Before Christmas, while browsing for gifts for others, I came across several items that piqued my interest. I thought, hmmm, I would like that. Other people got their Christmas gifts … it’s time to grant your own! Here are 10 household items I found noteworthy.
AstroAI Mini Fridge
Product description
Are you tired of buying cold beverages for that exciting road trip only for them to heat up after a couple of hours? Perhaps you are looking for a way to easily store your cosmetics, afternoon snacks, or medication and keep them warm? If you answered yes to any of these questions, look no further.
The AstroAI Mini Fridge 4 liter/6 Can AC/DC Portable Thermoelectric Cooler and Warmer is a portable multi-purpose device that you can use anytime and anywhere. Use it to store skincare products, beverages, snacks, and so much more. It comes with a removable shelf which makes it easy to store different items in separate places. For example, you can separate your medication or cosmetics from foods.
It comes with two plugs. One for standard wall sockets and the other for 12V cigarette lighters in vehicles. Making it a brilliant choice for those who want to keep their beverages or water bottles cool while on the road. The best thing about this fridge is that you can leave it plugged in at all times and keep everything warm.
The AstroAI Mini Fridge is also freon-free and environmentally friendly. Meaning, it keeps sound at a minimum and you don’t have to worry about noise. You can even keep it in your bedroom and keep your water bottles close by throughout the night. No need to worry about external noise because you won’t even know it’s there.
It is lightweight and comes with a little handle which makes it easy to carry. Meaning, you can take it with you wherever you want or easily move it from one place to another. You also have the power to control the temperature and change it to whatever you want. For example, you can switch it to either cool or warm depending on what you have placed inside the fridge as well as what you prefer.
The good points
- Dimensions- product dimensions are 10.63 x 9.65 x 7.28 inches. Inner dimensions are 5.5” x 5.3” x 8.07” making it an ideal product to have in the office or your car.
- CE, FCC, ETL, RoHS Certified and comes with a 3-year Warranty provided by AstroAI which means you can reach out to them and get a replacement if you are not happy with the product functionality.
- Items will stay warm for several hours after the fridge has been turned off.
The bad points
- The portable fridge drains the vehicle battery if you run it while your vehicle’s engine is off.
- It is designed to keep items cool and does not keep items “freezing” cold.
Should you buy it?
The short answer is YES. If you are looking for a way to easily gain access to cool refreshments, then the AstroAI Mini Fridge 4 liter/6 Can AC/DC Portable Thermoelectric Cooler and Warmer is for you. It is easy to travel with and is a great way to stay refreshed.
What are others saying about it?
If you are still unsure of whether you should purchase it or not, have a look at what other people are saying about it;
Amazon ID: pmgjlover
“The fridge works as advertised and is a great little addition to my car. I use it to keep small water bottles cool so my riders can be refreshed. It does its job quietly and unobtrusively. While the fridge does not keep items “freezing” cold, it does a great job of keeping it cool (and that is exactly what it is described as doing).
Quite apart from the fridge, the top-notch support provided by this company has simply blown me away. I reported a little problem with a component of the fridge and received a reply within one business day. Another day later, I received a complete solution to my problem in the mail. I was so impressed I went looking to see what other products AstroAI makes that I may need. This company stands behind its product and truly puts its customers first. This company’s support is simply excellent.”
Amazon ID: Zyf
“I’m so glad I purchased this little fridge. I wanted something that could be dual-use for home and travel, and this seemed to fit the bill. I have my skincare in it at home and wanted to also use it for when I travel. I haven’t used it in the car yet, but I mainly wanted it so we didn’t have to waste all that money on ice during long car rides (for drinks and medications.)”
Amazon ID: Nicole Fernando
“This is the cutest thing ever. I’ve been wanting a mini-fridge for my skincare and face mask for a few months now but never thought it was worth it. I finally gave in and bought this one and I’m so happy! It’s so cute and it does its job. It’s a small pink fridge! I followed the instructions on the manual and it came with a card where I registered my product to extend its warranty! Happy with my purchase, get it if you want a cute little fridge in your room.”
Echo Show 5
Product description
For a multi-function device, the Echo Show 5 comes at a very reasonable price that makes it worth buying. The amazon-manufactured smart device has a 5.5-inch smart display for all its various uses and to help you manage your day easily as well as provide entertainment. It also has a touchscreen feature making it more flexible for use. It comes with a powerful speaker system, great computational power, and wireless connectivity.
If you like using Alexa as your smart home assistant, the Echo Show 5 will be a great smart display for you with its various voice-activated features. It connects to Alexa to give you responses to your voice commands, vivid visuals, and full sound. The multi-features also give room for entertainment as you can access music streaming services, movie trailers, Netflix, Prime Video, and catch up on news highlights from various news outlets. The portable size makes it perfect as a nightstand display giving you access to all this from the comfort of your bed, however, it can still be useful in any part of your house as per your preference.
