This week's top product launches include Fujifilm's tiny Instax Pal 2 camera, Ember's upgraded Smart Mug 3 with on-mug controls, Victrola's space-saving Soundstage speaker for turntables, KitchenAid's Artisan Plus mixer with half-speed settings, Whoop's stylish Meridian Band, Olaplex's first bond-building hairspray, Beats 360 headphones with interchangeable cushions, and Dagne Dover's machine-washable Super Soft travel bags. Experts review these innovations, highlighting key features and improvements.
Every Friday, our deals experts set aside their usual affinities for finding discounts to search the web for the week’s best product drops. After all, there are so many new product releases that it’s hard to know what’s worth caring about, let alone worth buying. That’s why we round up a short list of our favorites from the last seven days. This week, our editors are highlighting our favorite launches from KitchenAid, Fujifilm, Victrola and more. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland recaps her hands-on time with Fujifilm’s newest camera as well as a novel Victrola speaker that’s the perfect complement for your vinyl record player. Deals editor Jacqueline Saguin puts a recent Whoop fitness tracker to the test alongside this week’s other best product announcements on a fresh KitchenAid stand mixer, updated Ember smart mug and more. Fujifilm Instax Pal 2 A miniature way to ditch your smartphone camera Altland has been relying on Fujifilm cameras for the better part of a decade. As much as she loves the distinct look of the photos that the brand’s cameras produce, she recognizes that not everyone wants to carry one of its mirrorless shooters around. This week, Fujifilm and its in-house brand Instax are combining to release the second-generation of a compact camera, the Pal 2. The Instax Pal 2 isn’t your typical Fujifilm camera in that it hails from the side of the brand that’s responsible for making our favorite photo printers rather than the X series that makes gadgets like Altland’s prized X-T5 or the X-Half she reviewed last year. Instead, the Pal 2 is meant more for casual photography with its smaller 1/3.06-inch CMOS sensor and form factor that fits in the palm of your hand. Still, in true Fujifilm fashion, you’ll be able to enjoy many of the signature features that make its cameras so popular. Its retro design with old school viewfinder is unmistakably Fujifilm, while its included photo effects allow you style pictures to your liking without having to edit them after the fact. Altland has spent the past couple of weeks playing around with the Instax Pal 2. Above all else, it takes really lovely photos. Are they the most detailed? No. But they’re delightfully stylized snapshots of her life. She, of course, also adores how novel the size of this mini camera is. Over the past year, Kodak’s Chamera cameras have been swaying photographers to ditch their smartphones in favor of something that can clip to their keychains or bags, and the Pal 2 looks to join in on that fanfare with a similarly small design. The Pal 2’s photo quality may not be able to match that of a modern point-and-shoot, but it’s worth noting that it’s at least far better than most other pocket-sized cameras. The Instax Pal 2 also pairs directly with many of Fujifilm’s instant photo printers, so you can capture shots and turn them into physical memories. The process of pairing any of the Instax printers with the Pal 2 is incredibly simple and is able to turn any of the pictures you’ve taken into photos to give to friends, add to a scrapbook or hang on your refrigerator. It’s this feature that is likely responsible for giving the Pal 2 its steep $170 price tag. It’s certainly an expensive way to capture the world around you and share it (both online and with those in the real world), but only those truly set on ditching their phones will find this unique set of features to be worthy of paying this much. Ember Smart Mug 3 Your favorite smart mug gets, well, smarter For years, owning an intelligent coffee mug has been a delightful luxury for avid coffee drinkers. Now the brain behind the leading model, Ember, is having another run with a third-generation flagship. The Smart Mug 3 not only keeps your dark roast warm, but Ember finally solved the minor annoyances that previous models didn’t quite perfect. The biggest update here is the long-overdue addition of on-mug temperature control. Previously, adjusting your preferred thermal sweet spot required waking up your smartphone, opening an app and negotiating with Bluetooth protocols just to drop your latte down by two degrees. The Mug 3 fixes this behavioral bottleneck by letting users cycle through five preset temperatures directly from a button on the base. The latest hardware design acknowledges that nobody wants to invite software bloat into a ritual as ancient and analog as drinking morning tea. Then there is the structural