Technology can add a lot of convenience to our lives. Even the smallest of tech upgrades can prove to be incredibly helpful and, most importantly, something you don’t regret spending money on. Whether you’re in need of a new laptop before going back to school or you want a way to control your home’s plugged-in devices without leaving the couch, we found gadgets that reviewers say are worth the coin.
They include highly reviewed tablets, internet-adored headphones and a smart alarm clock that’s designed to improve sleep. These items received numerous reviews from people whose only regret was not buying them sooner. HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page.
Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. Kasa smart plugs are a revered product here at HuffPost and have nearly 70,000 5-star reviews on Amazon.
These plugs are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and they transform plugged-in home electronics into devices that can be controlled remotely and with voice commands. Users can also set schedules for certain electronics that they want to automatically turn off and on. Promising Amazon reviews: " I deeply regret that it took me this long to procure this item! I used these smart plugs for my bedroom and living room lamps! They connected seamlessly and easily to my home WiFi and Alexa! I will confess that I did not use the timer function since I had routines in Alexa to turn the lights on/off! If you are looking to automate your lighting, small appliances then I HIGHLY recommend this product!!" — Wendel Staton " You will NOT regret this purchase.
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Best invention ever. I didn’t know about these until my alarm company suggested they were most cost efficient. So glad they did! Took 2 minutes to set up and I hooked it up to my google.
I got these for nights I work late. I can play around with lights and tv in order to appear home. I can’t wait to get more!" — D99520 In addition to being water- and dust-resistant, AirTags have a wildly simple setup, and you can assign each one a name to keep your most valuable belongings sorted.
Each tag can use ultrawideband technology to connect with a phone and provide accurate location monitoring, or automatically notify users when the AirTag is detected in Apple's Find My Network app. AirTags are also available in a four pack . Promising Amazon review: " regret not buying earlier.
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easy to use; compact and works great." — Jon Florczyk These popular AirPods are equipped with Apple's H2 chip, which aids in smarter and more dynamic noise cancellation that's two times stronger than in the previous iteration. With immersive audio, the AirPods sense your head movements to provide rich surround sound, and you can enjoy up to 30 hours of total listening time with the charging case.
Promising Amazon review: "I was really holding back on purchasing these earphones because of the price but I looked again at the right time because the sale was amazing and I do not regret it. The noise cancelling is scary good, I don’t know how I have lived without these during school. I can’t wait to study with these and I love how comfortable they feel in my ears with the different sizes that come in the box.
I can confirm that they are my favorite earphones I’ve ever had and can tell they will last me longer than the second generation AirPods." — Michele The 36-page Rocketbook smart reusable notebook boasts technology that allows you to scan, send and save your drawings, notes or grocery lists straight to your phone using the free Rocketbook app. It comes with a special pen that mimics a true pen-to-paper feel, and with a microfiber cleaning cloth to erase the notebook's content when you're done.
Promising Amazon review: "This product is AMAZING. It functions like any normal notebook. It writes nice, not quite like normal notebook paper but pretty close.
I love the grid and it's very easy to take notes, make lists, etc. There are plenty of pages so it takes awhile before I even need to reuse the page. The app is easy to set up and use.
It handled multiple logins for both personal and work accounts easily, which is something I've struggled with a bit in other services and it sends scans seamlessly wherever I need them. Lots of options for destinations as well, and I love that it auto-captures to do items and adds them to a list for me. It wipes of clean very easily and you can't even tell the page had been used.
I've had it for about two weeks now and am already regretting not buying it months ago. I constantly have multiple to do lists that I'm always having to rewrite, so this has saved so much paper already. I also always need paper on-hand for notes for my job, so this makes it easy to keep it all in one place and log what I need while erasing the rest.
I'm super impressed with it, it has exceeded my expectations." — Annalise The 2022 MacBook Air is a productivity workhorse with Apple's M2 chip, a powerfully performing processor that allows for super responsive operation. Its ultrathin, lightweight design makes it excellent for travel, and it claims to offer 18 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display promises vibrant and crisp visuals for all your video meetings and more. Promising Amazon review: "I've long been a PC user, built my own pretty decent gaming rig a few years ago.
