50 items to help keep your New Year’s resolutions
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Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Every year, almost half of the U.S. makes New Year’s resolutions, but most of us don’t follow through. In fact, according to a University of Scranton study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 8% of Americans are likely to achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Sometimes, we don’t succeed because we fail to be consistent – and sometimes it’s because we don’t have tools that can help us reach these goals. To that end, we’ve rounded up a list of the best items to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions.
All of these products have been hand-selected by Team 6sqft. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these affiliate links. All prices reflect those at the time of publishing.
Eat healthier and stay hydrated
According to the CDC, eating healthier can help you avoid Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problem. And a study in the journal eBioMedicine found that staying hydrated is linked to a longer and healthier life.
Cooking is a lot healthier than eating out but usually requires more effort. This six-quart smart skillet/sauté pan has a temperature range from 160 to 450 degrees, and can cook for up to four hours. The smart skillet has 10 modes, including stir-fry, rice, soup, sauce, steam, simmer, warm, sear/saute, white rice, brown rice, and grains. The digital display is easy to read and the pot is also removable, making it simple to cook healthy meals and clean up afterward. The appliance is available in several colors. Ceramic Nonstick 6-Quart Smart Skillet, $359.99 at GreenPan |
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This high-speed blender makes it easy to create delicious smoothies. One example: yummy Blueberry Smoothies that only require a pear, half a cup of grapes, and a cup of blueberries. Raspberry Mango Pineapple is another energizing juice choice. The blender works quickly and quietly, thoroughly blending ingredients. It has programmable settings, and the speed and pulse can be adjusted as desired. Hurom Hexa Power High-Speed Blender, $296 at Amazon |
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If a full-size blender is too bulky, you can make your favorite smoothies, shakes, sauces, dressings, and more with this cordless blender. The compact size doesn’t take up much space on your countertop – and since it’s cordless and has a 20-minute runtime before it needs to be recharged, you are free to move it anywhere in the kitchen – or beyond. In fact, the 16-ounce blender jar doubles as a travel cup and has a lid, so you can even take it with you when on the go. Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless Rechargeable Compact Blender, $79.95 at Amazon |
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Developed by scientists and physicians from Harvard, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and more, this blend includes prebiotics, probiotics, and polyphenols. The superblend is designed to increase beneficial bacteria to improve immunity and digestion, lower glucose spokes, and increase good cholesterol. It’s easy to take, just combine a scoop of the mixture in a glass of your favorite beverage (water, milk, etc.), mix well, and drink. The super blend is free from preservatives, artificial sweeteners, nuts, and soy. It’s plant-based and Keto-friendly. Eden’s Superblend, $88 single purchase/$75 monthly subscription at Eden’s |
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Using the digital touchpad, it’s easy to make healthy meals with this food steamer. The two-tier steaming system includes two steaming bowls and a rice basket to cook multiple types of food at one time. The digital display has a water gauge and timer, as well as onscreen notifications for delay, cook, warm, and low water. It can be used to steam seafood and vegetables, and also cook up to 16 large eggs at one time. Hamilton Beach Digital Food Steamer, $59 at Amazon |
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A dull knife set makes meal prep harder, and also increases the chances of injuring yourself. This Titanium cutlery set is made of recycled steel, and each precision-cut blade is heat-treated up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it’s durable. The blade is hand-finished and has a titanium coating to guard against chipping or peeling. The ergonomic handles are slip-resistant and the knives are dishwasher safe (although hand-washing is recommended). The set includes a chef’s knife, bread knife, Santoku knife, utility knife, serrated utility knife, paring knife, six steak knives, sharpening steel, shears, and a rubberwood knife block. Titanium Cutlery 15-Piece Knife Block Set, $285.99 at GreenPan |
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If you don’t like the taste of regular water, this carbonator can help. The device makes sparkling and seltzer water by using a Co2 cylinder that releases pressurized gas to carbonate the water when you pull down the handle. It can also carbonate orange juice, flat sodas – any type of beverage. This model is compact enough that it won’t take up much space on your countertop – and beautiful enough that you wouldn’t care if it did. Aarke Carbonator III Premium Carbonator, $229 at Amazon |