With the Echo Show 5, it instantly becomes easy to control your smart home by being able to adjust thermostats, control lighting in your rooms and switches. You can even connect any other voice control compatible device and manage all of them on one single device on the easy-to-use display. By setting up Guard in the Alexa app you will even be able to get mobile alerts if your device detects the sound of a smoke alarm or a break-in when you are not at home. The Echo Show can help you bump up your security and protect your home using the Drop-In feature which allows you to access your camera remotely.
In as much as we have mobile phones, having one device that can do more is appealing, the Echo Show among its many uses can allow you to make hands-free video calls. You get to connect instantly to other supported devices. Besides making calls you can also use the touch to watch videos. You can call other Alexa devices and check on the feed of connected security cameras. It also works well with a Ring Video Doorbell allowing you to check on visitors as well as talk to them via voice command.
The Echo Show 5 has access to the wikiHow site which shows you how-to videos for a variety of questions making it a useful tool for learning new things. Besides being a suitable smart home assistant, the device has a smart alarm feature that helps to make your mornings way easier and more organized. It has a sunrise animation that starts 15 minutes before the scheduled time, getting brighter gradually to help you ease out of your sleep by making your room a little less dark. This feature turns on automatically with any alarm in the morning hours but there is an option to completely turn it off. If the brightness adaptive is enabled, it switches to nighttime clock time when the lights are turned off.
Besides using Alexa and voice commands, the smart home panel can give you a way to control your gadgets with just a touch. You can make your smart display more fun by using Amazon Photos or photos from Facebook to turn your home screen into a digital frame to showcase your favorite pictures. In addition to the camera allowing video calls, it can also take pictures using Alexa voice commands. For your privacy, the Echo Show 5 includes a physical shutter and a feature to delete stored voice commands. It also has buttons in addition to the touch screen for volume control, muting the mic to disable Alex from hearing, and electrically disabling the camera.
The good points
- The added privacy shield on the camera
- It is a multi-function smart display at a very affordable price
- Integrated how-to videos by the WikiHow feature
The bad points
- No access to other video apps like the YouTube app
- You cannot set your own snooze time or set a sunrise alarm outside a certain range of hours.
Should you buy it?
For a smart home assistant and to manage all compatible smart home devices efficiently on the simple interactive display or by voice commands, the Echo Show 5 does a great job and would be worth investing in. The various extra features such as access to entertainment streaming services and its amazing Sunrise feature for the perfect alarm clock make it all the more worth buying.
What are other buyers saying about it?
Amazon ID: T-Squared
I was unhappy with the Show when l first set it up. I wanted the clock to show but Amazon tips kept minimizing the clock. After giving it one star, Amazon customer service reached out to me. I received an email explaining how to stop the `Things to try` and now I love it. Here is an excerpt from the email and l hope it helps others. You can edit your home page to not show you certain things on the Echo Show 5:
- Go to settings
- Open home and clock
- Home content
there you can turn off things like rotate continuously, discover trending topics, or anything else you don’t want to see.
Amazon ID: Jodeg
We have the large Echo 4, Echo Dots, an Echo Spot, and now an Echo Show 5, I love them all! The Echo Show 5 was easy to get set up and is great to use. I have it by my bed (don’t need an alarm clock, we are retired) and l really like the clock face. It is nice and big, easy to read with my old eyes. I have set it to dim down at night so it won’t cast too much light in our bedroom, but it’s still very readable. There are nice clock faces which are easy to change. I also purchased the magnetic stand so l could angle it down to make it easier for me to read the time. It works great with our ring doorbell and Ring security system, just like the rest of our Echos. I’m very pleased with the Echo Show 5 and would recommend it. The price is right too!
Amazon ID: Michael C.
I primarily use this as an alarm clock and I love it! Most of the negative reviews are from people who need to learn how to use it properly. You CAN eliminate the “try Alexa” and you CAN have a large alarm clock time display. There IS a nighttime display mode. You CAN change the clock display. I like it so much I am ordering a second one for my family room. The only thing I wish it could do was set an alarm to music. Overall a great product.
NETGEAR Wi-Fi Range Extender EX2800
Product description
We have all experienced the frustration that comes with experiencing slow internet speed, the feeling could as well mimic what it must feel like when the world is ending. We are so accustomed to using the internet for everything these days from work, research, studies, to all things leisure such that just a moment without connectivity could feel like hell. After paying your Internet Service Provider a lump sum the last thing you want is to experience slow internet speeds or Wi-Fi dead zones. This is where the NETGEAR Wi-Fi Range Extender comes to the rescue.
This Range Extender is a worthy device to invest in especially if you are someone who is always connected to the internet and you need wider coverage with no dead zones in your vicinity. The Wi-Fi booster helps extend wireless coverage up to 1200 square feet, covering those hard-to-reach areas of your home which allows you to be flexible and not be rooted in the same room or same spot to be able to have high-quality access to the internet.
