For me, and likely a lot of other people, September ended up being my busiest month so far this year. When summer ends, it feels like you have to tend to every responsibility, obligation and errand all at the same time. Not to mention, people are going back to school, football season comes back (which means there are more events to attend) and fall weather calls for wardrobe reset.

In the end, though, we at NBC Selected always make time to test products, some of which we include in roundups, shopping guides and product reviews. Below, my colleagues and I highlighted tons of products we tested and purchased this month because we loved them so much — including ones from our favorite brands like Levoit, Medicube, Calpak, Hommey and more.

All of the products below were either sent courtesy of the brand for testing or products that we bought ourselves.

Jem Alabi, editorial operations associate

I received the VortexIQ from Levoit for testing and it has become my go-to vacuum, and I’d argue it works just as well as, if not better than, my cordless Dyson. It’s lightweight, stands upright on its own and works equally well on my rugs and hardwood floors. My favorite feature is the LED green light, which is incredibly bright and makes dust, hair and debris I would otherwise miss much easier to see, especially along edges and in crevices. It also has a five-stage HEPA filtration system, a 210-watt motor and an anti-tangle roller designed to prevent hair from wrapping around the brush. On a full charge, I can get nearly an hour of cleaning time.

I originally took this duffel as my carry-on for an international trip, but I liked it so much that it has since replaced my everyday work bag. The vegan leather feels incredibly soft, and the padded handles and adjustable strap are comfortable on my sensitive shoulders, even when I pack it full. I chose the dark cherry color, which has a rich, distinctive look that makes the bag feel more elevated than your typical travel duffel. It has nine pockets, including a separate shoe compartment, plus a luggage sleeve and a spacious main compartment that somehow fits just about everything I need while still zipping closed easily.

It’s also designed to fit underneath most airplane seats, which made it particularly convenient as a carry-on. I also have the Luka Crescent Bag which is a smaller crossbody that I use to carry my travel documents, lip balms, hand sanitizer and other small essentials. I received this bag at a Calpak press event.

This is pretty much my ideal bonnet size, especially since I have a lot of hair to fit inside, and I wear it every night. Before bed, I’ll usually add a little water and mousse to my hair, put the bonnet on and wake up with my hair looking noticeably more polished and manageable. The satin helps retain moisture and natural oils while reducing tangles, and the oversized design works particularly well for long or curly hair. I also like the extra-long adjustable ties, which help keep it securely in place overnight without feeling restrictive. The cherry print is cute enough that I don’t mind wearing it around the house, either.

These may be the most versatile sunglasses I own. I wore them with a formal dress to an outdoor birthday party on a hot summer day. The pillow-shaped frames have dark green lenses and a polished finish that gives them a sleek, slightly edgy look without feeling overly trendy. They also work especially well for my low nose bridge. Unlike a lot of sunglasses I’ve tried, these stayed in place and didn’t constantly slide down my nose, and the frames didn’t press into or leave indents on my cheeks.

I love a purple blush, and this YSL in Spicy Berry is one of the few I’ve tried that actually looks like a true purple rather than turning pink once I apply it. The formula is pigmented but buildable, so I can use a light hand for a subtle wash of color or layer it when I want the purple to really stand out. It’s also waterproof and lasts on me throughout the day without needing frequent touch-ups.

The powder contains squalane and rosehip oil and is designed to blur the appearance of pores and imperfections while leaving either a matte or satin finish, depending on the shade. Plus, the YSL compact is beautiful enough that I actually enjoy pulling it out of my makeup bag.

I bought this at an airport duty-free shop, which was actually my first-ever duty-free fragrance purchase, after being immediately drawn to how fresh it smelled. I especially like that it’s gender-neutral and blends nicely with my natural scent rather than overpowering it. I’m conscious of wearing strong fragrances around coworkers and people who may be sensitive to perfume, so I appreciate that this one doesn’t feel heavy or linger aggressively on my clothes.

