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As fall approaches, bugs and other nuisances stay away for the season, meaning you don’t have to mow your garden as often. In fact, if you prepare your home for fall with a few outdoor tools, you can enjoy the outdoors most of the day. But nothing makes your backyard feel more inviting than seasonal gadgets.
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Enhance your outdoor lifestyle setup by turning your concrete slab or deck into a sanctuary for after work or gathering with friends and family. Additionally, many backyard items can also make your off-grid camping adventures more comfortable. Based on Amazon’s top ratings and recommendations from items I’ve used myself, here are five Amazon gadgets to create a cozy backyard you’ll want to enjoy this fall. A more detailed explanation of our methodology can be found at the end of this article.
patio heater with sandbox
The air can get a little chilly on crisp fall nights, so one way to keep your backyard cozy is to have some kind of heat source on standby. Amazon sells patio heaters with sandbox capabilities that can produce up to 50,000 BTUs (BTUs, or British Thermal Units). By comparison, the Mr. Heater Big Buddy produces 4,000 to 18,000 BTUs, so this patio heater can produce powerful heat with a heating range up to 6 feet in diameter.
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However, you don’t have to worry about it getting too hot. A built-in stainless steel flat surface just below the heater allows you to place food, drinks, and even your phone. There’s also a table design on the bottom half, and a sand box that can hold a water and sand mixture weighing up to 26.45 pounds provides stability to the structure. Even if you accidentally hit the heater, there is a built-in safety mechanism that will stop the heater if it is tilted 45 degrees from the vertical. This heater can be purchased from Amazon for $180 and has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2,800 users.
solar deck light
Without proper lighting, your backyard will be a little dark once the sun goes down, creating a tripping hazard at every turn. That being said, Amazon sells some great low-profile lighting options. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 14,000 users, Solpex’s solar deck lights come in warm white lights for $40 in a 16-pack or $44 in a 20-pack. What’s unique about these lights is that they’re L-shaped, so they can be installed on railings or other decks with 90-degree shelves.
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These lights have a solar panel on the top and the bottom light sticks out below. These can be installed in two ways. Screw it onto your wooden railing or deck, or use outdoor adhesive to avoid drilling. It is important to note that these lights should be placed based on where the sun hits your backyard. Solar deck lights that do not receive direct sunlight to charge will not store enough energy at night. The company states that these lights are waterproof, but that’s not entirely true. IP44 rating means splash proof. You can use it safely outdoors even on rainy days. Just don’t soak it in water.
mini projector with portable projector screen
Whether you’ve invited a group of friends over for a viewing party or need a way to entertain the little ones all night, an affordable portable projector is the perfect way to take your TV viewing event outdoors. Amazon sells many projectors. However, very few come with a screen to display movies and shows. The TMY Mini Projector with Portable Projector Screen has a list price of $100 and has been rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by nearly 18,000 buyers.
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This projector has built-in HDMI, USB, 3.5mm headphone ports and a TF card slot, giving you endless options on how to connect your favorite video media for movie viewing. Accepts TV sticks, game consoles, smartphones, laptops, etc. Once connected, the projector offers a display of at least 32 inches and up to 220 inches with a 4:3/16:9 aspect ratio and native 720P resolution with 1080P support.
Some customers have stated that the plug for connecting the power supply to the wall is quite short. However, you can also use a secure extension cord. Additionally, the included screen is very thin. However, it is foldable, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to wash, making it ideal for transport and outdoor handling.
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propane ceramic fire pit
You can find fire pits in many backyards, but on windy nights or when fires are prohibited, it’s not always possible to use a traditional wood fire. Bali Outdoors sells a 42-inch propane ceramic fire table (a propane fire table that looks and works great) for a list price of $300. If you have a backyard or a tight budget, Bali Outdoors sells a smaller, cheaper option, the 28-inch Bali Outdoors Square Firetable, for $140.
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The large model has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating from over 6,700 buyers and is our personal recommendation. The product description states that this fire pit can reach up to 60,000 BTUs, and while we can’t guarantee that number is accurate, it’s a great way to stay warm while having fun with friends on a cold night. I can say it was helpful. The ceramic table top is also incredibly sturdy. Your drink will be stable and you won’t have to worry about it breaking even if you place your foot on it.
This table can hide an entire 20-pound propane tank inside and uses a pulse ignition system for easy lighting and adjustment. Additionally, it comes with a lid to protect your components from the elements and a 15-pound glass stone for decoration and warmth. It is recommended that you do not touch the stones while the fire is burning or immediately after the fire has started. It gets hot.
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Vanten LED Flame Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker
Bluetooth speakers are perfect for cooking in the backyard or sitting outside at night. However, standard inexpensive speakers are often very simple or have iridescent features. Amazon sells the Vanten LED Flame Outdoor Bluetooth speaker, which looks like a standard lantern with a flickering flame inside its cage. However, the top of the lantern features a speaker system with easy-to-use buttons for volume and other media options. Additionally, there is a screw hole on the bottom for pole mounting, and a handle on the top for hanging.
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The Bluetooth lantern has a 4.3 out of 5 star rating from over 1,900 users and is my personal recommendation. I’ve had one of these lights for years and it’s still one of my favorite gadgets to use at my table. Even better, the battery seems to last forever. I always charge it after using it a few times and it has never run out of battery. You can buy a two-pack for $50 and combine them for 360-degree stereo sound. The light has a very warm flickering glow that gives the very impression of a flame and is definitely relaxing.
How to choose tools to create a cozy autumn backyard
All these gadgets were selected from Amazon based on their good ratings from a decent number of users and reviewers. Each gadget has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars or higher, with at least 1,900 people sharing their experiences through ratings or reviews. We also looked through the negative reviews to make sure you have nothing to worry about. I have used some of these products in previous backyard and camper trips and have never found any negative traits in them.
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Each of these outdoor products is a piece of technology that can help transform your backyard from boring to homely. We also wanted to make sure to include gadgets that would be useful year-round or for other activities like camping or Sunday tailgating parties. However, if you really want to take your backyard experience up a notch, you can also implement some useful Raspberry Pi projects, like a smart bird feeder or a DIY weather station.
