8 Life-Changing Tech Products You Need ASAP

Amazing gizmos, gadgets, and apps tried and tested by BuzzFeed editors.

Zoe Burnett / BuzzFeed

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.

1. A Pandawell lightning iPhone fan provides a refreshing blast of cool air that’ll have you feeling like Beyoncé on a world tour stage — even if you’re just taking the subway into work.

Chantal Follins / BuzzFeed

I'm a huge supporter of living your best life. So, I was thinking to myself one day, "How can I escape this impending heat that is about to snatch me dry this summer?" And a phone fan quickly came to mind.

I found out about the Pandawell phone fan while perusing Amazon. I thought to myself, "Could it be?!" I plugged it into my phone like I would my charger or headphones, and a burst of air came directly at me like a cool, breezy day. I instantly felt the cool air reach my skin and was SHOOK. I began rocking my head from side to side and I found myself recreating Beyoncé's iconic diva fan moment.

I tried it out on a hot subway train, and the fan air really came through for me. The fan is strong, consistent, and lasts as long as your phone battery. I highly recommend this for those who sweat or heat up easily! —Chantal Follins

Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in nine colors).

The fan is compatible with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad mini, iPad air, and iPod Touch.

2. Urbanears Plattan ADV Headphones bring your favorite tunes to life — and look dope AF — without completely blowing your budget.

Ignacia Fulcher / BuzzFeed

Anyone who has known me for longer than a day knows that I love music. My grandfather was a music professor at York College, and I was classically trained in opera for a majority of my adolescence. So I am very, very PICKY when it comes to headphones. If I buy something that helps me enjoy what I love most, it has to be QUALITY and worth the cost.

A couple of months ago, I bought a pair of Urbanears Plattan ADV bluetooth headphones, and they were a revelation! I debated for months about if I should get them because I’m usually an in-ear headphones kind of girl. But these were amazing. As soon as I put them on, I felt the bass of a Kanye joint, felt the right amount of treble needed for a Joni Mitchell song, and the clearness of a guitar riff when listening to Guns N’ Roses. I almost cried from how beautiful the sound was — and I don’t ever cry about anything! Putting the amazing sound aside, they’re also super comfortable. I can go a whole work day with them on my ears without them getting sore. An they come with their own auxiliary cable that you can plug into your phone if the battery dies, as well as a USB charger.

Another bonus is that the actual headband can be taken apart and put in the wash if you ever decide to go to the gym. The actual headphones can be detached as well so you can wipe them down occasionally, just like you would for their in-ear companions. Urbanears makes everything super pretty and easy to use, even the packaging. It really is like getting a little gift for yourself, which is great because you are going to drop about a hundred dollars on them! —Ignacia Fulcher 


Get them from Amazon for $99 (available in nine colors, and wired and wireless styles.)

And if you're looking for a great new pair of headphones, check out our picks for the best wireless headphones on BuzzFeed Reviews.

3. Cruelty Cutter identifies which brands test on animals — a helpful tool if you have committed to supporting only cruelty-free companies.

Elena Garcia / BuzzFeed

I am a cruelty-free product advocate, meaning I refuse to purchase any products (beauty or home) that test on animals. And I don’t shut up about it. Ask my friends, I am annoying as shit. But, it’s for a good cause!

It all started when my dog Frankie passed away. He was a beagle and probably the best dog in the world (not biased at all). I was devastated by his death and needed to do something. After some serious beagle video binge watching on Facebook, I got a suggested video from an organization called The Beagle Freedom Project (BFP). Immediately, I watched it. We think of animal testing as rats, and maybe bunnies, getting swabbed and dissected. Well…it’s not. Because of their submissive personalities and gentle ways, beagles are often used by researchers to test out products. But BFP is trying to change that by promoting cruelty-free shopping — as well encouraging some serious legislative changes. They even designed a FREE app, Cruelty Cutter, that lets you scan items while you’re shopping to see if they’re tested on animals.

Just download it, take it to your favorite retailer, and scan the manufacturer’s barcode. It’ll immediately let you know if that brand tests on animals. It’s that simple. It’s constantly updated. So if you ever come across a brand they don’t have information for, with just a push of a button, it’ll let you inform them so they can research the brand. It also includes a full directory and product suggestions based on what you’re looking for — which is so f—ing helpful! —Elena Garcia

Get it for FREE from the iTunes Store or Google Play .

4. Sony EX14AP Earbuds can fill in — at least temporarily — for your more pricey earbuds or over-the-ear headphones when they unexpectedly bite the dust.

Treye Green / BuzzFeed

There’s nothing more annoying than the dreaded day that one — or both — of your earbuds unexpectedly stops working. I recently found myself in that predicament when my morning commute jam session became an intimate engagement for just one of my ears.

I knew I needed a quick pair of replacement headphones to last me for the next few weeks while I debated my next headphone purchase — I take my headphones pretty seriously. So I settled on a set of Sony EX14AP Earbuds I found during a very quick trip to Best Buy. And after a week of using them, I was exceptionally pleased with the quality of the sound from such an affordable pair of earbuds. The sound isn’t on the level a pricey set of over-the-ear headphones. However, for a pair under $15, it is more than adequate. There isn’t any annoying echo with my audio — which can be the case with cheaper earbuds. And the audio sounds pretty full, not muffled or faint.

