Gear
Gear I use every day
Everything here has been in daily use for at least two weeks before I write about it. I own all of it; nothing is a review unit I sent back.
Everyday Carry (EDC)
What I carry every day.
Grams28 157 Essential SlingAuthor's Choice
A slim leather sling that holds a phone, wallet, and keys without feeling like a bag.
Replaced a backpack for anything under a full-day trip. Phone, wallet, keys, earbuds: it holds more than it looks like it should.
Worth knowing: Not a replacement for a backpack. A full water bottle won't fit.
AirPods Pro 3Daily Utility
The AirPods Pro 3. Best noise cancellation I've tested, and the Apple device-switching is instant.
The transparency mode is the real killer feature. I can hear a conversation without taking them out. Just switched over from the Pro 2 and the fit and noise cancellation are a clear step up.
Desk Setup
The desk setup that makes long work days not feel long.
Balolo Setup Cockpit (Large)Foundational Hardware
Solid wood and steel desk shelf. Raises your monitor, gives everything a place.
The monitor goes on the top shelf, everything else finds a home underneath. Cleared more desk space than I expected and the solid wood doesn't feel cheap.
UPERGO Walnut Desk Tray
Walnut tray that sits on the shelf. Keys, cables, small things. No more hunting.
Sits on the lower shelf. Sunglasses, pen, chapstick. It stops them from floating around the desk.
Nuphy Air65 V3 KeyboardNewly Released
Low-profile mechanical keyboard. Better feel than a laptop keyboard, compact enough to travel.
The switches feel noticeably better than any laptop keyboard. Compact enough that I use it everywhere: on the desk, in a café, on a flight. Upgraded from the Air60 v2 to this 65% layout for the gasket mount and dedicated nav keys.
Worth knowing: No numpad. If you do a lot of spreadsheet work or gaming that needs one, get the full-size version.
ACASIS Thunderbolt 4 DockTechnical Utility
Thunderbolt 4 dock. One cable connects your monitor, drives, and power. That's the pitch, and it delivers.
I plug in one cable and my monitor, external drives, and power all connect. It works exactly as advertised, which feels notable for a Thunderbolt dock, since these have a reputation for being finicky.
Worth knowing: Requires Thunderbolt 4 to get full speeds. USB-C-only machines will connect but lose some bandwidth. Supports two external displays. If you run three, look elsewhere.
Dell UltraSharp 34 Monitor (U3425WE)Visual Real Estate
34-inch ultrawide with built-in KVM. No bezel splitting two monitors, no cable swapping between machines.
Switching from dual monitors was the right call. The wide field of view keeps everything in one continuous visual space. The built-in KVM lets me switch between my personal and work machines with a keyboard shortcut: one cable per machine, no KVM box.
Worth knowing: Needs about 32 inches of desk depth to sit comfortably. 120Hz is smooth for productivity, but this is a work monitor, not a high-refresh esports panel.
Kitchen
Morning routine gear that earns its counter space.
NutriBullet
The blender I've used every morning for years. Small, fast, easy to clean.
Quick, takes up minimal counter space, easy to clean. I've used the same one for years. It does one thing and does it well.
Worth knowing: Not for blending hot liquids or making soup. The cups aren't sealed for that. Single-serve only.
Moccamaster Coffee MakerHigh Reliability
Dutch coffee maker that brews at the right temperature and lasts decades. The opposite of disposable.
Brews at the right temperature every time, which matters more than most coffee gear suggests. Four years in with no issues. The carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without burning it.
Worth knowing: Makes a full carafe every time, which is not ideal if you only want one cup. No timer, no programmable brew.
SodaStream
Countertop carbonator that turns tap water into seltzer in seconds. No more hauling cases of sparkling water.
Replaced a standing grocery order of canned seltzer. Refilling the CO2 canister is the only real chore, everything else is a 5-second squeeze of the trigger.
Worth knowing: Takes up permanent counter space, and you'll eventually need to swap the CO2 canister (extra cost, occasional errand). Not for anyone who wants zero-maintenance appliances.
Home
Home upgrades I use every day.
Casper Sleep Motion Sensor Light
Motion-activated nightlight. Dim enough not to wake you up, bright enough to not stub a toe.
Dim enough that it won't wake you up, bright enough to see where you're going. Plug it in and forget about it.
Worth knowing: Plug-in only, not battery-powered. A pet walking by will trigger it constantly.
Highball & Chaser Bar Mat Set
Bar mats for the kitchen counter. Protect the surface, give you a workspace for prep.
