$180.00
Brooks Running
$180.00
REI
NBC Select Wellness Awards 2025: The best fitness, sleep and self care products
We tested for months and chose the best in workout shoes, sleep eye masks and more.
Award: Best workout shoes | Activity: Running
“When I run in these sneakers, I feel like they’re doing all the work for me,” says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. “The combination of their nylon plate, thick layer of cushioning and rocker-shaped outsole pushes me forward so I don’t have to exert as much energy, letting me run further and faster without getting super tired.” Brooks’ Hyperion Max 2 sneakers are best for speedwork, according to the brand — Malin finds them most beneficial when she’s running under a 10-minute mile. They’re lightweight and made from breathable mesh, plus they have notched laces, which helps keep them tied. You can buy them in men’s and women’s sizes, including half sizes.
Award: Best workout shoes | Activity: Walking
“While I love a fast shoe, sometimes I need a cushiony sneaker, which is exactly what the Saucony Guide is,” says NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson. “It’s perfect for long or short walks because it gives my feet the right support.” The shoes have a broad base and high side walls that cradle the foot, stabilizing every step. They’re also made with medium-firm foam, and there’s a soft sock liner inside the shoe to prevent blisters or chaffing if your socks slip down.
Malin’s favorite small but impactful feature is the heel pull tab on the back of the Guide 18s. “It’s big enough to hook my finger through, which helps me comfortably pull the sneaker on my feet,” she says. You can buy these sneakers in men’s and women’s sizes, including half sizes and three widths: regular, wide and extra wide.
Award: Best workout shoe | Activity: Training
“I’ve noticed a significant difference in my strength training workouts since using these sneakers,” says Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select manager of editorial operations. “The rigidity of the shoe and the flat bottom makes me feel stable in different positions, and since there’s light cushioning and arch support, my feet never feel uncomfortable.” On’s Cloudpulse training shoe has a wide toe box, which prevents your feet from feeling constricted, and it’s made from a breathable mesh material, so Rodriguez’s feet stay cool during activities like weight lifting, HIIT classes and walking.
Beyond these shoes’ performance, our reviewers find them fashionable. “In general training, I feel like sneakers aren’t always very stylish, but I love the look of the Cloudpulse,” says Rodriguez. If we’ve convinced you to add a pair to your cart, consider buying a half size up, says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio — doing so made the shoe more comfortable for her.
Award: Best leggings
“There’s nothing that makes me happier than putting on a pair of leggings, going for a 10-mile run and not having to pull up the waistband once,” says Malin. “I can’t say that about many leggings I’ve tested, but I can say that about these.” Lululemon’s leggings have a semi-compressive high waistband with an internal drawcord that you can pull to make the fit tighter, and a hidden pocket large enough to store keys or a credit card. There’s also a pocket on the side of each leg, where Malin puts her phone and headphones. The leggings are made from a stretchy, flexible, breathable, quick-drying fabric, so Malin says they’re reliable no matter what workout you’re doing or how sweaty you’ll get. She’s owned one of her pairs for almost two years, and they still look and feel good as new. “I’ve washed and worn the Wunder leggings dozens of times and there’s no pilling, see-through spots or color bleeding, so you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.”
Award: Best sports bra | Activity: High impact
“This is the most supportive sports bra I tested for Wellness Awards,” says Bianca Alvarez, NBC Select associate reporter. “It helped keep everything secure and in place during all types of workouts, like strength training, running and HIIT classes. It also didn’t get soaked in sweat and was quick-drying, making me more comfortable as I finished my exercises.” Neiwai’s high-impact sports bra has molded, padded cups lined with moisture-wicking material, with reflective details on its outer layer of fabric. The bra’s X-shaped racerback straps and hook-and-eye closure are both adjustable. If you’re between sizes, Neiwai recommends sizing up.
