Go Go Gadget Guide: The Coolest & Best Gadgets for Men

JLab Audio’s Epic Air ANC Wireless Earbuds have almost too many features to list, but here are some highlights. Each noise-canceling earbud provides 12 hours of listening time, and since each earbud is capable of working independently, users have the option to listen to an entire day’s worth of podcasts on a single charge. And with 36 hours of additional charge in the case, you could get through a lot of podcasts.

It also has multiple audio settings, including ANC mode, which cancels outside noise, a Be Aware mode that lets outside noises pass through (so that I could hear that Mack truck bearing down on me during a run). And the low-latency mode reduces audio lag, which ensures voices match up perfectly with the corresponding movie or show. This feature set also delivers an excellent sound experience for both Zoom meetings and entertainment and their auto-connect function means they connect to paired devices as soon as they’re out of the case.

GPS watches are great for distance athletes, but most users won’t use 90% of their features. The Heat is a perfect sports watch for people who appreciate simplicity. It has all the features you need and none of the extra fluff. And on top of all that, it’s just a damn pretty watch. Its simple style looks just as good around town as it does in the gym.

Possibly the thinnest digital 10 ATM-rated watch on the market (meaning it’s waterproof down to 100 feet), Nixon’s Heat watch is a low-profile sport watch that can handle the most brutal conditions. Built for sets in the weight room, laps in the pool, or for catching waves and getting back in time for dinner, this little beast can handle all the abuse I put it (and myself) through — and more.

If you’re looking for a gift for the fitness buff or you’re just tired of being sore all the time, the PowerDot 2.0 Smart Tens Device is a killer app. Of all the tens units that I’ve tested, this electric muscle stimulator is by far the favorite for its effectiveness, portability, and ease of use.

Despite its small size, the PowerDot is one of the most powerful muscle stims that I’ve ever used, as well as the most effective. The unit comes with two power units that connect to four electrode patches that stick to the skin over or around the affected area, then applies electrical stimulation to start the body’s natural painkillers, stimulate the muscle, and serve up a massage that doesn’t require a tip afterward. 

But really, all you need to know is that it just made me feel better, ready to go back and crush the next workout.

Still can’t get a PlayStation5? No worries, because there are plenty of Oculus Quest 2s available, and holy crap, is this bad boy at the top of my list as far as fun gadgets go.

When virtual reality first came out, it was buggy with a lag time that would make Buzz Aldrin get motion sick. After my first testing experience with an early VR headset, I shrugged it off as a fad that was definitely not worth the high price tag. The Oculus Quest 2 has completely changed my mind.

The lightning-fast processer and high-resolution display created a completely immersive experience, putting me right in the moment whether I was playing video games or watching movies, TV, or live concerts. The controls were fast and responsive, and the haptic feedback was almost alarming. The first time I played Vader Immortal and switched on a lightsaber, the vibration in my hand paired with the iconic hum and made me feel like a real Jedi master. Or Sith master. Whatever you’re into.

Yes, there are faster, more high-powered tablets out there. But you’re not going to find any other fully functional tablet for this price. I’ve been using the Fire HD 10 for all of my travels, and as an avid reader and streamer, I have yet to find something that will pass hour after hour on an airplane like the Fire HD 10.

The screen is just big enough to read books and graphic novels comfortably, but it still fits comfortably in a backpack. And the suite of streaming apps meant I could watch tv shows and movies for up to 12 hours per charge.

When I was at home, I used it when my hands were full by telling Alexa to play music, shows, open apps, or even shop online without lifting a finger. I could even pull up recipes via voice command when my hands were covered in batter.

Did you want a cool gadget for men? It doesn’t get much better than a beard trimmer that won’t make your junk look like your ex hit it with a weed whacker. Manscaped has made its name with a reputation for making trimmers with a proprietary blade that gives a precise trim without cutting skin.

The Lawn Mower 4.0 is the latest version of the lauded trimmer, and they’ve kept the same SkinSafe tech (thank goodness) but have added a slew of new features. Among them is the wireless charging system, 4000k LED spotlight, so I know where I’m trimming, and adjustable trim guards so I can manicure the lawn to whatever closeness I want. The Lawn Mower 4.0 is waterproof, so it can be used in the shower for easy cleanup.

And while it’s not exactly a cheap gadget, it comes in at just under a hundred bucks, so you can preen your boys without breaking the bank.

As a journalist, there’s more coffee flowing through my veins than blood. And while I will drink anything with caffeine, there’s nothing that compares to a hot cup of coffee to keep the words flowing. If you’re anything like me, the Ember sounds like a great way to make that happen all day long.

This smart coffee mug contains a heating element that keeps your coffee at your desired temperature when paired to Ember’s smartphone app. The temperature ranges from a pleasant 125 degrees to a blazing-hot 145 (for those of you who want to burn off your tastebuds).

If you’re feeling a chill, there’s no more need to get up and reach for your thermostat. With the Google Nest, you can just tell Alexa to crank up the heat. Better yet, if you’ve left the heat on and want to save some energy while you’re at work, you can just pull out your phone and adjust it remotely. Is that still too much work? The Nest Learning Smart Thermostat actually keeps track of your preferences, and over time will automatically adjust the temperature to help you save energy (and money).

It’s been out for a while, but we have yet to find a competitor that offers the reported reliability and capability of the Nest. If you’re looking to smarten up your home and save some money while you’re at it, this is definitely worth a look.

This cool gadget is probably the smallest, most inconspicuous health tracker that you’ll find. The Oura Ring fits on your finger and is indistinguishable in size and looks from a regular piece of jewelry, but it sports a host of sensors that track your heart rate, temperature, movement, and sleep. There’s even a damn gyroscope in the thing.

The Oura uses all of this and simplifies it into three separate metrics when you look at the app: your activity, your readiness, and your sleep quality.

Let’s get it out of the way: yes, it’s a bidet. Yeah, I said it: a bidet. I’ll fight you right now. Yeah, it’s weird to talk about it, but the Soft Spa Bidet is cool as hell. I was skeptical, too. But it’s way better than using toilet paper, way more sanitary, and actually a lot less gross than wiping. The water pressure is adjustable, and you have total control of the dryer speed (yeah, a dryer) and temperature.

There are a bunch of other perks as well: the heated seat is something you never thought you’d need until you try it, and the deodorizer may not make your sh*t smell like roses, but it’ll help. And the night light is perfect for taking a late-night leak since it takes the guesswork out of aiming with the lights off.