The device allows the connection of up to 20 devices such as laptops, smartphones, speakers, IP cameras, tablets, IoT devices, etc.. all of this while still maintaining a steady and quality connection. You are no longer limited to using only a few devices at a time because you are worried the Wi-Fi performance will be reduced. The Wi-Fi Range Extender will not only extend the range of your Wi-Fi but also boost the speed delivering up to 750Mbps. Even in your low-signal zones, you will have a strong and fast W-Fi connection. This allows you to work from home without experiencing connectivity issues on your conference calls.
The NETGEAR Wi-Fi Range Extender is quite affordable considering its value and quality performance. It is also quite hassle-free when it comes to reliability since it has universal compatibility, it works with any wireless router, gateway, or cable modem with Wi-Fi. The use of simultaneous dual-band patented technology helps establish a speedy Wi-Fi connection which is ideal for HD streaming and gaming as it also helps reduce interference. It consists of internal antennas which do the job of establishing better coverage and speed.
The wall-plug design is convenient as well as discrete and allows the booster to blend right in with everything, you will barely notice it. The portable size makes it aesthetically pleasing to be positioned in any room since it will not be adding any clutter.
Setting it up is very easy, it only takes a few minutes of your time. You can connect to your existing router with just one button press, the WPS button is the one that initiates the connection, connects devices to your network, and everything is done. Another useful feature that comes with the Range Extender is the Netgear Wi-Fi Analytics App which allows you to check your network status, the Wi-Fi signal strength, identify crowded Wi-Fi channels, and much more. That same feature can also be of use in finding an optimal location.
Your security is still of optimal importance and the Range Extender will ensure that you are safe and secure as it can support different wireless security protocols such as WEP and WPA/WPA2. The NETGEAR Range Extender is backed by a NETGEAR limited one-year hardware warranty which puts you at an advantage if it malfunctions.
The good points
Easy to set up with just a click of a button
Multiple devices can be connected without compromising the quality
Wall plug design is convenient in making the Range Extender blend in
Dual-band technology and compatible universally
Safe and secure connection
The bad points
Cannot boost beyond 1200 square feet
Should you buy it?
If you are looking for an affordable internet booster to make your day-to-day internet experience hassle-free and more enjoyable, the NETGEAR Range Extender will be a good choice for you. It gives you access to multiple device connections and very wide coverage for use in different rooms and locations in your home. You will benefit from fast, quality gaming and streaming internet connection for all your entertainment. Working from home becomes easier with smooth zoom meetings being part of the package.
What are other buyers saying about it?
Amazon ID: Octavio Salas Blas
Very satisfied with its performance, finally l have a good signal in a room located on the first level and about 10 meters from the modem that is on the ground floor. I only connected it about 5 meters away from the modem on the first level
Amazon ID: Todd G
So far so good, loving it, l wish l had known about it earlier. I plugged it away from my router, the first time I turned it on l was just reading and following directions. The next thing l know l was connected. l love that it is going great.
Amazon ID: Cuauhtémoc
It is easy to set up with Modem from Telmex to 2.4 and 5. I used it to extend reach to the bedrooms and it worked perfectly.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Product description
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is a smart thermostat designed to bring maximum comfort to a home while maximizing energy saving. The smart device uses artificial intelligence to continuously learn about your way of life including your home schedule and uses the data to program itself. By programming itself to maximize energy use, it can help you reduce your energy bill considerably.
The Nest generation 3 is very slim and sleek. It measures 1.2 x 3.3 inches, with a 480 x 480 high-resolution screen which makes it easy to read the temperature, weather, time, and energy status from a distance. It comes in many different colors and finishes to suit any home design, including the favored black stainless-steel finish.
When it comes to controls, the device has an outer dial ring that you can use to enter information. To use, you just need to press the edge of the ring and the menu screen will pop up. You can then turn the ring to navigate, and press it to select. In addition, since the Nest is produced by Google, you can use Alexa and Google Assistant to control the device from basically anywhere in the world. From a distance, you can check the temperature of your home and adjust it using a simple voice command. It has an alert function to notify you of any potential issues with your heating and cooling system. The alert system can also be used to program regular maintenance reminders so you stay on top of everything.
The intelligent Nest learns your schedule and adjusts the temperatures in your home to get the perfect balance between energy saving and comfort. It can use sensors or your mobile phone to detect when you are at home. Over time it can learn your schedule and program itself accordingly. For example, the device can activate the Eco Temperature feature whenever you are away and prevent you from heating or cooling an empty house. This allows you to save energy and reduce your bill. With the amount of energy saved, most people find that the Nest pays for itself and returns a profit. Independent energy saving studies showed that people who use Nest generally save around 10% on heating and 15% on cooling energy costs per year.
In addition to being able to control your heating and cooling system from anywhere in the world, you can use your mobile device to keep track of your energy consumption and make changes when necessary. The Nest tracks and keeps an energy history that allows you to see when and how much you are consuming.
For those that want to maintain different temperatures in specific rooms, a Nest temperature sensor can be purchased separately and used with a smart thermostat to control specific rooms in the home.
What’s new compared with the older versions?
