The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (2024)

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (1)

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It's hard to stay up to date with the ever-growing, forever-changing tech space. But luckily for you, that's where we come in. We're constantly testing new products, researching recent trends in the tech space, and updating our list of cool gadgets accordingly.

The annual consumer tech launch cycle began this past January at CES — a massive industry event that highlights the latest innovation and emerging trends in the tech space, where leading brands showcase products that will upgrade your home office, transform any living room into a legit home theater, step up your gaming setup, and improve your wellness routine — all while keeping you safe and sane. Throughout the year, leading tech giants like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Samsung, to name a few, hold separate events to showcase their own creations. Therefore, keeping tabs on and evaluating every new tech product that hits the shelves is a full-time job.

We feel that tech gadgets are all about making your life easier and more enjoyable. For this list, we reviewed new product releases from leading makers in countless tech and gadget categories, as well as revisited long-term favorites to see if they still make the cut.

From true wireless earbuds to smart home appliances to tech products for parents, here are the coolest gadgets available right now. In addition to great personal upgrades, all these products double as foolproof tech gift options for friends and family members.

1

A Beautiful Smart Wallet

Ekster RFID Blocking Leather Wallet

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The Ekster Parliament is a smart bifold wallet with RFID coating (to protect against identity theft) and a patented mechanism that ejects cards from its aluminum storage pocket with the press of a button. It has space for at least ten cards, as well as a strap for carrying cash and receipts.

Ekster has crafted the wallet from high-quality leather that comes in a multitude of colors. An optional Bluetooth tracker for the wallet is also available — this ultra-thin gadget has a maximum range of 200 feet, and it is powered by light, so it never needs a battery.

More: The Best iPhone Wallet Cases

2

Best Laptop Cleaning Tool

OXO Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (3)

I’ve been swearing by this tiny laptop accessory by OXO to keep my laptop spotless since I impulsively bought one more than a year ago. The affordable gadget packs a microfiber pad and a retractable soft brush.

The microfiber pad mentioned above is handy for removing smudges from the screen of a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or any other gadget. On the other hand, the brush makes cleaning a keyboard fast and effortless.

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3

A High-Tech Home Decor Upgrade

Meural Canvas II Smart Art Frame

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The Meural Canvas II smart art frame can display iconic artworks from museums around the world or family memories via a sophisticated display with a matte finish. The screen makes the connected gadget look like a real picture, not a tech device, ensuring it can instantly fit into any home decor arrangement. You or the giftee can choose the content to display via a companion app.

You can order the Meural Canvas II is two sizes and various frame colors. The latter include black, white, or wood finishes.

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4

Best Tech Pouch

Peak Design Tech Pouch

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (5)

The Peak Design Tech Pouch is a stylish and exceptionally made accessory that's a must-have for frequent travelers. It has enough pockets and compartments for small gadgets, charging cables, memory cards, and any other accessories you might own.

Peak Design has crafted the exterior of this tech pouch using recycled nylon with a weatherproof finish. There are several colors to pick from: black, charcoal, bone, midnight, and sage green.

The AnkerMake M5 is our top 3D printer recommendation for most consumers because it can crank out complex objects at best-in-class speed, including elaborate ones that use multiple filament materials. The splurgeworthy product is also elegant and easy to operate via a touchscreen and a companion app.

Other noteworthy features of the AnkerMake M5 include a built-in camera for keeping an eye on the progress of your prints and a die-cast aluminum structure that’s sleek and sturdy in equal measure.

More: The Best 3D Printers of the Year

6

Best Camera for Adventurers

GoPro HERO12 Black Waterproof Action Camera

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (8)

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (9)

Now 21% Off

The HERO12 Black by GoPro is better than its predecessor and the best action camera out there. It's compact, easy to operate, and full of connectivity features. It can capture incredibly smooth 5.3K video that's sharper than 4K and 27MP still images. It can also livestream your adventures.

Like every GoPro that precedes it, the HERO12 Black has the best video stabilization tech in its class. It can go up to 33 feet underwater without a protective case. It is compatible with a robust selection of original and third-party accessories.

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7

Best Charging Station

Anker Prime 6-in-1 Charging Station

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (10)

This charging station by Anker is the best I have experienced yet because it's sleek, compact, and incredibly versatile. It packs a duo of AC outlets, a pair of fast USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports. Such an abundance of outputs ensures the accessory can power up just about any gadget you or the giftee own — from a desktop computer to a smartphone and tablet, all the way to smaller gadgets.

