It’s the first day of summer—here are the 10 best summer essentials to buy
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Today is June 21, meaning the first day of summer is here! There are many ways to celebrate and enjoy the start of the season no matter what you’re looking to get into. If you plan to hit the beach, we can recommend swimsuits we know you’ll love. If you're more of a homebody, check out some of our favorite air conditioners and fans so you can stay cool in the summer heat.
Our testing labs spend their days determining which products are the best for you. We’ve tested many summer essentials, including firepits, air conditioners and sunscreens, to find the top recommendations for your home. If you’re looking for something to do to commemorate the start of the season, check out the best summer products we’ve tested (and loved).
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1. Firepit
With the nights finally cool instead of frigid, there's no better way to host an outdoor get-together than by gathering around a toasty bonfire. Whether you're charring marshmallows for s'mores or just enjoying the heat, hosting a bonfire makes for a great summer night. For the best bonfire results, we recommend picking up our favorite fire pit, the Tiki Patio Fire Pit, which is easy to start, smokeless and easy to clean.
2. Sunscreen
Whether you're looking to prevent sunburn or more long-term negative health risks, sunscreen will help keep you safe in the sun. When it comes to mineral sunscreens, the best we've tested is the Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50 Sunscreen since it's smooth, has a pleasant smell and doesn't leave a white cast when applied.
3. Bug spray
We've all been there — you'll go for a late-night summer stroll or hang out on your porch only to wake up covered in itchy mosquito bites. Instead of swearing off leaving your house at night in fear of parasitic, flying insects, walk with confidence by applying bug spray. DEET-based repellants such as OFF have been used for years and with great effect, with few reported negative effects on humans. That said, you're looking for something more natural, give oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) a try. While synthesized, it's derived from naturally occurring plant oil to increase its repellant properties.
4. Cooling appliances
Even for those of us who prefer the heat, summer can get uncomfortably hot at times. This summer looks like it will be a real scorcher thanks to El Nino. To stay cool, we recommend either a fan or air conditioner, depending on how hot it is. Fans are fine for temperatures below 95ºF, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using air conditioners when temperatures climb into the high 90s. The best fan we've tested is the Vornado 660 thanks to its speed and power, which help it maintain a breeze over distance. The best window air conditioner is the GE Profile PHC08LY, which offers powerful cooling, quiet operation and compatibility with smartphones.
5. Grill
With the weather nicer, you'll be able to break out the grill to make delicious meals. Even if you're not a fan of meat you can enjoy the grill with tasty grilled vegetables such as asparagus and corn. The best grill you can buy comes down to the type of grill you want. If you want the smoky taste of a charcoal grill and the slight learning curve that comes with it, we recommend the Napoleon NK22K-LEG-2. If you want the convenience of a gas grill — which operates similarly to gas-powered stoves — we recommend the Weber Spirit II E-310.
6. Lawn chair
There's a certain aura to white plastic lawn chairs that makes it hard to resist the urge to sit on them for hours during a long summer night as you chat about everything that comes to mind. If you'd like to capture this feeling, we suggest picking up this ubiquitous chair. If you're looking for a higher-quality chair that won't hurt your rear after thirty minutes, we recommend picking up the best Adirondack chair, the Polywood Modern Curveback Adirondack Chair. While assembly is required, you won't regret putting it together since it's sturdy, comfortable and stylish.
7. Swim clothing
Looking to hit the beach? Make sure you bring quality swim clothes with you. For full swimsuits that are environmentally conscious, we recommend checking out Summersalt. We've tried the brand of swimsuits made of recycled materials and loved them. If you're looking for swim trunks, check out maamgic's trunks which have over 19,900 five-star reviews on Amazon thanks to their varied designs, quality materials and durability.
8. Carry-on
Summer is the season of vacationing, and if you're planning your own summer getaway, you'll want to pack only the best bags. Our favorite carry-on is Tom Bihn's Aeronaut 45. This soft-sides carry-on is large and in charge with multiple handles for easy carrying. It can be expanded to carry even more cargo and its high-quality materials mean that this bag will last you a long time.
9. Bluetooth speaker
Playing your favorite tunes over a speaker is a summer vibe, whether you're at the beach, in your house or at a bonfire. If you're looking for a new Bluetooth speaker, then the Sonos Roam is the best one you can buy. This Bluetooth speaker boasts excellent sound, sturdiness and a stylish design.
10. Water bottle
Summer heat combined with increased activity means you could be at a higher risk of dehydration, which can cause symptoms such as dizziness, tiredness and headaches. To prevent this from happening so you can enjoy your summer, we recommend using the best water bottle, Brita's BB11 Premium Filtering Water Bottle. This bottle filters out odors and tastes and can keep water cold for 24 hours.
When is the first day of summer?
This year, the first day of summer is Wednesday, June 21.
Is the first day of summer always June 21?
The Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice doesn’t annually fall on the same day, instead, it can fall on one of three days — June 20, June 21 or June 22.
How is June 21 the longest day of the year?
During our summer solstice, the northern hemisphere is tilted as far towards the sun as it will get in a year. The sun is at its highest point at the sky, meaning it will take more time to rise to its zenith and set from it.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: First day of summer 2023: Summer essentials for the season