The 3rd generation Nest thermostat comes with 10 inbuilt sensors that include light, motion, humidity, and temperature. The 2nd generation only had 3 sensors. The 3rd generation also uses the farsight feature that automatically wakes up the screen whenever you enter the room so you can easily see all the basic information without touching it. The new version has also benefited from connectivity upgrades that include 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) and 802.11a/n (5GHz) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Pros
The Nest Programs itself – the artificial intelligence used in the device makes it possible for the thermostat to learn your schedule and program itself to ensure maximum comfort and energy savings.
Easy installation – The Nest is so easy to install anyone can do it. It takes up to 30 minutes to install and you have everything you need right inside the box. Additionally, is it compatible with 95% of heating and cooling systems
It lets you see how much you saved – You can track your energy-saving history directly from your mobile device and use the information to optimize your energy use.
Cons
Separate devices for independent temperature control – you need to purchase additional devices if you want to independently control temperatures in different rooms. However, the devices can be set to communicate and they actually work well together.
Should you buy it
The3rd generation Google Nest Learning Thermostat has maintained all the popular features from the previous versions and added new exciting ones. The Farsight feature is quite useful and convenient. The extra sensors improve the comfort management of your home. The inter-device connectivity makes it possible for you to independently control certain rooms in your home, but still, manage the whole system on your mobile device.
What are other buyers saying?
Amazon ID: H Mcw
Really enjoying this thermostat. Besides looking worlds better than most thermostats, it is intuitive and easy to adjust from home or away. I also love that it has a fan speed adjust that my last thermostat lacked (and my HVAC guy assured me I could NOT adjust on my new HVAC unit). Now my fan speed is barely audible which is a dream. So many things going for it. Got a great price for the copper version on Amazon, and Ontario has a rebate program for $100. Win win win.
Amazon ID: Ammar
So to begin, I got the wrong product. I ordered the black one, but I got the silver one instead. I would’ve returned it if it wasn’t already installed. Other than that blaring problem, everything else is as it should be. I had this in my old house as well. Cannot do without. Functionality and user friendliness is top notch.
Amazon ID: geoff arvesen
We have had our best thermostat for a little over a year now and I have to say we love it. I would give 10 stars if I could!!!
The features are amazing. I like that You can adjust the temperature when you’re not home plus it syncs with the weather and knows when to adjust the temperature. Plus it knows when you’re home or away and learns your routine. We keep it set to a temperature range where in the winter it won’t go below a set temperature and in the summer it won’t go above a set temperature. No more switching back and forth between heat and ac in our crazy Texas weather
Our electric bill is significantly lower.
It takes a couple weeks for it to learn your routine. We don’t ever even have to touch the thermostat.
ASASUKI 500ml Premium, Essential Oil Diffuser with Remote Control
Product description
Are you tired of unpleasant odors in your home no matter how often you clean? dry air making you uncomfortable? The ASASUKI Premium Essential Oil Diffuser is exactly what you need to create a better atmosphere in your home. For a small price, you can get this game-changing, multi-function device to solve your household odor issues and switch them up for therapeutic fragrances.
This aromatherapy nebulizer allows you to have fragrances of your chosen essential oils, create a pleasant and therapeutic atmosphere that can help lift your mood and relieve you from stress. It is multifunctioning making it better compared to other similar devices as it is a 5 in 1 Aromatherapy Device. Its size makes it aesthetically pleasing for any room of choice. It has a 500ml water tank which is a larger holding capacity compared to most diffusers. This makes it possible for it to run for the whole night without the need to wake up and refill.
The diffuser will help you not only with aromatherapy, but also humidifying your air, covering smoke and pet odors for all pet lovers. It is also useful to protect you and your family from breathing in dry air, microorganisms, allergens, and dust. By purifying your air, it helps to create a healthier home environment. It can also help improve issues of dry skin by hydrating your skin through the use of humidified air and essential oils.
With 7 different LED light colors which change gradually and automatically, it also has an added option of having those colors on high or low light according to your preference. The LED lights can also work as a night light to improve sleep quality, especially in children. The ASASUKI Premium Essential Oil Diffuser still allows you to turn off all the LED lights if you prefer to sleep in complete darkness.
This essential oil diffuser features multiple mist nebulizer modes, 2 levels of quiet Ultrasonic Mist Function. The strong and weak mist modes help you to choose if you want to use it more as a diffuser or also as a humidifier as well as to regulate the intensity of the fragrance. The remote control makes it more convenient by allowing you to operate the diffuser from anywhere in your house within 16,5 ft. The entire unit has a safety auto shut-off feature that turns it off when the water level runs out and also prevents it from overheating. It also includes a timer feature for the mist.
The good points
The essential oil diffuser is easy setup, use, and clean
The size is portable and allows you to carry it for use when you travel to a different place
The multi-use as an aromatherapy device, diffuser, and humidifier allows you to get more benefits from just one device
The bad points
It doesn’t come with sample oils so one will still need to get those separately
It does not put out as much moisture as a humidifier
Should you buy it?
If you are looking to create a fragrant, pleasant, and healthy atmosphere in your home the answer is yes. For a room filled with essential oil fragrance and a humidifying effect, the essential oil diffuser is exactly what you need.
