Your BEST DEVICE/GADGET PURCHASES of the last 12 months?

[Ron Scott]

I love a new gadget. Dying for the nextgen, 2024 iPad Pro!

2023 was a lite year tho…only a few:

ROKU STREAMBAR
We’re a Sonos house but the TV in my home office had nothing, so for $100 I rolled the dice on Roku. I love it! You’re not going to confuse this little guy with a real home theater setup or more expensive soundbar but it completely upgrades your TV speakers and actually seems to fix the crappy voice quality on many streaming channels.

OXO BURR COFFEE GRINDER
Still got, still cleaning, still love the Baratza but needed a 2nd machine and the OXO was under a hundred, $60 less than the Baratza, so. What a great grinder. First—I like the grind and can’t tell the difference. Second—the OXO has a timer you set for the specific time it takes to grind your own setup AND has a metal, static-resistant grind cup with a pourer snap on. Time will be the judge.

UNDERCOUNTER WATER FILTER & CHILLER
Tired of going to the fridge, we bought an Elkay water chiller, 3-stage Aquasana filter, and a Grohe cold water faucet to match the rest of the sink. The plumber was able to run the filter and chiller in a basement mechanical room under the kitchen sink. Total was about $1250. Best whim-spend in 2023.


Any other gadget lovers out there?

[HipGnosis]

I'm a cheap gadget junkie.
I think it started with wireless switches for X-Mas lights.   I used them for all kinds of things besides X-Mas.

My fav's of the year are:
An LED headband with rechargeable batt & motion sensing control.  It replaced a headband with flashlight type lights on a headband.  The new one has flat LEDs across the front.  SOOO much easier when I don't have to hold my head 'just right' so see what I'm working on!!    I appreciate the USB recharging too.
A small bluetooth label printer.  It's the size of a deck of cards.  I have multiple credit cards and  label the cards so I know where I get the best 'reward'  of each.   I'm also finding quite a few other uses for it.  So much that I'm thinking of getting a bigger label printer (for bigger labels).

[Retire-Canada]

I replaced my 10+ year old rechargeable AA & AAA batteries with a new set as the old ones weren't holding a charge any more. I got a new charger as well. I'll recycle the old batteries. It's nice to have a fresh batch that work reliably as expected.

I also got two LED armband lights for running at night. They work pretty well for visibility.

I replaced my fancy/$$, but malfunctioning mechanical keyboard with a $30 Amazon mechanical keyboard that's been working great. I was expecting to be disappointed, but it's been a solid experience so far.

Finally I bought my GF a 4 pack of LED headlamps and rechargeable batteries for them. She's always complaining she can't find a headlamp when she wants one. So I figured it was time to solve the problem.

[curious_george]

Amazfit band 7

[ChpBstrd]

A dozen rechargable AA and AAA batteries plus charger from eBay. I bought the EBL brand. After a couple of charging cycles I'm very satisfied with their performance in otherwise-wasteful applications like toys, remotes, and the door keypad. Probably have $25 invested, and I'm done buying batteries for a while. Will break even versus disposable alkaline batteries after about 5 or 6 charging cycles.

[Blackeagle]

I love a new gadget. Dying for the nextgen, 2024 iPad Pro!

The battery in my 2018 iPad Pro is definitely showing its age, so I'm also eagerly awaiting the next model.

Best device of 2023 for me is my M2 MacBook Air.  I "downgraded" from a 14" MacBook Pro to the Air because changes in my life and employment meant I didn't need the extra features of the Pro anymore.  I do not regret the decision one bit.  The Air is smaller and lighter.  It's the best laptop I've ever owned, hands down.

[HipGnosis]

Amazfit band 7

Whutz dat?

[Dave1442397]

A nixie clock, which is just fun to look at. https://nixieshop.com/index.html

[Photograph 51]

I bought a used kayak, which I had been wanting for years.  I live in an area where there are many places to get out on the water close by.  I should have done this years ago- getting out onto the water is amazing.

