Superfood rice and cable ties: 10 things readers loved in May | Life and style

LEVOIT

Tower Fan for Bedroom

$54.96

I love my New York City apartment’s old Manhattan charm – until the weather heats up and I’m suddenly sweating in my room that has no central air conditioning.

Perhaps some of you are in the same boat, as this oscillating tower fan that we recommended in our Memorial Day sale roundup was one of your most shopped products of May. It features a 12-hour timer and a sleep mode.

Shop our favorite Memorial Day deals: The best Memorial Day 2026 sales: 19 deals from brands we know and trust

Scottevest

Best Travel Vest

from $199

If somebody told me you could fit a laptop inside a vest, I would think they were lying.

But Filter contributor Adam Doud’s review of this travel vest, equipped with 26 pockets, proved me wrong.

Doud credits this vest for making TSA screening a breeze: “I don’t bother unloading anything. I just remove the whole vest and send it through the scanner,” he wrote.

Read the review: This 26-pocket vest is my key to travel nirvana

VELCRO Brand

ONE-WRAP Cable Ties

$15.15

“I have been using these Velcro ties for more than five years as a cheap, easy way to secure and organize all my wires in my office and living room,” wrote Les Shu, a Filter contributor.

Perhaps some of you are tired of your many chargers tangling together, as these unobtrusive ties were another organizational item that became one of your most shopped in May.

Shop our favorite organizational picks: ‘Stores an ungodly amount of stuff’: 11 products our writers rely on to organize and declutter

Staub

Stackable Cast-iron Set

from $599.95

Switching to an induction cooktop has many benefits: they often use less energy and are safer than their gas and electric counterparts.

One of the caveats? Finding cookware that’s compatible with your cooktop. In our guide to induction cookware sets, we deemed this one from Staub the best premium option, calling out its handy stackable design, stunning color selection and durable cast-iron material.

Read our guide: The seven best induction cookware sets in the US for 2026

AeroPress

Clear Pink Coffee Press

from $39.99

In May, you didn’t let your travel plans stop you from enjoying a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. Aside from instant coffee, you also loved the AeroPress, a simple gadget that only requires hot water and coffee grounds.

Of the seven models tested by Joe Ray, a Filter contributor, your favorite was this stylish option he loves for “getting the most out of your brewing and nerding out to your heart’s content”. If you opt for the uncolored version, its transparent finish allows you to peer inside its chambers, resulting in a more customizable brew.

Read the story: Is an AeroPress coffee maker worth it? I tested every model – here’s the good and surprisingly bad