We review 100s of products a month — here are 9 we would actually recommend from February
From a viral hair growth oil to newly released Beats headphones, these are the best products we tried last month.
In February, our small but mighty team of shopping editors tried dozens of products, ranging from sleep trackers and humidifiers to extended reality glasses, winter jackets and everything in between.
DASH Sous Vide Style Family Size Egg Bite Maker
MOOACE 2-Pack Stackable 2-Tier Cabinet Organizer with Sliding Drawer
Round Ultra Mini Bag
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
Zafit Bedside Storage Organizer
Botanic Hearth 100% Pure Rosemary Oil (6.7 fl oz)
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion
CHIVALZ 6L Humidifier
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Because we're obsessed with testing products — "Is it worth buying?" is one of our favourite questions — we've curated a list of things we've tried and, importantly, actually liked from the last month. The products listed below got our editors through acne breakouts, re-inspired weekday meal prep and organized (at least a little bit of) our lives.
Scroll ahead to shop the products we would wholeheartedly recommend and get a sneak peek of the items we're testing in March.
I don't know when it happened, but at some point in the past year, egg bites became one of my most eaten foods. I am a meal prepper extraordinaire and someone who tries to squeeze in protein anywhere I can, so egg bites have become a mainstay in my diet. Because I want to avoid spending my life savings at Starbucks, I bought this handy egg bite maker to make them at home. The sous vide-style device makes up to nine egg bites, but you can also use it as a griddle, sandwich maker or frying pan.
I usually prep enough egg batter (eggs + cream + salt and pepper) and toppings (basically anything you would put in a quiche) to make 9-18 egg bites and freeze most of them for quick protein fixes during the week. The Dash maker is super easy to use, and the silicone moulds are dishwasher-safe, so clean-up is relatively hassle-free.
My only qualm with the maker is that there is no temperature dial or on/off button. To use, you just plug it in and it heats up automatically. It heats pretty rapidly, which is not a problem in itself, but if you are not prepared with your raw egg batter, it's something to keep an eye on. Also, I find the handle heats up, so you'll want to open it with an oven mitt instead of your bare hand. - Kayla Kuefler, senior shopping editor
- Silicone moulds are dishwasher safe
- It's really easy to use
- It heats up rapidly
- Great for at-home egg bites
- There's no on/off button
- No temperature dial
These sliding, two-tier drawers have brought me so much organizational joy. My apartment's no.1 feature is its lack of storage, and my kitchen has only a few meagre drawers and cabinets to store all of my stuff.
These sliding storage drawers were not only easy to put together, but they're sturdy, practical, and the perfect size for my weird kitchen layout. Each pack comes with two two-tier drawers, which can be stacked if you want a four-drawer option. They would be great for bathrooms, cleaning supply closets, garages, or anywhere else you need a bit of organizing. I love them and would wholeheartedly recommend them. - KK
- Easy to build
- They're sturdy
- Easily washable
- Versatile: Stack by 2 or 4
- They're a bit narrow
- No stopper: Drawers can pull out all the way
I've used the viral Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag on and off for a couple of years now, and I'm definitely a fan. So, when I saw them release a new ultra-mini version, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I love anything cute and miniature, after all.
After receiving it, I can confirm it's very compact; however, these Uniqlo crossbodies are of the "Mary Poppins bag" nature. They always look deceivingly small and then you come to realize they pack quite a punch.
Being one size smaller than the original, I was shocked to find that I could fit everything I needed — not as much as the larger one, obviously, but just enough. You can also remove the strap and alter the shape of the bag into a little clutch for various uses.
My favourite feature of these bags is that they're fuss-free, thanks to their water-repellent finish, which protects against rain and spills.
So, if you're looking for a small yet functional bag for everyday purposes, I highly recommend this one — you can't go wrong for $20! They make for great travel bags, too. - Melina Brum, shopping editor
- Compact
- Packs a punch
- Detachable strap
- Can clip into a little dumpling clutch
- Goes with all casual outfits
- Water-repellent finish
- Can't really dress it up
- Plastic hardware can look a bit tacky
These noise-cancelling earbuds are unlike any headphones I have ever tried. Why? They feature heart rate monitoring sensors for your workouts — yes, heart rate monitors in your headphones.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 were designed to be your best-ever workout headphones. They're sweat and water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, so they're tough enough for your sweatiest workouts. They also feature secure-fit ear hooks so they won't fall off mid-game, run or activity.
Unlike the Fit Pros, the Powerbeats Pro 2 have five ear tip sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL), so you can find the one that fits you best. They have up to 45 hours of battery life and awesome noise cancellation. I wore them on four flights last month, and the noise cancellation was great.
