Yahoo Movies Spring is here—prepare for the season ahead with these top products
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No, it’s not a trick of the mind—the snow is melting, the birds are singing and the sun is shining. The long winter has finally drawn to a close and spring is here. There are lots of ways to celebrate the changing of seasons, whether you want to hit the beach, go camping or host a gathering in your backyard. But first, you’ll need to make sure you have all the right essentials to enjoy the rest of the season. Here’s what you need.
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When is the first day of spring 2023?
This year, the Spring Equinox (a.k.a. the first day of spring) in the Northern Hemisphere takes place Monday, March 20, 2023.
1. A fire pit
A bonfire will keep your guests comfortable if you're looking to have an outdoor Equinox party. Plus, it's a great source of light (not that you’ll need it now that Daylight Saving Time has begun). The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is one of the best firepits we've ever tested as it is smokeless, easy to clean and fast-burning.
2. An ice cream maker
The ultimate way to welcome the season? Ice cream. Whether you're getting freebies from Dairy Queen or Rita's, or making homemade ice cream with our favorite ice cream maker, the Ninja Creami, a cold sweet treat is just what you need to kick off the season right.
3. Running shoes
For lululemon fans and runners alike, consider upgrading your running shoes for spring and getting your hands on the new and improved blissfeel 2.0. shoe by lululemon. Released at the beginning of the month, the new blissfeel shoe features a redesigned silhouette and upgraded fit and feel. Plus, it’s available in eight exciting colors. You’ll want to show these babies off the first chance you get.
4. A fitness tracker
Looking to get back into a workout routine this spring? Use a fitness tracker to help make the process easier—not to mention, more fun. The best fitness tracker we've tested is the Fitbit Charge 5. The Charge 5 earns this distinction because it's comfortable, easy to use and tracks a lot of pertinent health info.
5. Camping gear
Before you go out camping this spring, make sure to take a quality tent with you. The Coleman 4-Person Skydome is the best tent you can buy, with over 1,500 five-star reviews attesting to its quality. The value is great and it's very easy to set up and use. If you're looking for a sleeping bag to pair with it, whether for use at the campgrounds or in your own backyard for a night under the stars, we recommend getting the Sea to Summit Basecamp. Reviewed editor Séamus Bellamy swears by this sleeping bag, citing its roominess and warmth.
6. An air purifier
An air purifier will help you enjoy spring even if you have seasonal allergies, as their filters can capture the pollen and other irritants in the air throughout your home. Of the air purifiers that we've tested, we found the best to be the Blueair DustMagnet 5410i thanks to its quietness, excellent performance and smart home integration.
7. A bathing suit
It might be a bit too early for a dip in the ocean or lake for many states across the country, but it's not too early to at least make sure you have a bathing suit in the closet.
Hit the beach in style this year with Summersalt bathing suits. Made from recycled materials, these bathing suits come in various styles that are all comfortable, beautiful and durable. For swim trunks, we recommend the knee-length volley swim trunks from Speedo. While the brand is mostly known for its tight briefs, they also make a mean pair of trunks. Reviewers love the trunks for their durability, fit and stylishness.
8. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must-have to protect your skin from increased exposure to the sun as the days grow longer. Mineral sunscreens are great for those worried about harsh chemicals and we've done extensive testing on these sunscreens to determine the best one. Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50 Sunscreen is our winner thanks to its protection, pleasant smell and lightweight feel. Plus, unlike other sunscreens, it doesn't leave a white cast on your skin.
9. Luggage
If you're planning on taking a trip this spring, we recommend carrying your belongings in the best carry-on luggage, the Osprey Transporter Wheeled Carry-On. This lightweight luggage features a sturdy, retractable handle and all-terrain wheels, meaning you'll be able to maneuver your luggage easier no matter what terrain you’re crossing.
10. A smart sprinkler
A smart sprinkler makes it easy to maintain your yard throughout the season thanks to its automatic functions—just connect it to your irrigation system and you're golden. The best smart sprinkler controller we've tested is the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller. It's easy to install, even easier to use and comes with a host of impressive features.
11. A lawn mower
With the snow melting and the sun shining once more, you'll have to start mowing your lawn again and we know just the thing that can get the job done: the Honda HRN216VKA. We've named this beast of a machine the best lawn mower thanks to its power, comfortable handling and reliability.
12. Gardening gloves
If you've got a green thumb and want to grow flowers, fruits or veggies this spring, remember to pick up a pair of quality gardening gloves. The Showa Atlas 370 are the best pair of gardening gloves as they're waterproof, breathable and resistant to light wear and tear. For something a bit more durable that can withstand rocks and thorns, we recommend picking up the StoneBreaker Gloves Gardener, though be aware that they're not waterproof.
13. A grill
The first day of spring is the perfect time to break out the grill after the long winter. If you prefer the convenient and less finicky temperature control of a gas grill, we recommend getting the Weber Spirit II E-310, the best gas grill we've tested. The Weber Spirit II is a sturdy grill that cooks evenly and sears perfectly thanks to its impressive heat. If you prefer the smoky taste of charcoal, you should pick up our favorite charcoal grill, the Napoleon NK22K-LEG-2. Its large surface means you'll be able to evenly cook a lot of food at once.
14. Rain gear
May brings flowers, but to get them you'll have to deal with the April showers first. Whether you're the type of person who enjoys singin' in the rain or you immediately find shelter whenever it starts drizzling, you'll be a lot happier with some quality rain gear to help you stay dry.
As far as rainboots go, the best ones on the market are the Hunter Women's Original Short Rain Boots. Available in dozens of different colors, this rain boot is durable, waterproof and made from premium materials.
You'll want a quality umbrella, too—specifically, the Davek Solo, a.k.a. the best umbrella you can buy. Its huge canopy means you'll be completely protected from the rain and look cool while doing it thanks to the umbrella's stylish design. It costs a pretty penny, so for a more budget-friendly option we recommend checking out the Totes Titan umbrella. It comes in several designs, is very portable and offers good rain protection.
15. A portable air conditioner
The freezing cold will give way to sweltering heat before you know it and to prepare, you should get an air conditioner ready to install. Of the portable air conditioners we've tested, we found the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS to be the best thanks to its great cooling capabilities and even greater value.
16. A water bottle
You'll want to take care to make sure you're staying properly hydrated as the warm weather starts to roll in. A great way to do this is to carry around a reusable water bottle. The best water bottle we've tested is the Brita BB11 Premium Filtering Water Bottle due to its ease of use, its filter that gets rid of odors and its insulation that keeps water cool for up to 24 hours.
17. Cleaning supplies
With the right tools, spring cleaning might be something you look forward to instead of dreading. Using a Swiffer is an effective and hassle-free way to clean. The Swiffer WetJet, in particular, has over 30,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with reviewers loving how easy it is to use. For surfaces that the Swiffer can't clean, we recommend using our favorite vacuum cleaner, the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away which picks up a good amount of dirt and has a canister configuration for hard-to-reach spots.
18. Hiking boots
With warmer weather comes more opportunities to explore the great outdoors. If you're in the market for new boots, we recommend picking up the Men’s Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Merrell Hiking Boot. These hiking boots are beloved on Amazon for their support, comfortability and their price. For women's boots, there's the Merrell Women's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe, with over 7,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Reviewers report that these shoes are comfortable, warm and waterproof.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Things for first day of spring 2023: ice cream, grill, lawn mower
