My go-to gadgets & gear
Everyone’s always asking me for product recommendations — so I put them all in one place. This is my go-to list of gadgets I actually use, like, and trust. I’ve personally tested every item here, and I’ll keep updating this page as I find new favorites.
If there’s something you’re looking for that’s not on this page, let me know — I’m happy to test it out or share a recommendation and add it to the list.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and trust.
Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector – A smart safety essential, especially for travel. I like this model because it has a digital display that shows carbon monoxide levels in real time — not just an alarm. It’s rechargeable via USB-C and also gives you air quality, temperature, and humidity readings. Compact, accurate, and easy to toss in a bag for peace of mind wherever you stay.
SanDisk Phone Drive for iPhone – Want to free up space on your iPhone fast? Just plug this flash drive into your phone to move photos and videos off it. You can do this manually, but SanDisk also offers an app that makes the process quicker and easier. Just a reminder: always keep your photos backed up in more than one place—whether that’s the cloud or another drive stored separately.
Handheld travel scale – The last thing you want at the airport is to see your bag tip the scale at check-in. And for some reason, it’s nearly impossible to guess the weight by feel. This little gadget makes it easy — just hook it on your suitcase and get an instant readout before you leave home.
The original Wyze Cam – This is the security camera that started it all. It’s simple, reliable, and still a fantastic deal — even if it costs a bit more than the original $20 launch price. You can record locally with a microSD card, or opt for cloud storage for just a few bucks a month.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 4 – One of my all-time favorite Bluetooth speakers. It sounds great, looks cool, and even floats if you drop it in the pool. What more can you ask for?
Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit – One of the first cases I order for any phone I’m testing. It’s clear, grippy, and adds a MagSafe ring on the back. Works great, looks clean, and Spigen makes versions for just about every phone. Plus, the price is right.
Tile by Life360 Pro – AirTags are great, but if you use Android — or a mix of Android and iPhones in your family — Tile is an excellent alternative. This latest model lets you ring your phone with the push of a button, double-press to send an SOS alert to contacts, and it has a replaceable battery.
Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector – One of the first screen protectors I order for any phone I’m testing. It comes with a plastic applicator that makes installation easy and bubble-free almost every time. You get two in the pack, and it’s about a third of the price of what you’d pay at the mall.
Speck Tagimals – Discovered these at CES. A fun, easy way to attach an AirTag to your kid’s sneaker, backpack, or lunchbox. Cute on the outside, clever on the inside. AirTag not included.
SHOKZ OpenRun Bluetooth headhones – Excellent for runners. They use bone conduction to deliver sound without covering your ears, so you can stay aware of your surroundings while you move. Comfortable, lightweight, and great for outdoor workouts.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses – A glimpse into our connected future. You can listen to music, take calls, snap photos and videos, and even ask AI questions — all hands-free. It really does feel like living in the future.
JURA Anchor – A simple, clever way to clip your AirPods case to your backpack, keychain, or gym bag. Keeps them secure and easy to find.
CordBrick – Genius for keeping cables from slipping behind your desk when you unplug them. One of the best low-cost gifts for anyone who works from home — or just plugs stuff in regularly.
CMF Buds Pro 2 – My top pick for Android earbuds. They sound excellent, offer solid noise cancellation, and look way more premium than the price suggests. A great value if you’re not in the AirPods world.
Aura WiFi Digital Picture Frame – My top gift pick for the person who has everything. It displays favorite digital photos, and friends and family can send pictures directly to the frame from anywhere. Easy to set up, always personal.
Anker MagGo Power Bank – My favorite travel power bank. It charges your phone and your Apple Watch — no extra cables needed. The built-in display shows how much battery is left and how fast it’s charging your device. Smart, compact, and super convenient.
UGREEN 30W USB-C Charger – Need a no-fuss charger that actually powers up your phone or tablet fast? This one gets the job done — fast charging, compact design, and a great price.
WHOOSH! Screen Shine Duo – My go-to screen cleaner for years. It’s safe, effective, and leaves your gadgets looking brand new. Rumor has it some big-name electronics stores use it to keep their displays spotless — and they might still.
Kasa Smart Plug Mini (15A) – My go-to smart plugs. They’re inexpensive, reliable, and work with just about every major smart home system — including Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings. Set schedules, control from anywhere, and plug in without the bulk.
Apple AirTag 4 Pack – The original low-cost tracker from Apple. If it’s not on your gadget, do you even care about it? Perfect for keys, bags, and anything you don’t want to lose.
