Home gift ideas

2018 Gift Guide – Home gift ideas

ARTICLE – It’s that time of the year, when Christmas decorations are already up in many towns and cities, when radio stations have already switched to 24/7 Christmas music programming, and when you have to start coming up with gift ideas for the people in your life. Well, luckily for you, The Gadgeteer has some gift ideas to help you out.

In this guide, we’ll be talking about gifts for the people who enjoy their homes and like items that can help them keep everything looking clean and nice, or things to help them eat good meals, and relax and enjoy their time at home.

Neato Botvac Connected D7

Julie reviewed this Neato Botvac Connected D7, which is a robot vacuum that maps out your home and cleans the floors while you do something more fun and productive.  This vacuum, like other Neato vacs, has a D-shaped body that helps it clean close to walls and corners, unlike other brands of circular robot vacuums that can’t get into tight corners.  It can be programmed to clean your house using a smartphone app.

The conclusion of Julie’s review:  “I’ve been impressed with Neato Botvacs from the first day I started using them back in 2015. I know that statement sort of sounds like something a shill might say, but I can’t say enough good things about this particular brand of robot vacuum. I’ve tried several other robot vacs that are nowhere near as good as far as cleaning up dirt and navigating obstacles.”  She found it was easy to set up manually or by using the app, and it has good suction and good battery life with a long time per charge.  The only consumable is the filter, but they can be cleaned and reused over and over again.

Price: $726.00
Read our review: Neato D7 Botvac review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Amazon

Pluto Pillow

Andy Chen gave us the scoop on these pillows.  The Pluto Pillow is a custom-built pillow based on your answers to an online questionnaire. There are over two dozen possible, different combinations.  The inner core is a sturdy foam, and the outside is fill of different densities, depending on the results of your survey. The outer cover is either smooth or quilted (again, depending on your questionnaire answers).  The questionnaire covers your height, weight, your sleeping preferences (side? back?), and others.  You also answer questions about what you like/dislike about your current pillow.

Pluto suggests that you give the new pillow at least 2 weeks so you “learn” each other.  At the end of the break-in period, Andy was “surprised how different this was compared to my old pillow, and even more surprised how much I liked it.  I was under the impression that the only way you’d like a pillow sight unseen is if you really hated your current one. Boy, was I wrong.”

Price: $85.00
Read our review: Pluto Pillow review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Pluto Pillow

Airfree IRIS 3000 Air Purifier

As the mother of a child with asthma and severe allergies, I can attest to the importance of a good air filter.  Airfree says their Iris 3000 filter is “the natural solution to asthma, respiratory allergies and mold.  Its patented Thermodynamic TSS Technology eliminates dust mites, bacteria, fungi, virus, pollen, allergens of domestic animals, and other microorganisms from the air.”

Airfree filters also reduce indoor harmful ozone levels, and they are said to be perfect to reduce mold in contaminated areas as well as improving the environment for asthma and allergy sufferers.  Their exclusive technology is completely silent, so they don’t interrupt your sleep.  The Airfree Iris 3000 uses heat to destroy microorganisms and attains 100% efficiency at the Airfree air outlet.

Price: $329.99
BLACK FRIDAY PRICE: $199.00
CYBER MONDAY PRICE: $199.00
Where to buy: Amazon, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, and other homewares stores

Anova WiFi Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker

Sous vide cooking has been around for centuries, but I’d never heard of it until recently.  In French, sous vide means “under vacuum”.  Sous vide cooking, at least in a home kitchen, doesn’t actually involve a vacuum.  It does require food to be in a sealed bag, which floats in a heated water bath.  The heated water cooks the food to a specified degree of doneness at a set temperature point; this temperature is determined by the food item and the degree of doneness you desire.  Because the water is heated directly, it’s easier to reach and maintain a steady temperature than it is in an oven or on a cooktop, where the temperature can experience wide swings as it tries to heat the air in the oven or transfer heat inefficiently through a metal pot on the stovetop.

With this Anova cooker, you use the controls on the device or use the app on your Android or iOS phone to control temperature and monitor the food in the cooking vessel. The Anova precisely maintains the desired temperature evenly throughout the contents of the pot.  Once the food has cooked for the stated time in the heated water bath, you finish off the cooking with a quick braising in a heated pan or a quick pass under a broiler for a browned surface.  Your meal is beautifully cooked – no undercooking/overcooking and no burning!

