From kitchen frustrations to unexpected messes and dying phone batteries, these five gadgets tackle the little problems that interrupt our day.
Ever notice how some of life’s biggest annoyances are actually pretty small? The measuring cup you have to lift to eye level. Or, the crumbs that somehow multiply between the couch cushions. Maybe it’s the phone battery that announces it’s at 3% just when you need directions. Perhaps that recipe calling for 125 grams of something when your measuring cups are marked in ounces.
None of these is a major crisis. But wouldn’t it be nice if there were an easier way? That’s what we’re exploring this week at The Gadget Desk. We’re not looking for technology that can write poetry, talk to your refrigerator or turn your living room into mission control. We’re looking for five useful gadgets that solve five everyday problems. And the best part? You don’t need a degree in computer science to use them.
1. OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup
The problem: Why do I have to bend down to read a measuring cup? We’ve all done it. Pour liquid into a measuring cup. Set it on the counter. Bend down to check the measurement. Pour a little more. Bend down again.
OXO’s angled measuring cup has a clever solution: measurement markings that you can read from above. Instead of repeatedly checking the liquid at eye level, you can look down into the cup while pouring.
Why it makes sense:
- Angled markings make measurements easier to see from above.
- It works like a conventional measuring cup.
- No batteries, apps or setup required.
Something to consider: Choose the size that fits your cooking habits, and make sure you’re buying the angled measuring cup rather than a conventional OXO model.
Our take: Sometimes the smartest gadget is simply a better-designed version of something you’ve used for years.
2. Etekcity EK6015 Digital Kitchen Scale
The problem: Is that a cup of flour or a cup and a half? Recipes aren’t always consistent. Some use cups. Others use grams. And anyone who has baked knows that measuring ingredients by volume isn’t always as precise as weighing them.
The Etekcity EK6015 digital kitchen scale offers a straightforward solution. Place a bowl on the scale, press the tare button to reset the display to zero, and add your ingredients. It measures in several units, including grams, ounces and pounds-and-ounces. Its stated capacity is 11 pounds, making it suitable for many everyday kitchen tasks.
Why it makes sense:
- Helps measure ingredients by weight.
- The tare function subtracts the weight of your bowl.
- Slim design makes storage relatively easy.
- Uses two AAA batteries.
Something to consider: It’s an electronic scale, so you’ll need working batteries. The display can also be harder to see if a large bowl hangs over it.
Our take: A small gadget that can eliminate a surprising amount of guesswork in the kitchen.
3. BLACK+DECKER dustbuster AdvancedClean CHV1410L
The problem: Do I really need to drag out the vacuum cleaner for six crumbs? You’re sitting on the couch. You reach for a snack. Somehow, half of it ends up between the cushions. Do you really want to haul out the full-size vacuum cleaner?
The BLACK+DECKER dustbuster AdvancedClean is designed for exactly these smaller cleanup jobs.
It’s cordless, rechargeable and equipped with a rotating nozzle, pull-out crevice tool and flip-up brush. That makes it useful for furniture, stairs, car interiors and those mysterious little collections of debris that seem to appear out of nowhere.
Why it makes sense:
- Cordless operation for quick cleanups.
- Crevice tool helps reach narrow spaces.
- Washable filter and easy-empty dirt bowl.
- Compact enough to keep accessible.
Something to consider: BLACK+DECKER lists approximately 11 minutes of runtime for this model. It’s designed for smaller jobs, not replacing your main vacuum cleaner.
Our take: If a gadget makes you more likely to tackle a small mess immediately, that’s a pretty practical benefit.
4. Anker Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable
The problem: My phone is dying, and naturally I forgot the charger. Few things are more annoying than watching your phone battery disappear when you’re away from home. Especially when you’re using it for directions, taking photographs or waiting for an important call.
Anker offers a Nano power bank with a built-in USB-C cable, 10,000mAh capacity and up to 30W charging output. The built-in cable means one less accessory to remember. Charge the power bank before leaving home, and you have backup power when you need it.
Why it makes sense:
- Portable backup power for compatible devices.
- Built-in USB-C cable.
- Useful for travel, day trips and everyday outings.
- Can be recharged and used repeatedly.
Something to consider: Confirm that your phone supports USB-C charging. Different Anker Nano versions have different capacities, connectors and features, so check the exact model before ordering.
Our take: A gadget that may not seem exciting until the day you really need it.
5. OXO Good Grips Upright Sweep Set
The problem: Why does sweeping up a little mess have to involve so much bending? Here’s a familiar situation. Something spills on the floor. You grab a broom. Then you search for the dustpan. Then you bend down to hold it in place.
OXO’s Upright Sweep Set offers a simpler approach by combining a broom with an upright dustpan. The dustpan can stand on the floor while you sweep debris into it. It’s not electronic, and that’s part of the appeal.
Why it makes sense:
- Upright dustpan reduces the need to hold a small pan at floor level.
- Useful for quick kitchen and household cleanups.
- No charging or batteries.
- Broom and dustpan can be stored together.
Something to consider: Check the handle length and storage dimensions to make sure they’re comfortable and practical for your home.
Our take: Good design doesn’t always require electricity.
The Best Technology Isn’t Always the Most Complicated
Here’s what these five products have in common.
- They don’t promise to revolutionize your life.
- You’re not required to learn an entirely new system.
- None of them needs to know your Wi-Fi password.
- They simply offer better ways to accomplish familiar tasks.
That’s something we believe strongly at Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos: Technology should earn its place in your home. Not because it’s new. And certainly not because it’s fashionable. Most definitely not because someone added the word smart to the packaging. But because it solves a real problem.
Keep Exploring with Geezers Gadgets and Gizmos
We’re Alyson Grisham and Garrison Leykam, bringing two generations and two perspectives together to explore the products, technology and ideas that can make life easier, safer, more connected—and a lot more fun.
Want to see the gadgets in action? Join us on our YouTube channel where we get our hands on products, put them to the test and tell you what we really think. No hype. No tech-speak. Just practical reviews, honest reactions and plenty of laughs along the way.
Turn It Up: Senior Rock
Garrison is revisiting his rock & roll roots and writing and recording Senior Rock—original music about what it’s really like to keep living, growing, laughing and occasionally raising a little hell as the years add up. These aren’t oldies and they aren’t nostalgia. They’re new songs about life now.
Friend us on FACEBOOK
Watch the reviews. Discover the music. Join the conversation.
Because Geezers Gadgets and Gizmos isn’t about getting old…
It’s about living well at any age.
A Note from Geezers, Gadgets and Gizmos
We haven’t personally tested these products, so we’re presenting them as a product worth considering. Some of the links in this article are Amazon affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. That support helps us continue researching products, creating articles like this and bringing you practical information about technology that can make everyday life better.