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The large, versatile jug, which has double-wall vacuum insulation, can keep 120 ounces of water cold. Or, you can use it to keep coffee and other beverages hot. The jug is made of kitchen-grade stainless steel and is designed to resist rust and punctures. The stainless-steel handle, which has a rubber grip, also makes it easy to transport. The jug is available in stainless, charcoal, black, navy, Nordic blue, Nordic purple, and alpine yellow. It’s also available in a half-gallon size. If that’s still too big, consider the 26-ounce water bottle instead. YETI Rambler Gallon Jug, $130 at Amazon |
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It’s a lot easier to drink the recommended amount of water with these delicious flavors. This hydration set includes 144 small cubes of flavor in “microdrinks” and “microlytes” to plop into your glass or water bottle. The sugar-free microdrinks are made with real fruit and plant extracts in such flavors as passion fruit, watermelon/cucumber/thyme, golden berry/rosemary/peppermint, and mango/cactus fruit/artichoke. The microlyte drop, which includes electrolytes, vitamins, and zinc, is available in both blueberry and grapefruit flavors. Complete the kit with this stylish 20-ounce stainless steel water bottle in brushed steel that can keep your drinks cold for 24 hours (or hot for 12 hours). Ultimate Hydration Set, $138/Sale $99 at Waterdrop |
Get fit and exercise more
The CDC reports that regular physical exercise can make you feel better, reduce stress and anxiety, and even help you sleep better. It also reduces the chances of developing heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Eliminate all of those workout excuses with this home treadmill, which has a quiet 2.25 HP motor, and can be used any time of the day or night for walking or running. The touchscreen LED monitor makes it easy to track workout time, speed, calories burned, distance, steps, and heart rate. The treadmill, which has an adjustable incline (0 to 15%) supports Bluetooth and can be paired via smartwatch to sync live data. Also, the vertical training apps provide scenic trails and the ability to compete with real running friends in virtual communities. Perhaps best of all, the treadmill has wheels and can be folded and then moved out of the way. Mobvoi Home Treadmill, $599 at Amazon |
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If rowing is more your style, this one uses both upper and lower body tensioning, and the act of pushing to accelerate and then resisting to decelerate provides a fast and efficient way to get in cardio sessions. Also, the app provides guidance and instructions, along with trainers to help provide motivation. When you’re finished, the rower can be detached and then stored underneath your sofa or bed, or you can stand it up against the wall. TUT Rower, $699 at TUT Fitness |
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These insoles are made of 100% Aerospace-grade carbon fiber, which contains shock-absorbing properties to help you avoid injuries while working out or engaging in various sports. The insoles provide support and stabilize your ankles and knees, in addition to providing shock absorption when you land on your feet. VKTRY Carbon Fiber Performance Insoles, $169 at Amazon |
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A massage gun is great for relieving tension and pain, and this one has a 6-hour battery life, which eliminates the need to recharge daily or even every few days. It’s lightweight and portable, with a powerful, 160W brushless motor, but the noise reduction technology allows it to operate quietly. Attachments include a spherical head for large muscle groups in the arms, backs, thighs, and calves; a bullet head for deep tissues in joints and palms; forkhead for the neck, spine, and Achilles tendons; and also a flat head, metal ball head, and metal flat head – all for whole body muscle relaxation. Sportneer Massage Gun, $99 at Amazon |
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This smartwatch provides detailed information on how your activities affect your body. In other words, it provides a battery for your body with both a charge and a drain number. The feature takes into account your stress levels, sleep habits, exercise efforts, and relaxation times. The watch also gauges heart rate and even records water intake. It connects with the GPS on your smartphone, and when working out, it tracks steps, intensity, time, etc. There are also sports apps loaded on the watch for a change of pace in workout routines. In addition, the watch has dual hidden color displays that remain concealed until I touch the screen. Battery life is five days, and the watch comes in various colors and styles. Garmin vivomove Smartwatch, $299/Sale $249 at Amazon |
