5 Gadgets That Will Improve Your Daily Life (And They're All Under $30)

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In a world where convenience often comes with a high price tag, it's refreshing to discover that some of the most helpful everyday tools don't require a big investment. We've found some great gadgets under $20 that will improve your daily life without breaking the bank. Our roundup focuses on the essentials, with products that will help you get better sleep, enjoy your morning or evening cuppa a little longer, keep your workspace tidy, and stay cool wherever you are. These low-cost tools are thoughtfully designed and genuinely useful, because even small upgrades can enhance your life significantly. 

We know how easy it is to spend hundreds of dollars on different kinds of gadgets that only end up gathering dust in a drawer. So we've focused on practical items that can add convenience and comfort to almost any kind of daily routine. They've been recommended by thousands of other users and offer a stellar blend of affordability and usefulness.

If your day includes enjoying some kind of hot beverage, the House Gem 36 W Coffee Mug Warmer might just become one of your favorite gadgets. It's like a sophisticated coaster for your cuppa, with three adjustable heat settings — 130, 150, and 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Just place your mug onto its heating plate, and it'll keep your drink at an ideal sipping temperature without overheating. It's like a little luxury that you won't know you need until you experience it. 

Priced at $19.99, it's an affordable alternative to the Ember temperature control mug. It's earned an overall score of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 2,500 user ratings on Amazon. One reviewer has vouched for how it works perfectly and is handy to use multiple times every day. Another user has explained that this product worked better than other mug warmers they've tried, making it a must-have for anyone who loves sipping hot coffee throughout the day. 

With a 5.2-inch heating plate area, this coffee warmer can hold cups of almost any size. It's safe to use at your desk or by your bedside because it automatically turns off after four hours by default. You can also switch it off manually or customize the auto-shutdown time to be anything between two and 12 hours. You can choose from three color variants, namely black, white, or a wood finish. It even doubles as a candle warmer, which adds to its utility. 

A restful night's sleep is essential to maintaining good health, but it can often be hard to get because of our busy, stressful lives. If you want to fall asleep faster, this white noise machine from Easysleep is worth a try. It's got over 11,500 ratings on Amazon with an overall score of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Thousands of users have shared that it's helped them sleep better and feel more relaxed. For instance, one reviewer stated that this is the best white noise machine out of several she's tried, with a great selection of sounds and adjustable lights. Another user has said they found it so helpful that they've bought one for every bedroom in their house. 

White noise works by producing consistent, soothing sounds that can create a relaxing atmosphere and mask disruptions that might otherwise keep you awake, such as noisy neighbours or a dog barking. In fact, you can also play white noise on your iPhone, but having a separate white noise device helps avoid screens at bedtime. Easysleep's machine is available at just $29.99 and comes with an 18-month warranty that makes it a trusted purchase. It includes sounds such as ocean waves, rainfall, a bonfire, a train, lullabies, meditation music, and more. You can adjust the volume and let the machine play continuously or set a timer for between 60 and 240 minutes. It also has four levels of warm light that help add to the cozy environment.

Life's too precious to be spent dealing with tangled cables. Make a small but impactful upgrade by getting this UCOMX 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charger that can wirelessly charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once. At just $29.99, it's a much cheaper alternative to the premium Satechi Qi2 travel charger, but it works just the same. It's earned a rating of 4.4 out of 5 from over 1,500 customer reviews. One user vouched for how it provides a neat, one-stop charging solution for multiple Apple devices. Others appreciate how it's easy to travel with and say it comes with great customer service from the seller. 

This nifty device has built-in temperature control and magnetic shielding, so you don't have to worry about overheating. Plus, it even lets you prop your phone up so that you can continue watching videos or taking calls while it charges. The magnetic alignment works smoothly with MagSafe-enabled phones, and it even handles phones with camera bumps without slipping. It works via a USB-C cable, which means you'll only need one cord to charge all your devices. You can choose from 13 color options to match your unique style. 

One of the most annoying everyday struggles is having a dirty phone screen. In fact, research has found that phones can be dirtier than toilet seats, which points to the importance of cleaning your device multiple times a day. Since you can't use harsh cleaning products on your phone or other electronics, the YTT Touchscreen Mist Cleaner is a handy solution. It consists of a spray bottle containing cleaning fluid with a microfiber lining on the outside. So, you can simply spritz some onto your phone and then wipe clean without needing any other supplies. 

It costs just $7.99 and has earned an average score of 4.4 out of 5 from over 7,500 user ratings. The best part, as one reviewer points out, is that it can be used to clean other things too, such as your laptop, TV screen, or even your car's windshield. Moreover, this nifty little cleaning product is small and portable yet cleans effectively, as demonstrated in a video by one user. It's safe to use on most screens and quickly gets rid of fingerprints, sweat, dirt, or other superficial marks.

Every year, summer heatwaves seem to be getting worse. One small gadget under $30 that can make a big difference on hot days is a portable fan like the JISULIFE Handheld Turbo Fan. It costs $21.99 but is loaded with the power to keep you cool whenever you need it. The compact size means that you can use it anywhere, such as during a sweltering commute, in line at a summer event, or even at your desk when you're trying to save on air-conditioning bills. 

It's received over 8,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Happy users have described it as "small [and] mighty" and the "best purchase ever" due to its five speeds, powerful airflow, and reliable battery life. The fan has a 4000 mAh rechargeable battery that can keep it running for between three and 16 hours, depending on what speed setting you use. It comes with a USB-C cable and takes about three hours to fully charge. We appreciate how it can stand upright on a flat surface or be held securely thanks to a detachable wrist lanyard. It's also perfect for tossing into your bag or backpack. You can choose from black, white, green, and brown color options. 

We're committed to recommending truly useful gadgets backed by real user reviews and ratings. The products in this article were selected after deep research about how they can improve daily life and what previous buyers have said about them. All products have an average rating of at least 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on 1,000 customer reviews or more.