[Louise]

I bought one of those little espresso pots. I had an old espresso maker that couldn't be repaired, so I replaced it with this. The coffee is good enough and it takes no room on my limited counter space.

[2Birds1Stone]

I love a new gadget. Dying for the nextgen, 2024 iPad Pro!

The battery in my 2018 iPad Pro is definitely showing its age, so I'm also eagerly awaiting the next model.

Best device of 2023 for me is my M2 MacBook Air.  I "downgraded" from a 14" MacBook Pro to the Air because changes in my life and employment meant I didn't need the extra features of the Pro anymore.  I do not regret the decision one bit.  The Air is smaller and lighter.  It's the best laptop I've ever owned, hands down.

Ditto! Snagged a base spec 15.3" Air and it was the best $1k spent on electronics ever.

[Metalcat]

Everything I bought for my femur surgery.

I don't even know how many thousands I spent, I haven't bothered tallying it up and probably won't bother. But every single item was worth it a million times over.

The MVP though was a $16 leg lifting strap.

[theninthwall]

I very much have to repress my gadget wants, they were definitely a hallmark of my pre-FIRE era!

That said, I think I will be getting an iPhone 15 Pro this month. I've been using an iPhone 7+ since 2018 and it's starting to show its age in a few places. My work is social media heavy on certain weeks of the year and the battery life plus a buggy camera has been making my existing phone hard to deal with. I'm also a camera nerd and I think that phone cameras have come a long way in recent generations.

King of the gadgets in our house remains the Panasonic AE7000 projector I bought from Facebook for $80 four years ago. We've put 3000 hours on the bulb so anything we get now is a bonus.

[Morning Glory]

Cordless stick vacuum. The biggest benefit is that it's lighter weight and less noisy so my 8 year old is actually willing to use it. He asks to vacuum every day after school.  Only problem is he doesn't like the crunching noise from the floor attachment when it picks something up and wants to do the whole house with the wand which takes forever.

Electric lawn mower and weed eater. Quieter and easier to start than gas ones. Also lighter weight.

[ixtap]

Solar panels, solar chargers, batteries, and lots of wiring.

Starlink. It has been much more consistent than the Spectrum Internet was.

[Just Joe]

Kenmore canister vacuum. Our years old Hoover Windtunnel was dead (I thought).

Kenmore was purchased on sale, was a return. Saved $35. Was never even unpacked because the plastic wheels weren't scuffed.

Was looking at a Miele but none of their vacuum heads are powered until the more expensive models. Don't mind paying for quality but I don't want to spend x2 or x3 than the Kenmore. Maybe next time.

RE: The Hoover. Turns out it was very, very clogged. Teenager ran it until it overheated and the temp safety switch kicked in. Took it all apart, cleaned everything and it works! Waiting for a new $25 brushroll assembly. The bearings were wornout in the old one. It can become the upstairs vacuum. Five years old. Maybe we can get another five years out of it.

One thing that a traditional upright vacuum doesn't do well is obviously clean under things and stairs. The Kenmore wins on those two points. Much quieter than the Hoover too. 

[Just Joe]

Also - laser level. Sits on a bracket or magnets to anything steel or sits on a tripod. Projects a horizontal laser line 360 degrees around a room. Or a vertical line. Rechargeable battery. ~$160
Very useful in our remodeling project - hang pictures, cabinets, painted lines, etc. Also useful in the garage when I am piecing back together a vintage car that needs patch panels.

[curious_george]

Amazfit band 7

Whutz dat?

It's a cheaper version of a fitbit.

[YttriumNitrate]

3M Worktunes Ear Protectors. I've been spending a lot of time chainsawing, mowing, weed whacking, and brush hogging, so bluetooth enabled ear protection has been rather nice. I'm considering spending another $20 to get the fancy gel cushions for them.

[Luke Warm]

Got an air fryer for my birthday. It's nifty.
Got 3 Cateye bike computers, one for each bike. Strava was really off when it came to mountain biking. The price of 1 year of Strava paid for the bike computers.

