My Daily Health Co

Gear Picks

Gear is never required for healthy habits, but the right tool can make a routine easier. Below are the types of gear we talk about across the site, with an honest reason each might help. Choose what fits your needs and budget.

Workout Gear

• resistance bands

  Light, portable, and easy to store, useful for home strength work.

  Related: Best Resistance Bands for Home Workouts

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Best budget

  WHATAFIT Resistance Bands with Handles

  Outdoor Gear Lab praised its performance for the cost.

  Who it’s for: Beginners and budget buyers

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• adjustable dumbbells

  One set replaces many, which helps in small spaces.

  Related: Best Adjustable Dumbbells for Small Spaces

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  Best overall

  Core Home Fitness Adjustable Dumbbell Set (5–50 lb)

  Wirecutter’s best for at-home use; it adjusts quickly with one hand, though Wirecutter notes the weights can stick when changing. Check the listing to confirm it is the 5–50 lb twist-dial model.

  Who it’s for: Most home lifters

  Check price on Amazon
• yoga mat

  Cushions and grips the floor for stretching and bodyweight work.

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Manduka PRO Yoga Mat (6mm)	Best overall	Regular practitioners who want a long-lasting mat
  Gaiam Premium 6mm Yoga Mat	Best budget	Beginners and occasional use
  Liforme Classic Yoga Mat		People who want grip and alignment guides

  Best overall

  Manduka PRO Yoga Mat (6mm)

  Outdoor Gear Lab’s best mat tested: excellent cushion, solid grip even when sweaty, and a long lifespan.

  Who it’s for: Regular practitioners who want a long-lasting mat

  Check price on Amazon
  Best budget

  Gaiam Premium 6mm Yoga Mat

  Outdoor Gear Lab’s pick for new yogis, with joint-friendly cushioning.

  Who it’s for: Beginners and occasional use

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  Liforme Classic Yoga Mat

  Product-Review Institute calls it the grippiest mat, with alignment guides; it is thinner (4.2 mm) and heavy.

  Who it’s for: People who want grip and alignment guides

  Check price on Amazon

Kitchen and Meal Prep

• food scale

  Takes the guesswork out of portions and recipes.

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Escali Primo Digital Food Scale	Best overall	Everyday portioning and baking
  OXO Good Grips 11-lb Food Scale with Pull-Out Display		Meal-prep bowls and big containers
  Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale	Best budget	Budget buyers
  American Weigh LB-3000 (0.1 g resolution)		Supplements, coffee and small portions

  Best overall

  Escali Primo Digital Food Scale

  Wirecutter’s best: among the fastest and most accurate tested, with a long auto-off.

  Who it’s for: Everyday portioning and baking

  Check price on Amazon
  OXO Good Grips 11-lb Food Scale with Pull-Out Display

  America’s Test Kitchen’s winner: fast and accurate, and the pull-out display stays visible under large bowls.

  Who it’s for: Meal-prep bowls and big containers

  Check price on Amazon
  Best budget

  Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale

  Bon Appétit’s best budget scale: responsive and accurate about 99% of the time in its testing.

  Who it’s for: Budget buyers

  Check price on Amazon
  American Weigh LB-3000 (0.1 g resolution)

  Wirecutter says it is the most accurate 0.1 g scale it tested, but its capacity is low.

  Who it’s for: Supplements, coffee and small portions

  Check price on Amazon
• meal prep containers

  Make packing lunches ahead simple and tidy.

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers (3.2 cup, set of 4)	Best overall	Everyday meal prep at home
  Pyrex Ultimate Glass Storage 5-Pack (glass lids)		Plastic-free storage

  Best overall

  Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers (3.2 cup, set of 4)

  Serious Eats found it truly leakproof and oven-safe, and it survived drop, tip and stack tests.

  Who it’s for: Everyday meal prep at home

  Check price on Amazon
  Pyrex Ultimate Glass Storage 5-Pack (glass lids)

  Serious Eats lists it as another great set of glass meal prep containers.

  Who it’s for: Plastic-free storage

  Check price on Amazon
• shaker bottle

  Handy for mixing drinks on the go.

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  BlenderBottle Sport Flip Stainless Steel (24 oz)

  Featured on nutrientscalculator.com’s own affiliate pages; we have not found an independent review of this exact model.

  Who it’s for: People who prefer a steel shaker

  Check price on Amazon
• air fryer

  A quick way to cook with less oil for those who like it.

