24 Tech Products That We Tried, Loved, And Highly Recommend
Seriously, we're obsessed.
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 genius Tile Mate or Tile Slim 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.
"I am a forgetful person who loses all of my stuff all the freaking time, especially my wallet. That's where this little device comes in handy. I just slide the Tile Slim into one of the credit card slots in my wallet and can now track where it is with the help of the free Tile app. If I can see that it's in my home on the map but can't find it, I just ring the device and it sets off a symphony of noises that help me hunt it down." —Alice Prendergast
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Tile Mate (#4 on the list).
Get the Tile Mate for $39.99+ (Available in sets of one, two, and four) and the Tile Slim for $34.99, both from Amazon Canada.
2. A laptop stand that'll elevate your computer or laptop to a more comfortable height. It's not only super sleek but incredibly lightweight so you can set it up anywhere in your house.
"Before I got this thing, I relied on a stack of books to elevate my laptop. It wasn’t pretty. I finally bit the bullet and made the upgrade, and let me tell you, I wish I had done it sooner. With this baby (and a separate mouse and keyboard), my sweet neck has never been happier. I normally use it with my MacBook Air but I tried it with a clunky old MacBook Pro and it held it up perfectly, too. It comes with a hex key you can use to adjust the angle of the stand, with pads that’ll protect the edges of your laptop from scratches. Your aching back will thank you." —Brittany Barber
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the VMEI Aluminum Laptop Riser (#25 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $46.99.
3. A Fujifilm Instax Mini that's both a camera and a printer. It has the basic features of a digital camera (like built-in storage, cool filters, and fun, animated frames) but will also allow you to print pictures from your phone.
Now you can print all the photos off your Instagram and print multiple copies of the same photo to share with your friends and family. You'll need to download the Mini Liplay app on your phone to print pictures and grab a pack of film to print your photos.
Using the printer feature is super easy. I love that I can print duplicates to give to my loved ones. It's also more compact than my other camera so when I have to choose which camera to bring, I go for this one.
Get it from Amazon Canada for $189+. Available in three colours.
4. A pack of screen protectors that'll save your phone screen from cracking if you drop it. They're made of extra durable tempered glass and super thin so they won't interfere with the sensitivity of your touchscreen.
"I'm convinced that everyone has dropped their phone and shattered screen at least once. If it's happened to you, you are probably on a mission to never let it happen again (same). That's why I got these. I never used to be into screen protectors because I feel like they always get bubbles under them and that annoys me to no end. These go on flat and don't even look like they're there. Basically, they do their job and they do it well." —Alice Prendergast
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the LK Screen Protectors (#3 on the list).
Get a pack of five from Amazon Canada for $9.99.
5. A Kindle that'll let you carry your impressive library collection with you at all times. It comes with extra storage and has a long-lasting battery so you can read whatever you want with the touch of a button.
“I've been an avid Kindle user for the past five years but when I saw this version, I knew it was time to upgrade. The main selling point is the fact that this one is waterproof. So waterproof, in fact, that it can be in up to 2 meters of fresh water for more than 60 minutes. Plus, it's lighter, has more storage, and the battery lasts for WEEKS. I took this on vacation with me and was so impressed. I was able to sit on the ledge in the pool and read without worrying about getting the device wet. And I even put it in the water to test and it still works perfectly. Plus, I used it every day and didn't have to charge it the whole time I was on the trip. That gets a big gold star in my book.“ —Abby Kass
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Kindle Paperwhite (#1 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $104.99. Also available in a 32GB version.
6. A soothing sound machine that'll block out the disruptive noises around you with 20 different tracks of white noise. You can use it during the day while you work or study or play it at night and let it lull you to sleep.
Reviewers say it sounds like a quiet fan and helps tune out the sound of noisy roommates, neighbours, and traffic.
"This machine is really compact (it can fit easily on your nightstand) and has two sound options: white noise or fan with ten variations. The volume can go up super high, it has a 60-minute auto shut-off feature, and it's really easy to use. Just plug it on, hit the on button, and BAM! Done. If you've had trouble falling asleep, I seriously cannot recommend this little gadget enough. I don't think I'd be able to survive without it..." —AnaMaria Glavan
Check out BuzzFeed's full reivew of the Lectrofan Noise and Fan Sound Machine (#11 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $59.99+. Available in five styles and three colours.
7. A pair of wireless over-ear headphones that are all about that bass (and treble). They'll last up to 80 hours on a single charge and they have a built-in microphone so you can make hands-free phone calls while you're on the go.
"If you're going to invest in a pair of everyday on-ear headphones, in my humble opinion, these are The Ones. The 80 hours of playtime per charge is no lie. I turn these on at least once a day for a few hours and sometimes go a full month without having to charge them. As someone who is constantly forgetting to charge all of my electronics but is tired of corded headphones, that is an enormous plus. They're not actively noise cancelling but the padding on the ears definitely helps keep out external noise and ups the sound quality — I really prefer these kind of headphones, however, since noise cancelling ones can make things a little too quiet for me." —Rachel Dunkel
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Marshall Major IV On-Ear Bluetooth Headphone (#8 on the list)
Get them from Amazon Canada for $219.99.
