‘Two pairs aren’t enough’: the things our Filter experts swear by when they’re off duty

Our expert Filter writers have spent the past year at your service: putting mattresses, coffee machines, secateurs, low-alcohol drinks, hair masks, sleep aids and more through their paces.

Yet we’re curious (read: nosy) types here and wanted to know what they get up to when they’re off duty, relaxing, exercising, cooking and parenting. So, we asked them for their recommendations for the best thing(s) they’ve bought this year. A kids’ toy that placates a two-year-old, tracksuit bottoms so good our writer owns three pairs, and the perfect hummus: these 49 products are all tried, loved and bought on repeat.

The best things Filter writers bought this year

Just my type

Antique typewriter

For her 18th birthday, I bought my daughter a working, vintage typewriter for £5 at a jumble sale. Every young person who sees it wants one. They seem to like old things, though what they see as old doesn’t seem old to me. They love early digital cameras, for example, and I grew up on film. Caramel Quin

Cosy, cooking, and coffee

Alaskan Husky faux fur throw

Last winter, I got myself a heated throw. As I work in an office in the garden, the house heating isn’t on during the day so lunchtimes are brrr. This made a huge difference. Rachel Ogden

For more, see our guide to the best heated throws and electric blankets

Air fryer oil spray

I also swear by this oil spray for air frying chips and veggies – oil distributes evenly and the blend does a much better job than the spoonful of rapeseed I was using. RO

Grind house blend coffee

Tin of Grind coffee

Everyone who knows me is aware that I am powered by coffee. Grind’s house blend is really tasty, plus I have a mild addiction to its tins, which are brilliant for keeping my decaf ground coffee fresh. RO

Curls and swirls, lashes and locks

Bed Head Curls Rock Amplifier, 100ml

Benefit Bad Gal mascara, 8.5g

Bed Head Curls Rock Amplifier: I have curly hair and this is the only product that doesn’t frizz my hair. And Benefit Bad Gal mascara the only one to offer volume without clumps. Olivia Petter

For more, see our guide to the best mascara

Game on!

Nintendo Switch 2

Our best family buy this year has been the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s a great console for party games, and plays existing Switch games (many of which offer free patches to take advantage of the Switch 2’s improved graphics), as well as new titles. We’ve already racked up hundreds of hours of gameplay, most of it communal, which is (usually) good for family harmony. Lise Smith

Pan-orama

Ninja Zerostick two-pan set

It may sound sad, but the best thing I have bought this year is a set of non-stick frying pans from Ninja. They’ve revolutionised pancakes on a Saturday morning – no more scrubbing off burnt bits. Leon Poultney

For more, see our guide to the best frying pans

Fabled tables on the cheap

Photograph: Alamy

Charity shops, eBay and Facebook Marketplace are treasure troves for vintage furniture, if you keep an open mind and are prepared to scroll. I found a beautiful Georgian demi-lune side table on the latter for £25. Antique brown furniture can be surprisingly cheap as it’s largely out of fashion, but it’s beautifully made and can bring depth to a room. Kate Jacobs

Senses working overtime

Cosrx snail serum, 100ml

Snail serum for my skin. I know, I know, disgusting idea, but I swear it works. The brand says it’s ethically harvested … Jess Cartner-Morley

Paper diary

I’m very old-school: I still have a paper diary. And it has to be Smythson. Luxury is an overused word, but to me real luxury isn’t fancy pants logos but having top-class versions of the things you handle many times a day. I’ve already ordered my 2026 handbag-sized Panama, with a gold pencil. Every year I spend hours agonising over the colour – this time I’ve gone with cerulean. JCM

Embroidered cushions

The best things I’ve bought for my home this year are pairs of rectangular pillows. They instantly make a double bed look pleasingly hotel-ish. Inexpensive and charming, and a tiny thing that gives me a sense of control in a world full of chaos. JCM

Flying Goose sriracha mayo sauce, 455ml

And the best thing I’ve bought for my kitchen is this Flying Goose sriracha mayo. Unbelievably delicious on everything from eggs to stir-fries. I am addicted. JCM

Jeans genie

Photograph: David J Green/Alamy

Clothes on Vinted. I got some great wide-leg Levi’s that I now wear all the time. Sophia Longhi

Definitely my bag, baby

Herd tote

I’ve just bought another Herd medium tote bag. They’re perfect for the beach, the kids’ swimming lessons and for taking Vinted parcels to the lockers. Roomy, durable (I’ve had my older one for five years and it still looks great), fun and sustainable – what’s not to love? Zoë Phillimore