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer	Best overall	Most households
  COSORI TurboBlaze Air Fryer (6 Qt)		Buyers who want a larger, more powerful basket
  Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4 Qt)		1–2 people and small kitchens
  Ninja Air Fryer XL (6.5 Qt, AF181)		Families

  Best overall

  Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer

  Food & Wine says it has impressed with crispy results and a user-friendly interface.

  Who it’s for: Most households

  Check price on Amazon
  COSORI TurboBlaze Air Fryer (6 Qt)

  Food & Wine’s runner-up for best overall air fryer.

  Who it’s for: Buyers who want a larger, more powerful basket

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  Ninja AF101 Air Fryer (4 Qt)

  Food & Wine and Good Housekeeping both name it best small air fryer.

  Who it’s for: 1–2 people and small kitchens

  Check price on Amazon
  Ninja Air Fryer XL (6.5 Qt, AF181)

  Appears next to Good Housekeeping’s “Best overall” label (our mapping is inferred from page layout).

  Who it’s for: Families

  Check price on Amazon
• blender

  Useful for smoothies, soups, and sauces.

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Vitamix 5200	Best overall	Daily smoothies and long-term use
  Vitamix VX1	Best overall	Buyers who want a Vitamix at a lower tier
  Breville Fresh & Furious		Smoothie fans
  Cleanblend Commercial Blender	Best budget	Budget buyers
  nutribullet Pro Personal Blender		Single-serve, grab-and-go

  Best overall

  Vitamix 5200

  Serious Eats: its best blender for more than a decade, with a simple interface and blades that pulverize anything.

  Who it’s for: Daily smoothies and long-term use

  Check price on Amazon
  Best overall

  Vitamix VX1

  Bon Appétit’s best blender overall, and Serious Eats’ pick for a lower-cost Vitamix.

  Who it’s for: Buyers who want a Vitamix at a lower tier

  Check price on Amazon
  Breville Fresh & Furious

  Serious Eats’ best blender for smoothies.

  Who it’s for: Smoothie fans

  Check price on Amazon
  Best budget

  Cleanblend Commercial Blender

  Serious Eats’ budget-friendly pick.

  Who it’s for: Budget buyers

  Check price on Amazon
  nutribullet Pro Personal Blender

  Serious Eats’ best personal smoothie blender.

  Who it’s for: Single-serve, grab-and-go

  Check price on Amazon

Sleep and Recovery

• sleep mask

  Blocks light if your bedroom is bright.

  Related: How to Build a Better Bedtime Routine

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  MZOO Luxury Sleep Mask	Best overall	Side and back sleepers
  Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Mask	Best budget	A flat, lightweight mask
  Manta Original Sleep Mask		People who want an adjustable fit

  Best overall

  MZOO Luxury Sleep Mask

  The Guardian’s pick from 32 masks tested over nine weeks; the reviewer says it blocks light well and stays put.

  Who it’s for: Side and back sleepers

  Check price on Amazon
  Best budget

  Alaska Bear Two-Strap Silk Sleep Mask

  The Guardian’s best budget option (per search excerpt).

  Who it’s for: A flat, lightweight mask

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  Manta Original Sleep Mask

  Customizable fit with detachable eye cups, per the Guardian excerpt.

  Who it’s for: People who want an adjustable fit

  Check price on Amazon
• white noise machine

  Masks sudden background sounds with a steady one.

  Related: How to Build a Better Bedtime Routine

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  LectroFan EVO	Best overall	Most people
  Yogasleep Dohm Uno		Fans of a fan sound
  Hatch Restore 3		Sleep-routine seekers

  Best overall

  LectroFan EVO

  Wirecutter’s top pick (per search excerpt): strong sound quality across many sounds, with precise volume control.

  Who it’s for: Most people

  Check price on Amazon
  Yogasleep Dohm Uno

  A real mechanical fan sound, per a Wirecutter excerpt. Wirecutter names the Dohm Nova/Classic, so confirm the model.

  Who it’s for: Fans of a fan sound

  Check price on Amazon
  Hatch Restore 3

  Sunrise alarm, light and app routines (per search excerpt).

  Who it’s for: Sleep-routine seekers

  Check price on Amazon
• blackout curtains

  Reduce window light for darker evenings and mornings.

  Related: How to Build a Better Bedtime Routine

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Everyday Health

• water bottle

  A refillable bottle makes sipping through the day easier.

