chews for Dogs
A probiotic chew most dogs accept, with clear labeling and a cost that climbs for large dogs.
Office
Best overall
Purple Ladybug 4960 Teacher Stickers Mega Pack
A large, tidy supply of small reward stickers for charts and classroom use.
Runner-up
ES Robbins EverLife Chair Mat for Extra High Pile Carpet, 36 x 48 with Lip
A well backed vinyl mat for very thick carpet that can dent under daily rolling.
Household
Best overall
Jamieson Chewable Vitamin C 500 mg, Juicy White Peach
An easy, low cost chewable vitamin C with a liked flavour, sweetened with dextrose and sucralose.
Runner-up
Jamieson Chewable Vitamin D3 1,000 IU, Natural Tangy Orange
An easy to take orange chewable D3, now sold at 1,000 IU instead of 1,200 IU.
Also great
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients, 120 Capsules
A clean label capsule prenatal that leaves out DHA and costs more than most.
Personal care
Best overall
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, 835 mL
A dependable everyday zinc dandruff shampoo, best for people who do not mind fragrance.
Runner-up
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original (36 count)
A dependable overnight patch for surfaced whiteheads, though not the cheapest per patch.
Also great
Colgate 360 Deep Clean Toothbrush, Medium, 4 Pack
A solid budget manual brush with a useful tongue cleaner, best for people who like medium bristles.
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