Award: Best sports bra | Activity: Medium impact
“I’ve never met a Spanx sports bra I didn’t like, and from the moment I put this one on, I knew it was a keeper,” says Malin. “Its semi-compressive fabric, molded cups, padding and soft underband give it the ideal amount of support for medium-impact workouts with short bursts of running or jumping, like HIIT, vinyasa yoga and weight lifting. I also felt perfectly comfortable and held in while walking in it and using the elliptical machine.” Spanx’s sports bra is made from breathable, sweat-wicking, quick-drying fabric. Its criss-cross straps and hook-and-eye band closure are both adjustable, letting you customize its fit and feel. The bra also has a lower neckline, so you can easily hide it under shirts. The brand says it's best for B, C and D cups.
Award: Best sports bra | Activity: Low impact
If you’re doing a low-impact workout like gentle yoga, barre, Pilates or stretching, everything you wear should be soft, flexible and stretchy — that’s exactly how our testers described Quince’s longline sports bra. “It’s not tight or restrictive; instead, it’s really breathable and comfortable, so I’d buy it in every color,” says Alvarez. “I also love that it’s a little longer than some other sports bras, so I can wear it as a regular top or under a workout shirt.” The racerback, pull-over sports bra doesn’t have much compression, so you can move freely. It’s also moisture-wicking, quick drying and antimicrobial, according to the brand. The price of the sports bra, $30, made it highly desirable among our testers.
Award: Best socks | Type: Workout
The Forme Ankle Guard socks offer a generous amount of support and compression. “There’s specialized zones of support on the sock, making some areas a bit more compressive than others, like the arches, the sides and the ankle,” says Malin. The socks are thin and breathable, so you have adequate airflow while exercising. Godio also tested the Forme socks and says, “They provide that necessary ankle support when I’m running, taking long walks or doing high-intensity workouts like HIIT. Plus, I feel my balance is much better when I wear these.”
Award: Best socks | Type: Compression
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown tested a handful of socks for Wellness Awards and this pair from Ostrichpillow came out on top. “Compression is a must for me: I lounge on my couch once or twice a week while wearing my Hyperice compression boots. And I never work out without wearing compression socks because they make recovery easier and keep my feet and calves from getting super achy,” she says. Brown also noted that the compression level was comfortable even when she wore layers like leggings. These socks also maintained their compression and shape after multiple washes.
Award: Best socks | Type: Grip
“These grippy socks are such a great pair to have on hand for Pilates and barre classes. They’re cushioned but not too thick, and I love that they extend up my ankles, which I find helps prevent them from rolling down while I’m exercising,” says Malin. The socks have grip dots on the bottom and a breakable top layer, allowing you to work out and stay secure while keeping your feet dry. Malin liked the size of the grippy dots, which covered the bottom of the sock completely. That added traction made Malin feel more stable and grounded during her workouts. “I love that they’re breathable, and although they are a medium thickness, they still feel lightweight and don’t hold onto my sweat. After washing it a couple of times, the grip remains intact,” says Alvarez.
Award: Best yoga mat
The Alo Warrior Mat consistently raises the bar for durability and comfort. It’s soft and cushioned, moisture-wicking, and slip-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about sliding around during your workouts (especially in heated classes). The bottom of the yoga mat also grips the floor well, so it doesn’t move around while you’re using it, according to our reviewers.
“This is the best yoga mat I’ve ever used. I’ve tested over a dozen between all three years of Wellness Awards, which is constantly the one I compare all others to because it sets such a high standard,” says Malin. “Though heavy, it’s worth it for the non-slip factor.” Malin cleans the mat with an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber towel, and every month, she deep cleans it with a gentle dish soap in my shower to get all the grime off. “I’ve now used this mat for over two years and there really aren’t any stains, despite me using it at least twice a week for hot yoga,” she says.
Award: Best ankle weights
Bala Bangles are a favorite among our editors because they’re a great addition to everyday workouts and activities. “I’ve been a Bala Bands user since 2020, and they have never let me down. I use my set every single day,” says Malin, who wraps them around her wrists or ankles when walking, using the elliptical machine or during yoga, barre, Pilates, sculpt and HIIT classes. “They up the intensity of any workout I’m doing, and I actually enjoy wearing them since they’re less bulky and more comfortable than other ankle/wrist weights I’ve tried.”