What are others saying about it?
Amazon ID: Julie Ann
Wow, I’m impressed with this 500ml diffuser. I wish I had known about this one before buying mine from the store. The amount of water it holds alone makes it worth it. The amount of vapor that comes out is by far the most of all my diffusers. I love it, this diffuser is the same price as the 100ml diffusers from my local store. Very happy with it and will eventually change all of mine to this one!
Amazon ID: Almostaguilera
I read review after review on here for all these different diffusers and had such conflicting information. A girlfriend had this one in her store and recommended it so I bought it. So glad I did! It puts out so much vapor and smells, it is beyond what l have read or expected. l plugged it in and in one day it changed the smell of the whole house overnight. I have 2 big stinky dogs and reptiles so try as l may to keep it smelling good. It was an uphill battle I was losing…until now. I have a ranch-style home 1200 sq. ft. and it reaches every room. I even had to buy another for my finished basement. It’s a basement so it has a musty smell and this helps so much. If you are like me, you do your research and still have a hard time choosing, choose this one. I highly recommend it and strongly encourage you to buy it. Love love love this diffuser!
Amazon ID: Mandi
Love this diffuser! My old one broke and I needed a new one ASAP, and this one looked like the best option. Very satisfied with my purchase! It’s pretty easy to use, the only thing I don’t like is that the plug-in is on the bottom and can be difficult to reach or plug-in/unplug. My old one had the plug-in on the side and that was much easier. But other than that small issue, everything else is great! I like that it diffuses out instead of up. The buttons are easy to understand and there’s so many different light settings which is great. It also diffuses for a really long time if you have it filled up all the way! Great purchase, highly recommend this diffuser.
Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Product description
Are you looking for an effective repellent? Look no further. Amazon has you covered. With just one product, you can get rid of pests- from tiny insects to rodents and bats. The best part? You don’t need to worry about allergies, funny smells, or having to hunt down dead mice! This nature-friendly repellent will drive the pests to find a new home.
Neatmaster ultrasonic pest repeller is a plug-in indoor pest repellent for home, warehouse, hotel, office, garage, and more. It uses low-frequency ultrasonic waves to repel ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, cricket, flies, mice, mosquitoes, moths, silverfish, spiders, stink bugs/shield bugs, and wasps. Thus, its waves are not harmful to humans though they do make pests uncomfortable.
The product has three function modes which are green, blue, and red. Green is the lowest mode used for slight pest infestation and it does not have audible noise. While the blue setting does not have noise, it has a higher range of ultrasonic frequencies than the green setting, making it more effective. It works where there is a moderate pest infestation.
Red, on the other hand, is audible and also has high ultrasonic frequencies. The sound can be piercing, making it better to use the mode when you are leaving the house. However, if you use the red setting frequently, the pests might get used to the noise. This setting is for use where pest infestation is heavy.
The pest repeller can cover an area of 80 to 120 square meters. But, ultrasonic waves cannot penetrate through solid objects, walls included. Therefore, you will need one for each room. Due to the way it functions, it might take a couple of days or weeks to see some changes.
The Good Points
Safe to use – Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller does not use chemicals and, the low levels of its ultrasonic waves make it even safer for humans. It is also friendly to nature.
Repels a wide range of pests – it saves you from buying numerous types of pest control.
It is user-friendly – all you need to do is plug in the gadget and choose a setting according to your level of pest infestation.
It covers a wide area – be rest assured that Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller will protect your big room as the product covers an area of up to 800 to 1200 square feet.
The Bad Points
The noise – the setting for heavy infestations comes with a sound that may not be comfortable to the ear. This mode makes the red mode of the repeller difficult to use when there are pets or people in the house. You would need to use it only when you are going out.
Multiple gadgets for different rooms – even if your rooms are relatively small, you will still need a repellent for each room because the waves cannot penetrate the walls or solid objects.
Should you get it?
Why not? Unless your situation needs urgent fixing and you do not mind using chemicals. Besides, some chemical repellents do not last long and, neither do they repel as many pests as ultrasonic waves do. Although you may take a couple of days or weeks to see the results, it will be worth it.
Users said the following about it;
Amazon ID: Jamie
“The green and blue light settings work well and are quiet. The red one is a bit loud but turns that on when no one is home to help with the bug issue. I live in the south and country and bugs and spiders seem to be everywhere. This has seemed to help so far, so good.”
Amazon ID: Wendy Lim
“This product works. I bought my first one in Jan 2021 and kept it on in the living room 24/7. And then somehow my mum turned it off last night. This morning, there were so many ants attacking my honey stars! So I decided to get another one, but the price has doubled!!!! I paid $52 in Jan and now it’s over $100??”
Amazon ID: Brittney A
“We have had a really bad problem with spiders, ants, and wasps in the house. We originally plugged the device into the wall near the back door which is not properly sealed (allowing the pests in) thinking they wouldn’t want to come into the home, but it seemed to make them not want to leave the house. We’re renting and don’t want to pay to fix the door ourselves since we’re about to move out so we figured we would just move it to the center of the home and it seems to be working, a few days after moving it to the center of the home we stopped seeing pests inside.”
