Every year, new gadgets come out that really change the way we live our lives. As technology advances, scientists and researchers are discovering more and more ways to improve our everyday experiences, from cooking to doing laundry. If you're someone who likes to try new things and constantly seeks ways to make certain tasks more convenient, then the following products are for you. The best part? They can all be purchased online, so you don't even need to run out to the store to get them. How many of these would you try?
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#1 Wool Dryer Balls
Bid farewell to dryer sheets and say hello to wool dryer balls. If you seek fluffier and softer laundry, you need to make the switch as soon as possible. The shapes of these wool dryer balls are designed to keep your garments in tip-top condition while also keeping them fresh and clean. And as an added bonus, they're completely natural and reusable, so you'll be helping the environment too.
#2 Air Purifier and Deodorizer
Studies show that indoor air, in certain cases, can contain more pollutants than outside air. That's because the air inside of a home or office stays trapped within the walls of the building, where it just constantly gets reused and recycled. The moment you use an air purifier in your stuffy space, you'll immediately notice the difference. Just plug them in and you're good to go.
#3 Outlet Shelf
Talk about maximizing your space—this outlet shelf lets you place the device you're charging right above the outlet so that you don't have to keep it in an inconvenient spot like on the floor or on a couch arm. It also allows you to use shorter wires and keeps chargers relatively hidden out of sight. You could use the outlet shelf as a permanent spot for other electronics as well, such as portable speakers.
#4 Stainless Steel Straws
Do you want to save the turtles? Start by using stainless steel straws. They're an environmentally-friendly option for those who are consistent straw users since they won't end up in the garbage after you use them. Simply wash them with dish detergent and water (the set comes with a cleaning brush) and you're good to go.
#5 Magnetic Phone Mount
Phone mounts are convenient, but they can sometimes be tricky to handle. Having to adjust the mount every time you put your phone down on it or take it out can be quite a hassle. Remove that step by buying this magnetic phone mount, which holds your phone up via magnets. Simply clip the phone mount onto one of your vents and place your phone on the magnetic pad. It's that simple.
#6 Fabric Steamer
If your dryer alone doesn't leave you satisfied with your clothes after you've finished your laundry, maybe it's time you considered adding another step to your routine. This fabric steamer is a great way to really get those wrinkles out. Not only is it easier than ironing, but it's also super compact in size, so you can fit it in your suitcase and take it on the go.
#7 Cable Clips
We've all had irritating experiences dealing with messy wires under our desks. It can be a total pain to plug and unplug wires when they're all jumbled up together. With cable clips, you can organize your wires so that they stay neat, tidy, and easily accessible. They come in a range of fun colors as well, so you can customize the look to your liking.
#8 Surgical Tweezers
Usually, regular tweezers are fine, but there are some instances when they just don't do the best job. You can't go wrong with a sharper pair—you'll be able to pinpoint exact hairs, splinters or hangnails with these surgical tweezers. They're perfect for eyebrow shaping, but you can also use them for other tasks that involve getting into tight nooks and crannies.
#9 FURemover Broom
The FURemover Broom is a popular product and for good reason. Aside from being an effective broom, it also doubles as a squeegee and even comes with a telescoping handle so you can get to all of those hard-to-reach places. Its rubber material makes it extremely durable and easier to clean compared to a regular old straw broom.
#10 Shower Bluetooth Speaker
No need to blast the speakers on your phone to hear your music while you shower—this completely waterproof speaker is designed to fit right in the shower with you. You can stick it on the walls using the detachable suction cup that it comes with and play your tunes without worrying about it getting wet and shortcircuiting.
#11 Kinsa Smart Stick Thermometer
Turn your smartphone even smarter with the Kinsa Smart Stick Thermometer. The device is designed to take accurate temperatures and track the data on its included app. It will even recommend to you when you should visit the doctor. If you have babies, kids, or even adults who may be sick-prone, this is definitely a must-have.
