This story is part of NBC Select’s New & Notable column, where we highlight our favorite product launches. We will update this article monthly with new releases we think you should know about.
SKIP AHEAD Tech launches | Home launches | Pet launches | Kitchen launches | Fitness and outdoor launches | Travel and leisure launches
Tech launches
Sony Ult Wear Wireless Headphones
As recommended in our guide to over-ear headphones, these have many of the same features as Sony’s more expensive headphones, but the brand’s design makes bass the focal point of the listening experience. The headphones have a mix of touch and button controls, which Rabinowitz found consistent and effective to use. The flagship feature is the Ult button: press it once for a bit of extra bass, twice for a deep bass party-feel.
Sony released a whole lineup of Ult audio products, including the Ult Tower 10, Ult Field 7 and Ult Field 1 speakers.
Kobo Colour E-Readers
Kobo makes some of the best e-readers, and the Kobo Libra Colour and Kobo Clara Colour are the brands first color e-readers. The Libra (linked above) has a 7-inch screen, physical buttons to turn pages and support for the Kobo Stylus. The Clara lacks these features and is a bit smaller but it does have a lower price. Otherwise, the readers have similar designs and connectivity, with the same e-ink screen technology. The brand also released a new version of its black and white e-reader, the Clara BW.
Samsung Music Frame
Similar to the Samsung Frame TV masquerading as wall art, the Music Frame is a home speaker disguised to look like a picture-frame. You insert your own, physical photos into the frame like you would normally. Inside the borders of the frame are speakers — once connected to Wi-Fi, you can control the Music Frame with your smartphone and play music. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Sony 2024 Bravia TVs
Sony’s new TV lineup for 2024 includes the Bravia 9, 8, 7 and 3, with prices ranging from $749 to $6,499. The Bravia 9 and Bravia 7 use mini-LED screens, which are typically some of the brightest on the market, while the Bravia 8 uses OLED for rich color depth. The Bravia 3 is the lowest-priced option, and has a regular LED screen. The Bravia 9 and 8 are available for pre-order while the 7 and 3 are in stores now.
Nanoleaf Outdoor String Lights
Smart lights are a great way to brighten and personalize any space, and these outdoor string lights come from one of our favorite smart light brands. Linked above is the 49 foot, 20 bulb model. You can control each bulb from the Nanoleaf app using Wi-Fi (and Matter) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth is particularly useful for setting up smart home gadgets that are far away from your router). The bulbs are IP65 dust and water resistant. It comes in three sizes, 49 feet with 20 bulbs, 98 feet with 40 bulbs and 147 feet with 60 bulbs.
Elgato Neo Computer Accessories
Elgato is known for computer accessories targeted at creators and gamers: think webcams, microphones and gaming capture cards. The brand’s new Neo product family targets a broader audience — they are plug and play tools for being more professional online, says the brand. Products include the Game Capture Neo, Facecam Neo, Wave Neo Microphone, Stream Deck Neo and Key Light Neo (linked above).
DJI Avata 2 FPV Drone
DJI makes many of the best drones for beginners, and this new model expands its collection of first-person view (FPV) options. Like the DJI FPV, the Avata 2 comes with goggles and a controller to pilot the drone. The Avata 2 is smaller, lighter and a bit slower than the DJI FPV, and comes with a simpler controller and integrated propeller guards, making it the more beginner-friendly choice, says Rabinowitz.
Home launches
iRobot Roomba Essential Robot Vacuum
iRobot makes some of the best robot vacuums, and this new model is one of their lowest priced. Like other models, you can use the iRobot Home app to adjust and schedule cleaning routines, including options to activate the robot when you leave your home. Compared to the previous Roomba 600 series, the Essential series has more suction power and 25% better dirt pickup on hardwood floors, according to the brand. It also has a longer battery life, 120 minutes, up from 90 minutes. For $25 more, you can get the Combo Essential robot, which has a wet mop.
Bearaby Bearabuddies
Bearaby’s weighted stuffed animals are some of our favorites, and the brand added four new 3.5-pound characters to its collection: Cody Cow, Suzy Sloth. Darcy Dog and Daisy Dino. They have huggable, heavy bellies filled with Terraclay, a natural material, and are covered in a soft cotton knit material. The stuffed animals’ large paws are squishy, acting as a built-in stress ball.
Bearaby sent Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial projects manager, one of its Bearabuddies, Cody Cow, to try. “Aside from being the cutest thing ever, cuddling Cody Cow has made me feel more at ease before falling asleep. When I put Cody Cow on my chest, I can feel my heart rate slowing down,” she says. “I hold the weighted stuffed animal while I’m sleeping every night and he is now a permanent resident of my bed. Sometimes I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and find my husband cuddling him.”
Avocado Green Down Bedding Collection
Avocado Green, which makes one of our favorite eco-friendly mattresses and mattress toppers, released a Down Bedding Collection with two products: a duvet insert and a pillow. Both items have a soft sateen shell and are made with down feathers that are Responsible Down Standard-certified, meaning they come from ducks and geese treated humanely, according to the brand. The baffle box duvet insert is available in lightweight and all-season weights, and the pillow comes in three styles: soft, medium and firm.