8. A ring light that'll make you shine bright like a diamond. It has three brightness levels and a flexible phone mount so you'll always have perfect lighting while you video chat, apply makeup, take selfies, and film TikToks.
There isn't a lot of light in my room so it's made a world of a difference. I use it in the mornings when it's still dark out to apply my makeup. And now that I'm working from home, I set it up behind my laptop so I look less like a dungeon troll during my Zoom calls. I don't know why I waited so long to buy this because I've used it every day since I bought it.
Get it from Amazon Canada for $47.99.
9. A Philips Wake-Up Light 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 every morning.
"I can't understate how wonderful it is to wake up ~peacefully~ every morning...and fall asleep more easily every night. The biggest doubt I had about this clock is whether it could actually, well, wake me up. It starts getting brighter, slowly, before the alarm goes off, which my body reads as the beginnings of the sunrise. By the time the birds start singing, I'm already most of the way awake, and the light's bright enough that (after a few minutes scrolling through my phone) I just...get out of bed." —Natalie Brown
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Philips Wake-UP Light (#11 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $224.19.
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 centred 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 $14.44.
11. A UV sanitizer that'll disinfect your phone and other small items (like your headphones, keys, and glasses). It also has two ports at the back so you can charge your phone at the same time.
"The first thing I do whenever I come back from a shopping trip or walk is put my phone and keys in here immediately. It’s like throwing my phone and keys in a little countertop washing machine. It also only takes like ten minutes to do its thing. It has 3,000+ 5-star ratings on the brand’s website (and 2,000+ on Amazon) and it is a truly vital product that I always use every single time I bring my phone or keys outside of the apartment.” —Anna Kopsky
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the PhoneSoap 3 UV Cell Phone Sanitizer (#3 on the list).
Get it from Indigo for $99.95.
12. A Bluetooth speaker that may be small but is mighty when it comes to sound. Thanks to the speaker’s 360° coverage, your music will remain rich and clear from any direction.
"I have this speaker and I *love* it — it lives right on my bookshelves (without taking up basically *any* room) and fills my apartment with high quality sound. The lil' portable size is perfect so I can grab it and take it into the kitchen for baking jams™ or into my bathroom for my latest in-shower karaoke session (sorry neighbors). I also barely *ever* have to charge it. And yes, that *is* a Jane Austen action figure next to it." —Maitland Quitmeyer
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Marshall Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker (#35 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $219.99.
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.
Get it from Amazon Canada for $19.99. Available in two colours.
14. A Nintendo Switch Lite that'll provide a much-needed escape for any video game lover. It has a compact, lightweight design with a huge backlit screen that you can use anytime and anywhere. You can also play the updated versions of classic '90s games like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Legend of Zelda.
"I can play games for hours without getting bored and it can easily fit into my jacket pocket. I actually already owned the original Switch console and really loved it but found it was a little too bulky and heavy to carry with me every day (plus my hands would get tired holding onto it)." —Sarah Aspler
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Nintendo Switch Lite (#7 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $254.47+. Available in four colours.
15. And a pack of thumb grips that'll decorate the joysticks on your Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite with a pair of paw-some prints. They're made with soft silicone that'll keep your fingers from feeling sore after playing a few hours of Animal Crossing.
If you're into Pokémon, you can find a pack of red and blue thumb grips here.
I've had my Nintendo Switch Lite for a few months now and I have to say that after playing Animal Crossing for a few hours, my thumbs would get so sore. It was a small inconvenience but I found these thumb grips and decided to give them a try. They're super easy to put on. They're made of a soft, stretchy silicone material so they literally just snap over the joysticks. The little paw prints are not only too cute for words but they add a little texture to keep my thumbs from sliding around. Now I can play on my Switch for as long as I want and my thumbs won't have to pay the price afterward.
Get a pack of four from Amazon Canada for $7.99+. Available in seven colour sets.
16. A pair of over-ear headphones that'll tune out the noise so you can concentrate on studying without being disturbed. They're the kind of headphone you'll want to keep in your bag because they're super lightweight, collapsible, and comfortable enough to wear all day.
"First off, they're incredibly lightweight. Like, 'wear all day and never get a headache' kind of lightweight (#bless). These guys also include a slew of neat little features that make using them super easy to use, like a toggle knob that allows you to switch songs, change the volume, and even answer phone calls — without ever having to take out your phone." —Victoria Kuglin
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Urban Ears Plattan II Bluetooth headphones (#6 on the list).
Get them from Amazon Canada for $91.88+. Available in four colours.
17. A colourful case that'll protect your phone and look stylish while doing it. It has a cushy raised edge that'll add an extra layer of protection around your screen so it's less likely to shatter when you drop it.