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Another option to help with your fitness goals is this smartwatch, which provides structured workout tools, making it a great choice for those who run, cycle, or swim. In fact, the watch even has race day features for touchless transitioning between different activities. The watch has a track running profile and running dynamics to provide real-time data. The watch has 12 pre-loaded workouts and the ability to connect to a TrainingPeaks account. It can also control your music and alarm, and provide smart notifications. Battery life is 24 hours in GPS workout mode and two weeks in smartwatch mode. The smartwatch is available in stealth gray and Kona white. Wahoo ELEMNT Rival Running/Multisport GPS Watch, $329.99/Sale $247.99 at Amazon |
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This stylish smartwatch has a brown leather band and also includes a silicone band. The touchscreen watch tracks your heart rate and monitors blood oxygen levels, in addition to monitoring sleep habits. In activity mode, GPS also tracks steps taken and calories burned. The watch, which has Alexa built-in and is compatible with Google Assistant, lets you control music, take and make phone calls, and sync calendars and time zones. The battery lasts 24 hours. Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch, $299 at Kohl’s |
Relax
Taking time to rest and relax can allow your body and mind to recharge. Taking a break and engaging in a calming activity – or simply doing nothing at all– can relieve stress. A study by researchers at Stanford University determined listening to music can change your brain function as much as taking medication. Sitting on the sofa watching TV can also be relaxing (although we wouldn’t advise horror movies – or even the news– when you’re trying to relax!)
This vintage record player looks like a blast from the past, but it’s actually quite high-tech. It can connect with Bluetooth and stream music from phones and other devices. The three-speed belt-driven record player is perfect for vinyl records and includes built-in stereo speakers. However, it also has a built-in CD player, as well as an AM/FM radio with a backlit tuner. There’s a headphone jack for listening privately, and you can also record vinyl records to MP3s. Victrola Retro Bluetooth Record Player, $169/Sale $97 at Amazon |
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This lightweight Bluetooth speaker can be used with the record player above or wherever you need a speaker. Made of metal with soft touch panels, it looks good in any room of the home, and since it has an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, the speaker can also be used outdoors. It has a passive bass radiator and can be paired with another speaker as well. The speaker has a 20-hour playback time and charges via the USB charging cable. In addition, it has a built-in wireless charging pad that can be used to charge a smartphone or other smart device. Victrola Music Edition 2 Tabletop Bluetooth Speaker, $199 at Amazon |
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These true wireless earbuds have an unusual and fun design that includes a stainless-steel spout, matte finish dual tone ABS body (and case), liquid crystal polymer (LCP) diaphragm, and 10mm dynamic drivers for a clean and dynamic sound. The earbuds have an 8.5-hour battery life that extends to 30 hours in the case. There are also three foam tip sizes and three silicone tip sizes for a comfortable, customized fit. Campfire Audio Orbit Earbuds, $249 at Amazon |
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Nothing helps you block out the noise – and focus on what you want to hear – like a pair of quality headphones. These sound as good as they look, and have an advanced noise-cancellation feature. The wireless headphones have a 30-hour battery life (although there’s an audio cable for a wired connection) and can be used for phone calls as well as music, podcasts, and other types of audio. They have memory foam ear cups and are comfortable enough to wear (and stay cool) for several hours. The headphones are available in three colors: blue, black, and gray. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Over-Ear Headphones, $399 at Amazon |
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The TV cube is a super-fast streaming media player, with an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor for a smooth experience. It can be used to stream everything from Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu, to Disney+, Apple TV, and Paramount+, in addition to music. The TV Cube supports 4K Ultra HD, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. In addition, it has a built-in microphone and speakers, 16GB of storage, and 2GB of memory. The device has an HDMI input, USB 2.0 port. Voice control can also be used Fire TV Cube, $139 at Amazon |
Get 8 hours of sleep
According to the National Institutes of Health, when you don’t get enough quality sleep, you’re at higher risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, obesity, and stroke. A lack of sleep can also make it difficult to focus and think clearly.