Price: $129.00
Where to buy: Amazon

Victor standing desk DC500

You’ve heard about the health problems caused by sitting at a desk all day, and you’ve heard about the health benefits of standing at a desk as you work.  You’d like to try out a standing desk, but you don’t want to find yourself always stuck having to stand.  With the Victor High Rise Collection DC500 Mobile Adjustable Standing Desk, you’ll be able to quickly and easily adjust the height from 29″ (about the height of a standard dining table) for sitting to 44″ tall for standing.  A high-strength gas strut eases the height adjustment with the pull of a lever.  

The sturdy, all-steel frame is topped with a large 31” wide by 22” deep durable wood desktop with a scratch-resistant PVC coating.  Four heavy-duty steel casters with rubber wheels allow you to move the table easily over hard or carpeted floors; they lock for stability when you’re working.  

You’ll find a lot of uses for this adjustable table – crafting, or working at home or at the office.

Price: $184.99
Where to buy: Amazon

Nixplay Iris photo frame

The Nixplay Iris 8″ digital photo frame reminds me of those old digital frames from two decades ago, but these are much improved over those old frames with the tiny screens.  First of all, forget those tiny, low-resolution displays of yesteryear.  Your photos will be shown to their best advantage on the 8″ high-resolution 1024 x 768 IPS display.  You won’t need memory cards or USB sticks to load pictures onto the Iris, either.  Instead, you’ll use the free Nixplay Web App to send photos.  From your mobile device, you can snap a photo and send it out immediately, or you can send pictures from Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, Flickr, and Google Photos.  Best of all, because the Iris is WiFi-connected, you can send your images to your own frame or to friends’ frames anywhere in the world.

The Iris 8″ frames have an activity sensor to turn the frame on/off when it senses motion and an auto-brightness control to adjust the display for the changing room conditions.  The frames are available in metallic finishes of silver, peach copper, or burnished bronze.

Price: $199.99
Where to buy: Nixplay or at Amazon

Power Air Fryer XL

The Power Air Fryer XL from CVS is an amazing way to fry your favorite foods without using oil. This fryer uses super-heated air which means up to 80% fewer calories than traditional frying methods. The Power Air Fryer XL features:

  • Digital Easy-Touch Panel with 4 Programs
  • Non-Stick Coating/ Dishwasher Safe Parts
  • Uses No or Less Oil for Healthier Cooking
  • Up to 400 degree cooking/1200 watts
  • Timer with Auto Shutoff
  • Large Easy-Grip Handle
  • 2.4—Quart Non-Stick Basket with food Divider (Lets you cook 2 foods at the same time!)

Price: $79.99
Where to buy: CVS (only in stores)

Sengled Element Plus Smart LED Bulb

Sengled lets you add a smart lighting system to your home with just a couple of bulbs or a full house of smart bulbs.  Of course, you’ll need a hub to control the system, but you can get an Element starter kit with the hub and two white-only bulbs for $40; extra bulbs are available as white-only, color, and as BR30 bulbs for recessed lighting fixtures with prices starting as low as $30.  You can start out with a few bulbs and build your entire lighting system by adding a few bulbs at a time to your home.

The Sengled system is controlled by the Element app, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and by Xfinity and IFTTT.  The bulbs can be controlled by SmartThings, Wink, Amazon Echo Plus, and Iris Smart Hub.

Price: Starter kit with hub and 2 bulbs are $39.99; extra bulbs are as low as $29.99
Read our review: Sengled Element Plus Smart LED Bulb review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Sengled or at Amazon

Bosch FlexiClick 5-in-1 Drill/Driver System

Bosch’s FlexiClick is a one-click system that saves time and delivers high-quality drilling and bit-driving capability for any project – big or small. It combines 12-volt power with four professional-grade attachments that include a 3/8” keyless chuck, a locking bit holder, a right angle drill attachment, and an offset angle attachment. With this set, you will confidently be able to create and repair whatever life throws at you, even if the workspace is tight. The handle even has a built-in light for work in dark areas.

