As tech journalists, we have a lot of opinions. Throughout the year, we are constantly trying out new products, and we are a hard crowd to please. So if we really like something, it is probably good. That is why we have assembled a list of our favorite things, spanning computer accessories, headphones, productivity apps, and odd little knick-knacks.
We can be tough critics, but we are in this gig because we truly love technology. Every once in a while, we stumble upon an app, gadget, or piece of hardware that we are dying to talk about. Our recommendations are not your typical gift guide fare. Everyone already knows that AirTags are useful. We are hoping to help you find something a little different and delightful. Whether you are looking for the satisfaction of setting up your own at-home media server, or if you are trying to stay cool in a crowded subway, we are sure you will find something you like.
SHOKZ OPENRUN PRO 2 HEADPHONES
These open ear, bone conduction earphones allow me to listen to music while running but they do not cover or insert in the ears, so I can still hear the environment. I can hear bikes wanting to pass, or cars and people behind me. They deliver shockingly good sound quality without having to fuss about getting them in a perfect spot on the outer ear. They work great with sunglasses and a hat. They do not leave me with that uncomfortable feeling from earbuds that pipe sound directly into the ear canal.
BRAIN.FM
A Brain.fm subscription is the perfect gift for the easily distracted. It is a streaming service that plays scientifically engineered music with no distracting lyrics. It helps my scattered mind stop bouncing between tasks and stay focused. Extra points for the timer function so I can combine it with the Pomodoro Technique.
FOCUS FRIEND
Hank Green’s Focus Friend is Google Play’s app of the year, and it is also one of my favorite finds. It is the perfect balance of silly and useful to keep me focused. The free version is enough to get started, but as a gift, I would recommend splurging on the lifetime version.
OMNILUX CONTOUR MASK
The Omnilux Contour is one of my favorite things. It is a red-light therapy mask that reduces redness and improves overall skin texture and tone. It is also supposed to reduce wrinkles, but I have not been using it that long to see whether that is true. It is cordless so I can walk around and do stuff, and the charge lasts for a really long time. I keep it at my desk and use it while I check emails in the morning.
AUDIO HIJACK
If there is one tool I cannot live without, it is Audio Hijack, a Mac app. Like many people, I spend a lot of time on calls, and because I am a journalist, I almost always record them, with consent of course. Audio Hijack makes recording audio from any source a snap. I can limit what appears on the recording to a specific app, so no more reminder dings pop up in the background. I typically send audio from my mic to one channel and that of my source to another. That way if we are talking over each other, I can isolate one or the other channel to figure out what was said. With inline transcription and the security of local files, Audio Hijack has pretty much everything I need.
OZLO SLEEPBUDS
Ozlo Sleepbuds are comfortable, if a bit pricey, earbuds designed for use specifically while sleeping. They are currently on sale. Whether you need to mask outside noise like street sounds, or closer disruptions like a snoring partner, these earbuds can help light sleepers more easily get through the night without waking. At this price point, Sleepbuds feel like a luxury. You could just play music in your room or sleep with your AirPods on, but neither is ideal. The former will not mask all the noise and the latter is uncomfortable. The Sleepbuds offer squishy, soft in-ear earbuds that can stream a variety of built-in sleep sounds or music from your smartphone. Even if you are a side sleeper, they do not fall out. You can also set them to pause streaming when you fall asleep. The product has not been perfect. The Bluetooth connection can be wonky at times and one earbud sometimes does not charge properly, requiring a reset. If you are streaming via Bluetooth, the phone and case have to be close for the best connection. The provided sleep sounds can load directly onto the buds, which works better. Still, the overall experience of finally being able to quiet the world comfortably made them a worthwhile purchase for me.
KIDEE NECK FAN
My favorite gadget is the neck fan from Kidee. Priced at a reasonable point on Amazon, it has been a lifesaver for keeping me cool all year long. I use it whether I am power-walking in NYC during the summer heat or coming home from the gym on a crowded train in the dead of winter. It is fairly quiet, with just a low hum on the first setting. I have even had people approach me, mistaking it for the latest pair of headphones. It is the gadget I never knew I needed, and now I will not leave home without it.
NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE
I cannot recommend buying your own network-attached storage box enough. If it does not change your life, it will certainly save you money. Synology and Western Digital are decent places to start. A NAS box is not just a glorified internet-connected hard drive that lives in your closet. It doubles as its own self-hosting server that can run your own apps, services, and data at home. You can host your own recipe planner, news tracker, photo gallery, and to-do lists. You can set up an ad-blocker to cover every device on your home Wi-Fi network, install your own at-home media streaming platform, and create and store your personal documents with free alternatives to popular office suites. Plus, you can access your data from anywhere in the world using a secure VPN that only you control. NAS devices are designed to make it easy for most users to get started. Things can sometimes get a little technical and may require searching forums for answers, but you will learn things along the way, and that is both fun and rewarding.
BENQ SCREENBAR HALO 2
The BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 is objectively unnecessary. It also makes my monitor sag a bit under its premium weight. But the satisfyingly tactile touch controller and the vibe of looking like I am running a cybersecurity operation from my bedroom make it worth every penny. In reality, I mostly use it to feel like a hacker while writing stories way too late into the night.
KINDLE REMOTE CONTROL AND STAND
When the dread of winter set in last year, I made a purchase I was not proud of. I bought an automatic page turner for my Kindle, along with a fluffy, circular pillow with a stand that holds up my Kindle in bed. I felt this was bound to be a colossal waste of money. But one year later, I can confidently say that this thing rules, and it does not only work for the Kindle. It comes with magnetic rings that let you equip basically any e-reader or tablet-sized device on the stand. My Kindle stand and page-turner have become part of my nightly routine. I place my phone on my nightstand, turn on sleep mode, set my alarm, and then pivot to what I call Kindle donut time, since the stand is kind of shaped like a donut. I get under my heated blanket, grab my remote-control page turner, and read until I cannot keep my eyes open. This is a sacred experience.
SPAROOM CANDLE WARMER
As someone who never really understood the appeal of candle warmers, I was gifted a SpaRoom warmer this year and ended up really liking it. I like that there is not a fire risk with an open flame and that I can enjoy the scent of my candles without any smoke. Plus, as someone who hates tunneling in candles, I like that the wax melts evenly with a candle warmer. I also think there is a stronger and more consistent scent when using a candle warmer as opposed to lighting the wick.