compromise we’ve all been silently negotiating: hand-washing a piece of microchipped ceramics. Previous iterations demanded delicate sink-side treatment, a minor domestic chore that felt entirely antithetical to a device built for efficiency. The Mug 3 introduces a redesigned, top-rack dishwasher-safe body. Paired with an included sliding lid that naturally stretches battery life up to three hours, the product finally is less of a fragile desk accessory. Ultimately, the Ember Mug 3 launch succeeds because it stops trying to reinvent the wheel and instead focuses on tiny but effective tweaks. Available in a broader palette of finishes (from classic Black to Matcha Green and Salt Blue) starting at $129, it commands a premium, but it justifies the investment by removing friction points. Victrola Soundstage A speaker designed to complement your turntable Collecting and listening to vinyl records ultimately means dedicating quite a bit of your home’s precious real estate in your home to the hobby. On top of needing to find a place to store an assortment of records (or figure out how to show them off), you’ll need a dedicated space for the turntable itself and a pair of speakers. The new Victrola Soundstage is trying to help take one of those elements out of the equation with a design that sits right underneath your record player. Instead of needing to hog even more space on a bookshelf or in your vinyl nook, the Soundstage’s unique design packs stereo sound and a dedicated subwoofer into the same footprint as your turnable. Altland has been using the new Victrola Soundstage for the past week, and is quite impressed with the experience so far. It sounds great and looks just as good, too, with excellent build quality and an enjoyable sound profile that’s quite in line with its $330 price tag. Then there’s the value of its novel design that blends in so well with most record players. While there are turntables out there with integrated speakers, that doesn’t help anyone who already owns one that doesn’t. The added practicality of getting to pair your preferred turntable with a speaker that doesn’t take up any extra space is certainly not lost on us. After getting it unpacked and out of the box, enjoying the Soundstage was as easy as plugging the included RCA cables into the record player that Altland already had on her shelf. There’s ports for wired USB-C and Optical connections, and support for wireless playback over Bluetooth or Auracast for a multi-room audio setup so you can enjoy it as a typical speaker. It’s not going to be the right fit for every vinyl fanatic, however. The biggest limiting factor is that the Soundstage’s $330 price tag means it is only going to be a solid companion for record players in a similar price point. If you have a higher-end option, odds are the hi-fi cartridge, features that cut down on distortion and consistent speed control will outclass the speakers packed into the mid-budget Soundstage. That’s why Victrola is currently bundling the Soundstage with one of its Wave Turntable with a $100 discount attached that applies once you add both to your cart. It’s also available on its own from other retailers like Best Buy and Crutchfield. KitchenAid Artisan Plus The best stand mixer we’ve tested just got better The undisputed champion of stand mixers from KitchenAid is now an even more capable baking assistant. This week, the company has launched an entirely version of the popular bread kneading machine with its new Artisan Plus Stand Mixer. While the mixer has received plenty of new designs over the years with fresh coats of paint and even different materials for its iconic mixing bowls, KitchenAid contends that this is the biggest upgrade to the appliance in over half a century. Up until now, the mixing speed of every KitchenAid model could only be adjusted between fixed settings. Some models offered a wider selection of predetermined speeds than others, but the limit was imposed in some capacity across the board. The new Artisan Plus Stand Mixer forgoes that by finally offering the additional of half-speed settings for gently folding and incorporating ingredients like egg whites and berries into mixtures. The speed control level still has 11 presets for tackling more routine baking tasks that don’t require a finer touch, but now comes with a knob on the end that can be rotated a quarter-turn to switch over to an alternate mode that allows the lever to smoothly slide up and down the scale for precise speed adjustments. This is all supported by a microcontroller-based system that, in theory, should help at-home bakers have far more control over their stand mixers. The Artisan Plus also improves more than just the mechanism that controls its mixing. It now comes with an LED light that shines down into the bowl for illuminating ingredients as they incorporate. There’s also a new beater that uses silicone edges to scrape the sides of a