cool best things

1. Instant Pot DUO60 6-qt. 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker
Give a gift they can use all year long.
Give a gift they can use all year long. (Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar)

Year after year, the Instant Pot remains the supreme rulers of things people love. And I get it. This device does the jobs of so many appliances all in one, and it makes quick work of everything from soup to meatloaf to creme brûlée and more. It's a truly impressive kitchen gadget that home chefs and cooking novices alike adore. This is the most popular model, but there are actually a bunch to choose from.



The new Echo Dot is better than its predecessor but just as affordable. (Photo: Amazon)

When Amazon announced they redesigned a bunch of their Echo devices, including the Echo Show and Echo Plus, everyone went crazy for the new Echo Dot. The most affordable Alexa smart speaker was already the most popular option because it only costs $50, but then it went on sale for Black Friday for just $25 and they hovered at $30 for the rest of the holiday shopping season. So it's really no surprise so many people went crazy for it.

Even the older model 2nd-gen. Echo Dot was one of the top performers too, especially since the price dropped from $50 to $40 when they announced the new model, and then it went on sale for only $20 for the holidays.


Contigo)

Whether you're sick of picking up your coffee only to find it's gone cold, or you're trying to break up with your nearby coffee shop to save money, a travel mug is a must. Contigo is one of the most popular options, and it's one of the best travel mugs we tested. It keeps drinks warm for hours, and you can choose from a bunch of colors. Plus, virtually every color is available for under $20, which is a big perk many of our readers took advantage of this year.

Get the Contigo Autoseal West Loop 16-Ounce Travel Mug on Amazon for $10-$20 (prices vary by color)