ARTICLE – It’s hard to believe, but in just a few hours, 2018 will be over. At this time every year, I like to post an article that lists the most popular posts of the last year. It’s always fun to look back and see what content everyone was interested in. Let’s see if there are any surprises this year.

12. Energizer Recharge Value AA/AAA NiMH Battery Charger review By Julie Strietelmeier (February, 2013)

We start off with an 8-year-old review of a battery charger. I used this charger for years after I reviewed it because I liked the big LED indicator that would let me know when the batteries were fully charged. I ended up switching over to Eneloop batteries a couple years ago though.

11. SJCAM SJ4000 Action Camera review by Raul Sanchez (October, 2014)

This action camera review was last year’s #4 most read review on The Gadgeteer, so it’s dropped 7 spots. Considering the review is 4 years old, it surprises me that it’s still on the list after this length of time.

10. This is the ceiling fan for people who don’t like ceiling fans By Janet Cloninger (December, 2018)

9. Campark Sports Camera review By Andy Chen (June, 2016)

8. Julie’s Favorite Gear page

I like to update my favorite gear page several times a year as I change bags, phones, computers, and other accessories that I use every day. For 2019 I plan to switch phones from the Pixel 2 XL to something new. Right now I’m leaning towards the Samsung Galaxy S10 just because it’s going to be available the soonest. I also plan to get a new gear bag as I’ve been carrying the same Timbuk2 messenger for a few years (it’s the grey and blue one shown above to the left of my elbow.

7. The SkyWire TV antenna may be the one that lets you cut the cable TV cord! By Julian Perry (May, 2018)

6. QCY Q29 Wireless Bluetooth headphones review By Andy Jacobs (February, 2017)

5. Make it yourself – Midori Traveler’s style leather Moleskine Cahier or Field Notes notebook cover by Julie Strietelmeier (August, 2013)

I’m continually surprised that this 5-year-old DIY article continues to show up as one of the site’s most read posts of the year. Last year it was #8 and this year it was even more popular. I actually have an idea for a new notebook cover design that I’m going to try out soon. Should I write another DIY article about it?

4. PadMate PaMu Scroll BT 5.0 wireless earbuds review By Smythe Richbourg (September, 2018)

This must be the year for completely wireless earbuds as we have reviewed a LOT of them.

3. Ridge Wallet review by Jason Griffin (May, 2015)

There’s only one wallet on this year’s top posts list and it’s a review from 2015. Funny thing is that it was also at #3 on last year’s top list. It’s definitely a popular minimalist wallet that continues to be popular.

2. Walabot DIY review By Dave Rees (November, 2016)

Although Dave wasn’t all that impressed with this DIY tool, a lot of people must have bought one because this review sure does get read a lot. It was even more popular this year than last as it’s gone from the #7 spot in 2017 to the #2 spot this year.

1. Harry’s razors review By Dennis Moore (December, 2016)

And the #1 most read post for the second year in a row on The Gadgeteer is a review for a razor. Read 114,548 times, it sure is a popular razor! We’ll have to see if it can be unseated in 2019.

Do you have a favorite article that we posted in 2018 that was not included in this list? If so, please share it in the comment section below.

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The Gadgeteer’s top 12 posts of 2018 originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 31, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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ARTICLE – This is part 3 of the Gadgeteer team’s favorite products of 2018. Also be sure to check out part 1 and part 2.

Andy Chen

After a few months of using the Jabra Engage 75 headset, I still think “how did I ever use the phone at work without this?” In addition to leaving my hands free, I’m able to connect to my computer via USB as well as my smartphone via Bluetooth. I have since connected a Jabra motorized handset lifter (sold separately) for the ultimate in convenience. You can buy one for $420 on Amazon.

The BenQ Screenbar Plus LED light is an unusual desk light sits atop your computer monitor to flood your desktop with light, while keeping the glare off the screen. I like the remote control knob that lets me change the brightness and color temperature. The only hitch I’ve found so far is some glare I get reading glossy magazines at my desk, but that doesn’t happen often. They are $129 on Amazon.

I have a spotty record with the Apple Watch since the original came out. There was always something that bothered me about it when compared to a traditional watch, such as the lack of an always-on time display or the “Apple Tax” of a new model coming out nearly every year. I gave my trusty Casio to my son and forced myself to give the Apple Watch Series 4 a try. I like the larger display and improved battery life (vs. the original). It’s grown on me. Prices start at $399 from Apple.com

Dave Moore

I’ve been carrying one multitool or another since 1985, replacing a backpack full of tools I was required to carry in college. Still, I find carrying the Leatherman Charge TTI Multitool pocket powerhouse one of the most useful items I own. It gets carried every day without fail. I’ve modified mine to further increase its utility and find uses for it daily. Only this week, I’ve used it as a doorstop, removed a splinter, removed a burned-out car bulb and opened any number of boxes. Without a doubt, I would feel woefully unprepared if I left my venerable Charge at home. You can buy one for $169.95 on Amazon.

Like my first choice, the Manker T01 AA flashlight goes with me everywhere. Mine has a significant number of battle wounds due to my rough handling, but it has been a steadfast and dependable source of illumination. Being able to accept the most common battery in the world, the AA, I’ve been able to keep this flashlight fed on the furthest treks, even to the remotest parts of the Philippines. You can buy one for $54.94 from Mankerlight.com

I’ve been bitten by the home security and automation bug and enjoy checking on the status of my home while out and about. It’s reassuring knowing the trash has been claimed, my daughter is home safely or that the motion on the front porch was only the neighbor’s cat. The Ring Floodlight cam has performed admirably, providing notifications, video, and audio of my busy driveway. They are $249 on Amazon.

Elizabeth Rodriguez

This year I decided to invest in a couple of big gadgets, instead of many small gadgets. I’ve wanted the Nintendo Switch ever since it came out last year in March, but wanted to wait a bit for more games to be released. It’s the perfect gaming console for my long work commute, and has the ability to be docked onto a bigger TV as well as be played with family or friends. I’m glad I waited because this was an amazing year for games on the Switch, especially with the release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate and many awesome indie games! You can buy one for $299 on Amazon.

Another big purchase this year for me was the Google Pixel 2 XL. I wanted to give my mom my iPhone 7 Plus and figure I would switch back over to Google’s hardware since I was a fan of the old Nexus phone lineup. I’m very happy that I did because I absolutely love the camera, the native OS updates and the intelligent (or creepy to some) ways that Android helps me travel. You can buy one for starting at $599 from Google.

I’m a huge fan of stationery and writing utensils, and received a lovely gift card from a secret Santa for Goulet Pens. I decided to try Pilot’s Kaküno fountain pen since an old friend had this as his first fountain pen. I purchased one in the clear barrel with black ink and extra-fine point tip. I love it and recommend it to anyone that wants to try their first fountain pen! They are $27 on Amazon.

Howard Sneider

The Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC Bluetooth headset with noise canceling is great. They have the perfect feel, active noise canceling, long battery life and most importantly great sound. On top of these great features, these headphones have a one of a kind boomless microphone with incredible noise isolation. I use them almost every day and they still perform flawlessly. If you have a VOIP system that permits you to use BlueTooth headphones for a headset or make frequent calls with your mobile, these will fundamentally change the way you communicate. They are $229.99 on Amazon.

