Every month, Forbes Vetted rounds up the top products that piqued our readers’ interest across a range of categories. Curious about what caught their eyes? Look no further.
As the season transitioned from summer to fall, Forbes Vetted readers invested in themselves. Whether they were updating their apparel with new eyewear and running shoes or swapping out a weathered bed for our favorite mattress overall, September was all about upgrades. Furry family members were on the mind as well: Many doting cat owners sought out the best litter for their new self-cleaning litter boxes.
Ahead, we’ve listed the 24 most popular products our readers indulged in this September, from a pain-free IPL hair removal device to a pair of sleek, wireless earbuds. As always, visit us next month to see what Forbes Vetted readers shopped the most in October.
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Most Popular Products In September, At A Glance
Most Popular Mattress & Sleep Products
- Best Mattress Overall: Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen)
- Best Memory Foam Mattress Overall: Nectar Premier (Queen)
- Best Mattress For Pressure Relief: DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid (Queen)
Most Popular Fashion Products
- Best Prescription Glasses Online Overall: GlassesUSA (Muse Zenith Eyeglasses)
- Best Work Pants For Women Overall: Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pants
- Best Wallet For Men Overall: Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet
Most Popular Gear Products
- Best Lightweight Walking Shoe For Women: On Cloud 5
- Best Cushioned Running Shoe For Beginners: Hoka Clifton 9
- Best Value Electric Bike: Lectric XP 3.0 Black eBike
Most Popular Home Products
- Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box Overall: Litter-Robot 4
- Best Bath Towel Overall: Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel
- Best Cat Litter Overall: Dr. Elsey’s Ultra
Most Popular Travel Products
- Best Carry-On Luggage Overall: Away The Bigger Carry-On
- Best Carry-On Travel Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
- Best Checked Luggage: Calpak Ambeur Large
Most Popular Tech Products
- Best Resume Writing Service Overall: TopResume
- Best Resume Writing Service For Executives: ZipJob
- Best Budget Wireless Earbuds: Baseus Bowie MA10
Most Popular Beauty & Grooming Products
- Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Coarse Hair: Nood The Flasher 2.0
- Best Place To Buy Contacts Online: 1-800 Contacts
- Best Press-On Nails Overall: Olive & June Pink Goldfish Press-Ons
Most Popular Kids & Baby Gear Products
- Best Wearable Breast Pump Overall: Momcozy All-In-One M5 Wearable Breast Pump
- Best Value Crib Mattress: Simmons Kids SlumberTime Naturally Crib Mattress
- Best Value Bunk Bed Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids (Twin)
Most Popular Mattress & Sleep Products
Our Tried-And-Tested Sleep Favorite
Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen)
As our pick for the best mattress overall, the Helix Midnight Luxe pulls out all the stops in terms of comfort and quality. It’s designed specifically for side sleepers, with a plush, medium-firm feel made from multiple layers of soft foam. Read our in-depth review of it here for more on why it earned our top spot.
Soft But Sturdy Surface For Back Support
Nectar Premier (Queen)
As if its marshmellowy memory foam and cooling, temperature-regulating cover weren’t enough, this bed’s dynamic response layer makes it a true standout. (The extra-sturdy surface provides ample back support while minimizing motion transfer.) As with other Nectar mattresses, you can order the model with a customizable bed frame. It’s also a repeat pick among our editors, who ranked it first in our roundup of the best memory foam mattresses.
Versatile Layers For Combination Sleepers
DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid (Queen)
Versatility is the leading strength of this mattress. Our testers rated it the best pressure-relieving pick in our list of the best mattresses because its responsive coils always adapt to your body, regardless of your go-to sleep position. Its cushioned top layer also gives just the right amount of lift for combination sleepers.
Most Popular Fashion Products
The Glasses Retailer With Diverse Offerings
GlassesUSA (Muse Zenith Eyeglasses)
We love GlassesUSA for its wide breadth of frame offerings, which is why we named it our favorite place to buy prescription glasses online. From designer designer brands to more affordable offerings (like these blue Muse Zenith specs), you’ll never be starved for choice. Their website also has a virtual try-on option so you can make sure you’re getting the best style for you.