Price: $169 at Amazon
Where to buy: boschtools.com and Amazon

AcousticSheep SleepPhones

AcousticSheep SleepPhones are designed to wear while you’re asleep – perfect for people who use ASMR to help them go to sleep.  “SleepPhones® are ultra-thin, high-quality speakers embedded inside of a soft, fleece headband. Nothing goes inside your ear, so they are the most comfortable headphones on the market!”

SleepPhones come in a variety of sizes and colors, and they are available as corded or Bluetooth cordless.  The cloth bands are washable as well as replaceable.

Price: $39.95 for corded; $99.95 for cordless
Where to buy: Amazon (see above links)

Instant Pot

Early this year, Julie reviewed an Instant Pot Ultra 6-quart electric pressure cooker for review.  That Instant Pot could speed up cooking by 2-6 times and could be used as a slow cooker like a crock pot, rice cooker, yogurt maker, sauté/browning pan, steamer, and a warming pot.  Because it’s a multi-function cooker, you can sear the meat directly in the pot you’ll be slow-cooking it in, so you reduce the number of pots needed to cook your meal.

Julie loved how quick and easy it was to use the Instant Pot, and she had a list of recipes in mind that she couldn’t wait to try.  She said the Instant Pot makes cooking so easy, fast, and flavorful, while making cleanup a breeze.

In addition to the Ultra 6 quart that Julie reviewed, Instant Pot also has a large variety of other electric pressure multi-cookers you can choose from.

Price: $149.95
Read our review: Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: Instant Pot or Amazon

SodaStream Fizzi One Touch

The SodaStream Fizzi One Touch is a table-top appliance that carbonates water, with 3 levels of carbonation to choose from.  SodaStream says that “saving the world from plastic pollution has never been so easy, stylish, or refreshing. The sleek Fizzi One Touch is SodaStream’s newest model and carbonates tap water at the touch of a button. With three levels of automatic carbonation, you can perfectly customize your sparkling water, and there’s no worry of accidentally fizzing all over yourself.”

Julie reviewed the Fizzi One Touch this fall, and she loves it!  She had been using a different SodaStream machine to make the sparkling water she drinks, but she found it difficult to get a consistent level of fizziness with her old machine.

Just like older SodaStream machines, the Fizzi One Touch uses replaceable carbon dioxide canisters than are readily found in local kitchen stores.  Because you can select a carbonation setting, it’s easy to get consistent amounts of fizz now, and Julie says it’s one of the most popular appliances in her kitchen!

Price: $129.99
Read our review: SodaStream Fizzi One Touch review at The Gadgeteer
Where to buy: SodaStream and Amazon

RCA 3.2 CU ft. Retro Bar Fridge with Side Bottle Opener


Warm your parents and grandparents’ hearts this season with this retro compact 3.2cu refrigerator from RCA. Available in Red, Blue, Pink, or Black, this mini fridge has a sleek retro design and an attached bottle opener, as well as a chrome pull handle and removable glass shelves that make it easy to clean. You can even reverse the door to customize which way it opens. This fun retro fridge is the perfect appliance and holiday gift for the people on your list who like to remember simpler times.

Price: $89.99
Where to buy:Amazon

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2018 Gift Guide – Home gift ideas originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 18, 2018 at 8:45 am.

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Thanks to Aldi, Advent calendars aren’t just for kids anymore! I’ll drink to that!

NEWS – Kids aren’t the only ones who can look forward to opening a new door on the Christmas Advent calendar to find a treat now.  Last year, Aldi markets offered a calendar with a small bottle of wine for each day in the countdown to Christmas.  That calendar was available only in the UK, but they will also be offered in the USA this year.

The calendar has 24 doors, behind which is a small bottle of a red, white, or rosé wine, or even a bottle of bubbly.  Each bottle should contain about 6 ounces, so I’m thinking each adult in the family might want their own calendar.