#12 iTouchless Bag Resealer
Chip bag clips are cool, but this is way cooler. the iTouchless Bag Resealer works to do exactly that–reseal your chip bags. All you need to do is slide the device across the open end of a chip bag and it will reseal the bag as if you never opened it. Not only does it help keep the product fresh for longer, but it's also incredibly fun to use!
#13 Moso Purifying Bags
After a while, you become immune to the smell of the air in your own house. We may not notice it, but that smell can attach itself to our clothes, furniture, and other surfaces. The solution? Moso Purifying Bags. They contain activated bamboo charcoal, which works to absorb all of the stinky particles that are suspended in the air. Stick them in a closet or hang them up in a stuffy room and you'll notice the difference immediately.
#14 The Tubshroom
Anyone with thick hair knows just how much of a hassle it is to have to clean hair out of the shower drain. The Tubshroom makes that task a whole lot simpler. It fits into your drain and works to catch the hairs before it goes down and clogs your pipes. Simply remove it from the drain and clean the gunk to get a clear drain every time.
#15 Bullet Pen
The Bullet Pen is unique because it lets you write in any direction, whether that be left, right, up or down. They're sleek, classy, compact, and they come with a travel case, so you can take it with you wherever you go. These things will work even if you somehow find yourself in a zero-gravity situation (future astronauts, take note).
#16 Dashcam
My uncle got a dashcam and about a week later, someone reversed into him. The driver and his family got out of the car and threatened to say that my uncle rear-ended them, at which point my uncle pointed to the dashcam. Seriously, these things can really save you a lot of stress and money. You never know what kind of situations you'll run into while you're on the road.
#17 Electric Blanket
I'm stuck here in my drafty apartment in a 100-year-old building in NYC where it's been in the single digits all week at night, so I ran out and got an electric blanket last weekend. I love it and I've never slept more placidly. It's like being wrapped in a hug from a big old golden retriever. Just a note: they have timers on so they automatically power off after whatever you set it to. Never buy one without a timer, it’s a burn and fire hazard.
#18 Bluetooth Headphones
I switched to Bluetooth headphones for when I'm moving around. They're way easier to use at the gym and I no longer get irrationally furious when inanimate objects rip my headphones out. Seems like you can get some decent pairs for under $100, but These Sony Noise-Cancelling Headphones are an absolute godsend. I would highly recommend these to anyone who appreciates good quality.
#19 Digital Keypad Door Lock
I paid $80 for a digital keypad door lock for my front door. It auto-locks after 30 seconds. No more wondering if I locked up. No more worries about keys. I can go on a run and not carry anything. I will NEVER not have a digital door again. This product is absolutely life-changing. The simplest convenience makes a drastic difference, especially for someone like me who is constantly on the go.
#20 A Good Wristwatch
For me, it was a watch. For some reason, I check the time a lot and I use my phone to check every time. I would then get sucked in by whatever notification I had. My phone stays in my pocket a lot more now, and I think it's making me a happier person. I'm a huge advocate of wristwatches. They're still a necessity.
#21 Portable Battery
A portable battery pack for your cellphone or other USB devices comes in handy constantly. Since everyone nowadays is always on their cell phones, charge anxiety is definitely a thing as your phone's battery life starts getting low. Portable battery packs are especially useful if you travel a lot. For a gift, I just got a super beefy power bank that comes with attachments to jump your car!
#22 Robovac
An inexpensive Robovac, especially if you have a cat or dog that sheds a lot. You can find many on Amazon for under $200 with very high ratings. I have one made by Eufy and it's amazing—I've gone from vacuuming weekly to "touch-up" vacuuming monthly. And, because I own a pretty large house, this helps me keep my floors relatively clean as the vacuum is constantly working to collect dust.
#23 A Compact Monitor
A second monitor is super handy. Whether you're on a laptop or desktop, a second monitor can drastically improve your efficiency. Whether your working, gaming or anything in between, you'll notice how efficient you can be with more room to display things. It's not a must-have, but it's something I got my dad last year for Christmas, and he's already thinking about a third. It's definitely a game-changer.
