Prime Day is simply days away, and all of NCS Underscored comes collectively to spherical up the very best methods to save lots of in Amazon’s annual summer season sale. But identical to some other Friday, I’m tapping in like I do each different week to share the best product launches of the previous seven days.
This week, I take a hands-on take a look at the primary refresh to Herman Miller’s iconic Aeron chair in over 30 years, element all the pieces it’s worthwhile to find out about a Nimble travel charger I’ve been ready months to launch and dive into the brand new Pokémon World Championships merch. All that and extra on this week’s protection.
This previous week, two large firsts occurred. The New York Knicks grew to become champions after winning the NBA Finals for the primary time in 53 years and Herman Miller unveiled the primary new colours for its Aeron chair because it first launched again in 1994. Even extra fittingly, one of many new colours contains Nightfall, a midnight blue that’s impressed by the Knicks. The desk chair I’ve been counting on for practically a decade additionally simply occurred to interrupt, and this felt like the right time to improve and see what the long-lasting Aeron Chair (and its new design) was all about.
When my colleagues and NCS Underscored’s testing editors got down to discover the best office chair, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair impressed with an extremely snug and supportive design, however we in the end couldn’t recover from the steep price ticket sufficient to suggest it over some extra reasonably priced alternate options. But for somebody like myself who sits all day at her desk? The worth is actually there.
My earlier desk chair had been serving me properly for the previous 8 years earlier than lastly sporting down sufficient to wish a alternative. Maybe it’s destiny that my older chair wanted changed simply as Herman Miller launches the brand new Midnight shade, identical to it was destiny that Karl-Anthony Towns might tip the basketball in with 1.2 seconds left on the clock to win Game 4 of the NBA Finals, however it’s all been the right excuse to splurge on a brand new residence workplace improve. I’ve discovered first hand {that a} dependable desk chair is value each penny, and a brand new design is pretty much as good of a purpose to make the funding.
So far, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair has proved itself to be essentially the most snug desk chair I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in. I’ve one in all Herman Miller’s iconic Eames Lounge Chairs in my household room, and having the ability to get pleasure from a lot of the identical consolation in my residence workplace is only a delight. The added ergonomics from its adjustable design additionally makes it simpler than ever to maintain an accurate posture hours into my day. For the Midnight model (in addition to the opposite new shade, Jasper), Herman Miller can also be taking a extra sustainable strategy to how the chairs are made through the use of extra ocean-bound plastic diverted from waterways and landfills within the development of its latest Aeron fashions.
All that’s to say, I’m fairly proud of my latest residence workplace improve and am able to log one other 8 years sitting within the Herman Miller Aeron, identical to my older chair. Shelling out for the $2,385 price tag on a chair like this can be a tougher promote up entrance, however it’s an funding that I do know my again will thank me for a decade from now.
A product that I’ve been ready to launch for the reason that starting of the yr has lastly hit retailer cabinets this week. We first checked into Nimble’s new moveable charger when it was revealed at CES 2026 because the Champ Stack, solely to go on to appoint it because the journey gadget that our editors have been most wanting ahead to launching in 2026 as a part of our newest version of The Watch List. Now it’s lastly right here, simply with a brand new title, as Nimble formally launches the SharePower Portable Charger.
Just like once we initially coated it six months in the past, the charger goals to unravel an issue that anybody touring with buddies or household is certain to have skilled. After an extended day of touring to a vacation spot or whereas exploring throughout day trip and about sightseeing, at the very least one particular person in your group goes to wish to cost their smartphone. A standard moveable charger would be capable to assist, however what occurs when a second particular person must plug in too? Some energy banks help powering a number of gadgets directly, however that solely will get you up to now.
What in case you and your journey associate wish to break up up with out separating the opposite from their energy supply? The Nimble SharePower has an answer. Its 10,000mAh battery can be utilized by only a single gadget, or break up in half to ship 5,000mAh of energy to 2 completely different gadgets, even when they’re not subsequent to one another. One aspect has an built-in USB-C cable, whereas the opposite has a plug that may fold out for clipping into the underside of a smartphone.
Instead of the black design that I received to see again at CES, the Nimble SharePower Portable Charger now additionally is available in three colours. Regardless of in case you select from its White, Liquid Crystal Blue or Liquid Crystal Pink designs, you should buy the distinctive energy financial institution straight from Nimble for $80.
New plushes, T-shirts and collectibles have been revealed
This previous weekend, The Pokémon Company held its annual North American International Championship in New Orleans, Louisiana to crown some new champions throughout its buying and selling card recreation, online game and different aggressive codecs. It additionally confirmed off all the brand new merch that might be launching because the yr’s largest occasion for all issues Pokémon; the Pokémon World Championships 2026.
