Life doesn’t have to be a struggle. We’re living in the 21st century, aren’t we? While we aren’t all flying around in cars or zipping around on hoverboards, that doesn’t mean that technology hasn’t progressed to the point where it can really make your life easier. And I’m not talking about fancy kitchen appliances — I’m talking about gadgets that’ll actually come in handy when you really need them.
But if you need some examples? If you’re tired of making video calls on your phone, we’ve got a Facebook device that lets you stream video on your television. Or, if your phone still needs to charge, but you’ve got an important call coming up, there’s also a Bluetooth banana phone that lets you chat to your heart’s content. And if that isn’t enough? There’s even an affordable drone you can use to distract your kids while you’re trying to get work done.
A Fish Finder That Every Outdoorsman Needs
Know someone who loves fishing? Get them this fish finder as a fun gift, or even keep it for yourself and share — if you’re feeling generous. It shows your water depth, temperature, as well as how big the fish below you are (small/medium/big.) Plus, there’s no need to drill into your boat in order to install it.
This Bluetooth Handset Shaped Like A Banana
I mean, what isn’t there to like about this banana phone? It’s exactly what it looks like: a banana phone. Connect it to your phone via Bluetooth, and you’ll be able to talk on it — just to change things up a bit. It works great as a gag gift, and the battery lasts for up to 10 hours. Plus, you can leave your phone plugged in and charging while you chat on this banana instead!
Laser Gun Fun In The Sun
I bet you didn’t know you could use this handheld infrared thermometer gun to check your garden’s temperature! Not only is this tool great for cooking, but you can also use it to help keep your crops in tippy-top shape every season. The laser ensures accuracy and safety, so you won’t have to get too close to the fire or oven when checking its temperature. Think of all the ways this thermometer can help you in you daily life – just don’t use it on humans or animals, let’s leave that to the professionals. Happy temperature hunting!
A Facebook Portal That Lets You Make Video Calls On Your TV
Your television is probably the biggest screen in your house, so why don’t you ever use it to make video calls? Enter: this Facebook portal. Not only does it let you make video calls using Messenger, WhatsApp, or Zoom, but the smart camera also pans and zooms in order to keep everybody in frame — even if they move.
This Drawing Tablet With A Battery-Free Stylus
You know how most drawing styluses rely on batteries to work? The stylus that comes with this drawing tablet doesn’t require one, which means you can easily use it at the drop of a hat without having to worry about whether or not it’s charged. Plus, the tablet is compatible with Windows, as well as Mac software.
A Cell Phone Stand That Has A Built-In Speaker
Watching videos on your phone isn’t always ideal, but this stand can at least make it so that you can hear what you’re watching. There’s a speaker built into the base that delivers enhanced bass, tight mids, as well as crystal-clear high notes — and you can even use it as a microphone when making video calls.
The Lens Kit That Turns Your Phone Into A Professional Camera
Designed to work with any and all smartphones, this lens kit is a must-have for anyone who loves taking photos using their phone. Each order comes with a wide-angle and macro lens to help you take impressive photos of nature or even just gorgeous selfies. And unlike some lenses, these ones won’t leave you with dark corners in your photos.
A Futuristic Speaker That Floats In The Air
Got a tech-obsessed kid on your shopping list? This Bluetooth speaker floats in the air, making it look like something straight out of Star Wars. It also features a USB port in the base so that you can charge your gadgets while jamming out to music — and it even has a wireless range of up to 30 feet.
This Remote Control That Lets You Hop Into Photos
Instead of racing against your smartphone camera’s timer, just use this remote to hit the shutter button. It’s compatible with iPhones as well as Androids — and the 30-foot wireless range gives you tons of flexibility when staging your pics. Choose from two colors: red or blue.
These Wireless Earbuds That Play Music For Up To 100 Hours
If your headphones are always running out of battery, you’ll probably wanna check out these wireless earbuds. Not only are they waterproof, but the rechargeable battery lasts for up to 100 hours when used with the case. Choose from two colors: black or pink.