One of my favorite bits about the charging station is its built-in color display for keeping tabs on the charging process of its USB ports. With a slim profile and a removable cable, the accessory is also a perfect travel companion.

8

Best Battery Pack for iPhone Users

Anker MagGo Qi2 Power Bank

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This MagGo magnetic power bank by Anker supports the latest Qi2 wireless charging standard, ensuring it can charge the latest iPhones faster than a standard MagSafe battery pack. The essential accessory has a battery pack with 10,000 mAh capacity, so it can recharge an iPhone and have plenty of power to spare for other gadgets. A USB-C port for fast wired charging is also available.

We like the gadget’s onboard color display for keeping tabs on the charging process and its battery capacity. Its integrated viewing stand is super convenient, too.

9

Best Open-Ear Headphones

Soundcore AeroFit Pro Open-Ear Headphones

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Once a niche subcategory with only a few products worth buying, open-ear wireless earphones without ear tips have become a popular form factor, with many options now available. Open-ear earphones are perfect for outdoor exercising and commuting because they allow you to always be aware of your surroundings.

The Soundcore AeroFit Pro open-ear earphones are the best worth your attention. Available in several colors, the product has a sleek and durable design, comfy fit, top-tier sound that’s customizable via an app, and up to 14 hours of battery life.

More: The Best Open-Ear Headphones Out Today

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10

For the One Who Likes to Be Prepared

HOTO Flashlight Lite

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (13)

This compact flashlight became an instant favorite of ours by offering an elegant aluminum build, incredible versatility, excellent battery life, and a USB-C connector for recharging it. Thanks to a bundled light diffuser, the handy gadget can quickly transform from a high-powered flashlight with stellar zoom capabilities to a lamp to use while camping or on the road.

We like the flashlight’s integrated hook for attaching it to items. Its intuitive button controls include an SOS button for use during emergencies.

11

For the One on the Go

Anker Prime 20K Power Bank

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (14)

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (15)

Now 23% Off

Remarkably, the Prime 20K Power Bank by Anker can charge two laptops via a pair of fast USB-C connectors with a maximum power output of 140 watts. It has a battery pack with ample capacity and, rather impressively, a color screen to help you keep tabs on the charging process. The accessory rocks a USB-A connector, so you can simultaneously charge up to three devices.

12

Best Robot Vacuum Under $500

roborock Q5 Pro Robot Vacuum and Mop

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The reasonably priced (for a robot vacuum) Roborock Q5 Pro boasts excellent cleaning capabilities, quiet operation, and clever room-mapping tech. It is one of the best for most consumers and the one to get on a sub-$500 budget.

Robot control comes via a bundled remote, a mobile app, or Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. The connected home gadget can clean for up to a rather astounding 4 hours between trips to its charging dock.

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13

Instant EDC Upgrade

DANGO PRODUCTS D03 Dapper Bifold EDC Wallet

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The D03 Dapper bifold wallet by Dango Products is an everyday accessory that effortlessly combines cool design, exceptional craftsmanship, and perfect usability. Made in the U.S. from machined aluminum, water-resistant DTEX, and genuine leather (in black or brown), the D03 wallet has space for up to 14 cards and cash.

You can order the badass wallet with a satin silver or jet-black aluminum chassis. Dango backs the product with a lifetime warranty.

14

A Headphone Legend Reimagined

Beats Solo 4 Wireless Headphones

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The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (19)

The Beats Solo 4 wireless on-ear headphones are a follow-up to a legendary product that's been on the shelves for almost a decade. The new iteration brings welcome sound improvements, headlined by support for immersive spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, as well as longer battery life (up to 50 hours). Support for lossless audio is also on board.

Of course, the Solo 4 headphones also have an instantly recognizable design and comfy on-ear fit with convenient controls. You can order a set in black, blue, or pink.

15

For Those Who Need a Restful Routine

Hatch Restore 2 Smart Alarm Clock

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (20)

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (21)

The Hatch Restore 2 alarm clock is a high-tech nightstand upgrade we vouch for. The nifty gadget’s built-in light can simulate a sunrise for gentle wake-ups and deliver relaxing ambient sounds alongside a sunset-like glow to aid in falling asleep. The device can even help you get a deeper sleep by masking ambient sounds with white noise.

