We’re tech journalists. We now have plenty of opinions. All year long, we’re consistently making an attempt out new merchandise, and belief us — we’re a tough crowd to please. So if we actually like one thing, it’s in all probability good! That’s why we’ve assembled a listing of our favourite issues, spanning laptop equipment, headphones, productiveness apps, and odd little knick-knacks.
Positive, we could be robust critics at occasions. However we’re on this gig as a result of we really love expertise, and each every now and then, we come across an app, gadget, or piece of {hardware} that we’re dying to speak about. Our suggestions aren’t your typical present information fare — everybody already is aware of that AirTags are helpful! — however we’re hoping that we can assist you discover one thing a little bit completely different and pleasant. Whether or not you’re searching for the satisfaction of establishing your personal at-home media server, or in case you’re making an attempt to remain cool in a crowded subway, we’re certain you’ll discover one thing you want.
These open ear, bone conduction earphones permit me to hearken to music whereas working however they don’t cowl or insert within the ears, so I can nonetheless hear the surroundings: bikes desirous to go, vehicles or folks behind me, and so forth. They ship shockingly good sound high quality (pun meant) with out having to fuss about getting them in an ideal spot on the outer ear. They work nice with sun shades and a hat, all adjoining to one another. They usually don’t depart me with that uncomfortable am-I-losing-my listening to feeling from earbuds that pipe sound instantly into the ear canal.
A Mind.fm subscription is the proper present for the simply distracted. It’s a streaming service that performs scientifically engineered music – with no distracting lyrics – that helps my scattered thoughts cease bouncing between duties and keep centered. Further factors for the timer operate so I can mix it with the Pomodoro Approach!
Hank Inexperienced’s Focus Pal is Google Play’s app of the 12 months – and it’s additionally considered one of my favourite finds. It’s the proper steadiness of foolish and helpful to maintain me centered, and the free model is sufficient to get began, however as a present, I’d suggest splurging on the lifetime model.
The Omnilux Contour is considered one of my favourite issues. It’s a red-light remedy masks that reduces redness, improves total pores and skin texture and tone, and is meant to additionally scale back wrinkles (however I haven’t been utilizing it that lengthy to see whether or not that’s true). It’s cordless so I can stroll round and do stuff and the cost lasts for a very very long time. I preserve it at my desk and might use it whereas I examine emails within the morning.
If there’s one software I can’t reside with out, it’s Audio Hijack, a Mac app from Rogue Amoeba. Like many individuals, I spend plenty of time on calls, and since I’m a journalist, I virtually all the time file them. (With consent, after all!) Audio Hijack makes recording audio from any supply a snap, and I can restrict what seems on the recording to a particular app — no extra reminder dings popping up within the background. I usually ship audio from my mic to at least one channel and that of my supply to a different. That approach if we’re speaking over one another, I can isolate one or the opposite channel to determine what was mentioned. And with inline transcription and the safety of native information, Audio Hijack has just about every little thing I want. Now if Apple would solely make it straightforward for Rogue Amoeba to make an iPadOS or iOS model …
Techcrunch occasion
San Francisco
|
October 13-15, 2026
Ozlo’s Sleepbuds are snug, if a bit dear, earbuds designed to be used particularly whereas sleeping. (They’re at the moment on sale for $274 however retail for $349, the web site says).
Whether or not it’s good to masks exterior noise, like avenue sounds, or nearer disruptions like a loud night breathing companion or noisy roommate, these earbuds can assist mild sleepers extra simply get by way of the night time with out waking.
In fact, at this value level, Sleepbuds really feel like a luxurious — particularly given there are extra reasonably priced options. You may simply play music in your room or sleep along with your AirPods on, for example; however neither is good. The previous received’t masks all of the noise and the latter is uncomfortable and even painful. The Sleepbuds, nevertheless, supply squishy, comfortable in-ear earbuds that may stream a wide range of built-in sleep sounds or music or audio out of your smartphone.
