This story is part of NBC Select’s New & Notable column, where we highlight our favorite product launches. We will continuously update this article throughout the month with new releases we think you should know about.
Tech launches
Shokz OpenFit 2
Shokz makes some of our favorite workout headphones and open earbuds. The new OpenFit 2 earbuds wrap around and rest on your ears instead of stuffing them with a rubber ear tip. The latest model adds more battery life (11 hours in the earbuds alone, up from seven), physical button controls and extra speakers for improved sound quality, according to the brand. After about a week of use, NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz enjoyed using this version much more than the original, especially using the physical button controls to play, pause and skip songs.
Wahoo Elemnt Ace GPS Bike Computer
Rabinowitz has used the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 bike computer for all his long-distance bike rides for years. When Wahoo launched this new, premium bike computer, he wanted to see how it compared to his little Bolt, so the brand sent him a unit to try.
The Wahoo Elemnt Ace is huge, says Rabinowitz — the backlit color touchscreen is over double the size of his Wahoo Bolt. That makes it heavier and easier to read, even when it’s cloudy, dark, snowing, you name it. Among the new features are 64GB of internal storage for offline map data, a wind sensor that reads and shares wind speeds as you ride, voice navigation prompts, a built-in speaker that acts as a bike bell and too many software tidbits to list.
“The larger size, colorful display and voice navigation have been a joy to use, though the price is steep compared to the brand’s other models,” says Rabinowitz. “Whether that price is worth it will depend on some of the Ace’s more advanced features, which I’ll continue to test.”
Garmin Instinct 3
Garmin makes some of our favorite fitness trackers and smartwatches. The latest Instinct 3 is built with outdoor adventure in mind. It comes in three versions: an AMOLED version with a colorful, vibrant screen, a solar version with solar charging and an E version at a lower price point. All versions have a rugged design, advanced GPS navigation, multiple sizing options, over two weeks of battery life (the solar version has potentially endless battery life), and all of them can track your sleep, health, exercise and more.
Anker 25K Power Bank (A1695)
Rabinowitz carries an Anker power bank anytime he travels — this powerful model looks ready for any globe-trotting adventure. It has two USB-C cables built-in to the battery, meaning less cable-clutter in your bag. And it can deliver up to 100 watts of power, enough to power even a large laptop. The battery is about the size of a soda can and has enough power to charge an iPhone 16 four and a half times, according to the brand.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 Wireless Earbuds
Audio-Technica’s latest earbuds have many standout features, including their extremely long battery life. When paired with the charging case, expect up to 40 hours of battery life with noise canceling on and up to 60 off — that’s more than double many of the best wireless earbuds. The buds snap together magnetically, automatically turning them off — this is an excellent feature if you don’t always travel with the carrying case.
Beauty and wellness launches
Cocofloss Great Gums Brush
Cocofloss expanded its line of oral hygiene products with interdental brushes. The tools, essentially little toothbrushes for your gum line, are usually made from plastic, but these have paper handles — when you’re done using one after about a week, you can remove the wire brush and recycle the paper handle. Cocofloss’ Great Gums Brushes have soft bristles that fit between the gaps in your teeth to remove plaque, stuck food and grime. They’re especially helpful for those with braces, crowns or other dental work, but anyone can use them.
Farmacy Green Clean Gentle Creamy Cleanser
Farmacy makes some of our favorite cleansers, including its cleansing balms (one even won an NBC Select Wellness Award). Recently, the brand re-released one of the cleansers, the Whipped Foaming Cleanser to control oil and refine pores and launched a new addition to their lineup: anyone, regardless of skin type, can use the hydrating Gentle Creamy Cleanser daily.
The Gentle Creamy Cleanser helps remove makeup and buildup without drying the skin or irritating it thanks to moisturizing, soothing and supportive ingredients, including moringa oil, an apple and oat blend, aloe and vitamin F. “I cannot stop using this cleanser because it’s truly fragrance-free, is so gentle and creamy, and my skin is left softer, smoother and calmer than when I first started introducing it into my skin care routine,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez (the brand sent her a courtesy sample). “It also gives me peace of mind knowing it has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, so it won’t trigger any eczema flare-ups.”
Naturium Urea 5% Body Serum
After years of creating skin care and body care items (many of which fill our bathrooms), Naturium released its first-ever body serum. This milky, lightweight and fast-absorbing serum uses vegan amino acids, glycerin and urea to support the skin barrier while also soothing, plumping and firming the skin, according to the brand. Suitable for all skin types, especially rough, dry skin, this body serum can be used alone or layered with other body care products.