Listen up, right

Shokz OpenFit 2+ headphones

I got the Shokz OpenFit 2+ headphones with running in mind. They loop over the top of the ear, providing a secure, comfortable fit, while the earphones sit over the ear canal rather than pushing in like a pair of earbuds. This makes them naturally hear-through, great for runners who need to safely negotiate areas with busy traffic. The only downside is that you’ll need to play audio at a high volume. But these headphones are excellent at bringing out the detail in mid-range frequencies, from podcasts to the electronic percussion on Silent Shout by the Knife. Pete Wise

Outdoor essentials and toddler toys

Klm Nal shorts

I’m incredibly picky when it comes to clothes. This year I tried the Klm Nal shorts from lesser-known Swedish outdoor brand Klättermusen, and they’re perfect – light, stretchy, comfortable and surprisingly durable for such a thin fabric. Paddy Maddison

Arc’teryx Hoody

This Arc’teryx Atom Hoody is comfortable in a broad range of temperatures and perfect for layering. The brand offers an in-house repair and re-proofing/washing service for those lucky enough to live near a store. PM

Busy board

A wooden Montessori “busy board” for my two-year-old son. It has various coloured LED lights, switches, buttons, keys, knobs. I whip it out when we’re travelling or if he’s about to go into meltdown mode, and nine times out of 10 it does the trick. PM

Leak prevention

Sebson water alarms

Towards the end of last year, we found out that the cold tap that feeds our washing machine had been leaking. To cut a long story short, it ended up as an insurance job, with a rented dehumidifier, redecoration and new flooring in two rooms. So, I’ve invested in a handful of water alarms: small plastic boxes with a pair of electrical sensors in the base. If the sensors are connected by moisture on the floor, they let off a piercing shriek. Andy Shaw

Sole searching

JLab Go Pop headphones

Garmin Forerunner 970 smartwatch

Saucony Men’s Endorphin Speed 5 running shoes

The JLab Go Pop ANC headphones are basic, and the sound isn’t perfect, but I love how compact they are; the battery life is good, and they stay put with good comfort on my runs. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is probably my top pick of the running watches I’ve tested this year. Lovely looking, impressive array of training firepower and a “wow” bright screen. If you’re looking for a great all-round, versatile running shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 has been a pick from the dozens of shoes I’ve tested this year. Kieran Alger

Scents and sensibility

Jo Loves Chestnut candle

Kirsten lamp

This Jo Loves Roasted Chestnuts candle is the best candle in the world. Hands down. I love it so much that I started to hunt down mini versions on Vinted. Candles are often given to people who aren’t keen on them, so many bargains can be found. I also got the Kirsten lamp from Marks & Spencer that everyone loved, and the joy-to-price ratio is unmatched. M&S even does a slightly different version now, too. Rhiannon Evans

Suits you

Adidas tracksuit bottoms

Without doubt, it’s my Adidas Originals loose tracksuit bottoms. I wear them around the house and can dress them up with a blazer. Two pairs just aren’t enough, so I’ve just ordered the new brown shade, perfect for autumn. Sabine Wiesel

Outdoor comfort and family fun

Hex chair

The Crazy Creek LongBack Hex chair has been my most used outdoor kit this year. It’s so simple, so comfortable and so easy to tuck in a backpack, beach bag or throw in the car. Most outdoor chairs are bulky and cumbersome, but this is genius. Ella Foote

Machi Koro

We got this for our spirited nine-year-old, who loves a board game. It has been the most all-round entertaining game we have played as a family for a long time. He can play it with his friends as well as with us. Simple, entertaining and totally away from digital stimulants! EF

Craft beer and cosy clothing

Schöfferhofer Radler wheat beer, 12 x 500ml

The craft beer revolution may be stalling, but I’ve loved the way indie brewing has shaken up the blokey old world of boozing. My product of the year is Schöfferhofer wheat beer. At 2.5%, this fruity beer is light enough to keep me from getting drunk, but doesn’t have the thin or synthetic taste that some low-percenters do. Jane Hoskyn

For more mid-strength alcohol ideas, see our guide to the best

Musto Corsica waterproof jacket

My other standout recent buy is my Musto Corsica jacket. I’m under 5ft tall and I love a bargain, so I’ve always tended to buy £10 coats designed for 13-year-old boys and have them fall apart on me within months. A desire to stay dry – and basic shopping wisdom – demanded that I spend more on a carefully chosen item that would go the distance. It has already proved its worth on hikes. Even the fact that my arms are slightly too short for its sleeves (my fault, not its) means my hands stay extra toasty. JH

