Home Essentials — What I Actually Use (and What I Overpaid For)
Duvet covers, mushroom lamps, outdoor lights, and more. Honest home product reviews from a guy who researches trillion-dollar trades but overpays for bedding.
13 comparisons • Links are affiliate (details below)
The Linen Duvet Cover (My One Bougie Purchase)
For once I spent real money on something. The Shilucheng is solid linen for $109. But the Quince at $140 is the one the bedding subreddits actually recommend.
Read the full storyThe $10 Spray That Saved My Security Deposit
Miami + bathroom = mold situation. Moldex worked fine but the RMR-86 is the internet's mold-destroying weapon of choice with 42k reviews.
Read the full storyThe $11 Shower Curtain That Taught Me Nothing
Plot twist: I actually bought the best-reviewed shower curtain on Amazon. 87,000 reviews. $11. Sometimes the cheapest option IS the best option.
Read the full storyThe $32 Fire Extinguisher (Because I'm a Responsible Dad Now)
I bought a single 2.5 lb fire extinguisher for an apartment with a toddler, a kitchen, and electrical equipment. The Amerex at $66 is double the capacity, rechargeable, and commercial grade. But I cheapened out on fire safety.
Read the full storyThe Mushroom Lamp That Started a 2AM Rabbit Hole
I bought one mushroom lamp for $18 at 2 AM. The 2-pack for $30 was literally in the 'frequently bought together' section. I paid $18 for one when I could have paid $15 each for two. This is why I don't trade after midnight.
Read the full storyThe $120 Linen Duvet Cover vs The $28 One That Works Fine
I browsed 15 duvet covers over 3 days before buying the $120 linen one. The Bedsure at $28 has 42,000 reviews and a 4.5 rating. I spent 4x more for the privilege of telling people my bedding is linen.
Read the full storyMy $760 Midlife Crisis Lighting (Permanent Outdoor Lights)
I spent $760 on permanent outdoor lights that sync to music and change colors via app. The string lights at $30 would have given me 90% of the vibe at 4% of the cost. But my house now looks like Tron and I have no regrets.
Read the full storyThe LED Strip That Turned My Office Into a Nightclub
I installed 32 feet of RGB LED strips behind my desk for 'ambient lighting.' My office looked like a nightclub. The Govee monitor light bar sits on your screen, provides proper bias lighting, and actually helps your eyes. One is productive, one is a party.
Read the full storyThe Smart Plugs That Made Me a Home Automation Monster
I bought cheap smart plugs that disconnect more often than they connect. Kasa plugs by TP-Link — a company that actually makes networking equipment — cost $7 more for 4 and stay connected. Revolutionary.
Read the full storyThe Robot Vacuum That Ate My Daughter's Socks
My budget robot vacuum navigates by bonking into walls and eating children's socks. The roborock has LiDAR mapping, no-go zones, and 4200Pa suction. It costs more but it actually cleans instead of just redistributing dust.
Read the full storyThe Smart Bulbs That Turned My Apartment Into a Nightclub
My $20 smart bulbs can display 16 million colors but can't stay connected to WiFi. Philips Hue costs 7x more but uses Zigbee instead of WiFi, stays connected, and 'warm white' actually looks warm instead of 'fluorescent autopsy room.'
Read the full storyThe Video Doorbell That Recorded 400 Videos of My Neighbor's Cat
My budget doorbell recorded 400 videos of my neighbor's cat and drained its battery in two weeks. Ring's $60 wired model has motion zones, human detection, and doesn't mistake a cat for a burglar.
Read the full storyThe Smart Thermostat That Started a Cold War in My Marriage
I bought the budget Honeywell smart thermostat that requires manual programming and has geofencing that works when it feels like it. The Nest learns your schedule automatically and has saved me enough on energy bills to justify the price in 6 months.
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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've actually purchased or researched. The comparisons are honest — I'm usually roasting myself for buying the worse option.