I recently enrolled in school and decided I needed something portable. After reading reviews, I decided that this was the way to go. I've used Windows my entire life and never really gave the idea of MacOS a thought, but I absolutely love it.
It has some similarities to Linux, which I've used in the past. It syncs flawlessly to other Apple products (I already had the iPhone and AirPods,) which is really cool. I love using Messenger on my computer, a feature I never knew I needed.
As for the hardware, it's solid. The unit itself is very light, but still feels incredibly sturdy. My main complaint is how easily the surface smudges -- a minor issue.
I just got a clear clamshell case for mine and it looks good without smudging. I don't use the camera much but I did play around with it for a little bit and it looks great. The keyboard is pretty much silent and the touchpad is nice, took a little getting used to coming from Windows but I figured it out after a few hours of use.
The thumbprint touch pad works great and is super convenient. The display is gorgeous, incredibly rich colors and great contrast. Overall, a great purchase.
I was a little scared to go all-in and jump into MacOS, but I don' t have any regrets at all. I'd even consider getting an iMac now. Super impressed with the hardware, software and everything else on this machine.
Highly recommend, even at MSRP." — Jerm This latest version of the Hatch Restore is so much more than an alarm clock: It's a bedside luxury designed to help you build a restful sleep routine from the minute the sun comes up to the time after it goes down. The alarm gently wakes sleepers in a way that supports a natural circadian rhythm, while the dreamy bedside light can help your body know that it's time to fall asleep.
Plus, it's preloaded with an extensive library of sleep sounds and background noises. Promising Amazon review: "My new Hatch 2 is awesome. My wife bought one and I could tell immediately that it was something that would work for me so I bought my own a couple of days later.
The smart-phone app was easy to download and connect to the device. Then it was easy to control the device from the app. Loved the soothing pre-bedtime sounds and warm-glow wake up coupled with the wake-up sounds I selected for a gentle start to my day.
I look forward to exploring the other sounds and features of my Restore 2. Great looking product, useful and user-friendly. I love my new Hatch.
My daughter has had the original model for a few years and loves it, and she has been wanting me to get one as well. I regret not getting one sooner as the Restore2 has completely changed my bedtime routine and has allowed me to wake up feeling much more relaxed and ready for the day. I have recommended the Restore2 to several of my friends as well, and I truly am grateful for how much this has helped my sleep.
I love the basic functions, and it is also fun to experiment with different sounds on the app. I recommend this product to anyone considering!" — Joshua Lipsky Ring is possibly one of the most highly rated and well-known doorbell video systems around, monitoring or recording your front door (even at night) and sending notifications directly to your phone. It also allows for two-way communication between the resident and whoever is at the door.
The brand assures users that it's easy to set up, saying it is also Alexa-compatible and can be controlled via its own app or your voice. Promising Amazon review: "I love this camera. No one comes near the front of my house without the camera notifying me.
Really nice to tell salesman to get lost without getting off the couch. Just go ahead and get you one, you won't regret it. Nice additional sense of security for me and my family, even when we are not home.
The Ring services are reasonably priced and won't brake the bank, added security is definitely worth it." — Chris Hobbs I'm a proud and regret-free owner of this Logitech desk system that wirelessly connects to my existing work laptop and allows for a more ergonomic desk setup, no matter where I am. A sleek keyboard and touch pad both come in a notebook-style case, which pops open to become a stand for my laptop.
The setup and Bluetooth connection were seamless. I love setting up the stand component on a lap desk in bed and using the keyboard and mouse separately so I don't have to crane my neck in an unnatural position when working. These two slim and portable power banks , which have well over 70,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, deliver lightning-fast charging power to most iPhone 15 models, Android devices, tablets and other electronics such as AirPods.
Charge up to three devices at once using the two USB-A ports, one micro USB input and one USB-C port; each bank promises to charge an iPhone up to 78% in just one hour. Promising Amazon review: "As a freshman in college, I have been running from class to class to class with a phone that runs out of battery very quickly. I take the train often so I needed to buy a charger and this was the best option and I do not regret buying it at all! It lasts forever and charges my phone and AirPods at lightning speed.
