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If they can make it here, they can make it anywhere — to borrow from Frank Sinatra.
For the last four months, intrepid Post reporters have been putting New Yorkers’ essential products to the ultimate test.
Surviving everything the most exciting — and sometimes dirtiest and sweatiest — city on earth can throw at them.
Want to know the best shoes to commute to work in? We literally walked 5.5 miles in boots, loafers, ballet flats, sneakers and even heels to find out.
Want to make sure your headphones can block out that guy blasting a boombox on the C train? We took nine different pairs to the noisiest places in the city — with a decibel meter for good measure — to crown the champion.
Want to save money on your daily cup of coffee with a top-notch coffee machine? We put them to the ultimate taste test with one of the city’s most elite baristas.
And want a suitcase that won’t dent while being hurled onto a luggage carousel at JFK? We threw your favorite makes — from bargain to bespoke — down the stairs five times to see who survived. You can thank us later.
Welcome to the New York Post’s inaugural Made It Here Awards.
Now it’s time to meet our winners — the heroes that took on the big city, and came out on top.
Best Commuter Shoes
We put 15 shoes through their paces to find out which are truly commute-proof. The test? Walking from Columbus Circle to Battery Park (about 5.5 miles) — on a sweltering summer day, no less.
Best Headphones
These are the headphones that stand up to subway noise, offer crystal clear phone calls even when you’re walking through Times Square and help you stay aware of your surroundings as you navigate the city.
Best Luggage
To find the suitcases that could meet the stresses of New York City, we divided the luggage into three categories: First Class, Direct-to-Consumer Aesthetics and Overpackers Anonymous, testing the features that mattered most to different types of travelers.
Best Coffee Makers
The bodega has cheap coffee covered. For the New York Post’s Made It Here Awards, we tested premium machines, ranging from $369 to $4,499, with one question: Which ones make coffee so good, you’d skip the shop?
Best Hair Dryers
Our testing team put five standout hair dryers and air stylers through their paces, with testers bringing different hair types, textures and styling needs to the process. We evaluated how easy each tool was to use, how effectively it dried and styled hair, the finish it delivered, which innovations felt genuinely useful and whether its performance justified the price.
Best Vacuums
Instead of comparing nine nearly identical machines, we divided our best vacuum contenders into three categories: cordless stick vacuums, wet/dry floor cleaners and robot vacuum-and-mop combos. We wanted to know not only which cleaned best, but which made the most sense for city living.
Best Power Banks
In New York, your phone isn’t just your phone; it’s your MetroCard. It’s also your Citi Bike key, your map if you get lost, and for some, it’s even your apartment key. We tested eight power banks with one question: Which ones actually keep a New Yorker’s phone alive from the first swipe of the day to the moment you get home?
Best Sheets
When you’re elbowing your way to a seat on the 6 or fighting through the chaos of Grand Central, you don’t want to come home and wrestle with your sheets. A set that traps heat when your pre-war radiator is already working overtime? Skip. A top brand that dares to pill after one wash? Hard pass. So I took the sheets category for the New York Post’s Made It Here Awards with one question: Which sets actually make it in New York City?
Best Air Conditioners
New York can be a hard place for air conditioners. We gave a sample of the top-of-the-line units to nine real New Yorkers in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan to test out under real-life conditions. No two spaces in the city are the same, even in the same building, so each reviewer has their own idiosyncratic needs for air cooling and dehumidifying.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.