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It’s that time again when I literally start reminiscing about the countless gadgets equipment Which has passed through my hands since last year. And to give you an idea of how big that number is, the content reviewed here on ZDNET is just a fraction of what I started testing. less than half.
Most that don’t make the cut aren’t properly prepared, others have some problems during review, and the item gets pushed to the back burner (I can’t spend too much time trying to fix something I’m reviewing), and then there’s the white label rebranded content that almost always disappoints.
And then there’s the stuff I’ve been using but haven’t gotten around to reviewing yet.
Plus: The 5 Most Innovative Tech Products We Tested This Year (Including a Triple Surprise)
It’s easy to feel like I’ve covered everything, but I know the backlog of people waiting for my return to the UK is constantly growing, and there are already some very exciting things lined up for next year.
But back to this year. What’s the one thing that’s made the jump from something I just reviewed to becoming an essential part of my kit? The things that stay in my pocket or laptop bag, or that stay with me on trips both on- and off-grid.
I usually leave out any and all Apple gadgets for fear that they’ll dominate the list, but this year I’m finally going to include an Apple-branded gadget and an Apple product that is made much better by accessories made for it by a specialized third-party company.
Okay, talk is cheap, let’s get to the list.
It’s small, sleek, durable, and importantly for me, it doesn’t mind getting a little wet. At 10,000mAh, this isn’t a large power bank, but it can charge two small devices simultaneously using both USB-C and USB-A ports.
Review: I have yet to find a durable yet travel-friendly power bank like this one
I wanted the largest power bank available, but when I needed it I left it at home because the size and weight got in the way. So I’ve switched to smaller units, and they’re there when I need a top-up. And it’s not like I don’t have access to larger power banks if I need them!
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I’ve been flying drones for a long time, and I have quite a fleet of them available, from small to large, but the drone I keep talking about again and again is the Mini 4 Pro weighing less than 250 grams – believe it or not.
Review: DJI Mini 4 Pro hands-on: What a time to be alive
It is small and compact, making it easy to carry around; Its weight means it has fewer legislative and bureaucratic hurdles to clear, it’s quiet in the sky, so it doesn’t draw too much attention, and the camera – which counts – is exceptional. This is one of the last remaining DJI drones that you can actually buy in the US.
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I remember when a thermal camera used to cost thousands of dollars, but nowadays you can buy a compact thermal camera that connects to your smartphone for much less.
Review: I invested in a thermal imaging camera for my iPhone and Android – it’s already bearing fruit
The P1 is an exceptional unit for the price. It’s accurate enough for all but the most demanding professionals, and inexpensive enough for the average home DIYer. And don’t think you don’t have a use for it – I’ve used mine for everything from finding shabby windows and doors to detecting overheating cables and identifying faulty components in electronic devices.
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This simple thin metal blade has helped me open hundreds of gadgets. The metal is extremely thin yet highly durable and is machined to fit the smallest of gaps.
Review: This $12 Gadget Earned a Permanent Spot on My Kitchen—Here’s Why
All of my grips are now a year old, and while the polymer grips are showing signs of wear and are dirty, there is not a single chip or bend in the metal. It’s such a useful tool that it stays attached to my key chain at all times!
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I’m a big fan of multitools and pocket tools, but they can be expensive. Over the years, I’ve tested a lot of cheap multitools, but they were all disappointing – until I found the Nextool brand.
Review: Finally, a reliable multitool for under $30 and doesn’t feel like junk
The E1 offers three basics – scissors, a knife, a replaceable utility blade, a screwdriver bit holder with a expansion pack Available), a file, and a scraper. All tools are of excellent quality – especially the full size scissors – and in addition x-acto blade The holder is a nice touch.
One thing to note is that you won’t be able to bring it through airport security. If you want something you can travel with, consider this Nextool Mini Multitool,
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I could literally fill this list with some amazing time-saving tools, but I’ll stop and just list this one – a cordless electric screwdriver that can handle both big and small tasks (though once the jobs get too big, I suggest getting yourself this Bosch electric screwdriver).
Review: My Most Trusted Electric Screwdriver Has Just Been Replaced
It has everything – it offers variable power, from gentle touch to brute force, is very ergonomic, boasts great battery life, and the curved OLED display is particularly useful.
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The River 3 Plus Portable Power Station packs 286Wh of power capacity into a unit that measures just 9.2 × 9.1 × 5.8 inches and weighs 10.4 pounds. It has everything you need for a power station, including an AC outlet, USB, and 12V.
Review: Why wouldn’t I buy another portable power station if it didn’t have this useful feature
However, what sets this unit apart from the competition is its high-efficiency circuit for sub-100W power loads, which significantly increases battery runtime, allowing me to get a lot of power from a small unit.
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In my quest to find a small, portable, and low-cost camera suitable for confined spaces, I came across this affordable ear cleaning camera for under $10. Now, I’m no ear doctor, so I won’t tell you to put this in your ear (of course, I’ve done that), but what I am going to say is that this is the perfect kit to put in places you can’t put your eye!
Review: This Bizarre Device I Have Actually Solves a Real Problem (And It Only Costs $9 on Amazon)
It features a compact 360-degree wide-angle 1080p camera that is perfect for use as an inspection tool. It has six small LED lights mounted on the end, ideal for illuminating whatever small port, socket or internal mechanism you want to inspect.
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Okay, this is the Apple gadget I’m going to cover. I’ve owned a lot of Apple Watch units, as well as a number of other smartwatches, and this is the best of the best.
It’s tough and durable, the display is easy to read and actually big enough to act as a second screen so I don’t need to switch on my iPhone, it tracks my fitness metrics with pinpoint accuracy, I’ve customized it with all the complications I need to keep updated on important matters (I have a lot of weather-related apps to keep track of!) and it has a battery long enough to get me through an all-day adventure.
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I like AirTags, but I keep coming back to the fact that the UFO saucer shape isn’t really that convenient for attaching to anything. The third-party market quickly stepped in to cover items like keys, but I spend a lot of time designing solutions for other things — I’ve made custom 3D-printed parts to attach them to my luggage, and I’ve put multiple tags on different items.
Also: This anti-theft tech bag foiled a pickpocket’s live attempt – here’s how it did it
Then Elevation Lab started bringing out high quality accessories. From high security tag To adhesive patch To Capsules that could power an AirTag for a decadeThere are even AirTag mounts backpack, jacket, Bike, cameraand even yours Cat And DogI’ve used most of the Elevation Lab AirTag holders, and they’re all great kits and well worth the money,
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