I test tech products for a living and these are the 12 items I can't live without
Tech gadgets for the win! Find out which ones I'd sell my soul to keep.
When I tell people I write about tech for a living, I'm often met with groans: "Aargh, I have [this-or-that tech product] and it drives me nuts!" I get it: This stuff can be confusing, inconsistent and endlessly aggravating. (Looking at you, printers.) And yet, and yet ... there are some products I'd rather saw my arm off than live without, and let me be clear: I really like my arm.
With that in mind, I've compiled this list of my favorite tech items, the things that make my life richer, easier, more productive and/or more fun. (Some of them fall into two or more of those categories.) We're talking wireless earbuds, a dedicated e-reader and lots more. Read on for some honorable mentions as well; they round out the number to an even dozen.
The 12 tech products I can't live without
When I settle in for my hour of reading before bed, I want a distraction-free, eye-friendly experience. That's the whole point of choosing a Kindle over, say, an e-reader app on your phone. Paper-like display, no text messages or TikTok videos clamoring for your attention.
This 11th-generation model has enough storage for thousands of books, plus a sharp front-lit screen and a dark mode for even more comfortable nighttime reading. (Your partner will thank you, too, because there's a lot less glow from the screen.)
Read my complete Amazon Kindle review to learn more.
I've tested a lot of wireless earbuds over the years, including the latest premium models from Bose and Sony, and I've yet to find a pair I like better than Apple's AirPods Pro. They're comfortable, they sound superb, they're amazing at blocking bothersome noise, and get this: They're a bargain!
Well, sort of: Although the list price is $249, AirPods Pro are almost always on sale for $199 — sometimes even less. Contrast that with Bose, Sony and Sennheiser 'buds, most of which sell for $299.
Icing on the cake: Amazing spatial audio, adaptive noise-canceling and a wireless charging case that also supports USB-C (buh-bye, Lightning!).
Read my complete Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) review to learn more.
After the Ember Mug (see below), this is probably the second thing I grab if the house catches fire. The Walden frame displays a running slideshow of precious memories, and it makes me happier than just about anything else in my home.
This particular model, which I consider the best digital picture frame, has a big, bright screen and unlimited cloud storage — with no annoying monthly fees. What's more, it's great for gifting, as you can preload photos ahead of time and even configure it for the recipient's Wi-Fi network.
It's on the pricey side, though. If you don't want to invest this much, try the YinQiDeer 10.1-inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame, which lists for just $70 and is often discounted even lower. It's a very good basic frame that can generate the same levels of precious-memory happiness.
I know it's a first-world problem of the highest order, but I hate when my coffee turns cold before I finish drinking it. With Ember's self-heating mug, the temperature stays exactly where I like it for well over an hour. No more trips to the microwave, no more pouring hot coffee over cold just for a warm-up.
Yes, it's an expensive item, and this is just the 10-ounce version; the 14-ounce costs even more. But words can't adequately express how much I love my Ember mug. If you drink coffee (or tea), you'll love it too.
Read more: The best self-heating coffee mugs for 2024
Reality bites. Virtual reality, on the other hand, rocks. Whether I'm looking to escape to a private beach, play a virtual game of pickleball or pretend to be Iron Man, all I have to do is don Meta's 3rd-generation headset and I'm there.
Folks, this tech has gotten really, really good. And the Quest 3 adds mixed reality to the, er, mix, meaning some experiences take place in your living room (think: aliens breaking through the ceiling) or on your dining-room table (think: a Lego puzzle game).
Can't swing the $499 price tag? The Meta Quest 2 is still available and it's only $199. You don't get the mixed-reality capabilities, but you'll still have a ton of fun. I've grown bored with game consoles, but I can't get enough Quest-powered VR.
I ship a few packages every month, and while that quantity is small compared to some, I can't go back to the old way of doing shipping labels — not when a thermal printer like this cranks them out in seconds.
No ink needed; just feed a stack of 4x6-inch peel-and-stick labels and you're set. (It works with lots of other sizes as well.) This particular model isn't just for PCs and Macs; it also supports wireless Bluetooth printing from your phone or tablet.
I've used a similar printer for several years; it's incredibly convenient and a major time-saver.
When I set out to upgrade my TV's terrible speakers, I wanted a surround-sound system that was a breeze to use — and found it in Roku's Streambar Pro bundle, which includes not only a feature-rich soundbar, but also a thumping wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers.
In addition to the big, room-filling 5.1 sound afforded by this setup, I get Roku's premium streamer (basically a Roku Ultra baked into the soundbar). That gives me an excellent app-powered interface and one of the best remotes of any soundbar.
Granted, there's no Dolby Atmos in the mix, but I don't miss it. Instead, I enjoy superb surround sound and a great streaming experience to boot.
Read more: The best soundbars for 2024
Losing stuff sucks. That's why I recommend a Tile Pro tracker for every keychain, purse, bag and so on. If something goes missing, just fire up the Tile smartphone app to help locate it.
Even better: If the phone itself goes missing, just double-press the button on the Tile Pro and the phone will ring — even if it's set to silent. (That incredibly useful feature isn't supported by Apple AirTags.) I speak from experience: Tile trackers are indispensable.
Read more: The best item trackers for finding your lost stuff
Honorable mentions
There are plenty of other tech products I love, but recognize might seem a little less "essential" to others.
As hobbies go, 3D printing is a really fun one. What other machine can crank out anything from an articulated dragon to a replacement LEGO piece to a full Mandalorian helmet? If you're ready to get started, check out the AnkerMake M5, the 3D printer I've used most in the past six months. It's incredibly fast and looks really cool to boot. Here's my AnkerMake M5 review for more information.
The ESR HaloLock Geo is a MagSafe accessory (meaning it snaps onto the backs of iPhones) that combines a three-card wallet, kickstand, finger-grip and AirTag. Well, sort of: The Geo is fully compatible with Apple Find My (unlike Apple's own wallet, which has only rudimentary Find My support). Thus, if the wallet happens to go missing, you can easily pinpoint its location. I've had one riding shotgun on my phone for months; it easily made my list of the best MagSafe accessories.
This isn't something everyone needs — heck, I don't actually need it myself — but the HoverAir X1 is such a marvelous piece of technology, I can't shut up about it. It's a tiny fold-up drone that can follow you around, orbit you, zoom out from where you're standing and so on, all while capturing rock-steady 1080p video. It's like your own personal camera crew. Read my full HoverAir X1 review here.
It may be a tool for cars, but it has a screen, battery and USB port, so it's definitely a tech product, too. The Zgzuxo CZK-3691 is a portable tire inflator that's a must-have for anyone who owns a car, bike or the like. It has a flashlight for nighttime needs and can emergency-charge your phone if needed. Don't pay full price; it frequently goes on sale for around $35. Read my Zgzuxo tire inflator review to learn more.
What are your can't-live-without tech products? Name them in the comments!
