We get sent millions of press releases and notes from our readers about cool stuff, ranging from practical and useful to downright crazy. The coolest gizmos and gadgets and apps are listed out below…
A $69 CMF Watch Pro 2 with AMOLED, built-in GPS, Bluetooth calling, 120+ sports modes, IP68, and up to 11-day battery life. Why it’s worth it: You get core health tracking, clear calls, and smooth performance at a price rivals can’t touch.
The CMF Watch Pro 2 gets all the fundamentals right. The AMOLED screen is sharp and easy to read, the health and fitness tracking covers everything most people actually use, and the battery lasts over a week between charges. It plays nicely with Apple Health, Google Health Connect, and Strava, which means your data stays useful if you’re already in one of those ecosystems. The Bluetooth calling is surprisingly clear, the gesture controls feel intuitive, and the interchangeable bezels and straps give it a playful edge that makes it feel more personal than other budget watches. For under $70, it delivers features you normally only see on pricier devices, which is why we recommend it to first-time smartwatch buyers or anyone who wants solid performance without overspending.
I've smoked and then vaped for years. I started when I was 15 and I'm now 37. NicPix are toothpicks coated in flavoured nicotine. You pop one in your mouth, your cravings disappear. And the best part? They help kill the physical habit of vaping or smoking.
"I've tried everything: pouches, gum, inhalers, even hypnotherapy. NicPix were the only thing that not only helped me quit vaping for good, but were also enjoyable (meaning they didn't taste like ass) to use during the transition process. They're only available in the UK via VapeBeat, but if you can get them, try them – they really impressed me."
It costs $35, it looks like an Apple Watch, it's water-resistant, and it'll track all your exercise. Oh, and the battery lasts for 14+ days between charges. No idea how Xiaomi is even making money on this thing…
"At just $35, the Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5 is an absolute bargain. I don’t even know how Xiaomi is making money on this. It’s a crazy price for what you’re getting. It’s not perfect: no advanced smartwatch OS, limited emoji support, and sleep tracking that could be better. But for notifications, fitness tracking, and incredible battery life in an Apple Watch-style body, who the hell cares, right?"
The Spark Neo amp headphones are basically a portable guitar rig you wear on your head. They combine wireless headphones with built-in amp modeling, so you can plug your guitar directly in and hear realistic amp tones without needing a full amp setup.
“Spark Neo turns any room into your own private studio—zero cables, zero hassle. The comfort’s unreal, but it’s the dynamic amp modeling and massive stereo image that blow everything else out of the water. If you play guitar you need these headphones in your life’”