This might be a controversial fragrance opinion, but I also like that it doesn’t last forever too. I can wear a subtle amount during the day and add another spritz later if I want to refresh it rather than committing to an intense scent for several hours.

I get so many compliments on this phone case, but the wristlet is what makes it particularly useful for me. I commute on the train regularly, and being able to loop it securely around my wrist gives me a little extra peace of mind when I’m holding my phone in a crowded car or station. The sculptural design combines glossy and chrome finishes, so it’s distinctive enough that I can also spot my phone much more quickly when it’s buried in my bag or sitting somewhere in my apartment. It feels more like an accessory than a standard phone case. I received this case from the brand.

None of the closets in my apartment have built-in lighting, so for years I used my phone flashlight whenever I needed to find clothes or supplies. My friend Jasmine, who is a professional organizer, recommended these rechargeable lights, and they’ve made a surprisingly big difference. I chose the version with three color temperatures, including white, warm and natural light, plus five brightness levels.

I primarily use the automatic motion-sensor setting, and in my experience, a single charge lasts around three weeks. They attach magnetically, so installation was simple, and I can easily pull them off the wall when they need to be recharged with a USB cable. The brand says a full charge can last between seven and 45 days in motion-sensor mode depending on usage.

I bought two of these racks to hang coats and towels, and I like that their simple design blends easily with the rest of my decor. The one-inch-diameter hooks are substantial enough that I can hang bulky coats, bags and even towels without loops without worrying about them constantly slipping onto the floor. The rack has rounded edges and a smooth, satin-lacquered finish, which also helps prevent the hooks from snagging or damaging clothing. Each rack has a recommended maximum load of 40 pounds and comes with mounting hardware for both drywall and brick, making it a practical option for heavier everyday items.

Cory Fernandez, commerce editor

We’ve written a lot about all of Medicube’s many viral skin care products, and these pore pads are by far one of the brand’s most popular. I don’t expect many toner pads like this to make much of a visible difference in my skin, but since they’re so highly reviewed I decided to try them out.

While it’s only been a few weeks, I’d say they’ve been working well for me and even helped get rid of some hyperpigmentation I had on my nose. They don’t burn or irritate my skin and they also don’t cause my seborrheic dermatitis to flare up, which is a common problem for me. Overall, I’d say that if anyone is wondering if these are worth it, they should definitely try them.

Marilyn La Jeunesse, freelance newsletter editor

There’s nothing I love more than matching my candles to the seasons, and the Voluspa x Fender collaboration candle has been the perfect choice for this year’s fall pick. I received a sample to try it and, although I was hesitant about liking a leather-scented candle, I found the scent to be perfectly balanced with warm spices like ginger and cardamom and the faintest hint of incense. It feels somehow both peaceful and intriguing whenever I light it in my office. Plus, I love how chic the vessel looks on my bookshelf.

As an avid reader who brings physical books almost everywhere, I am constantly losing my bookmarks. In an effort to stop folding the edges of my books, I tested a sample of these magnetic bookmarks from Galison. Not only do I love how cute and nostalgic the Miffy design is, I was surprised at how sturdy they are when placed inside a book. The last time I used magnetic bookmarks, the tops of my pages ripped, but I haven’t had that problem with these after a few weeks of use. Needless to say, I’m impressed (and probably not going to lose these any time soon, especially with how cute they are).

Pumpkin spice lattes are great, but I wanted to switch things up this year with Diaspora Co. Black Pepper Ginger Syrup. I received a sample from the brand and instantly fell in love with how warm and spicy this is in my morning lattes. I add 2 ounces of espresso, a tablespoon of this syrup (which goes in and out of stock pretty frequently), about 6 ounces of steamed oat milk and top it with Diaspora Gingerbread Spice for an extra hit of flavor. Not only is it the perfect fall drink, each bottle makes about 25 coffees. It beats paying $8 a day for a seasonal beverage in the city, in my opinion.

