Everything in the photo was bought with my own money, no promo codes from brands or other marketing magic.
There are things I buy for reviews, and there are things I get specifically for myself. And the difference between them is huge: when you’re spending your own money, the filter kicks in full force. No “well, it’ll do for content” — either the thing is genuinely needed, or it doesn’t make it into the cart. Today I’ll show you ten purchases from AliExpress that I made without any sponsorship or advertising integrations. Some I’ve already tested, some just arrived — but I chose each one myself, with my own money.
Smart Ring Instead of a Fitness Band
Been wearing it for three weeks — I forget it’s even on my finger.
The idea of a fitness tracker on my wrist got old a long time ago: the band gets sweaty, catches on things, and bothers me at night. So I got a smart tracker ring that tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels, steps, and sleep stages. All the data goes to an app on your smartphone. So you open it in the morning and see the full picture of the night: how you slept, recovery level, heart rate, etc.
In terms of feel, it’s just a regular ring. It weighs next to nothing and you don’t feel it on your finger at all. I used to take off my fitness band every morning and toss it on the charger, but the ring lives on my hand for days and I charge it once every few days. There’s no screen, after all. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be so much more convenient compared to a classic tracker. I like it.
Price: 1,250 rubles
UGREEN Studio Pro: Full-Size Headphones with Noise Cancellation at Half Price
65mm drivers and ANC — and they cost like a couple of cappuccinos at the airport.
Working from home sounds great until your daughter turns on cartoons in the next room. I needed full-size headphones with active noise cancellation, but I didn’t want to drop twenty grand on Sony or Bose. UGREEN Studio Pro handles this task for a completely different price: Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC and AAC codec support, soft memory foam ear cushions.
The full-size format is comfortable for long work sessions. Your ears don’t get tired even after three to four hours, and the noise cancellation cuts out household hum, conversations behind the wall, and air conditioner drone. Sound-wise, it’s not Sony, of course, but for daily use — more than enough. Branded alternatives with the same feature set start at 8 thousand, so the difference is noticeable.
Price: 2,600 rubles
CMF Watch 3 Pro: Smartwatch with AMOLED for Those Who Don’t Want to Overpay
Global version — no hassle with workarounds and reflashing.
Choosing a smartwatch in the 5-7 thousand range is quite an experience: half the models have a dim TFT screen, the other half last two days at best. CMF Watch 3 Pro is a global version with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, improved battery life compared to the previous generation, and the usual set of sensors: heart rate, SpO2, sleep monitoring.
The watch is from Nothing’s sub-brand, so the design is on point — it looks more expensive than its price tag. Bought it in May, wear it every day. I charge it roughly once every five to six days, even though notifications are always on (I have the ring, remember?). In short, if you’re looking for decent watches without feeling like you have a plastic toy on your wrist — check these out.
Price: 6,600 rubles
ORICO Travel Power Strip: Five Outlets in Your Pocket
I toss it in my bag with the chargers — it’s saved me on trains and at the countryside house.
At my countryside house, there’s exactly one outlet in a convenient spot — and a phone, a speaker, and a desk lamp all want to plug into it simultaneously. Last summer I got an ORICO 5-in-1 travel power strip and solved the problem: two regular outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C — all in one compact body. The cable is short, about a meter, but for travel and the countryside that’s a plus — it doesn’t get tangled.
The body is made of heat-resistant plastic, with overload and short-circuit protection. The thing is lightweight and fits in the side pocket of a backpack. I used to carry a power strip and a separate USB adapter, but now one extension replaces both. If you travel to the countryside often or work from cafés — you’ll appreciate how much stuff you’ll stop lugging around.
Price: 700 rubles
Bagsmart City Backpack for Laptops and Short Trips