A Power Bank That’s Made For Laptops
Most power banks can’t be used to get your laptop working — but this one is so impressive that it can fully charge a Macbook Pro. And if that isn’t enough? One reviewer even wrote that “without a doubt, this is the ultimate backup battery…not only does it have enough juice to charge up all your devices, but it is capable of charging them up at insanely fast rates.”
This Mini Drone That Won’t Break The Bank
Most drones fall into two categories — they’re either cheap and worthless, or expensive and functional. Luckily, this one is affordable and totally worth the money, as hundreds of reviewers left positive four- and five-star reviews. The rechargeable batteries keep it in the air for up to 24 minutes — and it even features two flying speeds. Choose from two colors: gold or red.
The Power Strip That Works With Bulky Plugs
Bulky plugs can block the outlets on regular power strips, which is why this one is shaped like a tower. With outlets on each side, it’s less likely that they’ll get blocked by large plugs — and there are even six USB ports for all your devices.
These Headphones That You Can Comfortably Sleep In
Most headphones are too bulky to comfortably sleep in, which is why these ones are covered with soft, breathable fabric. The slim speakers won’t put uncomfortable pressure on your ears while you’re snoozing — and you can even remove them if you ever need to wash the headband.
This Laser Keyboard That’s Seriously Futuristic
Frankly, I had no idea that laser keyboards existed outside of the movies — and this one is even available for less than $50. It connects to your laptop, smartphone, or tablet via Bluetooth, and it’s also compatible with both Mac as well as Windows software.
This Warm Beanie Cap That Lets You Listen To Music
Keep your ears warm and jam out to your favorite tunes in this warm beanie cap. The slim speakers won’t crunch against your ears when pulled down low, and the rechargeable battery even lasts for up to 12 hours — a must-have for your next day on the slopes!
This Portable Battery That Recharges In The Sun
If you’re always forgetting to charge your phone, make sure to keep a portable battery — like this one — in your bag. Two USB ports let you charge multiple devices at the same time, while the built-in solar panel allows you to power it up simply by leaving it in the sun.
The Smart Stand That Helps You Record Video
With 360-degree auto-tracking, this stand rotates so that your phone camera is always focused on you. Not only is it great for taking hands-free video, but it also features multiple quick-create modes that let you make GIFs, time-lapses, panoramas, and more — all without any editing skills required.
This Device That Translates Languages In Real Time
Pre-programmed with 82 different languages to let you talk in more than 100 countries, this little two-way translator is the perfect companion for your next overseas excursion. It works in real-time so that you can chat without having to wait for clarification — and reviewers raved about how it’s “simple to use.”
This Bluetooth Speaker You Can Drop In The Pool
Don’t stress about getting this Bluetooth speaker wet — it’s so waterproof that you can leave it submerged in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The included carabiner clip makes it easy to attach it to your bag on camping trips, and it even features five color-changing LED light patterns to get the party started.
A Super-Small Charger That Clips Onto Your Bag
Not only is this charger small enough to clip to your bag, but it also features a built-in lightning cable so that you can charge your phone at the drop of a hat. Or, if you’re struggling to pop that bottle open, there’s even a bottle opener at the opposite end — so really, there’s no reason not to grab this lil’ gadget.
This Screen Magnifier That Makes It Easier To Watch Videos
Keep this screen magnifier folded up in your bag, then whip it out on a plane so that you can easily see the videos on your phone. It’s compatible with any type of smartphone — and it’s made from solid wood rather than flimsy plastic.
This Headlamp That Every Dad’s Gotta Have
If your dad doesn’t have a headlamp like this one, is he really a dad? It’s basically a requirement that every dad walks around in the dark wearing a headlamp at least once per year, if not twice. Plus, this one, in particular, is weather and shock-resistant — just in case you drop it.
A Milk Frother That Makes Every Coffee Delicious
Getting tired of the same cup of coffee every morning? Try whipping up some milk with this frother. Two speeds let you choose just how whipped your milk comes out, and the whisk is even made from rust-resistant stainless steel. Plus, you can also use it to beat egg whites into peaks.
