We’ve tested and researched countless wellness products over the years, from mattresses to massage guns to running shoes and beyond. Some products stand out way above the rest, as tried-and-true items that we personally love and use on a regular basis — and lucky for you, some of those products are also on sale this Black Friday. This is an ideal time to snag products that can benefit your health, while still staying within your personal budget.
Here are the products each one of us recommends that you buy this Black Friday.
Wellness editors’ Black Friday picks
The Hypervolt Go 2 massage gun is a great option for targeted muscle relief. Its sleek, compact design makes it convenient for people on the go. Using the massage gun is pretty straightforward; there are three different settings for the vibration levels. It feels sturdy but not too heavy.
I especially like the heated head attachment (sold separately for an extra $59) because it’s like getting a soothing, warm deep-tissue massage. When I use it right after my workout, my muscles don’t feel as sore the next day.
The massage gun comes with two attachments and a charging cord.
Pros:
- Portable design
- Quiet operation
- Attachments are compatible with other Hypervolt models
Cons:
- Battery life is shorter than that of larger models
I use this blender every single morning to make my breakfast smoothie. It’s not Nutribullet’s strongest model, but it’s plenty strong enough to easily and thoroughly blend all the frozen fruits I use. This model comes with a standard 24-ounce cup, plus an extra 18-ounce cup with a to-go handle.
I love using a Nutribullet, because I can drink my smoothie out of the same cup that I blend it in, saving me an extra dish to clean. Its convenience helps ensure that I actually use it. It also doesn’t take up much countertop space.
Pros:
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Easy to clean
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Powerful blades
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Portable cup design
Cons:
Flossing is something everyone should do, but it’s often the first thing you skip when you’re tired at night. I’ve used the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser for a few years and highly recommend it. The Waterpik Water Flosser has a tank and an attached wand that you use to floss. The tank holds 22 ounces of water, which is equivalent to about 90 seconds of use. You have the choice of 10 power settings. I’ve found that the middle settings work best for me.
Pros:
- The wand tip rotates 360 degrees
- 10 water settings
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons:
- It takes up counter space
- There is a learning curve with using it
- The cord is coiled
Joining a gym can be expensive — especially when you’re looking for specialty classes, like Pilates or kickboxing. After doing discounted trials at a few gyms, I tried ClassPass, the monthly gym subscription where you pay a fee for a certain number of credits to use at participating gyms and studios that sign with the company. It’s much cheaper than most studio memberships, and the credits roll over if you don’t use as many one month.
Subscriptions start at $19 per month and go up based on how many credits you think you’ll use.
Pros:
- Great for people who want to attend different gyms and classes, like traditional weight lifting and Pilates
- Good for people who do some workouts at home but sometimes want to go to the gym
- Cheaper than many studios
- Credits roll over to the next month, to a certain extent
Cons:
- You’ll get charged a fee if you miss a class
- If you want to attend only one gym or studio, it may be cheaper to join it directly
- Available only in bigger cities (here’s the list of cities that have ClassPass)
If you’re a tea lover like me, you should know that DavidsTea offers loose leaf teas that are great for flu season. When I catch a cold, I like to sip on a hot cup of tea to ease my stuffy nose and scratchy throat. I especially like the peppermint blends that DavidsTea offers.
The Cold 911 tea contains organic peppermint, organic apple, organic eucalyptus, organic juniper berries, organic orange peel and natural peppermint oil. It’s aromatic and tastes fresh, citrusy and soothing. If you opt for the 1.7-ounce size of this loose leaf, you can get 15 to 20 cups of hot tea out of it and 10 to 15 cups of iced tea.
To brew, add one to two teaspoons of loose leaf to 16 ounces of water. Boil your water to 95 degrees and steep for five minutes.
Pros:
- Organic, vegan and kosher
- This caffeine-free blend is great for soothing throats
- Peppermint aids upset stomachs
Cons:
Skin care is important — not only is your skin the largest organ in your body and your first line of defense against germs and other unhealthy particles, but protecting it with sunscreen may help prevent wrinkles.
I say all this to justify my love for Unrivaled Sun Serum, from the Eleven brand by Venus Williams. It’s a mineral sunscreen with 10% zinc oxide, and it’s definitely on the expensive end for facial sunscreens, but I wear it every day and just a small amount goes a long way. After experimenting with a few facial sunscreens, I found that this one satisfied my need for a mineral base that blends evenly and works for everyday sun protection.
Pros:
- Seems to do its job as a sunscreen (I haven’t noticed a need to reapply more often)
- Doesn’t leave any white cast on lighter skin
- Vegan and cruelty free
- No skin changes or buildup with everyday use
Cons:
- The greasy serum absorbs quickly, but the feel might bother some people
- Expensive for a sunscreen
I’ve been using the same 24-ounce Hydro Flask for almost a decade, and it’s still going strong. I live in a subtropical climate, and this water bottle keeps my water cold all day long, all year round, which makes it easier for me to stay as hydrated as I need to. Because it uses stainless steel, it doesn’t make my water taste weird or funky like some other water bottles tend to. It’s also easy to swap the lids out for different purposes — Hydro Flask sells various lids, with straws, handles and so on — and it fits perfectly in my car’s cup holder.
Pros:
- Super insulated
- Lots of sizes and lid types to choose from
- Leakproof
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Can’t freeze it
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.