June brought us Prime Day, and quality time with our dads, plus prime travel season, outdoor happy hours, and — if we're being honest—some seriously stifling heatwaves. In our second installment of the best products we tested, Business Insider editors' favorites focused on items that make summer feel a little bit more effortless. From airy cotton nightgowns that double as chic housedresses to a genius security camera that installs as easily as changing a lightbulb, our favorite tested gear of the month is all about smart utility, travel-ready comfort, and the perfect everyday indulgences for easy summer living. This month's picks span beauty, style, tech, and outdoors.
Other highlights in content for the month? We shared how to watch the World Cup for free (and you still can), helped our pets beat the heat with cooling mats, crowned a new best robot vacuum, and found actually comfortable earbuds for running that don't fall out.
Easy, breezy cotton nightgowns
Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider
The best pajamas, according to our style editor, Samantha Crozier, are made of natural fabrics like cotton, silk, or linen because they breathe well. I recently tried two cotton nightgown styles from PrintFresh, and I think these should be some serious contenders for the best nightgown.
They arrived the week my AC went out (during a heatwave, no less). The first piece I reached for is the Naya Nightie, PrintFresh's take on a nap dress with smocking, adjustable straps, and beautiful embroidered accents. Its breezy design kept me as comfortable as possible under stifling temperatures, and I felt kind of chic, too.
The other style, the classic Pintuck nightgown, in a bold pink print splashed with Bagheera tigers, is more emblematic of the Printfresh brand commitment to print and color, with crisp organic cotton in a vintage-inspired silhouette, with sweet ruffle details. It's become my favorite housedress. Oh, and they both have pockets, a must in my book. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
A security camera that fits in any existing light socket
Sarah Saril/Business Insider
I don't live in the safest neighborhood, so outdoor surveillance grants me extra peace of mind when I tuck in for bed every night. Two-in-one options like the Wyze Bulb Cam can benefit any homeowner/renter, since it provides extra light for dark walkways while also helping you monitor your surroundings for package pirates, unusual activity, and the like. After using the same old cameras for years now, the Wyze Bulb Cam feels like a big upgrade. The video quality is clear and crisp, and it uses the same Wyze app I have grown so used to. The lights are bright and adjustable, suitable for different moods and ambiance. Overall, I'm most happy with the dual functionality of this device, since it saves me the pain of additional wiring and wall mounting; rather than a separate light and camera fixture, I can have them both tackled in one handy gadget. — Sarah Saril, deals and tickets editor
Comfy clogs that can be worn two ways
Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider
It took me a while to get on board with the clog trend, but now that I have, these are the shoes I reach for every day, whether I'm walking my dog or running errands. Normally, I love wearing my Ugg slippers for quick trips out of the house, but once summer hit, the sheepskin lining felt too warm. I needed an alternative with the same easy, slip-on comfort, and I found it in the Ugg Goldenstar Villa clogs, which have a cooler sockliner that's better suited to warm weather.
I like that they can be worn with or without the included strap, so you essentially get two looks in one. Personally, I found that they run a little loose when worn backless, so I preferred wearing them with the strap for a more secure fit. They've become my go-to travel shoes too, and held up through two 15,000-step days exploring hilly Seattle, and thanks to the plush, cushioned sole, my feet didn't ache at the end of the day — a true feat for my fallen arches. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
A pair of jeans that three BI editors bought this month
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
Levi's Cinch Baggy Jeans are made with a soft, drapey denim you can comfortably wear with some flip-flops on cool summer evenings. This pair went viral for its adjustable waist tabs, which snatch you in for a more tailored feel. They're curve-friendly, but without the contouring effect of a high elastane pair from Spanx or Good American. For reference, I'm 5-foot-9 and wear a dress size 4. I chose size 27 with a 33-inch inseam, and they fit me true to size. Despite being non-stretch, I wore them on a 4-hour train ride, and they proved to be the perfect weight for travel. — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor
A must-have for gardeners
Lisa Sabatini/Business Insider
If you're a gardener and you haven't tried a soaker hose yet, I'm excited to introduce you to this handy tool. It works by allowing water to gently seep from the entire surface area of the hose, reducing water waste and eliminating the issues common with overhead watering from standard hoses. I've been using one for a few years to keep some of my shrubs watered, and this year I bought one for my parents. When I helped set it up, I was surprised by how much easier the fabric-like vinyl hose was to position compared with my older, more rigid soaker hose. I went ahead and ordered my own 50-foot version from Hlinker, and I've been using it to water my newly planted garden bed over the last month. It's also a great option for vegetable gardens, whether you're growing in raised beds or directly in the ground. Impressively, you can choose from eight lengths, ranging from 15 to 200 feet. — Lisa Sabatini, senior pets editor
An incredibly hydrating moisturizer beloved by the beauty industry
I do a regular skincare swap with my friend, who also struggles with rosacea, sensitive skin, and dryness. Whenever either of us orders a product that doesn't work well for us, we trade to see if the other person likes it better. She recently gave me this French pharmacy moisturizer, which I knew was a beauty-industry cult-favorite but had never tried. After a few weeks of using it, I can't believe it took me so long to try! It's incredibly hydrating, doesn't irritate my skin at all, and works so well under makeup (no wonder makeup artists use it as a primer). I've been using it every day since, and I don't think I'll ever go back to buying expensive moisturizers again. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
A fun upgrade to happy hour
Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider
Bubble tea has gotten a boozy upgrade with Boba Pops, alcohol-filled soft-shell pearls available in several fruity flavors. They have the familiar squish of regular boba, but once you bite in, you get a spirited burst of flavor. I liked pairing the Strawberry Boba Pops with flavored seltzer for a refreshing beverage, or sprinkling the Espresso Boba Pops into my cold brew. They are fun to whip out at a party and add a pretty garnish to any beverage. I recommend using it with a boba straw; otherwise, you'll end up fishing each pearl out of your glass.
