Best Tech Gear 2026
Chargers, cables, monitors, headphones, and every gadget I bought wrong the first time. These are the tech products that actually survived my daily workflow.
20 comparisons • Updated regularly • Affiliate links (details below)
The Laptop Cooler I Bought to Save My Gaming Laptop
I bought a $2,000 ASUS ROG gaming laptop and then cheaped out on the thing that keeps it alive. The Kootek works, barely. The IETS actually cools.
The $15 Gaming Mouse vs. The One That Actually Works
The Zelotes scroll wheel started scrolling on its own. The Logitech G502 has 87,000 reviews and a scroll wheel that respects your intentions.
The $2,000 Gaming Laptop (My Best and Worst Decision)
I spent $2,000 on an ASUS ROG Strix, then another $200 on accessories to make it usable. The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 was $200 cheaper with better thermals out of the box.
The $20 USB-C Hub (Because My $2,000 Laptop Needs More Ports)
I bought a USB hub from a company that doesn't exist on Google. The Anker with 38k reviews was $14 more. Pattern recognition is not my strength.
The $16 Car Charger That 16,000 People Agreed Was Good Enough
Both are $16. The LISEN has a built-in retractable cable which is convenient but adds a failure point. The Anker has 28,000 reviews and the Anker name behind it. I went retractable for the cable management. Either way, stop using the gas station charger.
The $180 Thunderbolt Dock vs The $35 USB-C Hub That Does the Same Thing
I bought a $180 Thunderbolt dock with 18 ports. I use a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and sometimes an SD card. That's 4 ports. The Anker at $36 does exactly those 4 things. I paid $144 extra for 14 ports I've never touched.
The $200 Webcam vs Looking Fine on the $50 One
I paid $200 for 4K resolution that gets compressed to 720p on every video call. The NexiGo at $50 outputs 1080p, which is more than any video conferencing platform actually uses. I'm broadcasting in 4K to people watching in 720p. It's like delivering a speech in a tuxedo... over the phone.
The RGB Gaming Mouse Pad vs The $15 One Esports Pros Use
I spent $100 on a mouse pad that lights up. The SteelSeries QcK at $15 is what actual professional gamers use. I'm not a professional gamer. I'm a Salesforce developer who wanted his desk to glow. Mission accomplished, I guess.
The $40 Matte Screen Protector vs Just Living With Glare
I paid $40 for a matte screen protector. The 2-pack from AISELAN is $12. Same effect. Same anti-glare. You get TWO for 70% less, which is important because you WILL mess up the first application and need a do-over. Ask me how I know.
The Samsung T7 vs The Budget SSD (Both Store Files, One Costs Double)
Both drives are 1TB with 1,050 MB/s read speeds. The Samsung costs $100 because it says Samsung. The KIOXIA costs $55 because nobody knows it's actually Toshiba's memory division. I paid the Samsung tax because I wanted the metal body and the 72,000 reviews. My Salesforce metadata backup did not need this.
The Travel Adapter That Does Everything (Except Fit in My Pocket)
I bought a universal travel adapter for international trips I rarely take. What I actually needed was a compact GaN charger for daily use that also travels well. The Anker 65W is smaller, more powerful, and I use it every single day.
The Earbuds That Cost More Than My First iPod
The AirPods Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds I've ever used. They're also $230 and I'll need to replace them in 2 years when the battery dies. The Galaxy Buds FE have ANC for $60. When I inevitably lose or degrade a pair, I'd rather lose $60.
The Portable Charger That's Heavier Than My Phone
I bought a 1.3-pound portable charger that can charge a laptop because I was afraid of running out of battery. For my phone — which is what actually dies — the Anker Nano with the built-in cable is $26, fits in my pocket, and charges my phone twice. That's all I needed.
The Wireless Charger Collection I Didn't Need
I bought a $130 3-in-1 charging stand because it looked cool on Instagram. The Anker pad is $11 and charges my phone overnight, which is when I charge it. Overnight charging doesn't need to be fast. It needs to happen while I'm sleeping for 7 hours.
The Dash Cam That Records in Cinema Quality (for Insurance Claims)
I installed a $400 (with hardwire kit) 3-camera cinema setup in my car for insurance documentation. The Viofo A119 Mini is $80, records in 2K, reads license plates perfectly, and takes 10 minutes to install. Insurance adjusters don't need IMAX footage.
