Every year, I get hundreds of press releases from tech companies swearing that their new gadgets will “streamline your life,” and every year, I end up buying at least one device that needs a companion app, multiple firmware updates and a one-hour YouTube tutorial just to function. Despite that, some tech actually does make life easier — the kind of gadgets that quietly fade into the background and just work.
These are the gadgets that earn their keep — not the flashy, supposedly “smart” stuff that overcomplicates even the most basic of tasks, but the things that make mornings smoother, travel simpler and workdays more productive. Here’s a short list of tech I rely on daily or close to it, and why I’d be lost, or at least way more annoyed, without it.
Amazon
These are my Swiss Army knife of sanity. Between noise-cancelling that turns airplane cabins into libraries and a transparency mode that lets me hear my dog when it needs to go outside mid-video call, AirPods Pro nail the balance. They pair instantly and switch seamlessly between all of my Apple devices, and they have become my unofficial “do not disturb” sign during writing sessions.
Related: Apple AirPods Pro 2 review: Excellent earbuds with game-changing new hearing features
Amazon
I used to lug around a brick of a wallet until it hit me: My phone already contained basically everything I needed. My Peak Design case paired with this stand wallet holds the rest while keeping my pockets unstuffed. The wallet’s secure enough not to pop off, slim enough to disappear in even the slimmest of jeans pockets and sleek enough that I look organized. FaceTiming is easier too now that I have a built-in stand.
Amazon
Amazon
Cheap charging cables are the fast fashion of tech — they look fine for a week, then fray or stop working entirely. Anker’s braided cords are the opposite: They last, they charge fast and they don’t twist into knots that defy physics. I’ve had the same USB cable for three years, which in tech years might as well be a family heirloom.
Amazon
If you hate cable clutter, this is your hero product. It powers my laptop, AirPods and phone from one small hub — no cord spaghetti, no outlet gymnastics. Whether I’m at my desk or on the road, I can plug in once and be done. The peace of mind (and desk space) it saves is worth way more than its price tag.
Amazon
Amazon
Wi-Fi dead zones are my personal hell. The Deco Mesh system killed them off for good. It’s fast, reliable and handles everything from smart TVs to multiple laptops without breaking a sweat. Setup took less time than finding my router password — which, honestly, says it all.
Amazon
The Ring Cam has turned “Was that a raccoon or the wind?” into the simple check of an app. It’s my always-on security system, package spotter and neighborhood wildlife documentary crew all in one. The motion alerts are instant, the footage is clear and the peace of mind of knowing what’s happening outside, whether I’m home or halfway across the country, is worth every penny.
Amazon
The MyQ is one of those smart-home gadgets that I wish I had bought years ago. I can open or close the garage from anywhere, get notifications if the garage door is left open and even schedule a time in the evening for it to automatically close. It’s simple, reliable and genuinely helpful, no subscription necessary.
Amazon
I don’t need a robot butler (I’ve seen I, Robot too many times for that), just something that can play music, turn on the lights, tell me the weather and set a timer while my hands are covered in pancake batter. The Nest Mini does it all without complaint and occasionally even understands what I said on the first try.
Amazon
Almost every TV I own has one of these plugged in. Fire Sticks turn a regular old dumb screen into a streaming powerhouse and keeps all my apps in one place — no fumbling with multiple remotes or inputs. It’s also the easiest way to bring an old TV back to life (looking at you, garage Toshiba).
Pro tip: bring it with you when you travel and all of your apps and shows will come too.
Related: The best streaming device for 2025 to make the most of your TV viewing experience
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.