Note, you can use the store locator to find these near you if your state has restrictions on shipping alcohol. I also noticed that shipping can get pricey. One bottle came out to about $50 with shipping, while three bottles cost about $90 total and included free shipping plus a few extras, like special straws — an easy upgrade if you're planning to try several different flavors or find a creative gift. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
A car essential for roadside emergencies
Not since the Lifestraw has a product captured my "I didn't know this existed, now I can't live without it" shopping senses like this portable car jump starter and air compressor. I drive a small SUV with a very sensitive tire pressure monitoring system that's easily triggered by the ever-changing SoCal weather. A friend happened to mention that she'd found a device that can jump-start a car and add air to inflate tires, and she loved it so much that she's giving it as a gift. Now, instead of having to find a nearby tire shop anytime my tire pressure light goes on, I can just pull over and fix the issue myself. — Bronwyn Barnes, deputy editor
Splurgeworthy skincare
Sarah Saril/Business Insider
I just turned 30. Despite feeling no different when the clock struck 12, I decided to treat myself to some skincare products. Not just any would do — I picked up the Tatcha Dewy Milk Moisturizer after longing to try the brand for years. It always sat just outside my price point, but I'm so happy I splurged on a bottle.
Aside from beautiful packaging and a sleek pump applicator, this moisturizer is the real deal. The creamy formula is rich and hydrating but not thick or heavy. I apply it every night before bed, and wake up with dewy, bouncy skin that I've never achieved with cheaper products. It has a light smell that I don't find very pleasant, but it's not too bad: I'd describe it as the unsweetened smell of milk and rice. — Sarah Saril, deals and tickets editor
TV screen technology to get excited about
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
One of the newest TV technologies I've been excited to check out this year is called RGB LED. In simple terms, this tech uses red, green, and blue light to create richer, more accurate colors. I've seen a few RGB LED TVs from different brands, but Sony's version has impressed me the most. Sony calls its take on the technology "True RGB," and the Bravia 7 II is its most affordable model. I recently put the Bravia 7 II through its paces in my testing room, and it really is something special. Colors look fantastic, contrast is excellent, and the TV gets plenty bright. It also has unusually wide viewing angles for a non-OLED display, which means the picture still looks good even if you're sitting off to the side.
Sony's step-up Bravia 9 II gets even brighter and adds an impressive anti-reflective screen, but the Bravia 7 II feels like the sweet spot for people who want high-end Sony picture quality without paying top-tier prices. This is still a premium TV, but for what you're getting, the price is reasonable — and I wouldn't be surprised to see it get some solid discounts later this year. — Steven Cohen, senior tech editor
A travel pillow for long car rides and flights
Lisa Sabatini/Business Insider
I'd seen the Trtl Pillow on many best travel pillow lists, but I was skeptical of its unusual design. It uses a molded plastic support wrapped in soft fleece to hold your neck in a neutral position while you sleep upright. I tried it on 8-hour flights back in May, but wanted to see how it would do on a recent road trip too. Now I can confidently say I won't travel without it again. It prevents the neck soreness I usually experience from sleeping upright, and I stay asleep because my head doesn't tip forward or to the side. — Lisa Sabatini, senior pets editor
The flats of summer
Samantha Crozier/Business Insider
Woven Mary Janes are everywhere this summer, and Margaux's Demi Jane is my favorite version of the trend by far. I see girls all over NYC wearing similar styles, but this pair is the rare flat that actually delivers on both style and substance: It's comfortable right out of the box, has plush foam padding on the footbed, and earns me compliments every time I wear it. I wear it constantly as a casual errand shoe, but it also looks polished enough to dress up with sundresses and linen sets. My feet are on the wide end of typical, and while I usually order regular widths, Margaux flats tend to fit best for me when I go a width wider — so I'd recommend ordering wider if you're questioning it. — Samantha Crozier, style editor
Internet favorite sheets get a revamp
Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider
In a move that some may deem risky, but we see as a payoff, Brooklinen has been quietly revamping its lineup, including its flagship Luxe Sateen bedding. The new-and-improved sheets are still just as buttery soft and feature finer long-staple cotton and a slightly higher thread count, which are meant to improve softness, durability, breathability, and drape. Up close, you'll notice a new subtle tag and less sheen. While sateen sheets are not typically what people are adding to the bed in the summer (I had these on my bed when my AC was out and I was OK), these felt perfectly breezy for even warm-weather use. These seriously are the best sheets. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor
Made it to the end? Catch our favorite products we tested from last month
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