Between helping you find the very best Mother’s Day gifts and tokens of encouragement for your budding graduates, the Filter had quite the busy month.
Curious what products Guardian readers flocked to in May the most? We were too – so we crunched the numbers. Among your favorite products were a few repeat offenders, such as one of commissioning editor Karen Yuan’s favorite pans that appeared on past bestseller lists. And some new faces – including an intriguing bag of purple rice and a travel vest with 26 hidden pockets.
Read on to discover your 10 most loved items of May, according to the anonymous purchasing data we have access to.
Jasberry Superfood Rice
“Have you been using boring rice your entire life?” wrote Kiki Aranita, a pro chef.
Many of you (myself included) felt called out by her question and added the diverse varieties she recommended to your cart. Of her seven suggestions, your very favorite was this Jasberry superfood rice, a purple grain Aranita called “one of her core pantry staples”.
Read the story: Have you been eating boring rice your whole life? Try these seven kinds instead
Field Company No 5 Cast Iron Skillet
When Yuan learned that one of her favorite pans was on sale for Mother’s Day, she dutifully spread the news to Filter readers.
This likely resulted in some very happy moms, as Field Company’s lightweight cast-iron skillet was one of your most shopped items in May. Though it’s no longer on sale, its great performance and ease of use are worth the price.
Read the review: Field Company’s new No 5 chef skillet fixes everything I hated about cast iron
LEVOIT Tower Fan for Bedroom
I love my New York City apartment’s old Manhattan charm – until the weather heats up and I’m suddenly sweating in my room that has no central air conditioning.
Perhaps some of you are in the same boat, as this oscillating tower fan that we recommended in our Memorial Day sale roundup was one of your most shopped products of May. It features a 12-hour timer and a sleep mode.
Shop our favorite Memorial Day deals: The best Memorial Day 2026 sales: 19 deals from brands we know and trust
Scottevest Best Travel Vest
If somebody told me you could fit a laptop inside a vest, I would think they were lying.
But Filter contributor Adam Doud’s review of this travel vest, equipped with 26 pockets, proved me wrong.
Doud credits this vest for making TSA screening a breeze: “I don’t bother unloading anything. I just remove the whole vest and send it through the scanner,” he wrote.
Read the review: This 26-pocket vest is my key to travel nirvana
Mr Pen Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer
A diaper caddy organizer can make a parent’s life easier, consolidating wipes, creams or training pants. Even better? One that doubles as storage for your cleaning supplies.
Many of you were intrigued by this diaper caddy organizer recommended by Marissa Miller, a Filter contributor, for its “soft felt fabric” and minimalist design.
Shop our favorite organizational picks: ‘Stores an ungodly amount of stuff’: 11 products our writers rely on to organize and declutter
Benvwe Faux Fur Blanket
The rumors are true: a luxurious blanket doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. One of my favorite purchases for my apartment is this faux fur blanket. It’s incredibly soft and adds a lovely bit of texture to my otherwise plain bedding. Some of you must have been on the hunt for a new throw that wasn’t a viral yet pricey Lola blanket, as many of you added this to your cart after we recommended it as one of our favorite Mother’s Day sales.
Read the story: The 26 best Mother’s Day deals actually worth your (and your mom’s) time
VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP Cable Ties
“I have been using these Velcro ties for more than five years as a cheap, easy way to secure and organize all my wires in my office and living room,” wrote Les Shu, a Filter contributor.
Perhaps some of you are tired of your many chargers tangling together, as these unobtrusive ties were another organizational item that became one of your most shopped in May.
Shop our favorite organizational picks: ‘Stores an ungodly amount of stuff’: 11 products our writers rely on to organize and declutter
Illy Instant Coffee
May’s a busy season, full of travel, outdoor gatherings and celebrations. So, I can’t say I’m surprised that this travel-friendly, convenient instant coffee topped your list of favorites. Illy’s variety is a true coffee all-star, winning the favor of participants in a test of instant coffee and in our blind taste test against drip (yes, instant beat drip!).
Read the story: Instant coffee v drip: our blind taste test may unravel your assumptions
Staub Stackable Cast-iron Set
Switching to an induction cooktop has many benefits: they often use less energy and are safer than their gas and electric counterparts.
One of the caveats? Finding cookware that’s compatible with your cooktop. In our guide to induction cookware sets, we deemed this one from Staub the best premium option, calling out its handy stackable design, stunning color selection and durable cast-iron material.
Read our guide: The seven best induction cookware sets in the US for 2026
AeroPress Clear Pink Coffee Press
In May, you didn’t let your travel plans stop you from enjoying a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. Aside from instant coffee, you also loved the AeroPress, a simple gadget that only requires hot water and coffee grounds.
Of the seven models tested by Joe Ray, a Filter contributor, your favorite was this stylish option he loves for “getting the most out of your brewing and nerding out to your heart’s content”. If you opt for the uncolored version, its transparent finish allows you to peer inside its chambers, resulting in a more customizable brew.
Read the story: Is an AeroPress coffee maker worth it? I tested every model – here’s the good and surprisingly bad
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer
Many of you must know some pretty nostalgic moms in your lives. After recommending this palm-sized smartphone camera, which transforms a digital photo into a retro Polaroid, in our Mother’s Day gift guide, many of you added it to your cart. However, this mini memory printer makes the perfect present for anyone with a sentimental streak (dads, too).
Read our gift guide: The 23 best Mother’s Day gifts, according to moms, grandmas and one great-grandmother
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