Brilliant for babies and toddlers

Nuby baby bottle maker

Stokke Yoyo pushchair

Vapour plug-in

As a new mum, three things have been far and away my best purchases. One, a Nuby RapidCool baby bottle maker. You pour boiled water into it, shake it, tap the top, and when the word “Nuby” changes from yellow to green, the water is the perfect temperature for baby formula. It says it takes two minutes, but often it’s far quicker. Two, the Yoyo BabyZen pram. It’s compact, so it fits in narrow hallways; it’s light, so you can lift it – with baby and shopping – on to a tube or bus; and it folds down so small that it fits in the overhead compartment in a plane. I got mine from Vinted. And three, a Calpol Vapour Plug-in, which releases lavender and camomile through the night to clear your baby’s airways. Laura Potter

WFH staples

Cotton trousers

Arket heavyweight T-shirt

Lucy & Yak straight-leg cotton trousers and Arket heavyweight T-shirts form my daily outfit for school drop-off and Zoom meetings. Rebecca Goodman

Hot and cold heroes

Meaco Sefte pedestal fan

Meaco’s Sefte pedestal fan. I bought one last year and it proved excellent, then I managed to snag another one immediately before the heatwaves this year. So good I’ve literally bought it twice. Samuel Gibbs

Desk mug

When my son was born, we could never finish our coffee before it got cold due to the unpredictability of dealing with a newborn, so I bought a Contigo Streeterville desk mug, and it was so good, I quickly got another. SG

Sticky stuff to stick with

Shoe Goo II, 26.6ml

Fabri-tac glue

Two types of glue: Shoe Goo II, which saved my silver cowboy boots. The sole fell off halfway through a festival, and I assumed that would be the end of them, but I stuck them back on, and they are almost as good as new. And Fabri-tac glue: strong, clear-drying fabric glue that’s brilliant for quickly knocking up items of fancy dress, without needing to go near a sewing machine! Linda Geddes

From head to toe

Glowxie glass foot file

I’m training to run my first ever London Marathon next April, raising funds for the Positive East HIV charity. As a runner who also loves to wear strappy high heels, this glass foot file is the best I’ve ever used. It transforms heels from scratchy to smooth in moments, and rinses perfectly clean, unlike pumice stones. Alix Fox

Delhicious hair mask, 175g

This Delhicious mask is like CPR for bleached, almost-dead tresses like mine. Amla and coconut provide amazingly effective hydration, and smell glorious. Founded in the UK by husband and wife team Zak and Zara, who were inspired by their Indian roots. AF

For more, see our guide to the best hair masks

Getting shirty

Rugby shirt

Rugby shirts are a fashion staple for another autumn/winter, so my Life of Ease organic cotton version from last year is coming back out. It washes brilliantly and, a year on, the herringbone collar has stayed stiff and soft. Founder Hermione’s mother still hand packs all of the deliveries, so receiving your order feels really special. Hayley Spencer

Striped shirt

Hands down, the best work shirt you’ll ever get your hands on for under £100. The cuts are so flattering, the prints are chic, and the fabrics make you feel good. There’s one for pretty much every type of look, but to up the ante on your office attire, I recommend the Boyfriend. HS

Great dips and drill bits

Ramona’s hummus, 500g

The search for the perfect hummus has officially been called off: Ramona’s Original Heavenly hummus is the one. Dip a breadstick, a carrot, a spoon, whatever. Matt Collins

Worx cordless combi drill

Turning 40 this year, the other item I’ve been delighted with is an undeniably middle-aged staple: a cordless combi drill. It’s bloody brilliant, especially given how compact it is. I now get actively excited at the prospect of hanging shelves, shower curtains, picture frames, garden wires … MC

Happy feet

Darn Tough low-cut socks

Darn Tough heavyweight socks

Darn Tough makes lovely merino wool socks, but while the prices are daunting, its lifetime replacements are a magical idea. I’m slowly replacing my entire sock drawer with a collection of all the variants, from light, low-cut socks for running to heavyweight socks for when I’m out on the mountain bike in winter. Once a hole appears, you request a replacement and send a photo of your socks chopped in half. They then give you a code to order a new pair for free (delivery is free). I keep the chopped up ones and use them as hand warmers to go over the top of gloves for cold-weather cycling – or gardening. Sasha Muller

No, limescale, no!

Shower filter

My shower filter has not only improved my hair health, but also saved me from having to spend hours scrubbing limescale from my shower screen. I use the renter-friendly, refillable filter from Tappwater, but there are so many options available. Sarah Matthews

For more, read the Filter’s one-year roundup of the 50 things we loved this year