Copyright Cable News Network
It’s hard to keep track of every new product that releases each week, and even more difficult to find the ones actually worth shopping. That’s why every Friday, our deals experts don a different set of hats and switch over to wrangling up the week’s best product drops. After searching the web for only the most exciting debuts, we’ve found ten new releases from some of CNN Underscored’s favorite brands. This week, senior deals editor Rikka Altland has taken a hands-on look at the newest iPad stand from Twelve South. Deals editor Jacqueline Saguin leverages her affinity for Lululemon to see if its new collaboration with the NFL is worth shopping, while associate deals editor Elena Matarazzo dives into some new interior design finds and upgrades to editor-approved picks. Twelve South Curve Mini Our favorite MacBook stand, now for iPad This week, Twelve South launched the newest addition to its lineup of Curve stands. Several CNN Underscored editors use these regularly, including Altland, who has had one (or more) of the brand’s Mac accessories on her desk for years. Now the company has released a new portable version that sizes down everything she loves about the desktop models into a stand that you can take anywhere. Altland has been using the new Twelve South Curve Mini for the past few days, and loves that despite the smaller size, the company isn’t making any compromises. Somewhere between the standard Curve Flex she loves and the smaller Curve Nano that our tech expert, Henry T. Casey, raved about earlier in the year, the new Curve Mini is geared towards iPads to match its MacBook and iPhone counterparts. It has the same hinged design as those other two editions, allowing it to fold out into a multi-angle stand that’s capable of supporting your tablet in multiple positions. We love that it can rise to match the height of a MacBook Pro for using an iPad as a second monitor, and that it can also fold down into the ideal angle for pairing with an external keyboard. The hinges themselves have plenty of friction to ensure you can prop up your device at the perfect angle without gravity interrupting your work-from-home setup. Pricing for the new Twelve South Curve Mini clocks in right between its two counterparts. The iPad stand sells for $50, and it comes in three colors: Dune, Slate and our favorite, Coastal Blue. Lululemon x NFL Rep your favorite team in bestselling athleisure In a crossover for sports fanatics everywhere, Lululemon just dropped its first-ever NFL collection. The brand’s fan-favorite and best-tested Align leggings, Scuba hoodies and Steady State crewnecks now come reimagined with subtle team logos for all 32 franchises — think elevated game-day gear that still feels at home in a Pilates class. The collab marks one of Lululemon’s biggest plays yet outside the usual fitness space, tapping into the booming market for stylish sports merch. In fact, the collection has reportedly become one of the NFL’s bestselling non-jersey drops ever. The collection spans all NFL teams and reimagines Lululemon’s signature silhouette with minimalist team logos and sleek colors, so you can rep the Buffalo Bills in its signature colors or go more subtle with a heather grey color with the team’s logo stamped atop. Prices range from $48 for accessories like the Everywhere Belt Bag and up to $178 for the Coaches Jacket, landing squarely in that luxe fanwear sweet spot. With football season in full swing and the holidays nearing, it’s a good time to consider buying one for yourself or the enthusiast in your life. Quiet Town Middle of The Night Light Spruce up that dark corner in your home for under $100 With the holidays around the corner, many of us have gifting on the brain. If you’re looking for something that’s out of the ordinary, but still practical, consider one of Quiet Town’s new, beautifully crafted stained-glass night lights. It’s a thoughtful present for the person who has everything and is sure to be a hit at your white elephant party for the interior design lovers in your life. The night light comes in three color variations: a Rose with hints of pink and orange, Pine, which has three hues of green and a moody Atlantic that reminds Matarazzo of the beach on a summer day. Each one retails for $78 and is handmade, so each will have subtle differences. Plug it by your bedside table to set the mood for a self-care night in or keep it in your hallway to shine a light on your path for a late-night bathroom trip. It comes with a tiny light bulb that can be easily screwed in, and as always, is carefully packaged by the brand so it doesn’t get any nicks in transit. For those unfamiliar with the brand, they’ve impressed many of our staffers in the past — in particular, associate home and gifts editor, Nikol Slatinska. Over the summer, when testing for the best shower curtain liner, the brand’s Sun Shower Curtain came out on top for her favorite 2-in-1 pick. Matarazzo has spotted it numerous times across her social media feeds and pinned it for her bathroom — since it eliminates the need for a separate curtain and liner. Away Metallic Collection Altland’s favorite luggage gets a shiny makeover Earlier this year, Altland’s coworkers in the CNN Underscored travel team finally convinced her to try out a suitcase from Away. After several weekend trips and a full-blown jet-setting vacation, she was sold — so much so, that she nominated Away suitcases as one of our All-Star products. Now, the brand is back with a new collection that takes everything Altland loves and adds a fresh, metallic finish. The new Away Metallic Collection arrives with the same hardside protection, lightweight design and effortless spinner