Briogeo Style + Treat Dry Shampoo Puff
One of Alvarez’ favorite launches, which came out at the end of 2024, is this new Briogeo dry shampoo. Dry shampoos typically come in aerosol (spray) or powder forms, and you usually have to blend them in with your fingers or a hair brush/tool. However, this dry shampoo has a powder puff for convenient, mess-free, on-the-go touch-ups.
“It’s truly a game changer, and I don’t know why more brands haven’t done this sooner,” says Alvarez. “All I have to do is twist the top to unlock it, pat the puff a few times until powder starts coming out and apply it directly to my hair. The best part is that I can lock it in place when I’m done and toss the compact into my bag — it’s the perfect solution for traveling or running errands post-workout.”
The dry shampoo uses finely milled starches, copper peptides and the brand’s energy complex to absorb excess oils, refresh and support the hair and stimulate the scalp. It’s available in two shades — translucent for all hair colors or tinted for darker hair.
Peace Out Skincare Oil Control Roller
This travel-friendly roller visibly reduces the appearance of impurities and oil thanks to its key ingredient: Dragonite halloysite clay. It helps mattify the skin and refine the look of pores, according to the brand. You can keep this with you wherever you go and use it under or over makeup. Regardless of when and where you place it, its compact, antimicrobial packaging reduces bacteria transfer, according to Peace Out Skincare.
Amika Superfruit Star Lightweight Styling Oil
This lightweight hair oil, suitable for fine to thick hair types 1-3C, strengthens, smooths and reduces hair breakage, according to the brand. Unlike some hair oils, which require dry or damp hair only, this one can be applied on both for a less frizzy and more glossy appearance. It even doubles as a heat protectant. “I’ve been using this for a few weeks and I’m so impressed with its versatility,” says Alvarez (the brand sent her a courtesy sample). “Post shower, I apply two pumps to my thick, wavy hair and love that I don’t have to reach for extra hair products to protect my hair from my hair dryer and other styling tools. Plus, when I use it on dry hair, it functions perfectly, but the best part is that it doesn’t leave my hair weighed down or greasy, which is a struggle I have with most oils.”
The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
This serum from the Ordinary uses multiple growth factors (proteins that naturally occur in our cells that help facilitate repairs, including cell growth and renewal and collagen production) to repair skin damage. Using IGF, EGF and TGF, these growth factors help increase skin elasticity, firmness and density while minimizing fine lines, improving skin texture, reducing the appearance of skin damage and strengthening the skin barrier, according to the brand. The water-based serum, which you can use twice daily, is suitable for all skin types.
Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream
Dermalolgica’s newest moisturizer focuses on treating and preventing common skin care concerns. It uses antioxidants (vitamins A, C and E), peptides and niacinamide to protect the skin, soothe it, and reduces/prevents the appearance of fine lines, dullness and sagging, according to the brand. The rich cream is safe to use twice daily on your face and neck after cleansing and toning the skin, according to Dermalogica.
Flamingo Moisture+ Razor
Flamingo expanded its lineup with this razor, giving you a gentle, moisturizing shave. The razor has moisture bars made with ingredients like aloe, shea butter and coconut, which activate when they come into contact with water, according to the brand. This allows the blades to glide easily as the four sharp stainless blades remove hair.
“I love Flamingo’s razors and this one is my new favorite. It’s perfect for traveling or a quick shave at home since I don’t need anything extra when I use it,” says Alvarez. “After shaving with just water and this razor, my skin didn’t feel tight or excessively dry, so it really is moisturizing and soothing.”
Ilia Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream
Ilia finally entered the moisturizer realm with its Barrier Build Skin Protectant Cream. It has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which helps reduce redness and strengthen the skin barrier while hydrating and softening the skin, according to the brand. Made possible with ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and without irritants like fragrance, the cream helps calm and protect the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin, since the moisturizer is noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores.
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum
With a trio of ingredients — vitamin C, salicylic acid and glucosamine — this potent brightening serum helps exfoliate the skin, even out skin tone and minimize the appearance of dark spots, acne marks and age spots, according to the brand. In addition to correcting past hyperpigmentation, the serum helps visibly reduce irritation that can trigger future dark spots. It’s suitable for all skin types and tones, according to Clinique.
Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil
In December, Sol de Janeiro released its first shower oil, gently cleaning the skin without leaving it dry. Using Brazilian oils, bacuri butter and prebiotic hibiscus, your skin feels moisturized, nourished and supported post-shower, according to the brand. The oil-to-foam body wash has notes of sugared violet, vanilla orchid and sandalwood.