bowl as it mixes. It’s only compatible with the new mixer and its upgraded electronics that detect the extra friction and increase the motor’s power automatically to maintain the desired speed. KitchenAid has launched the Artisan Plus Stand Mixer just in time for fall baking season. It’s now available for purchase directly from KitchenAid, as well as other retailers like Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table and Crate & Barrel starting at $600. There are a total of 15 colors to choose from, including 11 of the brand’s original colors and four entirely new ones. It’s an extra $200 compared to the classic edition of the stand mixer that our editors have been recommending for years, but does come with some practical upgrades that more seasoned bakers are sure to appreciate. Whoop! Meridian Band Your fitness tracker is finally fashionable For all the clinical genius packed into modern health wearables, they have historically suffered from a glaring aesthetic shortcoming. They tend to look, well, entirely unsuited for tailored workwear or even a nice dinner. Whoop has quietly addressed this friction point with the global launch of Meridian, a jewelry-inspired Milanese mesh band designed to eliminate the awkward choice between continuous health insights and personal style. The design pivot is rooted in data surfaced by the brand. Internal metrics revealed that 80% of female Whoop members routinely wear their device alongside other wrist jewelry, while a notable 35% unbuckled their trackers entirely for special occasions. That latter statistic points to a critical flaw for a device whose core value proposition is 24/7 continuous monitoring: the exact moments of high stress, disrupted sleep or unique environments worth analyzing are often when the tracker comes off. Meridian solves this by swapping the standard knit band for a waterproof stainless steel Milanese mesh, a tapered silhouette and a seamless magnetic adjuster. Available in Gold, Rose Gold, Alloy and Matte Black for $149, it successfully reframes a piece of gym kit into a sophisticated accessory, falling in line with other discreet wearables like the Oura Ring. It’s sleek and wears comfortably on the wrist. Though, Saguin would note that it can catch on arm hair whenever you’re adjusting it to fit. Ultimately, the Meridian launch marks a mature shift for the brand: it stops treating wellness aesthetics as an afterthought. For users who have spent years trying to camouflage their performance gear under long sleeves or sacrificing data streaks for a night out, this accessory turns a functional compromise into a seamless wardrobe staple. Olaplex Set Shape Hairspray The prized bond repair brand debuts its first-ever hairspray For decades, the standard hairspray has forced its wearers to compromise between immaculate, wind-resistant hold or the tactile texture of stiff, helmet-like cardboard. Olaplex is stepping into that exact friction point with the launch of Set Shape, its very first hairspray. Those familiar with the brand’s renowned bond building systems will appreciate the new form factor. Set Shape is powered by Bond Set Technology, an encapsulated peptide designed to actively relink broken disulfide bonds while you style. Instead of merely coating the cuticle in a sticky polymer resin, it strengthens from the inside out, yielding a noteworthy clinical stat sheet: up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit heat and UV protection, a 60% reduction in breakage after just one use and 96 hours of frizz-free hold that leaves hair feeling soft, according to the brand. It’s a clever evolution for a brand that built its empire on undoing chemical and physical damage. This launch is keyed into the growing rise of a bigger saturation of beauty products in the market designed to help reduce heat exposure and hair damage. Think the Dyson Airwrap and Shark Flexstyle, which deploy smart tech that doesn’t involve just blasting your hair with heat when styling. Set Shape attempts to fix the oldest complaint in hair styling without asking users to lower their standards. For the consumer who wants structural integrity, weather-proofing and actual softness all in one can, Set Shape retails for $24 at Olaplex and Amazon. Beats 360 New ANC headphones with interchangeable cushions There’s a new contender for the best pair of over-ear headphones for Apple users. Instead of just releasing a direct sequel to the current editor-favorite, the Beats Studio Pro, Beats has opted to go back to the drawing board with the debut of its new Beats 360 Headphones. With any new pair of cans, better sound quality and more reliable active noise cancellation are to be expected, but that’s not the biggest selling point with these. While those enhanced features are present on the latest from Beats, the company is leaning into the everyday appeal of these as a lifestyle accessory instead of just a way to listen