Top Three Winners from CNN Underscored’s 2026 Innovation Awards

We tested a ton of products all year, searching for those that truly change how you live, work, eat and sleep but most importantly that actually make a difference. No hype, no buzzwords, just real-world testing of products that are worth your time and money. From the 23 Innovation Award winners we selected, here are three that stood out, changing how you take notes, drink coffee, and rest while traveling. These are smart, practical innovations that don’t just look cool, they genuinely make life better.