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When you live with little troubles, frustration can build up over time. You can only hook a drawer handle with a belt loop so many times before you reach your limit. A few from this year home innovation Eliminate those seemingly small obstacles that can make a big difference in your family life. The monthly chore of replacing the air filter and the seemingly simple task of finding a place to store your lawn mower when not in use have clever solutions. Our top winner brings dishwasher affordability to an unprecedented level without requiring an entirely new appliance. Living a normal life in your home is a privilege, and these innovations help make it possible.
(Editor's note: This is an excerpt from Popular Science's 38th Annual “Best of New” Awards. Be sure to read complete list of the 50 greatest innovations of 2025.)
Grand Prix Winner, House
Spin&Load Rack from Whirlpool: The Dishwasher Bottom Rack That Really Comes to You
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Whirlpool's Spin&Load Rack replaces the typical fixed dishwasher bottom rack with a platform that rotates 360 degrees, so every plate and pan remains accessible from either side. The accessory fits into standard 24-inch built-in dishwashers from all Whirlpool brands and rotates on a central hub, meaning users no longer have to lean deep into the machine or shuffle around an open door just to grab a pan from the back. The stand was developed in conjunction with the United Spinal Association as well as Whirlpool's internal advocacy group. The final product was tested on people in wheelchairs with the goal of making loading and unloading realistic for people with limited reach or balance, rather than just idealized demonstration kitchens. It's also compatible with most standard brand dishwashers manufactured after 2018, making it a much more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to replacing the entire appliance.
Stihl RMA 448 V Lawn Mower: Single-sided handle for easy packing and storage.
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The Stihl RMA 448 V Cordless Mower has a unique handle design: instead of the usual two bars, it has a single offset post that leaves the rear of the deck completely open. This small change makes it easier to remove the 13.7-gallon grass bag, flip the built-in mulch valve, or adjust cutting height without wrapping your hands around metal pipes. More importantly, the handle folds, allowing you to store the mower against a wall in tight spaces. Despite its folding size, it is still a full-size 19-inch riding lawn mower with a weather-resistant design and an economy mode for extended life. But the real benefit is ease of use, as accessories and features are of no use if they're too annoying to use.
Dyson HushJet Purifier Compact: Jet-style airflow without the noise of a jet engine
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The HushJet Purifier Compact takes the idea of Dyson's bladeless air intensifier into a purifier small enough for a bedroom or home office, then redesigns the nozzle to ensure maximum silence. The uniquely shaped port draws indoor air and passes it through an electrostatic activated carbon HEPA filter, capturing 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns and common gases. The suction is strong, but in night mode the noise drops to about 24 dBA. This is about as loud as a normal whisper. It measures about 200 square feet, weighs about 7 pounds, and uses a sealed filter that lasts up to five years, reducing replacement and ongoing costs. It's quiet enough and requires so little maintenance that you won't have to think about it, and we love that.
Jackery Solar Shingles: Curved Crystal Panels That Act Like Real Roofing
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The Jackery solar roof replaces bolted panels with curved tiles that act as both roofing and photovoltaic cells. Each XBC tile uses a 0.13mm thick crystalline silicon element curved into a 150-degree “smile” shape, delivering over 25% efficiency and about 38 watts per tile – about 170 watts per square meter – while matching the profile of clay or concrete tiles in black or terracotta. The system is rated to withstand hail, high winds and temperatures from -40°F to 185°F, has a 30-year warranty, and integrates with Jackery Home Storage for whole-home backup. By treating solar as part of the building envelope rather than as a separate rack, it aims to make the system acceptable to homeowners' associations and aesthetics-conscious owners who would otherwise reject rooftop solar—an important barrier if residential rooftops are to make a meaningful contribution to decarbonizing the grid.
Reusable Air Filter Kit from Filtrete: A reusable HVAC frame with collapsible replacement filters.
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Filtrete's reusable air filter kit replaces a conventional one-piece furnace filter with a rigid frame designed to last up to 20 years in your HVAC system and slim “refill” elements that slide out and push in. Each MPR 1550 replacement part lasts up to 12 months, folds up to take up 75 percent less space and captures significantly more fine particles than basic filters, while generating approximately 20 percent less waste over the life of the frame. The kit comes in recyclable packaging, and the Filtrete app can tell you when it's time to replace the media, eliminating the human tendency to forget about filters until the air flow drops. Considering how many homes now rely on forced air systems for both heating and cooling, a design that reduces waste and promotes longer, more consistent filtration is a small but concrete improvement in how we manage indoor air and HVAC waste.
PopSci Gift Guide for 2025