Each box will contain:

  • 2 x Prosecco Extra Dry, Italy
  • 2 x Chardonnay, Australia
  • 2 x Chenin Blanc, South Africa
  • 2 x Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
  • 2 x White Zinfandel, U.S.A.
  • 2 x Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia
  • 2 x Pinot Grigio, Italy
  • 2 x Malbec, Argentina
  • 2 x Shiraz, Australia
  • 2 x Red Blend, Italy
  • 2 x Merlot, Chile
  • 2 x Sauvignon Blanc, Chile

The Advent calendar will go on sale at US Aldi stores on November 7th.  There is a limited supply, so you’ll want to get your calendars early so you’re ready to start drinking opening on December 1st.  The calendars should sell for about $70.00, though prices may vary by location.  Learn more at Aldi’s website; while you’re there, check to see if Aldi stores in your area are allowed to sell wine.

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Thanks to Aldi, Advent calendars aren’t just for kids anymore! I’ll drink to that! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 4, 2018 at 8:21 am.

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Forget Fruit of the Month Club – here’s a subscription service for pop-culture fans!

NEWS – Fall is here, and it’s time to start dropping hints about the gifts you’d like to receive this holiday season, and this is a great gift idea!  Culture Fly has some subscription boxes that fans of DC comics or shows like Game of Thrones and Supernatural would love.  Culture Fly partners with best-in-class brands to deliver “pop culture experiences” directly to your door. They also work at designing and developing limited-edition collectibles that can never be found in retail.  Each box will be filled with over $100 worth of collectibles like apparel, bags, stationery, housewares, figurines, and other items.

Boxes are offered for Supernatural (Santa, this is my favorite show!), Game of Thrones, World’s Finest (DC collectibles), Jay and Silent Bob, The Nick Box (Nickelodeon), and several others.  Boxes ship quarterly and are $50 per box.  Some subscriptions allow you to pre-pay for a year (4 boxes) at a discounted price per box.

Learn more and get your subscriptions started at the Culture Fly website.

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Forget Fruit of the Month Club – here’s a subscription service for pop-culture fans! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 9, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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Father’s Day 2019 gift guide

NEWS – There are only 16 shopping days until Father’s day on Sunday, June 16th. You haven’t forgotten your dear old dad, have you? If you haven’t even begun shopping yet, I can imagine that knowing that the big day is just 2 weeks away is stressing you out. It’s ok though because there is still plenty of time to find the perfect gift and we have some gift ideas to help you out.

Swidget Modular Outlets

Is your dad a DIY kinda guy? Then he’ll love these easy to install outlets from Swidget that replace any outlet in your house to provide 2 regular grounded outlets, and center module that you can switch out any time you like to add different functionality to the outlet. There are USB inserts, night light, WiFi control, ZWave control inserts, and more.

Price: $39.99 for the outlet, the inserts are priced from $9.99 and up
Read our news post: Swidget is a wall outlet with multiple personalities
Where to buy: Amazon

Molekule Air Purifier

Does your dad have problems with allergies or does he live in an area where the air isn’t as clean as he would like? According to Julian (read his full review linked below):

The Molekule Air Purifier is in my opinion, the best air purifier that I have ever tried. I have spent hundreds of dollars on air purifiers with Hepa filters, and on many other devices that turned out to be just gimmicks. While some of them helped my allergies, they ultimately failed to do so well enough that I felt satisfied. This air purifier has given me such relief when I am at home, that no one would even know that I suffer from chronic allergies. This has been the same result for my kids who have suffered from chronic allergies, and asthma as a result of the allergies. While the Molekule is much more expensive than any other air purifier that I have owned, it stands alone at the top of its class.

Price: $799.00
Read our review: Molekule Air Purifier review
Where to buy: Molekule.com

Leatherman Free P2 Multi-Tool

Leatherman’s latest series of multi-tools uses magnets for easy deployment of the tools. No more broken fingernails!

Matt says (read his full review linked below):

After just a week, the Leatherman Free P2 multi-tool has made such an impression that the P2 will replace my trusty Skeletool for EDC in my pocket. I am very pleased with the improved locking mechanism for the blade and this just may be the tipping point for me.

Price: $119.95
Read our review: Leatherman Free P2 multi-tool review
Where to buy: Amazon

Gillette Heated Razor

Shaving every morning has to be a real drag so anything you can do to make it more comfortable for dad is a plus and the Gillette Heated Razor looks pretty sweet with the wireless charging base and a one-touch button to heat things up.