wheels that the rest of its luggage does. But as you can expect from its name, now you’ll find the Polycarbonate luggage wrapped in a rich, satin finish that comes in your choice of four colors: Stormy Teal, Glacial Pink, Arctic Blue, and Ruby Haze. We’re inclined to think that this is the perfect kind of style to go into the holiday season, when tinsel and chrome colors invoke those old-school Christmas vibes. And with so many of the year’s biggest travel days landing right before the holidays, the timing of this week’s is perfect for those planning their trips back home. Now available for purchase, pricing across the Metallic Collection starts at $275. You can choose from several sizes of checked bags and carry-ons. These are the same prices you’d pay for any of the company’s other colors, which is to be expected — this is just a fresh coat of paint after all. So you won’t have to shell out any extra cash for these shimmery new styles. Pokémon Phantasmal Flames Expansion The second set in the Mega Evolution era is here Another Friday means another chance to talk about the latest Pokémon trading card game set. Officially landing next month, Altland has received a ton of packs to open to break down everything you need to know about the Phantasmal Flames Expansion. This is the second set in the Mega Evolution era of the game, coinciding with the recent release of Legends: Z-A on the Nintendo Switch 2. It didn’t take long for the company to make a new set where Charizard could take center stage, but there’s more to the set than just the fiery Pokémon. Phantasmal Flames is stocked with some exciting cards that span more than just a single generation of the franchise. There are Pokémon from the original Kanto region, as well as some newer ‘mons from more recent games; it’s a lovely mix that gives collectors of all backgrounds something to hunt for. Altland herself is thrilled that her beloved Paldean Wooper is taking the spotlight with a full-art card, but there are tons of others worth writing home about. Even the non-Pokémon item cards in this set are getting rare versions! Chasing after certain cards is obviously the name of the game with a TCG, but after opening around 50 packs myself, the odds of getting some of those more exciting hits are better than previous expansions. Some of those highly sought-after Charizard artworks are still going to be rare, but Altland was thrilled with the selection of Mega EX cards and full-arts that I walked away with after ripping some packs open this week. Going up for preorder over the next several weeks at all major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop and even directly from the official Pokemon Center. Pricing starts from TK, and these normally sell out quickly, so we’re covering them in this week’s edition in hopes of giving you a better chance at knowing whether you’ll want to add these to your cart or not. Saucony Silo Collection Saucony just hit its most stylish stride yet. Typically known for its comfortable running shoe styles, the footwear brand has just debuted a fresh collection that pays extra attention to fashion, evolving with six unique designs. First revealed at Paris Fashion Week and now rolling out globally, the Silo collection reinterprets Saucony’s archival silhouettes — like the Grid X Ultra S, 586i S, and Kinvara 1 S — through the lens of modern luxury. Think full-grain leather linings, sculpted tooling and muted color palettes that look as at home under pleated trousers as they do next to performance gear. Leaning into the gorpcore trend popularized by Salomon and Arc’teryx, this Saucony collection adopts a range of sportstyle shoes complete with locking mechanisms, mesh knits and high heel collars. While the roots remain in Saucony’s storied running DNA, the execution leans into the realm of high-fashion. The new Trekker S model, for instance, fuses patent leather, mesh and Vibram Megagrip soles — a blend of technical precision and street-ready styling. As the brand’s most style-forward collection to date, it comes with a higher markup — though still arguably less than others like it from competing brands. Prices run from roughly $145 to $250, reflecting the label’s positioning as the “pinnacle” of Saucony design. Each pair reads more like a collector’s piece than a trainer, signaling the brand’s intent to compete with fashion-minded rivals in the luxury sneaker space. Saguin tried a pair from the collection, noting that they might just be the prettiest pair of kicks she has owned. Below, you can shop her two favorites from the collection. DedCool x Calpak Boarding Bundle Travel necessities for the ultimate cool girl Many of our editors adore DedCool perfumes — even Matarazzo, so when we heard about the brand’s upcoming launch with Calpak, we knew it’d be worth covering. For months, she has layered her Mochi Milk travel perfume spray with Glossier You and on the days when she’s looking for something lighter, she reaches for her full bottle of Xtra Milk. Without knowing about the release, back in September, she actually took both perfumes on an international flight and stored them in one of Calpak’s tech organizers. So after seeing this launch on Oct. 28, it’s like both brands were listening to her personal desires of a collaboration between them. The DedCool x Calpak Boarding Bundle comes with a clear cosmetics case — that’s larger and definitely more conducive for toiletries and other beauty products versus the slim electronics case Matarazzo was using. Inside, you’ll find an Xtra Milk travel spray, body wash, lotion, and two air fresheners to store in your carry-on or checked bags. It’s an easy way to keep your clothing smelling fresh. Typically, Matarazzo