These pillows have 700 fill power European white goose down, with a 100% cotton sateen shell, and double stitched edges. They’re available in standard, queen, and king size versions, and also in a soft/medium density as well as a medium/firm density. This makes it easy to find the best option to provide both comfort and the right amount of support to keep your head, neck, and spine in adjustment whether you’re a back, stomach, or side sleeper. Luxe Goose Down Pillows, starting at $139.90 at Quince |
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These thick and buttery-soft 800-thread count sheets have a luxe sateen weave, which makes them smooth and soft to the touch. The sheets are also breathable, so they won’t trap heat while you’re sleeping – which keeps you cool. The fitted bottom sheet has a deep pocket, and the set also includes a flat sheet and two pillowcases. Color choices are plentiful and include light gray, charcoal gray, dark blue, pastel blue-steel, bright white, ivory, and soft teal. California Design Den 800 Thread Sheet Set, $92.99 at Amazon |
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When the weather outside is frightful, this luxury organic flannel duvet cover set can keep you warm and toasty. It’s made of 100% organic cotton flannel and the button closure/corner ties keep the duvet insert (not included) from sliding around. Plus, the brushed flannel resists piling. The set includes two shams. Complete the look with the matching luxury organic flannel sheet set, which includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcases. Luxury Organic Flannel Duvet Cover Set, $129 at Quince |
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This colorful duvet cover set is another comfortable option to help you sleep well. The set is made of cotton, and machine washable. It comes in several buffalo plaid color schemes, including royal blue, sapphire, caramel, and cherry. The set includes a duvet cover that easily and conveniently zips to insert or remove the duvet. Keep in mind that this is the duvet cover, and does not include an actual duvet – but it does include two standard shams. Having a duvet cover that can be removed and washed is a good alternative to a bulky comforter that takes more effort (and more space in your washer and dryer). Serenta Buffalo Washed Cotton Duvet Cover Set, $224.99 at Kohl’s |
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Lights can set the mood for winding down and going to sleep. And these strip lights can be used in your bedroom to create a calming lighting environment. Since they’re strip lights, you can use them anywhere in the bedroom to create ambient lighting, including over your headboard, or under furniture. You can even change the color of your bedroom walls to a soothing blue color. With the app, you can select colors, adjust the brightness levels, and even choose effects, like starry night or one of the various relaxation effects. The lights can also be controlled by Alexa and Google Assistant. Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights M1, $99 at Amazon |
Travel more
Most of the people we know want to travel more this year (whether across the country or around the globe) and if you plan to make it a priority this year, there are some helpful items:
Instead of replacing cheap duffle bags every year, this Quince Nappa Leather Duffle Bag is one purchase that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but will last for years. Made of 100% full grain Nappa leather with a 100% cotton canvas lining, it’s spacious enough to carry a week’s worth of clothes and has interior pockets, exterior slip pockets, a key clip and dust bag, and protective metal feet. The two top handles, in addition to the detachable leather shoulder strap with padded shoulder cushion, make the bag convenient to carry. And when not in use the bag can be easily stored in a closet without taking up much space. The duffle bag is available in dark brown and black. Nappa Leather Duffel Bag, $199.90 at Quince |
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This triple-zipper backpack can hold all of your essentials while traveling – and looks good in the process. It includes a large, laptop pocket that can fit up to a 16” MacBook, and there’s also plenty of room for other essentials as well. Made of recycled polyester fabric, recycled polyester lining, and vegan leather trim, the backpack has waterproof fabric and a waterproof lining. It has a leather grab handle, and the back panel has padded shoulder straps that are designed to be ergonomic. The backpack is available in black with gold hardware, and also in “blackout,” which makes the hardware less noticeable. Momentum Backpack, $275 at Troubadour |