AmazonBasics Steel Home Security Safe with Programmable Keypad
Product Description
We all need our privacy. The frustration that comes with trying to keep people from accessing your confidential documents or valuables is unbearable. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to safely store your valuable documents, jewelry, or other valuables? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place.
The AmazonBasics Steel Home Security Safe with a Programmable Keypad is precisely what you need. It is the safest place to store your important documents, jewelry, and other valuables. Use a code or key to lock your valuables away and protect them from unauthorized access.
The safe is easy to set up and comes with a programmable electronic keypad which ensures secure and easy operation. Program it whichever way you want and create a new code in case you forget your existing one. You also receive a backup key to use in case of an emergency so you never have to worry about getting locked out.
The AmazonBasics Steel Home Security Safe with Programmable Keypad comes with a removable shelf that makes it easy to separate your valuables. For example, if you need storage for your confidential work files and jewelry, you can place your documents on the top shelf and your jewelry at the bottom. If you need more space or want to store bigger items, you can easily remove the shelf and place your valuables.
It also includes pre-drilled mounting holes and hardware for floor and wall mounting. So, you can keep it wherever you want and whichever way you want.
The good points
The safe has 2 live-door bolts and pry-resistant concealed hinges to give you that extra layer of security.
It is affordable and offers value for your money.
You don’t need batteries to operate it. It is spacious and its many security features offer valuable peace of mind.
It is not a fire safe making it the best place to store your documents and other valuables.
Product dimensions- interior space: 13,6 x 10,6 x 16,4 inches. Exterior measure: 13,8 x 13 x 16,5 inches.
The bad points
With persistent effort, it can be opened with scissors and with the right tools and enough perseverance, thieves can break into it if it is not installed in a hidden area.
Should you buy it?
If you are looking for a way to safely store your valuables and can manage to install them in a concealed area, then this safe is worth the investment. The best part is that you can move it from one room to another and install it in a different area in case someone tries to break into it. If you are worried someone might simply pick it up and walk away with it, don’t be. Simply mount it down to sleep well at night and ensure that doesn’t happen.
What are others saying about it?
Check out the following reviews from other people who are using it to decide whether or not it’s the right fit for you;
Amazon ID: Matthew
“This is just a ‘valuables’ safe. It will not protect from fire or water damage, but it is just what it promises. The keypad is easy to use and easy to program. It comes with 2 keys (they are a little big but you probably won’t be carrying them in your pocket). I think it will only accept 1 digital code at a time, so you can’t make codes for every different person using it), We programmed in a 7-digit code but I think it accepts 4 to 8-digit codes. Fairly solid and has pre drilled holes to secure it on the sides and back.
It also has one shelf in the middle that is removable so you can fit those bigger items in it if needed.”
Amazon ID: Leslie H.
“We lost a bunch of important papers in our last safe, which was a fire safe because we didn’t open it for a while and everything got covered in nasty mold. It was awful and a huge inconvenience to have to get new birth certs and such. So, I got rid of that thing and bought this instead. No, it’s not fireproofed, but what good does fireproof do if your stuff just gets ruined anyway? It’s secure against prying eyes and hands from people in your home and would likely protect your things against amateur thieves, also, especially if it is adequately concealed. We will be moving to a new home soon and are planning on having this installed in a concealed area behind a hidden panel, but where there is still ventilation so we don’t lose things to mold again. We like it and have no issues.”
Amazon ID: TazandSteve
Shipped fast and is exactly what I needed. I added a magnet light from harbor freight. Holds my stuff, including a standard size ammo can.”
ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro
Product Description
If you always lock yourself out of the house or need a solution that makes it easy for you to move in and out of the house without memorizing numerous keys while ensuring security, you’ve come to the right place.
The ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro, 6-in-1 Keyless Entry Door Lock with Bluetooth, Biometric Fingerprint, and Keypad is just what you need. It is a 6-in-1 keyless entry smart lock with a Touch-and-Go 360-degree Live Fingerprint ID, Anti-peep Keypad, Smartphone, Auto Unlock, Shake to Open, and Mechanical Key. Making it the best fingerprint lock you can find. The 360-degree live fingerprint ID makes it easy for you to unlock your smart lock with just one touch. The U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock uses a standard Schlage C keyway deadbolt cylinder and has a backup mechanical key for an emergency override. You can store up to 100 fingerprints and up to 50 customizable codes for backup in case you need them.
Easily control your Ultraloq smart lock via Bluetooth. Lock, unlock, and share access using a Smartphone App. Use it to also see who entered your house and when. Use an eKey to grant permanent access to family or certain individuals for specific dates and times. Use a code to grant colleagues, guests, or service maintenance people temporary access. Receive a notification on your phone every time someone opens or closes your door.