I’ve been making the journey to attend the occasion for the previous few years, and as a lot as I really like following together with the aggressive scene, I can’t deny that a part of why I’m going is to attain a number of the limited-edition merch. Now that it’s formally been revealed for this yr’s festivities, I’m much more excited to be heading to San Francisco come the top of August. So, excuse me only a second whereas I recap what’s new from the Pokémon Worlds assortment this yr.
The most enjoyable reveal for me is the brand new Worlds 2026 plush, which features a the occasion’s the 2 variations of Pikachu mascots decked out in some cute new apparel. The one pictured above places Pikachu in a regal crown and cape becoming for the spirit of the competitors, whereas a second one is themed across the aspect occasion that the corporate shall be internet hosting, Pokémon XP, and permits the electrical mouse to don a colourful area swimsuit. There’s additionally T-shirts, a backpack, baseball cap, TCG equipment and pins, in addition to tons of different merch that has but to be revealed.
I’m positive this gained’t be the final time in test in on the Pokémon World Championships this yr. Last yr after I attended the occasion, I introduced Fujifilm’s tiny new X Half camera to check out and in the end evaluation for NCS Underscored. So who is aware of what piece of tech I’ll carry this yr to put in writing about. In the meantime, you may study extra about attending the World Championships or Pokémon XP for your self right here.
New anime-inspired smartphone circumstances and equipment
Casetify makes a few of my favorite iPhone cases, and not simply because they maintain my smartphone protected. Yes, the equipment do an exceptional job at preserving my gadget defended in opposition to drops and some other injury, however the firm additionally delivers some cool and collectible methods to type my handset with its many collaborations. This week, the model launched its newest of these partnerships with a new Neon Genesis Evangelion collection. I’ve been a fan of the anime for years now, and have bought a number of the firm’s earlier circumstances imbued with the present’s characters. This time, Casetify is again with some contemporary designs and totally equipment.
The latest wave of Evangelion Casetify equipment start from $24 and embody a number of the most unusual methods to guard and type your Apple merchandise. There’s a brand new lineup of circumstances match for the most recent iPhones (and some older fashions) with designs impressed by the large robots themselves, the present’s signature iconography and the varied protagonists like Shinji, Rei and Asuka. My favorite a part of the gathering, nonetheless, are the brand new equipment — with the AirPods Max cowl being a specific standout. I really like that the case is designed to imitate one thing from the present There’s additionally themed MagSafe grips, steel wrist straps, magnetic wi-fi chargers and different gear to outfit your gadgets.
As per ordinary with Casetify, I simply love the corporate’s strategy to themed equipment. Other manufacturers could slap some logos on their typical circumstances, however that’s not sufficient for Casetify. The distinctive molded particulars and intricate designs are simply as collectible as they’re helpful for shielding your smartphone, and I really like that there’s a lot selection. Everything is now obtainable for a restricted time direct from Casetify’s website.
If you’ve been a longtime NCS Underscored reader, you’ll have little doubt come throughout one in all our editors speaking about Twelve South and its helpful smartphone equipment. From reasonably priced iPhone stands and luxurious chargers to a few of our favorite journey devices, the model has left an awesome impression on our employees through the years. This week, the corporate launched a new collection that refreshes the latter class, rolling out new designs for a pair of its editor-favorite journey equipment.
The new Frost Collection applies clear casings to the brand new AirFly Pro 2 audio transmitter and ButterFly SE moveable MagSafe charger. Each one now is available in 4 new colours together with Mint Ice, Black Ice, Teal and Fuchsia Ice, which exhibit a little bit of the circuitry beneath the plastic casings. Both of the devices are a few of my private favorite equipment for after I go on trip, and the brand new designs make for an awesome excuse to see why so many NCS Underscored editors agree with me. The AirFly Pro 2 in its new coat of paint still sells for $60, whereas the ButterFly SE goes for $80. There’s no uncharge throughout the contemporary colours, both.
It’s been practically 4 years since Sennheiser launched its final pair of flagship headphones. When NCS Underscored received our arms on the Momentum 4, they impressed with nice sound high quality, an opulent design that improved on earlier choices and some strong lively noise cancellation options. Now all these years later, the corporate is again with its latest pair of over-ear headphones with a lot of the identical focus as final time round: Deliver a extra premium various to the likes of Sony’s XM6 and Apple’s AirPods Max.
