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Home gadgets for the piddling, yet tech-savvy, dad.
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items As a husband, dad, meteorologist, and lifelong technology enthusiast, I'm always looking for gadgets that solve everyday problems and make life a little easier. This collection features practical tech, smart home devices, home office upgrades, and cl...
A must-have for home offices, bedrooms, and anywhere modern life requires more outlets than the builder originally anticipated. This surge protector adds extra outlets and USB charging ports while helping protect your electronics. It’s proof that no ...
HANYCONY Surge Protector 8 Outlets 4 USB
One of the most useful accessories for anyone working from a laptop. This USB-C hub adds multiple ports, supports 4K displays, and helps transform a single USB-C connection into a full workstation. Modern laptops keep getting thinner while somehow re...
MOKiN USB C Hub 10Gbps 4K@60Hz PD 100W
Perfect for home offices, workshops, gyms, or anywhere you need to see the time from across the room. The large LED display is easy to read and includes useful information like temperature and date. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered that clocks d...
Digital Wall Clock Large Display w/ Remote
A simple and reliable wireless home security system that provides peace of mind whether you’re at home or away. Easy setup, great battery life, and clear video make these a smart addition to any home security setup. Most of the alerts I get are squir...
Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Security Camera
One of my favorite smart home upgrades. This video doorbell lets you see visitors, receive notifications, and communicate remotely from your phone. It’s also an effective way to determine whether answering the door is worth putting on real pants.
Blink Video Doorbell, HD, Two-way Audio, Alexa
These smart outdoor lights add ambiance, color, and automation to patios, decks, and outdoor entertaining spaces. Easy to control through an app and surprisingly customizable. Nothing says “I’ve embraced adulthood” quite like getting excited about ou...
Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights H7020, 48ft RGBIC WiFi, Alexa, IP65
As a meteorologist, I may be slightly biased toward anything that measures temperature and humidity. This smart sensor provides accurate environmental monitoring for patios, greenhouses, garages, and outdoor spaces. It’s basically a weather station’s...
SwitchBot IP65 Hygrometer Thermometer Wireless
One of the coolest gadgets I’ve added to my backyard. The Birdfy smart feeder uses AI to identify birds and captures photos and videos of visitors. It’s like social media for birds, except the content is usually more enjoyable.
NETVUE Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder Camera
One of the easiest ways to improve home comfort and energy efficiency. This smart thermostat learns your schedule, helps reduce energy costs, and allows remote control from your phone. Few things make me feel more technologically advanced than adjust...
Smart Thermostat Enhanced
If you’ve ever heard someone in your house say, “It’s too hot in here!” while someone else says, “It’s freezing!” from the next room, these sensors are for you. The ecobee SmartSensors help your thermostat understand what’s happening throughout the h...
SmartSensor 2-pack
These customizable LED strip lights add color and personality to gaming rooms, offices, entertainment centers, and workspaces. Easy to install and packed with effects. My kids call them cool. I call them mood-enhancing illumination technology.
Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights with Covers
Smart bulbs are one of the easiest ways to start building a smart home. Control brightness, color, schedules, and automation directly from your phone. Being able to change the color of a light bulb from the couch is exactly the kind of future I was p...
Smart LED Light Bulbs | Govee US
An upgraded version of one of my favorite outdoor lighting solutions. Durable, weather-resistant, and highly customizable, these lights make outdoor spaces more inviting year-round. They also make it easier to pretend your backyard is a high-end reso...
Govee Outdoor String Lights 2
This little device turns almost any TV into a smart streaming powerhouse. The setup is quick, the interface is simple, and the voice remote helps you spend more time watching shows and less time wondering which HDMI input you’re supposed to use. In o...
Roku Streaming Stick HD with Voice Remote
This little box delivers 4K streaming, smart home controls, gaming, and enough processing power to make me wonder if it’s secretly overqualified for watching baseball. The interface is fast, the remote is simple, and everything feels polished. Plus, ...
Apple - TV 4K 128GB Streaming Device (3rd generation) - Best Buy
A compact and affordable indoor security camera with 1080p HD video, motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. Great for monitoring pets, kids, entryways, or simply satisfying your curiosity about what happens when nobody’s home. Spoiler ale...
Blink Mini Indoor Smart Security Camera 1080p
As a meteorologist, I appreciate having weather information readily available. As a dad, I appreciate anything that helps keep the family organized. The Echo Show 8 handles both while also controlling lights, cameras, thermostats, and countless other...
Amazon Echo Show 8 Glacier White, Alexa+
Nothing says adulthood quite like being genuinely excited about a ceiling fan purchase. And honestly? No regrets (I bought 2!)
Hampton Bay Caltris 52 in. Integrated LED Indoor/Outdoor Matte Black Ceiling Fan with Light and Pull Chains Included AK382HG-MBK
Nothing says adulthood like getting genuinely excited about a USB adapter that solves a problem you’ve been mildly annoyed about for months.
Syntech USB C Female to USB Male Adapter 3-Pack
This extension cord saves steps, saves effort, and occasionally saves me from making noises when I have to bend down.
13.1FT Heavy-Duty Waterproof Extension Cord
I originally bought this fan for projects in the garage. Now it follows me around the house like a loyal, battery-powered golden retriever.
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Hybrid WHISPER SERIES 7-1/2 in. Fan (Tool Only) PCL811B
Small fan. Big impact. I’ve clipped this thing to workbenches, lawn chairs, and anything else that stands still long enough.
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless 4 in. Clamp Fan (Tool Only) PCF02B
I bought this fan to stay cool while working in the garage. Now I’m pretty sure it could help redirect a small weather system.
RYOBI 40V 14 in. Cordless Hybrid WHISPER SERIES Air Cannon Fan (Tool Only) RY40HF02B
This vacuum is so convenient that I no longer have an excuse for ignoring crumbs on the floor. I miss having that excuse.
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Bagless Cordless Mesh Filter Stick Vacuum Cleaner (Tool Only) PCL720B
Small enough to grab in seconds and powerful enough to save me from dragging out the big vacuum for every little mess.
ONE+ 18V Cordless Multi-Surface Handheld Vacuum (Tool Only)
Bright enough to illuminate a project and expose all the mistakes I was hoping nobody would notice.
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless LED Area Light with USB (Tool Only) PCL662B
The adjustable settings make it easy to find the perfect lighting for any task. The perfect motivation setting, however, remains elusive.
LED Desk Lamp Eye-Caring USB Port 35 Modes
Perfect for flights, road trips, workdays, and avoiding conversations with people who start them by saying, “Quick question…”
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
These earbuds have really helped me tune into what’s important.
And tune out what isn’t.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, H2 Chip
As a meteorologist, I admit I may be slightly more interested in temperature and humidity than the average person. This simple weather station lets me monitor indoor and outdoor conditions at a glance—and occasionally confirm that Houston is, in fact...
TempPro TP60 Wireless Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Hygrometer
There’s something satisfying about a percolator. Maybe it’s the smell. Maybe it’s the nostalgia. Maybe it’s the caffeine.
Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Electric Percolator Coffee Maker