Apparel and footwear launches
Reebok Nano X5 (preview)
It’s been 15 years since Reebok debuted its original Nano training sneaker. The brand is launching the new X5 model this month — you’ll be able to shop men’s and women’s sizes starting Jan. 24. The shoe’s midsole is made from two types of foam, so it’s cushioned and responsive in the forefoot, yet firm and stable toward the heel. It also has a flexible, grippy outsole, breathable upper and soft collar that helps lock your feet in place.
“I’ve been working out in the Nano X5s for about a month and rely on them for my strength and HIIT workouts,” says Zoe Malin, NBC Select reporter. “Compared to the Nano X3s and X4s, which I’ve also tested, they’re more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time, and the cushioned footbed is more supportive than ever before when I’m doing cardio intervals.”
Smith Seeker Active Sunglasses
Rabinowitz has been on the hunt for a pair of sunglasses that he can comfortably run, bike and hike in, ones that provide wide coverage but don’t look out of place when he ends up at a cafe later. Smith Optics sent him a pair of these new sunglasses to try out, and they’re the right mix of function and fashion.
“I’ve worn them on multiple runs and bike rides through wind and snow — they stayed comfortably in place, and kept my vision clear even in changing conditions,” says Rabinowitz. “With slightly oversized oval frames, they strike a balance between coverage and style — they don’t look like wrap-around speed-racer goggles, but are big enough to keep wind out of my eyes when cycling.” The Seeker comes in six versions. Rabinowitz tried the light-sensitive photochromic version, which darkens and lightens depending on the environment.
Home and kitchen launches
Hatch Restore 3
The Hatch Restore is an NBC Select award-winning sunrise alarm clock, which the brand recently redesigned to make it less reliant on your phone. It still connects to a companion app that you use to customize alarms, nighttime unwind routines and sound machines, but the device itself now has more control buttons built into it. On the top, there’s a pause button that lets you swap between three preset unwind routines and a large button, which you turn to adjust the volume or press to start your nighttime unwind routine and snooze or turn off your morning alarm. The device also has two buttons on either side — one lets you manually turn on its light and the other lets you toggle alarms on or off. In addition to the new buttons, Hatch upgraded the Restore 3’s audio system and redesigned its app to centralize features on one home screen. It added new sleep sound options, too.
“I’ve tested all three versions of the Hatch Restore, and for the first time, the newest model lets me leave my phone outside my bedroom since I can fully control it using its physical buttons,” says Malin. “Once I set up all my routines, I don’t touch the app at all. This is a huge upgrade for the Restore, and it solves the main downside people typically mention with the first two models.”
Beast Mighty 850 and Mega 1200 Blenders
Beast makes some of our favorite personal blenders, and you can now shop two new models: the Mighty 850 and the Mega 1200. Both come with a blender base, a stainless steel blade, multiple blending/drinking vessels, storage lids and lids with straws. They also have a single button that starts a timed blending cycle.
The Mighty 850 has an 850-watt motor and its largest vessel is 26 ounces. It’s best for making smaller batches of smoothies, soups and purees that serve one or two people. The Mega 1200, on the other hand, has a more powerful 1200-watt motor and its largest vessel is 40 ounces. It lets you make bigger batches of drinks and foods to serve a crowd.
Elvie Rise (pre-order)
Elvie is best known for its breast pumps, but with its newest launch, it’s entering the sleep space. The Elvie Rise is an app-controlled smart bouncer and bassinet, and you can change how you’re using it without disturbing your baby. It has a firm, flat mattress, retractable straps and breathable sides — when you’re ready to go from a bouncer to a bassinet, or vice versa, you pull the retractable sides up or down and tilt the base into place. The bouncer records and repeats the bounce pattern you set for your baby, and using the companion app, you can adjust it as needed. Then, as your child gets older, they can use it in manual bounce mode, controlling the bouncer with their legs. The app also tracks your baby’s sleep patterns when you’re using the Elvie Rise as a bassinet.
Petcube Water Fountain (pre-order)
Petcube makes some of our favorite pet cameras, one of which won a NBC Select Pet Award. This water fountain is the brand’s first wellness product, and it purifies water so your cat always has a fresh supply to drink. The cordless, quiet fountain is designed with a four-layer filtration system that gets rid of bacteria, parasites, dirt and other pathogens, according to the brand. It also has a magnetic pump, an antibacterial light and a motion sensor that adjusts the flow depending on whether your cat is nearby. The fountain’s 57-ounce capacity gives most cats up to seven days of filtered water before you need to refill it.
Why trust NBC Select?
To round up the best new launches each month, Zoe Malin, reporter, Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter, and Harry Rabinowitz, reporter, choose products they think NBC Select readers should know about. They include products from brands NBC Select has previously covered, or brands staffers recommend. Malin, Alvarez and Rabinowitz also regularly try new product launches to share their first-hand experiences.
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