They also come with a few replacement earbud covers that are lifesavers if you happen to knock one off at some point. I prefer over-the-head headphones to earbuds. However, these dope Sony earbuds are awesome. And they are especially great as backup headphones to keep in your book bag or purse — mainly for the days you accidentally leave your main buds at home. —Treye Green

Get them from Amazon for $12.99 (available in five colors) or Walmart for $9.99.

5. An Aukey Ora clip-on iPhone lens snaps photos that look like perfection every time.

Emma McAnaw / BuzzFeed

My sister is an avid photographer, so I bought her an Aukey Ora clip-on camera lens for her iPhone. It’s a two-in-one lens made specifically for closeups and wide-angle shots. It allows you to take detailed shots that look like they were taken with a professional camera. The macro lens is useful for closeups — even a super detailed pic of your avocado toast, if you’re into that. And the wide angle lens — which is easily attached to the macro lens — is better for landscapes.

My sister particularly enjoys shooting still life and flowers, so a lens that specializes in close shots was perfect for her. Plus, the tiny lens is more convenient than her having to lug her larger camera around everyday. She also really enjoys using it on vacation, seeing that it allows her to travel lightly. I think this lens would also be great for portraits. But my sister is too busy taking random pictures of flowers to turn the camera my way. So we’ll just have to wait and see for that! —Emma McAnaw

Get the set from Amazon for $23.98.

6. A MONQ Therapeutic Air diffuser gives aromatherapy fans a relaxing puff on the go (and it fits in your pocket).

Brendan Smith / BuzzFeed

The first thing I noticed about the MONQ sticks was their strong mix of scents — seeing that they were packaged in a box with seven different blends. Opening the box was like holding an entire essential oils shop in my hand! However, once I tried the separate scents alone — which are named after moods like "Sleepy," "Sexy," and "Active" — they all actually smelled very good. "Happy" is the scent I enjoyed the most, which features a blend of fennel, thyme. and vanilla.

As a former smoker, these were a really cool way to hold and inhale, seeing they offered a tobacco-free and nicotine-free vaporizer experience. And the sticks themselves are also very nice-looking, with their sleek colors and gold lettering and detailing.

I would also advise reading the instructions fully — which are included with your order, as well as online. I didn’t initially know I should only take two to three gentle puffs two to three times a day, which extends the life of each stick to around three to four weeks. I def had about 15 to 20 on the first day! —Brendan Smith

Get a MONQ stick from Amazon for $20 (available in eight scents) and MONQ for $20 (available in 10 scents). You can also get four-pack from MONQ for $69.

MONQ sent us the stick to try free of charge, but we weren't obligated to positively review them.

7. IZIPIZI Screen C Glasses will help you avoid eye strain after hours of looking at a computer screen.

Briana Holt / BuzzFeed, Samantha Wieder / BuzzFeed

A huge concern of mine recently has been the amount of time I spend staring at dual computer screens all day while at work. I noticed that the strain of looking at two screens for at least eight hours a day was taking a toll on how I felt at the end of the day, And there’s absolutely no way to go through the workday without constantly looking at computer screens!

I’d recently heard some mixed reviews about computer screen glasses — which can help protect your eyes from the strain caused by looking at a digital screen for hours. And I figured why not give them a try. I decided to go with a pair from the MoMA online store — which I admit are bit more pricey than other versions of computer glasses. They come in a variety of styles and colors. But I went with a simple black frame because I figured it would match any outfit I chose to wear to work on a given day!

When I first got these glasses, I’d wear them while doing work in the office and at home while watching Netflix on my computer. They definitely seemed to help with the strain I often feel while staring at screens for a long time. When you put them on, you’ll definitely notice the reduced glare. It made my eyes feel less tired, and I did not experience as my headaches. I’d say the glasses are definitely worth the investment if you think you might be suffering from eye strain caused by digital screens. But, of course, an eye doctor is your safest bet if you think you’re dealing with major eye issues! —Samantha Wieder

Get them from MoMA Store for $50 (available in six colors).

8. A Logitech G433 surround sound headset you'll swear transported you inside your favorite video game.

Jeff Baron / BuzzFeed

The gaming accessory market is rife with competition vying for your hard-earned money. Logitech is stepping up their presence with their new G433 7.1 surround sound gaming headset. My experience in using them for the past few weeks so far has been quite positive. And I really like the way the headset looks and sounds.

The sports-mesh ear pads with are made out of a scratchy material that I’m not a huge fan of — although they are washable. But it comes with a microfiber set, as well, which you can use if you like a more plush feel. I swapped to the microfiber pads within the first hour of use and never went back.

The simulated 7.1 surround sound system it has is impressive. For games that support it, you’ll actually get a better sense of depth in the game you’re playing and I've also found myself using the headset around the office just to play music.

For $99, Logitech gives you a lot in the box to work with, and a set of headphones you could actually use outside of just gaming, which I think makes them quite competitive with other similar offerings. So you should definitely give em a look! —Jeff Baron

Get it from Amazon for $99 (available in four colors).

Logitech sent us the headset to try free of charge, but we weren't obligated to positively review it.

These are just a few of our favorite tech things.

Columbia Records / Via youtube.com

Some products were provided to BuzzFeed free of charge.

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