[sonofsven]

A peavey, used for rolling logs over when cutting into firewood lengths. Instead of brute force, use physics.

[Dicey]

Hmmm, I read every response in search of inspiration. I can't come up with much.

I got a replacement Fitbit when mine broke, plus a new-in-package set of three replacement bands, for $5 at my fave thrift shop. It certainly was a helluva buy.

Otherwise, I've got nothin'.

[scottnews]

Amazfit band 7

DW recieved an Amazfit 5 for Christmas and is very happy.  Likes it better than her previous fitbit and garmin.  The screen is bigger, so that has something to do with it.

[Sandi_k]

Two items, both coffee-centric

1) DH bought me a new burr coffee grinder for my birthday - a KitchenAid. I love it for two reasons: 1 - it is AMAZINGLY quieter than the cheap one I bought three years ago. 2 - Somehow there is an anti-static coating applied, and the ground coffee just SLIDES into the coffeepot filter. No more coffee grounds throughout the brewing mechanism or all over the kitchen counter.

2) A milk frother. ~ $10 from Amazon, and it froths my coffee creamer every morning into a delightful addition to my cup.

[ATtiny85]

Ratcheting wire connector crimper. My simple stripper/crimper from around 1991 was just not cutting it any longer as the pivot is worn, the jaws are worn. It’s just all worn. I’ll keep the old one around because it has the screw cutters built in which are handy. I already bought a better set of wire strippers a couple years ago, that was a nice buy also.

I knew how nice higher end tools are because I have some high end tools for Deutsch and Amp connectors, so glad I handed over $25 for this nice upgrade.

[Jack0Life]

Solar panels, solar chargers, batteries, and lots of wiring.

Starlink. It has been much more consistent than the Spectrum Internet was.

We are in the same boat.
Are we talking about solar as a hobby or full blown solar on he roof ??
I started off small just wanting backup power and it just grew and grew.
Now my solar backup runs both fridges and more.
My wife told me to stop putting solar panels in the back patio so I migrate to the side of the house.
It's a hobby that keeps on giving. Although it will take me 10 yrs to break even.

[sonofsven]

Ratcheting wire connector crimper. My simple stripper/crimper from around 1991 was just not cutting it any longer as the pivot is worn, the jaws are worn. It’s just all worn. I’ll keep the old one around because it has the screw cutters built in which are handy. I already bought a better set of wire strippers a couple years ago, that was a nice buy also.

I knew how nice higher end tools are because I have some high end tools for Deutsch and Amp connectors, so glad I handed over $25 for this nice upgrade.

I have a hand held hydraulic crimper I use for building cable deck railings that I used the other day on some wire connections: big improvement over trying to squeeze with my old crimper/strippers.

[Ron Scott]

Forgot 2 more from 2023! Both coffee related.

I was always an iced coffee drinker, year round. Now I never even boil it…all cold brew and nitro:

Hario 'Mizudashi' Cold Brew Coffee Pot, 1000ml — just a glass container with a filter that extends 2/3rds the way down

Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Kit — sealable aluminum dispenser for discharging nitrogen, N2 canisters.

$20 each.

Even with a pot designed to heat water to the perfect temperature I could taste the process before switching to cold brew. No more.

[2sk22]

Best gadget was a Hanmatek 110 MHz oscilloscope - great value for the money and it has already helped me solve several problems with my circuits!

[hudsoncat]

An electric kettle. We drink both tea pretty regularly, but I never bought one because we have had the same old stove top kettle for years and limited counter space and... Yeah. No idea why we waited so long. It was cheap and we use it all. the. time. So quick! So easy!

[pasadenafr]

It still counts in the last 12 months, so I'll give the award to my underdesk treadmill, bought in January 2023 as part of my full home office overhaul (got about 1/2 of it reimbursed by my employer). I thought it was a gimmick, but I love the thing.