Worth having for cocktail prep. It catches drips and gives you a dedicated surface. Easier to clean than a countertop.
Worth knowing: Hand wash only. The rubber degrades in a dishwasher.
GIR: Get It Right 5 Piece Silicone Kitchen Utensils Set
One-piece silicone kitchen tools. No seams to trap food, and it survives the dishwasher.
No seams means nothing gets stuck. Dishwasher-safe and they haven't degraded. The set covers every cooking task without needing a drawer full of single-purpose tools.
Worth knowing: Not for cutting, since silicone will dull a knife. If you prefer wood or stainless, the feel is different.
Coop Cool+ Pillow
Adjustable fill pillow with a cooling cover. I've tried a lot of pillows. This one I kept.
I'm a side sleeper and this is the first pillow where the loft stayed right without flattening overnight. The cooling cover works, not dramatically, but noticeably.
Worth knowing: Stomach sleepers probably want a thinner pillow. The adjustable fill is key. Out of the bag it's overfilled, and you need to remove some.
Sensibo Air Smart Controller
Turns any window or split AC into a smart AC. Schedule it, control it remotely, done.
Set it to cool the room 30 minutes before I wake up. Works with any IR-controlled unit, which is almost every window AC made. The app is straightforward.
Worth knowing: Only works with IR-controlled units (window AC, most mini-splits). Doesn't work with central HVAC or units that use proprietary remotes.
Media and Leisure
How I unwind.
WiiM Pro Plus Streamer
Adds AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect to any speaker system. Sounds better than the alternatives.
My speakers are 20 years old and sound great. This adds AirPlay 2 and Tidal Connect without touching the speaker setup. AirPlay latency is essentially zero, which matters if you're watching video.
Worth knowing: Needs a receiver or powered speakers with an analog input. Not a standalone speaker.
PlayStation 5 Slim Digital EditionTechnical Performance
PlayStation 5. The exclusives are the reason. God of War, Returnal, Spider-Man: nothing else runs these.
The exclusives are the reason to own it. PC ports of PlayStation games are rare and often late. If you want to play God of War, Returnal, or the next FromSoftware game on release day, this is the machine.
Worth knowing: You need a 4K TV to get the most out of it. On a 1080p screen you're paying for hardware you won't use.
SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution Subwoofer
Compact subwoofer that fills a room. Half the size of competitors, no meaningful performance gap.
Sounds like a much larger subwoofer. The SVS app lets you EQ it to the room, which I'd skipped with previous subs. Worth the extra step. My neighbors have not complained. Upgraded from the original 3000 Micro to this R|Evolution for the bigger sealed drivers.
Worth knowing: For apartments with thin walls, the bass will travel. Can't fill a large open-plan space either. This is for a room, not a warehouse.
BDI Corridor Media ConsoleStructural Utility
Media console with vented doors that let heat out and hide cables. Looks great, built to last.
The slatted doors let heat out, which matters when you're putting a PS5 and a receiver inside. All the cables disappear. The wood finish looks exactly like the website photos, which isn't always the case at this price.
Worth knowing: Expensive and heavy. This is furniture you buy once and don't move. Not a starter piece.
Security Hardware
The hardware layer of a security setup.
YubiKey 5C NFCPrimary Security
Hardware security key. Plug it in to log in: no code, no phone, can't be phished.
I use this for Google, GitHub, and 1Password. Setup took 20 minutes total. Even if someone gets your password, they can't log in without the key.
YubiKey 5C Nano
Nano YubiKey that stays in your laptop port. Always there, never in the way.
Lives in my laptop port permanently. Tap it for 1Password, tap it for GitHub. Low friction, which is why I keep using it instead of opting out like I did with previous security keys.
Worth knowing: USB-C only. Won't work with older laptops that only have USB-A. And it stays on your laptop, which isn't great for traveling.
Reference and Culture
Books and records that have stuck with me.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
Feynman's memoir. More about how to think than physics. One of the few books I re-read.
Feynman's memoir on curiosity and figuring things out. I re-read it whenever I'm overthinking something.
Worth knowing: Not a physics textbook. If you want to learn actual quantum mechanics, this isn't it. It's a memoir.
Californication
Californication on vinyl. The 1999 RHCP record I put on when I need to get into work mode.
Goes on when I need to get into focus mode. Same album, every time. My brain knows what it means.
Worth knowing: You need a turntable. If you don't have one, the CD is fine.