I love hosting and recently received a gift box filled with tons of Dylan’s Candy Bar Halloween treats ahead of my Books and Boos party this year. While I’m normally really good at waiting to break into my Halloween candy, I couldn’t resist opening one of the gummy kebobs, which features skewered gummy spiders, skulls and vampire fangs. I really appreciated the balance of sweet and sour options on this seasonal treat, and I think these will make the cutest addition to any boo basket.

Shalwah Evans, senior editor

I had the pleasure of testing the AirPods 5 right before they were released and I was thoroughly impressed. I rarely update my devices if they’re not broken or low-functioning, but my first thought when I used these was that I needed to get a pair (which I got from Apple) — and that was before enabling active noise canceling.

The sound of music and podcasts is excellent with and without ANC, but one of the biggest standouts for me is how well I can hear my surroundings in transparency mode. Now I can walk my dog with the buds on and switch modes quickly when we go from the park to crossing busy streets. They also sit comfortably in the ear for hours, which is a huge benefit for someone like me who travels a few times a year and swears by audiobooks on hours-long flights.

Mili Godio, commerce editor

My collection of robes has grown to more than a dozen over the years, but few have wowed me as much as this Hommey one. It’s one of the softest, coziest robes I’ve ever put on my body, and the one I reach for after every shower. Since it’s on the thicker side, I was initially afraid I would get too warm in it. But that wasn’t the case at all; in fact, it’s more breathable than many of the thinner robes I have in my stash. The chunky stripes and trendy colors make it even cooler; I’ve had multiple people ask me where I got it when they see it hanging in my bathroom.

I recently moved into a new apartment and have been furnishing it with small spaces in mind. The brand sent me this stool to add as a side table in my living room, and it fits perfectly and adds so much flair without being too loud. So many side tables are just a little too big for a small city-living space, but this one manages to fit in any tiny spot I put it in. Right now, it’s decorated with a fall-inspired wreath for the new season.

Earlier this month, I had a bachelorette trip to the Hamptons, where we did a Pilates class and wore matching butter yellow workout sets. I decided to go with Popflex’s Supershort and matching Corset Bra, and the compliments kept flooding in. I’m normally a leggings workout kind of girl, but these shorts might have completely changed my mind; they have built-in stretchy shorts on the inside, which makes doing squats or moving on a reformer so much easier (without showing too much skin).

The outer layer is flowy and breathable, so it looks like shorts I can wear out and about, not just in a workout class.

Nikki Brown, senior editor

Shopping as a very short person is rarely straightforward. More often than not, I have to get a lot of my wardrobe tailored after purchasing, including some pieces branded as “petite.” You would think something as lowkey as pajamas would be easier to manage, but it’s just as frustrating, especially when it comes to matching sets (my favorite). I wasted no time accepting a courtesy sample of Smol pajamas, which are made with people my height in mind, specifically, anyone 5-foot-3 and under.

The pants land just at my ankle and the fabric is so incredibly soft and surprisingly cooling. I’m hoping the brand will eventually launch a set with shorts that I can add to my collection. They’re on the pricier end, so a sale would be helpful too.

The newest version of the Tangle Teezer brush is an actual upgrade from the previous one. Specifically, the bristles sit higher and the paddle is wider, so it feels even gentler while detangling my hair. Whenever I’m working through a knot, it takes less passes to untangle, which means less time overall combing my hair.

I think I’ve finally found flats that don’t look or feel crazy on my very flat feet. I’ve known about Tieks for a while and finally decided to take them for a spin. I was worried that the turquoise outsole patches would easily clash with my clothes but when they’re on my feet, I don’t find them distracting. I’ve worn them with pants and dresses for hours at a time and my feet were barely aching at the end of each occasion. They also hug my feet in a way that makes it look as though I actually have an arch in my foot. The taupe is a perfect neutral color — I’m saving up to eventually get them in black too.