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer – Our go-to thermometer at home. No-touch, fast, and reliable — we’ve used it countless times, and it’s still going strong.
TP-Link WiFi Extender – Need your Wi-Fi to reach the next room? This is an inexpensive option that might just do the trick. Just don’t expect miracles — but for the price, it’s worth a shot.
EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter – A must-have in any travel bag. This is my go-to adapter — works in over 150 countries and keeps all your gadgets powered up on the go. Note: This is not a voltage converter. If you’re using something like a hair dryer or flat iron, you’ll need a separate travel converter.
Roborock F25 RT Vacuum Mop All-in-One – I’m a true believer in the beauty of a vacuum that also mops. If you’ve got tile, hardwood, or any non-carpet surface, this is an incredibly effective way to keep your floors clean — and yes, it actually works. Just don’t forget to empty it and run the self-cleaning cycle.
TwelveSouth Power Cord – So simple, it’s silly. It’s a power cord with the plug built right in — no bulky adapter needed. The 4-foot cable gives you room to move, and it charges your devices fast. Clean, compact, and just works. (A 10-foot version is available directly through their website.)
Asus Zenbook – A sleek, lightweight Windows laptop that rivals the MacBook Air in style and portability. It’s slim, powerful, and comes in a variety of specs to fit your needs and budget. Great for productivity on the go — and yes, it looks and feels premium. Keep an eye out for deals, especially at Best Buy.
Pixel 9a – An excellent no-fuss smartphone from Google. It takes fantastic photos, runs clean and useful Android software, and comes with 7 years of updates. Great for everyday users who want reliable performance without overpaying.
iPhone 16e – Apple’s most affordable iPhone still packs the latest processor and runs the newest software. It’s fast, reliable, and future-proof. The only major tradeoff: it has just one rear camera lens.
Apple iPad (11th gen) – The original and still the best tablet for watching, reading, browsing, and more. Perfect size for travel, with unmatched app selection and smooth performance. The 11th gen model was just refreshed in March, so it’s got plenty of life ahead.
Kindle Paperwhite – Still the best way to read, hands down. Easier on the eyes than an iPad screen, especially for long sessions, and you can actually see the text clearly outdoors. Skip the ad-supported version so you can see your book cover on the lock screen.
Apple Watch 10th gen – Apple’s newest watch brings subtle but smart upgrades: a slimmer back that makes it more comfortable to sleep with, a brighter screen that’s easier to see from different angles, and a speaker that’s loud enough to play music or podcasts without earbuds. (Don’t need ECG, sleep apnea detection or always on display? Go Apple Watch SE)
Amazfit Bip 6 – You’ve probably never heard of this brand, but this inexpensive smartwatch will impress you. It covers all the basics—fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, notifications—without the high price tag. Just know you can’t download extra apps, and music must be transferred as MP3s. Make sure it does everything you need out of the box.
AirPods Pro (2nd gen) – Trust me, it’s worth spending a bit more for the Pro version. You’ll get excellent noise cancellation plus an improved Transparency mode that lets in the sounds you do want to hear—great for staying aware of your surroundings. Bonus: they can even function as hearing aids.
Roku Streaming Stick – It doesn’t get much easier than this. Plug it into the back of your TV and you’ve got instant access to all the major streaming apps. The latest models are super sleek so they don’t block neighboring HDMI ports and can even be powered from a USB port on your TV—no extra outlet needed.
EcoFlow Portable Power Bank – I love this power bank for so many reasons. It’s MagSafe, so it wirelessly charges your phone on the go—and supports the latest, fastest wireless charging. It also has a built-in USB-C cable for faster charging or powering other gadgets. Bonus: there’s a built-in stand so you can watch movies while you charge.
Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K with Integrated Cable – Just need a solid, no-fuss portable charger? This one’s it. Belkin is a trusted name in accessories, and this model has a built-in cable so you don’t need to carry any extras. Reliable, compact, and easy to use.
UGREEN 30W USB-C Wall Charger – Why spend more on a wall charger? This model packs the latest charging tech to keep things fast and cool. It’ll charge most phones at top speed—and despite the low price, it’s built to perform.
Pitaka Magnetic Phone Ring Holder – A sleek, magnetic grip that doubles as a stand for hands-free viewing. More versatile than a PopSocket, and easy to snap on or off.
Spigen TagMe Tracker (4-Pack) – Budget-friendly AirTag alternative that works with Apple’s FindMy. No precision finding, but great for tracking on a map.