Gear for Living

When I downsized to a studio apartment, counter space became precious. I still wanted voice control for lights and music, so I tried a few tiny smart speakers. On my nightstand sits an **Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)**. Despite its size, it does almost everything the larger Echo speakers do: play Spotify, set timers, control smart bulbs and answer random questions. At around $40 it’s an easy entry point into Alexa. I especially appreciate its built-in clock; the LED display fades when the lights go off. If you’d like one for yourself, here’s the link (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZ8S74R/?tag=gearforliving-20). In the kitchen I swapped in a **Google Nest Mini**. Its fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles, and Google Assistant’s multilingual capabilities mean I can practice Spanish while cooking. It’s also my preferred alarm clock because I can say “Hey Google, wake me up at 6 AM” without lifting a finger. Find the Nest Mini here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WRJQW8S/?tag=gearforlivin...

As someone who often forgets to drink water during long writing sessions, I was intrigued when a friend handed me a **Philips GoZero Smart Water Bottle**. The stainless steel bottle felt like any other, but its cap hid a UV-C light that sterilizes the water, neutralizing up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses. Every time I take a sip, a light ring glows to remind me to drink more. The insulated body keeps my tea hot for 12 hours and my water cold all day. It even charges via USB-C and runs for weeks on a single charge. Curious? Here’s the link (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8JTQ7P1/?tag=gearforliving-20). For more detailed tracking, I switched to the **WateReminder Smart Water Bottle**. After pairing it with my phone, the app nudged me with notifications whenever I fell behind my hydration goal. A small screen on the lid displayed the current temperature of my drink and how much water I’d consumed. The long-lasting battery meant I only charged it once a month, and it survived drops in my ...

When I headed to the mountains last month, the trailhead parking lot had no cell signal and no power. Halfway through the hike my phone battery dipped below 20 percent – not ideal when you rely on GPS for navigation. Fortunately, I’d packed a **Mregb 42,800 mAh Solar Power Bank**, a rugged brick that holds enough energy to recharge a phone several times. Its built-in flashlight illuminated my tent, and its waterproof, dustproof and drop-resistant housing shrugged off the rainstorm that rolled in that night. You can find the same high-capacity power bank here (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mregb+42800mAh+Solar+Power+Bank&tag=gearforliving-20). On a separate road trip, I used a **DJKK 33,800 mAh Solar Power Bank**. Unlike other chargers, it has integrated Lightning, USB-C, Micro USB and USB-A cables – plus wireless charging – so my friends and I could top up multiple devices without searching for cords. It even has a flashlight with SOS and strobe modes for emergencies. If convenience m...

Last week, when my coffee shop’s only outlet was occupied, I was grateful I’d tucked a **Belkin BoostCharge Pro 20K** power bank into my bag. With two USB-C ports and a USB-A port, it charged my laptop and my phone simultaneously at up to 65 W – nearly as fast as plugging into the wall. A tiny display even told me how much juice was left. If you often work away from a power socket, consider carrying one of these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCDWTTSG/?tag=gearforliving-20). My phone died later that afternoon during a hike, but a backup **Anker Nano** power bank saved me. It’s about the size of a lipstick and holds 5,000 mAh – enough for a full phone charge. The built-in USB-C plug flips out so you don’t need a cable, and it slips easily into a pocket. It’s the perfect safety net when you need to call a ride home (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8Q2D4N8/?tag=gearforliving-20). At home, my workspace is anchored by a **Lamicall Laptop Stand**. I used to hunch over my keyboard; now my laptop s...

On a rainy Vancouver morning, I asked Alexa to gently raise the lights and play my favorite playlist. My **Amazon Echo (4th Gen)** – an unobtrusive orb on my shelf – obliged immediately, filling the room with music and turning my Philips Hue bulbs to a warm sunrise glow. The latest Echo isn’t just a speaker; its built-in Zigbee hub lets me control smart bulbs, locks and cameras without an extra hub, and its improved sound makes it a joy to listen to. If you’re curious, you can pick up one here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XKF5RM3/?tag=gearforliving-20). Later, while making breakfast, I glanced at my **Echo Show 8**, mounted under the cabinet. It displayed the weather and pulled up a video call with my parents. The Show’s screen makes it easy to follow recipes and manage timers, and when it’s not in use it doubles as a digital photo frame. For a smaller footprint, the Show 5 works well on a nightstand; if you need a bigger display, the Show 15 hangs on the wall like a picture frame. Yo...