I have a Pixel 3 and while I love it very much, I still miss my iPhone days. And it's solely because there are WAY cuter cases for Apple devices. For years, I've been using the same transparent case but ya girl wanted options. I was over the moon when I found out Society6 does custom cases for literally every and any Android phone and there are dozens of prints to choose from. This case not only protects my phone but it looks amazing, too. I love how easy it is to install so I don't need to jaws of life to get it off when I'm ready to swap it out with something new.
Get it from Society6 for $23.03 (originally $38.39). Available for LG, Samsung, and Google phones.
18. An Amazon Fire TV Stick that'll help you stream all your favourite shows and movies on your television. It's enabled with Alexa so you can find the show you're looking for with the press of a button.
"I live at home with my dad and we are big fans of a weekend binge-watch or movie night (lockdown has made me very cool). While I had Prime Video and Disney+ on my laptop, that doesn't exactly lend itself to shared viewing so I bought the Fire Stick on a whim on Prime Day so that I could watch my shows on the big TV. It is so easy to use and set up and this is coming from someone who is far from a tech expert. There's tons of apps available on it so we can watch whatever we want on the big(ger) screen and I like that you also get YouTube so I can enjoy Yoga With Adriene on a larger screen instead of squinting at my laptop mid-pose. All-in-all, a good investment." —Jasmin Nahar
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Amazon Fire TV Stick (#20 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $54.99.
19. A handy PopSockets phone holder that'll 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 $28.43.
20. Or a super-cute PopSockets PopGrip with a built-in lip balm compact so your smackers are always moisturized and you'll never drop your device. We love a 2-in-1 product!
I can't go anywhere without lip balm — it's an absolute necessity for me. But there are times where I've either forgotten to take one with me, or just straight up lost the one I was using. This phone grip actually solved my problem because I literally take my phone everywhere. And it's so convenient to have it there: I don't have to go digging through my purse or pockets to find a tube of lip balm because I just flip the lid on the back of my phone and apply. Plus, the lip balm is actually really nourishing and leaves behind a subtle gloss finish. As a bonus, the container is removable so I can swap it out with a new one when it's empty.
Get it from Amazon Canada for $25.89.
21. A pair of wireless earphones that'll hook over your ears so you'll never miss a beat. They're sweat-resistant (making them great for working out) and they have a built-in microphone if you want to make calls while you're on the go.
"These earphones have been a real game-changer for me. The sound quality is SO MUCH better than my cheap headphones, which has actually really improved my experience at the gym. I find it easier to stay motivated now that my music is *crystal clear* (and I can't hear myself wheezing on the treadmill). Plus, they're really comfy in my ears and never fall out, thanks to their clever hook design (if you have comfort issues with Apple headphones, these will probably feel better)! They're definitely a splurge but IMO, they're worth it!" —Emma McAnaw
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones (#2 on the list).
Get them from Amazon Canada for $229.99+. Available in five colours.
22. 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.
"I love my iPhone but I hate that I have to pick it up + point it at my face to unlock it. When the group texts come raining in during the work day, I’d like to be able to glance at them without taking the time to pick up, scroll through and then putting it back down — my FOMO-y self needs to be sure the texts can wait until my next break for a reply! I can keep those group text updates truly ~at a glance~ — without interrupting my flow until I take a break later." —Maitland Quitmeyer
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Omoton Adjustable Phone Stand (#4 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $16.99+. Available in three colours.
23. A Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush with a vibrating head that'll do most of the work for you, unlike a manual toothbrush. It senses when you’re brushing too hard and will alert you to lighten up. Plus, it has a built-in timer that’ll encourage you to brush for two minutes.
"It's equipped with four brushing modes, three intensities and can even sense when you're brushing too hard so your teeth can look (and feel) their best. It's basically the best investment I ever made in my dental health. Each brush comes with a rechargeable travel case and two replacement brush heads." —Victoria Kuglin
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Philips Sonicare ExpertClean 7500 toothbrush (#22 on the list).
Get it from Amazon Canada for $174.99+. Also available in white and pink.
24. And finally, a pair of wireless earbuds that'll be practically invisible in your ears. Each one has two microphones so you'll sound crisp and clear during your Zoom meetings.
"These earbuds are a dream. They plug right into my ears for a snug (but comfy) fit, which means I can wear 'em while I work out without worrying about them popping out of my ears. (They also really help me to ignore my bf during work hours, who loves to use his outside voice on calls.) The battery lasts forever and the microphone quality is 10/10. I love that the controls are customizable, too so you can decide what action turns them on, off, skip song, etc." —Brittany Barber
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the VMEI Aluminum Laptop Riser (#15 on the list).
Get them from Amazon Canada for $119.99. Available in two colours.
How BuzzFeed writers feel about their gadgets:
This post features a mix of items that we purchased with our own money and those that were provided to us at no cost for the sake of review. (But! We’re under no obligation to write a review of those things, let alone a positive review.)