I test tech products for a living and these are the 12 items I can't live without

When I settle in for my hour of reading before bed, I want a distraction-free, eye-friendly experience. That's the whole point of choosing a Kindle over, say, an e-reader app on your phone. Paper-like display, no text messages or TikTok videos clamoring for your attention.

This 11th-generation model has enough storage for thousands of books, plus a sharp front-lit screen and a dark mode for even more comfortable nighttime reading. (Your partner will thank you, too, because there's a lot less glow from the screen.)

Read my complete Amazon Kindle review to learn more.

I've tested a lot of wireless earbuds over the years, including the latest premium models from Bose and Sony, and I've yet to find a pair I like better than Apple's AirPods Pro. They're comfortable, they sound superb, they're amazing at blocking bothersome noise, and get this: They're a bargain!

Well, sort of: Although the list price is $249, AirPods Pro are almost always on sale for $199 — sometimes even less. Contrast that with Bose, Sony and Sennheiser 'buds, most of which sell for $299.

Icing on the cake: Amazing spatial audio, adaptive noise-canceling and a wireless charging case that also supports USB-C (buh-bye, Lightning!).

Read my complete Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) review to learn more.

After the Ember Mug (see below), this is probably the second thing I grab if the house catches fire. The Walden frame displays a running slideshow of precious memories, and it makes me happier than just about anything else in my home.

This particular model, which I consider the best digital picture frame, has a big, bright screen and unlimited cloud storage — with no annoying monthly fees. What's more, it's great for gifting, as you can preload photos ahead of time and even configure it for the recipient's Wi-Fi network.

It's on the pricey side, though. If you don't want to invest this much, try the YinQiDeer 10.1-inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame, which lists for just $70 and is often discounted even lower. It's a very good basic frame that can generate the same levels of precious-memory happiness.

I know it's a first-world problem of the highest order, but I hate when my coffee turns cold before I finish drinking it. With Ember's self-heating mug, the temperature stays exactly where I like it for well over an hour. No more trips to the microwave, no more pouring hot coffee over cold just for a warm-up.

Yes, it's an expensive item, and this is just the 10-ounce version; the 14-ounce costs even more. But words can't adequately express how much I love my Ember mug. If you drink coffee (or tea), you'll love it too.

Read more: The best self-heating coffee mugs for 2024

Reality bites. Virtual reality, on the other hand, rocks. Whether I'm looking to escape to a private beach, play a virtual game of pickleball or pretend to be Iron Man, all I have to do is don Meta's 3rd-generation headset and I'm there.

Folks, this tech has gotten really, really good. And the Quest 3 adds mixed reality to the, er, mix, meaning some experiences take place in your living room (think: aliens breaking through the ceiling) or on your dining-room table (think: a Lego puzzle game). 

Can't swing the $499 price tag? The Meta Quest 2 is still available and it's only $199. You don't get the mixed-reality capabilities, but you'll still have a ton of fun. I've grown bored with game consoles, but I can't get enough Quest-powered VR.

I ship a few packages every month, and while that quantity is small compared to some, I can't go back to the old way of doing shipping labels — not when a thermal printer like this cranks them out in seconds.

No ink needed; just feed a stack of 4x6-inch peel-and-stick labels and you're set. (It works with lots of other sizes as well.) This particular model isn't just for PCs and Macs; it also supports wireless Bluetooth printing from your phone or tablet.

I've used a similar printer for several years; it's incredibly convenient and a major time-saver.

When I set out to upgrade my TV's terrible speakers, I wanted a surround-sound system that was a breeze to use — and found it in Roku's Streambar Pro bundle, which includes not only a feature-rich soundbar, but also a thumping wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers.

In addition to the big, room-filling 5.1 sound afforded by this setup, I get Roku's premium streamer (basically a Roku Ultra baked into the soundbar). That gives me an excellent app-powered interface and one of the best remotes of any soundbar.

Granted, there's no Dolby Atmos in the mix, but I don't miss it. Instead, I enjoy superb surround sound and a great streaming experience to boot. 

Read more: The best soundbars for 2024

Losing stuff sucks. That's why I recommend a Tile Pro tracker for every keychain, purse, bag and so on. If something goes missing, just fire up the Tile smartphone app to help locate it.

Even better: If the phone itself goes missing, just double-press the button on the Tile Pro and the phone will ring — even if it's set to silent. (That incredibly useful feature isn't supported by Apple AirTags.) I speak from experience: Tile trackers are indispensable.

Read more: The best item trackers for finding your lost stuff