The best gadgets of 2021 (so far)

We’re now halfway through 2021 and I’d like to think this is the year we can somewhat comfortably use new tech outside of our homes. Rather than round up the best devices to help keep cabin fever at bay, we can finally highlight products meant for both the indoors and outdoors.

From a colorful desktop for your home office to a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s ideal for backyard reunions with loved ones, here is a list of the best gadgets of 2021 (so far).

Best desktop to brighten your work days

If you’re going to be stuck staring at a computer all day, it might as well be nice to look at. And what better than a stunning 24-inch iMac that comes in seven different colors? With a choice between blue, yellow, green, purple, orange, and silver, there’s something here to match all types of interior decor and personalities.

Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, the new iMac is a super-smooth workstation that doubles as an ideal entertainment system. It’s also compact and lightweight enough to carry from room to room or travel with on road trips. And its 1080p webcam is the cherry on top, upping the ante on your video call quality.

With a starting price of $1,299, it’s tough to find a reason not to buy such a fun desktop computer.

Best affordable earbuds for noisy commutes

Yeah, these aren’t cute.
Credit: alex perry / mashable

If your weekdays consist of going to and from the office or classroom, your mornings probably aren’t as zen as they used to be. Whether you’re within walking distance from work or have to hop on a noisy bus, you won’t want to leave the house without a great pair of noise-cancelling earbuds.

Enter: Amazon’s Echo Buds. (The second-generation version, that is).

Compared to the first iteration, these Echo Buds are smaller, slimmer, and come with real active noise cancelation — as opposed to the “noise reduction” feature included with the first-generation effort.

While these aren’t the flashiest pair of buds (they’re actually really ugly), you can rest assured you’ll get the best bang for your buck. At $119, the Echo Buds offer great noise cancelation, solid sound quality, and feel comfortable to wear for hours at a time.

They also come with a variety of ear tips and wing tips in the box to fit ear canals both big and small.

Best streaming stick to watch box office hits

The movie theaters can wait.
Credit: alex perry / mashable

Don’t feel fully comfortable sitting in a packed movie theater yet? Well, that’s fine because you can recreate that cinematic viewing experience at home. If you’re on somewhat of a budget, you can snag a 4K TV for under $300 and pair it with the Roku Express 4K+ for only $40.

True to its name, the Express 4K+ has the ability to play 4K content at 60 frames per second, giving you impressive video quality for such an affordable, entry-level device. Sadly, there isn’t a lot of 4K content to choose from on streaming services, but you can find some options on HBO Max.

Best smartphone for all-day adventures

It’s overkill, but it does make sense for specific situations.
Credit: zlata ivleva / mashable

Yes, Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra is the embodiment of absolute feature overkill in a smartphone. But it also takes excellent scenic photos thanks to a combination of its 108-megapixel main shooter and improved imaging software. The S21 Ultra captures really crisp, bright images that don’t look overly processed.

It also comes equipped with Samsung’s proprietary Space Zoom technology, allowing you to zoom in on a subject up to 100x. Even when taking shots that close up, the photo quality remains impressive.

And with a 5,000mAh battery, this phone will last you through an entire day of capturing content and then some.

Best Bluetooth speaker for beach days with friends

Excellent design AND sound, what more could you ask for?
Credit: alex perry / mashable

For most of us, it’s been a while since we’ve had to make small talk at public gatherings. So if you’re feeling a little social anxiety before that pool party or BBQ, the Sonos Roam Bluetooth speaker will make for excellent emotional support. Just put on a good playlist and feel the awkwardness in the atmosphere melt away.

The Roam’s portable and durable design makes it easy to throw into your tote bag or backpack to transport from spot to spot. It also links to over 100 streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, and Tidal, and provides really rich audio quality.

At $169, its price tag is a little steep, but its compact build and large catalogue of compatible streaming services make it worth the cost. Plus, we all know your friends are begging you stop bringing that cheap Bluetooth speaker from the drugstore to social gatherings anyway.