The weights have a long, stretchy Velcro strap that lets you customize how tight you want them. Their soft silicone exterior doesn’t irritate the skin and is easy to wipe off post-workout. Malin says the Balas also come in a small storage bag, so you can easily throw them in your gym bag or suitcase.
Award: Best resistance bands
These resistance bands are great for those who want to build strength in their upper body, abs, glutes and legs. They come in a set of three and include light, medium and heavy resistance. “There’s a noticeable difference in tension between the light, medium and heavy bands, but each one feels accessible — they don’t feel tense to the point that you can’t stretch them,” says Malin, who uses them during barre, sculpt and Pilates classes to make them more challenging. “Because these resistance bands are made from a thicker, more durable fabric and are wide, they stay in place better than some of the plastic resistance bands I’ve tested,” she says.
Alvarez uses these resistance bands during at-home workouts because they provide even tension and they’re durable. “No matter how much I stretch them out, they stay good as new,” she says. Plus, the bands come with a small pouch to store them in, so you can take them with you while you travel, says Alvarez.
Award: Best water bottle
The Owala FreeSip Sway has become a fan favorite among NBC Select editors thanks to its simple design and ease of use. “I’ve tried a ton of water bottles and the Owala is consistently my favorite,” says Godio. The Owala’s 2-in-1, sip or swig design is part of its appeal. “I particularly love the built-in straw — it makes it so much easier to drink while I’m on the go, and it prevents it from spilling everywhere,” says Godio. The FreeSip Sway also has a large bucket handle, making it easy to carry around. “I enjoyed using the Owala FreeSip water bottle, mainly because it was the perfect shape and size for taking with me to the gym since I could fit it in the pocket of my backpack,” says Cory Fernandez, NBC Select commerce editor. He also loved that the Owala bottle kept his water cold even after being in a hot workout room for a long time.
Award: Best fitness app
“I was okay with quitting my gym membership because I was getting everything I needed with Alo Moves,” says Alvarez, who’s been using the fitness app for over a year. “I tell everyone that if they’re going to spend money on at-home workouts, it has to be this.” Alo Moves has a digital library with thousands of on-demand workout classes across types, lengths and levels of intensity. Alvarez appreciates the variety because there’s always something new to try, so she never gets bored. She also likes doing the curated class series and month-long challenges. “They were an excellent way for me to push myself, stay motivated, and feel accountable,” Alvarez says.
Godio also swears by Alo Moves, especially since the instructors are motivating and welcoming, encouraging her to try classes she wouldn’t normally do. The app is easy to navigate, and beyond fitness classes, Alo Moves offers videos about nutrition, recovery and mindfulness, like breathwork and meditation. “I love doing those videos in the mornings to get me calm and motivated to tackle the day,” says Godio.
Award: Best foam roller | Type: Standard
The Oceanfoam Tidal Roller was a favorite among NBC Select staff thanks to its large size and firm density. “Other rollers are a little smaller which is easy for transportation, but not the best for when I want to use it on my back. Because of the larger size and firm texture, I was able to comfortably use this roller on so many parts of my body, especially my lower back,” says Natalia Chancafe, NBC Select social media associate editor. The waved ribbed texture of the roller also helps with muscle stimulation, helping your body feel even more relief after strenuous workouts. It also comes in a variety of basic and marbled color options.
Award: Best foam roller | Type: Electric
“This is a revolutionary foam roller and massage gun hybrid that I have used daily, if not more, since I started testing it in December,” says Malin. It has two handles and a unique bubble-like design around the roller. Malin says she loves that the Chirp comes with a stand, which allows her to move different areas of her body up and down the roller, like her feet or the front and back of her legs and arms. That hands-free aspect was part of the Chirp foam rollers’ appeal. It also has five customizable intensity levels that you can use to target different parts of your body, like your IT bands or upper back. “The device really doesn’t take up much space at home. I store it under my couch. The battery also lasts for a while. I’ve only had to charge it twice since I got it,” says Malin.