The Phone Mount That Blocked My Air Vent
The iOttie suction cup mount fell off my windshield three times in one Miami summer. The LISEN magnetic vent mount is $13, never falls, and my phone snaps on magnetically. The phone getting cold from the AC is a feature, not a bug, in Florida.
The Screen Protector Installation That Took 45 Minutes
I spent 45 minutes doing a UV light curing installation for a $45 screen protector. The Spigen has an alignment tray that takes 30 seconds, comes with two protectors, and costs $15. Both will crack when you drop your phone face-down. The Spigen lets you crack a $7 protector instead of a $45 one.
The Streaming Stick War: When I Bought 3 Before Finding the Right One
The Fire Stick Lite is $20 of ads pretending to be a streaming device. The home screen is an Amazon storefront. I bought 3 streaming sticks before realizing the Chromecast with Google TV aggregates everything for $50 with way fewer ads.
The Portable Speaker That Died at the Worst Possible Moment
My $26 speaker died at the beach when a wave splashed it — despite being 'water resistant.' The JBL Flip 6 is IP67 waterproof, has bass you can feel, and actually lasts all day. I learned that 'water resistant' and 'waterproof' are very different words.
The Controller That Developed a Mind of Its Own
My $28 PowerA controller developed stick drift after 3 months. My character walks left constantly. I'm literally drifting left in every game. The official Xbox controller costs $55, lasts years, and my character goes where I tell it to.
Quick Links — Shop on Amazon
IETS GT500 Powerful Turbo-Fan Laptop Cooling Pad
$49.99 • 4.5/5 (12,876 reviews)
Logitech G502 HERO Wired Gaming Mouse
$39.99 • 4.7/5 (87,654 reviews)
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 (Ryzen 9 7945HX, RTX 4070, 32GB RAM)
$1,699.99 • 4.6/5 (5,678 reviews)
Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1, 4K HDMI)
$33.99 • 4.6/5 (38,765 reviews)
Anker USB-C Car Charger (52.5W)
$15.99 • 4.6/5 (28,432 reviews)
Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub
$35.99 • 4.5/5 (38,247 reviews)
NexiGo N60 1080p Webcam
$49.99 • 4.4/5 (42,871 reviews)
SteelSeries QcK Heavy Cloth Mouse Pad (XL)
$14.99 • 4.7/5 (48,432 reviews)
AISELAN Anti-Glare Screen Protector (15.6-inch, 2-Pack)
$11.99 • 4.3/5 (8,432 reviews)
KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS Portable SSD (1TB)
$54.99 • 4.5/5 (6,891 reviews)
Anker 65W USB-C GaN Charger with Foldable Plug
$27.99 • 4.7/5 (31,543 reviews)
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
$59.99 • 4.4/5 (15,876 reviews)
Anker Nano Power Bank 10,000mAh with Built-in USB-C Cable
$25.99 • 4.6/5 (22,431 reviews)
Anker 313 Wireless Charging Pad
$10.99 • 4.4/5 (54,321 reviews)
Viofo A119 Mini 2 2K Dash Cam
$79.99 • 4.5/5 (12,543 reviews)
LISEN Phone Mount for Car Vent (MagSafe Compatible)
$12.99 • 4.5/5 (42,198 reviews)
Spigen EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector (2-Pack, iPhone 15 Pro)
$14.99 • 4.5/5 (38,432 reviews)
Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
$49.99 • 4.5/5 (87,654 reviews)
JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
$99.99 • 4.7/5 (56,789 reviews)
Xbox Core Wireless Controller
$54.99 • 4.7/5 (98,765 reviews)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best USB-C charger in 2026?
After buying multiple cheap chargers that fried or stopped working, I recommend checking my head-to-head comparisons below. The key is GaN technology, adequate wattage for your devices, and a brand with real reviews — not the cheapest listing on Amazon.
Are expensive tech accessories worth it?
Sometimes. I have learned the hard way that a $15 cable that dies in two months costs more than a $30 cable that lasts years. My comparisons show the exact price-per-month math for the products I have actually used.
How do you test tech gear?
I buy it, use it daily, and inevitably discover what I should have bought instead. Every comparison on this page is a real purchase with a real story of regret and redemption.
What tech gear does Glen Bradford use daily?
I use a mix of products I got right and products I got wrong. Check my /uses page for my full daily setup, and the comparisons below to see the mistakes that led me there.
Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this page go to Amazon and include an affiliate tag. If you buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only feature products I have actually purchased or researched. The comparisons are honest — I am usually roasting myself for buying the worse option. Product details, prices, ratings, and review counts are approximate and may change.
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