Price: $200.00
Read our news post: The new Heated Razor from Gillette Labs is hot – literally
Where to buy: Gillette.com

X3 Bar Home Gym

Fitness is important and so is time, so give dad the gift of a home gym that does require half a room for equipment and only takes a few minutes a day to see results without emptying his wallet on a monthly gym membership.

From my review (linked below):

I’ve been using that equipment for years and am seeing more results now using the X3 for 10 minutes a day 4 times a week vs. the Total Gym for 30 minutes 3 times a week.

Price: $549.00
Read our review: X3 Bar Home Gym Review
Where to buy: X3bar.com

KLIP Titanium Pocket Knife + EDC Suspension Hook

Everyone needs a knife as part of their EDC (every day carry) and this little beauty from Dapper Design has all the bases covered. First, it’s made of titanium! Second, it’s tiny so it won’t get in the way when it’s not in use. And third, it has a built-in clip for easy carry.

Andy says (read his full review linked below):

I really like KLIP. Elegantly machined from Titanium alloy and with an attractive style and finish, it is durable, and its design is both aesthetically pleasing as well as useful: it combines a suspension/keychain hook and a small knife, which makes it a perfect item to add to your EDC gear for when you need quick access to a small knife for small tasks.

Price: $49.00
Read our review: KLIP: Titanium Pocket Knife + EDC Suspension Hook review
Where to buy: dapperdesign.com

Sodastream Fizzi One Touch

Does your dad drink way too many sugary or diet sodas? Help him kick the habit the easy way with a Sodastream water carbonator. I’ve been using the Fizzi One Touch for almost a year and I L-O-V-E it. I use it, stevia sweetener, and Cappella flavor drops (my favorites are Concord Grape, and Strawberry) to make my own soda anytime I want with a simple press of a button.

Price: $129.00
Read our review: Sodastream Fizzi One Touch review
Where to buy: Amazon

Amazon Echo Show

Here’s a deal that benefits both YOU and your dad. Buy the 2nd gen Echo Show for dad and you’ll get a free 3rd gen Echo Dot for yourself. Both devices give you hands-free Alexa control to a huge variety of devices and the Echo Show has a 10.1 inch color screen and premium speakers that you can use to watch video flash briefings, see song lyrics, Amazon Video content, browse and listen to Audible audiobooks, and more.

Price: $229.99
Where to buy: Amazon

NITECORE TUP 1000 lumen EDC flashlight

The essentials of every good EDC kit is a knife (see the Klip above) and a flashlight. One flashlight that I reviewed recently has become a quick favorite. It’s the Nitecore TUP and it’s a tiny LED rechargeable flashlight with a built-in display that shows battery life and the lumen setting. Tiny flashlights normally provide an equally tiny brightness, but not the TUP. This little guy packs 1000 lumens in a very pocket-friendly and package. It’s friendly on your wallet too.

Price: $60.43
Read our review: NITECORE TUP 1000 lumen EDC flashlight Review
Where to buy: Amazon

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Father’s Day 2019 gift guide originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 1, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Give Mom everything she needs for a day at work or running errands

Whether you’re at work or out getting groceries and running errands, you need some essentials with you.  You need some reusable shopping bags, an umbrella, water bottle, and other odds and ends.  Kikkerland Design makes it easy for you to give your mother most everything she’ll need in one easy gift for you.

The Mom on the Go! pack has one full-sized Ombre umbrella, which is colored with light hues blending to soft shades of color.  (Color selected at random.)  She’ll also get a glass water bottle to take with her, outfitted with a neoprene sleeve with a galaxy design and a carry strap.  There’s also a reusable shopping bag (color chosen at random) that folds up small enough to easily fit into her gear bag until she needs it.  And finally, the handbag essentials gift set includes a silicone purse light, plaid travel case, and another reusable shopping bag.

The Mom on the Go! gift pack is available for $42.00 ($57.00 for these items individually priced) from Kikkerland Design.

The post Give Mom everything she needs for a day at work or running errands appeared first on The Gadgeteer.

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Give Mom everything she needs for a day at work or running errands originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 6, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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