The best youth gear we’ve tested for school and home

For all those vocal Gen Z teens out there, “cool” is often a moving target (do they even say “cool” anymore?). In our house, I always seem to be late when it comes to what my daughter likes. I regularly miss out on everything from clothing trends to room decor, and you might think my favorite pastime is returning Amazon packages. But I do know that the best way to find out what teenagers like is to ask other teenagers, and that’s exactly what we do here parents.

Whether your kids love games and social media, are always on the court or in the gym, are obsessed with their skincare routine, or treat their room like their castle, we’ve rounded up our editors’ own top picks for teens Something teens really liked in our various real-world product tests. Not only will these ideas make back-to-school shopping a more reliable process (with less rewards!), they might even earn you cool parenthood… for now.

Holifrog Advanced Omega Gel Wash

With today’s controversial “Sephora kids” using adult skincare products, it’s great to discover a simple, reliable, and age-appropriate face wash that your kids will love. Holifrog’s cleansing gel is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone, oily and sensitive skin, and cleanses without stripping the skin of moisture. Our 12-year-old tester alternates between it and a stronger exfoliator when she wants a deep, soothing, and hydrating cleanse. Her skin always feels “clean, bright and calm.” It even washes away stubborn makeup. We love that it’s made with hydrating organic ingredients, probiotics, omega fatty acids, rice extract, and antioxidants. Plus, it’s silicone-free, vegan and cruelty-free.

Kopari Aluminum Free Deodorant

When temperatures rise, so do teens’ anxiety about sweat and body odor. This aluminum-free deodorant works for both conditions. Our 13-year-old tester wore it during an 8-hour day outdoors in the heat and ended his work day feeling confident that it still smelled like natural coconut rather than stinky sweat. The combination of coconut water, coconut oil, and sage oil also moisturizes and soothes sensitive underarms, which is great for novice shavers when they suffer from razor burn. In addition to its beachy scent, this deodorant feels great on the skin, according to our teen testers, which is largely thanks to the roll-on formula, which is a joy to use. The clear formula also won’t leave any embarrassing white residue or stains.

Layla hybrid mattress

Get ready for a super loud alarm clock. This mattress is so comfortable, your child may not want to get up. Teenagers are known to push the limits of “morning” wake-up time (my kids can sleep until 1pm without blinking), so the right mattress is key to making the most of those naps. Layla fit the bill, providing our tester with a “cloud-like” sleep and turning her parents into happy, well-rested teenagers. Testers felt “hugged” by the deep memory foam and supported by individually wrapped coils. “[It] Makes me feel safe and looking forward to a good night’s sleep. Removes body heat for cooler sleep.

Yogibo Max Bean Bag Chair

The teens lounged around like it was their job. Therefore, bean bag chairs are a welcome addition when outfitting a room with a seating scene. The Yogibo Max Bean Bag Chair is big enough for a group of friends to have movie nights together or alone to read a good book or play video games, and it’ll become your child’s favorite. Our testers thought it felt less like a bean bag and more like a chair or couch, and as a proud owner, my daughter agrees. The lid will come off due to food or drink accidents, and the impressive number of color options (17!) helps it fit into any decor.

Nike Swoosh Big Children’s Sports Bra

The classic one-piece design of this racerback sports bra made it a favorite among our test teens. The Nike Swoosh bra is made from recycled polyester with two layers of moisture-wicking fabric and flat seams Provides all-round comfort and coverage. The thick, stretchy straps win points for not digging into the shoulders, and it’s the little details on this bra that caught the attention of our teens, who loved the soft covering of the elastic to prevent uncomfortable squeezing during sweaty workouts and stick. The materials and design are compressible enough to keep everything in place without being restrictive. “[The bra] Stays where you need it and provides comfortable support,” she shares.

The North Face Borealis Backpack

According to our teen tester, this durable North Face bag, despite its simple look, fits well and feels lightweight, especially after his parents let him use a chest strap. He also said that his friends all praised him! He filled it with books, equipment, basketball jerseys, water bottles and more, but still found it comfortable lugging it around and running to the bus, thanks to a suspension system similar to those found on large backpacker backpacks. The design is even endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) after being thoroughly evaluated by the Board of Chiropractic Physicians and approved by the ACA Board of Governors (although your kids probably don’t want to hear a word about that). As a bonus, this backpack Features a durable, waterproof finish that protects its contents and is very easy to wipe clean.

Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)

While older teens appreciate the Apple Watch’s sleek and easily recognizable style and many features, such as games, apps, iMessages, mindfulness elements, timers, and more, our parent testers noted that this smartwatch also appeals to younger Teenagers are trying to navigate a digital world without cell phones (the SE with cellular can work without an iPhone through Apple Home Sharing). Our tween tester especially liked the fitness features of her Apple Watch SE because she was motivated to turn off her Activity Ring and track her steps. As an added bonus, it’s completely waterproof and suitable for swimming. Socially aware teens will love that this is Apple’s first carbon-neutral product, as the company works to make all of its products carbon-neutral by 2030.

iPhone SE

When you’re looking for a great starter phone, there’s nothing like the iPhone SE to give your child what they need or want. Apple’s lowest-priced phone is an affordable alternative to a flagship device, but still mimics the ultra-powerful chip in the iPhone 13. High-quality photos worthy of post-production, and fast streaming over 5G networks. It also features a durable design, tough glass, and water resistance to handle the inevitable falls and spills.

iPad Air

Whether they’re watching Netflix at home or taking notes in class, teens love the intuitive nature of this tablet. For watching YouTube, playing video games, giving presentations, or Facetime calling friends, the 12 MP camera and 11-inch Retina display are top-notch. Our 19-year-old tester uses the iPad Air at school, while our 16-year-old tester spends hours playing games with friends. The two have even found that tablets can sometimes be a reasonable replacement for laptops. For younger users, parental monitoring is also fully customizable, giving you peace of mind. Extra features: If you have an Apple computer, you can use your iPad as a secondary display with no additional setup or connections required.

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