25 tech gadgets that make my life easier — from a $14 cable to a $1,049 iPad Pro
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- I've tried a ton of great tech over the past two and a half years, but some gadgets stand out way more than others.
- These are the 25 gadgets and accessories I rely on all the time, from cheap cables to Apple's latest iPad Pro.
- All of this tech offers best-in-class performance, durability, and design.
I've been a technology journalist for more than three years, and in that time, I've gotten to try the latest and greatest gadgets from big-name companies to totally new startups. All the tech I've tried has had its merits, but some gadgets stand out from the rest.
Like Apple's latest iPad Pro, which is powerful enough to handle "real" computer tasks, like photo and audio editing. Or the single cable I use to charge my Lightning, Micro-USB, and USB-C accessories.
If you're looking for your next battery pack, car charger, soundbar, or game console, you'll find the ones that I keep coming back to over and over again below.
Long durable charging cables that actually don't break
What it is: Anker Powerline+ Lightning Cable, $17.99, available at Amazon
Why I love it: I have two major problems with the charging cable companies include in the box with their tech: They're too short, and they break too easily. Anker's Powerline+ cables solve both of those issues. They're six feet long — twice the length of an average charging cable— and covered in a double-nylon braided casing.
Anker says this cable will survive up to 12,000 bends, which means it should outlast your current phone. While I mostly use Anker's Lightning cable, the Powerline+ series includes a USB-C and MicroUSB cable, too.
A cable organizer that makes traveling way easier
What it is: Twelve South CaddySack, $49.99, available at Amazon
Why I love it: I travel pretty often, and until recently, I kept all of my charging accessories in a gallon-size Zip Loc bag. Twelve South's CaddySack is a much more elegant solution. It has straps that allow me to securely keep my cables in place. I was a little skeptical about whether its zipper would stay closed if it was stuffed full, but I've never run into that issue.
Smart light bulbs I control with my phone
What it is: Philips Hue Starter Kit, $99.99, available at Amazon
Why I love it: Philips' Hue smart light bulbs were the first smart home accessories I bought, and they're still my favorite. The bulbs fit into any standard sized light fixture and connect to the internet via a hub. This starter kit includes the hub — which allows you to connect up to 50 bulbs or Hue accessories — and four bulbs.
Once they're screwed in, you set them up using Hue's app, which only takes about five minutes. After they're set up, you can control the bulbs with your phone, or a smart home hub like the Amazon Echo.
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