By Todd Bernhard
I'm always looking for the best wireless charger, now that my whole household has Qi-based iPhones. The Power Pad ($60) from Case-Mate could be a contender. First, I like that it has 7.5 watts for fast charging. It accommodates phones via the included angled stand in portrait or landscape or it can be used in flat mode. It has a nice rubberized non-slip surface.
By Todd Bernhard
Traditional earbuds can pop out of your ears during a workout. That's why there's the Surge Charge ($119.99) from Rowkin. These wireless earbuds have over-the-ear grips to stay put. They also deliver noise reduction abnd have buttons for Siri, volume and playback.
By Todd Bernhard
I've used digital photo frames, almost since the beginning of digital cameras, but they often had drawbacks. Memory cards were required, which made updates a hassle. Poor quality or improperly formatted photos would ruin the experience. The PhotoSpring Digital Photo Frame ($149) is the digital picture frame I've been waiting for.
By Todd Bernhard
When I travel, I rarely check bags, because of the added expense and hassle waiting at baggage claim upon arrival. That means my clothes, toiletries, work materials, and electronics are all in my carry-on bag. So I try to travel as light as possible. I suppose I could use earbuds, but those don't do a good job of blocking out noise, especially on an airplane. Fortunately, Wicked Audio sent me the Enix Wireless Headphones ($64.99) to try. They are quite lightweight and fold flat for travel.
By Todd Bernhard
You could spend a lot for a pair of Bluetooth headphones, but you don't need to thanks to the W830BT ($79.99 on sale for $69.99) from Edifier. For under $80 you get over-ear headphones, which I prefer because they do a good job of blocking out external noise. The synthetic leather is comfortable and the flexible stainless steel helps it keep its form.
By Todd Bernhard
I've tried several smart door locks over the years and, while such devices can be quite convenient, there are often compromises. Not so with the Assure Lock SL ($169) from Yale. I really liked how heavy duty and well made the equipment is. The Assure Lock SL is sold in assorted finishes (satin nickel, polished brass, or oil rubbed bronze) so it should fit in with most homes. It also sports a compact, elegant touchscreen that makes it easy to lock the door on your way out; just tap the keypad as opposed to hunting for a lock button.
By Todd Bernhard
The box that the Viotek FastPad ($34.95) ships in doesn't do it justice. While the box is the size of a box for a large iPhone 8 Plus, what's inside is remarkably small and thin. The FastPad is a Qi charger but it's smaller and thinner than any others out there. Despite its small size, the FastPad delivers fast wireless charging, making it the ideal charging pad when you need a quick charge.
By Todd Bernhard
I had the opportunity to serve as a judge at IHS Markit Innovation Awards during ShowStoppers at CES in Las Vegas this past January. The product that I and the other judges voted for was the X5 Car Charger ($24.99) from RapidX. It's a simple concept, but well-executed.
By Todd Bernhard
I have room-darkening shades at home, but I still need to use a sleep mask many times to block out all the light. My daughter also likes to fall asleep to music, and she has broken many high-end headphones (and even an iPad) in the process. Fortunately for people like us, 1 Voice has a number of products to help, including the Sleep Headphones Eye Mask ($49–$59).
By Todd Bernhard
It's hard to get excited about a Lightning cable. Apple includes one with its compatible devices, although it's easily frayed, and third parties sell versions for about $10. So why pay more for the Vinpok Duo 2 ($24.99)? Because the Vinpok Duo 2 has a number of features the others don't including one special secret.