The Best Products of 2021, According to the Good Housekeeping Institute Pros

Super cozy, roomy and complete with pockets, "these insanely popular joggers live up to the hype," says Textiles Director Lexie Sachs. The soft brushed jersey fabric offers a casual styling that works for wearing on the go or as PJs at home. Though they fall a little on the pricier side, Sachs thinks they're worth the splurge as they've held up to repeated wear and washing.  

Look cute and feel cute in these stretch-fit jeans by Spanx. This pair is the "loungewear jean" you can live in – they look like normal denim but offer a flexible fit with an pull-on waistband that won't dig in. "They're perfect for going out in public in 2021 after spending a year solely in comfy clothes at home," says our Textiles Director. Plus, there are more styles where these comes from, and all are super flattering.  

For light to medium flow days, these lightweight period panties are a lifesaver. They soaked up fluid quickly in our Lab tests, and testers loved that they still felt breathable and "just like regular underwear," explains Textiles Product Analyst Emma Seymour. Choose from an inclusive size range, spanning sizes XS to XXXXL. Plus they're super affordable and stocked with nude color options for different dress occasions.  

Rent six high-end garments a month for under $100. Textiles Director Lexie Sachs loves this clothing subscription service for experimenting with trendy styles she'd normally hesitate to splurge on. "I also appreciate how the concept of a shared closet helps prevent overconsumption and waste in the fashion industry." 

Buttery soft and stylish, Joah Love loungewear styles add a subtle flex of versatility to your wardrobe. Many of our Lab experts favor its chic and comfy sets, especially their matching "mommy and me" outfits.

Elevate any look with these fuzzy platform mules – available in three bold shades. The eye-catching design "always get a ton of compliments when I wear them," says Senior Textiles Analyst Emma Seymour. Plus, the memory foam footbed makes these shoes comfy for all-day wear.

Give your body a proper night's rest with this pillow filled with a blend of memory foam clusters and kapok, "a natural fiber that's similar to cotton but feels like silk," says Textiles Director Lexie Sachs. You get amazing support and pressure relief, plus it feels soft and plush. Not only is this a consumer tester favorite, but it's also the pillow Sachs personally sleeps with every night.  

This mattress proves you can have it all – both quality and sustainability. Designed with organic latex, the natural foam offers comfort and resilience while the layer of organic wool regulates body temperature. "It's certified organic, so you know the entire manufacturing process follows strict standards," says Sachs. Our testers unanimously raved about comfort and support, saying it led to a good night's sleep.

If you enjoy a crisp bedsheet, this basic weave percale set is rated high for its softness. Brushed to increase coziness, our testers raved about how comfortable the fabric felt, and it held up well to Lab durability tests. Plus, Parachute lets you decide whether to skip the flat sheet in the set!

With Blissy's incredibly smooth fabric, you can wake up looking like a Disney princess. "Silk pillowcases reduce friction against your hair and skin, leading to less facial creases and less bedhead when you wake up," says Sachs. This pick was well-loved among our panel of sleep testers and held up to repeated laundering. 

Incredibly soft and cozy, this responsibly sourced comforter uses real down for ultimate fluffiness, Sachs says. Coming in five colors and three warmth levels, there's something for everyone. Best of all, the fill didn't clump or shift in our review, and the smooth cover didn't let anything poke out. 

RELATED: Good Housekeeping 2021 Bedding Awards

Stock your bathroom with this towel set that has proven plushness and absorbency. A winner in our Lab tests, "this bath towel easily soaked up fluid but didn't take too long to dry — a huge feat for soft and fluffy towels!," explains Sachs. It also earned a perfect softness score from our panel of at-home testers.  

Floor coverings can be a pain to clean, but this two-piece rug has a mat on the bottom with a machine-washable top layer. "Its flat surface cleans easier than ultra-dense rugs and is ideal for high-traffic areas," says Sachs. It earned the best overall spot in our washable rugs reviews, and the brand is a favorite among many of our Lab pros for its variety of stylish, but practical rugs .

With a variety of colors and designs that stand out in a sea of black rolling bags, Away is our favorite luggage brand out there. It made frequent appearances in the most popular products our readers bought this year and for good reason, says Sachs: "The polycarbonate luggage cases are durable yet lightweight as well as surprisingly spacious to pack everything you need."

"Nothing is worse than an umbrella that flips in the wind or is a hassle to open and close, leaving you soaked. A sturdy umbrella is a worthy investment, and this one has been wind-tunnel tested to hold up against strong gusts," says Sachs. Our Textiles Lab pros love how it auto-opens and auto-closes, meaning there's no fuss with it during downpours. It comes in a variety of sizes, whether you need a big one for the entire family or a travel size to take on the go.  

Not only is this Montessori Playself stylish but it's also functional. "This makes it super easy to stash away and rotate toys that are visible while neatly hiding ones you don't want out in the back compartment," says our Chief Technologist and Engineering Director Rachel Rothman. It includes convenient trays and bins for cute storage, easy play and a clutter-free area. 

The highly coveted Xbox Series X  is for kids, adults and all in between. This latest model from the console creators is the fastest yet. “It delivers better quality and overall better gaming experiences than predecessors,” says Rothman.