Second place to my new desktop computer. Got tired of underperforming and bothersome laptops. Mac Mini 2018 didn't cut it because the SSD was way too slow. So I bought the parts and built a desktop. My first in like 15 years. It's a beast, that is spec'd exactly as I wanted it to be, and I'm really enjoying it. Not to mention it's fully upgradable, so it will last me way longer than a laptop, with much cheaper upgrades. Plus, it's very pretty.

Third place to my 2023 AirPod Prods. I gave my old ones to my Dad so I bought the new USB-C ones. Another cable that I can get rid of.

[pasadenafr]

Second place to my new desktop computer. Got tired of underperforming and bothersome laptops. Mac Mini 2018 didn't cut it because the SSD was way too slow. So I bought the parts and built a desktop. My first in like 15 years. It's a beast, that is spec'd exactly as I wanted it to be, and I'm really enjoying it. Not to mention it's fully upgradable, so it will last me way longer than a laptop, with much cheaper upgrades. Plus, it's very pretty.

No one else will care ;) but if you feel like it, tell me all the specs. I'll nerd out with you! I built my PC spring 2022 with Corsair 4000D case, H150i AIO - super quiet!, MSI X570, Ryzen 5900X, 32GB, PCIE4.0 NVMe SSDs, Radeon 6700XT. Much less flashy than my last one, but I like the understated, pulsing RGB heart of it. Drives 2 QHD 27" monitors and I used it for work for 2 years before they got me a new laptop, now I switch between them depending on projects. I suspect you're on a newer platform so you'll have more upgrades available. I'll just have to make mine last 8+ years and then sell the parts when I build a new one...

Ah yes! Welcome to my heart, fellow nerd :)





The processor is an i7-13700. The three SSDs are m2. The case is a LianLi Lancool 205 MESH C.

I just wish the GPU was white.

And yes, it's a very nice ambient light too :)

[pasadenafr]

The processor is an i7-13700. The three SSDs are m2.

And yes, it's a very nice ambient light too :)

24 threads and ample lighting! Definitely like the (nearly) all white look. I've yet to really go "all out" and buy for looks. For example, I got the AIO from a Corsair refurb sale super cheap. Going on 22 months and still purrs like a kitten with no leaks. Fingers remain crossed. Did go a bit spendy on the RAM to get excellent bandwidth with minimal latency. Video card was used to mine ETH until it (more than) paid for itself.

I didn't *really* buy "for looks". All I wanted was a white case to go with the rest of my office. I didn't care about RGB but good luck finding high-ish end stuff without it, so hey, I'm using it and liking it more than I thought I would.

My only real qualm with it is that I find the "whooshing" noise of the pump (H100i) a little annoying (not loud)

I always go spendy with RAM and storage and I will always get the best I can (which drives the cost of the motherboard a little higher).

RAM is 2x32Gb, DDR5 64400 CL32.

The GPU is arguably overpowered for my use, but I got it at 40% off during Amazon's second "prime day" and it has the distinct advantage of not being as ugly as usual gaming GPUs (and no RGB!)

[HipGnosis]

3M Worktunes Ear Protectors. I've been spending a lot of time chainsawing, mowing, weed whacking, and brush hogging, so bluetooth enabled ear protection has been rather nice. I'm considering spending another $20 to get the fancy gel cushions for them.

I use earbuds when riding motorcycle.   I use Comply (brand) foam 'tips'.   They come in many sizes for ears and sizes for different ear buds, and in a couple shapes.
I use the Iso/Isolation tips - the Pro Iso's are dangerously to quiet for driving.

[kanga1622]

Cordless stick vacuum. The biggest benefit is that it's lighter weight and less noisy so my 8 year old is actually willing to use it. He asks to vacuum every day after school.  Only problem is he doesn't like the crunching noise from the floor attachment when it picks something up and wants to do the whole house with the wand which takes forever.

Do you have a recommendation on which model you like? We have hardwoods so really just need somthing that works great for dust bunnies, low pile rugs, and cleaning up after I give haircuts. But DH broke my last 2 vacuums so it is time for a replacement.

