gadgets Archives

Kim’s picks under $50

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I dug through the Prime Day treasure chest to find the best gadgets, home helpers and little luxuries, all under $50. And yep, some are even under $10. Let’s jump in.

Fab finds under $50

Your show’s on: Amazon’s Echo Show 8 (17% off) has an adjustable stand. Perfect for video calls.
Goodnight, moon: Got a little one? They’ll love this color-changing night light (49% off).
Pillow talk: Chill out and sleep deep on these cooling memory foam pillows (30% off).
Solar + wireless: Fast-charge your phone with the sun using a waterproof power bank (20% off).
Backyard MVP: Crank this nine-foot outdoor umbrella (40% off) for instant UV protection.
My heart’s racing: A digital arm cuff (19% off) tracks your blood pressure. Plus, FSA/HSA eligible.
Junk in your trunk? Keep it all in place with a car trunk organizer (20% off). Great for groceries.
Slice ‘n dice: Finally, chop onions without tears using this kitchen vegetable chopper (22% off).
I scream, you scream: We all scream for an ice cream maker (30% off) that works in just 20 minutes. Delish.
Chaos, meet your match: This woven storage basket (23% off) actually blends in with your decor.

Smart picks for $25 (or less)

Hold the phone: This rotating phone mount (34% off) fits snug in your car’s cup holder.
Booty = upgraded: Step up your home workouts with these resistance bands (23% off).
We have a spa at home: Add a few drops of oil into this diffuser (30% off) and enjoy your “me” time.
Bye-bye double chin: Tighten your jawline with a neck & face massager (22% off) for some DIY anti-aging.
Polish like magic: All you need is a microfiber polishing towel (20%) and water. Boom, zero streaks.
Something to smile about: Brighten on the go with this teeth whitening pen (62% off), and wait 10 minutes.
Spoiled snacks? Not anymore. A mason jar vacuum sealer (24% off) keeps them fresh.
Let the spice flow: Your countertop’s missing a revolving spice rack (32% off). Yep, 16 jars preloaded.
Bake like a pro: Whip up your grandma’s secret cookie recipe with a non-stick pan set (33% off).
Your new drinking buddy: Whether it’s slim or tall, this can cooler (35% off) fits them all.

Steals under $10

Digging in your purse? Grab a felt bag organizer (63% off). Neat compartments, instant sanity.
Fast charge, no tangle: These USB-C cables (40% off, five-pack) are all braided. Love that.
Your brewer’s spa day: Keep your coffee fresh with this maintenance kit (55% off) that has descaling solution.
Jot this down: Use a set of gel pens (20% off, six pack) for journaling, notes or doodling during meetings.
Nice shades: Protect your glasses in microfiber pouches (31% off) that double as lens cleaners.
Bye, chapped lips: This hydrating balm set (40% off) comes in six flavors. USDA organic and 100% natural.
Painless detangling: Stop the yanking. Get a hairbrush (61% off) that glides like butter.
Soothe your stomach: Mix some nausea relief powder (58% off) with water and sip. Ah, much better.
No drilling, no fuss: Stick this shower squeegee (37% off) to any smooth surface. Bonus: Two hooks included.
Wipe those paws: A non-slip dog door mat (33% off) catches the mess. Human-rated, too.

Prime perk alert: Amazon is giving Prime members a $15 credit just for uploading a photo with Amazon Photos. Just add one pic through the app, and boom, free cash. It’s already included in your membership, so don’t miss it! While you’re at it, click this secret link for more Prime Day deals.

More stuff I use and love? It’s all in my Amazon storefront.

Ditch the couch

🌻 Only outdoor upgrades that’ll make your neighbors jealous.

😎 Look cool in the sun: These retro aviators (30% off, three-pack) bring the ’70s swagger and UV protection.
🦟 Tick off ticks, literally: Keep your pets and yourself safe from bug bites with some tick control tubes (5% off).
🚰 One nozzle to rule them all: This garden hose sprayer (10% off) has seven settings. 4.1 stars with 6,000+ reviews.
🧹 Tame your tools: Store up to 58 of your garden gadgets with an organizer rack (20% off).
🍽️ Grill it your way: Flat on one side, ridged on the other, this reversible pan (26% off) has range.

