Escape the Morning Blahs With These Cyber Monday Deals on Self-Care Essentials
By Wirecutter Staff
With the new year around the corner, spicing up your morning routine with a new electric toothbrush or razor now can help you feel ready to tackle any resolutions you make. Here are some of the best deals we’ve found on Wirecutter-recommended health and grooming essentials for Cyber Monday.
A gentle wakeup call
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520 sunrise alarm clock — Our Pick
Amazon deal price: $89; street price: $105
No one should be jolted awake by the loud blare of an alarm clock. The Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light offers a more forgiving option, gently rousing you in the morning with a simulated sunrise that grows brighter gradually. This sunrise alarm clock emits a red-tinted light that mimics the natural colors of dawn, which can help you feel less groggy when you rise. The LED light can’t be replaced when it goes out, but it typically lasts six or seven years. Two-year warranty.
Read our review of the best sunrise alarm clock.
Extremely durable claw clips
Big Claw Clips (pack of eight) — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $6; street price: $8
Clip back your hair before washing your face in the mornings with a Big Claw Clip, a durable staff favorite that can handle even the unruliest locks. Especially good for folks with curly hair, these big clips are strong enough to hold back your hair for hours. “After two years of use, not a single clip has broken,” said senior staff writer Kaitlyn Wells. “And they do a bang-up job of staying put on nights I fall asleep with one in my hair.”
Read our review of the best hair ties, scrunchies, bows, and clips.
Brew a cup of coffee in style
Technivorm Moccamaster KBT coffee maker — Also Great
Amazon deal price: $237; street price: $330
Not only will this simple and stylish coffee maker make you a killer cup of coffee in the morning, but it’ll look great on your counter, too. The compact Technivorm Moccamaster drip coffee maker has a sleek design and an easy-to-use barebones interface. It comes with a five-year warranty and has a unique filter basket that you can adjust to different steeping times.
Read our review of the best drip coffee maker.
An everyday sunscreen
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (18 ounces) — Our Pick
Supergoop deal price: $55; street price: $68
What we like: One of our chemical sunscreen picks that’s available in bulk. Good for face and body. Rubs in easily and is nearly transparent once applied. Light, pleasant scent. SPF 50 rating offers a high level of protection.
Other things to know: Some testers noted that it left them feeling greasy. The 18-ounce jug is the most affordable size on a per-ounce basis. Use code CYBER23.
Read our review of the best sunscreens for your face.
An affordable electric toothbrush
Philips Sonicare DailyClean 1100 electric toothbrush — Another Good Option
Amazon deal price: $20; street price: $25
What we like: A cheaper alternative to our runner-up electric toothbrush pick. Good option for those who prefer a “sonic” vibrating brush and don’t need a pressure sensor. Long-lasting rechargeable battery. Two-minute and 30-second interval timers.
Other things to know: Comes with a different brush head and only one intensity level. USB-charging version (as opposed to a standard, two-prong plug). No reminder light to replace brush heads.
Read our review of the best electric toothbrush.
An all-purpose beard trimmer
Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 9000 MG9730/40 beard trimmer — Pick Variant
Costco deal price: $40; street price: $50
What we like: A variant of our top pick for the best beard trimmer. All-purpose beard, hair, and body trimmer. Can be used in the shower. Comes with five shaving/trimming tools and 12 guide combs.
Other things to know: We haven’t tested the Series 9000, but we have done extensive testing and recommend both the Series 7000 and Series 3000 from Philips Norelco. Costco membership required. Price includes shipping.
Read our review of the best beard trimmer.
A whisper-quiet electric toothbrush
Philips Sonicare 4100 electric toothbrush — Runner-Up
Amazon deal price: $30; street price: $45
What we like: Our runner-up pick for the best electric toothbrush. Quieter than our top pick. Offers a timer and pressure sensor. Long-lasting rechargeable battery.
