HuffPicks is HuffPost’s shopping awards. This “seal of approval” showcases a mix of expert-backed recommendations, problem-solving products and things that HuffPosters endorse and use every day – all within categories that we know our readers love and shop. You can see all of our winners here.
The best tech isn’t necessarily the most expensive, minimal, newest or aesthetically pleasing Thing out there. No. It’s all about functionality. Good tech should make our lives easier, more streamlined, and occasionally, even quite literally painless.
That’s at the crux of our tech coverage here at HuffPost; items that add value to your life, simplifying everyday tasks and, somehow, all without breaking the bank.
Below, you’ll find 10 tech products that our readers and editors can’t live without. Add them to your repertoire and we don’t doubt it’ll make your life much, much easier.
A portable flameless lighter you'll use again and again
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars at Amazon
Fire? Pfft – how primitive. The future is now and we light our candles with electricity. Suprus' windproof electric lighter is a genius invention that saves users from relying on butane, disposable BICs and matchstick after matchstick, instead replacing it with an easy-to-use plasma coil. That plasma is strong enough to light wicks, grills and more, and when it's out of juice, you can just recharge it via USB-C.
Senior staff writer Lourdes Avila Uribe (who owns and ardently endorses the device) explains how it works: “All you do is slide open the safety lock and press a button that ignites a spark. The lighter has an auto-stop safety function that stops the spark after seven seconds, and can swiftly be re-ignited by pushing down on the switch once more. As a worrier, I appreciate that it has an intuitive, thoughtful design that emphasizes safety.”
With a slightly astonishing 46,000+ ratings on Amazon, this device is clearly an upgrade for thousands of customers. Reviewers love that it “works regardless of the elements and wind” and that it “lights candles like a pro.”
A hands-free wearable fan for keeping completely cool when it's warm outside
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars at Amazon
During those warmer months, nothing beats on-the-go cooling. HuffPost readers are partial to this Jisulife neck fan that, yes, looks silly, but is a messiah for when it's sweltering out, whether you're at Disney, the beach or walking on your commute to work. (Heck, even Lupita Nyong’o was spotted wearing a similar one.) This thing is perfect for when your neck sweat just won’t let up. It's good for 5Ks and jogs. Some even say it's useful for hot flashes (like the reviewers in our roundup of products for people who run hot).
Simply put it around your neck and choose one of the three wind settings: weak wind, natural wind or strong wind. Since it’s bladeless and wireless, you don’t have to deal with any annoying wires that would get in the way or tangle in your hair. It's got 78 ventilation holes and has a battery life of 4-16 hours depending on which wind setting you’re using. It's rechargeable, too, and comes with a USB-C charging cable. Get it in multiple colors, including green, pink, yellow, silver and dark blue.
Smart plugs that are so convenient, one HuffPoster owns 10 of them
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars at Amazon
It's rare to find a tech device that's so useful yet so affordable, but Kasa Smart's mini smart plugs are exactly that. A favorite of former HuffPost senior editor Janie Campbell and a frequent bestseller amongst HuffPost readers, these small adapters turn your everyday outlet into an automated smart one with a simple plug in and WiFi connection. They're so useful that Campbell bought 10 (!!!).
“Turning every outlet in your home into one you can control by app or voice assistant opens up a world of possibilities,” Campbell previously wrote. “I have houseplants under grow lights in darker corners of my home, and can turn those on and off even if I’m halfway around the world. I can put them on a schedule when I travel, but still turn that schedule off if someone needs to stay in my apartment. […] Beyond automation and energy savings, I also use one so that I can turn a lamp on without having to strain to reach behind my couch to find its switch. For hard-to-reach outlets or behind-furniture outlets, they are an absolute game-changer. I can think of a thousand more uses.”
Reviewers agree, with many saying these are absolute game-changers for home automation, and it's so easy, you won't have to hover over an instruction manual to set it up. “I used the Kasa app to initially establish connectivity to the devices and then to setup an automation between the two,” says one user. “No home automation is required.”