🔥 Ditch the lighter fluid: Light up your charcoal with a fire starter kit (25% off) faster than you can say “medium rare.”

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Cheap air fryers spying for China

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Everyone loves a crispy treat, but is it worth giving up your private data? I tell you about kitchen gadgets playing fast and loose with your info.

🚭 Parents, watch out for smart vapes! They look like colorful gadgets that play music, run games, take calls and send social media notifications. But they’re actually vapes … with up to 30,000 puffs, and some even give you points for every hit. Yep, it’s nicotine, sweet flavors and gaming all rolled into one. It’s kind of like a Tamagotchi, except instead of you keeping it alive, it’s killing you.

💸 Declutter and save: Don’t toss your old gadgets. Trading them in can get you Amazon credit or discounts on your next purchase. Head to Amazon’s Trade-In page to see what your gear is worth. Easy money!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Grate tools for great meals

👩‍🍳 Kitchen gadgets stuck in the ’90s? Start here.

Cook rice, veggies and more with a food steamer (21% off).
Smoothie to go? Power up your personal blender (40% off).
This garlic press (20% off) comes with a peeler and a brush.
A baking mat ($9) with printed measurements? Yes, please.
Grab an under-sink organizer (5% off) with slide-out shelves.

☕ Better brew: Your coffee maker works hard. A year’s supply of descaling solution ($18) will keep it running longer.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Vroom vroom

🚗 That’s the sound of your next trip starting strong.

Let your phone and small stuff ride shotgun with a bike bag (8% off).
Flat tires? A portable inflator (24% off) lets you skip the gas station stop.
Grab a two-pack of floor mat cleaners (5% off) to scrub away all that dirt.
Forget melting ice, a car fridge (15% off) keeps your drinks cool for longer.
This key organizer (15% off) holds up to eight of your keys and a car fob.
Feel safer while you’re parked with a steering wheel lock (28% off).

🇺🇸 Memorial Day savings: Here’s that special link to save big on the best gadgets for your ride.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Smarten up, buttercup

⚡ Here’s gear that puts everything at your fingertips (literally).

Control these LED lights (10% off) from your phone or just ask Alexa.
Schedule automatic on/off times with a four-pack of smart switches ($66).
Need a group photo? This bendy phone tripod (20% off) has your back.
Type anywhere with a foldable keyboard ($50) that fits in your bag.
Use an ergonomic mouse (43% off) to scroll and click with less strain.

🧠 More smart stuff: I count on these gadgets to simplify my life. They’ll make things easier for you, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

📺 Cast away: Got an Android and a Roku? Share your phone right to your TV without extra gadgets. On your Roku, go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring and toggle it on. Then, grab your phone, head to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Cast. This won’t work for Apple folks, so fire up AirPlay. Now your screen can be blurry in 60 glorious inches.

Something in the water

🥤 Whether it’s hot tea or chilled wine, these are gadgets you’ll actually use.

This tumbler (33% off) clips right to your key chain when you’re on the go.
Pop your bottles in a pinch with an electric wine opener set (34% off).
No stove? No prob, grab an electric kettle (20% off) to boil your water fast.
A portable countertop ice maker (22% off) always keeps you stocked up. Perfect for summer!
Toss these chilling stones (5% off) into your drink without watering it down.

🔥 Hot n’ cold: Bring a portable cooler and warmer (14% off) on your road trips to flip between 130 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit at the press of a button.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Gadgets galore

⚡ Whether you’re cord-cutting or going cordless, I’ve got the tech to help you do it.

Sale alert! Binge-watch in 4K with a Roku Streaming Stick (24% off).
This Sonicare toothbrush (27% off) keeps your smile sparkling.
Flip through e-books hands-free using a remote page turner (20% off).
Grab a colorful stylus ($12) to make drawing and taking notes a breeze.
These nifty AirTag ($10) and Tile ($3.50) cases protect your trackers, so they last a long time.

