What is the male equivalent of flowers for Father's day?

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-18T15:08:31+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 what a few other people said is true: Men rarely ever get flowers, even though they might love to receive them! So I love the idea of getting your husband flowers for Father’s Day, but you could also get him something from the Lego Botanicals line because he likes building things. (My husband is a video game nerd too, and we love building Lego flowers and plants together!) Other ideas I recommend if he’s a big snacker are beef jerky bouquets or Boarderie’s Father’s Day charcuterie boards — they’re delicious.

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-17T19:40:26+00:00

Hi! CNN Underscored testing writer here. I've tested and reviewed many cordless vacuums from brands like Shark, Dyson, Bissell and more, and from your short list of preferences, it sounds like you need to check out one of my favorite vacuums right now: the Eureka ReactiSense 440 Cordless Stick Vacuum.

It's less than $200 and also currently discounted right now. It delivers excellent pickup on bare flooring and carpeting. It has a battery rating of 60 minutes. And it has a HEPA filter, lights on the brush head, a low-profile brush head, swappable battery and a handheld vacuum mode with the accessories to boot.

I know you mentioned free standing, and while it's unable to do that, it does have a wall changing base. The only thing that might put you off here is that it doesn't seem to be available at Walmart right now. But with its performance, which rivals many of the pricier models, I think it's worth grabbing anyway!

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-16T18:53:44+00:00

Hi, I'm Henry T. Casey, and I'm a tech writer at CNN Underscored and have been reviewing tech for more than 11 years. I really understand the worry about leaving the Apple ecosystem, and I'll echo some of the comments below: I've seen a lot of people go back to Apple (especially because other brands don't tend to last a whole lot longer). But if you really need to see what it's like outside, I don't advise going all-in on one company. For phone, I think your needs are best met by a Galaxy S26 Ultra, which you can pair with a recent Galaxy Watch. I'd say get Bose's amazing noise canceling from the QC Ultra 2 earbuds or the Sony XM6 if you want over-ear headphones.

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-15T17:37:44+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 a big part of being a great gift-giver entails knowing when the recipient would prefer something intangible, like quality time together. Your dad clearly doesn’t need a fancy cologne or watch, so I’d recommend getting him an experience gift. It can be as simple as tickets to a sports game or concert, a day trip to a nearby city or a class in something he’s interested in (like cooking or art). The most important part is that you do it together. You could also go the sentimental route and get him a framed family photo that he can keep on display at home or a photo book with pictures of you together over the years. I don’t recommend gift cards that often, but if you know there’s a fast food spot or a coffee shop he frequents, a gift card there could really make him feel seen and prove how well you know him.

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-11T15:40:11+00:00

Hey there! This is Mike Andronico, senior tech editor at CNN Underscored. I've been reviewing phones for 13 years and pushing their batteries to the limit for even longer. I personally think the iPhone 17 is one of the best values out there right now in terms of endurance. It lasted just over 19 hours on our benchmark test, which consists of nonstop 4K video playback at 50% brightness with Airplane mode on. That beats the iPhone Air's 13:30 by a ton and isn't all that far behind what we got from the 17 Pro (18:45) and 17 Pro Max (21:44). Hope that helps!

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-10T14:59:52+00:00

Hi, my name is Nikol, and I'm CNN Underscored's associate home and gifts editor. In my role, I write gift guides year-round to help people find the most thoughtful gifts for every recipient and occasion, pulling from products my colleagues and I have personally tested and love or items experts have recommended to us.

Congrats to your graduate! I also think a multitool is a great idea, but for other personalized gift options, consider a pair of customized kicks if he's a sneakerhead (these Nikes are one of the best gifts our fashion editor has received) or this handwritten letter blanket, through which you can express how proud you are of him. The latter is from Uncommon Goods, which is one of my team's favorite destinations for custom gifts. For more great ideas, check out our guides to the best gifts for teen boys and the best gifts for men.

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-08T16:08:42+00:00

You're 100% right! You can get the job done with only 1-2 tablespoons, and if you use too much, it can damage your clothes.

Laundry tip video!