My only qualms with the Powerbeats Pro 2 are that I don't find them comfortable for long periods, and while the heart rate monitoring is interesting, the data is only available on third-party apps, not your phone's actual health app, so it's not easily accessible. - KK
- Secure ear hooks
- They feature heart rate monitors
- The noise-cancellation is good
- Ultra long battery life
- The heart rate monitors require 3rd party apps to use
- Not comfortable for long periods of time
I can't take credit for this purchase — my husband actually ordered a couple of these organizers from Amazon after knocking something off his overcrowded bedside table. I was skeptical at first given it's not exactly chic, but quickly came around — like the more than 10,000 Amazon shoppers that have rated it.
This organizer easily fits over most bed frames and is great for storing all those bedtime essentials (for me it's my retainer, melatonin, our Fire TV Stick and my Kobo) that clutter up that prime bedside real estate. The best part? Unlike other storage organizers I've seen, this one is structured and doesn't droop, which means when the bed is made, you can't see it at all.
The only downside is I find the pockets to be a bit tight on space — it would be nice to have at least one larger-sized mesh pockets on the front. — Hilary Hagerman, lifestyle & commerce managing editor
- Structured, doesn't droop
- Lots of storage
- Wish it had larger pockets
- It's kinda ugly
After continuously hearing so many good things about rosemary oil, I thought it was time to put it to the test. I've always wanted to treat my hair to oiling, but I didn't know which product to use. After discovering the benefits of rosemary oil, I immediately purchased this bestselling version from Amazon Canada.
I've only been using the product for just over a month; however, tons of Amazon reviewers refer to this stuff as "magic." I've been hyper-focusing on the hair around my double crown at the back of my head, constantly worrying that it's thinning. So, with claims that this oil successfully "promotes hair growth," I am excited to see long-term results.
What I can confirm is that it moisturizes my scalp, which can sometimes get dry, and leave my hair looking shinier than before. While I don't particularly love its scent, I do like that it's infused with biotin, as well as jojoba and castor oils — all great ingredients for hair growth!
My favourite part about this purchase is that it comes with different attachments, including a comb applicator, which makes it easy to disperse the product evenly. - MB
- Infused with beneficial ingredients for hair growth
- Leaves hair looking shiny
- Nourishes scalp
- Comes with useful nozzle applicators
- Strong rosemary smell
- Greasy
I purchased this last month when I ran out of my trusty First Aid Beauty retinol serum and, to my horror, noticed it was out of stock. I stumbled across The Ordinary's Retinol 0.2% Emulsion when I was, TBH, looking for the cheapest short-term replacement, and I have to say: I'm shocked! For a product that rings in under $25, it works ridiculously well to target fine lines and other signs of aging (and doesn't bother my skin like some retinol products do), and I'll definitely be buying it again. The only downside? The tube is quite small, so it doesn't last as long as other retinol products I've tried. Plus, the formula is yellow, so just be careful to keep it away from your clothing (it stains!). — HH
- Affordable
- A little bit goes a long way
- Works as well as pricey retinol products
- Good for sensitive skin
- Small tube
- Can stain clothing
In February, I put three humidifiers to the test. One six-litre device stood out the most: the CHIVALZ 6L Humidifier. It acts as both a humidifier and a diffuser, thanks to its essential oil tray (which I have not yet tried). I love that it has 50 hours of continuous run time and requires minimal refills.
For both my boyfriend and I, it has helped relieve congestion, dry skin, brittle hair, coughing fits and scratchy throats. Plus, its quiet operation has made for zero distractions, which is a must for someone who works from home.
One of my favourite features? Its handle. It makes refilling and transporting super easy, which I appreciate because six litres is a lot of liquid. You can also control the amount of mist it releases, as well as the direction of it.
Overall, I can confirm it does a great job of keeping the humidity up in my home! - MB
- Lasts a long time
- Doesn't require many refills
- Has a filter
- Swivel top to direct the mist
- Dial to control amount of mist
- Easy carrying handle
- Silent
- Adds moisture to my whole living room
- Can get very heavy
- I find it a bit of an eyesore
After about 4 years of use, my Fitbit Versa 3 had seen better days. I looked at a number of smart watches to replace it, and landed on Apple's most affordable Apple Watch. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of more expensive and newer models, it's very comparable to my Fitbit in terms of features, but it's just a bit more sleek. Plus, if you have other Apple devices, the pairing is really seamless. I've been wearing the watch for almost 2 months now, and I really like the health and fitness tracking; it's definitely more comprehensive than the Fitbit's (I love the active calories vs. overall calories). But, there are two things that bug me. First, the Apple Watch has horrible battery life, especially compared to a Fitbit. I could go days without charging my Fitbit, but I have to charge my Apple Watch at least twice (ideally, more) a day. Plus, at least from what I can find, there's no keyboard if you're texting from your watch. I usually have my phone nearby, so not the biggest deal, but a bit inconvenient. — HH
- Easily pairs with Apple devices
- Great health tracking
- Tons of customizations
- Battery life
- No keyboard for texting
11 things we're testing in March:
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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