The best part about the Ultraloq smart lock is that it automatically locks when you leave and unlocks when you arrive at your doorstep if you have your smartphone within range. It’s easy to install, reliable, and the perfect solution to add that extra layer of security. Easily replace your deadbolt with a screwdriver to begin the installation process, set up the Smartphone App, and grant access within a few minutes. Add new users, grant different access levels, and remove them anytime. You can also use this lock for your garage interior door if you prefer.
The Smart Lock has an Auto-unlock geofencing function which allows you to set the radius and unlocks every time you are within that specific range. It sets your mode to ‘Back’ and unlocks once you enter the specified radius and switches to ‘Away’ when you leave the radius. Use the ‘sharing link’ to allow certain people to set up their fingerprints and access your house when you are away. The best part is that anyone can set up their fingerprints remotely if you give them the link.
It is powered by four AA Alkaline batteries that can last for more than a year with regular use. That’s great durability. You also get a notification on your Smartphone App when your batteries are running low so you never have to worry about failing to operate the lock. Use an external battery to activate your Ultraloq Smart Lock when the batteries are dead.
The good points
The Ultraloq Smart Lock is an IP65 rated dust and weatherproof external lock built to withstand heat and cold so you never have to worry about malfunction caused by changes in the weather.
The bright backlight of the smart lock keypad allows you to add random digits and protect your passwords from prying eyes even at night.
It comes with a lifetime mechanical warranty and an 18 months electronic warranty.
The bad points
You need the Ultraloq Bridge Wi-Fi Adaptor for remote access and it is sold separately.
Should you buy it?
The ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro, 6-in-1 Keyless Entry Door Lock with Bluetooth, Biometric Fingerprint, and Keypad makes it easy for you to secure your home. It offers the best security, ensures you don’t get locked out from your house, and allows you to easily keep track of log entries. So, the short answer is Yes.
What are others saying about it?
Amazon ID: Rob Daman
It’s easy to install. We have the non pro unit which is nice but this Pro has a fingerprint reader. I love this for my kids so they don’t have or lose a key. There are options if you get their bridge to control it remotely via WI-FI and your smartphone.
I also like how you can provide different levels of access and remove them when you want.
I made a video with my oldest son Jesse to help me show how easy it is to install and use.
Amazon ID: Toma Kicovic
Love this lock!! The fingerprint reader works, even at -34°C! You scan each finger you want to use in many positions.
Also, with the WIFI adapter, it’s fully remote control, and can lock or unlock remotely, and even with a geofence function.
The best lock we’ve owned.
Amazon ID: Shopper
Got it today! Replaces another older Bluetooth deadbolt that had some serious security and limitations.
Installation was as easy as a normal deadbolt lock, took about 15 mins to install/set up the (iPhone) app, lock, and bridge added two additional users, then magic! This thing is AMAZING!!
Ring Alarm 8-piece kit (2nd Gen)
Product Description
If you are looking for a way to secure your home and monitor movement around the house, look no further. The Ring Alarm 8-piece kit (2nd Gen)-home security system with optional 24/7 professional monitoring is just what you need.
It comes with four contact sensors, one keypad, one base station, one motion detector, and one range extender. The base station allows you to keep your system online and the range extender ensures your Alarm devices have a signal.
The Ring Alarm 8-piece kit (2nd Gen)-home security system with optional 24/7 professional monitoring is a great fit for 1-2- bedroom homes and provides the ultimate solution to secure your entire home. The keypad has emergency buttons and small contact sensors to seamlessly blend into your home.
The Ring Alarm 8-piece kit (2nd Gen)-home security system is a do-it-yourself alarm system that is easy to set up and does not require any technical skills. Just use the instructions that come with the product to install and set it up with minimal effort. Simply plug in your base station, connect to Wi-Fi and activate your system via the Ring app. Place your sensors in the desired locations. The most exciting part is that it works with Alexa making it easy for you to arm and disarm the Ring Alarm with your voice.
Receive mobile notifications via the Ring app when your system is triggered or when someone triggers the motion sensors, opens a door or window, or sets off the alarm. Easily change Alarm modes and monitor all your Ring devices from a simple dashboard.
Control your security with 3 modes; Home, Away, and Disarmed. Set your alarm to Home mode to disarm your interior sensors and keep your exterior sensors armed. Set to Away mode to arm all sensors and monitor what happens while you are away. Set it to Disarm mode to disarm your entire system.
The good points
Get smart alerts sent to your phone whenever your Echo device detects the sound of smoke alarms, glass breaking, or carbon monoxide alarms when you pair your Ring Alarm with Alexa Guard.
The Ring Alarm Kit comes with a 1-year limited warranty and service.
You can also add smart accessories to your Ring Alarm. For example, sensors to detect fire and panic buttons to enhance your home security system.
Receive real-time emergency support in case of break-ins or when security threats are detected.
The bad points
The smart accessories don’t come with the kit and are sold separately.
Should you buy it?
If you are happy with your current home security system then purchasing this kit is not necessary. However, if you want to easily monitor movement around your home and enhance your security system then go ahead and buy the Ring Alarm Kit.
What are others saying about it?