🪫 Power trio: Charge your phone, smartwatch and earbuds all at once with a 3-in-1 travel station for Apple (32% off) and Samsung (27% off).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🪀 RIP, cheap stuff: The days of filling carts with $2 eyebrow stamp kits and glow-in-the-dark toilet lights might be numbered. Global trade crackdowns (like killing the “de minimis” tax loophole) are making it harder for cheap imports from places like Temu and SHEIN to flood U.S. markets. Goodbye, weird little gadgets. You served … some purpose.

Tire’d of the mess?

🚘 Life is a highway, might as well ride in style.

This small car vacuum (34% off) sucks up dirt and crumbs in a flash.
Flat tire? You can pump up anywhere with a portable tire inflator (37% off).
Got tiny humans in the backseat? Get a travel tray table (20% off) to keep your little passengers entertained.
Forget the car wash! Just spray and wipe with this car care kit ($35) for a shiny finish.
Keep your phone handy but safe with a car mount for your iPhone (19% off) or Android (75% off).

🚦 Don’t brake now: Cruise over to my page for even more amazing useful gadgets to upgrade your ride.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

From dusty to sparkly

🧽 Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has the tools you need to tackle spring-cleaning.

No more wringing out dirty water by hand with this mop and bucket combo (20% off).
Sit back, relax and let the Shark robot vacuum (45% off) do the hard work.
Dusty gadgets? Use an air duster (25% off) to blast it all away.
Polish your laptop with a cleaning kit (19% off) that gets into every nook.
Speaking of, this mini car vacuum (34% off) is perfect for tight spots.
Make your windows shine with an outdoor glass cleaner (25% off).
Spritz some pet odor eliminator (22% off) for a fresh-smelling home.
Hide cleaning supplies under the sink with a handy organizer (21% off).
Washing machine cleaner tablets (17% off) tackle residue and grime.
Smart, a laundry basket shelf combo (27% off) that looks like furniture.

🤧 Spring sniffles? Breathe easier with an air purifier (20% off) to filter out all dust and pollen.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Fix anything on the go

🧰 Bring these nifty gadgets to fix:

Hiccups, with a straw that stops them instantly (need this for the studio).
Bad breath, with pre-pasted disposable toothbrushes.
Glasses, with a mini screwdriver that fits on your keychain.
A dead phone battery, with a battery-powered charger.
Everything else, with pocket-size, go-anywhere duct tape. It just works. Sure wish I invented that!

🚘 Barry loves this: He uses heavy-duty tape to keep the trickle chargers on our classic cars. It can hold up to 30 pounds.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🧠 Mind over matter: It’s been a year since Noland Arbaugh became the first Neuralink patient. I chatted with him last year, and he’s so positive. The procedure was done in Phoenix. The team just shared a video of how the N1 Implant helps him control gadgets just by thinking. Check it out here.

Don’t buy any Amazon tech now: They’re showing off new gadgets on Feb. 26. Rumor has it we’ll meet the next-gen Alexa that can handle “complex requests,” along with new Echo speakers and earbuds, too. Probably no Kindles since new models dropped in October.

Gifts that give them something to do

🏡 And they won’t even have to leave the house.

Stop spending hours in the candle aisle trying to guess what scent they like. They can make their own with this kit!
A cozy cup holder is great for movie lovers … or anyone who doesn’t want to tear apart an entire sectional looking for a lost remote.
You’ll have the hottest gift of the day with a hot sauce-making kit. Maybe pair it with a gallon of 2%.
A dream decoder ($16) might help them figure out why they keep dreaming about pugs wearing tuxedos.
For the person who loves YouTube and podcasts more than crafting, these headphones sound as good* as models three times the price.
A sushi-making kit (23% off, $8), because paying $16 for a California roll at a restaurant is lunacy.
Channel Columbo with a fun murder mystery game (33% off).
This cookbook (29% off) has 100 recipes straight from Disney’s parks. And yes, it has the Magic Kingdom Dole Whip. Mmm.
This book (34% off) is like paint-by-numbers but with stickers. Even I can do that!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Get cash for your broken gadgets

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Got old gadgets just collecting dust? You can turn them into Amazon gift cards, and the best part — they don’t even have to work!

Apple clones? Samsung’s latest gadgets just leaked online. That includes the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. The Ultra smartwatch has a new, very Apple-like band. And the Galaxy Buds are looking a lot more like AirPods, too.