23 Great Gifts to Buy for Yourself

A curated gift box loaded with the essentials for a night in can be much appreciated. Mouth was the top-scoring company in a study conducted by CR wherein staffers evaluated the ordering experience and gift selection from five prominent vendors. It was the only one where all of CR’s gift set senders were satisfied with the gift they selected and most felt they got good value for the money. This option features an assortment of wellness-themed items such as granola, tea, turmeric concentrate, a sweet fig candle, and more.

For more options: The Best Gift Baskets

Few items say self-care quite like chocolate and this truffle set from the Los Angeles–based Compartés is poised to please. In fact, we were blown away by the flavors in a recent evaluation of the best boxed chocolates. As CR reporter Angela Lashbrook put it: "For a chef or a cook, a true sign of success is taking a flavor your audience is known not to love and convincing them that they’ve been missing out this whole time. That’s the case with this beautiful, elegant little box of chocolates."

For more options: Best Boxed Chocolates

The Dyson Supersonic lives up to its status as a luxury product. In our lab tests, it earns top scores for drying speed and is one of the quietest of the models we tested. Plus, it comes with five attachments: A diffuser, styling concentrator, a gentle air attachment, a flyaway attachment, and a wide-tooth comb. All attach easily to the nozzle via a magnet and store neatly in a case that also houses the hair dryer.

For more options: Best Hair Dryers

The Bio Ionic Long Barrel came out on top in our at-home evaluations of the best curling irons. Four of the five evaluators felt that the curling iron yielded shiny, healthy-feeling results. The extra-long barrel and multiple temperature settings produced bouncy curls that lasted for days for most users—although, one tester felt the barrel was too long for her short hair.

For more options: The Best Curling Irons

Haven’t you heard? Experiences make the best holiday gifts. A FaceGym workout is exactly what it sounds like: Online classes that teach the brand’s signature face massage techniques, including knuckling, pinching, and whipping strokes, which claim to boost blood circulation, cell renewal, and lymphatic system drainage. 35-minute classes start from $65.

The Kodak Printomatic is the fastest instant camera of those we reviewed, producing a fully printed photo just 38 seconds after the shutter was pressed. Once printed, the photos have a sticky backing, which means you can easily tacky them onto most surfaces. The model also stores photos on the SD card at a higher resolution than the other zero-ink cameras we tried, which is nice if you want to order a larger print down the road.

For more options: Best Instant Cameras: How Six Would-Be Polaroid Replacements Stack Up

The 500-piece jigsaw puzzle is of a 2019 cover of The New Yorker that’s fit for the botanically inclined and a sure-fire way to get some well-deserved R&R. It’s a perfect plant-loving family activity for the holidays, says Adam Besheer and Rebecca Bullene, co-founders of Greenery Unlimited, a biophilic design store and plant nursery.

The Meta Quest 2 headset might just be the best way to experience virtual reality. The stand-alone model is completely wireless and its image quality is sharp. Its library features an array of games like Resident Evil 4, Little Cities, and Beat Saber—which CR tech reporter Nicholas De Leon describes as a cross between Guitar Hero or Rock Band and the popular mobile game Fruit Ninja. And then there’s the opportunity to hop into Horizon Worlds, Meta’s version of the metaverse, which is a term that refers to the virtual world. Last but not least, the controllers are shaped to all but melt into your hands while you’re using them, De Leon says.

Swap the jarring sound of your alarm clock with a contraption that emanates a dawnlike wake-up light. The JALL Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock has two independent alarms (so you can set them for different times depending on your routine), seven alarm tones (including “wind bells” and birds chirping), an FM radio, and a fall-asleep mode that simulates a sunset (though no white-noise option). Tapping the snooze button will temporarily shut off both the light and the sound.

For more options: Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks

For those whose idea of self-care involves a well-made cup of joe, we have you covered. If you’re looking for a small pod coffee maker that is convenient to use, the Keurig K-Mini Plus is just the thing. This exceptionally small, space-saving single-serve machine from Keurig isn’t especially fast, but it does make a remarkably consistent cup of coffee in terms of size and temperature. A downside to its small size is that water needs to be added to its removable reservoir before each cup is brewed. It’s also worth noting that owners surveyed by CR give Keurig machines below-average marks for reliability.

For more options: Best Single-Serve Coffeemakers

Give yourself the gift of a better vessel for your morning brew. According to Bernie Deitrick, a CR test engineer, compact mugs with multiple small servings (rather than one big pour) can optimize the flavor and retain the heat of coffee. These Huskee cups are up to the task—according to Yeekai Lim, founder of Cognoscenti Coffee Roasters, a chain of coffee shops in the Los Angeles area—and aesthetically pleasing to boot.

For more options: Best Coffee Mugs for Keeping a Brew Warm

If you’ve yet to get on the pickleball train, consider this a sign. This paddle has a wide body shape, which is ideal for beginners because there is more surface area to hit the ball with. In our evaluations, the Niupipo Explorer edged out the others we evaluated because of its slightly more comfortable grip and its much more comfortable price tag. It also comes with a zippered neoprene paddle cover.

For more options: Best Pickleball Paddles

The ultraportable Theragun Mini was one of the quietest massage devices we tested. It has a wedge-shaped handle and is one of the best devices for reducing problematic wrist postures. “I like the fact that it is small to hold, and I love how easy it is to use and charge. It’s compact and easily transportable,” said one user in a study conducted by CR. For overall portability and quietness, this could be a top choice.

For more options: 7 Massage Guns Evaluated

Wind down each day with a quick stretch or an at-home yoga session. This mat is quick to dry and offers a modest amount of cushioning. It provides a solid grip on the floor and earns top marks when it comes to grip on hands and feet. It also comes with a carrying strap so you can easily tote it around with you.

For more options: Best Yoga Mats

Treat yourself to a better support system during workouts. The Shefit Flex was the Editors’ Choice in a recent evaluation of the best sports bras. If you’re looking for serious support—and serious adjustability—this option is the way to go. Featuring a front zipper, the straps are thick and the bra fastens around the back with a wide, hook-and-loop lined band that threads through a large plastic clasp.

For more options: Best Sports Bras

Is there anything more luxurious than snoozing with a soft, silk mask? Crafted from delicate silk, it comes in a variety of colors including a bold navy, a graceful ballet pink, and an opulent gold. (There are also prints on the company’s Amazon page featuring lipstick smooches, paisley, and an embroidered “rosé all day.”) It has a scrunchy backstrap that stretches rather than adjusts, which allows for a more seamless look (but perhaps an imperfect fit).

For more options: Best Sleep Masks

It’s hard to go wrong with a pair of cozy slippers, especially one as soft as these. The Ugg Fluff Yeah Slides were a hit in our at-home evaluations of seven popular slippers. CR editors dubbed these the “indisputably coolest slippers of the bunch” noting that the real sheepskin composition made them almost comically fluffy and as if they felt “like wearing clouds on my feet.” 

For more options: We Tried Ugg Fluff Yeahs and 7 Other Popular Slippers—Here’s What We Loved (and Loathed)

The Baloo weighted blanket has a cotton cover and glass beads. It comes in white and a graylike “silver sage.” Linen covers, in a choice of six colors, are sold separately. Baloo says the blanket is machine-washable and dryer-safe.

For more options: Best Weighted Blankets

This Adidas Adicolor Essentials Trefoil Hoodie is luxuriously soft and plush inside, which means it might just be a prime option for a night of R&R on the couch. The fabric hangs nicely and while the ribbed parts aren’t constricting, they’re tight enough to hug your hips and keep excess sleeve fabric above the wrists.