Tag: Coolest

A major trend at the show was the growing electrification of vehicles, alongside improvements to advanced driver-assist technologies. Front and center was talk about batteries in electric variants allowing for longer range. That’s most definitely the case with the all-new Chevy Silverado EV, powered by Ultium battery packs; the truck is marketed to get up to 400 miles range when it hits the roads in 2023. Like the Hummer EV models, it is said the electric pickup truck will also be built in Chevy’s Michigan plant. 

Expected release: Spring 2023, starting at $42,000

You may be wondering what haircare has to do with a tech show. L’Oreal’s Research and Innovation Tech Incubator unveiled an innovative hair coloring device called Colorsonic. The handheld tool is designed to allow for personalized, precise mixes that can be easily dispensed and applied at home. Our Beauty Lab pros can’t wait to get their hands — and heads — on it! 

Expected release: Early 2023

Withings, a company known for its connected health tech products, has announced plans for Body Scan. The system is designed to monitor body composition and heart rate using a smart scale connected to a retractable handle, which together consist of sensors and electrodes for analysis. Planned updates to the associated app will collect feedback on nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress management and will allow access to medical professional within the app.

Expected release: Second half of 2022, pending CD/FDA clearance

PerfectFill is a smart bathing system, designed to fill a tub via voice control or app, but this tech takes it a step further than other fillers by integrating a smart drain. The technology allows for a bath to be drawn at the ideal temperature and fill level. While our pros have seen smart bath fillers, our Home Improvement Director, Dan DiClerico, who got to see the product firsthand, noted he liked the integration of the drain, which makes it truly automated. When available, it will be sold as a drain kit (drain assembly and controller) that can be paired with a Kohler digital valve, spout and bath. 

Expected release: Available to order in 2022, estimated price starting at $2,700

Design is at the center of Samsung’s newest line of appliances, which includes this Bespoke French Door refrigerator with Family Hub. It comes in a 3- or 4-door style, 12 different colors and 2 different finishes. The best part is that you can choose your own unique color combinations. With the Family Hub, you’ll be able to stream Samsung TV Plus, a new feature for 2022; use it with Alexa-enabled devices; and enjoy an upgraded version of the internal camera technology.

Expected release: Later this year

Good Housekeeping Seal-holder Sleep Number has continually impressed us with innovative solutions for offering consumers a restful night’s sleep. The brand’s latest smart bed integrates sensors and technologies to respond to the evolving needs of the sleeper(s). As everyone’s individualized comfort varies, the bed can adjust accordingly. The bed can vary the heating or cooling on each side of the bed, sense snoring and adjust the head of the bed as needed, tilt to better maintain proper spinal alignment while elevating the head or completely lower and elevate to help sleepers get in and out of bed more readily. In the future, the integrated sensors may also be capable of helping detect and monitor other health conditions.

Expected release: Early 2023. All 360 smart beds start at $1,099

Our Engineering team’s in-depth review of GAF’s Good Housekeeping Seal-holding roofing has confirmed how ultra-strong and long-lasting it is. That’s why we were so excited to learn about the new Timberline Solar from its sister company, GAF Energy. The solar shingles are designed to be installed like a regular roof shingle with a nail gun! The company offers all-in-one solar solutions for roofers, so you don’t have to sacrifice quality or convenience. Manufactured in San Jose, California, the product achieved UL 7103 certification in the fall of 2021, meaning it can be classified as a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roof covering that can be installed on residential roofs as a roofing + solar energy product.

Expected release: This year

Smart door locks offer homeowners greater flexibility, providing convenience without sacrificing security by allowing you to lock, unlock and monitor lock activity in real time. Now, for the first time in the US, this smart lock solution will support Apple’s home keys for iPhone or Apple Watch, meaning homeowners don’t even need to unlock their device to unlock their door! The new lock will work with Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant as well, plus the Schlage Home app. Our home editors are also appreciative that the hardware will be available in an assortment of styles and finishes! 

Expected release: Spring 2022 and will retail for $300

John Deere, a brand well-known for its capable tractors, announced it has a fully autonomous tractor ready for large-scale production. It will combine the 8R tractor with a host of new advanced technologies. The introduction is meant to help more efficiently feed the globe, given that feed demand has increased and yet there is less available land. While this device will be geared to farmers, we can’t wait for the tech to trickle down to machines for our backyards!

Expected release: Later this year

We’re no strangers to reviewing the latest and greatest washers and dryers at Good Housekeeping. LG continues to innovate in this space, as it has with its new FX laundry duo. It leverages intelligence to detect load size, fabric types and soil levels and will auto-adjust the optimal wash cycle and how much detergent is dispensed. The dryer then “speaks” to the washer to pick the correct cycle for the load coming its way and to preheat for quicker dry times. There are also more downloadable cycles, like pet care, and the washer self cleans on its own. While we have yet to test this model, LG washer and dryers always fare well in our tests, and we can’t wait to take these for a spin. Based upon what she’s seen, our Cleaning Appliances Director, Carolyn Forte, notes they will likely “make doing laundry easier than ever!”

Expected release: September 2022. The FX Washer and Electric Dryer will be priced at $1,599 a piece, and the FX Gas Dryer will be $1,699.

Built-in combi-steam ovens have been trending in the large appliance space, but more and more companies are starting to introduce countertop versions. This 7-in-1 version from Panasonic can steam, convection bake, air fry, ferment, sterilize and more. Our Kitchen Appliances Director, Nicole Papantoniou, notes that Panasonic toaster ovens have performed well in our previous tests, so we’re keen to get our hands on this one to assess.

Expected release: It will be available for $500 in April 2022

There have been some neat innovations in the microwave category, but none that have blown us away since air frying started being incorporated into some models a couple of years ago. The newest over-the-range microwave from LG can steam cook for juicer results, a trend Papantoniou is starting to see more and more. It also features a large ventilation surface for more efficient venting. The microwave links to the ThinQ app, which includes shoppable recipes.

Expected release: This year

Building upon the existing Moen Smart Faucet product, the brand has now layered motion controls on a new handle-free design. In our labs, we’ve tested voice controls via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and we enjoy the ability to dispense precise measures of water with just our voice. Now, you can also ask for specific temperatures, say two cups at 100 degrees. What we were even more excited about was the announced integration with the smart faucet and other smart water products — including a sump pump monitor, water monitor and shutoff, leak detector and smart shower controller — through Moen’s Smart Water Network. The smart devices will soon be able to communicate with one another to help prevent potential damage caused by leaks or burst pipes.  

Expected release: The new faucets will be available for purchase in April 2022; they start at $675 and vary based on style and finish.

We’ve done our fair share of stick vac testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute. This particular model stores, with its six attachments, in a self-emptying tower for a sleek, neat, clean vacuum system. The design includes a telescopic wand so you can adjust to reach further when cleaning and condense when storing. And you can detach the hand vacuum for easier spot cleaning. It is also WiFi connected, so you can run diagnostics on the ThinQ app as needed. Forte is impressed because this system will solve the common issues of messy emptying, difficult storage and lost attachments.