#24 An SSD For Your PC
An SSD for your PC or laptop, especially if you use it every day. You get lightning start-up every time—no more waiting two to five mins for everything to load up before you can even use the dang thing. It's just 15 seconds flat every time from start-up and having the browser open. It really helps when doing Windows updates, or any software updates that require rebooting.
#25 Smart Plugs
I have several smart plugs in the house. They plug into your normal plug and then you can plug your lamp or whatnot on it and control turning it on and off with an app. You even can do an automatic timer also. It's fantastic especially if you're already comfy and want to turn the light off. The perfect gift for a lazy couch potato like me.
#26 A Pocket Knife
A generic pocket knife. I found one on the side of the road one day, picked it up and used the pocket clip to hold it in place. I never leave home without it because I use it every day now. Need to try to get a screw out? Pocket knife. Need to cut a zip tie? Pocket knife. Need to open a plastic-covered item? Pocket knife.
#27 Cast-Iron Pan
A cast-iron pan. It's just a bit under $20 and makes a world of a difference compared to any other thinner-walled pan. Heavy as heck, but the pros are worth it. Nothing sticks to it at all, the heat distribution is very, very good, and it's easy to clean. Looks like I'm an order of magnitude under budget here. With the remaining money, you can buy a comfortable knife (doesn't have to be some branded knife) and sharpening stones. A sharp knife makes prep work a breeze.
#28 Popsocket
A pop socket! They're these little sticky things that go on the back of your phone. They act as a handle of sorts and you can also use it as a stand for watching videos which can be handy when you're cooking or just don't want to hold your phone. They come in so many different designs and you can pick your own photo. Ever since I got mine I haven't dropped it as much.
#29 Bidet Attachment
A bidet attachment for your toilet. Preferably one that has a self-clean and feminine setting, as well as the normal bum-washing setting. You can get a nice one for around $40. The cheaper ones will work but aren't as reliable or easy to use. The more expensive ones will warm the water (not really necessary) and even have an air-blower to dry you. They're easy to hook up and worth every penny.
#30 Self-Cleaning Litter Box
If you have cats, a self-cleaning litter box. I have two cats and it was life-changing. I just replace the litter after about 40-50 uses and I don't have to do anything else. It counts how much they use the bathroom so you can tell if they are sick, and you can either get the disposable litter boxes or empty out the box it comes with and fill it with regular crystal litter. For someone who hates scooping cat poop, this was a freaking godsend.
#31 Philips Smart Bulb
Phillips Hues or any other smart bulb. Depending on how many you buy and whether you just want dimming or full-color switching, its well under $200 and has made my life 1000x better. The app is fantastic and has a widget for iPhones, so I can control my lights from anywhere in the house or the world by swiping to the left. No longer do I need to get off the couch to turn them on or have to make my way to the bathroom at night in darkness. The color models are an even further gamechanger: each bulb can be a different color and it makes for some interesting atmospheres.
#32 Raspberry Pi
A Raspberry Pi. You don’t know it, but you need one. Once you figure out what it can do, you’ll find some use for it. My brother in law uses one in his garage for looking up car parts and diagrams and playing pandora. He doesn’t want a full PC sitting out there waiting to be stolen or sucking in paint fumes. I have one for emulation and another I’m building into some home automation stuff.
#33 Thermacell
A Thermacell for $20. This small appliance keeps mosquitos about 15’ away. I use one when I sit in a tree for hours and not a single bite. On occasion, I’ve forgotten to turn it on and the mosquitos are all over me within a minute of sitting down. Turn it on and they’re gone within a minute. If you love doing things outdoors, this is a must-have.
#34 Video Doorbell
A video doorbell is a great under $200 investment. Most of the popular ones have motion detection, night vision and upload events to a cloud app where you can analyze them. They're a great way to know what is going on at your front door (and spy on neighbor traffic of course). You never know when you might need video evidence of a particular situation.