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When you need something bigger than a duffle bag or backpack, but not something so large it’s cumbersome, this medium check-in suitcase fits the bill. It has a polycarbonate shell that’s impervious to damage, and the 360-degree wheels move easily and quietly. The suitcase also has vegan leather details, reverse coil zippers, and a TSA-approved lock. It’s available in several colors, including ocean blue, rose quartz, desert taupe, blue haze, olive green, midnight black, storm gray, and stellar white. Check-in Medium Suitcase, $315 at Monos |
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You’ll never worry about trying to find a place to charge your phone or laptop in the airport with this portable power bank. For example, the power bank has enough juice to power an iPhone 4.9 times, and a MacBook Air laptop 1.3 times. And, with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, you can even charge three different devices (like a phone, laptop, and earbuds) at the same time. The smart digital display lets you easily view the remaining battery time, total input, and total output, as well as see how long it will take to recharge the portable power bank. Anker 737 Power Bank, $149 at Amazon |
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You’ll definitely want to take photos on your vacation, and this slim, instant print digital camera slides out of its protective case, which helps to save space and also shields the camera when it’s not in use. The camera/printer combo has an LCD viewfinder, two picture modes, a fixed focus feature, and an automatic flash. The battery is rechargeable via the mini-USB cable, and prints out on sticky-backed photo paper (40 peel-off adhesive-backed sheets are included). The camera also has a built-in editor, several filters, internal memory to save photos, and a microSD card. Kodak Smile Instant Print Digital Camera, $100/Sale $85, at Amazon |
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If you’re using your own smartphone to take photos and videos, this gimbal stabilizer can be operated remotely from 33 feet away, providing a lot of versatility and allowing you to record all of your adventures in either portrait or landscape mode. The gimbal stabilizer also has an AI tracking mode that ensures you’re always in the frame. You can even use hand gestures to change from portrait to landscape and to turn the AI tracking on or off. The LED video light has three settings (low, medium, or high) to provide more light when needed and remove harsh shadows. The gimbal can be used with the tripod, or you can hold it in your hand. Hohem Gimbal Stabilizer for Smart Phone, $129 at Amazon |
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Here’s another fun option for taking photos when you’re traveling. This device attaches to your smartphone and has an ergonomic grip to balance and stabilize the phone. The entire mechanism feels like you’re using a DSLR camera. You can easily change from landscape to portrait mode, and the wireless shutter lets you shoot with your index finger. The kit also has a freestanding dock and a tripod mount. ShiftCam ProGrip Starter Kit, $149 at Amazon |
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Instead of using the hotel’s (or your host’s) iron and ironing board, consider using this hybrid iron steamer that’s compact enough to toss in your bag when traveling. It has an iron plate, which can heat the device to the equivalent of level 1 on an iron setting. This allows you to choose between a pressed look, or create a more casual and natural look. Even when hot, the steamer can stand up or you can lay it down (although it also has an off/off switch). It’s also ideal when you want to hang clothes while steaming them. Steamery Cirirus No. 3 Steamer, $180 at Amazon |
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When you’re traveling, you want your home to be safe and secure. This security camera set (which includes two cameras and a HomeBase 3 hub), can provide peace of mind – with no monthly fee required since it has local storage (up to 16TB of video). The cameras records in 4K for clear and detailed images and AI detection can distinguish between humans, vehicles, and pets. BionicMind Recognition can even tell the difference between family members and strangers. Each water-resistant camera has a 135-degree field of view with a spotlight, two-way audio, and voice assistant compatibility. The batteries last for a year, but with the integrated solar panel, just two hours of daily direct sunlight can extend battery life almost infinitely. Eufy Cam 3C Security Camera with Homebase, $549 at Amazon |
Work smarter, not harder
If your New Year’s resolution is to be more efficient, the good news is that you don’t have to work harder to reach this goal. We found some cool items that can help you work smarter, and clean smarter.