Once that connection is established, you can link it with Alexa or Google Home for voice commands, plus you can set each individual plug on its own schedule. It's also nifty for those moments you'd like to set the ambiance before you arrive home (switching the lights, prepping a coffee maker, etc.), or even for safety reasons, like forgetting to turn off a home appliance before heading out the door.
See for yourself why these are so beloved and grab one for yourself (but we highly suggest getting a four-pack).
A pressurized steam cleaner for using on anything, from your bathroom to your clothing
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars at Amazon
Yes, it's possible to clean your home without chemicals, scrubbing or even hunching over the bathtub to save yourself from back pain. Enter the Steamify's pressurized steam cleaner, which flips the script on cleaning with just water and heat. It tackles dirt, soap scum, grime and bacteria, saving you time and money just by steaming it all away. Whether it’s your floors, sinks or showers, steam reaches into all the nooks and crannies with no harsh chemicals needed.
This compact powerhouse comes with a 12-piece accessory set and a 9.8-foot cord, making it a cinch to clean everything from countertops to tile (and even your grills and appliances). Just fill it with up to 350 milliliters of water, turn it on, and in three to five minutes, you’re ready to go with 230-degree pressurized steam. The included brush helps with stubborn messes, and the window squeegee and nozzle reach even the tightest of spots. You can even use it to steam wrinkles out of clothing!
A MagSafe Apple charger that HuffPost readers buy obsessively
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars at Amazon
Everybody knows it’s best to use proprietary Apple products to charge their Apple devices (or so says the company) when maintaining optimal battery life. While that doesn’t stop some HuffPost readers from resorting to off-brand options — and hey, there are some decent ones — it’s widely accepted that Apple still makes the best of the best.
The official Apple MagSafe charger is a little gadget with a 1-meter-long cord that wirelessly charges those pocketable Apple devices (with the exception of the AirPods 4) just by setting it on its dock. Several reviewers say the Apple MagSafe charger provides fast wireless charging and its magnetic backing ensures that Apple products snap into alignment when docked.
It’s not bulky, either; this is just a 1-meter cord that can plug into your MacBook or a USB-C port and a small charging hub fit for iPhone 12 up to the latest iPhone 16 and any Apple AirPods with charging cases, excluding the AirPods 4. The MagSafe Charger charges up to 15W when paired with a 20W power adapter.
A spin brush that's so powerful, you'll never need elbow grease
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars at Amazon
Whether at the kitchen sink or the bathtub, cleaning away soap scum and grime is a pain — and quite literally if you experience back or mobility issues. We love pain-saving cleaning products, and as far as cleaning power is concerned, electric scrubbers are true powerhouses. Not only can they cut your cleaning time in half, but they can also prevent pruney, soapy hands and better wash those hard-to-reach areas with less manual arm strain from you.
If that sounds like heaven to you, you're not alone; Daesung's spin brush is one of HuffPost reader's biggest and bestest sellers ever. So many Amazon reviewers reviewers say this spin scrubber can be handy when cleaning grout, sinks, faucets, hard floors, stoves and more, and many say that it’s quite strong despite being a compact device.
Another shocking selling point: it’s waterproof, so you can run it under water after cleaning the grime off of a stovetop or your tub. After charging its rechargeable battery, simply attach one of the five included scrubbing heads, turn it on, set it to one of two speeds and scrub away. One reviewer calls it so powerful, “It’s like having a professional cleaning service right in the palm of my hand.”
A portable car battery charger that’s loved by HuffPost readers
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars at Amazon
No one really expects their car battery to tap out on them, but it’s always a possibility. And when it’s swelteringly hot or icy cold outside, the last thing you want is to be stranded with a vehicle that won’t start. Luckily, we found a solution that many HuffPost readers and editors love with this portable car jump starter by Halo since we first covered it back in 2022.
