Shopping·14 min read

23 Smart and Handy Tech Gadgets for an Easier 2023

smart and handy tech products for an easy 2022
Design: theSkimm | Photo: Loftie
February 22, 2023

This post was originally published in February 2022 and has been updated.

Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.

Maybe it’s just us, but having a high-tech gadget in our hands makes us feel like we’re living in the movie “Smart House.” If you’re someone who loves to simplify your life with the help of electronics, listen up. We’ve rounded up some handy, smart devices to use around the house, whether it’s to make cooking easier or improve your sleep hygiene. They’ll all help you to live a smarter 2023, and trust us — once you’ve tried these items, you won't go back.

Amazon

A mini humidifier you can place anywhere…

Skincare tech gadgets for the win. This rechargeable humidifier has up to eight hours of battery life after four hours of charging. It uses ultrasonic wave technology that emits a quiet and consistent mist (no droplet sprays here), plus the option for a soft LED light so you can see what’s going on in the dark. Snag it in either white or light green, and remember to switch the filter every four to six months. Happy misting. ($59.95, Amazon)

Buy it
Amazon

A rechargeable flashlight that doubles as a night-light…

So you can be prepared for that random power outage or late-night trip to the bathroom. This compact flashlight is always ready to use. It charges while it’s plugged in and brightens your space. Its LED light is four times brighter than standard LED technology, and illuminates objects up to 30 meters away. Plus, the outlet prongs are retractable, so you can hold it comfortably. Say goodbye to tripping over what’s already behind you. ($11.98, Amazon)

Buy it
Apple

An AirTag that’ll help you avoid the daily frantic search for your go-tos…

Stop the madness with this small smart device from Apple. It attaches to any item (backpacks, wallets, etc.) and — via a one-tap setup — syncs with an iPhone or iPad. When something goes missing, the AirTag can play a sound that'll help you locate your valuables. The future is here, and it’s about to make your life easier. ($29, Apple)

Buy it at AppleBuy it at Amazon
loftie alarm clock
Loftie

An alarm clock that's also a Bluetooth speaker, night-light, and noise machine...

Loftie does it all. And with a two-phase alarm, you won't dread waking up in the morning. The first alarm gently stirs you, while the second is designed to get you out of bed. Plus, the tones are meant to be soothing. You can schedule different alarms for separate days of the week. To explore what your clock can do, you can download the compatible phone app. ($149.99, Loftie)

Buy it
sunrise alarm clock
Amazon

Or a sunrise alarm clock that makes waking up a little bit more bearable…

Because hitting snooze over and over is exhausting. And it cuts into your precious time. With seven colors to choose from, this sunrise alarm clock gradually brightens 30 minutes before your alarm. If you’re sharing with a partner or you’re just a heavy sleeper, you can set a second alarm. For all the bookworms out there, this also doubles as a reading light — perfect for winding down. ($32.88+, Amazon)

Buy it
Amazon

A personal safety alarm when you’re traveling home alone…

In a sitch where you could use an extra layer of protection? Enter: this mini alarm and strobe light. The alarm is as loud as a jet engine 100 feet overhead. It comes in a ton of bright colors so it’ll be easy to spot in your bag, but we recommend attaching it to your keys for even easier access. To activate it, simply, remove the top pin. (And then pop it back in to turn it off.) You can use it multiple times and it’ll last you up to 40 continual minutes. Each one is hand-tested and a percentage of the profits are donated to organizations that support women’s safety, shelter, and health. While you’re at it, check out more of our personal safety faves. ($29.95, Amazon)

Buy it
rechargeable lighters
Food52

A rechargeable lighter so you can kiss matches goodbye…

Lighters used to be butane or bust, but now there’s a tech-y, eco-friendly alternative. You can plug this one into an outlet and it’ll give you up to 500 uses on one charge alone. It’s slim enough to easily toss in a pocket, and it comes in tons of colors. Plus, it automatically turns off after seven seconds of use. ($7.99+, Amazon)

Buy it
milk frother
Amazon

A milk frother to give you that café feel from your own kitchen…

Your morning coffee just got a huge upgrade. Now you can make delicious foamy creamer for your latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate, and more. It features a stainless steel whisk and simple on/off button. It's so easy to use, you'll wonder why you didn't buy it sooner. ($9.79+, Amazon)

Buy it
charging power bank and hand warmer
Multitasky

A power bank that’s as cute as it is functional…

This little guy does more than just juice your device — it doubles as a hand warmer on days that are beyond freezing. No more frozen fingers that are struggling to text ‘omw.’ It’s got enough power to take you from 0% to full battery. And we adore that it’s shaped like a suitcase. ($50, Verishop)

Buy it
kegg fertility tracker and kegel ball
Kegg

A fertility tracker and kegel ball that monitors cervical fluid…

This tiny gadget can track when you’re most fertile, which is a huge benefit when you’re trying to conceive since sperm can’t survive in the vagina unless cervical fluid is present. You can start the tracking by picking a consistent two-hour time frame to take your reading each day. From there, you’ll insert the ball-shaped part inside your vagina for the process to start. With the gathered data, you’ll know when to expect your next period and when to take a pregnancy test. Overall, the test is only about two minutes long. The ball also doubles as an exercise ball for your pelvic floor muscles. ($249, Kegg)