These smart glasses can be used for work and play. For example, with an M1/M2 MacBook, the glasses can function as a multi-window workstation, creating several virtual displays. The glasses are also compatible with tablets, gaming consoles, and smartphones, and they can be used with augmented reality apps. In Air Casting mode, the glasses can create a 130-inch full HD display; in AR Space mode, the glasses can create a 201-inch full HD display. The lightweight glasses have a 46-degree field of view and three angles of adjustment. They also have certified eye protection (flicker-free, low blue light, eye comfort). Nreal Air AR Smart Glasses, $379 at Amazon |
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If you work from home, you may have to contend with noisy surroundings – both inside and outside of the home. However, these noise-canceling headphones can provide peace and quiet so you can focus on your work. They also have a lightweight and foldable design, making them easy to transport and store. There are three adjustable noise cancellation modes to allow background noise, partially allow it, or completely block it out. The headphones have a studio-quality sound, and the Bluetooth wireless connection has a range of up to 30 feet. You can easily pair the headphones to phones, tablets, and laptops, and the battery life is up to 25 hours before you’ll need to recharge them. Shure AONIC 40 Headphones, $242 at Amazon |
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Keeping your mouth clean is essential to good health, and this smart sonic toothbrush makes it almost fun. The smart screen actually shows your brushing results, so you can see which areas you may have missed (which are shown in red) – and you also get a brushing score (from 0 to 100). The toothbrush has a 30-day battery life, so you won’t have to worry about recharging it. It’s available in two colors: glamour silver and champagne gold. In addition, you can download the app to get a personalized brushing plan. Oclean X Pro Digital Smart Sonic Toothbrush, $109.99 at Oclean |
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Your mouth is only as clean as your toothbrush, and if you keep your toothbrush in the bathroom (most people do), it’s subject to all kinds of germs. This toothbrush sanitizer uses UVC-LED safe sterilization to sanitize up to 5 toothbrushes at the same time. It automatically sterilizes for 2 minutes every 6 hours, and the device can be conveniently mounted on the wall. Oclean S1 Toothbrush UVC Sanitizer, $32.99 at Oclean |
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Cut down on the amount of dust floating in the air with this air purifier, which can be controlled using the touch panel, via voice commands, or by smartphone using the app. You can also set a schedule and adjust settings. The app also lets you view the air quality history and reorder filters. In addition to the air purifier, there’s a SensorPod that’s placed across the room to provide remote sensing details such as smoke, VOCs, and odors – and this information is communicated to the air purifier, which automatically adjusts. The air purifier has five fan speeds and an easy-to-carry handle. The filter system includes a washable prefilter, carbon filter, HEPA-type filter, and UV-C light. TruSens Z-2500 Smart Air Purifier, $379 at Amazon |
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There’s no need to lug around a heavy vacuum when you can use this lightweight stick vacuum that weighs less than six pounds. It has a soft roller to thoroughly clean hard floors without scratching the surface but also has a bristle roller for carpets. The three speeds allow you to select more power when needed, and the vacuum also uses a four-stage fully-sealed filtration/cyclonic system to capture and trap particles efficiently. In addition, you can convert the vacuum to a handheld model and use the crevice tool and dusting brush to clean your car and other areas. The battery has a 30-minute runtime and the vacuum’s dust bin can be emptied with one click. Jashen D18 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, $209 at Amazon |
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When you need to clean up both wet and dry messes, reach for this cordless vacuum/mop combo. On hard floors (hardwood, marble, laminate, tile) and area rugs, it can clean dry debris as well as liquid spills. The vacuum has an anti-microbial brush roll that spins and continuously cleans itself while it’s working. There’s a large clean water tank that can automatically adjust the water flow according to the level of mess you’re cleaning. In addition, there’s a separate dirty water tank. The smart LED display is easy to read, and the vacuum also does an extensive self-clean when placed on the charging dock. Shark HydroVac Cordless Self-Cleaning Vacuum/Mop, $278 at Amazon |
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Sometimes even a cordless stick vacuum seems like too much trouble. This robot vacuum can both sweep and vacuum hard floors, and also vacuum carpeted surfaces. It’s also smart enough to distinguish between floor surfaces so it won’t try to mop your carpet. In addition, the vacuum can create a visual map to avoid rolling over or bumping into obstacles on the floor. Cleanings can be scheduled in advance via the app, and the robot vacuum also responds to voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Yeedi Vac Max Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo, $349 at Amazon |
Get organized
Decluttering your space – especially the areas where you tend to spend a lot of time – can help you avoid stress and fatigue. “A place for everything and everything in its place” really can help you feel more organized and efficient.