A Pair Of Stretchy Office Pants
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant
A simple, straight-leg silhouette is never amiss in the office, and Quince’s signature four-way stretch fabric is comfortable for all-day wear. The pant comes in nine colorways—so you can mix and match them to your heart’s content—and features a pull-on waistband that won’t restrict your midsection. All this (and more) is why we deemed the design the best work pant for women overall.
Super-Soft Leather, Super-Slim Design
Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet
In our roundup of the best wallets for men, this slim number climbed the ranks due to its ample storage space: six card slots plus interior pockets for bills, receipts and extras. Each of its 10 chic, understated colors can also be monogrammed for a personalized touch. Overall, our tester says, “This wallet has great craftsmanship, featuring soft and pliable leather that gives a sturdy yet soft feel."
Most Popular Gear Products
Cushioned Heel, Barely There Feel
On Cloud 5 (Member's Only)
From the best walking shoes for women to the best shoes for standing all day, this sneaker from the Swiss brand On tops a variety of our footwear lists thanks to its high-quality construction. Its reinforced cushions reduce muscle strain and offer a smoother toe-off, making it an ideal walking shoe for most. This On members-only colorway is a popular option at a reduced price (and it’s free to sign up).
Those not interested in a membership can shop other colorways at a slightly higher price.
Our Favorite Lightweight Running Shoe
Hoka Clifton 9
Another perennial Forbes Vetted favorite, this shoe is featured in our lists of the best running shoes for beginners, the best Hoka shoes for standing all day and the best Hoka shoes for running. It’s more lightweight than its predecessor, with a proprietary Meta rocker design that eases foot transitions.
A Powerful Electric Bike That Folds To Save Space
Lectric XP 3.0 Black eBike
Versatile, powerful and affordable (in the world of electric bikes), the Lectric XP 3.0 eBike is our best value pick. The bike is sturdy with a battery that offers up to 65 miles of range on a single charge—though our tester found the milage fell closer to 45 in real-world conditions. The bike weighs a hefty 64 pounds, but is designed to fold, making it much easier to pack in the car or store away when not in use.
Most Popular Home Products
Delivers Proficient Potty Clean-Ups
Litter-Robot 4
This self-cleaning litter box features an upgraded laser-sensing system for faster clean-up, as well as a more proficient odor-control system and larger waste drawer than its earlier model. Executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers loved her experience with the Litter-Robot 4 so much she named it the best self-cleaning litter box overall. Read our full review of the machine here.
Luxe Feel Yet Ultra Absorbent
Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel
Between their soft-as-skin feel and ultra-absorbent fibers, there’s a lot to love about these Resort Collection Bath Towels from Frontgate. They’re made of a plush, Turkish cotton weave that is beloved by our editors (who chose it as their best bath towel overall) and come in a variety of colors to match any space.
A Low-Dust, No-Clump Litter
Dr. Elsey's Ultra (40 Pounds)
If you’re on the hunt for the best cat litter, contributor Camryn Rabideau got great mileage out of a bag of Dr. Elsey’s Ultra. Notable highlights include its low-dust formula, unscented odor and ease of scooping. For more details (and adorable cat pics), check out her in-depth review of the product.
Most Popular Travel Products
Light And Durable With A Massive Capacity
Away The Bigger Carry-On
Think of this carry-on as your all-in-one bag: With a humongous 48-liter capacity, you’ll be able to store just about everything you need for your trip (one of the many reasons we named it our top carry-on luggage pick). Despite how much it fits, it’s also extremely lightweight, with a durable outer shell that can withstand the inevitable ups and downs of travel.
Spacious Design, Vibrant Colors
Cotopaxi Allpa 35L
Many people are drawn in by the Cotopaxi Allpa’s vibrant colorways, but they stay for its spacious 35-liter capacity that makes plane travel a breeze. We chose it as the best carry-on travel backpack for that reason: You can take advantage of its spacious design without worrying about meeting airline size limits.
