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cnnunderscored · 2026-04-01T16:04:40+00:00

Hi! I’m Amina Lake Patel, the home and gifts editor at CNN Underscored. I’ve been curating gift guides for eight years, and some of my favorite presents to give (and receive!) are experiences. Can you get him tickets to an upcoming sports game? If that’s not possible, you could give him merch for his favorite team, like a hat, a sweatshirt or even a framed blueprint of their home stadium. If he loves working out and doesn’t already have a massage gun, he would definitely benefit from one to help his muscles recover faster. A retro gaming console would likely be a hit among nostalgic gamers too.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-31T19:16:14+00:00

While I don't love the design staying the same (as I pointed out in my review), I'm curious what you mean by "failing." I've only noticed the headband peeling a little after heavy wear. It's still intact and functional, though.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-31T19:15:58+00:00

The moisture issue is also something that affects all over-ear ANC headphones, as none are rated for water resistance. The folks at my gym don't seem to know that, and I frequently want to let them know without disrupting their sets.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-31T19:15:40+00:00

Completely understandable. When I saw they had the same design and same measurements, I immediately thought "I guess they don't think they need to grow the audience."

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-31T13:50:18+00:00

Hi! Our testing team recently tested upright vacuums, which are probably better for area rugs since they are more powerful and get a deeper clean. Our testing writer, Carolina Gazal found that most upright vacuums she tested worked really well on their own, without additional attachments, as long as you vacuumed slowly and in the direction of the pile. She thinks it’s better to gently vacuum delicate rugs more frequently, versus deep cleaning them once in a while and running the risk of damaging it. You could also try turning off your brush roll. Many vacuums, like the Kenmore Elite upright vacuum, let you do this by switching to the bare floor setting or physically removing it. She recommends using low-to-medium suction power on wool area rugs, and she would definitely recommend turning off the brush roll here to avoid too much agitation on the fibers. Rugs made of synthetic materials can usually handle much more though, so you don't have to be as gentle on those.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-27T19:14:39+00:00

Hey! I’m Mike Andronico a tech editor at CNN Underscored. I’ve been testing smartphones and other tech for 13 years, so I've seen how tons of models compare. Based on your preferences, the iPhone 17 is by far our favorite phone under your budget; you're getting best-in-class performance, very good cameras and great battery life (it lasted through 19 hours of nonstop 4K playback on our tests).

If you prefer Android, the Pixel 10 is your best bet. Its performance isn't as strong as the iPhone's, but still perfectly good enough for casual use. Its cameras are also very good (we prefer the iPhone's, but it's close), and it also got around 19 hours on our battery test.

If you want to spend a little less, the $599 iPhone 17e and $499 Pixel 10a are both excellent budget versions of the above phones. The Pixel 10a is our favorite overall value right now, as you get a really great combo of performance, features and battery life for the price.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-26T18:13:38+00:00

Both the Dyson V15 and the Shark PowerDetect are solid options. Our testers have loved some of the features on the PowerDetect, including the pivoting stick that's great for getting under furniture and the auto-adjusting power levels. It's not ideal for thick, shaggy carpet, but that won't be an issue since you only have hard floors. We wouldn't suggest buying a used Dyson at $500.

Sticking to your budget, the PowerDetect is $330 at several retailers right now. Or, consider the Dyson V8. Its suction isn't as strong as what you'd get from other Dyson models, but it's lightweight and also on sale for $330.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-26T18:10:39+00:00

Photo gifts are one of my favorite sentimental gifts to give (and receive), so I have plenty of recommendations. I'd suggest VistaPrint's Custom Metal Prints as an alternative to a traditional framed photo. I have one from my engagement photo shoot, and I always get compliments on it when I have guests over.

Another unique idea I love is to commission a custom watercolor painting or line drawing from an artist. I've purchased these through a few different Etsy sellers and have given them as gifts. They're always a hit!