This is a neat-looking odds and ends tray to place in the entryway, on your bedside table, or wherever you need to keep small items handy, like your phone, watch, glasses, and keys. It’s actually three trays in one that all fit neatly in each other and can be reconfigured, depending on your needs. Each tray is made of veneered ash wood. The tray set comes in a choice of three color combinations, green/natural, black/teal/natural, and earth tones. Odds Tray, $85 at Blu Dot |
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Eliminate all of those pesky cables on your desk with this six-in-one USB charging station that doesn’t take up much space, but certainly creates a more streamlined look. With 200W of power, it provides high-speed charging and has both USB-C and USB-A ports. It can be used to charge smartphones, laptops (for example, it can charge a MacBook Pro 50% in 30 minutes), tablets, earbuds, and gaming consoles. Ugreen 200W 6-in-1 Desktop Charger, $199 at Amazon |
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A foldable keyboard? Yep! It’s a full-size 11.5-inch keyboard with a tri-fold design to save space and reduce clutter. The wireless keyboard, made of high-strength aluminum, can connect with Bluetooth and also USB (which is also used for charging). It can be used with Windows, iOS, and Android – via external monitors, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. In addition to being folded for storage, the keyboard’s case can be folded into a stand to hold a tablet or smartphone. Plugable Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard, $49 at Amazon |
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This clever desk tray fits easily into your desk drawer and keeps your essentials organized and out of the way (although it’s also stylish enough to keep on top of your desk as well). The desk tray has four different compartments for pens/pencils, calculators, sticky notes and note pads, staples, gem clips, etc. The tray is made of 5052 aluminum and natural cork. It’s available in both a dark and a light color option. Desk Tray, $150 at Grovemade |
Prepare for emergencies
The problem with emergencies is that they usually don’t come with advance warnings, so you need to be prepared to respond when they occur.
A battery-powered tire inflator is convenient to use and this one can work for up to 20 minutes (compressing up to 160 PSI), which is enough to inflate four tires in one cycle. The LCD screen shows the current tire pressure and the desired tire pressure and can inflate a 195/65/R15 tire as quickly as four minutes. The cordless tire compressor can be used with cars, SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles, and basketballs. It even has an LED light to help you see in the dark. Astro AI Cordless Tire Inflator, $89/Sale $65 at Amazon |
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This power station provides power wherever it’s needed, which means in the event of a power outage, it can keep a 120W refrigerator running for three hours, or charge a 50W electric blanket eight times. The power station can also charge a smartphone 41 times and a laptop 7 times. The power station can be recharged using solar panels. However, it can also be charged using the included AC charging cable, or you can even plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter. And since it’s lightweight (13.3 pounds), the power station is also easy to transport by the convenient built-in handle on top. Ecoflow River 2 Max Power Station, $599/Sale $469 at Amazon |
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This impressive car jump starter can jump-start a car or SUV. It has a rechargeable lithium battery and an LED flashlight on the side for seeing in dark spaces. Since it’s compact, the device is conveniently designed to keep in the glove box or in the trunk. And since this versatile jump starter also has two USB-A ports, it can also charge a smartphone, earbuds, or other smart devices as well. Morphie Car Jump Starter, $139 at Amazon |