USA TODAY Best Home & Outdoor Products
2026 USA TODAY Editor’s Pick Best Home & Outdoor Products
Earn USA TODAY Editor’s Pick Recognition
The USA TODAY Editor’s Pick Best Home & Outdoor Products 2026 recognize products that make homes more comfortable, beautiful, functional and enjoyable—both indoors and out.
Each submission is considered by USA TODAY’s editorial team for Editor’s Pick recognition—an honor reserved for products that demonstrate exceptional innovation, quality, craftsmanship, performance, design and consumer value.
From furniture and décor to appliances, outdoor living, lawn and garden, lighting, home improvement products and home services, the program highlights products that help consumers create better living spaces and improve everyday life.
Why Submit?
Earning USA TODAY Editor’s Pick recognition tells consumers your product has been identified by USA TODAY editors as one of the most noteworthy in its category.
Products selected as an Editor’s Pick may receive:
- Official USA TODAY Editor’s Pick recognition
- Inclusion in USA TODAY consumer technology editorial coverage
- National exposure across USA TODAY’s digital platforms
- An opportunity to license the official USA TODAY Editor’s Pick badge
- Increased credibility with consumers, retailers, media and industry professionals
What is USA TODAY Editor’s Pick?
USA TODAY Editor’s Pick is an editorial recognition awarded to products that distinguish themselves through innovation, performance, design, usability, reliability and overall consumer value.
Selections are made independently by USA TODAY editors through editorial research, product evaluation, supporting documentation, expert input and hands-on testing when appropriate.
Editor’s Pick recognition helps consumers discover products that improve everyday living, enhance their homes, simplify household tasks or create exceptional indoor and outdoor experiences.
If you have any questions, please contact the team at EVG Media, and a representative will get back with you as quickly as possible.
Please note that while other companies may approach you, EVG Media is the only official licensing partner for the USA TODAY Editor’s Pick Best Home & Outdoor Products.
Ready to Earn USA TODAY Editor’s Pick Recognition?
Complete the submission form below and tell us why your product deserves editorial consideration. Every submission is reviewed independently by USA TODAY editors.
Submission fee: $350 per product
Your submission fee covers:
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- Editorial submission processing
- Product intake and administration
- Editorial research and evaluation
- Consideration for USA TODAY Editor’s Pick recognition
Submission fees do not influence editorial decisions and do not guarantee that a product will receive Editor’s Pick recognition.
You may submit up to three products at one time on this form.
Please be patient. The form page make take a few seconds to update once you’ve submitted your entry. If you experience any issues or have any questions, contact EVG Media.
Submission Schedule
The USA TODAY Editor’s Pick Best Home & Outdoor Products 2026 program accepts submissions on a rolling basis. Products may be submitted at any time during the editorial year and are reviewed as editorial schedules permit.
The initial editorial feature will publish November 2, 2026.
To be considered for the current editorial cycle, submissions are accepted beginning August 18, 2026 and must be received by October 16, 2026.
Following the initial publication, additional products may continue to be reviewed and recognized throughout the remainder of the editorial cycle until the submission deadline.
We encourage submissions throughout the nomination window rather than waiting until the deadline.
Editorial Independence
USA TODAY maintains complete editorial independence throughout the selection process.
Submission fees support the administration of the awards program and do not guarantee recognition as a USA TODAY Editor’s Pick.
USA TODAY editors retain sole discretion regarding:
- Products selected for review
- Evaluation criteria
- Editor’s Pick recognitions
- Publication timing
- Categories and editorial features
Products may be declined or removed if they do not meet USA TODAY’s editorial standards.
If Your Product Is Selected
Brands receiving USA TODAY Editor’s Pick recognition will be notified directly. Recognized brands may have the opportunity to:
- Be featured in USA TODAY editorial content
- License the official USA TODAY Editor’s Pick badge
- Promote their recognition across advertising, packaging, websites, and social media
- Purchase optional commemorative awards and marketing materials
Licensing opportunities are offered separately and are never required.
What Products May Be Submitted?
The USA TODAY Editor’s Pick Best Home & Outdoor Products 2026 recognize excellence across today’s evolving home and outdoor living marketplace.
We welcome submissions ranging from established brands to emerging innovators, including products for the home, outdoor living, home improvement, furnishings, appliances, décor, lawn and garden, lighting and home-related services.
The categories below are intended as examples only and are not all-inclusive. USA TODAY editors reserve the right to evaluate products in the category they determine is most appropriate or to create new categories as the marketplace continues to evolve.
The program welcomes products across a broad range of categories, including but not limited to:
Furniture
- Living room furniture
- Bedroom furniture
- Dining furniture
- Office furniture
- Accent furniture
- Outdoor furniture
- Children’s furniture
- Storage furniture
Home Décor
- Rugs
- Lighting fixtures
- Wall décor
- Mirrors
- Decorative accessories
- Window treatments
- Seasonal décor
- Home fragrance
- Organization products
Kitchen Appliances
- Small kitchen appliances
- Coffee and beverage systems
- Cookware
- Bakeware
- Kitchen gadgets
- Food storage
Outdoor Living
- Patio furniture
- Outdoor kitchens
- Grills and smokers
- Fire pits
- Patio heaters
- Pergolas
- Gazebos
- Outdoor lighting
- Outdoor entertaining products
Lawn & Garden
- Lawn equipment
- Garden tools
- Irrigation systems
- Robotic mowers
- Landscaping products
- Outdoor power equipment
- Planters
- Gardening innovations
- Aquatic care products and systems
Home Improvement
- Flooring
- Paint and finishes
- Doors and windows
- Hardware
- Smart home products
- Home security
- Garage organization
- Building products
Lighting & Electrical
- Indoor lighting
- Outdoor lighting
- Ceiling fans
- Smart lighting
- Decorative lighting
- Energy-efficient lighting
Cleaning & Home Maintenance
- Vacuums
- Carpet cleaners
- Floor care
- Air purifiers
- Water filtration
- Cleaning products
- Home maintenance equipment
- Organization systems
Home Services
- Home warranty providers
- Home security services
- Pest control services
- Lawn care services
- Landscaping services
- Installation services
- Smart home monitoring
- Home maintenance services
Sustainability & Innovation
- Energy-efficient products
- Water-saving innovations
- Sustainable building materials
- Eco-friendly home products
- Smart energy management
- Innovative home solutions
Products do not need to fit perfectly within one of these categories. USA TODAY may place a submission in the category editors consider most appropriate.
What Editors Consider
Products may be evaluated using a combination of factors, including:
- Innovation
- Quality and performance
- Design, functionality and ease of use
- Durability and craftsmanship
- Consumer value
- Safety and sustainability
- Overall homeowner experience
Editors may also consider supporting research, independent reviews, third-party testing, previous recognition and the product’s position within the broader marketplace.
A product does not need to be the most expensive or feature-rich in its category. Editors may recognize products that offer exceptional value, solve everyday homeowner challenges or meaningfully improve how people live, work and enjoy their homes.