If you don’t have a service like AAA on standby or don’t feel like waiting for an unknown amount of time for someone to come rescue you, having this handheld gadget can be a lifesaver. (Reviewers concur: “Car battery had drained and I was sitting around waiting over an hour for AAA when someone said ‘wait… I have a Halo!’ This small charger jumped the car first try,” wrote MaryEllen on Amazon.) Not only can it revive a full-sized car or SUV with its included mini jumper cables, it also has a bright built-in floodlight in case you’re stuck at night on a dark road, plus additional USB ports to charge your other electronics (yes, it's also a power bank).
A portable, pocketable charger that our editorial director buys for everyone
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars at Amazon
Most of us have experienced the panic, annoyance or anxiety about a dead smartphone while we’re out and need it the most. As a safety net, we highly suggest grabbing the iWalk, a revered portable charger that's affordable, compact, fast and pocketable.
“I simply cannot be unprepared and disconnected, whether I’m on a train that’s been stranded or at the U.S. Open grounds, which are notorious for sapping your phone’s battery," editorial director Kristen Aiken previously wrote of the handy device. “This thing is small enough to stash in my purse and keeps a charge that’ll last me a couple days, which keeps my anxiety levels at bay. I’ve since bought it for my mom and my best friend so they never have an excuse not to receive my texts.”
This small-but-mighty gadget is a big seller with HuffPost readers, and is loved its fast and powerful charge, without needing any extra cords or outlets to use. Compatible with most cell phones supporting a USB-C input, this pocket-sized power bank takes just an hour and half to charge and can juice up your phone anywhere from 20% to 60% in only 30 minutes. It's also got an LED display which shows you how much recharging power the iWalk has left, so you’re never left guessing. Don't get caught in public without one!
A mattress vacuum to get rid of that invisible dirty and dusty mattress grime
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars at Amazon
Sorry to tell you, but your bed is gross.
The average mattress “can have thousands of dust mites that produce millions of droppings,” Dr. Manal Mohammed, a medical microbiologist and senior lecturer at London’s University of Westminster, previously told HuffPost. These mites feed on your dead skin cells, sweat, food crumbs and sweat. Terrifying bugs aside, mattresses are also prone to mold and fungi due to their ability to hold moisture and warmth.
Disgusting, yeah, but don’t burn your mattress yet. Clean it the right way. Mohammed says one way to combat your germy bedtime woes is to clean your bed with a mattress-designated vacuum cleaner with a UV light. These handheld devices glide over the surface, vibrating to loosen dirt, sucking up time particles and trapping them in a HEPA filter.
But of the favorites, one is king: the Hersven mattress vacuum cleaner. Per one reviewer, it’s super satisfying “seeing all that gunk and grime being sucked away before your very eyes,” and several more say this one sucks up the invisible nasty bits you might've never noticed. It's a reader-favorite, and it's highly-recommended pick from us at HuffPost Shopping.
A hands-free reading light that'll brighten the pages without disturbing your sleeping buddy
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars at Amazon
Rechargeable, hands-free reading lights are among the most popular HuffPost reader buys during the gift-giving seasons, and — please, excuse the pun — it's not hard to see why. These things are useful. This particular one from Glocusent lets you read, work or craft with completely free hands. It's also bendy, so you concentrate that light directly on a specific page or task so you can view it clearly, even in the dark. This has been a huge winner with HuffPoster readers since we first covered it back in 2023.
Reading aside, reviewers sing its praises as a nifty item to have on during knitting, cross-stitching, camping, home improvement projects and more. It’d be useful for anyone who generally needs good, hands-free lighting; it even makes for an excellent hands-free flashlight, according to one reviewer. (It’s also great for reading on planes.) Speaking of reviews, they’re pretty astonishing – the product boasted 133,000+ reviews at Amazon the last time we counted.
Plus — and this is huge — you’ll be able to read in bed without disturbing a sleeping bed partner, since unlike traditional reading lights that broadly project light, this focuses illumination directly on and closely to your page or phone. Its arms are adjustable and super bendy so you can get exactly the right fit, and you can choose between six brightness levels and three hues depending on whether you want an extra-bright or a dimmer glow. Grab it in one of seven colors and enjoy up to a whopping 80 hours of illumination.