40 Tech Gadgets That’ll Make 2021 A Little Easier
Tech yo' self!
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A pack of braided lightning cords that can actually go the distance. They range from three to ten feet long and are made of extra-durable nylon fibre, so they won't bend and shred like other phone cables.

2. A pack of screen protectors that'll save your phone screen from cracking if you drop it. They're made of tempered glass, making them extra durable. They're also super thin, so they won't interfere with the sensitivity of your touchscreen.
"The installation process took a bit longer than I thought it would. The screen protectors came with an alcohol wipe to clean and disinfect my phone, a cloth to dry it, a sticker to catch dust, and a guiding edge to help me line up the screen protector with my phone. AND it comes with a link to an entire video that guided me through the process. The screen protector took all the blows and when I couldn't stand looking at the cracks on it, I just peeled it off and replaced it with a new one. My actual phone screen is still in mint condition, and I'm free to be a messy, phone-dropping klutz without dealing with the consequences." —Kaysey Davis
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Tocol Tempered Glass Screen Protector (#11 on the list).
Get a three-pack from Amazon Canada for $13.99.
3. A light ring that'll attach to your phone, so you can shine bright like a diamond in all your selfies. You can also use it on your tablet or laptop to give you more light while you video chat. It has three brightness levels and a layer of gel on the back to keep it from scratching your devices.

4. An Echo Show 8 that'll become the most versatile device in your home. It's basically a miniature television, speaker, tablet, and voice assistant device all rolled into one. And it's small enough that you can keep it on your desk or bedside table when you're not using it.

5. An eco-friendly notebook that'll replace all your flimsy, disposable ones. You can fill this one to the brim with notes, scan and store digital copies of your notes using the Rocketbook app, and wipe your notebook completely clean again using a microfibre cloth.

6. A charging station that'll save your devices from ever hitting 1%. It has six USB ports that'll fit any style of charging cable and seven detachable dividers to keep your gadgets neat and tidy while they're plugged in.

7. A pack of cord clips that'll detangle all the cords around your computer. The clips come in three sizes (single, double or triple) and have sticky acrylic gum on the bottom, so you can place them where you'd like.

"The cord situation in my home office was driving me bonkers — between accidentally pulling down my entire monitor and cords getting caught in the wheels of my chair, it was becoming a borderline safety hazard. These little guys have made it so much easier to not only locate which cable I'm looking for, but also keep them off the dang floor. The sticky backing is pretty strong, which makes for an easy application. You get ten varying sizes in a pack, so I put one of these bad boys in every room in my house. Out of sight, out of mind." —May Ning
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of cable clips (#13 on the list).
Get a pack of ten from Amazon Canada for $10.95+. Available in two colours.
9. A super-sturdy headphone mount that'll fit right under your table and keep your bulky headset from cluttering your desk. It can hold two pairs and has three USB ports, so you can charge other devices, too.

10. A wireless charger that's a faster and more efficient way to charge your phone than plugging it in. It's compatible with most smartphones and will charge them, even when the case is on. There's a special coating on the surface to keep your device from slipping off while it's charging.
"I already own an Anker portable block charger, and it's served me well, so I knew when I ordered this, it would be a great charging option. It's great to be able to pick my phone up while I'm lying in bed without using another hand to disconnect a cable. It's also small enough that the phone takes up most of the pad, which is good for aesthetics. My only caveat: you have to make sure your phone is centered on the pad and the light is on, otherwise it won't charge. (This happened to me last night, but that might be a phone issue vs. a charger issue.) Not all phones will work with wireless charging, so make sure you check compatible phones before purchasing." —Kyle Richmond
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Anker Wireless Charger (#8 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $19.99+. Available in two colours.
11. An Echo Dot speaker that'll become your personal assistant. Alexa can set alarms, answer questions, play music, and check the weather. All you have to do is say her name!

12. And an Echo Dot holder that'll keep your speaker off your desk or countertop, so it won’t get wet or take up space. It works with both horizontal and vertical outlets, and there's room at the back to store the cord.

13. A flexible phone mount that'll clip to your bed, desk, or breakfast tray, so you won't have to hold up your phone while you watch TV or video chat.
"The mount is wide enough to clip onto my headboard, and I can use it on different pieces of furniture in my house, like my desk or shelf. Plus, the holder stretches open really wide, so it'll fit any phone. I can rotate the holder from a vertical to a horizontal position and the flexible neck makes it easy to change the position of my phone to any angle." —Kaysey Davis
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Tryone Gooseneck Phone Holder (#9 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $20.99+. Available in two colours.
14. A power bar that has a combination of cord and USB outlets, so you can plug in all your devices with ease. It has a six-foot-long cord that can reach all the places a wall socket can't and there are four keyholes on the back, if you want to mount it to the wall.

15. A genius Tile Mate that uses Bluetooth technology to keep tabs on your devices. You can attach one to your wallet, camera, keys — really, anything you don’t want to lose — and use the free Tile phone app to track them.


And if you lose your phone, just double-click on the Tile Mate to make it ring, even if it's on silent. They're also available as stickers and in a slim, credit card shape.
Get it from Amazon Canada for $29.95+. Also available in packs of two and four.
16. A pack of thumb grips that'll decorate the joysticks on your Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite with a pair of pawesome prints. They're made with soft silicone that'll keep your fingers from feeling sore after playing a few hours of Animal Crossing.

17. A Fitbit Versa 2 watch that'll become your favourite workout companion. It can track your heart rate, display your calendar, call, and receive text notifications. Plus, it'll give you little reminders every hour, if you're falling behind on your step goal for the day.