Amazon ID: Patrick Allman
Easy to set up as I went from Simplisafe. I went from $25 a month to $10 which is a huge savings.
Easy to install, looks fresh, and excited to complete the set (Floodlights next).
Amazon ID: MaryBeth
Purchased this to prevent a teen from escaping their bedroom in the middle of the night because he was sneaking out and I had enough of the worrying so we bought this and I finally am getting a full night’s sleep I’m not up a million times checking on him he’s behaving I’m sleeping it’s a win-win everything worked great was super easy to install and even sets up with Alexa very easily we now have our entire home updated and is a smart house so this was a great addition and even got us a break on homeowners ins by having the system monitored which paid for the monitoring it’s great. Love it and will recommend it to anyone needing a system
Amazon ID: Don R.
I had a DYI alarm system for many years but the company (iSmartAlarm) recently went out of business. It was not reliable anyway, so perhaps going out of business was a good thing. I own many Ring cameras so the logical step was to purchase the alarm system and I am very happy that I did. This is an easy-to-use system and the integration with Amazon Alexa is great! I had the entire system up and running in less than an hour and that includes taking down my iSmart Alarm sensors. I am subscribing to the monitoring (which iSmart Alarm doesn’t offer). This gives me a bit of a break on my homeowners’ insurance. I am pleased with the entire Ring alarm system. I only wish I had purchased it sooner. One very nice feature is that I can create a skill in the Alexa app that alerts me to move from one of the sensors even if the system is disarmed. Alexa announces that there is motion on the x sensor. I do this for a semi-detached room in my house with an exterior door and windows.
Blink Outdoor – wireless, weather-resistant HD security camera
Product Description
We all know how frustrating it is to try and keep track of everything happening around the house especially when you are away. You want to know your home is safe and free from trespassers so you can get on with your work and other activities. If you are looking for a way to constantly monitor your home and catch intruders, you should look into the wireless HD security camera by Blink Outdoor.
The Blink Outdoor- wireless, weather-resistant HD security camera is all you need to detect movement around your home and see who’s in your home. It is a wireless battery-powered camera that helps you easily monitor your home 24/7 with infrared night vision. It has long-lasting battery life and runs on 2 AA lithium batteries that last for up to two years. The best part is that you don’t have to buy the batteries separately. They come with the Blink outdoor camera.
It is water and heat resistant making it easy for you to install it wherever you want. It also allows you to create customized motion detection and privacy zones so you can only monitor areas you care about.
Its HD live view and infrared night vision on the Blink app allow you to see what’s happening in your home no matter where you are. The Two-way audio lets you hear and talk to anyone in your house even when you are away. It is easy to set up, has no wiring, and does not require any professional installation making it easy for you to set everything up within minutes. Its wire-free design allows you to mount, stand, or place it anywhere you want.
Save clips and photos from up to 10 Blink cameras connected to the Blink Sync Module 2 locally in your home and view them through the app or your laptop.
Get motion detection alerts on your mobile and use the customize motion zones option in the Blink Home Monitor App to only be alerted when you need to be. The Blink Outdoor- wireless, weather-resistant HD security camera works with Alexa making it easy for you to go hands-free. You get to stream live video, arm or disarm your camera, and so much more through voice control.
The good points
The Blink Outdoor Camera allows you to record and view in 1080p HD video during the day and with infrared HD night vision after dark. Giving you the best image and video quality.
It comes with a 1-year limited warranty and service. Meaning, if you are not happy with the product you can easily get a replacement.
It is easy to move around so you can set it up in one place and move it to a different area whenever you need to.
The bad points
It requires an always-on high-speed internet connection such as broadband, DSL, or fiber. Wi-Fi network: 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n.
Should you buy it?
The Blink Outdoor camera helps you monitor your home and makes it easy for you to keep track of what’s happening around the house. So, if you are looking for a way to secure your home, easily catch intruders, and provide evidence of trespassing just in case you need it, by all means, get the Outdoor camera.
What are others saying about it?
Amazon ID: Greg Fields
What an awesome product…total install took 25 minutes. I put 3 camera’s up outside to monitor my summer home. One of the camera’s I placed on a pole in the yard pointing at the roof so I can monitor snowfall and the snow melt roof system. The app was friendly. I shared the app with my wife and she was up and running in 2 minutes with minimal effort. We are so happy with this wireless system.
Amazon ID: Amazon Customer
We love it! Setting up is easy. You just need a really good wifi connection then play around with the sensitivity level until it works for what you need.
Amazon ID: N8iv Angeleno
I gave these new Blink Outdoor cameras a few days to test them out, and the verdict is in. These are so much better than the XT2s. I love my XT2s but it always drove me batty that I had to download the clips through the app, one by one. But with the new local storage feature, I simply grab the USB flash drive once a day and download the clips to my laptop. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Right now, it uploads to the USB flash drive once a day but at the end of the year it will be uploaded in real time. It will also have the capability to be uploaded to the USB flash drive manually if I choose. Love that. I’m so happy that I have local storage that I can quickly upload to my laptop.