Buy it
ember temperature controlled mug
Amazon

A coffee mug that lets you control temperature…

No more lukewarm coffee or tea. Now you can set your desired temperature from your phone. The mug will stay heated, and when you place it on the pad, it’ll charge. In one sitting, the mug can stay hot for up to one and a half hours. It’s safe to hand-wash and will look chic on any desk. ($124.75+, Amazon)

Buy it
electric wine opener and vacuum sealer
Wayfair

An electric wine opener that can also vacuum-seal bottles…

Upgrade your happy hour with this opener that can uncork up to 80 bottles in a single charge. And no — it won’t break corks in the process. If you don’t finish your bottle, just use the vacuum-sealer option to preserve freshness and flavor. Cheers to that. ($42.96, Wayfair)

Buy it
uv sanitizing box and qi-enabled phone charger
Uncommon Goods

A phone UV sanitizer and wireless charger…

When you place your phone inside, a UV light will run for three minutes to kill bacteria. Once the process is finished, you can rest your cell on top of the box’s surface for Qi-enabled charging. PS: It also works for your keys and wallet, so once you walk in the door, add a couple items to the box to get ’em clean. ($70, Uncommon Goods)

Buy it
kangaroo doorbell camera and chime
Amazon

A doorbell camera and chime so you can see who’s knocking…

When something is detected, motion photos will be sent to your phone so you can see who is visiting. When the doorbell is pressed, a chime will ring inside the house. No more peeking through the window upstairs. Now you’ll know when your package has (finally) arrived. Oh, and installation? It’s simple: The doorbell camera runs on your home’s WiFi system. ($29.99+, Amazon)

Buy it at AmazonBuy it at Walmart
smart meat thermometer
Amazon

A smart meat thermometer that’ll do the hard work for you…

Set your desired end result and the thermometer will let you know when your food has finished cooking. From rare to well done — the app lets you browse different types of foods and levels of “doneness.” Just remember to leave the thermometer in; it’ll keep reading your food and sync with its phone app so you’ll be notified when something is ready. You can charge the thermometer via the dock and keep it covered while not in use. If you’re really into your meat, we get it. There are also reminders for when to flip your food or when to turn up/down the heat. Get ready for an upgrade. ($79.99, Amazon)

Buy it
bluetooth shower speaker
Amazon

A Bluetooth shower speaker so you can belt your heart out…

All while shampooing, of course. No more leaving your phone on the sink at max volume. This speaker is 100% waterproof and will suction to the shower wall. With just the touch of a button, you can adjust volume and skip songs. ($36.42, Amazon)

Buy it
mini desktop vacuum cleaner
Amazon

A mini desktop vacuum cleaner for crumbs left on your table…

Stop wiping them onto the floor. Now with just a quick pass or two, you’ll have a clean kitchen table or desk. Pro tip: Keep one in your car to use on seats. Quick and easy. PS: peep our full review. ($13.98+, Amazon)

Buy it
phone-controlled motor that opens and closes curtains automatically
Amazon

A motor that’ll open and close your curtains for you…

It’s actually really simple: Place this cool tech gadget on your rod at the front of your curtains and sync it with the downloadable phone app. When you want your curtains closed, you can control ’em from your smart device instead of having to get up. No complicated installation or hardware needed. There’s also a useful schedule feature if you want the curtains to open and close at certain hours. ($99, Amazon)

Buy it
GPS key tags to help you find your keys and missing valuables
Amazon

A set of key finders so you can stop pulling apart the couch cushions once a week…

Add the trackers to your keys and keep the base in an obvious place in your home (we suggest the kitchen counter). When the time comes and you’ve lost your keys, press the corresponding button on the base. It will emit a beeping sound to help you locate what you’ve lost. You can attach them to phones, wallets, eyeglass cases or place them inside a backpack and purse. Plus, everything is color-coded to make it easier on you. ($18.99, Amazon)

Buy it
multi-port wall plug
Amazon

A multi-outlet wall device that’ll keep everything charged at once…

This has two USB ports and a built-in night-light and surge protector too. Think of it like an outlet hub — a simple tool that’ll optimize the power in your home. ($17.97, Amazon)

Buy it
bluetooth transmitter and receiver that'll help you connect headphones to other devices
Amazon

A wireless transmitter and receiver that lets you connect to Bluetooth…

You can use this on things like plane televisions, treadmills, and gaming devices. Whenever you’ve needed a wire in the past, now you’ll be able to connect headphones via your Bluetooth. Just attach it into your seat’s audio jack and pair it with your headphones. It charges via USB-C and it’ll last up to 20 hours on one charge. ($32.91+, Amazon)

Buy it
automatic pet feeder that can be scheduled
Petlibro

An automatic pet feeder that’s easy to set…

Have a cat that wakes you up at the crack of dawn for breakfast? Whether it be early morning or late at night, this feeder will get the job done and your pet will always be satisfied. You just need to set the feeding schedule and how much food needs to be dispensed. If your pet needs a little coaxing, you can record a message that’ll play at feeding time. If you lose power, the machine will keep running via three D-cell backup batteries. ($69.99, Petlibro)

Buy it
amazon smart plug so you can voice control devices in your home
Amazon

A plug that turns just about anything into an Alexa-enabled device…

Bring voice control to coffee makers, fans, or lamps. When you need to turn something on, it’ll be as simple as calling Alexa’s name. You can even control your items while you’re away thanks to the downloadable Alexa app. ($24.99, Amazon)

Buy it

Live Smarter

Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.