Parachute Heirloom Tencel
Heirloom Tencel is Parachute’s newest fabrication — a blend of Tencel lyocell and linen. According to the brand, the material is buttery-soft, durable, breathable and temperature-regulating and has a lived-in look. You can purchase bedding like sheets, a duvet cover, and shams made from Heirloom Tencel in two colors: white with black stitching and Bone with Canyon stitching.
Ikea Broggan Outdoor Collection
Ikea’s new outdoor collection includes 24 items with bright, colorful patterns, including tablecloths, cushions, rugs and throws. Outdoor dining ware, such as serving glasses and charcuterie boards, is also included in the collection.
Dreo fans
Home appliance brand Dreo released two new fans this month: the Purifier Tower Fan 710S and the Polyfan 704S. The Purifier Tower Fan is an air purifier and tower fan in one, and it has two motors, each of which you can control independently. That means you can use just the air purifier, just the fan or both at the same time. The Polyfan, on the other hand, vertically and horizontally oscillates, designed to be quiet while cooling your home. You can control these fans, set schedules and customize their settings via the Dreo app.
Pet launches
Ikea Utsadd Pet Collection
We know a thing or two about pets (see our Pet Awards or Casper dog bed review to start), and there are about a dozen cat and dog owners across NBC Select. Ikea’s new pet collection has many of us reconsidering our decor. The collection offers 30 items including beds, houses, toys, cushions and food bowls.
Petlibro Polar Wet Food Feeder
This automatic feeder can store up to three servings of wet cat food at a time, keeping it cool at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below and bringing it to room temperature 30 minutes before it’s time for a meal. The feeder connects to a companion app, which allows you to set meal schedules from wherever you are. There’s also a tray inside the device that’s divided into three parts — each can hold up to 7.4 oz. of food. You can remove the tray once your pet is done eating and clean it using the dishwasher. Petlibro’s feeder has built-in sensors that keep its lid open when it detects your pet nearby and closes it when they’re not. The lid forms a tight seal around the feeder’s opening, keeping bugs out and the scent of food in.
Petcube Pops Dog Treats
Petcube makes some of our favorite pet cameras, and this month, the brand launched its first non-tech product: dog treats. Petcube Pops are designed to pair with the brand’s treat-tossing cameras, but you can feed them to your pup however you’d like. The treats come in three flavors: Rabbit, which supports dogs’ fur and skin, Duck, which supports their teeth and Pumpkin, which is a vegetarian formula. All treats are less than 2 kcal per piece and contain vitamin E and C.
Kitchen launches
Our Place Always Pan Pro
The Always Pan Pro is the newest version of Our Place’s most popular piece of cookware. Instead of being coated in chemicals to make it nonstick, the pan is designed with the brand’s proprietary NoCo, or no coating. It’s built from titanium and has a pattern pressed into the cooking surface that’s naturally hydrophobic, according to Our Place. This allows your food to release when it’s ready to be moved. The dishwasher-safe pan is compatible with all cooktops and can withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a modular lid as well as a nesting beechwood spatula.
Breville InFizz Fusion
The Infizz Fusion is Breville’s first carbonator that you can use to make any beverage fizzy, including water, juice, wine, coffee and flat soda. The appliance doesn’t require power or batteries, and it comes with 32-ounce bottles and a FusionCap that allows you to control how much carbonation you add to drinks. The cap also preserves fizz while storing beverages or taking them on the go. You need to add a CO2 canister to the InFizz Fusion to use it, and later this spring, customers can join Breville’s CO2 Refill Club. Members can send empty CO2 canisters to Breville using a prepaid label and receive two full canisters in return.
Caraway Cookware+
Caraway added four specialty pans to its cookware collection, all made with the brand’s nonstick, non-toxic ceramic coating. They’re oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and stovetop agnostic, too. The collection includes a 2-quart Petite Cooker, 4-quart Stir Fry Pan, 6-quart Rondeau and 12-quart Stock Pot. You can purchase items á la carte or as a set with a storage organizer.
Caraway sent Malin its Petite Cooker to try, quickly earning a permanent spot on her stovetop. “I usually only cook for myself, and making rice or pasta in a large pot is not convenient. This mini pot, however, is the perfect size for a few servings of grains,” she says. “It’s also adorable, so looking at it makes me feel encouraged to cook.”
Calpak Insulated Soft-Sided Cooler
If you plan on having picnics or barbecues this summer, you’ll need a reliable cooler to transport food. Calpak launched its first soft-sided cooler in two sizes: 8L, which holds up to 11 12-ounce cans, and 17L, which holds up to 32 12-ounce cans laid horizontally. The interior is insulated, and the exterior is covered in a durable material, both of which are water-resistant. The cooler comes with a removable crossbody strap and handles, and it’s designed with multiple pockets to hold utensils, small snacks and more.