Long-Lasting, Stylish Hardside Luggage
Calpak Ambeur Large Luggage
Calpak’s Ambeur remains a cult favorite thanks to its long-lasting construction, including comfortable, grippy handles and easy-to-maneuver spinner wheels. “It’s super lightweight and so roomy, and as a chronic over-packer, I never have an issue fitting everything I need,” says Boyers. For more info on this rolling suitcase, check out our entire list of the best luggage.
Most Popular Tech Products
A Top-Notch Job Search Tool
TopResume Resume Writing Service
On your next job hunt, consider using an industry-vetted tool like TopResume, our favorite resume-writing service. Each of the website’s four tiers offers a variety of valuable perks for every stage of your search, from cover letter guidance to LinkedIn profile makeovers.
A Thorough Resource For Industry Executives
ZipJob
Career professionals can find plenty of benefits in ZipJob’s executive package. Included in the $899 fee are multiple document revisions, consultations with your writer, LinkedIn profile optimizations and a 60-day interview guarantee. According to ZipJob, executives who use the service are 200% more likely to be hired.
Affordable Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds
Baseus Bowie MA10
As our best budget wireless earbuds pick after testing, the Baseus Bowie MA10 brings the smooth sound quality of high-end competitors at a fraction of the price. These earbuds have a battery life of up to 8 hours, as well as different EQ presets and a noise-canceling option.
Most Popular Beauty & Grooming Products
An Efficient, High-Intensity IPL Laser
Nood The Flasher 2.0
When it comes to high-intensity IPL lasers, Nood’s The Flasher stands above the rest; with consistent use, you’ll see results in as little as three weeks and permanent hair removal in six to eight weeks. Each treatment session should only take five to 10 minutes, so it was an easy choice as the best model for coarse hair in our list of at-home hair removal devices.
Price Matches, Free Shipping And Free Returns
1-800 Contacts
Ordering contact lenses is easier than ever with websites like 1-800 Contacts, our top pick for the best places to buy contacts online. The site makes shopping easy with a huge selection of contacts, a large number of accepted vision insurances, free shipping and return options, and more. Take senior updates editor Karen Tietjen’s word for it: “I’ve used their ExpressExam feature to renew my prescription, and yes, it was as straightforward as advertised.”
Eco-Friendly Press-Ons That Last
Olive & June Pink Goldfish Press-Ons
Aside from its cute designs, Olive & June is also famous for carrying press-ons in an impressive range of sizes. Each kit comes with a handy instruction manual; if well-cared for, you can expect your press-on nails to last for up to 9 days of wear. Bonus: Their glue is non-damaging and the nails themselves are eco-friendly (made of recycled materials). Check out our larger tested review of the best press-on nails for more info.
Most Popular Kids & Baby Gear Products
A Comfy, Quiet Pump
Momcozy M5 Hands-Free Breast Pump
Contributor Lex Goodman appreciated this pump’s efficiency and feel during her testing of the best wearable breast pumps. It was not only extremely comfortable, but also yielded the most milk via its nifty auto settings. The motor was on the quieter side (great for when your little one is asleep) and its four parts were easy to clean.
A Waterproof Pick For A Reasonable Price
Simmons Kids SlumberTime Naturally Crib Mattress
This crib mattress from Simmons Kids is a great value pick, especially for new moms. Its vinyl-free construction and soft cotton cover impressed our tester. Plus, its TPU-waterproof backing is virtually spill-proof, making it a breeze to wipe down.
Affordable Memory Foam That Is Fiberglass-Free
Brooklyn Bedding BB Kids (Twin)
Featured in many of our kids mattress lists (including the best kids mattresses, the best twin mattresses for kids and the best bunk bed mattresses), this under-$200 pick from Brooklyn Bedding is another great value find. Cautious parents will love that it’s fiberglass-free and Greenguard Gold Certified, while kids will love getting a good night’s rest on its heat-dispersing memory foam.