Todd Bernhard

You might not get excited by something as mundane as a USB-C A/C adapter, but in this case, you should. The future is USB-C, which gives you greater compatibility, faster charging, and a reversible plug. Apple has embraced USB-C for its MacBooks and the Pro version of its iPads. It's likely that future iPhones will join the party as well. But, you get a USB-C adapter with your MacBook so what's the big deal about the Omnia 100W PD Fast Charger ($54.99) that Aukey sent me to try?

We are all trying to stay healthy and one way to protect yourself is to sanitize items you touch frequently, especially your smartphone. The folks at ZAGG, owners of InvisibleShield, among other brands, have been shipping alcohol wipes with their screen protectors, so it was a no-brainer to offer Disinfecting Wipes (starting at $4.99) on their own.

It is easy to dismiss the Plankster ($99) from Stealth Body Fitness as a child's toy if you don't pay attention. Given the sub-$100 price tag, you might think it is something you could get for the kids to keep them busy. But Stealth sent me a review unit to try and let me tell you, it's a serious piece of fitness equipment despite the fact that it costs less than the sales tax on a Peloton! Plus it exercises multiple muscle groups. And it does so in a fun, entertaining manner, with no membership fees required!

Everyone uses webcams for video conferencing these days. But sometimes you want privacy and to be certain that those cameras are off. The folks at Eyebloc have a solution that is different from traditional webcam covers. Eyebloc sent me a review sample of their Nanobloc Webcam Covers ($8.99). Instead of adding something plastic with moving parts that can break or prevent your laptop from closing completely, Eyeblocs are a peelable, reusable sticker that you place directly on top of the camera lens. 

Eggtronic always makes stylish devices and the Power Bar ($149.99) the company sent me to try is no exception. The Power Bar is a 10,000 mAh battery pack in a rounded rectangular brick with a glossy white exterior that looks a lot like an early iPod or the actual packaging that enclosed my original Apple Watch. Aside from the glossy white surface, the only markings are the Eggtronic logo and two "Qi" logos to indicate the two fast charging 7.5-watt wireless pads that are a highlight of this device. These can be used for iPhones, Android phones, or AirPods that support Qi. Like most portable Qi chargers, you have to push a button to activate it, otherwise it would be drawing a small amount of power all the time, eventually running out.

We are all doing more videoconferencing these days, so the Avantree Aria Me ($149.99) arrived at the perfect time. This is a desktop-oriented headphone for the office that can also travel well. It's ideal for the office because of the clever charging stand that is included. The headphones rest on the stand and charge, giving you one less thing to worry about. When traveling, you can use the microUSB cable to charge the headphones directly. I would have preferred USB-C, similar to Apple's iPad Pro, so there would be one less type of cable to carry.

The folks at iOttie have been on the forefront of using colorful fabrics to accessorize their accessories. They provided me with a review unit of their iON Wireless Go Power Bank ($49.95) to try, and sure enough, it is as stylish as it is useful. It is a portable battery pack for iPhones that is just smaller than an iPhone SE or iPhone 8 but twice as thick.  The first thing you notice is the attractive woven fabric (red or grey) that covers the surface. It looks nice on your coffee table and the cloth won't scratch your naked iPhone, although there is a rubber pad where the integrated Qi charging coil is.

Ever since Apple dropped the HDMI port from the MacBook Pro, I've had to carry an adapter around, and leave some at home and work. Not only is it expensive, it's also a hassle. Moshi has an answer. The company sent me a USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($44.95) to try. This adapter is small, about the size of a box of matches, and it plugs in directly to your device's USB-C port, essentially becoming an extension of your MacBook, iPad Pro, or other USB-C device. It makes it easier for the adapter to come with you and your device, so you don't need to leave adapters in multiple places. Or if you do need to bring it separately, it's compact and easy to carry.