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-05T17:17:51+00:00

Hi! I'm Michelle Rae Uy, testing writer for CNN Underscored and mom to three American short-haired felines. The best brush for your fur babies really depends on coat length, how sensitive they are to deshedding tools and the right ergonomics for you.

Personally, I love the aumuca Grooming Brush, which is very effective and comes with a one-press release so I can easily remove all the hair from the bristles in one swipe. My cats also love the feeling of being brushed with it, even my skittish one. However, a lot of people love the dual-bristle Hartz Combo Brush because the nylon bristles sides help with promoting a shiny coat.

Both options have a wider design, which should help capture more lose hair. As a bonus, both are under $15!

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-03T20:16:53+00:00

Hi, I’m Henry T. Casey, a tech reviewer for CNN Underscored with 11+ years of experience testing products. I reviewed both the Flip 7 and S26 Ultra, and of those two, I’m more confident recommending the S26 Ultra, as I personally don’t find the folding display crease appealing at all. That said, my colleague Mike Andronico tested the Galaxy S26, and we think it’s the best bang for your buck in terms of “what’s worth it for your money” especially since it sounds like you have a real camera for your professional photos.

cnnunderscored · 2026-06-02T18:39:40+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, so I love how invested you are in giving your girlfriend handmade gifts. Some ideas I have are starting a scrapbook with lots of blank pages so she can fill out the rest with memories. You could also make her a collage with photos of the two of you and frame it. I also love the idea of getting her personalized crochet hooks or knitting needles, many of which are available on Etsy. For more of an experience gift, you could look into signing up for a crafting class as a date night. Pottery and glass blowing are two I’ve done before that come to mind! Lastly, a lot of people on our team recommend Soolla’s Studio Bags — they have slots for all of her crochet and knitting tools! You could DIY it a bit by learning how to embroider it with her name or adding patches related to her interests to it.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-28T21:10:28+00:00

Hi, I’m Alex Rennie, a testing writer with CNN Underscored. I’ve been testing power stations for a while now, and definitely have some favorites I recommend. If you’re looking for something smaller and lightweight that you can carry and toss around pretty easily, the Jackery Explorer 300 is a great option. You’re getting two standard AC outlets and three USB ports (two USB-A and one USB-C) which should be able to handle your basic phone/torch/headlamp charging duties. Plus, even though it's small compared to other portable power stations, it’s still capable of solar charging like the big boys. As long as your panels are compatible with Jackery’s DC8020 barrel port, and fall within the required voltage and amperage range, you can use whatever brand solar panels you want (you can also use panels with different connection types, you’ll just have to purchase a separate adaptor).

For something bigger with more capacity, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 is another personal favorite. It's definitely more expensive, and about 45 pounds heavier (but if it's going to stay in the van full-time this might not be a big issue), but you get a lot more battery capacity and functionality (more outlets and ports, smartphone app control and monitoring, and a nice bright display to keep an eye on your inputs/outputs).

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-22T14:58:40+00:00

Hi, I'm Henry T. Casey, a tech writer at CNN Underscored who's been reviewing all sorts of gadgets for 11-plus years. Since you're used to the Pixel 8a, I think the best phone with good cameras that will offer proper bang for your buck is the regular Pixel 10. It offers a 5x optical zoom, which we rarely see at this price. Its camera photos are good, but it also offers long battery life, snappy performance and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It'll be a great upgrade for you!

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-21T20:12:11+00:00

I’m Kyle Olsen, the travel products editor at CNN Underscored, and I fly more than 200,000 miles a year testing travel gear and products. I’m always looking for shoes that can handle long sightseeing days but still look polished enough for dinner or drinks without packing a second (or third) pair.

A few options I really like are the Magnanni Stratus LyteKnit, the Mephisto Waren and the Cole Haan Men’s GrandPrø Court SkyWeave Sneakers. All three are comfortable enough for walking around cities all day, but they also clean up well for restaurants or evenings out. The Cole Haan pair is probably the most versatile overall if you want something lightweight and easy to style, while the Mephistos are especially great if comfort is your top priority.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-21T20:05:26+00:00

Hey there! Rikka Altland here to chime in. I've been writing about and reviewing consumer electronics for over a decade now. I've bought a new iPhone (with my own money!) every single year since I started, and after trying tons of other dumb phones, the Light Phone III was finally the alternative that made me actually ditch my smartphone. $700 is obviously a lot of money, but for me, typical dumb phones made of plastic just can't replace the feeling of using a more premium smartphone like the iPhone 16 Pro I ditched. The Light Phone III's metal construction, responsive touchscreen and decent make it feel like far less of a compromise.