I never thought that I would review a pair of shoes as part of a tech blog, but the Kizik Handsfree New York Shoes are rightfully gadgets, with a technical spring to provide an instantly secure and comfortable fit. I’ve worn them almost every day and twice on days that I travel by air; the design is especially useful for getting through TSA security. After so many days of use, they still look great. I’ve treated them with a leather conditioned a couple of times, which rejuvenates and lubricates the leather. I walk about 10K steps a day in these. The sole on these shoes is lasting remarkably well for a sneaker; maybe because I’m not running or playing ball in them. I hope they last for years! You can get your own pair for $180 – $190 from Kizik.com.

As I’m writing this I’m working on accruing my 621700th stride this year on the Cubii Smart under-desk elliptical machine. I know this because the accompanying app counts my strides, miles, calories, and minutes. The efforts are also communicated with the Cubii users and your rank within different geographical and user groups is calculated. I feel better knowing that I’m not sedentary all day at a desk. This product is actually a couple of years old now and it has performed very well. There are less connected versions of under desk exercisers, but turning using it into a game helps motivate me to use it more. It’s $349 on Amazon.

The Belkin Boost↑Up wireless charger is a typical inductive charger on steroids. When I place my iPhone 8 on the unit I feel that I can almost see the percentage power increase like I’m watching a time-lapse movie. The unit works well enough through the OtterBox Symmetry Series case even though it is one of the thicker cases available. In addition to performing great, the style of the unit is still eye-catching, even after looking at it for 8 months. It’s currently $46.44 on Amazon.

Bill Henderson

I have the first gen. iPad Pro and was looking for a keyboard more suited to it than an old wireless Apple keyboard I had hanging around. Brydge sent me their 12.9 Series II Bluetooth iPad Pro keyboard for review. Let’s see—it’s all aluminum, has backlight keys, and hinges that hold tightly to the iPad and when closed making the iPad look just like a MacBook. How cool is that? Bottom line: I’m still using it to help write my reviews. You can buy one for $149.99 on Amazon.

As I said in my review, the Dyson Cyclone V10 stick vacuum sucks … and really well! This small, battery-powered vacuum does a much better job than our older and heavier Dyson Ball upright. I only wish the battery lasted longer or Dyson would make it replaceable. No matter, the older Dyson is collecting dust—maybe I need to vacuum it! Buy one for $527.99 on Amazon.

The Bowers & Wilkins 607 bookshelf speakers point out that you can have great-sounding speakers from an iconic brand at an affordable price. Not only that, but you can add more speakers as budget allows to make a home surround system that will make your friends jealous. You can buy them for $600 from B&W.

I fell in love with EGO’s products when I reviewed their blower. Now I have the Power+ trimmer and actually use this more than the blower. All EGO products use the same batteries, so I never run out of juice to tackle my 1-acre backyard. They are $229 at Home Depot.

I’ve had the pleasure to review some really good totally wireless earphones this past year. But none can measure up to the Master & Dynamic MW07 Earphones. They don’t check your hearing or offer active noise canceling, but no totally wireless earphones I’ve tested beat them for comfort and sound. That’s why I still wear them even when I don’t have to. They are $299.99 from Amazon.

We all have our favorite ways of charging wireless devices—a not-so-favorite necessity. After discovering the Jackery 240 Portable Power Station, I was hooked on the convenience of having a major source of power around at all times. I keep it on the kitchen counter (which only has one outlet), much to the chagrin of my better half. But hey, it’s fast, convenient and charges multiple times before needing to recharge itself. It’s a keeper. You can buy one for $250 on Amazon.

Steve Holt

I use the Keysmart Pro key holder plus Tile finder daily. I love how it keeps my keys nice and tidy, and the built-in flashlight is perfect for those situations when it is dark. The built-in Tile finder is just an added plus! They are $49.95 on Amazon.

I use the Wofalo wireless charger power bank almost daily at my house. I love how thin it is because I can be holding my phone and the charger in my hand as the phone is charging. It looks great, performs great, and is easy to carry. I wouldn’t want to be without it! You can buy one for $30 on Amazon.

I use the Leacarve leather briefcase almost exclusively now as my daily carry bag. It has tons of storage, very high quality, and it looks great. I have lost track of the number of times someone has come up to me asking about the bag and where I got it. It’s $149 at Leacarve.com

The Chargetech PLUG Pro portable power supply isn’t a gadget you’ll be carrying around in your purse or pocket, but this beast is, well… a beast! I use it often when other folks are over at the house, or when I need to charge multiple things at once. I have used it at conference booths to power my display TV. And it can go days and days without having to charge it. 50,000 mAh is huge folks. Plus, it also has 2 regular power outlets built-in. Just get one. It’s $299 on Amazon.

Smythe Richbourg

About a year ago, I reviewed the Wisenet SmartCam D1 video doorbell. Only recently, they contacted me to renew the online service I’ve had with them. While we’re not continuing the service, we still love having the ability to check the front door at any time and get a live feed of what’s going on out there. I wish the service wasn’t as expensive as it is. I really enjoyed watching the house washing, painting, and window cleaners at work when we got our house updated this summer. And seeing all the packages get delivered was somewhat informative as well. I’ll let you know if I find it less useful without the service after a while, but if you have any questions about what goes on in front of your doors, I recommend getting a doorbell camera! Halloween was a blast, too! It’s currently $195 on Amazon.

Last March, I reviewed the FluidStance Bamboo Level balance board and started a balance board kick in my office. I still have mine, and use it whenever I put the desk up to standing height (which is at least an hour a day, if not more!) While it’s not going to result in me trying out for the snowboard Olympic team, it’s keeping my balance skills sharp, and giving my office mates a daily chuckle to watch me dance around. Who knows, it may even be good for my health, but that’s not even on my radar! You can buy one for $389 on the Fluidstance website.

When my Lovely Bride is out of the house, I tend to fire up the Xiaowa Xiaomi Lite robotic vacuum. She doesn’t like the noise, but appreciates that she or I don’t have to “really” vacuum as often when we run this gadget over the floors. I’ve even caught her carrying it over to one of the doors and turning on spot cleaning, due to leaves and junk getting tracked in. Jack has made peace with it, and just rolls his eyes up at me and retreats to a chair or couch for the duration. They are $179 on Geekbuying.com

Don’t forget to check out part 1 and part 2.

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The year in review – Favorite gadgets of the Gadgeteer team for 2018 (part 3) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 29, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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ARTICLE – Here we go with part 2 of the Gadgeteer team’s favorite products of 2018. Also be sure to check out part 1.

Ryan Chapman

I’m one of those folks who listens to music on a regular basis; whether outdoors, around the house, or in the shower. The EcoXGear EcoDrift Bluetooth speaker is versatile enough to go wherever I want it to. The added bonus of it being waterproof means I’ve taken it out with me on the kayak as well. I definitely knew after using it this summer that the EcoDrift would most likely be on this list! You can buy one for $79.99 on Amazon

I may not have had the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 gaming headphones & SuperAmp for long, but they get enough use to be considered a worthy favorite in 2018. The sound quality when playing games and when listening to music is great and I absolutely love the versatility and ease of use when going between PC and PS4. These headphones are comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time and they don’t make my ears too warm either. They are going for less than $200 on Amazon.