Consider me an ice pack connoisseur. I have an embarrassing amount of refrigerator and freezer space dedicated to them, thanks to chronic migraines and nerve pain. I know which ones have the longest-lasting cooling power, can easily mold to those hard-to-reach spots and have added benefits, like a unique texture or fun container to keep them clean. Chilltherapy is definitely the chicest ice pack brand I’ve tested yet. Do ice packs need to be cute? No. But if you use them as often as I do, then you appreciate the aesthetic and enjoy using it more.

I like how one side has the wave texture if you don’t want such an intense feeling while the other is flat if you want the most intense cold. I also appreciate that they’re compostable and so thoughtfully designed in general. I look forward to using these.

I had to see if the hype was real. Nail clippers are worth getting excited about, especially this version. I get the cleanest, smoothest cut every time I press down and it holds the clippings in a little top compartment until I’m ready to dump them, which means I no longer have to clip my nails over the toilet or a piece of paper towel, for fear of them flying all over my apartment floors. It’s the little things, people.

Zoe Malin, reporter

I’ve never been particularly into fashion — I’m happiest in jeans, a T-shirt and my Adidas sneakers — but doing NBC Selected’s broadcast segments has required me to step up my game in the past few years. Thankfully I’ve gotten lots of advice about what to wear on-air, so at this point, I can see something and instantly know if it would look good on camera. Ann Taylor’s Weekend Belted Denim Shirtdress is one of those things. It’s polished and professional, yet young and fun, which are all qualities I look for while shopping.

I wore this dress on a day where I had three segments, so I was in it from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. I was so comfortable the whole day — the denim is so soft and the fit isn’t restrictive at all. I got so many compliments throughout the day about the dress, and people even messaged me on Instagram about where to get it. My one note: It definitely runs big, as the reviews mention, so consider sizing down, which I did and was thankful for.

I haven’t been able to get a pedicure in almost a year because I lost three toenails while running this winter and am waiting for them to all fully grow back. That means I also haven’t worn open-toed shoes in public to spare people from the sight of my feet. However, I had to go to a wedding this month, and the dress looked better with open-toed heels, so I had to figure out how to get my toenails in presentable shape. The best solution for me was Glamnetic’s Press-On Toenails, which work exactly like press-on nails: You just pick out the right size for each toe and glue them on.

These press-ons gave me a pedicure in less than 10 minutes, and no one at the wedding had any idea that they were fake or covering three scary-looking half toenails. I was so much more confident wearing my shoes. I only needed the press-ons to last for 48 hours, but they stayed on very well for about a week, so I’m definitely going to use them again for events and vacations.

The minute I can take off my heels, I do — after running for over a decade and dancing for years before that, my feet just can’t handle wearing them. I bought these foldable flats to put in my clutch when I went to a wedding this month, giving me something to change into after the party was over so I wasn’t suffering on the way home. The flats came in a little pouch and fit perfectly inside my medium-sized bag. Slipping them on after wearing my heels for hours felt heavenly — I was in so much pain that I would have gone home barefoot if I didn’t have them. The foldable flats are officially going in my bag every time I wear heels from now on.

Ashley Morris, associate SEO reporter

As we all know by now, I’m a lip gloss obsessive, so when I got the chance to try this formula from Tower 28 I absolutely jumped at it. Tower 28’s Lip Softies are some of my favorite lippies because of the moisturizing, non-sticky formula they have, and I can confirm that the lip jellies follow suit. The gloss is lightweight but still packs great shine (which is basically the whole point of a lip gloss, in my opinion), and the tinted versions have a color payoff that’s visible with one swipe and buildable with added layers.

I also love that it doesn’t fade away too quickly, so I don’t have to constantly reapply it after using (although you wouldn’t be able to tell from how much of the tube I’ve already finished).