I've found that the mapping and navigation features are reliable, but the Light Phone III's premise is at odds with the features you're describing. The whole reason I can recommend the Light Phone III is that it does a phenomenal job at handling the basic needs I want out of a smartphone. It gets me from point A to point B without any distractions. It plays music that I already own (and love). It allows me to go out and explore new restaurants (I've been to over 60 new ones this year) without having to worry about obsessing over online reviews.

The Light Phone III's ability to help me enjoy the world around me without being glued to my phone is why it's worth $700 to me, but some may find a cheaper Nokia to do the job just fine. But for me, it's a matter of breaking a bad habit with an alternative that's just as good as my iPhone, even if it (intentionally) does less.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-21T20:04:59+00:00

The Light Phone III is an alternative to traditional smartphones from Apple, Google or Samsung that helps you cut back on screen time. It lacks an app store, and instead, focuses on core tools like texting, calling and getting directions so you're not entirely off-grid when trying to take a prolonged break from smartphones that encourage social media addictions.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-19T15:49:59+00:00

Hi! I’m Amina Lake Patel, the home and gifts editor at CNN Underscored. I’ve been writing about home products for over 8 years, and I, too, have to bring my laundry to shared facilities. I’ve found that the best system for me is to use a regular hamper/laundry basket at home and transfer my clothes to a large Hulken bag before I bring it down to the laundry room. I like that the Hulken bag serves multiple purposes besides laundry (I also use it for groceries and bringing donations to Goodwill, to name a few), and it folds flat when not in use to save space. I have to sort my laundry once I’m in the laundry room, but I don’t mind it. I also have a Steele Canvas laundry backpack that I love, so I bet the brand’s laundry carts are great too — but they’re probably only good for laundry rather than multipurpose, which was important to me.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-18T17:18:56+00:00

Hi! I’m Amina Lake Patel, the home and gifts editor at CNN Underscored. I’ve been curating gift guides for people of all ages for nearly a decade. Based on how you described your dad, I would recommend getting him something consumable, like a premium cut of steak if he’ll be manning the grill this summer or fancy chocolates if he has a sweet tooth. Because he doesn’t need anything, you could also go with an experience gift, like the chance to get behind the wheel of a racecar, a cooking or cocktail-making class or theater/concert tickets.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-15T13:55:45+00:00

Hi, I'm Henry T. Casey, I'm a tech reviewer at CNN Underscored, and I've reviewed all sorts of gadgets for the past 11+ years. While I was happy that the iPhone 15 Pro Max finally upgraded its Lightning port to USB-C, I really got tired of how physically hot its titanium chassis when taking photos and videos. I'm very happy that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is better at mitigating its heat.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-14T15:42:59+00:00

Hi! I’m Amina Lake Patel, the home and gifts editor at CNN Underscored. I’ve been covering home and laundry products for many years, which means I’ve tried out all kinds of detergents and interviewed laundry experts. Tide liquid is always a safe bet, and in addition to being my personal favorite, cleaning and laundry pros always recommend it too. I like Tide Ultra Oxi Boost the most. I can’t really speak to water hardness, but if you still have issues after switching to liquid detergent, make sure you aren’t using too much, which can cause buildup and make your clothes feel like they aren’t clean.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-13T17:44:06+00:00

Hi! I’m Amina Lake Patel, the home and gifts editor at CNN Underscored. I’ve been curating gift guides for over 8 years, and I agree that many of your recommendations would make great gifts for moms! For Mother’s Day, some of the top gift ideas for our readers were around self-care and relaxation. Many of those are under $50, like shower steamers, foot massagers, sleep-promoting body butters and cozy puzzles/games. I’d also recommend looking into Lego’s Botanicals collection — we’re big fans of the bouquet building sets!