The Cowin E7 Pro Bluetooth ANC headphones are lightweight, come with a nice case, and do an excellent job of canceling out noise. The sound quality is great and I use them for traveling and meandering around the house while doing chores. They also have the added bonus of being affordable (which means I’ve recommended them to friends and family) and also look nice when I wear them around. You can find them for $54.99 at Walmart.

By far my most used and favorite item in 2018 has to be the Speck Presidio case coupled with the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge dock. While I have not jumped fully into wireless charging, this magnetic dock and protective phone case has allowed me to keep my phone charged and mounted for easy viewing. Every time I get in the car, my phone is propped up on the dock and it gets some much needed charge. The case has also protected my phone from countless drops and while it has a few scuffs and divets in it, it still is going strong. You can find the Scosche MagicMount for $52 on Amazon.

Bob Patterson

Happy Holidays, Friends!

It’s been an honor to bring you another year of reviews in 2018. I sincerely hope that you’ve found my work informative, and maybe a little entertaining! For my Best Of 2018 list, I’m looking for those items that not only exhibit excellent design and usability, but also offer the long-term utility that earns them a spot in my regular gear rotation.

My favorite kitchen gadget is the Edge of Belgravia Gallatine Knife Set & Diamond Knife Block. These knives landed on my kitchen counter in October, and they never left. I love the nimble, agile feel of the blades as I go about my normal cutting and slicing tasks. The one-piece construction makes for easy cleaning, and they are still just as sharp as the day I got them despite daily use. Great tools inspire better cooking, and these are some great tools. It also helps that they look amazing on my counter! You can buy them for $234 on Amazon.

My favorite backpack is the Bellroy Classic Plus Backpack. I have about 30 bags in my closet that I have bought personally or reviewed for The Gadgeteer (I kind of lost count). Out of all those great bags, the Bellroy Classic Plus is the backpack that I turn to most often. At 22 liters, it’s just about the perfect size for an all-around daypack. The materials are sophisticated without being overly formal, the construction is superb, and the design is dialed in for usability as an office hauler, day tripper, and carry-on travel pack. There’s a reason that a Bellroy bag has made my favorites list 2 years in a row: they are just killing it with innovative, functional, upscale bag designs. Get one of your own for $179 on Amazon.

My favorite shoulder bag is the United By Blue Lakeland Laptop Bag. The Lakeland Laptop Bag kind of sneaks up on you. It’s a great looking canvas/leather messenger, but there are a lot of those style bags around. What really makes it stand out is the supremely useful design. It carries like a messenger, with room to spare for more than just your laptop. The pocket design is perfect for flexible organization to meet the needs of the day. And accessibility is outstanding, with a combination of internal and external pockets that are all easy to get to at a moment’s notice. It also works just as well as a general gear hauler if you ditch the laptop for a day of wandering. This has become my go-to messenger bag when I leave the backpack at home. You can find them for $148 on United by Blue’s website.

My favorite office accessory is the Bestek 3-Outlet Vertical Cube Mountable Power Strip which has been amazing for taming all of the assorted electronic gadgetry in my home office. With three USB ports and a USB-C port, I can charge all of my Apple gear at once (MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Pencil) while still having 3 regular outlets available for other stuff. The little design details like the long power chord and mounting options and take it to the next level. The cube design also enables me to plug in just about any odd-shaped power block while leaving open access to the rest of the ports. Can you really love a power strip? When it is this useful, you can. And I do. Get one for $28 on Bestek’s website.

My favorite Home & Garden Gear is the B-Hyve Hose Faucet Timer. We had a weird weather year here in Pennsylvania that would have played havoc with my garden if it weren’t for the B-Hyve. The programmable Bluetooth control of my external hose was lovely for scheduled watering and remote control, but the real magic comes in the form of the smart watering app. This little guy would monitor the local weather, and skip waterings on days when it rained. Just brilliant. And that just scratches the surface of what the B-Hyve can do, with advanced features for programming watering based on soil and plant types. I’m planning on expending my watering system in 2019, and the B-Hyve will be a key component of that solution. You can buy one for $55 on Amazon.

My favorite travel accessory is the RAVPower 16750 Phone Charger. Last but not least, here’s the charger that I live by when I am on the road. The capacity is amazing, and it will hold juice for weeks even if you don’t use it. The streamlined design is perfect for slipping into a corner of your bag and includes two USB ports so that you can charge two accessories at the same time if you need it. And it’s just about as powerful as you can get and still be TSA-friendly. This charger goes everywhere with me and never fails. Grab one for $36 on Amazon.

Thanks again, everyone! I hope you all have a great holiday, and an even better 2019!

Julian Perry

I love music and on my ride back an forth to work every day from Monday thru Friday, I find great “me” time in relaxing on the railroad and listening to music. The AKG N700NC Over-Ear Foldable Wireless, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones provide a great listening experience, and with the Automatic Noise Canceling and the Smart Ambient noise feature, they are the perfect companion for my trip and I am sure for when I fly. You can purchase the AKG N700NC headphones on Amazon for $349.99.

After watching a move shown via a projector at my favorite Home Theater Dealer, for many years I have promised myself that one day I would buy a nice one for myself. Whenever I revisited that thought, the cost of what I thought I wanted with the features I wanted would always deter me. Not too long ago, I was able to review this BenQ HT2550 4K UHD HDR Home Theater Projector with all of the bells and whistles, and it comes in at quite a reasonable price. Since I received it, I have used it for every movie night which normally occurs weekly in my home. Its picture continues to amaze me especially so in 4K, and it continues to provide a great viewing experience for me and my family. You can purchase this BenQ HT2550 4K UHD HT Projector on Amazon for $1249.

After reviewing several dashcams I got the chance to review the Raven dashcam and connected car system which is definitely way more than a dashcam. Its additional functions include vehicle system monitoring, real-time vehicle security monitoring, vehicle diagnostics, live view, GPS, etc. In addition, Raven continues to add features and improvements that in my opinion make sense. If you would like to purchase the Raven dashcam and connected car system you can on Amazon for $299 plus the monthly monitoring cost, or you can finance it with other available options.

The Molekule Air Purifier has been an amazing tool in fighting the effects of allergies that almost everyone in my family deals with every day. Since I installed the Molekule in my kids’ bedroom, their suffering from allergies has decreased exponentially, and it is very evident when they come in from outside sneezing and coughing and exhibiting asthmatic systems and after a relatively short time on their room, they are so much better. I have experienced the same, and after trying so many purifiers with mediocre results, the Molekule definitely earns a place in my list of best gadgets for 2018. You can purchase the Molekule on their website for $799,

As a videographer and photographer, I spend countless hours in front of my monitor editing photos and videos. It is tremendously helpful when I am able to do so on a monitor that is color accurate right out of the box and also easy on the eyes. The BenQ PD3200U 4K Monitor is an amazingly good monitor and has been the main studio monitor on my desk since I received it. Its features and build quality, coupled with its relatively competitive price make it one of my best gadgets for 2018. You can purchase the BenQ PD 3200U on Amazon for $899.