DH and the kids got me an RCA projector that was a Black Friday deal. We replaced the bedroom tv with this projector and I love it! It solved several problems for me. Way cheaper to buy a $39 projector than a 65+ inch tv and wall mount.

[K_in_the_kitchen]

I finally replaced my Shokz OpenRun headphones after giving my original set to my son in 2022.  I love these because I can still hear things, and I can sleep in them with ear plugs in and hear my music without disturbing DH.  As a bonus, I got the “minis” this time which are a much better fit for me.

I also bought an XL heating pad after throwing out my back — I couldn’t use the regular sized one we’ve owned for more than a decade because DH had a slipped disc and was still using it.  I’m so glad I sprung for an XL model!  Now I don’t have to move it around — my entire back is heated.

Oh — I guess the new washing machine that arrived in late November counts.  First the dryer died, and we decided not to replace it, but a washing machine is a must have for us.  Went with an impeller top loader after having high maintenance smelly front loaders for a couple of decades, and I’m quite pleased with it.  (Watching YouTube videos of the disgusting mold in the front loader seals convinced us to go back to a top loader — we cleaned the seal regularly but had no idea what was building up where we couldn’t see.  Faced with a pump issues and the recommendation to replace the entire seal, we decided to buy a new washing machine.)

Finally, I replaced the step stool we’d had since 1988 with a taller one (with an extra step) which is a lot sturdier.  Every time I use it I’m astounded by how sturdy it feels and relieved not to be on a rickety old step stool hoping the rivets don’t break.

[ChpBstrd]

Just bought $12 worth of ferrofluid to redo the titanium dome tweeter of some Klipsch floor speakers that were thrown out on the curb (!), apparently because one tweeter was quieter than the other. If I can fix this, I'll sell them for a hundred dollars or two. Could have probably sold them anyway, but was too eager to try the project so I decided to sacrifice twelve bucks for the experience.

[use2betrix]

I love a new gadget. Dying for the nextgen, 2024 iPad Pro!

Is there going to be anything “special” about this 2024 iPad Pro? I’m still rocking my iPad Pro from 2018 and it works like new in all aspects. My prior employer bought it for me in 2018, so I have a hard time replacing.

I am more ready to upgrade my iPhone 12promax to something newer, just not quite ready to drop the coin..

[Blackeagle]

Is there going to be anything “special” about this 2024 iPad Pro? I’m still rocking my iPad Pro from 2018 and it works like new in all aspects. My prior employer bought it for me in 2018, so I have a hard time replacing.

The rumor is that the 2024 iPad Pro will get an OLED screen.

[couponvan]

The poop sensing Roomba….after a fail with our old Roomba and 1 T of 6lb dog poop in an entire downstairs full of patterned wool area rugs and hardwood floors that are “poop colored”.

The dog is old and now wears diapers, but better to be double safe than ever have that nightmare happen again.

[ca-rn]

Self cleaning plant milk maker- self cleaning is the best feature. 
I tried a normal plant milk maker and its a royal pain in the ass to clean the heating element, especially when making soymilk because it creates a film very fast that is difficult to clean.
The self cleaning machine heats up the water to clean the internals.... LOVE this machine!

The other gadget I just got is a led headband- has a front band white light and red rear light that can be solid or blinking.  I got it because of winter- commute times in am and pm are in the dark, the led headband gives me extra front and rear visibility. 

[Asalted_Nut]

Also mentioned in the Money Well Spent thread, but Nest Smoke detectors :)

[the_gastropod]

I picked up a Synology NAS to tinker with self-hosting a bit, and it's been bizarrely pretty fun. No idea if it'll actually reach the point of paying for itself, but I'm using it as an excuse as I cancel subscriptions to things I'm now self-hosting. So far, I've replaced:
- 1Password with a self-hosted Bitwarden (Vaultwarden, actually) server
- Netflix, Hulu, HBO MAX, Apple+, Apple Music with a Jellyfin media server
- Mint (well, Mint died and was free anyway, but...) with Actual Budget

Plus I've got a little Pi-Hole DNS server running, blocking all ads on my local network, and a HomeAssistant server, which I'm not entirely sure what to do with yet, but currently has an automation to turn on a light in my office when my camera is on, so my wife knows when I'm in a meeting.