It also charges relatively quickly so I do not have to worry about leaving it on its charger over night! This is absolutely perfect!" — Melle S. Just imagine having an entire library in the palm of your hand and never needing an external light source to read. The Paperwhite — one of the more recent iterations of Amazon 's Kindle e-reader — is thinner and lighter than other e-readers, and it has a larger display and an adjustable warm light that is perfect for nighttime reading.
It boasts a storage capacity of 16 gigabytes and up to 10 weeks of battery life per charge. Plus, the flush-front design and nearly 7-inch face reads like real paper. Promising Amazon review: "I was super skeptical as I always thought I was a physical book girly and nothing could compare to turning a page (still can’t but I digress).
My friends kept trying to convince me to get one and I finally caved one day when a friend texted me that it was on sale. Well it’s safe to say I don’t regret it one bit. The battery life lasts about 2 weeks depending on how much I read per day, and the convenience is unmatched.
I love that people can’t see the cover of a book I’m reading (iykyk) and my favorite part is there is no darkening/glare when I’m in the sun like on my phone!" — Angela Rae This ninth-generation iPad comes with Apple's A13 Bionic chip and its own iPadOS operating system, which allows users to operate multiple apps at once with reliable speed and a functionality that's familiar for Apple users. It has a Retina display measuring over 10 inches, connects seamlessly with Wi-Fi, and has both front and back cameras. Promising Amazon review: "Amazing best purchase of the year.
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At first I was worried that I would regret spending a large amount of money on this iPad, but I am so glad I did. The experience is seamless and the quality is top tier. I love the design, the feel, and the size.
Highly recommend!" — Emmanuel Thompson This expert-endorsed projector is Bluetooth-enabled so it can seamlessly play content from a phone, and it is also compatible with Roku, Fire TV Sticks, laptops and some video game consoles. So, it can be used for not just an indoor or outdoor movie night, but also a game night. The projector is built with two powerful speakers and comes with a foldable screen.
On the product page, don't forget to click the coupon for 20% off before checking out. Promising Amazon review: "Upgraded from a small kids projector and I don’t regret it. Easy to set up and a significant improvement in picture quality - including being able to clearly see in daylight/lighter room conditions (something we couldn’t do before - we had to close blinds and turn off lights).
Loving this so far. Pretty standard in terms of noise from the motor. We use with a Sony speaker for full sound and pair it with the smallest Roku for streaming.
Win!" — Ally CHR Maximize your existing outlet with this sleek, surge-protected plug-in , which features five traditional AC outlets, one USB-C port and three USB-B ports to support your different devices and their specific chargers. Promising Amazon review: "Love this - it has three USB & one USB-C charging ports, outlet extender that has outlets on 3 sides. Its also a surge protector.
I purchased one but wish I had gotten more...
guess I'll do that too! It sticks out from the wall just a little & might want to consider a different product if furniture or something has to go up against the wall. In my opinion, one definitely won't regret the purchase! " — Shorty203 The brand behind this Wi-Fi extender says it can provide up to 58% wider coverage with 74% faster speed. Reviewers back up company claims that this extender is a breeze to set up and can support more than 45 devices.
On the product page, don't forget to clip the coupon for 5% off before checking out. Promising Amazon review: "We have several dead spots in our house which makes paying for fiber internet frustrating. Based on reviews I ordered the Macard WIFI extender/booster with hopes that the reviews were true - and they were! No complicated mesh system, no misspelled instructions that were obviously poor translations.
Plug in, connect to your network and you're done! We now have great signal all over our house. You won't regret buying this little gadget. " — Melissa M.
This compact and Apple-compatible charging station juices up AirPods, Apple Watches and most iPhones all at once, and can fully charge a smart device in just a few hours. Promising Amazon review: "I bought this product because I got tired of having multiple wires at my night stand. Not only did it solve that problem but it also freed up outlet space.
I use this on a daily basis. My favorite part about this product is how fast it charges my phone! I am in love with this product, and do not regret buying this product at all! Money well spent!! " — Megan Related From Our Partner.