to music or block out distracting audio. The Beats 360 have an entirely new design that departs from the brand’s previous over-ear releases with a build that feels more reminiscent of AirPods Max than the 360’s predecessor, the Studio Pro. Borrowing from the design department of the Apple over-ear headphones, the new Beats have replaceable ear cushions that not can not only be swapped with different colors, but also different materials with the option to use breathable Performance Knit or UltraPlush options based on if you’re at the gym or just want to enjoy a more comfortable listening experience. Of course, these are still a modern day pair of headphones. And as such, you’ll enjoy some of the most capable features that Beats has ever included in an over-ear pair. Active noise cancellation is said to do a far better job at blocking out the distracting sounds around you than previous releases from the brand, while audio quality receives much of the same improvements. The headphones and their more unique design do have some quirks, however. These lacks the option for plugging in a cable to the USB-C charging port for wired playback, and can only be used over Bluetooth. That shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for a pair of headphones that are geared more towards working out and casual listening than the high-fidelity crowd, but it is a drawback worth noting; especially with the Beats 360’s $350 price tag. The headphones are now available for purchase from major retailers like Amazon, as well as directly from Beats. For a limited time, Beats is also making it more affordable to customize the look and feel of its 360 headphones. The official Cushion Kit has been marked down to $10 from its usual $50 price tag to make it more affordable to mix and match colors, or to help you score ear cushions in both materials. You can choose from six colors of Performance Knit cushions, as well as two tones of the UltraPlush accessories. Dagne Dover Super Soft Collection A lightweight travel bag for every occasion Dagne Dover finally has a newcomer to its slate of travel bags. The Super Soft Collection, a line designed to marry cloud-like comfort with ultimate funcitonal versatility. Every piece in the collection shares a thoughtfully engineered DNA. They’re soft, suprisingly light, secure with zip-top closure and enitrely machine washable. Built with sustainability in mind, the bags are crafted from recycled materials. True to Dagne Dover’s travel-friendly ethos, almost every style features elastic side cording to adjust its shape and capacity, a trolley sleeve to slide over luggage handles and the ability to pack entirely into its own compact pouch when you want to stash it in your hall closet. Leading the lineup is the Super Soft Gigantic Tote ($175), an oversized, unstructured statement piece designed for major hauls. For a more streamlined daily carry, the Super Soft Large Tote ($155) feels soft while comfortably managing your daily essentials. Saguin is already eyeing it to use as her gym bag. If hands-free movement is your priority, the Super Soft Convertible Backpack ($145) offers a seamless 2-in-1 design that transitions effortlessly from a backpack to a tote. The Super Soft Sling ($85) provides a sleek, day-to-night option that can be worn crossbody or over the shoulder, shapeshifting with a simple cinch of its side toggles (though note that the Sling doesn’t include a luggage handle sleeve). The collection makes its debut in three striking colors designed to complement your work attire, gym clothes and daily outfits. Lapis offers a richly saturated cool blue, Fuschia brings a vibrant jewel-tone pop of pink and Trench rounds out the palette with an earthy, taupe brown. Whether you’re prepping for a cross-country flight, a weekend getaway or your daily commute, these unstructured silhouettes provide lightweight organization without the bulk. Each bag adapts to your day, then disappears into its own pouch. Why trust CNN Underscored As deals editors at CNN Underscored, we are some of the first people to hear about the latest product news from reader-favorite brands. We provide a unique perspective in the service journalism field by covering every stage in a product’s life cycle. That means our senior deals editor, Rikka Altland, follows a product from the moment it’s announced through testing it herself and then circling back once it begins going on sale. And that goes double for our other editor, Jacqueline Saguin. Our goal here is to save you money, and by considering the entire journey of a product, we can offer better thoughts on if it’s worth your cash. Altland has been doing just that for nearly a decade, and that kind of experience extends to the rest of our deals team. Being an advocate for buyers to make sure we’re only recommending the best prices on the best products is what we’re all about, and that focus comes across in our work.