  Related: Simple Ways to Drink More Water Every Day

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel (24 oz)	Best overall	Gym, desk and daily use
  Hydro Flask Wide Mouth (24 oz, Wide Straw Lid)		A durable all-rounder
  YETI Rambler Bottle with Straw Cap (18 oz)		Rough use

  Best overall

  Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel (24 oz)

  Serious Eats’ favorite standard bottle for portability, functionality, cold retention and a dual-sip spout.

  Who it’s for: Gym, desk and daily use

  Check price on Amazon
  Hydro Flask Wide Mouth (24 oz, Wide Straw Lid)

  Wirecutter’s top pick (per search excerpt): leakproof, durable and easy to fill.

  Who it’s for: A durable all-rounder

  Check price on Amazon
  YETI Rambler Bottle with Straw Cap (18 oz)

  CNN’s drop-test winner (per search excerpt); Serious Eats found a Rambler a bit too big to be very portable. CNN’s tested size may differ.

  Who it’s for: Rough use

  Check price on Amazon
• lumbar cushion

  Adds comfortable back support to a chair that lacks it.

  Related: 10-Minute Desk Stretches for Long Workdays

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Best budget

  Samsonite Lumbar Support Pillow

  Wirecutter: wider coverage, adjustable straps and a cooling gel layer (per search excerpt). We matched this listing to Wirecutter’s product by name only, so check it.

  Who it’s for: Budget buyers and wider backs

  Check price on Amazon
• desk mat

  A cushioned mat for standing comfort on hard floors.

  Related: 10-Minute Desk Stretches for Long Workdays

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Ergodriven Topo Standing Desk Mat	Best overall	Full-day standers
  ComfiLife Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat	Best budget	Occasional standing
  House of Noa Nama Standing Mat		Standers who want a bouncy flat mat

  Best overall

  Ergodriven Topo Standing Desk Mat

  Tech Gear Lab’s best overall; its contoured terrain encourages movement while you stand.

  Who it’s for: Full-day standers

  Check price on Amazon
  Best budget

  ComfiLife Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat

  Tech Gear Lab’s pick for a tight budget.

  Who it’s for: Occasional standing

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  House of Noa Nama Standing Mat

  Serious Eats’ best anti-fatigue mat: moderately soft foam, non-slip, many colors.

  Who it’s for: Standers who want a bouncy flat mat

  Check price on Amazon
• walking shoes

  Comfortable footwear makes regular walks more pleasant.

  Related: Easy Ways to Walk More Each Day

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Rykä Devotion Plus 3 (women’s)		Women who want a value pick
  ASICS Gel-Contend (men’s)		Men doing errands and light walking
  Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 (men’s)		Men who want a value pick

  Rykä Devotion Plus 3 (women’s)

  Outdoor Gear Lab’s best value women’s walking shoe. Linked size and color are specific, so check the listing.

  Who it’s for: Women who want a value pick

  Check price on Amazon
  ASICS Gel-Contend (men’s)

  Outdoor Gear Lab’s pick for errands and quick walks. The listing is Gel-Contend 10, while the review text says 9, so check the model year.

  Who it’s for: Men doing errands and light walking

  Check price on Amazon
  Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 (men’s)

  Outdoor Gear Lab’s best buy for men.

  Who it’s for: Men who want a value pick

  Check price on Amazon
• fitness tracker

  Counts steps and nudges you to move, if you like data.

  Related: Easy Ways to Walk More Each Day

  Check price on Amazon: Check price on Amazon

  Product	Label	Who it’s for
  Garmin vívoactive 6	Best overall	All-round use, Android or iPhone
  Fitbit Inspire 3	Best budget	Simple, low-cost tracking
  Fitbit Charge 6		Runners and cyclists who want GPS

  Best overall

  Garmin vívoactive 6

  WIRED: “my top choice for most people”.

  Who it’s for: All-round use, Android or iPhone

  Check price on Amazon
  Best budget

  Fitbit Inspire 3

  Led Wirecutter’s step-count accuracy tests (per search excerpt); WIRED suggests it for people who don’t need built-in GPS.

  Who it’s for: Simple, low-cost tracking

  Check price on Amazon
  Fitbit Charge 6

  Has built-in GPS; a heart-rate validation study (per search excerpt) found strong agreement with chest-strap measurements.

  Who it’s for: Runners and cyclists who want GPS

  Check price on Amazon