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One of the main highlights of being a shopping editor in the tech space is using my expertise and years of experience to find and test the best products actually worth buying. From soundbars and tower fans to air purifiers and cordless vacuums, there are a few products I’ve either purchased or tested and found to be worth the hype or deserving of much more.
In this article, I’ll share those picks with you to hopefully eliminate the need for the guessing game when shopping for household tech you’ve either had your eyes on or didn’t know you needed.
For one, the Dreo 120-Degree Oscillating Tower Fan is just as luxe but more affordable than the Dyson Pure Cool — and several other shoppers agree. Or, you can also check out the Polk MagniFi Mini AX Sound Bar that, at just 15 inches wide, turns your living room into a movie theater thanks to its Dolby Atmos integration.
Below are my picks for the absolute best gadgets to instantly upgrade your life.
1. Dreo 120-Degree Oscillating Tower Fan, $129.99
For years, I’ve wanted a Dyson Pure Cool Tower Fan but couldn’t bring myself to shell out almost $600 for the popular item. When I tried the Dreo 120-Degree Oscillating Tower Fan, I was honestly shocked by how stunning it is. Its whisper-silent operation and wide-spreading oscillating range allow it to reach every corner of my living room.
This Dreo tower fan features the same minimal and elongated silhouette as the Dyson, but it’s over $380 cheaper. It has four different modes, 12 speed settings and, best of all, customizable oscillation angles — a feature I appreciate most. Choose from 30, 60, 90 and 120 degrees to get this fan to cool anywhere from a small area to an entire room.
2. Aeris aair Lite True HEPA H13 Air Purifier, $449 (Orig. $499)
Anyone who knows me knows that spring is my least favorite season because of pollen allergens that ruin my life without warning. In addition to the occasional over-the-counter allergy medicine, the Aeris aair Lite True HEPA Air Purifier has been one of the leading factors in helping me breathe easier during the spring.
Perfect for bedrooms and medium-sized living rooms, this air purifier filters 99.95% of ultra-fine particles like dust, pollen, smoke particles, pet dander and more in minutes. Also, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests investing in a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter air purifier to most effectively eliminate these allergens, and I’ve found this to be the best and most thorough I’ve used to date.
3. Polk MagniFi Mini AX Sound Bar (2022 Model), $499
Without a doubt, everyone should invest in a quality soundbar. No matter how premium or budget-friendly your TV is, its native speakers underperform and don’t give you the maximum audio output you deserve.
Dolby Atmos is having a moment as the soundbar feature everyone’s looking for to give them that movie theater feel and sound from the comfort of their couches. While most Dolby Atmos-integrated soundbars are large and bulky, the folks at Polk Audio managed to fit this powerhouse feature in a 15-inch-wide package that looks gorgeous atop any TV stand — and relatively discreet.
As a bonus, the soundbar comes with a down-firing wireless subwoofer that connects automatically to deliver that deep, effortless bass you’ll really appreciate when watching movies and listening to bass-heavy music.
4. Proscenic P11 Cordless Stick Vacuum, $169 with Ticked Coupon (Orig. $239)
Everyone needs a vacuum cleaner, and cordless stick vacuums are usually at the top of everyone’s list since they’re slim, compact and wireless. I’ve owned the Proscenic P11 Cordless Stick Vacuum for over two years now, and it works like it did when it first arrived.
This vacuum has extremely powerful suction power, and shoppers even say it’s a much cheaper and equally powerful alternative to the best-selling Dyson Cyclone V10. In fact, it’s over $500 cheaper and is currently on sale for just $169.
5. TUSHY Classic 3.0 Bidet Attachment, $99
With this one, I’ll just say that if you know, you know. But in case you’re curious, investing in a bidet attachment will completely change your life for the better in so many ways.
Bidets help save money on toilet paper and ensure everything’s clean and pristine back there. Think of it as giving your bum a thorough wash each time you use the restroom.
While most bidet attachments are eyesores and can bring down your bathroom’s look and vibe, TUSHY found a way to make it chic while seamlessly blending in with your bathroom’s current aesthetic, thanks to the wide range of dial colors and materials.