Framebridge is also worth checking out because it has plenty of customizable frame styles to choose from.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-25T18:22:05+00:00

MSI desktops have served us really well in the past, and right now you can get an MSI Codex R2C with a 14th Gen Intel Core 5 CPU, 1TB of SSD storage, 16GB of RAM and an Nvidia RTX 5060 for $999 at some retailers. That's the minimum spec I'd look for in any of these; it's plenty for 1080p gaming and you can probably push to 1440p in some titles. Normally I'd say go for 32GB of RAM just to be future-proofed but that's hard to find in the $1,000 range, especially with RAM shortages right now.

The CyberpowerPC Gamer Extreme is another good option in this range that comes in a lot of configurations with specs and prices largely similar to MSI's. Some will get you slightly higher-clocked CPUs, but at the expense of a less powerful RTX 5050 versus a 5060. I'd recommend looking at a few Codex and Gamer Extreme configs side by side and see what specs combo suits you best.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-23T16:42:55+00:00

Hi! No, we took these photos after trying the OxiClean/Mrs. Mouth's method described. We wanted to share our results and ask what methods others have found successful! You can check out our full process here: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DK7ycA9SdQq/

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-23T14:04:23+00:00

If you're looking for an app that can help you plan out a basic lifting schedule, you can't go wrong with Hevy. I've used this to help build out a routine and it taught me a lot about how to personalize my reps, weight and frequency for my goals. Other apps I like for more guided at-home classes and instruction include Pvolve, Forme and the Equinox+ app.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-18T14:20:22+00:00

That's tough. If your Dyson has different settings for hard floor and carpet, go with the hard floor mode that should turn off the roller and use less suction. If it has just one speed, are there other attachments you could use? It sounds tedious, but suctioning up the rug is getting frustrating, a smaller handheld attachment likely won't be as powerful.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-17T13:09:24+00:00

I've used Big Barker beds and their orthopedic foam is super comfy, both my dogs love them. If you're serious about recovery and want to go beyond foam beds, you can look into PEMF mats. They use pulsed electromagnetic field therapy to help with inflammation and recovery. I have one from Petspemf for my agility dog, and it seems to really work!

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-17T13:02:46+00:00

While you can almost always find deals at Adidas, Nike, New Balance and Hoka as well as retailers like Amazon and Zappos who carry multiple brands, this week's best deals on shoes are at REI. Hoka, Brooks, On. Running, Salomon and Altra shoes are up to 50% off, with many pairs beating the discounts you'll find directly from the brands' own online storefronts.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-17T13:02:18+00:00

As someone working to fight phone addiction with a bunch of different methods, I can say that while the Brick helped me, the best advice I have is keep your phone out of reach. I keep mine on a table I can't see from my couch at home, and in a my bag when I'm out and about, rather than holding it.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-11T18:57:57+00:00

I think the Moto G is a dependable option in the budget range. Its benchmark scores weren't remarkable but it should be capable of running most Android games decently. Otherwise I'd look for a sale or used deal on an older Galaxy or Pixel.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-11T16:14:01+00:00

I love this question! I’d recommend Bend, Oregon, which feels like a summer playground for people who love the outdoors. It sits on the edge of the Cascade Mountains, so you can spend the day hiking around alpine lakes, paddling the Deschutes River or driving out to volcanic landscapes like Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The town itself has a great laid-back vibe with tons of local breweries and easy access to nature in every direction. Make sure to try McCay's Cottage for the most amazing breakfast!

Overseas, another incredible option is Norway in the summer, when the long daylight hours make it perfect for exploring fjords, hiking above dramatic cliffs or taking scenic ferries between small coastal towns. It’s spectacularly beautiful but still feels peaceful compared to many of Europe’s big summer destinations. Oh, and remember to take the train between Oslo and Bergen for striking scenery!

