February Faves: Newsweek's Products of the Month

This month I reviewed and tested a bunch of new products, ranging from running shoes to a glass Bluetooth speaker. There are a couple of standout products that are our February faves. These products stood out above the rest and are worth considering purchasing. In addition to this month's faves, like the Sony LinkBuds wireless earbuds, there are a few mini reviews for products that either haven't been used long enough for a full write-up or could be summed up in fewer words than usual. The Hoka Kawana running shoes, for example, are probably my favorite daily running shoes so far, but I would like to put some more miles on them before fully evaluating them. Additionally, there are a few other products mentioned below that we went hands-on with but that are complicated in some way. They might not be right for everyone, even if they are interesting. As always, the prices listed may fluctuate over time.

Faves: Newsweek's Favorite Products in February

Sony LinkBuds

The Sony LinkBuds were a bit of a surprise when they were announced. The wireless earbuds have a unique design with a ring speaker driver that facilitates more real-world transparency without sacrificing audio quality. I've spent a few weeks with the earbuds and love how they work and sound. They even introduce a Wide Area Tap feature for controlling playback without needing to touch the small earbuds themselves. Buy at Best Buy for $179.99.

Marlow Pillow

A pillow that can adjust between firm and soft? That's the promise of the Marlow Pillow that comes from the company Brooklinen. After giving it a few weeks of sleep testing, I think it mostly works as advertised. Even if its ability to adjust is a little limited, it's still a really comfortable pillow that I never found to get too warm. Buy at Marlow from $65.

Bowflex Max Total 16

The Bowflex Max Total 16 is a small, compact elliptical machine that can fit in nearly any room in a home. I have been enjoying the cardio workouts it provides while also being able to catch up on shows and movies using its built-in streaming apps. This fitness machine isn't cheap, but I liked its wide range of resistance levels and its ability to do a full body workout. Buy at Bowflex for $2,499.

Mini Reviews

Hoka Kawana

I've only been able to put about 25 running miles on these shoes so far, but in that time I absolutely love the Hoka Kawana. Everything about these shoes, from their engineered recycled mesh and 5 millimeter heel-to-toe drop to their brand-new "lively" compression molded EVA midsole foam, makes them extremely comfortable for daily use. There's also Hoka's SwallowTail heel with custom geometry, but the new midsole foam is definitely my favorite part of these shoes. It makes them mostly firm but with a hint of plushness for long-term comfort. While I like Hoka shoes in general, most have been too soft to push a faster running pace when I need to. The Kawana are great for most running speeds and have felt great whether running a 5K or 10K. Buy at Hoka for $140.

TCL 30 V 5G Phone

Half of the main draw of the TCL 30 V 5G phone debuting on Verizon Wireless is right there in its name: 5G. The phone supports all three bands of 5G, including the newest C-Band of the 5G spectrum. The other part of the equation is that the phone allows access to the new network capability at the budget price of $300. The phone isn't anything to brag about, with its 6.67-inch 1080p screen and lower-end Snapdragon 480 5G chipset Octa-core processor, but it should do the job. I've spent a little time with the phone, and my initial impressions equate to being mostly indifferent about it. It's loaded up with a healthy amount of custom Verizon apps that are unnecessary and make the software experience worse. Its speed of performing tasks leaves something to be desired. I like that it has both a fingerprint sensor and face unlock, but I do miss the increasingly common Qi charging a lot of phones now come with. The three-camera system is decent, and it's nice that there is a macro lens, even if it is only 2 megapixels. There are other 5G C-Band capable phones coming to Verizon, so the phone's distinction won't last too long. That's probably not the best reason to buy the phone anyway. I think the phone does perform up to its price, but not much more. Buy at Verizon for $299.99.

It's Complicated

Anycubic Vyper

If you have a specific use for one, a 3D printer can be an amazing tool and piece of technology. I have been trying the Anycubic Vyper 3D printer, and it has been great for creating objects at a fast pace. The problem that users of this Vyper printer, and nearly all other 3D printers, still endure is a high bar to getting started. This machine doesn't have Wi-Fi, so at minimum, you'll need to connect it directly to a computer. More likely, you might need to use several dongles and transfer designs via an SD card. What it does have is an auto-leveling system, a large touchscreen and an overall quiet printing process. If you have some experience with 3D modeling or are dedicated to learning, then this Vyper from Anycubic is a great place to start. Buy at Anycubic from $349.

Sony LSPX-S3

The Sony LSPX-S3 could also be called a glass speaker because of its main trait, the glass tube projecting out of its top. This speaker is a lot of fun and could be practical in a few situations where you also need a flickering, candle-like, light to accompany your music. For most people, however, the nearly $350 price puts it far out of reach and doesn't make it a good value compared with other Bluetooth speakers. Nevertheless, I'm glad Sony is experimenting with its consumer audio devices. Buy at Amazon for $348.

Don't Miss

Talking Tech with Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional has a new album out at the end of February, so I caught up with lead singer Chris Carrabba to see what kinds of music gear he's using at home and on the road. Carrabba also dishes on what his favorite purchase was last year.

Displaying NFTs and Digital Art on Samsung Frame

The crypto space with NFTs is really driving a conversion around digital art right now. One of the questions people often have is how to display that art. Samsung's Frame TV is one of the best ways to do that currently and may be a fit for what you're looking for—from NFTs to notable paintings to family photos.

Coming Soon: What We're Looking Forward To

Are you considering buying an e-bike? Zoomo makes some electric bikes that you can buy outright or rent for a week or month at a time. I'll be testing their latest bike, the Sport, in the coming weeks to see how it compares to some of the others I've ridden. Newsweek may earn a commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. We participate in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.