Even in case you’re a aspect sleeper or toss and switch, they don’t fall out, I discovered. It’s also possible to set the Sleepbuds to pause streaming once you go to sleep, which is nice in case your sleep points are extra round falling asleep than staying asleep. (This may be helpful for individuals who prefer to fall asleep to audiobooks too!)
The product has not been good, I ought to warn. Sadly, the Bluetooth connection and streaming could be wonky at occasions and one earbud or the opposite typically doesn’t cost correctly, requiring a tool reset. Plus, in case you’re streaming by way of Bluetooth, the cellphone and Sleepbuds case need to be positioned in shut proximity for one of the best connection. The supplied sleep sounds can load instantly onto the buds themselves, which tends to work higher. Nonetheless, the general expertise of lastly having the ability to quiet the world — comfortably — and get some actual sleep made them a worthwhile buy for me.
My favourite gadget of 2025 is the neck fan from Kidee. Priced at $33.99 on Amazon, it has been a lifesaver for holding me cool all 12 months lengthy, whether or not I’m power-walking in NYC in the course of the summer time warmth or coming house from the gymnasium on the crowded 4 prepare within the lifeless of winter. It’s pretty quiet, with only a low hum on the primary setting. I’ve even had folks strategy me, mistaking it for the newest pair of headphones. It’s the gadget I by no means knew I wanted, and now I received’t depart house with out it.
I can’t suggest shopping for your personal network-attached storage (NAS) field sufficient. If it doesn’t change your life, it’ll definitely prevent cash. Synology and Western Digital are respectable locations to begin. A NAS field isn’t only a glorified internet-connected onerous drive that lives in your closet; it doubles as its personal self-hosting server that may run your personal apps, providers, and information at house. You’ll be able to host your personal recipe planner, information tracker, photograph gallery, to-do lists, and extra. You’ll be able to arrange an ad-blocker to cowl each gadget on your house Wi-Fi community; set up your personal at-home media streaming platform; and create, edit, and retailer your private paperwork with free options to Google Docs and Microsoft Workplace. Plus, if you’d like, you possibly can entry your information from anyplace on the planet utilizing a safe VPN that solely you management. NAS units are designed to make it straightforward for many customers to get began. Positive, issues can typically get a little bit technical at occasions and should require looking boards and Reddit threads for solutions, however you’ll study issues alongside the way in which, and that’s each enjoyable and rewarding.
The BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 is objectively pointless — it additionally makes my monitor sag a bit underneath its premium weight — however the satisfyingly tactile contact controller and the vibe of wanting like I’m working a cybersecurity operation from my bed room make it price each penny. (In actuality, I principally use it to really feel like a hacker whereas writing tales approach too late into the night time.)
When the dread of winter set in final 12 months, I made a purchase order I used to be not pleased with: an automated web page turner for my Kindle, together with a fluffy, round pillow with a stand jutting out of it that holds up my Kindle in mattress. I felt like this was sure to be a colossal waste of cash – it was the sort of buy you make once you’re craving dopamine, then by no means use. However one 12 months later, I can confidently say that this factor guidelines, and it doesn’t solely work for the Kindle. It comes with magnetic rings that allow you to equip principally any e-reader or tablet-sized gadget on the stand.
My Kindle stand and page-turner have change into a part of my nightly routine (no less than, on nights after I can summon the willpower to prioritize sleep hygiene over taking part in Pokémon on my cellphone). I place my cellphone on my nightstand, activate sleep mode, set my alarm, after which pivot to what I name “Kindle donut time,” because the Kindle stand is sort of formed like a donut. I get underneath my heated blanket, seize my remote-control web page turner, and skim till I can’t preserve my eyes open. This can be a sacred expertise. Lengthy reside Kindle donut time.
As somebody who by no means actually understood the enchantment of candle heaters, I used to be gifted a SpaRoom this 12 months and ended up actually liking it. I like that there isn’t a fireplace danger with an open flame and that I can benefit from the scent of my candles with none smoke. Plus, as somebody who hates “tunneling” in candles, I like that the wax melts evenly with a candle hotter. I additionally suppose there’s a stronger and extra constant scent when utilizing a candle hotter versus lighting the wick.
