As in previous years (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011), I am compiling a new list of my top tech products for 2025. This list encompasses my most preferred discoveries from the past year, regardless of their availability in prior years. By “tech,” I broadly include any novel gadgets, applications, or other useful items that I find captivating and/or practical.
Note: I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.
Note: I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.
My Favorite Tech of the Year
Ooni Karu 2 Pro Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven - This wasn’t really close this year. Usually, I am doing pro and con lists to determine which product that year had served me best, but this year, my favorite tech was the Ooni Karu Pro 2 16 Pizza Oven. I am a huge pizza fan, so I can eat just about any pizza and be happy. That being said, my wife is more picky. She doesn’t like Dominos, Pizza Hut, etc. However, when I make it at home, she loves it. With this oven, you can make up to 16 inch pizzas, use gas, charcoal or wood for fuel. It’s just fantastic and so easy to get up and running (especially with gas).
My Favorite Audio Tech
This year, my pick wasn’t an audio streamer from Wiim for a change. Instead, it’s the FIIO K11 R2R DAC preamp/headphone amp. While the price went up (slightly) on this device this year, I decided to give it a shot. The main reason is that it gives me a different sound from the Wiim Ultra and Little Dot MKIII Tube amp. The sound actually wedges between these two and is now my “go to” DAC for when I am working. It isn’t exactly “tubey”, but it has been described as more “musical” and less analytical than the Wiim Ultra DAC (and most other DACs). The size makes it perfect for my home office and I like being able to change the RGB lights on the top. It has two modes, one is “no over sampling” and the other upsamples everything. I prefer the “no over sampling” mode for its laid back presentation that I don’t find fatiguing even when I have been playing music the better part of the day. I rarely listen to headphones, but the inclusion of a headphone amp is a nice addition and I prefer it to the WiiM headphone output when I don’t want to mess with my tube setup.
For the Kitchen
The Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and Convection Oven is simply awesome. It can provide perfect toast in the morning and switch to fantastic Air Fried Wings at night without blinking an eye. It’s also great for reheating left over pizza. We still haven’t used every feature, but it is easy to use and has changed the way we cook. We rarely use the microwave unless we are in a big hurry these days. When we were looking at homes, we even considered not adding a microwave when we moved.
Electric Projection Screen
Motorized Projector Screen - We have had a pull down screen in our living room over the past couple of years and it was easy enough to get up and pull it down. However, putting it back up often left me nervous because I could just see me yanking the screws out of the wall. This solves that issue because you simply hit a button and the screen comes down. When done, you hit a button and it goes back up. My wife can even use it without my help and she could never get the screen back up manually without my help. This is a lifestyle changer because nothing gets in the way of using it. As a result, we have it down every night.
For the Office and house
I wanted a battery backup and the Jackery Explorer 2000 V2 wasn’t playing around. The Jackery has the option to charge it off of solar panels, but I haven’t invested in those just yet, but for someone working from home, it has been a godsend. Normally, when our power goes out, it is 30 minutes to an hour. However, this is plugged into my home office necessities, so everything just goes on working. I have access to internet, etc. This has kept me from picking up during a busy workday and having to drive into the office. It buys me plenty of time. Also, the fact that it powers my internet modem, I can switch over to the iPad when it is after hours and watch movies, listen to music, etc while waiting for the power to come back on. For a real emergency where the power is off for days, it probably won’t be enough power without the solar panels, so I will add those down the road (probably before it starts getting cold out).
Ticking away the moments that make up the dull day
Omega SwatchWatch- As anyone that reads my website knows, I am an Apple Watch wearer. However, on occasion, I like to wear a normal watch when we go out for purely aesthetic reasons. I have an Automatic Omega Date watch, a vintage Omega (thanks to my grandpa), and now the Omega made by Swatch. Why? Because it’s fun. Also, I like the Omega Moon face on this watch. I would love to get a “real” Omega Moon watch, but I have yet to justify that price. Here, I am getting the look on my wrist, without pulling $7k or so out of my checking account. Also, just being a product of the 1980s, I have an affinity for Swatch, as well. They had style with a small price tag. Unlike the snooty watch collectors that have complained, I love these two companies, so I was happy to see the product. I bought it recently since they now have a few of them on their website. If I wasn’t a daily Apple Watch wearer, I would probably buy more in different colors.