[pasadenafr]

I also bought an XL heating pad after throwing out my back — I couldn’t use the regular sized one we’ve owned for more than a decade because DH had a slipped disc and was still using it.  I’m so glad I sprung for an XL model!  Now I don’t have to move it around — my entire back is heated.

Oh! I forgot my electric mattress pad. It goes on my bed just like a fitted sheet (I obviously still have a fitted sheet on top of it) and heats up the entire bed (each side has its own setting) really, really well and fast. I tend to have really cold feet and lower legs, and when that happens nothing can warm me up and defrost my feet, unless I spend half an hour in a hot bath. Last year it sometimes took an hour or more before I was comfortable enough to sleep in the winter, even with socks and the windows closed and the room at 65. Doesn't help that I *hate* sleeping in a warm room.

Now I start up the mattress pad 1/4h before going to bed, read for a while being all toasty warm, and turn it off or set it at the lowest setting when I go to sleep and it's SO.GOOD. I can sleep with my windows open again if I want to, and it keeps my bed at the "just right" temperature at the lowest setting.

After a couple of years it'll probably pay for itself because I don't have to heat my bedroom anymore.

[ATtiny85]

I picked up a Synology NAS to tinker with self-hosting a bit, and it's been bizarrely pretty fun. No idea if it'll actually reach the point of paying for itself, but I'm using it as an excuse as I cancel subscriptions to things I'm now self-hosting. So far, I've replaced:
- 1Password with a self-hosted Bitwarden (Vaultwarden, actually) server
- Netflix, Hulu, HBO MAX, Apple+, Apple Music with a Jellyfin media server
- Mint (well, Mint died and was free anyway, but...) with Actual Budget

Plus I've got a little Pi-Hole DNS server running, blocking all ads on my local network, and a HomeAssistant server, which I'm not entirely sure what to do with yet, but currently has an automation to turn on a light in my office when my camera is on, so my wife knows when I'm in a meeting.

Sweet! NAS has been on my list to get and play with, but just can’t quite drop the cash when I have plenty of other things on hand I still want to master. Probably replace the 14 year old laptop first…but I use it mostly to log into my Pis and program with Arduino IDE and a couple similar programs. Should be able to limp along for a few more years. Then I will think about a NAS setup.

[Arbitrage]

The poop sensing Roomba….after a fail with our old Roomba and 1 T of 6lb dog poop in an entire downstairs full of patterned wool area rugs and hardwood floors that are “poop colored”.

The dog is old and now wears diapers, but better to be double safe than ever have that nightmare happen again.

Eww...I have a friend who had that experience as well.  She stopped using the Roomba after that.  I didn't know about the poop sensing model. 

[YK-Phil]

We don't have a lot of gadgets but our low-tech Yogourmet yogurt maker and our Borner mandolin are simply awesome. 

[Dee18]

Duxtop induction single cooktop.  I love it!  It cost about $100. I always loved a good gas stove, until I learned about the negative impact on health. The Duxtop heats water in my pour over coffee pot in 3 minutes but also works for slower cooking, like simmering soup. It doesn't take up much space at 12" x 14" x 2.5".

[BlueHouse]

Not really a gadget, but this behind-the-door cabinet has been a lifesaver for me!

https://www.cabidor.com/products/cabidor-classic

I've actually had it for a while, but when I moved into the guest room with a tiny bathroom, I needed the storage space for all my bathroom stuff. 

[GuitarStv]

I recently bought an excellent Kuhn Rikon peeler.  It was 10$ but is infinitely better than any potato/carrot peeler I've had before.