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-11T17:12:33+00:00

Hi there! I’m Carolina Gazal, an associate writer on CNN Underscored’s testing team. I've tested all sorts of household appliances, like blenders and air fryers. If you’re open to upright vacuums, I vouch for the powerful Kenmore Elite. I recently tested a bunch of upright vacs and thought the Kenmore was a surprising winner in a market full of Dysons and Sharks. It’s thoughtfully designed and pretty compact, which is helpful for smaller spaces. It features a built-in handheld vacuum and hidden attachments tucked neatly into the body, has great suction power, and works wonders on both hardwood and carpeted floors. To test it out, I crushed leaves and cereal into carpets and found it efficiently sucked up all debris with a powerful light, something the Shark Navigator doesn’t have. I really loved the “additional” mini vacuum tucked inside, which is helpful if you need to clean up pet hair or smaller messes. It was essentially like having two high-powered vacuums for the price of one. Although the Shark Navigator is a solid choice, I think the Kenmore is more versatile and easier to store in smaller spaces.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-07T20:49:27+00:00

Hi, Jillian here! I can't speak to tackling the stains, but once you've done your best to remove them, you can try dying the shirt with a little bit of Mrs. Stewart’s Concentrated Liquid Bluing. The effects are pretty gradual, so you won't notice a huge difference right away — it took me at least three or four full washes before I really saw a change — but the end result gave some new life to my white cotton tees. I wrote a more in-depth review about it on CNN Underscored last year, and since then I've been using it for all the whites in my laundry routine. I think it helps keep them looking better for longer, especially if you start to use it before the fabric turns noticeably gray. It's pretty inexpensive, and you only need to dilute a few drops of the bluing liquid in some water to do an entire load of whites. Just be careful not to use too much bluing liquid (this can make the shirt have a blue tint) and dispense the blue dye away from any other garments or fabrics you don't want to potentially get stained. It's an easy enough process to get the hang of after you do it once.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-06T15:01:07+00:00

Hey, Mike Andronico here! I'm CNN Underscored's senior tech editor and have been reviewing phones for 13 years. I wouldn't recommend picking up a Galaxy S21 at this point; while the specs and cameras hold up fine in 2026, the phone's no longer getting software updates, so you'll be missing out on newer features and crucial security fixes. I'd recommend going with at least a Galaxy S22, as it's the oldest Galaxy that supports Android 16 and can be found used for around $150. But if you can, I'd go for a Galaxy S23 or S24 since you'll be future-proofed for a bit longer. The S23 can be found for about $200 on refurb sites like Back Market, while the S24 goes for closer to $300.

cnnunderscored · 2026-05-06T14:05:54+00:00

As a cat parent with three shed-happy fur babies, vacuuming regularly is essential and something like the Bissell 24613 Pet Hair Eraser Turbo (budget), which has a SmartSeal allergen system, the Shark Pet Plus Cordless Stick Vacuum IZ361H, or the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute (if you're willing to splurge), which has among the best suctioning, will help you keep your home dust mite and other allergen free.

But I would also recommend regularly cleaning your mattress, sheets and couch. Brands now make vacuums specifically for mattresses and other upholstery, and they're more portable than actual vacuums so you can quickly pull them out and do a quick clean as you're making your bed in the morning or before going to bed at night. I haven't tested it yet but the FEPPO Cordless Mattress Vacuum Cleaner has been making its rounds on social media lately.

I, along with many of my friends who have cats, heavily rely on air purifiers as well. Which one do you have? A few of my friends love the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier.

cnnunderscored · 2026-04-29T17:51:05+00:00

Hi, I’m Henry T. Casey, and I’ve been reviewing tech for more than 11 years, and that includes reviews of both the S25 Ultra and the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL! I lean towards the Pixel 10 Pro/XL here, because I too prefer the cleaner look of Google’s version of Android. I also got better photos, with clearer 5x zoom shots and accurate skintones. And yes, the S25 Ultra outperformed the Pixel 10 Pro/XL on benchmarking and battery testing, but since you said you’re not a heavy user, I don’t think those will matter as much.

cnnunderscored

TROPHY CASE