Integrated touch controls are handy for browsing a rich selection of lighting and sound experiences. Being a smart clock, the Restore 2 has an intuitive companion app for managing its features and settings.

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16

The Ultimate WFH Space Organizer

Logitech Casa Pop Up Desk

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (22)

The Casa pop-up desk by Logitech is an awesome new laptop accessory that's tailor-made for space-starved remote workers and on-the-go professionals. The do-everything accessory consists of a stand that will lift the laptop to eye level to optimize comfort, as well as a wireless keyboard and touchpad. Combined, the accessories will allow you or a giftee to create a full-blown workstation just about anywhere.

Impressively, the keyboard and trackpad have dedicated storage slots in the laptop stand. When folded, the Casa pop-up desk is about the size of a large notepad.

17

Best Budget MP3 Player

Mechen M3 Touchscreen MP3 Player

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This touchscreen-equipped MP3 player offers a sleek design, stellar audio performance, great battery life, expandable storage, and convenient controls, all at a fantastic under-$50 price point.

The M3 portable audio player has a 2.4-inch touchscreen, 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity. Other noteworthy features include a built-in speaker, FM radio, and a voice recorder.

18

Best Laptop Backpack

Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus (Second Edition)

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The latest Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus is a must-have for on-the-go gearheads with a beautiful design and ample storage space with plenty of compartments. With a maximum capacity of 24 liters, the backpack has enough space for a big-screen laptop (there’s a dedicated zippered compartment) alongside a tablet and other everyday items.

Like all products from the brand, the Classic Backpack Plus has exceptional craftsmanship and tactility. You can order it in six colors: ash, black, bronze, navy blue, green, slate (pictured here), and saltbush. Save for the last-mentioned one, all color options have genuine leather accents.

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19

Most Rugged MagSafe Wallet

Pelican MagSafe Wallet & Card Holder

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (25)

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (26)

The Pelican MagSafe wallet is the most rugged, most dependable option for carrying your essential cards alongside your iPhone. Its snap-on magnets are the strongest in its class, meaning that it won’t separate from your iPhone in case you drop it.

Impressively, the rugged case is also IPX4 water-resistant. As expected from a Pelican product, its hardshell exterior has a sturdy closure.

20

The Ultimate iPad

Apple iPad Pro (M4)

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The all-new iPad Pro is Apple's sleekest, most advanced touchscreen slate yet and the absolute best big-screen tablet worth your attention, regardless of the platform. The thoroughly revamped Pro has a strikingly thin design, best-in-class hardware specs that include Apple's latest M4 chip and captivating Ultra Retina XDR display, and a performance to match.

Apple offers the slate with an 11- and a 13-inch screen in silver or space black. The latest iPad Pro also arrived alongside a new Apple Pencil Pro and a metal-clad Magic Keyboard with a haptic trackpad.

Apple iPad Pro with M4 Chip Review

The Coolest Tech Gadgets We’ve Tested So Far This Year (2024)

FAQs

Why do I always want the latest tech? ›

The conventional wisdom often says it is mainly to signal status or power. But, according to a recent study, that isn't always accurate. Instead, the study found, tech lovers often buy the latest gadget because they want to learn about new technologies.

What is the number one gadget in the world? ›

According to a recent report published in 2024, mobile phones top the list of the most popular electronics, worldwide. The data shows that pretty much all (97.8%) consumers own mobile phones.

What is the most useful gadget that you own? ›

You can do whatever you want, if you have laptop or tablet and cell phone you have an access to everything you need actually. I would state that mobile phones and computers are the ,most useful devices.

What is the latest AI gadget in 2024? ›

The Garmin's AI-Powered Smartwatch, known for its high-quality fitness trackers and smartwatches, is expected to release an AI-powered smartwatch in 2024. This device will likely feature advanced health tracking, personalized coaching, and seamless integration with other Garmin devices and services.

What is the next tech trend? ›

Generative AI (gen AI) has been a standout trend since 2022, with the extraordinary uptick in interest and investment in this technology unlocking innovative possibilities across interconnected trends such as robotics and immersive reality.

Is tech still booming? ›

Yes, the tech industry continues to expand. More than 4.9 million Americans work in computer occupations, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the industry is expected to see a 14.2% projected job growth from 2022 to 2032.

What is the oldest gadget in the world? ›

The abacus is an ancient calculating tool that was widely used in parts of Asia until recent decades.

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