What I love most about the TUSHY Classic 3.0 is that it only took me about 10 minutes to install and, to use it, simply twist the dial — that’s it!
6. Conair Turbo ExtremeSteam 2-in-1 Steam and Iron Garment Steamer, $59.99 (Orig. $86.99)
Shoppers say Conair’s Turbo ExtremeSteam HandHeld 2-in-1 Steam and Iron Garment Steamer (that’s a mouthful) is the “best handheld steamer ever,” and after using it myself, I believe the hype.
Whether you want to gently get the wrinkles out of your favorite silk shirt or need to smoothen out a pair of linen trousers, this two-in-one device does it all. It’s one of the most user-friendly freestanding steamers I’ve ever used and even functions as a traditional iron. This one is definitely a must-buy.
7. Brüush Electric Toothbrush Kit, $79
An electric toothbrush is one of the best ways to ensure you’re thoroughly brushing your teeth for the right duration every time. While Philips and Oral-B are the two brands most folks know and trust, I’ve found that Brüush’s electric toothbrushes are actually sturdier, easier to use and come in more modern designs that tell you all you need to know without the fluff and extra labels.
This $79 kit comes with the electric toothbrush itself, a wireless charging stand, two brush heads, a charging block and a protective traveling case. What I love most about the Brüush electric toothbrush is its “pause and resume” feature that ensures you brush each quadrant of your mouth for the right amount of time.
Several shoppers even say this dentist-designed toothbrush is “better than the Philips Sonicare,” so you’re definitely doing yourself a favor with this purchase.
8. FlexiSpot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk with Charging USB Ports, $399.99 (Orig. $499.99)
If you work from home, investing in a standing desk is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make — trust me. With studies proving that “sitting is the new smoking,” more folks have been prioritizing moving around and standing throughout the workday to keep their blood flowing and to prevent the onset of any illnesses or further muscle pains.
Making the switch from a traditional writing desk to the FlexiSpot EW8 Comhar Electric Standing Desk increased my productivity levels throughout the day. Also, unlike most standing desks on the market, this one retails for just $400 and comes with a tempered glass top that’s easy to clean and has built-in USB-C and USB-A ports to charge your devices while you work.
9. Pura Smart Home Fragrance Device Starter Pack, $74.99
Everyone wants their home to smell inviting, even if they’re not physically at home. To achieve this, most folks use plug-ins from brands like Glade and AirWick, which are usually made with synthetic fragrances that can activate allergies and irritate the sinuses.
During lockdown, I made a conscious effort to stop using those plug-ins. Once I finished my last one, I immediately switched to the Pura Smart Home Fragrance Plug-In Diffuser. This gadget performs like traditional plug-ins but instead emits soothing, long-lasting natural essential oil blends that are honestly more fragrant than the synthetic stuff.
The best part: With the Pura app, you can turn the diffuser on or off and adjust its intensity, no matter where you are.
10. Casper Glow Light, $129
If you’re not a morning person or would just rather be woken up by the “sunrise,” even after the actual sun’s already risen, a wake-up light is exactly what you need.
While there are so many options to choose from, the Casper Glow Light is one of the easiest to use, and all you need is your smartphone. I love its minimalist look that blends perfectly with any bedroom aesthetic while not taking up much space.
Here’s how it works: Use the Casper app to set the time you want to wake up. In the moments leading up to your set wake-up time, the Glow Light will slowly emulate the sunrise using the warm light (as pictured above) until it’s fully lit. Now, you’ll be able to wake up naturally, without an alarm.
Unlike other wake-up lights, this one is portable, so you can simply lift it off its dock and shake it to activate a warm light to take with you on your midnight bathroom run.
The Casper Glow Light comes singularly or in a set of two.
If you enjoyed this story, check out this 2-in-1 all-season tower fan that doubles as a heater.
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The post The 10 best gadgets to make your life so much easier, according to a shopping editor appeared first on In The Know.
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