The Best Gadgets for Retirement
Category: Home and Garden
August 7, 2023 – Part of the fun of being retired is having the time to tinker, fool around with cool stuff, enjoy new types of leisure, and save time and trouble doing chores. There are plenty of products that can help you have more fun, so we thought we would share some of our top picks. Hoping you will add more of your own in the Comments section.
The Best Gadgets for Retirement
Apple Air Pods. We were a little sceptical about these for a long time, having used less expensive open air models for listening to podcasts and audiobooks while doing the dishes, walking the dog, or gardening. But when we bought the Air Pods there was no comparison in sound quality and how well they fit – you can forget you are wearing them. Plus they synch with your Iphone – if you get a text it reads it to you and you can respond by voice. The new Air Pods Pro models are even better with their noise cancelling features – wear them on an airplane for peace and quiet or to listen to a book or movie. No need for big and bulky headphones. Buy the inexpensive and magnetic anti-loss cords so you don’t risk losing them.
Cordless power tools. There has been a revolution in battery powered power tools. They can work for long periods without losing their charge, and are just as effective as gasoline or corded models. The Black and Decker 20″ hedge trimmer is the best tool I ever bought. Friends swear by their mini chain saws. This 6″ Battery Powered Chainsaw is one of Amazon’s best sellers – can operate up to 30 minutes on a charge, and you can swap batteries. Costs less than $100.
Knife sharpener. Hate dull knives? This Chefs Choice 15XV is one of the highest rated knife sharpeners on the market. It comes with detailed instructions and is easy to use. After a few minutes you will be astounded at how the dullest knife in your kitchen suddenly slices perfectly through tomatoes, or anything you need to cut. $169.95 at Amazon.
Yeti coffee mug. This is another product that I never thought I would like. But after receiving one as a gift, I love it. Keeps things hot or cold for a very long time and doesn’t spill. They come in various sizes and styles. They are expensive but the quality makes them worth the money.
Milk frother. Do you like capuccinos or lattes? If you do you can easily replicate the foam in your coffee with the Miroco frother. In about 1 minute it whips milk into a lovely foam, and heats it at the same time. Yum! $32.
Electric kettle. The Amazon Basics Electric Kettle is inexpensive, fast, and safe. Boil the water for tea or coffee without having to use the cooktop – or forgetting to turn it off! Just $25 and worth it for convenience.
Golf Watch. There are quite a few brands to choose from. We have been using the Garmin Approach S10 golf watch for years and love it. A perfect gift for golfers, it tells you the distance you are from the green (and hazards as well) just by looking at it. Comes loaded with about every golf course in the world. $129.99 at Amazon. There are many models to choose from, but the basic one is all most people need.
Trekking poles. My friend Jay did not understand why I loaned him some hiking poles at the start of our hike. But when we encountered rougher terrain with sharp uphills and downhills, he got the message. Trekking poles give you greater stability and take some of the load off of your legs. Many people even use them in city and neighborhood walks to ensure against falls. Trailbuddy Trekking poles are collapsible and an excellent choice.
Friends swear by their AirTags – Can’t misplace anything!
Get out on an ebike. Most people love their ebikes. Not only does it make going up hills easier, a huge benefit is in how much farther you can go on a trip.
Bottom line. We have used all of the products mentioned in this article and can vouch for their quality. Note that we have provided links to many of them at Amazon, although they are usually available in a variety of outlets. If you purchase them through these Amazon links Topretirements will receive a small commission, and we thank you for that.
Your ideas. What are the products, new or old, that you couldn’t live without in your retirement? Please share your thoughts in the Comments section below. We’ll add some of them to this article in the future.
Comments on "The Best Gadgets for Retirement"
Caps says:
Similar to many retiries, we like to travel between the northern summer home and the southern winter home. We returned to a smelly freezer full of spoiled food due to a power outage while we were away. We purchased a plug in device, connected to a cell phone app, that would notify us if the freezer was not receiving power. It had been a real peace of mind for about 5 years, until the company informed us that they no longer support these devices. We are searching for an alternative. Does anyone else no how to remedy this issue?
RichPB says:
Caps, we don't snowbird, but over the years have experienced several failures (power, compresser) that caused complete freezer loss or threatened it. I can't really help other than to suggest what you are likely doing -- try to draw down freezer contents before you leave. But my question is, other than knowing you had a problem, what benefit did that alarm truly provide other than avoiding a smelly freezer? In our case, twice the freezer contents were still a total loss after long power failures even though we were in the home. When the compresser died recently in a new freezer, we managed to save most of the food, but still had major inconvenience and had to buy another new freezer. ( The first manufacturer did refund the freezer cost under warrenty.) If you are south, are you going to return home ( and at what cost?) just to try to save a few hundred or thousand dollars of food ( despite any weather issues) while totally disrupting your southern activities.? Or perhaps you plan to call someone at home for help -- and what can they really do? Quite likely you have good responses, but you also may want to consider installing a small, automatic self-starting generator sufficient to keep your fridge/ freezer going. Considering the overall costs associated with a freezer loss, a generator may be cost efficient
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Clyde says:
As RichPB mentions, standby generators to power just a few appliances like refrigerators, etc., are available and cost around $2,000. https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/electrical/best-whole-house-generators/
toni says:
Snowbirds and others who live here fulltime but travel extensively all hire a local Home Watch person within the community to check on their homes. Can be done weekly, monthly, or whatever. Cost very reasonable. If a power outage in the community, most home watch personnel will automatically check the homes they care for...
Brian says:
I find Apple Air Pods unnecessary. I can do the same thing with my hearing aids. LOL!
caps says:
We have a neighborhood friend that comes every 8-10 days to water my plants and check on things, however she forgot to check the freezer , hence the problem. Which is why we found that great i-socket device. I wish a new company would sell a similar product. We do have a generator, however would require someone to connect it. I guess it would have helped had we not had the freezer plugged into the GFR outlet, as the other outlets regained power after the outage. Totally our ignorance! I hope this helps others.
Admin says:
Editor's Comment. These power notification devices have come a long way. I remember one I had that was connected to a red light bulb and thermometer - if the heat went off in the winter the red light would be a sign to a helpful neighbor before the pipes froze! Here is an Amazon link to a lot of interesting (and inexpensive) power notification devices.
Mike says:
My ebike has been a great purchase, 2000 miles of riding it during the last 2 years. No way I could have done that with my old pedal bike.
Editor Comment: That's what I hear all the time from ebike owners. You can ride so much farther and see so many more things with one of them. One is on my list! Just be careful charging it - follow manufacturer's instructions to avoid potential fire risk.
Admin says:
I am going to purchase some AirTags and put them on my wallet and keys. So tired of misplacing and then hunting down these essential items.
Bill Bamber; Edmonton AB. says:
How about a Partner that does not tell how to live your Life!!
Daryl says:
We’re not gadgets, Bill! But they’re making a lot of progress with robotics, betcha they’ll roll out a wife version within the next ten years…?
Editor comment. Maybe a husband version too?