I noticed something a while ago: the most useful gadgets in my home aren’t flagships that cost astronomical sums, but handy little things I’ve bought on AliExpress at various times. A speaker for fifteen hundred, a power bank for six hundred rubles, earbuds that sound no worse than five-figure competitors. It’s exactly these kinds of finds that make up a normal digital life. Today I’ve put together ten gadgets that I’ve either already bought and tested myself, or have my eye on and am ready to hit “order” at any moment.
Half of these things I carry with me every day, and the other half I keep at home — and I can’t live without them anymore
OnePlus Buds 4 — Been Wearing Since April, AirPods Collecting Dust
Got them in Zen Green — my wife has been asking me to order her a pair ever since
You know that feeling when you buy earbuds and think “well, for this price they’ll do”? With the OnePlus Buds 4, it’s the opposite. I got them in April and since then my AirPods have literally been gathering dust on a shelf. The bass is deep, the highs don’t hiss, and the fit is so snug they never fell out once during a run. Active noise cancellation at 55 dB — that’s a serious level for this price.
I especially want to highlight the design: the case is compact, the earbuds feel great in your hands, and the Zen Green color is absolutely fire. They work with both Android and iPhone, but it’s specifically on OnePlus and other Android smartphones where they unlock their full potential through the proprietary app. Battery life — up to 7 hours without the case, up to 43 with the case. IP55 protection means you don’t have to worry about rain or sweat. For just under five thousand — these are the best I’ve heard in this segment.
Price: 4,650 rubles
CMF Buds 2a — Bought Them for My Daughter, She Loves Them
For 2,600 rubles — noise cancellation, decent sound, and an app with customization
If you need earbuds with active noise cancellation but don’t want to spend four to five thousand on them, check out the CMF Buds 2a. This is a Nothing sub-brand, and you can feel the approach: 12.4 mm driver, noise cancellation up to 42 dB, four HD microphones for calls. Bluetooth 5.4, minimal latency — you can watch videos and play games.
My daughter is 11, and she swiped these earbuds on the second day after unboxing. She connected them to her Android tablet through the CMF app — where you can customize the equalizer and gesture controls. Battery life up to 35 hours with the case, and for a kid that’s perfect: she charges them once a week and forgets about it.
Price: 1,520 rubles
Bluetooth Speaker with LED Screen — I Carry It on My Backpack
The little screen shows the time and tracks, the backlight blinks to the beat — my daughter loves it, and so do I
A thing that looks like a gadget from a low-budget sci-fi movie but sounds surprisingly decent for its size. The Bluetooth speaker with LED display shows the time, track name, and battery level right on its little screen. Blue backlighting flickers to the beat of the music — it looks impressive, especially in the evening.
The speaker can be worn on your wrist or clipped to a backpack with a carabiner — the metal body makes it sturdy enough for outdoor use. It connects to any Android smartphone via Bluetooth in a couple of seconds. The main thing is not to expect home-theater bass from it. But for a picnic, a walk, or background music on the balcony — the volume and sound clarity are pleasantly surprising. For fifteen hundred — it’s more of a toy with character, but a useful toy.
Price: 1,429 rubles
Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go — Survived Two Hikes and a Bathtub
The size of a soda can, but it blasts loud enough to make campsite neighbors turn their heads
I bought this speaker last summer before a trip to the countryside, and since then it’s been on two hikes, at the dacha, and once fell into the bathtub. The Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go — still alive. The IP67 protection here isn’t just for show: dust, rain, water submersion — it handles all of it without consequences.
Size-wise — it’s like a soda can, easily fits in the side pocket of a backpack. At the same time, 5W of power delivers sound that’s genuinely enough for a small group. Battery life — up to 20 hours, and these aren’t marketing numbers: in reality it’s about 16-17 hours at medium volume. It connects to your phone instantly, and you can pair two speakers in stereo.
Price: 1,510 rubles
USB Hub from UGREEN — Replaced Three Adapters for Me