18. A pair of Apple AirPods Pro that'll be practically invisible in your ears. They have silicone tips that'll keep them from falling out and they're noise cancelling, so you won't have to worry about hearing anything but your music.

19. A pack of cable protectors that wind around the common stress points on your phone and laptop cords. These little tubes are a small investment that can repair and extend the life of all your charging cables.
20. A handy Popsocket phone grip for anyone who always has their device in their hand. It'll prevent you from dropping your device and make it easier to hold your phone, tablet, or Kindle for a long period of time. Plus, the acetate pattern will add a little sparkle to your case.

"I read before going to sleep every night using my much-beloved Kindle Paperwhite. The problem is, sometimes I lie on my back and....drop my Kindle on my face. Frankly this happens when I'm falling asleep, but also when I'm just reclining and reading on the cough. So after I got a PopGrip for my phone, I thought...why don't I stick one on my KINDLE?! Long story short, it was a great idea, 10/10 recommend. I haven't dropped it on my face SINCE. Also, as a lefty, I find holding my Kindle with one hand and being able to turn the pages very annoying. My right hand is weaker and gets tired, but my left hand can't turn the pages on the right side. The PopGrip makes gripping with my right hand and turning the pages way easier. Pop one of these pretty bbs on your favorite device — it'll make things just a little bit easier." —Maitland Quitmeyer
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the PopSocket PopGrip (#25 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $24.99.
21. A pack of super-thin camera covers for anyone who takes their online privacy and security extra seriously. The covers are compatible with most devices and are a sleeker alternative to the piece of tape you're currently using.

22. A Fire HD tablet that comes with a thick case that'll keep your kids from shattering the screen when they inevitably drop it. And the case has a little arm in the back, so they can stand it up when they're watching videos.

23. A small, but mighty power bank charger, so you can charge your tech on the go. The sleek and compact design makes it easy to travel with and it has two USB ports, so you can charge a couple devices at once.

24. An Amazon Fire TV Stick, so you can stream all your favourite shows and movies on your TV. It's enabled with Alexa, so you can find the show you're looking for without even reaching for the remote.
25. A phone mount for your car that has a magnetized surface (instead of clamps or cradles) to keep your phone from falling. Its face can be rotated in any direction, so you can easily adjust or turn the mount to the perfect position.

26. A little phone loop that'll save you from dropping your device. You can slide your fingers through to hold your phone more comfortably. And since it'll lay flat, you won't have to take off your case to charge your phone a wireless base or magnetized car mount.

27. A UV sanitizer that'll sterilize your phone in a hot minute. You can use it for other small items, too (like your keys, headphones, and glasses).

28. A small Bluetooth speaker that'll clip onto your sun visor, so you can answer every phone call and keep your hands free. It's easy to set up, and once you pair the speaker with your phone, it'll automatically connect every time you get in the car.

29. A super-cool alarm clock for anyone who wants to become more of a morning person. It has a warm light that gets brighter and brighter before your alarm goes off, mimicking the sunrise and making it easier for you to wake up.

30. A silicone keyboard cover that'll protect your computer from spills, crumbs, and dust. Now you can eat and drink near your laptop without fear of getting it dirty or damaged. It's easy to remove, so you can give it a quick wipe before reinstalling.

31. A USB adapter that'll charge two devices as you drive. It'll fit right into your cigarette lighter or 12-volt car socket and it has an LED light that will turn on when it gets dark outside.

32. A double-ended cleaning brush that'll keep your keyboard AND screen in tip-top shape. One side has a microfibre pad to remove fingerprints and smudges from your screen, while the other side has a soft rectractable brush that'll keep your keys free of dust and food.


"I have this at my desk in the office (and now at my kitchen table workspace for WFH) and love it! It has a microfibre tip on one side and the WORLD'S SOFTEST retractable bristles on the other. Like, I use this thing more as a fidget toy and for petting the bristles than for cleaning. My laptop is so gross that it's a little past hope, but this has tools have definitely helped make clearing out crumbs and erasing smudges easier and cleaning my computer more fun. It's extra handy for the rest of my desk and swiping away post-lunch debris!" — Katy Herman
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the OXO Good Grips Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner (#3 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $21.74.
33. A slim and stylish wireless mouse for anyone who prefers a mouse over the laptop trackpad. It comes with a tiny receiver that fits into the USB port, making it easy to connect it to your computer.

34. A power strip bar for the edge of your desk that'll make it easier to switch out your cords. There's a mix of outlets and USB ports, so you can plug in all your devices.

35. An adjustable stand that'll perch your phone at the perfect angle while you sit at your desk. The stand can hold your device whether it’s sitting vertically or horizontally, and it’s tall enough to accommodate a charger.
36. An Apple Watch stand that'll give you a place to stash your device when you're charging it. It's made of silicone and is small enough that it won't take up a lot of space on your bedside table.
37. A portable 3-in-1 tripod with flexible octopus-like legs, so you can mount it anywhere. It has a screw on the top to fit most cameras, a clip to mount your phone or GoPro, and a universal Bluetooth remote control to take photos from a distance.

38. A wireless keyboard that'll transform your tablet into a mini laptop. It uses Bluetooth technology, making it compatible with almost any Apple, Windows, or Android device. And it comes with a small adjustable stand, so you can prop up your tablet at whatever angle you'd like.
39. A printer that'll take care of all your needs, including scanning and faxing documents. It'll connect to your Wi-Fi and you can print straight from your phone or tablet using the HP Smart app.

40. And finally, a tech organizer that'll store all your charging cords and headphones, so you know exactly where they are when you need them. It has three mesh pockets to fit all your tech, and it's small enough that you can fit it in your backpack.