Dave Rees

This year’s 11in iPad Pro from Apple is definitely my favorite device of 2018. I upgraded from the 2017 10.5” iPad Pro and haven’t looked back or had any buyers regret splurging on Cupertino’s latest & greatest. The 11” iPad Pro is nearly perfect for my hectic always-on-the-go lifestyle with its gorgeous screen, new form factor, added horsepower, much improved keyboard, etc. I use it throughout my day whether watching movies on a plane or the Seahawks on our elliptical machine, writing reviews, dancing the Net, reviewing documents, or reading the current news. Though I do admit, it’s not the perfect laptop replacement as long as Apple continues to hold back iOS. But I do love it nonetheless. Prices start at $799 on Apple.com

The Jabra Elite Active 65t true wireless earbuds are my goto/favorite headphones these days. They live in my ears a majority of the time. Their comfortable, secure fit is second to none. For a pair of wireless, sweat-proof, sports earbuds they sound very good with solid bass and crisp clarity. I use them for pounding pavement, lifting weights, splitting firewood, putting up Xmas lights, coast to coast plane rides, on the bus, calls in the office…they’re always with me, whether in my EDC bag or pocket of my Carhartt jacket. They are $189.99 on Amazon.

The Sonos PLAY:5 speaker is without a doubt the best speaker I have used to date. I know there are many Sonos trolls out in the world and my response to them is whatever… The PLAY:5 sound experience is impressive and the Sonos ecosystem enables you to easily and efficiently play/control your music from anywhere within your world. Whether you’re playing Christmas music in the background or cranking the volume loud enough to rattle your Glassy Babies, the PLAY:5 does not disappoint. You can buy one for $499.99 on Adorama.

The MEATER+ wireless meat thermometer is the perfect gadget for the cook in your family. It has yet to let us down from our summer barbecuing to Thanksgiving turkey. The MEATER+ extended range fixed the one limitation of the original MEATER: connectivity issues. It’s well-made hardware and excellent ecosystem (aka smartphone app) combine for an easy and seamless cooking experience. They are $99 on Meater’s site.

Lynn Lopez

I reviewed the Kong Jr. Gym Bag back in October and I have been using it almost every day to bring my gym stuff to work with me. I work out after work, so I need things like clothes, sneakers and other gym paraphernalia with me. The bag really lets me organize my items in a meaningful way. I keep my sneakers in the shoe pocket. I put my clothes in the main compartment and I keep things like my heart rate monitor, gloves and headphones in the small pouches along the front of the bag. I use the side pouches to store things like deodorant and showering stuff. The bag has really held up nicely and not shown any kind of wear and tear at all. I love the magnetic handle clips that hold the two handles together. No more loud and eventually fading Velcro to mess with anymore. You can buy one from Amazon.

I reviewed the ILive Voice Activated Clock with Alexa back in August and it continues to hold a spot on the bedside table next to my side of the bed. We have lost power a couple of times and the clock reconnects itself to WiFi and remembers any alarms I had set up. It has Alexa which both myself and my husband use to control two bedside lights in the bedroom and lights throughout the entire house. I use the Alexa in the bedroom to add to my shopping list for things I need in the master bathroom. We have an Alexa in almost every room of our house and the fact that this device doubles as an alarm clock is a really nice feature. My only complaint though it has not happened to me yet is if we were to lose power during the time the alarm would actually need to go off I would miss my alarm as it has no battery backup. It depends on having a WiFi available to use Alexa so that would never work. You can buy one for $71 from Amazon.

I have been a motorcycle rider since 2001. Over the years I have had several helmets. This past year I replaced my trusty Shoei Neotec that was 7 years old (max time you should really keep a helmet) with the Shoei Neotec II Modular Helmet that just came out this year. This helmet is a modular helmet just like the old helmet. That means the chin bar has a button I can press that will lift the entire chin area up over my head. This is perfect for talking to folks when I am stopped at a light or when I am getting gas. It also allows me to easily take a drink of water from a bottle. The new features on the version 2 that were not on the original version are: ratcheting chin strap which allows for easy clipping on and off the chin strap and adjust-ability, new Noise Isolator cheek pads which make this helmet quite a bit quieter than the old version, built-in compartment for the Sena SLR communicator system. This means no more communicator device hanging off the side of my helmet causing more wind noise. It has the communicator buttons built into the side of the helmet once you install the communicator. I love this and Bluetooth the communicator to my phone and my bike for XM radio and navigation directions. You can buy one for $699 on Revzilla.

Kathleen Chapman

The Fingbox is a piece of hardware that you connect to your router. It detects the devices currently on your network and allows you to identify them and keep track of them in the Fing app (you can set it up to tell you when someone’s phone leaves the network and then reconnects to it when they’re home). It also detects new devices on your network and alerts you about them in real time. You can decide whether or not to block the device manually in the app or you can set it up to block all new devices automatically. It also allows you to do a bandwidth analysis to detect bandwidth hogs, determine WiFi hotspots in your home, run internet speed tests, instantly pause internet access to devices or schedule internet pauses for specified devices, etc. You can purchase the Fingbox at Fing or Amazon for $99.00.

The Jaybird Tarah Pro Sport Headphones are in-ear sports headphones that can play for just over 14 hours on one charge when using them at a mid-volume level. Absolutely amazing! They also magnetically clasp together when not in use (thus pausing the music automatically) and allow me to save my favorite equalizer preset to the earbuds which makes just about all of my music sound awesome. However, I do have to spend a few seconds adjusting the right earbud because the ear gel doesn’t want to seal properly; but once it does, they stay in well even while exercising. You can purchase the Jaybird Tarah Pro Sport Headphones on Amazon for $159.99.

I love using the Satechi Type-C Multi-port adapter 4K with Ethernet V2 with my Lenovo Yoga 730 13″ laptop. It provides me with three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a 4K HDMI port, Ethernet port, USB Type-C port (provides up to 45W charging of your devices), micro SD card slot, and an SD card slot. Every port works for me. However, the USB Type-A ports might not accommodate three oddly shaped USB flash drives simultaneously because the USB ports are so close together on the adapter. In addition, please be aware that Satechi states that this multi-port adapter is not compatible with all Windows computers. Apparently, it works for my laptop, so I’m very happy – I now have lots of ports available to me! You can purchase the Satechi Type-C Multi-port Adapter 4K with Ethernet V2 at Amazon for $79.99.

I love the new design and sound of the UE Megaboom 3 speaker. However, the app has problems. The app is supposed to provide you with additional features like the PartyUp feature which connects the Megaboom 3 to other Boom or Megaboom speakers and the Block Party feature which allows up to three people to connect to the speaker simultaneously to share music. These features don’t always work. The app also allows you to adjust the equalizer settings of the speaker which really doesn’t provide a substantial difference in sound. I find that I don’t use the app that often, thus I love the speaker because it sounds awesome for a speaker this size and is easily portable. You may purchase the UE Megaboom 3 at Amazon for $179.99.

Michael Strange

The Jese air fryer is a fryer that uses 360-degree rapid and dynamic airflow instead of oil to fry foods. This is my favorite product I reviewed this year. I use it multiple times a week to make everything from chicken breasts to pizza rolls. It’s easy to use, quick, and less messy than cooking in an oven or deep frying. And it doesn’t hurt that it makes things a little healthier without sacrificing taste. You can buy the Jese Air Fryer for $74.99 from Amazon.