Award: Best massage gun
“The Theragun Prime Plus is an excellent massage gun,” says Harry Rabinowitz, NBC Select reporter. Thanks to its triangle hand grip design, you can easily massage hard-to-reach areas. “I especially love their ergonomic handles because I have a weak right side (my dominant side), so it’s easier to handle than other brands,” Says Brown, who also tested the Prime Plus massage gun. The heated ball head attachment was also a favorite among our testers. “Let me tell you, there is something extra cozy and relaxing about a heated massage — I didn’t think it would be that big a deal, but it helped loosen target areas more than usual,” says Rabinowitz. The Prime Plus has four massage attachments, a USB-C charging cable and a travel pouch.
Award: Best earbuds | Operation System: Apple
Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 continues to impress years after launch — they remain our go-to earbuds for iPhone owners.
They have impressive noise-cancelling, an industry-leading transparency mode, clear and crisp sound quality and robust on-ear controls. We love using them for working out, relaxing, commuting, flying and anything in between. “I love that they fit comfortably in my ears but most importantly that they block out all the outside noise from the city,” says Alvarez.
Award: Best earbuds | Operation System: Android
These are some of the best do-anything earbuds for anyone with an Android phone. The new design adds mini wing-tip stabilizers that fit snugly in your ear and make these much better for exercise than the originals, says Rabinowitz. The battery is another standout: these earbuds get up to eight hours of listening time with noise-canceling on — competitors like Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 only get six hours.
Plus, they are small, light and come in bright colors like green and pink.
Award: Best fitness tracker | Type: Overall
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is our favorite running and fitness watch for beginners and experts alike. It’s comfortable, lightweight and packed with features to help you guide your run and understand your workouts.
Swanson wore this watch during the New York City and Chicago marathons in 2024 — it helped her maintain her target pace, heart rate zone and more. NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman wore it too, but to help him start running, and found it just as helpful. You can learn more in our Garmin Forerunner 165 review.
Award: Best fitness tracker | Operation System: Apple
If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch you can get, full stop. It’s comfortable, easy to use, and great for fitness and wellness tracking.
This latest version is a little bit thinner, charges a little bit faster, and has a slightly bigger screen than the Series 9. But it’s the software that won us over: fitness and health data is more visual than before with features like training load and Vitals. Both helped us make sense of our fitness and sleep trends.
You can learn more about it in our Apple Watch Series 10 review.
Award: Best fitness tracker | Operation System: Android
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is a fantastic smartwatch for anyone with an Android phone, especially for fitness tracking. It automatically detects runs, bike rides, treadmill time, spin class and more exercises after five minutes of activity. For runners, you can set up custom runs yourself, with warm-ups, cool-downs, intervals and heart rate targets. “I use custom runs on Apple Watch and Garmin all the time — it’s great to have this on Google Pixel Watch too,” says Rabinowitz.
The Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes with four different watch bands.
Award: Best fitness tracker | Type: Ring
The Oura Ring 4 is the best health tracker for people who don’t want a bulky smartwatch blasting them with notifications. It’s a sleek ring that fits comfortably and subtly on your finger but still provides useful health, sleep and wellness data through the Oura app. The app is intuitive, easy to understand and has more complex data the further you dig into it. Godio struggles with sleep and anxiety and loves that the Oura Ring easily and accurately tracks both daily. You can learn more in our Oura Ring 4 review.
Award: Best sleep earbuds | Type: Overall
If you have trouble falling asleep due to distracting sounds or are easily overstimulated in social settings, consider the Loop Dream Earplugs strongly. Godio tested the earplugs and says they help her fall asleep, even though she lives in a noisy area. “I love the soft and smooth silicone material — I can wear them for hours and it doesn’t bother or hurt my ears,” she says. “They also don’t fall out of my ears as I sleep, which is a huge plus (especially since I tend to move around at night).” The Dream earplugs have up to 27 decibels of noise reduction and a loop that sits flush against your ear, so they’re even a fit for people who sleep on their side.
