Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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A get well gift should make a sick week a little easier, so these picks cover a sore nose, drinking enough, staying warm and getting rest.
Puffs Ultra Soft are Reviewed's best overall facial tissue, and Reviewed says you'll be hard-pressed to find a softer tissue than Puffs Plus Lotion. For hydration, Ultima is Treeline Review's best overall electrolyte mix, Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free is its best tasting, and the Owala FreeSip is Reviewed's best water bottle. For warmth, the SuzziPad is TechGearLab's best buy heating pad, microwavable with no cord, and the Pure Enrichment XL is its best overall. For rest, the Mzoo is Reviewed's best overall sleep mask, and the Comfy is a giant sherpa hoodie-blanket. The splurge is the Levoit Classic 300S, TechGearLab's best humidifier for convenience. Every pick is on one of my lists with its source.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they're well and just need a break; the self-care gifts page has sheet masks, bath bombs and a plush robe.
Best tissuesmid pick · Box
Best for a nose that's already sore from blowing it
Reviewed reviewed these and said you'll be hard-pressed to find a softer tissue, though they didn't give them an award.
Heads up. Reviewed found them not very absorbent
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
under $15
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budget pick · Box
Best for getting through a stuffy week without shredded tissues
Reviewed's best overall facial tissue: two-ply tissues that held up through their tests and stay soft, which is what you want for a nasty cold.
Heads up. Reviewed found no drawbacks in reviews, so just check the box count on the listing
1 outlet. Reviewed best overall facial tissue.
under $15
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultima Replenisher Electrolyte Mix | budget | $25-50 | flavoring water when plain water gets boring | 1 outlet |
| Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier | mid | $25-50 | stick packets that taste good and mix fast | 1 outlet |
| Owala FreeSip 24 oz | budget | $25-50 | sipping or chugging from the couch | 3 outlets agree |
Top pickbudget pick · Packets
Best for flavoring water when plain water gets boring
Treeline Review's best overall electrolyte mix (also their best budget pick): five electrolytes, good taste and clean ingredients at a low price per serving.
Heads up. Some flavors are too sweet
1 outlet. Treeline Review best overall electrolyte mix.
$25-50
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mid pick · Stick packets
Best for stick packets that taste good and mix fast
Treeline Review's best tasting electrolyte powder: the sugar-free version dissolves well and they noticed no aftertaste from its sweetener.
Heads up. Most flavors skip calcium, magnesium, zinc and chloride
1 outlet. Treeline Review best tasting electrolyte powder.
$25-50
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budget pick · Standard
Best for sipping or chugging from the couch
The viral bottle: sip through the straw or tilt and swig. Comes in loud colorways.
Heads up. Lid has more parts to clean, and the bottle itself is hand-wash only
3 outlets agree. Reviewed best water bottle. Business Insider college gift pick. NBC Select back-to-school pick.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuzziPad Microwave Heating Pad 7x18 | budget | $25-50 | heat on their shoulders with no outlet nearby | 1 outlet |
| Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL King Size Heating Pad | mid | $25-50 | curling up in bed with steady, even heat | 1 outlet |
| Mzoo Contoured Sleep Mask | mid | under $15 | daytime naps that need real darkness | 1 outlet |
| The Comfy Original Wearable Blanket | mid | $50-100 | staying wrapped up on the couch | Limited evidence |
Top pickbudget pick · 6.75 x 18 in
Best for heat on their shoulders with no outlet nearby
TechGearLab's best buy heating pad: a weighted microwavable pad that gets pleasantly hot and is great for a tense neck and shoulders. No cord to trip over.
Heads up. You have to fold it to fit most microwaves, and it slides off
1 outlet. TechGearLab best Buy: best bang for your buck heating pad.
$25-50
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mid pick · 12 x 24 in
Best for curling up in bed with steady, even heat
TechGearLab's Editors' Choice for the best overall heating pad: it gets hot, heats evenly and has the right amount of easy features.
Heads up. Not weighted, and the heat settings aren't clearly labeled
1 outlet. TechGearLab editors' Choice: best overall heating pad.
$25-50
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mid pick · One size
Best for daytime naps that need real darkness
Reviewed's best overall sleep mask: it blocks light well, and its contoured cups keep pressure off your eyes.
Heads up. Reviewed gives no drawback detail for this one
1 outlet. Reviewed best overall sleep mask.
under $15
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mid pick · Big box
Best for staying wrapped up on the couch
A giant sherpa hoodie-blanket for working, reading or streaming without being cold.
Heads up. Bulky
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$50-100
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Best humidifiermid pick · Standard
Best for set-and-forget humidity in a bedroom
TechGearLab's Best for Convenience: its big tank ran about 46 hours in reviews, and the app lets you set a target humidity so it turns itself on and off.
Heads up. Not suitable for large rooms, and it needs demineralized water
1 outlet. TechGearLab best for Convenience humidifier.
$50-100
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Things that make a sick week easier: soft tissues, an electrolyte mix, a heating pad and something cozy. Puffs Ultra Soft are Reviewed's best overall facial tissue, and Ultima Replenisher is Treeline Review's best overall electrolyte mix.
Yes, especially for a tense neck and shoulders. The SuzziPad is TechGearLab's best buy heating pad, a weighted microwavable pad with no cord, and the Pure Enrichment PureRelief XL is its Editors' Choice because it gets hot and heats evenly.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.