The Ooni 3 is a portable outdoor wood-fired pizza oven capable of cooking a pizza in 60 seconds. The Ooni pizza oven is fantastic! The only reason it wasn’t #1 on my list is that I received it in late October, and just didn’t have enough time to really put it through its paces. I like the oven because it’s portable, easy to use, and it makes a great tasting restaurant-style Neapolitan pizza. If you like pizza, then this oven is a must have for your backyard. I can’t wait until spring so I can really put this oven to work. The Gas Burner for Ooni 3 attaches right onto the back of Ooni 3, providing a convenient and easy option to power the oven with gas. I like the Gas Burner attachment because it makes lighting the Ooni 3 simple. And it gives you better control of the oven’s temperature. You can purchase the Ooni Pizza oven for $299 and the Gas Burner attachment for $85. Both are available from Amazon.

The Edge Desk is a portable, adjustable, ergonomic all-in-one kneeling desk system. The Edge Desk is great because of its size and portability. If you don’t have room for a full-size desk, it’s perfect. Setting up the desk is quick and easy. It folds flat, so you can easily store it under a bed or in a closet. I like that it’s fully adjustable and multiple adjustments for tilt, angle, and height make it extremely versatile. The desk is very comfortable especially if you have neck or back issues. I’ve been using the Edge Desk to write my articles and reviews for The Gadgeteer ever since I received it and I love it. I even like to think it makes me a little bit more productive. You can purchase the Edge Desk for $449.99 from Amazon or for $399.99 from theedgedesk.com. They’ve even added two new colors, Matte Black and Platinum White.

Don’t forget to check out part 1.

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Tagged: gadgeteer

The year in review – Favorite gadgets of the Gadgeteer team for 2018 (part 2) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 28, 2018 at 3:12 pm.

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ARTICLE – Here we go with part 2 of the Gadgeteer team’s favorite products of 2018. Also be sure to check out part 1.

Ryan Chapman

I’m one of those folks who listens to music on a regular basis; whether outdoors, around the house, or in the shower. The EcoXGear EcoDrift Bluetooth speaker is versatile enough to go wherever I want it to. The added bonus of it being waterproof means I’ve taken it out with me on the kayak as well. I definitely knew after using it this summer that the EcoDrift would most likely be on this list! You can buy one for $79.99 on Amazon

I may not have had the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 gaming headphones & SuperAmp for long, but they get enough use to be considered a worthy favorite in 2018. The sound quality when playing games and when listening to music is great and I absolutely love the versatility and ease of use when going between PC and PS4. These headphones are comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time and they don’t make my ears too warm either. They are going for less than $200 on Amazon.

The Cowin E7 Pro Bluetooth ANC headphones are lightweight, come with a nice case, and do an excellent job of canceling out noise. The sound quality is great and I use them for traveling and meandering around the house while doing chores. They also have the added bonus of being affordable (which means I’ve recommended them to friends and family) and also look nice when I wear them around. You can find them for $54.99 at Walmart.

By far my most used and favorite item in 2018 has to be the Speck Presidio case coupled with the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge dock. While I have not jumped fully into wireless charging, this magnetic dock and protective phone case has allowed me to keep my phone charged and mounted for easy viewing. Every time I get in the car, my phone is propped up on the dock and it gets some much needed charge. The case has also protected my phone from countless drops and while it has a few scuffs and divets in it, it still is going strong. You can find the Scosche MagicMount for $52 on Amazon.

Bob Patterson

Happy Holidays, Friends!

It’s been an honor to bring you another year of reviews in 2018. I sincerely hope that you’ve found my work informative, and maybe a little entertaining! For my Best Of 2018 list, I’m looking for those items that not only exhibit excellent design and usability, but also offer the long-term utility that earns them a spot in my regular gear rotation.

My favorite kitchen gadget is the Edge of Belgravia Gallatine Knife Set & Diamond Knife Block. These knives landed on my kitchen counter in October, and they never left. I love the nimble, agile feel of the blades as I go about my normal cutting and slicing tasks. The one-piece construction makes for easy cleaning, and they are still just as sharp as the day I got them despite daily use. Great tools inspire better cooking, and these are some great tools. It also helps that they look amazing on my counter! You can buy them for $234 on Amazon.

My favorite backpack is the Bellroy Classic Plus Backpack. I have about 30 bags in my closet that I have bought personally or reviewed for The Gadgeteer (I kind of lost count). Out of all those great bags, the Bellroy Classic Plus is the backpack that I turn to most often. At 22 liters, it’s just about the perfect size for an all-around daypack. The materials are sophisticated without being overly formal, the construction is superb, and the design is dialed in for usability as an office hauler, day tripper, and carry-on travel pack. There’s a reason that a Bellroy bag has made my favorites list 2 years in a row: they are just killing it with innovative, functional, upscale bag designs. Get one of your own for $179 on Amazon.

My favorite shoulder bag is the United By Blue Lakeland Laptop Bag. The Lakeland Laptop Bag kind of sneaks up on you. It’s a great looking canvas/leather messenger, but there are a lot of those style bags around. What really makes it stand out is the supremely useful design. It carries like a messenger, with room to spare for more than just your laptop. The pocket design is perfect for flexible organization to meet the needs of the day. And accessibility is outstanding, with a combination of internal and external pockets that are all easy to get to at a moment’s notice. It also works just as well as a general gear hauler if you ditch the laptop for a day of wandering. This has become my go-to messenger bag when I leave the backpack at home. You can find them for $148 on United by Blue’s website.

My favorite office accessory is the Bestek 3-Outlet Vertical Cube Mountable Power Strip which has been amazing for taming all of the assorted electronic gadgetry in my home office. With three USB ports and a USB-C port, I can charge all of my Apple gear at once (MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Pencil) while still having 3 regular outlets available for other stuff. The little design details like the long power chord and mounting options and take it to the next level. The cube design also enables me to plug in just about any odd-shaped power block while leaving open access to the rest of the ports. Can you really love a power strip? When it is this useful, you can. And I do. Get one for $28 on Bestek’s website.

My favorite Home & Garden Gear is the B-Hyve Hose Faucet Timer. We had a weird weather year here in Pennsylvania that would have played havoc with my garden if it weren’t for the B-Hyve. The programmable Bluetooth control of my external hose was lovely for scheduled watering and remote control, but the real magic comes in the form of the smart watering app. This little guy would monitor the local weather, and skip waterings on days when it rained. Just brilliant. And that just scratches the surface of what the B-Hyve can do, with advanced features for programming watering based on soil and plant types. I’m planning on expending my watering system in 2019, and the B-Hyve will be a key component of that solution. You can buy one for $55 on Amazon.

My favorite travel accessory is the RAVPower 16750 Phone Charger. Last but not least, here’s the charger that I live by when I am on the road. The capacity is amazing, and it will hold juice for weeks even if you don’t use it. The streamlined design is perfect for slipping into a corner of your bag and includes two USB ports so that you can charge two accessories at the same time if you need it. And it’s just about as powerful as you can get and still be TSA-friendly. This charger goes everywhere with me and never fails. Grab one for $36 on Amazon.