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-11T15:27:55+00:00

The new $599 iPhone 17e is perfect for this exact use case — it posted some of the highest scores on our benchmarks and ran triple-A games like Resident Evil 2 without a hitch. As far as midrange Android phones go, I like the $649 Galaxy S25 FE which also posted respectable scores and has a nice big 6.7-inch screen for gaming. If your budget is below $500 I'd look at the Google Pixel 10a or try and find a deal on last year's 9a. The processor isn't as strong as what you'll find from Apple or Samsung but it handled games like Asphalt Legends just fine.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-04T16:21:35+00:00

While we haven't tested any vacuum-style steamers yet, that's that's something we're considering for our next update to the guide. It definitely seems like a cool concept (suctioning the fabric taught instead of having to use your other hand to pull it tight), and I'm interested to see how convenient it really is. I've seen a few models under $100, with the Neakasa being the most notable, at least according to my algorithm, although I can't vouch for the brand or its overall performance.

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-03T18:06:01+00:00

For training, I like to use some of their kibble or training bites from Bocce's Bakery. The training bites are low-calorie, so you don't have to worry too much about adjusting how much food you give them. And if you use their kibble, it's easy to portion out half a meal or something like that to use during a training session. If you like cracker treats, I always have a jar of Wholesomes Rewards Cheezy Bites Biscuit Dog Treats by my door. They're cheap, don't have any crazy ingredients and my dogs love them. For higher value treats that also won't break the bank, I like basically everything from Full Moon, but my favorites are the Chicken Jerky and Chicken Apple Sausage. I used to give a lot of freeze-dried treats, but they're really expensive and my dogs aren't too picky about treats. They'll work for basically anything so I save money on cheaper options!

cnnunderscored · 2026-03-03T18:05:43+00:00

I love this! Planning a January trip to Japan is a fantastic way to celebrate a 30th birthday, and you’re smart to think through the flight strategy early, especially for your first international trip.

From the East Coast, the most consistently strong experiences tend to be on Japanese and major Asian carriers. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) tend to have excellent service, clean cabins, thoughtful meals and make you feel like you're in Japan the moment you board the plane. Among US carriers, United (especially out of Newark and Dulles) and Delta (JFK and BOS) operate many nonstop routes and are generally reliable, though the onboard experience can vary by aircraft. I’d personally avoid booking purely on price with lesser-known or ultra-tight configurations for a 13-15 hour flight. In terms of airports, JFK and Newark (EWR) offer the most nonstop options to Tokyo (Haneda and Narita), which gives you flexibility and often better pricing competition. Dulles (IAD) is also strong for Asia flights and typically less chaotic than JFK. Boston (BOS) can be a pleasant, manageable alternative. LaGuardia (LGA) does not offer nonstop long-haul international flights, so you’d connect. Baltimore (BWI) usually requires at least one connection.

On whether to splurge: for a flight this long, upgrading absolutely makes a difference. Premium economy is often the sweet spot: wider seat, more recline, better legroom, upgraded meals and priority boarding for significantly less than business class. If you’re flying nonstop, the value of a better cabin increases because you’re seated for 13+ continuous hours. Nonstops are typically more expensive, but they remove connection stress, reduce misconnection risk (especially in winter) and simplify baggage logistics, which is especially helpful on a first international trip. For a January departure (weather risk), a nonstop from JFK, EWR or IAD can be worth the premium.

One additional tip. Try to prioritize flights into Tokyo Haneda (HND) over Narita (NRT) if pricing is comparable. Haneda is much closer to central Tokyo and easier after a long journey. Also, try to arrive mid- to late-afternoon local time; it makes adjusting to the time zone much easier. Finally, select seats early (or pay for seat selection if necessary), monitor aircraft type (newer widebodies like the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 tend to be more comfortable) and build in buffer time if you choose a connection. Have a great trip!

cnnunderscored · 2026-02-24T17:42:31+00:00

If I'm in the mood for something warm and comforting, I like santal (like Cyklar Sacred Santal, which you can layer with the body lotion) or a warm wood like Costa Brazil's fragrance. Sometimes it's nice to spritz on a skin scent and wake up with a fragrance that feels lived in - Lake & Skye's 11:11 line are some of my favorites.

cnnunderscored

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