Award: Best sleep earbuds | Type: Splurge
Ozlo Sleepbuds are made from soft silicone and come with four different size tips so you can customize them for the most comfortable fit, according to the brand. They can hold a charge for up to ten hours (long enough to last all night) and have a Smart Case that gives you an extra charge while on the go.
Award: Best sound machine | Type: Overall
The Hatch Restore is a multifaceted device that can help you sleep better through soothing light and calming sounds. Powered by an app, the Hatch Restore 3 is the newest version of the sound machine-alarm clock hybrid. NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider tested the Hatch Restore 3 and particularly loves using the light function, which you can customize via the app and choose from various options.
Award: Best sound machine | Type: Travel
The Drift Away white noise machine from Australian brand ergoPouch is around the size of a small round bar of soap but has a loop attached, making it easy to connect to your backpack, purse or duffel. It’s ideal for babies, particularly newborns, because it plays calming sounds to help you and your baby fall asleep and develop sleep cues, according to the brand. It has a 48-hour battery life and an adjustable LED light on one side with the speaker on the other. NBC Select video producer Josh Rios tried out the sound machine and loved how easy it was to find the right sound to fall asleep. “Drift Away White Noise Machine is one of the best compact sound devices I’ve used in the last couple years,” he says. “The amount of sounds in this small package has a sound for every sleeper. Ocean waves, heartbeats and more contribute to finding your sleep preference on the go or at home.”
Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Travel
Fernandez tried out the Ostrichpillow Eye Mask and says it truly changed his outlook on sleep masks entirely. “I typically don’t go to sleep with an eye cover, mostly because I find it too overstimulating and all I can think about is taking it off rather than simply sleeping. With the Ostrichpillow, this wasn’t a problem at all,” he says. “What I loved about it is that their shape isn’t like your traditional eye mask — it has eye cups that fit securely around your eye without pressing down on them when they’re closed.” Plus, the velcro strap on the back is adjustable, so you can prevent it from being too tight. It’s also extremely lightweight and easy to collapse, making it ideal for putting in your bag during a trip.
Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Contoured
The TheraIce Sleep Mask is ideal for those who love something to cover their eyes to help them fall asleep, but it also helps you wake up with less swelling and dark circles around your eyes. In addition to keeping light out and letting your eyes rest, the mask has a cooling gel within each eye cup to calm your face. You can also heat the mask to compress the face for relaxation. NBC Select production associate Jem Alabi tested the sleep mask and it helped her stay cool and relaxed. “The heat in my apartment is really strong, so I put the TheraIce in the freezer for about 15 minutes and loved the cooling sensations,” she says. “The section for the eyes is a bit weighted, so there’s a nice pressure that helps me to fall asleep that I like.” With that said, avoid storing the mask in the freezer with any fragrant foods to prevent the smells from attaching.
Award: Best sleep mask | Type: Weighted
The Bearaby Tree Dreamer sleep mask has added heft, similar to a weighted blanket, to help you fall asleep and keep the light out. NBC Select community engagement manager Rosalie Sparaco tested the sleep mask and says it helped improve her sleep, especially as a hot stomach sleeper. “The Bearaby’s 360° pillow-like style was the most comfortable for me to sleep on. The strap didn’t squeeze my head but felt secure, and I especially liked that this was cooling, so it was never sweaty when I woke up,” she says. “Out of all the masks I’ve tested, this is the one I reach for again and again.”
Award: Best toothpaste | Type: Overall
Crest’s 3D White Deep Stain Remover Toothpaste uses the brand’s patented technologies to gently prevent stains and whiten your teeth by weakening the bonds that hold the stains onto the teeth, according to the brand. “At a dentist appointment, the hygienist asked me if I had had a recent whitening treatment. The only thing I did differently? I used this toothpaste,” says Swanson. “My teeth were absolutely whiter after only a few days. It was truly incredible.”
Aside from the noticeable results, our testers love that the sensitive teeth-friendly toothpaste strengthens enamel and has a pleasant taste with just the right amount of spearmint freshness.
