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Below are 5 tech products that I’ve found super useful in my life and that I wanted to share. Not all of these will be for everyone but do hear me out as nothing here is necessarily revolutionary or new but I’ve explained my reasoning for each with my associated product recommendations.
Portable charger
A survey from LG uncovered that 90% of people have ‘Low Battery Anxiety’ and will alter their plans when discovering their phone is low on charge. That seems like unnecessary stress. The simple fix? A portable charger.
While it’s nothing revolutionary, a portable charger is a must-have in a world where people constantly carry multiple electronic devices. Personally, my portable charger has saved me on multiple occasions from being stranded with a dead phone and I can safely say I’ve never stressed out over low battery – even when leaving the house with 20% charge on some occasions!
The portable charger I would recommend is the Anker PowerCore Essential. This particular model is nothing fancy but works reliably and isn’t too bulky. It’s easy to chuck into a bag or purse and forget about until you need it and most phones can easily get 4-5 full charges out of it with its 20,000mAh capacity.
We may not currently be travelling a lot but getting a portable charger is super useful in preparation for when we do. Once you get one you’ll wonder how you ever allowed yourself to get stressed out about running out of charge.
Need a budget-friendly alternative?
Try the Anker Astro E1 if you want a pocket-friendly and budget-friendly alternative. You won’t get as many charges out of it but it could just be enough in dire circumstances.
Multiport charger
Sticking to the theme of charging, with a range of tech devices likely to be gifted over the coming holidays the last thing you want is to have to fight over charging privileges with the rest of your family. Let everyone get the access they need with a multi-port plug. Again, nothing fancy but will make life a lot easier compared to going around the house hunting for a spare plug point or wall socket.
A practical option is the Anker charger which can charge 4 devices at once. Grab a couple of these and charge away. Simple.
A smart speaker
Smart speakers might not be for everyone, but hear me out. While asking these devices the odd question may seem like all they’re good for I’ve found they have a lot of useful features and, when incorporated into your tech ecosystem, can add some real value.
For example, I love getting my smart speaker to play some background music while I’m doing something else. Even just syncing up a free Spotify account can give you a lot of choices (I particularly like coffee table jazz). You can even link multiple smart speakers together and have music playing throughout your home.
If you prefer listening to stories, Alexa also offers free audiobooks from Audible every month – no payment or membership required – and Google has access to Librivox which has thousands of free audiobooks that are in the public domain. You can practically listen to a bedtime story!
As well as using your smart speaker to set alarms and reminders you can use them to control your other smart devices if you’re looking to go full-blown smart home.
‘Alexa, turn on the lights’. Pretty nifty, right?
As for which smart speaker to go for, that’s up to personal preference. Have a look at what’s best for you and give it a try. Then you too can unwind to the tune of some coffee table jazz.
Two brilliant options are the Amazon Echo and the Google Nest.
Need a budget-friendly alternative?
Check out the Alexa dot or the Google Nest Mini. Both excellent options!
Noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones
Anyone that knows me knows that I am a massive fan of my noise-cancelling headphones. Although quite pricey, the benefits I’ve received has made them worth every penny and more. I would even go as far as to say they have been life-changing.
When commuting to work in the morning on the (very loud) train and tube the noise-cancelling kicks in and everything is much quieter and serene, helping me ease into the day instead of trying to get whatever I’m listening to outshout the train by raising the volume to full.
The headphones also support focussed work by drowning out the chatter in an open office (or the background racket in a home office). And don’t get me started about flights. On long journeys or early morning flights, noise-cancelling headphones are a lifesaver. The scream of the engines and babies crying in the background, all can be silenced with the press of a button.
Although most of us won’t be getting on a plane any time soon noise-cancelling headphones produce some of the best quality audio you can get. So, even if it’s just to kick back at home and listen to some music they do an incredible job.
My recommendation is the Sony WH-1000XM4. I have an older model that has lasted me years and still works perfectly. As I say, it’s an investment and one that makes life more peaceful while delivering exceptional audio quality.
Everyone I know that owns a pair of noise-cancelling is a massive advocate. I almost doubt there’s anyone out there that regrets purchasing one!
Need a budget friendly alternative?
Check out the Sony WH-CH710N. It sports most of the features of the WH-1000XM4s at a much more affordable price point. If you’re already planning holiday gifts, look no further!
Light Strips
When thinking about making a home warm and fuzzy, one thing that’s generally overlooked is lighting. Lighting is a vital element that can affect the ambience of a room and the mood of the people in it. I have found particular joy in installing LED light strips in various places to create an almost futuristic look. Think behind the bed and sofa or under a window sill.
You can even control smart LED light strips with your smart speaker. The ultimate setup!
For smart light strips, check out these WenTop ones on Amazon. Installation is super simple with the included adhesive tape.
Need a budget-friendly alternative?
If you’re not fussed about them being smart you can check out this budget-friendly option that comes with just a remote. Still brilliant!
That’s the list! These are all products I own and ones that have been practical additions to my life. If you read this blog you know I’m not one for wasteful consumption so these have been carefully selected to provide maximum value! With sale seasons and the holidays coming around now is the best time to pick up anything you’re interested in. Let me know what you think and if you own any other items that you’ve found to be super useful please do let me know!