The new Sennheiser Momentum 5 Headphones are fairly much like their predecessor. They nonetheless characteristic a design that we discovered to be snug to put on for prolonged work periods or flights, with the make change this time being within the audio high quality division. The Momentum 5 should still use the identical 42mm transducers because the earlier pair that we reviewed, however now Sennheiser is pairing them with the Hi-Res Audio certification and Snapdragon Sound help — a characteristic that permits these headphones to help wi-fi lossless audio playback. Not everybody goes to care concerning the capability to get pleasure from their music in such excessive constancy, however for me, this alone justifies the Momentum 5’s $400 price ticket.
That could appear to be so much, however different pairs of headphones that help wi-fi lossless audio, just like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 that I personally use and love, will run you twice the value. There are some caveats to utilizing the expertise — primarily that it’s worthwhile to be utilizing a tool that helps Snapdragon Sound within the first place — however Sennheiser at the very least pairs the brand new headphones with its BTD 700 Bluetooth dongle as an non-obligatory add-on so extra gadgets can reap the benefits of the higher-end audio playback. As somebody who beforehand relied on the Momentum 4 for my every day listening, I’m eager to get my arms on this new launch to listen to how they sound for myself and see how they examine to the opposite best over-ear headphones on the matket. But within the meantime, they’re obtainable for buy directly from Sennheiser and are available Black, White and Denim designs.
Mophie has been within the smartphone equipment recreation for over a decade and has been preserving NCS Underscored editors’ smartphones charged for simply as lengthy. This week, the corporate launched its latest chargers, and I’ve had the prospect to attempt one in all them for myself. The principal draw of the brand new releases isn’t a extra highly effective charging puck, a extensively new design or a extra premium end, however as a substitute fixing a number of the greatest points with wi-fi chargers.
The StealthCharge lineup’s entire premise is to be extra environment friendly than any of the MagSafe chargers which have come earlier than it. If you’ve ever used a wi-fi charger, you’ll have doubtless skilled simply how scorching your smartphone will get after spending a while on the charging puck. Other firms, like Anker, have tried to fight this by including followers into the charging mount to chill your gadget down because it refuels. That strategy has actually had some success, however it’s largely simply placing a bandaid on the bigger drawback — wi-fi charging coils and different circuitry get scorching in use. Mophie’s newest chargers purpose to repair that by relocating Qi2.2 charging elements from the mount that holds your smartphone into the bottom of the chargers.
After attempting one of many new chargers out for myself, the 4-in-1 Wireless Charge Stand, it’s clear that Mophie is perhaps onto one thing. Initial testing up to now is exhibiting promising outcomes, as my iPhone 17 Pro hasn’t been getting fairly as scorching in comparison with utilizing older MagSafe chargers. But how properly it does in comparison with wi-fi chargers with an lively cooling fan stays to be seen.
You can store the brand new Mophie StealthCharge Lineup proper now straight from Mophie’s on-line storefront. There are three completely different chargers that characteristic the brand new strategy to wi-fi charging, and costs throughout the trio start from $150. Below, you’ll discover a rundown on what’s completely different throughout the gathering.
This 4-in-1 charging stand is the flagship launch from the StealthCharge sequence and contains 4 methods to recharge your gear. The principal 25W Qi charging pad is made in your smartphone, whereas an Apple Watch puck rests behind it on an elevated platform. Below, you will discover a spot for wi-fi earbuds, with a hidden retractable USB-C charger constructed into the bottom.
If you do not want the added USB-C cable on the bottom, it can save you an additional $20 by dropping right down to the 3-in-1 model of charging stand. It has the identical steel end, 25W magnetic charging pad and capability to refuel equipment like AirPods and an Apple Watch, simply at a barely inexpensive worth level.
Mophie can also be making use of its StealthCharge tech to a journey charger that may refuel your total Apple setup whereas away from residence. The MagSafe charging pad, Apple Watch puck and AirPods wi-fi charger are all packed right into a extra compact design that may slot in a carry-on or private bag.
As offers editors at NCS Underscored, we’re a number of the first folks to listen to concerning the newest product information from reader-favorite manufacturers. We present a novel perspective within the service journalism area by masking each stage in a product’s life cycle. That means our senior offers editor, Rikka Altland, follows a product from the second it’s introduced via testing it herself and then circling again as soon as it begins happening sale.
Our aim right here is to save lots of you cash, and by contemplating all the journey of a product, we will provide higher ideas on if it’s value your money. Altland has been doing simply that for practically a decade, and that sort of expertise extends to the remainder of our offers workforce. Being an advocate for consumers to ensure we’re solely recommending the very best costs on the very best merchandise is what we’re all about, and that focus comes throughout in our work.