#35 Fitbit Watch
A Fitbit. Such a simple device can be life-changing. For those that are out of shape (myself included when I picked one up a few years ago), it can be used as a motivational tool to get in shape (or at least become more active). I cannot begin to imagine the number of people whose lives have changed simply by paying $129 for a watch that tracks steps, activity, and heartbeat.
#36 A Desktop Water Distiller
A desktop water distiller. Nothing beats pure H2O. The amount of chemicals in our drinking water is staggering and distilling removes all of them. The distilled water removes deposits of harmful chemicals and carcinogens left in our body over the years. This is an investment in one's health. And, because it can sit on your desk, it is easily accesible.
#37 TENS Machine
A TENS machine. I have had a chronic neck issue for the last 10 months, causing my shoulder and arm to lose strength. I also have ongoing pain which I was treating with NSAID anti-inflammatories at a rate that they just were not working for me anymore.
I finally headed to a chiropractor and he recommended a series of adjustments and TENS for pain management. I was skeptical but went ahead with the treatment. Four months later, I am convinced—my neck is healed and TENS really does control pain well. These days, I use TENS post-workout as well for sore muscles instead of ibuprofen.
#38 Tile Bluetooth Tracker
Tile. It's so useful. I cannot express how satisfying it is to be able to find my wallet or keys when they go missing. As a person with ADD, I find myself misplacing my keys or phone all the time. Now I don't have to spend 10 minutes searching for them. A simple click of my Tile and I can locate my missing phone or keys in an instant.
#39 Breville Joule
I recently got the Joule from ChefSteps to cook sous vide style. It's been a dinnertime game-changer. Super easy, minimal clean-up, and I'm making tastier and more tender meat dishes than ever before. It's almost impossible to screw it up. I was on the fence about sous vide for a while, but I'm so glad I finally tried it out. It's literally a godsend for anyone who likes to meat dishes like steaks and chicken.
#40 Juicer And Blender
A basic juicer or blender. Say goodbye to expensive, unhealthy, sugar-filled drinks and say hello to a massive increase in fruit and to a lesser degree, vegetable consumption. I just experiment with whatever is at a great price at the supermarket. Add ice, soy milk or low-fat natural yogurt and you're away. Honey too. As an added bonus, fruit that you'd probably throw out if it's overripe is totally fine in a drink.
#41 Philips Norelco OneBlade
Philips Norelco OneBlade. For as long as I have been shaving I suffered from terrible ingrown hairs on my neck and bleeding after every shave. I tried numerous shavers and products, nothing helped. Bought the OneBlade and all of my ingrown hairs are gone and no more bleeding. All of my friends and coworkers use this thing now. It was a total miracle product for me.
#42 Ethernet Powerline Adaptors
If you have mediocre Wi-Fi and your streaming box or console is nowhere near your router, get a pair of ethernet over powerline adapters. My Nvidia Shield can now stream large MKV rips over the LAN without any stuttering or buffering. Ethernet powerline adapters are good in situations where adding ethernet drops to an already-built home isn't fiscally or structurally feasible.
#43 Brezza Formula Maker
A Brezza. It is like a Keurig for baby bottles. We got it as a gift and didn't even set it up at first because we didn't think we would use it. Once we did, we used it eight times a day for a year. Every bottle warm and mixed perfectly. It saved us so much time at a point in our life when we really needed more of it.
#44 Air Fryer
An air fryer. It is basically a convection oven. I’m single and I use it to cook everything from eggs to steaks. No grease. If I buy frozen french fries (Red Robin, Arby curly, or rally’s) they cook at half the oven time and taste just like the restaurant without being greasy. In the morning, I put two frozen biscuits, two sausage patties, and a hash brown patty for 15 minutes while I get ready. I have two freshly-made sandwiches and potatoes as I go out the door.
#45 Chromecast
For me, a Chromecast. Definitely the greatest investment I've made in the past year. It's changed how I watch videos and movies entirely. Along with that, Google Home is almost as good. Some changes and improvements might help, but they interact nicely together.
