10 Best Technology Gadgets to Solve Real-World Problems in 2024

Apple AirTags are a well-known lost item finder, but they only work on iPhones and lack interactive discovery, a key feature supported by Tiles. This means that in addition to using your phone to find tiles attached to things like keychains and wallets, you can also use tiles to find your misplaced phone. (Even when set to silent, it still rings loudly.) Plus, it’s compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones. If you’ve ever felt the slightest bit of frustration about misplacing something, you owe it to yourself to start using a tracker like this.

Anyone who drinks coffee or tea for more than a few minutes knows the pain of drinking a lukewarm or cold cup. It would take a trip to the microwave and an ill-fated attempt to get it back to drinkable temperature. The battery-powered Ember Mug keeps your drink at the exact temperature you want for over an hour. There is no doubt that it is an expensive item, but it is also one of my most important possessions. Once you experience the joy of perfectly heated coffee from first sip to last, you’ll never go back.

Modern mobile phones tend to have larger screens, making it difficult to operate them with one hand. It may also become uncomfortable if you hold it for long periods of time, such as when reading a book or watching a video. iPhone users should check out the MagOne, which attaches magnetically to the back and offers both a silicone finger grip and a foldable stand. The former allows for a more comfortable grip (reducing the chance of accidentally dropping it), and the stand allows you to prop the screen up vertically or horizontally. Make sure your iPhone or iPhone case supports MagSafe for a secure magnetic connection.

Storms and other events can knock out power for hours or even days. To keep your phone charged, your internet running, and more, consider a power plant like this one from EcoFlow. This is a solid mid-sized model with plenty of ports and plenty of features to run small appliances. It takes only 70 minutes to fully charge from an AC outlet. You can also keep it powered off-grid with an optional solar panel.

Are you trying to get work done? It can be tough when you’re surrounded by noise from the street, kids playing, leaves constantly blowing. The solution: Top-notch active noise canceling headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5. Sony’s over-ear cans automatically adjust to your environment and adjust their noise cancellation accordingly. Plus, you get premium sound and up to 30 hours of battery life. The sanity you save may be your own.

If you want something smaller to block out noise, look no further than Apple AirPods Pro, which offer industry-leading ANC in compact wireless earbuds.

Photo albums were perfect for taking dozens of new photos every year. Now I do it almost every week. So what to do with those precious memories stored on your new phone or old albums? Simple: Transfer them to a digital photo frame and enjoy a rolling slide show every time you walk around the room. Nixplay’s stylish frame holds an unlimited number of photos (!), and its energy-saving sensor dims the screen until motion is detected. Please note that most of your photos are stored in the cloud, so a constant internet connection is required.

A good in-flight entertainment system won’t help much if you’re using wireless earbuds like Apple AirPods. Because most planes now have wired headphone jacks. That’s all you need for expensive noise-cancelling earphones, right? Wrong: AirFly connects to a 3.5mm audio jack and pairs with AirPods and other wireless earbuds and headphones. This is not limited to airplanes. If you own a Nintendo Switch, you’ve probably been hoping for a wireless audio option. This one.

There are actually two problems with this. TV audio is often difficult to hear due to the size (small) and position (downward or rear facing) of the speakers. But there’s also the problem of hearing speech, which becomes more difficult as the ear ages. This soundbar not only amplifies sound (and directs it toward you), but also uses Zvox’s AccuVoice technology to electronically boost your interactions. It offers six levels of audio enhancement, making it especially useful for people with some degree of hearing loss. There’s also an output leveling feature designed to reduce the annoying volume of commercials.

Pouch piracy is a big problem, and while video doorbells can’t physically stop thieves from stealing packages, their presence alone can act as a deterrent. At the very least, it can alert you when it detects movement and even record it for later viewing by police if necessary. Ring makes some of the most popular doorbells on the market. It has a built-in rechargeable battery, so you can install it just about anywhere (including outside your apartment door, where doorbell wiring likely doesn’t exist). Plus, it supports two-way audio, so if you’re alerted to an unexpected presence on your porch, you can still say, “Can I help you?” And if possible, try to scare away the thief.

If you ask a plumber your scary stories, they’ll probably listen. A burst pipe in your villa, a water leak that happened while you were on vacation, etc. Even the smallest leak can result in a hefty repair bill. So I installed these water sensors under sinks, near water heaters, behind washing machines, and other strategic locations. It detects water on the floor or dripping from above and alerts you in three ways: an audible alarm, an app notification, or even an email. I’ve already discovered two leaks in my house that may have gone unnoticed. This is the very definition of “an ounce of prevention” and is affordable to boot.