10 most popular gadgets this year, according to thousands of readers (including surprise picks)

While are the best choice for iPhone users, Bluetooth tracker options for Android users have been somewhat limited over the years. But a few companies have stepped up to the plate to fill that void, and one of those is Chipolo. 

The Chipolo One Point key fob is very much like an AirTag, powered by a battery that lasts about a year. It’s also water-resistant to IPX5 standard (which means it’s splashproof). It’s a great tag, and goes a long way to end the frustration (and arguments) that come from things like lost keys!

Review: Finally, Bluetooth trackers for Android users that work better than AirTags (and are cheaper)

This might be one of the best USB-C accessories I’ve ever purchased. It’s a magnetic breakaway USB-C connector similar to Apple’s MagSafe connector, compatible with all your devices, from smartphones and tablets to power banks, docks, and laptops, including MacBooks that lack MagSafe. 

A magnetic breakaway USB-C connector consists of two parts: the first part is the USB-C port that plugs into the device you want to protect — be that a laptop, smartphone, charger, power bank, or other device — and the other part goes on the end of the cable you’re going to use.

I’ve got a good handful of these connectors, and I use them daily.

Review: My favorite USB-C accessory of all time got a magnetic upgrade – it’s spoiled me ever since

I like my EDC (everyday carry) gadgets, but when I travel by air, I almost always end up having to empty my pockets of a lot of useful stuff. I find it handy and convenient to have a screwdriver, scissors, and a pair of pliers close at hand, but most multitools are a no-go at airports and on commercial aircraft, often confiscated. 

But Nextool has a TSA-friendly multitool called the Mini Sailor Pliers Lite, and I’ve taken this with me on several flights with no issues whatsoever.

NexTool’s mini multitool fits the bill perfectly. It has no blade and features needle-nose pliers with wire cutters, tiny scissors, a bottle opener, a SIM extractor, and Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers. There’s also a handy keyring for attaching it to your keys. 

Review: They said I could bring this TSA-approved multitool on a plane – here’s how that went

There’s one tool that I carry with me everywhere. It lives on my keychain and is simple yet incredibly versatile, capable of handling all sorts of tasks. This tool is an absolute workhorse, from opening letters to popping open random electronic gadgets.

It’s the DottorPod Mini iSesamo Spudger. Whether I’m dealing with seams glued shut, ultrasonically welded, or just clipped shut, the Mini iSesamo Spudger can sneak into even the tiniest cracks. Once it’s in, it’s only a matter of time before the gadget pops open. 

I’ve used and abused my Mini iSesamo for over two years now. I bought the tool in March 2023, and it’s still going strong. No bends, no significant chips, no signs of quitting. The gadget is tough as nails, yet gentle enough to avoid damaging delicate components. 

Review: This $12 gadget tool is a permanent accessory on my keychain – here’s why

Multitools can cost upwards of $100, but I found a decent one that ticks all the boxes that’s only $10 at the time of this writing — a 15-in-1 multitool from the Amazon Basics line. 

It has all the usual tools, such as a knife, scissors, two screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a saw, a can opener, and a corkscrew, and even more obscure things like an ice breaker and a fish scaler.

It’s robust and well-made, and a perfect multitool to keep in the car or take camping. 

Review: I tested the $17 multitool that everyone’s buying on Amazon – here’s my verdict after a week

If you want to add extra power to your iPhone, and have it be unobtrusive, then the Torras MiniMag power bank. At only 0.3 inches thick, this makes it just a shade thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 0.35 inches, and at only 4 ounces, it’s less than half the weight of the iPhone. 

It clamps onto the iPhone solidly, with about 13N (close to 3 pounds) of force, so it stays in place on the iPhone, and actually feels like part of the iPhone.

With a capacity of 5,000mAh, this power bank is the perfect way to keep the iPhone topped up through a long day.

Review: This super thin battery keeps my iPhone charged all day long

OK, probably one of the weirdest gadgets to make it onto ZDNET — a 1080p smartphone-controlled camera that’s supposed to go into your ear and help you excavate wax buildup.

Yeah…

While I can’t confirm or deny whether I’ve stuck this in my ear at any point, that’s not why it’s on this list. This is a super-handy camera for poking into crevices, looking for water leaks, lost screws and bolts, and other stuff that might be happening outside of where I can get my eye into!

The business end of the camera is just 0.17 inches/4.3 mm in diameter, so it’s perfect for probing into random places. And the business end of the unit is IP67 rated for water and schmoo resistance, and it can be cleaned with a cloth or alcohol wipe.

For the price — $14 — this is a super-cheap camera, perfect for the toolbox or bag.

Review: The weirdest $14 gadget on Amazon I’ve found turned out to be beyond useful

The Hydra is a triple Type-C cable — one USB-C goes into the splitter box, and three USB-C cables come out. The cables support 65W, 30W, and 5W of power transfer (100W max, assuming a powerful enough input charger). 

These connectors are clearly marked — the one with the Thunderbolt logo can push out 65W, C2 handles the 30W output, and the C3 connector is ideal for low-power 5W devices such as earbuds.

The cable to the splitter box is 39 inches/1 meter long, while the charging leads coming out of the box are 20 inches/0.5 meters. The cables support all the usual charge protocols — PD 3.0, PPS, Samsung Ultra Fast Charge, Apple Fast Charge, Quick Charge 3.0/4.0, Huawei’s FCP and SCP protocols — and all the outputs can be used simultaneously.

And this cable isn’t all that expensive either — you get the 3-in-1 cable for only $39. 

Review: This unique USB-C cable powers three devices at once, and it’s my new favorite

I love thermal cameras, and I use them for all sorts of things, from identifying overheating electrical components (faulty components usually run hotter) to finding radiator pipes underneath floorboards and in walls to spotting a dangerously overheating cable behind a couch. 

The InfiRay P2 Pro consists of a tiny thermal camera and a magnetic snap-on macro lens that allows the camera to be brought super close to the item being examined. That macro lens is great for getting in really close to circuit boards to find what’s going on. The InfiRay P2 Pro comes in a version for Android and iOS (Lightning).

Review: I gave my Android phone thermal vision superpowers with this accessory

This toolkit is proof that good tools can last a long time. I bought my Wera Tool Check Plus kit back in 2015, and it’s still going strong. 

The Tool-Check Plus holds everything together in a tough polymer carry case. There’s a small 1/4-inch ratchet, a screwdriver bit holder, and a selection of bits and sockets, and everything is of the highest possible quality.

The ratchet might look small, but looks in this case are deceptive. 

There’s a screwdriver bit handle that’s ergonomic and perfect for driving screws, and there’s a selection of bits to tackle pretty much every fastener you’ll come across, and these are again some of the best of the best bits that I’ve owned. There’s also a selection of sockets, and these are color-coded and have the sized etched on them clearly, so there’s no confusion.

Yes, this kit is $100, but this is a tool that could outlast me, so I’m happy paying for quality. 

Review: This is my favorite tool kit of all time – here’s why it’s still in use 10 years later