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Apr 30, 2024

15 tech products you didn't think you needed

15 tech products you didn't think you needed There are some product purchases you've made where, upon reflection, you think to yourself, "that was a good purchase decision." And then there are some

15 tech products you didn't think you needed

There are some product purchases you've made where, upon reflection, you think to yourself, "that was a good purchase decision." And then there are some products where you go "how in the world did I live all these years on this planet without ever considering, let alone getting this?" We are going to help you with the latter today. (After all, you don't want to be the one left without a chair when the music stops, right?)

Here are the top "didn't know I needed it" products that have recently gone from seemingly superfluous to an absolute necessity.

Sonos One Smart Speaker

The folks at Sonos have reinvigorated the home audio market with a range of products optimized for top-quality home theater sound as well as music. The array of modular models makes it so that you can daisy chain Sonos speakers to make for an even better experience. Not only is the Sonos One fully connected, compatible with every major music streaming service and controllable by app, but it comes with Alexa built-in, so you don't need two separate devices.

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Apple AirPods

Wireless tech is getting so good, and the convenience alone is worth making the switch. So we had our crack squad of tech reviewers take a look at 30 of the most popular wireless earbud models. Topping the list is, not surprisingly, Apple AirPods, which have the full complement of features, including noise cancellation, 24-hour battery life and amazing sound quality.

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Roomba i7+

A robot vacuum may be something you don't think you need, but the convenience it provides makes it worth the money. Features of the Roomba i7+ vacuum include clutch technical upgrades, like intelligent floor mapping, to ensure the Roomba gets to every corner. Its dustbin empties automatically and it has smart home compatibility.

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Fitbit Versa 3

Many tech products on the market haven't really done a great deal to improve our physical fitness as a society. But then there's Fitbit, a simple, attractive, wearable technology that encourages you to be healthier. The Fitbit Versa 3 is our pick to take your fitness game to a new level. We're talking GPS, heart-rate monitoring, waterproof design for use in the rain or while swimming and so much more.

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Schlage Z-Wave Deadbolt

Deadbolts that can be opened with a numeric code or an app are now widely available and reasonably priced. With the feature-packed Schlage Z-Wave, you'll be entering your home key-free but with even more security than a standard deadbolt. This model comes with a built-in alarm system and smart-home connectivity to lock or unlock your door remotely and keep track of who is opening the door and when with up to 30 personalized passcodes. Home security was never more convenient or reliable.

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Garmin Montana 680 Handheld GPS

When knowing your position in the world can be a matter of life or death, relying solely on your phone's GPS in those situations isn't a good idea. The Garmin Montana 680, which boasts a super high sensitivity receiver that works independently of cell towers, allows it to maintain a constant satellite signal even in dense forests and deep canyons where cell service won't reach. As a hiker, you can set waypoints ahead of time to ensure you never lose your path. The touchscreen interface and option to use a rechargeable battery or AA batteries are just icing on the cake.

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Netgear Nighthawk M1 Mobile Router

Even when you're outside your home, there's a good chance there's Wi-Fi within reach, but for the times that there isn't, a mobile hotspot is an excellent solution. These portable devices turn a cell signal into a Wi-Fi connection anywhere the service provider's signal reaches. After considering 51 models the Nighthawk M1 stands out with its versatility in providers as well as being one of the only options with ethernet ports for a super stable direct connection and lightning-fast download speeds.

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Logitech BRIO Webcam

Job interviews, big presentations and even doctor's appointments deserve a much better quality video experience, and upgrading your webcam is a fairly affordable way to achieve that. The Logitech BRIO tops our list of 30 models. This unit is equipped with a glass lens, a 4K image sensor, autofocus, five times HD zoom and is compatible with all major video conferencing apps.

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Igloo ICEB26RR Countertop Ice Maker

It's commendable that you've been hanging on to your basic plastic ice trays that take a day and a half to freeze and require you to wrestle the thing to access the paltry 12 inconsistent cubes. But it's time to let technology guide you to a happier, easier, chiller place, with a countertop ice maker. We considered many different models, and Igloo, a household name in cooling, has what it takes. The Igloo ICEB26RR can make up to 26 pounds of crystal clear ice in 24 hours, with the first 9 cubes ready in just 7 minutes. It's also portable and has a 3-quart water reservoir to ensure you'll be spending far more time sipping cold beverages.

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LiveScribe Symphony Smart Pen

Smart pens can be useful if you're someone who prefers the tactile feeling of writing something down but spend a lot of time transcribing your written notes. LiveScribe wins our Best of the Best Award (topping the list of 35 models considered). The Symphony smart pen transcribes what you write directly to your desktop or an app on your smartphone or tablet. The pen can transcribe 28 languages and boasts a 90-day standby battery life. LiveScribe pens have also been known to help those with certain learning disabilities in classroom situations to take notes.

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Netgear Wi-Fi Mesh Range Extender EX7000

The only thing worse than no Wi-Fi is the absolute tease of spotty, unreliable Wi-Fi. Luckily, Wi-Fi extenders are made for exactly this problem. These devices amplify your existing Wi-Fi signal to cover spots in your home or business that don't get the signal from the modem itself. The Netgear Wi-Fi Mesh Range Extender EX7000 is compatible with all major router brands and includes 5-gigabit ethernet ports for direct connection. It supports speeds of up to 1900 megabits per second.

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Neewer Ring Light Kit

Ring lights are easy-to-use solutions for brightening up your selfies, but they also work great for illuminating your face in dim rooms during important virtual meetings. After considering 56 models, the Neweer gets our Best of the Best honors with its array of handy accessories and remote control for easy adjusting on the fly. It also comes with a carrying case for those travel selfies. The light is dimmable, and it doesn't create much heat.

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Coast Rechargeable LED Headlamp

We know what you're thinking: "Aren't headlamps for miners and cave explorers?" Yes, they are. But it turns out they're also an excellent upgrade to your standard junk drawer flashlight. Our Best of the Best pick from Coast offers multiple brightness settings up to 1,000 lumens and runs on either a rechargeable battery or a standard battery for maximum flexibility in powering the device.

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Withings Thermo Smart Temporal Thermometer

Gone are the days of holding a thermometer under your tongue for what feels like an eternity while you wait for an accurate reading. The Withings Thermo offers super fast, contact-free, guaranteed accurate results in a fraction of the time and in a much more hygienic manner than a traditional thermometer. It also stores temperature history data for up to eight different users.

Mophie Powerstation Plus XL Portable Charger

These days the world runs on rechargeable batteries, which is a great development in terms of powering devices, but it also means that frantically finding a way to recharge has also become somewhat of a norm. Luckily, there's a simple solution. Portable chargers are large batteries that can recharge your important devices without needing a wall outlet. The Mophie Powerstation Plus XL adds up to 45 hours of battery life to your devices, is compatible with USB-C and has fast-charging capabilities, all for under $50.

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