stuffs fabric softener sheets in her packing cubes to prevent her clothes from smelling like the inside of a suitcase. All of this can be found on the DedCool or Calpak sites for $120, discounted from its original $150. Aldo x Stranger Things Bring some ‘Upside Down’ vibes to your wardrobe Back in 2019, Nike launched a line of sneakers in collaboration with Netflix and Stranger Things. Altland picked up a pair that she still wears to this day, even though the kicks are beginning to show their age. Good thing Aldo is picking up the slack by launching its own collection of footwear that embodies the same “Upside Down” vibes that made Altland buy her pair all those years ago. The Aldo x Stranger Things collection includes more than just footwear, but that’s as good a place to start as any. Many of Aldo’s signature shoes are getting the Hawkins treatment with sneakers, boots, loafers and heals all being adorned by new colors, fun tags, pins and other iconography that brings Stranger Things style to your wardrobe. Alongside the kicks, there’s also some keychains, pins and bag charms You can shop the Stranger Things collection at Aldo right now. This limited-edition lineup will only be available while stock lasts, so be sure to shop sooner rather than later to snag a pair of themed sneakers before your size sells out. Pricing starts at $35 for some of the accessories, while shoes and other footwear start at $130. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Holiday Flavors An infallible stocking stuffer for beauty lovers We know exactly how you can pad stockings this holiday season. Laneige just treated fans of its cult-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask to a series of new seasonal flavors: Pumpkin Pie, Hot Cocoa and Strawberry Shortcake. The latter is designed as three flavors stacked into one jar: vanilla cake, strawberry cream and fresh berry. Pumpkin Spice features a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger for that holiday-inspired taste, while hot cocoa boasts a rich cocoa-dessert scent. Priced at $24 each, the non-tinted masks uphold much of the same that our editors loved about the original, but now with a fresh makeover. Loaded with murumuru seed and shea butter, the pot is key to keeping around as this winter promises drying winds and temperatures. Leave it on as an overnight treatment to wake up with more nourished-feeling lips. According to beauty editor Sophie Shaw, it leaves a silky texture that’s worth the spend. It feels lighter and smoother than your typical lip balm, but it’ll leave your lips feeling soft and conditioned, she said. Saguin spotted it in perfect timing, too, with the Sephora Beauty Event kicking off today for Beauty Insider members. Rouge members can take 20% off the popular lip hydrator, while other members will start saving on Nov. 4. Sproos! Metallic Shower Head Add a bit of shine to your shower’s hardware Our best splurge shower head pick just received a glamorous upgrade with its new silver and gold finishes. Before this launch, you were only able to snag our editor-approved product in pops of color (like red, yellow and pink), so this is a major refresh for anyone who favors more muted designs. The two new finishes means you can bring a filtered shower head to bathroom setup without clashing with your current hardware — all for $168. Many of our CNN Underscored editors ended up converting over to Sproos! after trying it for themselves. Testing and updates writer, Michelle Rae Uy, added its vibrant liner to her shower last December after installing the shower filter. Both Uy and our managing editor highlighted how easy the kit was to install and, as per the brand, it should only take around five minutes. All you have to do is take off your old shower head, screw on the Sproos!, add the filter and attach the hose for an even deeper clean on your head, back and body while showering. The brand’s mission is to give you that squeaky clean feeling without stripping your skin and hair of its natural oils. The shower head filters harmful chemicals out to keep your skin barrier and scalp free of irritation, dry patches and the like. Say bye-bye to heavy metals, sediment from old pipes and stinky water with the Sproos! 2-step filter. Matarazzo, for one, is stoked about the shiny new launch since her current bathroom has chrome finishes and this will match — or intentionally clash if she goes for the gold. Shop this week’s other launches This week also saw the launch of other products our editors deemed worthy of standalone coverage. Shop all these additional launches below, including the newest (and best) Echo speaker, a next-level Esports keyboard from Razer and a shipwrecked Lego pirate ship from “The Goonies.” Why trust CNN Underscored As deals editors at CNN Underscored, we are some of the first people to hear about the latest product news from reader-favorite brands. We provide a unique perspective in the service journalism field by covering every stage in a product’s life cycle. That means our senior deals editor, Rikka Altland, follows a product from the moment it’s announced through testing it herself and then circling back once it begins going on sale. And that goes double for our editors, Jacqueline Saguin and Elena Matarazzo. Our goal here is to save you money, and by considering the entire journey of a product, we can offer better thoughts on if it’s worth your cash. Altland has been doing just that for nearly a decade, and that kind of experience extends to the rest of our deals team. Being an advocate for buyers to make sure we’re only recommending the best prices on the best products is what we’re all about, and that focus comes across in our work.