A Meat Thermometer That Stops You From Overcooking Food
Few things are embarrassing as pulling those steaks off the grill, only for your guests to slice into a raw piece of meat — so grab this thermometer. It instantly tells you how cooked your proteins are, and there’s even a temperature chart printed at the top for easy reference.
This Jar Opener That Comes In Handy
Hey, it might not be the most “high-tech” item on this list, but this jar opener is still a must-have in any kitchen — especially if you’re always struggling to open lids. It installs underneath cabinets so that it takes up very little space while remaining completely out of sight. Plus, it’s designed to work with all types of jar lids.
This Lock Box That Keeps Your Valuables Safe
It doesn’t matter whether you need to lock up valuables, medicine, or money — this little lockbox has got you covered. The chrome-steel corners are reinforced for added strength, while the three-digit combination lock means there’s no key for you to lose. “I feel SO much safer transporting my meds in this lockbox!” raved one reviewer. “Now I don’t have to worry about anyone helping themselves to any of my meds!”
This Pencil Sharpener That’s Battery-Operated
You’ve probably got pencils in your house, but do you have a pencil sharpener? This one is battery-operated so that you don’t have to keep it near an outlet in order for it to work, and the stainless steel blades only takes a few short seconds to get your dull pencils writing again. Choose from six colors.
An Item Finder That Helps You Find Lost Stuff
If you’re always losing your keys or wallet, you’ll definitely want to check out this tag. Just slip it into your wallet or loop it onto your keyring, then check the downloadable smartphone app when they go missing. You’ll be able to retrace your steps so that you can figure out exactly where it is — and it even comes in three colors: black, white, or denim.
The Smart Light Switch You can Control Remotely
Can’t remember if you turned your lights off? These smart light switches can be controlled remotely using the downloadable smartphone app, which means you can turn them on or off when you aren’t even home. You can also use the app to set schedules — and they’re even compatible with Alexa.
This Google Chromecast That Lets You Play Your Laptop On The TV
Plug this Google Chromecast into your laptop, and you’ll be able to stream whatever movie is playing on your screen right on your television. It’s also designed to work with phones and tablets — and one reviewer wrote that it’s “flawless casting YouTube, Netflix, Twitch, etc.”
This Indoor Camera That Lets You Check On Your Pets
Curious about what your pets get up to when you aren’t home? This indoor security camera lets you check in on them, and its two-way audio feature even lets you say hello. Setup only takes a few short minutes, and if you pair it with Alexa you can also control it using voice commands.
These Wall Chargers That Really Come In Handy
Instead of hunting around for a USB brick, just plug your lightning cable directly into one of these wall chargers. Each one features four convenient USB ports so that it’s easy to charge your devices —
This Door Lock That Works With Fingerprints And Codes
You don’t even need to carry around a set of keys if you’ve got this electronic lock on your front. door. You can use your fingerprint to get in, or set your own custom code for everybody in the house to remember. Choose from three finishes: black, satin, or matte.
A Gadget That Adds Alexa To Your Car
Ever wish you could have Alexa in your car? Now you can with this handy lil’ gadget. It mounts to your air vents so that it can clearly hear your voice, even if you’ve got the windows down. Use it to change radio stations, check the news, add to your to-do list, and even make calls — all using voice commands.
This Smart Home Starter Kit That’s Seriously Affordable
Not sure how to make your home smart? This starter kit comes with a smart bulb, as well as an Echo Dot. Pair the Dot with the bulb, and you’ll be able to control it using voice commands, as well as set schedules. Plus, the Dot works as a smart speaker, so you can even ask it to tell you the weather, news, or stream music.
The Smart Plugs That Won’t Block Outlets
Speaking of smart homes, you’re gonna wanna grab these plugs while you’re at it. Unlike some smart plugs, these ones are narrow so that they don’t block the second outlet. They’re compatible with Alexa, which means you can pair them with that Echo Dot — though you can also use the downloadable app if you don’t have an Echo.
A Fitness Tracker That Has Alexa Built Into It
Most fitness trackers do just that: track your fitness. This one, on the other hand, can be paired with Alexa so that you can control all your smart plugs and devices from your wrist. It’s so waterproof that you can wear it in the pool — and the rechargeable battery lasts for up to a full week.