Three Gift Recommendations from CNBC Make It Staff That I Actually Bought for Myself and Use Every Day

I always check what others say about a gift before buying it, but I trust someone's personal experience more than Wirecutter's recommendations.

If you feel the same way, I'm here to help.

I am responsible for writing CNBC Make It's money newsletter, which entails selecting and publishing a consumer recommendation from one of my colleagues each week. I request that they submit anything they believe was a worthwhile purchase, ranging from basic toiletries to high-end kitchen appliances.

Although not everything is suitable for me, I have occasionally purchased a product based on a recommendation. Therefore, the three items below can be considered double-recommended. Each item costs approximately $100, which suggests thoughtfulness without being extravagant.

Nespresso coffee maker — $119

What they wrote:

My skepticism about recreating my favorite barista's Americano or latte at home was high, despite my New Year's resolution to spend less money at Starbucks.

The Nespresso VertuoPlus coffee machine is a great investment for coffee lovers who want a strong espresso with minimal counter space. It's easy to clean and maintain, and the price per pod is less than a dollar.

— Morgan Smith, Work Reporter

My take:

I am not a coffee snob, but rather a coffee utilitarian. After switching to the Nespresso in red, I have become completely satisfied and will never go back.

Their website makes it effortless to select your preferred coffee and enjoy fast shipping. With just a pod, button press, and a few seconds, you can enjoy delicious coffee or espresso without any hassle or mess.

Could I possibly make better coffee if I ground my own beans, boiled water, and used a contraption or a large, chrome espresso machine? Perhaps, but who has the time for all that?

iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum — $104

What they wrote:

I couldn't help but smile at our new Roomba as I watched it clean the other day.

Recently, my wife and I decided to buy an autonomous robot vacuum despite initially thinking it was extravagant for our small apartment. However, we were pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Roomba ($104 on Amazon), which had better suction than we expected, effortlessly picking up stray bits of cat litter that our old plug-in vacuum often missed.

We vacuum our place more frequently than before, thanks to our portable Black + Decker handheld vacuum ($50 on Amazon) that we use for removing cat hair from the couch. This has made it much easier to keep our place clean and has saved us a lot of time.

—Mike Winters, Money Reporter

My take:

Although my boyfriend was initially skeptical about Roomba, we have a dog that sheds and dislike vacuuming, so I convinced him to give it a try.

The app-controlled Roomba vacuum has revolutionized our cleaning routine. We named our vacuum Eugene, and it's now our go-to cleaning companion.

Whenever we go for a long walk or visit the park with the dog, we instruct Eugene to work while we are away. He performs so well that I have grown to genuinely like him.

Zima dental pod for aligners and retainers — $99

What they wrote:

Brushing a second set of teeth is an added challenge when trying to maintain good oral hygiene, but an ultrasonic dental pod can make the process more efficient for those who prioritize laziness.

Although I was initially reluctant to buy the aligners due to their high price ($99), I eventually decided to purchase them because the thought of cleaning them manually was too overwhelming. Now, I can simply place them in a pod and let the machine do the work for me in just five minutes. Additionally, the aligners themselves are much cleaner than anything I could achieve through manual cleaning.

A purchase with convenience and sanitation in mind. 10/10.

— Marisa Forziati, Video Editor

My take:

Last year, I read a review from Marisa about Invisalign and clicked "buy" after following the link. Despite using Invisalign for years, I found it challenging to keep the aligners clean according to the dentist's recommended methods.

This device effortlessly cleans and sanitizes aligners and retainers, allowing you to focus on other tasks while it works its magic. Additionally, it qualifies as a medical expense, making it a smart investment for those with FSA funds to spend before the year ends.

CNBC Make It determines the content covered and recommended in the "Worth the Money" section without any third-party endorsement or review of opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations.

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