Award: Best toothpaste | Type: Sensitive
“Sensodyne is a must-have if you have sensitive teeth,” says Schneider. “We tested a lot of whitening strips for Wellness Awards, so my teeth were getting super reactive, and I was slightly in pain. The minute I reincorporated this into my routine, my teeth were back on track.”
According to the brand, this toothpaste combats cavities and removes stains, provides sensitivity relief and prevents the pain from returning. Sparaco also noticed her teeth tolerated and reacted well when using it because it alleviated her sensitivity to cold drinks.
Award: Best toothbrush | Type: Electric
This electric toothbrush has been a favorite and go-to of our editors for years now. “Every time I use it, my breath, tongue and teeth genuinely feel fresh and clean,” says Schneider. The toothbrush uses the brand’s technology to sense your pressure, motion, and coverage to adapt to your technique as you go. This allows it to ensure its effectiveness at cleaning, protecting your gums and whitening your teeth by reducing stains, according to Phillips Sonicare. It comes with a travel case, charger, and stand. It also has a companion app to see brushing guidance, recommendations and reports.
Award: Best toothbrush | Type: Manual
This manual toothbrush uses over 5,000 bristles to help remove build-up from the surface of your teeth and gums as well as hard-to-reach spaces, according to the brand. “This is the goldilocks of toothbrushes and works just as well as an electric one,” says Alvarez. “Some alternative options have bristles that are too soft that they aren’t able to remove the plaque from my teeth effectively, but this was able to get everything without needing aggressive brushing.”
The toothbrush has a built-in silicone tongue and cheek cleaner on the back of its head and has a textured handle to help you maintain your grip. “That feature makes it more comfortable to use, hold and maneuver around my mouth,” she says.
Award: Best mouthwash
This alcohol-free mouthwash, which has the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, uses ingredients like fluoride to strengthen teeth, prevent cavities and remove the germs that cause bad breath, according to the brand. “This is exactly what I want in a mouthwash: it’s strong and leaves me with that overwhelming minty breath that leaves me fresh and clean anytime I use it,” says Schneider.
Award: Best floss | Type: Standard
Cocofloss is one of our favorite floss brands because it removes more plaque and build-up than other alternatives, according to Sparaco. The thread is made of vegan wax, recycled polyester, and coconut oil to help access hard-to-reach crevices without irritating your gums, according to the brand. “Sometimes it can get a little stuck between my teeth and then becomes thready, but this is the only drawback I’ve found and is worth it for getting the gunk out,” she says. The potential fraying is a result of the interwoven material expanding. It does this to remove as much grime between the teeth.
“My favorite part about this floss is the flavor because it leaves my mouth feeling so refreshed after,” says Chancafe. It’s available in 15 flavors, including Delicious Mint, Pure Strawberry, Confetti Cake and Unscented.
Award: Best floss | Type: Electric
“Compared to other water flossers that I’ve tested, this one is gentle and is easy to maneuver in my mouth to get all the hard-to-reach spaces and spots,” says Swanson. It uses pressurized water and its rotating nozzle to remove plaque, bacteria and food from your mouth, according to the brand. The water-resistant, portable water flosser focuses on five key points: interdental (cleans where food collects), periodontal (removes plaque from pockets), gums (gently stimulates gums), the surface of your teeth (to remove stuck-on plaque) and orthodontic care (for those with braces and bridges), according to Panasonic. It has five water pressure settings to tailor to your needs and sensitivity.
Award: Best whitening strips
This at-home teeth whitening kit uses hydrogen peroxide, an enamel-safe ingredient, to remove old stains and whiten your teeth up to 20 levels whiter, according to the brand. “These are classic and popular for a reason: they’re easy to use and get the job done,” says Schneider. All you have to do is peel the non-slip grip whitening strips, apply them directly to your teeth and leave them on for 45 minutes.
“I’ve never had an issue with them moving or coming off,” says Malin. “They’re very low profile, so I can easily talk when I have them on. After consistently wearing them, my teeth definitely look whiter.”
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