Thanks again, everyone! I hope you all have a great holiday, and an even better 2019!

Julian Perry

I love music and on my ride back an forth to work every day from Monday thru Friday, I find great “me” time in relaxing on the railroad and listening to music. The AKG N700NC Over-Ear Foldable Wireless, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones provide a great listening experience, and with the Automatic Noise Canceling and the Smart Ambient noise feature, they are the perfect companion for my trip and I am sure for when I fly. You can purchase the AKG N700NC headphones on Amazon for $349.99.

After watching a move shown via a projector at my favorite Home Theater Dealer, for many years I have promised myself that one day I would buy a nice one for myself. Whenever I revisited that thought, the cost of what I thought I wanted with the features I wanted would always deter me. Not too long ago, I was able to review this BenQ HT2550 4K UHD HDR Home Theater Projector with all of the bells and whistles, and it comes in at quite a reasonable price. Since I received it, I have used it for every movie night which normally occurs weekly in my home. Its picture continues to amaze me especially so in 4K, and it continues to provide a great viewing experience for me and my family. You can purchase this BenQ HT2550 4K UHD HT Projector on Amazon for $1249.

After reviewing several dashcams I got the chance to review the Raven dashcam and connected car system which is definitely way more than a dashcam. Its additional functions include vehicle system monitoring, real-time vehicle security monitoring, vehicle diagnostics, live view, GPS, etc. In addition, Raven continues to add features and improvements that in my opinion make sense. If you would like to purchase the Raven dashcam and connected car system you can on Amazon for $299 plus the monthly monitoring cost, or you can finance it with other available options.

The Molekule Air Purifier has been an amazing tool in fighting the effects of allergies that almost everyone in my family deals with every day. Since I installed the Molekule in my kids’ bedroom, their suffering from allergies has decreased exponentially, and it is very evident when they come in from outside sneezing and coughing and exhibiting asthmatic systems and after a relatively short time on their room, they are so much better. I have experienced the same, and after trying so many purifiers with mediocre results, the Molekule definitely earns a place in my list of best gadgets for 2018. You can purchase the Molekule on their website for $799,

As a videographer and photographer, I spend countless hours in front of my monitor editing photos and videos. It is tremendously helpful when I am able to do so on a monitor that is color accurate right out of the box and also easy on the eyes. The BenQ PD3200U 4K Monitor is an amazingly good monitor and has been the main studio monitor on my desk since I received it. Its features and build quality, coupled with its relatively competitive price make it one of my best gadgets for 2018. You can purchase the BenQ PD 3200U on Amazon for $899.

Dave Rees

This year’s 11in iPad Pro from Apple is definitely my favorite device of 2018. I upgraded from the 2017 10.5” iPad Pro and haven’t looked back or had any buyers regret splurging on Cupertino’s latest & greatest. The 11” iPad Pro is nearly perfect for my hectic always-on-the-go lifestyle with its gorgeous screen, new form factor, added horsepower, much improved keyboard, etc. I use it throughout my day whether watching movies on a plane or the Seahawks on our elliptical machine, writing reviews, dancing the Net, reviewing documents, or reading the current news. Though I do admit, it’s not the perfect laptop replacement as long as Apple continues to hold back iOS. But I do love it nonetheless. Prices start at $799 on Apple.com

The Jabra Elite Active 65t true wireless earbuds are my goto/favorite headphones these days. They live in my ears a majority of the time. Their comfortable, secure fit is second to none. For a pair of wireless, sweat-proof, sports earbuds they sound very good with solid bass and crisp clarity. I use them for pounding pavement, lifting weights, splitting firewood, putting up Xmas lights, coast to coast plane rides, on the bus, calls in the office…they’re always with me, whether in my EDC bag or pocket of my Carhartt jacket. They are $189.99 on Amazon.

The Sonos PLAY:5 speaker is without a doubt the best speaker I have used to date. I know there are many Sonos trolls out in the world and my response to them is whatever… The PLAY:5 sound experience is impressive and the Sonos ecosystem enables you to easily and efficiently play/control your music from anywhere within your world. Whether you’re playing Christmas music in the background or cranking the volume loud enough to rattle your Glassy Babies, the PLAY:5 does not disappoint. You can buy one for $499.99 on Adorama.

The MEATER+ wireless meat thermometer is the perfect gadget for the cook in your family. It has yet to let us down from our summer barbecuing to Thanksgiving turkey. The MEATER+ extended range fixed the one limitation of the original MEATER: connectivity issues. It’s well-made hardware and excellent ecosystem (aka smartphone app) combine for an easy and seamless cooking experience. They are $99 on Meater’s site.

Lynn Lopez

I reviewed the Kong Jr. Gym Bag back in October and I have been using it almost every day to bring my gym stuff to work with me. I work out after work, so I need things like clothes, sneakers and other gym paraphernalia with me. The bag really lets me organize my items in a meaningful way. I keep my sneakers in the shoe pocket. I put my clothes in the main compartment and I keep things like my heart rate monitor, gloves and headphones in the small pouches along the front of the bag. I use the side pouches to store things like deodorant and showering stuff. The bag has really held up nicely and not shown any kind of wear and tear at all. I love the magnetic handle clips that hold the two handles together. No more loud and eventually fading Velcro to mess with anymore. You can buy one from Amazon.

I reviewed the ILive Voice Activated Clock with Alexa back in August and it continues to hold a spot on the bedside table next to my side of the bed. We have lost power a couple of times and the clock reconnects itself to WiFi and remembers any alarms I had set up. It has Alexa which both myself and my husband use to control two bedside lights in the bedroom and lights throughout the entire house. I use the Alexa in the bedroom to add to my shopping list for things I need in the master bathroom. We have an Alexa in almost every room of our house and the fact that this device doubles as an alarm clock is a really nice feature. My only complaint though it has not happened to me yet is if we were to lose power during the time the alarm would actually need to go off I would miss my alarm as it has no battery backup. It depends on having a WiFi available to use Alexa so that would never work. You can buy one for $71 from Amazon.

I have been a motorcycle rider since 2001. Over the years I have had several helmets. This past year I replaced my trusty Shoei Neotec that was 7 years old (max time you should really keep a helmet) with the Shoei Neotec II Modular Helmet that just came out this year. This helmet is a modular helmet just like the old helmet. That means the chin bar has a button I can press that will lift the entire chin area up over my head. This is perfect for talking to folks when I am stopped at a light or when I am getting gas. It also allows me to easily take a drink of water from a bottle. The new features on the version 2 that were not on the original version are: ratcheting chin strap which allows for easy clipping on and off the chin strap and adjust-ability, new Noise Isolator cheek pads which make this helmet quite a bit quieter than the old version, built-in compartment for the Sena SLR communicator system. This means no more communicator device hanging off the side of my helmet causing more wind noise. It has the communicator buttons built into the side of the helmet once you install the communicator. I love this and Bluetooth the communicator to my phone and my bike for XM radio and navigation directions. You can buy one for $699 on Revzilla.