For the Jeep
Okay, I admit to barely using the Rollinjack in 2025, but it is still going on my favorite tech list. The reason is that it fills an important role for us Jeep Wrangler JK users. It gives us an easy way to pull the top of the Jeep without help. I had a hoist I was using before, but for some reason the thing ripped out of the wall while I was lowering it and the top fell about a foot onto my jeep. If I had my Jeep parked front ways, it would have done some real damage. As it is, I escaped with a small scratch on the back of the Jeep. Anyway, I wanted something more stable and something that could move with me if we changed homes. This does both and it’s a revelation. Unfortunately, during a recent shed clean out, we threw away my soft top since it smelled like rat urine and I am too anal to be happy with just bleaching it. Instead, I plan to get a new soft top down the road and this gives me stable storage for the hard top.
For the Kitchen and Smoker
Grillblazer Su-VGun Propane Torch with Stand - As someone with a Big Green Egg smoker and also a big fan of Sous Vide, this was a perfect addition. I also grabbed the Grillblazer 8ft Propane Hose & Adapter for 20lb Tank so I wouldn't have to mess around with the small propane tanks. It is basically a fire gun, with some safety features, but it great for lighting my grill or searing steaks.
For the Photographer
Cataract Surgery - Okay, this is a little unusual. I was diagnosed with a "young person's" cataract. I am not that young, but that is what they called it. It majorly affected vision in my right eye. It was so bad that even with glasses, nothing was clear. I have already done the right eye and I now have 20/20 vision for distance. I also have surgery scheduled before year end on the left eye to get the two eyes on the same page. It's a game changer, especially for a photographer!
For the Yard
Litheli Cordless Pole Saw, 20V 2.5Ah Battery Pole Saws for Tree Trimming, 8-Inch Pole Saw Battery Powered 27.5ft/s Cutting Speed - Okay, first I had a fire gun and now this? Well, yes, who doesn't want to go from chainsawing a bunch of stuff right into shooting fire? The chainsaw works great and with the long pole. it gives me plenty of reach and keeps me out of harm's way! I also like the USBC battery connection rather than a third party dock.
The Wrap Up
This may be the first year that I have not had one Apple product listed in a long time. I am still happy with my iPhone 14 Pro Max and I really want to have the option of a foldable before I update.
A few items that I didn't mention, but where just short of making the list:
TRMNL - Fun little battery operated screen. I use it for B&W photos.
Electric Pressure Washer - Did a great job reviving my deck.
Chamberlain MyQ - I had to replace my garage door opener, so bought this to control it with my phone.
Percussion Massager - it seems like a cheap knock off, but it still works great and the battery seems to last for a long time.
Keyboard iPad Case - A really nice alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard.
Some items I have in my wishlist, but who knows....Massage Chair, Photo Printer, New Phone, Outdoor kitchen, etc. We have some big ticket changes we may make to the house...already have a new roof replacement scheduled, so we will see how those things change my budget for tech items.
A few items that I didn't mention, but where just short of making the list:
TRMNL - Fun little battery operated screen. I use it for B&W photos.
Electric Pressure Washer - Did a great job reviving my deck.
Chamberlain MyQ - I had to replace my garage door opener, so bought this to control it with my phone.
Percussion Massager - it seems like a cheap knock off, but it still works great and the battery seems to last for a long time.
Keyboard iPad Case - A really nice alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard.
Some items I have in my wishlist, but who knows....Massage Chair, Photo Printer, New Phone, Outdoor kitchen, etc. We have some big ticket changes we may make to the house...already have a new roof replacement scheduled, so we will see how those things change my budget for tech items.
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