Our Favorite New Releases and Innovations of September Include a Wearable Exoskeleton

As leaders in the home improvement and repair space, we get a lot of emails about new products and innovative additions. While they don’t all catch our attention or compel us to cover them, the six below certainly did. Some of these exciting product launches will make tasks and projects easier, while others enable relaxation and improve your home’s aesthetics. One will even make your home a safer place—without you having to call in the help of a pro. Made by industry leaders and up-and-coming companies, these products are our favorite new releases for fall. 

1. BioLite Introduces an Easy-Install Backup Home Energy System

BioLite has been in the off-grid energy and lighting business since its start in 2006. In 2012, it launched the BioLite CampStove (now in its second generation), a portable camp stove that uses a thermoelectric generator to produce electricity from the heat of its fire. Now this innovative company is taking things to a whole new level with the BioLite Backup Core. This self-installable automatic home energy backup system can deliver up to 60 hours of power for essential home appliances and devices in the event of a power outage. Since whole-house generators generally require installation by a professional (which costs around $1,500 to $5,000), it’s really rather remarkable that the Backup Core can be up and running in just 30 minutes without the need to call in a contractor or electrician. The Core version of the Backup is currently preorder-only through Kickstarter, and you can snag it for an up to 35 percent discount by supporting the project there. You can also preorder the Backup Complete through Kickstarter for double the runtime. It retails for $2,999, but you can get it for 35 percent off and you’ll qualify for a 30 percent tax credit, bringing your out-of-pocket price down to $1,365.

Pre-order the BioLite energy saver at Kickstarter for $1,299.

2. Meater Pro XL Meets Everyone’s Cookout Preferences

Personal preferences are rarely in short supply in any situation, and that goes for grilling, too. That’s why Meater added the Pro XL to its lineup. This Wi-Fi–enabled, USB-C-rechargeable meat thermometer has an impressive four individual probes to ensure chefs can monitor each item until it’s cooked to perfection. Each probe has an ambient sensor and five internal sensors that provide continuous feedback and customizable notifications for temperature, cooking time, and rest time. The Pro XL’s guided cook system takes the guesswork out of barbecuing so the money you spend on meat doesn’t go up in smoke. 

Get the Meater meat thermometer at Amazon for $349.95.

3. Solo Stove Expands Its Patio Furniture Selection 

Famous for smokeless fire pits, Solo Stove wants you to enjoy every aspect of outdoor living with its new TerraFlame ergonomic patio furniture. Available in a range of colors and finishes, the collection includes a loveseat, club chair, coffee table, side table, and fire table insert. The low-maintenance TerraFlame set features eco-friendly and weatherproof high-density polyethylene frames and durable Sunbrella cushions. Each piece is easy to assemble in minutes (no tools necessary!) with Solo Stove’s patented Solo Link technology.

Get Solo Stove’s new patio furniture at Solo Stove starting at $199.99.

4. York Wallcoverings Launches Natural Grass-Cloth Peel + Stick 

Peel-and-stick wallpaper continues to gain attention for its ease of installation and damage-free removal. Though its popularity has grown, we haven’t seen much in the way of innovation—until now. York Wallcoverings just launched the first-ever genuine sisal grass-cloth peel-and-stick wallpaper collection. Unlike other brands that offer only printed vinyl look-alikes, this high-performance product is made from natural fiber paper with a sticky backing that’s ideal for rental homes or nonpermanent installation. Because grass cloth is meant to be uneven, DIYers don’t even need to worry about lining up panels as they work. The York Wallcoverings grass-cloth wallpaper is currently available in eight colorways, from versatile neutrals to moody darks, and comes in a 18-foot-long by 36-inch-wide roll. 

Get the York Wallcoverings wallpaper at York Wallcoverings for $199.

5. Festool Introduces the ExoActive Exoskeleton 

The Festool ExoActive exoskeleton is the most innovative product on this month’s list. This battery-powered tool is designed to be worn during laborious overhead tasks, such as painting or sanding, to support workers under their arms and reduce pressure and stress on the body. It fits like a backpack and is adjustable—not only to the individual wearing it but also in terms of its power and support, allowing users to make precise adjustments exactly where they need them. While it might be a minute before the ExoActive becomes commonplace on jobsites, those who are lucky enough to start using it now will appreciate the effort and bodily wear and tear it saves them. 

Get the Festool exoskeleton at Festool for $3,495.

6. Milwaukee Designs a Powerful New Flood Light 

Milwaukee is going big with its innovative M18 Rover triple-panel lighting solution. Built for the professional jobsite or active DIYer, this flood and area light features a dual-power triple-panel design that delivers 4500 lumens of Trueview high-definition illumination output. It has three folding panels, nine total brightness modes, and, unlike lights that merely tilt up and down, it features 270-degree by 270-degree articulation capabilities to accommodate task, area, or overhead lighting needs. 

Get the Milwaukee flood light at Blain’s Farm & Fleet for $179.