Kathleen Chapman

The Fingbox is a piece of hardware that you connect to your router. It detects the devices currently on your network and allows you to identify them and keep track of them in the Fing app (you can set it up to tell you when someone’s phone leaves the network and then reconnects to it when they’re home). It also detects new devices on your network and alerts you about them in real time. You can decide whether or not to block the device manually in the app or you can set it up to block all new devices automatically. It also allows you to do a bandwidth analysis to detect bandwidth hogs, determine WiFi hotspots in your home, run internet speed tests, instantly pause internet access to devices or schedule internet pauses for specified devices, etc. You can purchase the Fingbox at Fing or Amazon for $99.00.

The Jaybird Tarah Pro Sport Headphones are in-ear sports headphones that can play for just over 14 hours on one charge when using them at a mid-volume level. Absolutely amazing! They also magnetically clasp together when not in use (thus pausing the music automatically) and allow me to save my favorite equalizer preset to the earbuds which makes just about all of my music sound awesome. However, I do have to spend a few seconds adjusting the right earbud because the ear gel doesn’t want to seal properly; but once it does, they stay in well even while exercising. You can purchase the Jaybird Tarah Pro Sport Headphones on Amazon for $159.99.

I love using the Satechi Type-C Multi-port adapter 4K with Ethernet V2 with my Lenovo Yoga 730 13″ laptop. It provides me with three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a 4K HDMI port, Ethernet port, USB Type-C port (provides up to 45W charging of your devices), micro SD card slot, and an SD card slot. Every port works for me. However, the USB Type-A ports might not accommodate three oddly shaped USB flash drives simultaneously because the USB ports are so close together on the adapter. In addition, please be aware that Satechi states that this multi-port adapter is not compatible with all Windows computers. Apparently, it works for my laptop, so I’m very happy – I now have lots of ports available to me! You can purchase the Satechi Type-C Multi-port Adapter 4K with Ethernet V2 at Amazon for $79.99.

I love the new design and sound of the UE Megaboom 3 speaker. However, the app has problems. The app is supposed to provide you with additional features like the PartyUp feature which connects the Megaboom 3 to other Boom or Megaboom speakers and the Block Party feature which allows up to three people to connect to the speaker simultaneously to share music. These features don’t always work. The app also allows you to adjust the equalizer settings of the speaker which really doesn’t provide a substantial difference in sound. I find that I don’t use the app that often, thus I love the speaker because it sounds awesome for a speaker this size and is easily portable. You may purchase the UE Megaboom 3 at Amazon for $179.99.

Michael Strange

The Jese air fryer is a fryer that uses 360-degree rapid and dynamic airflow instead of oil to fry foods. This is my favorite product I reviewed this year. I use it multiple times a week to make everything from chicken breasts to pizza rolls. It’s easy to use, quick, and less messy than cooking in an oven or deep frying. And it doesn’t hurt that it makes things a little healthier without sacrificing taste. You can buy the Jese Air Fryer for $74.99 from Amazon.

The Ooni 3 is a portable outdoor wood-fired pizza oven capable of cooking a pizza in 60 seconds. The Ooni pizza oven is fantastic! The only reason it wasn’t #1 on my list is that I received it in late October, and just didn’t have enough time to really put it through its paces. I like the oven because it’s portable, easy to use, and it makes a great tasting restaurant-style Neapolitan pizza. If you like pizza, then this oven is a must have for your backyard. I can’t wait until spring so I can really put this oven to work. The Gas Burner for Ooni 3 attaches right onto the back of Ooni 3, providing a convenient and easy option to power the oven with gas. I like the Gas Burner attachment because it makes lighting the Ooni 3 simple. And it gives you better control of the oven’s temperature. You can purchase the Ooni Pizza oven for $299 and the Gas Burner attachment for $85. Both are available from Amazon.

The Edge Desk is a portable, adjustable, ergonomic all-in-one kneeling desk system. The Edge Desk is great because of its size and portability. If you don’t have room for a full-size desk, it’s perfect. Setting up the desk is quick and easy. It folds flat, so you can easily store it under a bed or in a closet. I like that it’s fully adjustable and multiple adjustments for tilt, angle, and height make it extremely versatile. The desk is very comfortable especially if you have neck or back issues. I’ve been using the Edge Desk to write my articles and reviews for The Gadgeteer ever since I received it and I love it. I even like to think it makes me a little bit more productive. You can purchase the Edge Desk for $449.99 from Amazon or for $399.99 from theedgedesk.com. They’ve even added two new colors, Matte Black and Platinum White.

Don’t forget to check out part 1.

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Tagged: gadgeteer

The year in review – Favorite gadgets of the Gadgeteer team for 2018 (part 2) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 28, 2018 at 3:12 pm.

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A few weeks ago I asked everyone on the Gadgeteer team to send me a list of their favorite 3-5 products of 2018. I told them that the products that they pick didn’t need to be restricted to the items that they had reviewed this year, but that they could include any products that they have enjoyed using most during the past year. Was there one type of gadget that was the most popular with the entire team or was it a mixture? Let’s find out. Here we go with part one of the Gadgeteer’s favorite gadgets of 2018.

Julie Strietelmeier

I reviewed the WyzeCam security cameras late last year, but I have enjoyed using them so much that I have purchased additional cameras this year including their newest pan and tilt version. I even helped my neighbor set up several cameras in his home and he loves them too. These cameras are small, have great image quality, are simple to set up, and are crazy inexpensive at only $26 each on Amazon. I have my fingers crossed that they will come out with an outdoor version of this camera soon.

My personal quest to find a pair of Bluetooth earbuds that could earn a spot on my favorite gear page has ended (for now) with the Mobvoi TicPods Free wireless earbuds. I love the fit, comfort, and sound of these earbuds. The only issue is that they have a slight audio delay when I use them with a laptop to watch Youtube videos. I can live with that issue because everything else about them seems perfect. They are $129.99 on Amazon.

I’ve tried several mini printers and the HP Sprocket photo printer is my current favorite. It prints out sharp colorful prints on peel and stick paper which makes the pictures perfect for people like myself who keep a journal. It’s also small enough to take with you when you travel. You can find them for less than $100 on Best Buy.

I reviewed the German made X47 notebook back in 2016 but didn’t actually use it for my daily journal until this year. I keep a scaled down version of the Bullet Journal system to keep track of all the things that I need to do on a daily basis in addition to jotting down snippets of my day. I liked this notebook because it uses a unique steel rail system to hold the notebooks in the cover. The problem is that I just finished filling all three inserts and now I’m looking for a replacement to use starting 1/2019. I’d keep using this gorgeous leather cover if only I could buy the inserts here in the US instead of ordering them from X47.com in Germany as they are too expensive.

Joe Porletto

I love Nomad Tile Integrated PowerPack and it’s been in my EDC bag since the day I reviewed it. It’s built like a tank, holds a charge forever, and has the added bonus of being 100% trackable via the built Tile functionality. Knowing that I can charge every device I’m carrying AND be able to find my bag if it ever gets misplaced or stolen gives me great peace of mind and is definitely worth the purchase price for the Nomad Tile Integrated PowerPack. The PowerPack is still available for purchase from Amazon, but the price has increased to $119.