Other things to know: Some people may dislike the back-and-forth vibrating motion. Replacement brush heads are typically a bit more expensive than those of our top pick.
Read our review of the best electric toothbrush.
An app that prompts meditative moments
Headspace meditation app — Top Pick
Headspace deal price: $35; street price: $70
What we like: Our top pick for the best meditation app. Offers the widest variety of meditations. Great for beginners and those looking to maintain the habit. Content is easy to parse, and the courses are comprehensive.
Other things to know: First deal we’ve seen in a year. 50% off for first year of annual subscription. Price reverts to $70 after the first year. For new and returning users.
Read our review of the best meditation apps.
A budget-friendly blender
Cleanblend Blender — Also Great
Amazon deal price: $156; street price: $175
What we like: One of our blender picks. Powerful motor in a model available at a significantly lower price than our top pick. Pulverizes seeds and ice. Produces silky smoothies and creamy blends.
Other things to know: Five-year warranty is shorter than that of our top picks. Speed controls aren’t as nuanced. No preset buttons.
Read our review of the best blender.
An easy-to-use coffee grinder
Timemore Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder — Also Great
Amazon deal price: $55; street price: $70
What we like: Our pick for the best portable coffee grinder. Easiest to use of all the manual models we tested. Grinds quickly, evenly, and consistently. Great for camping or as a budget option. Some options have a grippy surface.
Other things to know: 25-gram capacity makes only about one serving. Not great for superfine grinds like espresso. Not the lowest price we’ve ever seen, but still a good deal.
Read our review of the best coffee grinder.
Single-serve coffee at home
Instant Dual Pod Plus Single-Serve Coffee Maker — Upcoming Pick
Amazon deal price: $130; street price: $160
What we like: An upcoming pick in our guide to the best Nespresso machine. Produced decent espressos that are a bit more delicate than drinks from a Nespresso machine. It’s easy to use and has a substantial, 68-ounce water tank. It’s also one of the few machines compatible with both Nespresso pods and K-Cups.
Other things to know: It’s a large, heavy machine. The K-Cup coffee it brews is as watery as other Keurig coffees. It’s covered by Instant’s one-year limited warranty.
Read our review of the best Nespresso machine.
An aesthetically pleasing electric kettle
Fellow Corvo EKG electric kettle — Another Good Option
Amazon deal price: $132; street price: $165
What we like: Another good electric kettle with a modern aesthetic. Accurate variable-temperature control. Intuitive settings. Good for single servings of pour-over coffee.
Other things to know: Small capacity (0.9 liter) capable of heating just enough for two cups of tea. Wooden knobs can split over time—our experts recommend registering for a two-year extended warranty. Select colors available. Price matches last year’s Black Friday low.
Read our review of the best electric kettle.
Instant morning brew
Instant™ Dual Pod Plus Single-Serve Coffee Maker — Upcoming Pick
Amazon deal price: $130; street price: $160
What we like: An upcoming pick in our guide to the best Nespresso machine. Produced decent espressos that are a bit more delicate than drinks from a Nespresso machine. It’s easy to use and has a substantial 68 ounce water tank. It’s also one of the few machines compatible with both Nespresso pods and K-Cups.
Other things to know: It’s a large, heavy machine. The K-Cup coffee it brews is as watery as other Keurig coffees. It's covered by Instant's one-year limited warranty.
Read our review of the best Nespresso machine (but it’s not for everyone).
A compact, cord-free mirror
Simplehuman Mini Sensor Mirror — Staff Favorite
Amazon deal price: $104; street price: $130
What we like: Luxe mirror we recommend in our guide to bathroom accessories and grooming tools. Has an on/off sensor, 10x magnification, and a circle of LED light. Ideal for tweezing eyebrows or applying makeup.
Other things to know: Light gradually flips on when you approach and keeps on until you step away. Sleek, cord-free look. Not the lowest price we've ever seen, but the best deal price we've seen in two years.
Read our review of the best bathroom accessories and grooming tools we love.