Caitlin Cusack, associate social media editor

I’ve been using the same hair brush brand since I was in middle school, so when Tangle Teezer sent me a sample of their newest hair brush, I was skeptical that it would deter me from my OG brand. To my surprise, this brush has completely changed my mind. The bristles are thin, which means less pulling and tangling on any knots. My hair truly feels softer and silkier after just a few passes of this brush — it looks much less frizzy and so much smoother. Now, I genuinely look forward to brushing my hair in the mornings.

I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of straight leg jeans for a while, and Billie Jeans from AMO Denim have just become my new favorite pair. I’m not usually a mid-rise pants person, but these have definitely converted me. The waist fits perfectly and isn’t too tight around my thighs and hips, which is something I tend to struggle with while shopping for jeans. I also love that the length is a little bit above my ankles — perfect for styling with a fall boot or a comfy pair of flats.

The price point is higher than I’d normally spend on a single pair of jeans, but I’ve worn these three times a week since receiving them in the mail, so I’d say they’re worth the splurge. I’ll definitely be grabbing these in another color before the season ends!

I recently started to get bored of my Pilates and Yoga classes, so I decided to cancel my membership and get into strictly lifting weights. I quickly learned that all of my sneakers were way too cushioned and bouncy for lifting — so I needed to find a pair that were flatter and gripped to the ground well. I think that these sneakers from NoBull are the perfect pair. They provide just enough cushion to keep my feet comfortable (but aren’t bouncy like running shoes), which is ideal for using machines and lifting heavy weights. The material is super comfortable, breathable, and fits well — it almost feels like I’m just wearing socks.

Bethany Heitman, commerce editor

I take my oral health very seriously and I’m a bit of an electric toothbrush aficionado. So, when I was offered the chance to test this chic toothbrush, I took it. The toothbrush is lightweight, sleek, and has a plant-based brush head that can be recycled. But most importantly, it really cleans your teeth. I have sensitive teeth and found the pressure sensor to be super helpful in reminding me not to brush too hard, and the two-minute timer helped me ensure I was doing my due diligence when it came to cleaning.

It also comes with a cap for the brush head, making it easy to travel with. And the battery lasted me nearly a month before I had to recharge. I liked it so much I bought my husband one.

My cat Sammy is a very picky boy. If he is not happy with the state of his litter box he will make it known by pooping in our shower. I am not just talking about if it is clean enough, if he doesn’t like his litter then in the shower he goes. It is also important to me as a cat owner that my apartment doesn’t smell like a cat. The intersection of our needs is World’s Best Cat Litter.

The pellets are made from corn and I was just complimented recently on the smell of my apartment. We tried a different litter and Sammy was not having it. This litter is my cat’s favorite and it keeps my apartment clean and smells fresh. Since the pellets are small I do have to vacuum a little more often but I would definitely say it’s worth it.

Maybe it’s just me but I have not wanted to wear jeans this season! I have been on the hunt for pants that are stylish but comfortable that I can wear to the office but also to hang out with my friends. It might sound like I’m asking a lot, but these pants are the whole package. I took a trip to Asia this past month and this was the perfect piece to throw in my bag. I could style them in so many different ways and they were perfect for the hot days and cool nights.

One thing I can’t resist is a Gap collaboration. I am in no way a golf player or fan but this collaboration with Malbon really caught my eye. I had been looking for track pants to wear on days where we have photoshoots that I could easily move in and would be comfortable in for a long period of time. These are both functional and cute.

I wore them on both 15-hour flights to and from Hong Kong and New York and I was able to sleep in them, and since they’re baggy I didn’t feel constricted like I sometimes do in leggings on flights.

Catch up on NBC Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to stay up to date.

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Selected, where I write about deals, sale events, product roundups, monthly shopping columns like this one and more. I write about home and kitchen appliances, lifestyle accessories, wellness products and more. For this story, the NBC Selected team shared the products they loved this month. Some were products sent to us by brands for testing purposes, others we bought with our own personal funds.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.