I’ve never had a really good night’s sleep like I’ve had since I got my Gravis Weighted Blanket. I find now that when I’m sleeping away from home, I find it difficult to fall asleep without the Gravis. The quality of the blanket has held up to multiple cleanings and countless nights of sound sleep. There are a lot of weighted blankets on the market right now, but I feel like the Gravis blanket stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Gravis is available from Ethohome.

The Olight H2R Nova Flashlight is another gadget that went immediately into my EDC bag right after I finished my review. It’s been along with me on every camping trip, hiking excursion, and snowboarding trip since. The battery life, brightness, and versatility of the Olight make it a great addition to any EDC kit. I love being able to pull out my little Olight and virtually light up the night when needed. Being able to use it as a headlamp as well as a handheld light is terrific as well. The Olight is now available from Amazon for $89.95.

Janet Cloninger

Alex Birch

2018 may not have been the best year overall, but for gadgets… pretty darn good. Here’s three of my favorites – Alex.

In my opinion, Nest nailed this one. The Nest X Yale Lock installs easily and setup was a breeze. On the inside, there’s a dial for locking the door as you head to bed, or you can do that from the app if you forgot. From the outside, it’s a number pad that becomes visible when you touch it so there’s no explanations needed when you need to let someone in. Just send them a code and you’re done. Nest.com – $249+

As much as I liked my Airpods, they just didn’t fit my ears. I picked up a pair of the Jabra Elite 65t earbuds on Black Friday after reading the review by our own Dave Rees, and I’m very happy that I did. They solved my fit issue, they’re comfortable and voice clarity is great. The hear-through feature that lets you adjust the amount of surrounding sound you let in makes them perfect for wearing at work where you’re frequently being tapped on the shoulder. Jabra.com – $169

The newest Apple Watch Series 4 is my daily driver. It reminds me to move around, unlocks my mac whenever I return to my desk and provides numerous shortcuts to things I do every day. Sure I have to charge it every night, but I don’t mind routine. If you have a Series 0-2 watch it’s worth the upgrade for speed alone and it just keeps getting better with updates. Apple.com – $399+

Raul Sanchez

Being a content creator, having a camera is a necessity. And having a video camera that is compact, easy to use, waterproof capable, and has great quality, the SJCAM SJ6 Legend is one of my go to cameras. I have several other SJCAM cameras that I had the fortunate opportunity to review that I still have, and use from time to time, but the SJ6 Legend is my favorite. I love the quality, I love the touchscreen on the back, and the built-in image stabilizer is great when I have to hand hold it. There are times when you have to do a run and gun type shooting, and having that extra stabilization really helps in capturing usable footage. Plus, being able to shoot 4K at 24frames is a great option in an action camera. You can find one for $125 on Amazon.

Since the day I got my hands on the Plantronics BackBeat Fit headphones I have not looked at any other Bluetooth headphones in the same way. To me, these headphones are the epitome of what Bluetooth headphones should be. The headphones are very low profile so they aren’t bulky. Not only are the buttons located in the most convenient areas on the headphones, but they are amazingly responsive. And the sound quality is superb. In my opinion, they are the best Bluetooth headphones that I have used. Being sweatproof is always plus. The battery life is awesome, and the sound quality is fantastic, especially the mids and lows which are almost non-existent in many other Bluetooth headphones.  Having audio prompts, such as the status for the battery, On/Off, pairing, and connection make these headphones so user friendly. You can find a pair for around $70 on Amazon.

Andy Jacobs

I didn’t think I’d use a waist pack—until I used the Mission Workshop Axis Modular Waist Pack. Mission Workshop has done an excellent job with their Axis Modular Waist Pack between its thoughtful design, high-quality construction and low-key looks. Made with a high tenacity 500D nylon exterior and TPU coated nylon interior and a special zipper, it has a high degree of water resistance. It also has a total volume of 2.5 Liters, with multiple interior pockets for organization, it is great for smaller EDC items as well as some extras. Additionally, its “Modularity” comes from its compatibility with other Mission Workshop bags and packs. I took the Axis Modular Waist Pack on a family trip around Europe last summer and I used it almost every day—it was a great, smaller and more manageable alternative to a larger day pack, carrying just the essentials. The Axis is a bit on the pricey side at $120, but Mission Workshop is known for their high-quality, durable gear.

I’d never been much of an EDC knife carrier, until I reviewed the Bastion Braza Bro EDC folding mini-knife. This small (2.75″ long when folded) folding knife is small but super functional, with its D2 steel blade, “flipper” style fast deployment mechanism (with ceramic ball pivot), frame lock (with titanium coated stainless steel frame), side pocket clip and lanyard hole, it is feature-rich. I just slip or clip the Braza Bro into my pocket and although it is barely noticeable, it is always ready when I need it. I’ve been carrying the Braza Bro almost daily since I reviewed it. It is also an affordable $39.99 on Amazon.

Founder of Yellow Birch Outfitters Jason Polaski has done an outstanding job on these pocket-sized pockets that are designed and built to help hold and organize the smallish EDC items that might typically just float around in your pocket or bag. Each is made of 1000D Cordura nylon with YKK zippers and 550 paracord pulls for durability and feature a single large zipper pocket with 2 or more smaller pockets on the outside where you can quickly access items like a knife, pen or flashlight. One or the other of these has been part of my EDC since reviewing them. The PocKit is the smaller model for $39.99 and the PocKit Pro is the slightly larger model for $49.99 from Yellow Birch Outfitters.

I have been using the North St. Bags Scout 21 VX Duffel every day since we posted the review, and I have to say that so far it appears to be one of the best made, most durable duffel bags I’ve ever owned. Its waterproof LS42 Smoke X-Pac shell and zipper make it super water resistant, but also super durable; I’ve been using it to transport my workout gear to and from the gym and this means it can see quite a bit of wear and tear, but it hasn’t shown any wear at all. In fact, it still looks literally brand new after many months. I really dig the “Smoke” color scheme of the one I reviewed, but North St. Bags also has the Scout Duffel in other colors and sizes. Yes, this duffel has a fairly expensive price tag at $114.99 from North Street Bags, but if you are looking for a duffel bag that might last forever, give this one a look.

Jacob Haas

The Audew Tire Inflator may seem like a boring selection, but as the unfortunate victim of not one but two slow leaks in my tires, I was awfully glad to have this portable inflator. A small air compressor is an invaluable addition to your car’s kit, and Audew’s offering is a solid one and it’s only $36 from Amazon.

Every online match that I played with the Turtle Beach Stealth 300 Headset has sounded amazing, and the in-ear mic monitoring helps to avoid trying to shout over the volume of the action. Plus, this headset is probably the most comfortable pair I’ve ever worn. Highly recommended and only $65 on Amazon.

My second-most used gadget this year outside of my cell phone is theNintendo Switch. We only have one TV in the house and it’s usually being taken over by my wife or daughter. Not that I’m complaining, but it leaves very little time to play games on my Playstation. The Switch gives me plenty of time to play triple-A games curled up on my couch, in short breaks at work, and pretty much anywhere else. I’d say it’s my favorite piece of tech this year, hands-down. You can buy one for $299 on Amazon.

Stay tuned for part 2 coming soon!

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The year in review – Favorite gadgets of the Gadgeteer team for 2018 (part 1) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 26, 2018 at 11:08 am.

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