KitchenAid Espresso Collection
KitchenAid recently debuted multiple espresso machines, including one semi-automatic and three fully automatic appliances. The semi-automatic espresso machine has a built-in burr grinder and steam wand. It helps you dose one or two shots of espresso at the press of a button, plus it comes with accessories like a milk pitcher, portafilter, tamper and priming brush. Each of the fully automatic espresso machines — the KF6, KF7 and KF8 — lets you customize elements of your beverage like its strength and temperature. You can create multiple profiles through the appliance, allowing different people to save their favorite recipes.
Fitness and outdoor launches
Hoka Skyward X Running Shoe
Hoka’s new running shoe has a carbon fiber plate embedded in the midsole, acting like a springboard to help you propel forward and run faster for longer, according to the brand. It’s also designed with plush cushioning, a rocker-shaped outsole and a deep foot frame that cradles your heel to add stability. The Skyward X sneaker is available in men’s and women’s sizes. It also earned the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Approval.
Allbirds Tree Runner Go
The Tree Runner Go is Allbirds’ latest sneaker, available in men’s and women’s sizes. It’s a refreshed version of the Tree Runner shoe. Its upper is made from a lightweight, breathable tree fiber material and it has soft underfoot cushioning in the midsole. “I’ve tried about five different pairs of Allbirds sneakers in the past few years, and the Tree Runner Go is my favorite by far,” says Malin (the brand set her a pair prior to launch). “I dress them up with a jean skirt for work, and wear them with leggings on the weekends. They keep my feet comfortable while I’m walking around New York City for hours.”
Athleta Run Collection
Apparel part of Athleta’s new Run collection is designed to make jogs of any length more comfortable. It includes four pieces, each of which are available in women’s sizes and come in multiple colors: The Pacesetter 7/8 Tight, Fast Route Mid-Rise Run Short, Mesh Racer Run Mid-Rise 4 Short, Crossover High-Rise Run Short and Weekender Mid-Rise Run Short. All of the bottoms have hidden pockets built-into them to store your phone or other small essentials while running.
Althleta sent Malin two pieces from the Run collection to try. She says the Pacesetter 7/8 Tight offered light compression so she felt supported, as well as flexibility that let her move freely. “My favorite features are the internal drawcord in the waistband, the reflective elements on the legs and the uneven hem, which I found elongating,” says Malin. She also tried the Crossover High Run Short. “I normally don’t love running in shorts due to the high probability of chafing, but this pair has a 4-inch liner that stays in place on my legs and prevents irritation,” she says. “I really enjoyed wearing these shorts and felt so comfortable.”
Reebok Floatzig 1 Running Shoe
Malin and Rabinowitz have been trying this running shoe, which the brand sent them, for about a month. They’re available in men’s and women’s sizes. Aesthetics are not essential to a great pair of running shoes, but they love the chunky, swooshing 90s style of the Floatzig 1. “These shoes have been fun to run in, striking a good balance between cushion and speed that most people can enjoy,” says Rabinowitz. Malin added that she’s received compliments on the running shoes while jogging in Central Park or wearing them with jeans to run errands. They keep her feet comfortable and don’t feel heavy or bulky.
Rad Power Radster Road Electric Bike
This electric bike is fit for commuting and cruising on road, with tons of useful accessories built-in. It comes with fenders, lights (with turn signals), a chain guard and a cargo rack included. It has a range of up to 65 miles and can carry up to 320 lbs, according to the brand.
The bike’s electrical system and battery are UL-2849 and UL-2271 certified. The Radster Road is one of four new electric bikes released by the brand, the others being the Radster Trail, RadWagon 5, RadExpand 5. You can learn more about bike safety in our guide to electric bikes.
Travel and leisure launches
Rocketbook Reusable Sticky Notes
Gone are the days of single-use Post-Its — you can use Rocketbook’s sticky notes repeatedly. After writing on them with the included pen, wipe away your note or doodle with a microfiber cloth and spritz of water. The sticky notes are also made with a re-stickable adhesive so that you can move them around your home or office. They come in a pack of 15 with a carrying case, and you can save a digital copy of your notes via the Rocketbook app.
Herschel Supply Heritage Shoftshell Luggage
After launching hardshell luggage last year, Herschel is now expanding its line of suitcases with softshell options made from durable recycled fabrics. The luggage comes in two sizes — Carry-On Large and Medium Checked — and four colors. Each bag is designed with an internal mesh storage sleeve, retractable trolly handle, two wheels and two-way lockable zippers around the main compartment. Your purchase includes a 100-day trial policy and limited warranty.
Lego Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon’s Tale
Lego Ideas sets are inspired by and voted on for production by fans, and are often some of the most creative and imaginative available, says Rabinowitz. (Take this Lego Typewriter, for example.) This set is a crossover with Dungeons & Dragons and has a buildable tavern, dungeon, tower and red dragon. It also comes with six minifigures and three monster figures. The set is 3,745 pieces and is best for builders ages 18 and up, according to the brand.
Why trust NBC Select?
Zoe Malin and Harry Rabinowitz choose products they think NBC Select readers should know about to round up the best new launches each month. They include products from brands NBC Select previously covered or brands NBC Select staffers recommend. Malin and Rabinowitz also regularly try new product launches to share their experience with items.
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