Any set of wireless earbuds is going to be compared to Apple's AirPods and AirPods Pro. Fortunately, the AU-Stream Hybrid ANC Earbuds ($189.95) that Ausounds sent me to try have a lot of distinctions to make them a worthwhile competitor. First, they are compact enough to fit entirely in the ear with no microphone stalk extending towards the mouth of the user. That marginally impacts the quality of the speaker's voice, but it isn't too much of an issue since the primary focus is on listening not talking.

Moshi makes some of the most inspired accessories for Apple equipment. The company sent a review unit of the Avanti C USB Type-C Headphones ($199.95) and it is somehow futuristic and retro at the same time. Just looking at the headphones reminds me of an aviator from the 1950s or even the headphones I used as an aspiring DJ in the 1970s and 1980s. While even more expensive headphones rely on plastic these days, the Avanti headphones use stainless steel for the headband and adjustment knobs that help you find the right fit. They pair the steel with leatherette to protect your head and hair and ears. 

Like many Americans, I have a dog and I want to train and reward her, and keep her fit. While I can work from home, that's not the case for everyone, so I was intrigued by the Pet Fitness Robot ($149) from Varram. I saw their booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year and they gave me the review unit to try with my dog. My seven-pound Shih-Tzu Yorkie mix is usually distrusting of robotic toys, like my Sphero BB-8, but once she saw that this toy also distributes snacks, she came around.

Apple is making the iPad Pro look like a regular computer more and more every day. But if you are still using a computer and wish you could share your computer's accessories with your iPad Pro, you might need an accessory like the Access Pro ($199.95) from IOGear, I tried a review unit and it does what it promises. It acts as a KVM (keyboard, video, monitor) Switch, letting you share a keyboard, mouse and 4K UHD 3840x2160 at 30 Hz monitor among two devices. The Access Pro supports Windows, Mac or iPad Pro with USB-C.

I have a special place in my heart for Jabra, as the company made the first Bluetooth earpiece I ever owned about a decade ago. So I'm always interested in their latest model. I saw them at CES and was able to pick up a review unit of the Elite Active 75t ($199.99). First, it looks great, and is sold in assorted colors including black, black with copper, navy blue, mint green, and sienna. If you want to stand apart from the boring, white-AirPod-wearing crowd, these will help. They fit snuggly in the ear and have adjustable tips to help stay in during workouts for active users, hence the name.

As popular as Apple's AirPods are, there are openings where other vendors can fill in the gaps. For starters, enough with the white plastic. I had the opportunity to try ATH-CK3TW In-Ear Wireless Headphones ($99) by Audio Technica at the Consumer Electronics Show. Immediately, you see the dark teal blue color and know these are not your standard earbuds. They are also sold in black or white for those who prefer more mundane color choices.

If you alternate between listening to music and podcasts or web conferences, there's a pair of headphones for that. ONANOFF sent me a review unit of its Fokus headphones ($49.99) to try. The name is appropriate, as at the flick of a button, you can switch between music and voice modes, to emphasize bass sound or spoken words, alternatively. Additionally, they are covered in stylish gray fabric on the earcups, exterior, and headband. I found them quite comfortable to wear for a long time, in part due to the fabric, but also because the earcups go around my ears instead of resting on them.

Sennheiser is a well-respected headphone and earbud maker, and I've used its wired headphones in the past. So I was happy for the opportunity to try the Momentum True Wireless 2 Earbuds ($299.95) when Sennheiser offered a review unit to test. The Momentum True Wireless earbuds deliver impressive sound thanks to the built-in equalizer and are still remarkably small. Despite the size, they still manage to offer 7 hours of use and 28 total with the charging case.

The folks at Igloohome have been making smart door locks and lockboxes for a while, and they keep getting better. They sent me their latest, the Smart Keybox 3 ($189) to review and it improves over version 2 in multiple ways. This is not a door lock; it is a lockbox that hangs on a doorknob or gate. The circular keypad is used to unlock the lockbox using a PIN. You can also use the companion app to unlock the box via Bluetooth or generate more PIN codes for construction workers, cleaners, and other folks. It could also be helpful for Airbnb guests or keeping motorboat keys near the pier or a storage shed, etc.