I’ve made some terrible tech purchases over the years, but on the flip side, plenty have significantly improved my quality of life. Here are my nine best-ever technology purchases, with an explanation of why they were so great.
1 Mifo Sports Earbuds
I had already owned numerous wireless sports headphones by the point I bought my Mifo earbuds in 2020, and the quality of each one seriously disappointed me. Instead of opting for another cheap pair of headphones whose low quality matched the price, I increased my budget.
My Mifo headphones are still some of the best I’ve ever owned, and I believe they’re one of the best headphones for working out. I used these in pretty challenging conditions, such as while running in torrential rain and when it was -10ºC outside. They held firm for four years, and I could have made them last longer if I hadn’t put them through so many hurdles.
The sound quality was great, and I also liked how they fit into my ears (something I’ve found challenging in the past). My only dislike was that they would sometimes pause if too much water got into my ears (which isn’t ideal when you like running and live in a country where it rains a lot).
2 My First MacBook Air
I used Windows computers for over 15 years before finally getting my first MacBook in 2018, and it was an absolute game changer. I loved how easy using my iPhone and computer together became, and I also noticed a significant improvement in device performance (plus fewer crashes and repairs).
My MacBook Air came at a good time for several reasons. First, I was just getting involved in freelancing; I didn’t want to use tech that would slow me down. Moreover, it was at the beginning of my photography journey, and photo editing became much easier.
While I have since upgraded to a MacBook Pro, I still fondly remember my MacBook Air. I’m also grateful that I could pass it down so that someone else could enjoy it. Despite the disadvantages of buying a MacBook, I think Apple’s computers are much better than every alternative.
3 LARQ UV Filter Water Bottle
While the water where I live is safe to drink, I wanted to run an experiment to see whether filtered water would have any benefits. I had been looking at LARQ’s water bottles for almost a year before purchasing one, and originally, I was going to buy one with a replaceable filter.
Eventually, I spent more on the rechargeable version. I knew that I wouldn’t order new filters every few months, and the cost would also have been higher in the long term than making the one-time purchase upfront.
I don’t know if the UV filter actually works, but I have noticed a significant improvement in my quality of life. I drink more water now (even as someone who already drank quite a lot), so I think this would be a fantastic purchase for someone struggling to stay hydrated.
Another benefit is that my water bottle doesn’t get nasty after a few months like others. You should still do a basic clean, but I think it’ll last longer (the quality is also excellent). Plus, you feel cool when others ask you about the bottle. $115 well spent, if you ask me.
4 Apple Watch SE 2
Buying a smartwatch was one of the simple tech adjustments that improved my quality of life the most, but I didn’t want to purchase something fancy. I needed a watch that was compatible with my iPhone and would track my daily activity, and the Apple Watch SE 2 was perfect for this.
Since buying the Apple Watch SE 2, I’ve increased my average daily step count to 10,000. I can also measure my health more effectively; I use my Apple Watch to track gym workouts. Moreover, I can track metrics (e.g., monthly heart rates) and determine what caused improvements or declines.
Besides tracking workouts, another way I’ve gotten the most out of my Apple Watch is by using it to find my iPhone.
5 Native Union 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
My decision to get a 3-in-1 wireless charging station was influenced by one of my Apple wall sockets breaking. This meant I’d have to take turns charging my iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad. Thankfully, I can now charge my iPhone and Apple Watch from the same place, and my Jabra headphones are also compatible.
Besides charging my devices, I also like using my wireless charger as a stand to change music when working on projects from my home desk. If I want to record videos, it’s also an ideal tripod. My charger also came with UK, EU, and US adapters—meaning I could also take it on holiday if traveling for extended periods.
6 Nikon 50mm Lens
My Nikon D3400 was the perfect introduction to professional photography, and the 50mm lens completely transformed my pictures. Suddenly, I had more options due to its wider aperture. I also became more creative because I couldn’t zoom in or out, which trained my eye to look for interesting opportunities. Below are some of my favorite pictures taken with this lens:
To this day, I still find it amazing that I got this lens for less than $100. It’s called a “nifty fifty” for a reason, and I always recommend getting this focal length as a starting point for your first prime lens.
7 Adobe Photography Plan Subscription
It’d be ludicrous to talk about my top all-time tech purchases and not mention the Adobe Photography Plan. I first became a customer in 2019 when I wanted to take my photo editing more seriously, and ever since then, I’ve been a loyal Lightroom user. Since 2022, I’ve also delved more into Photoshop.
I use my Adobe Photography Plan almost every day for professional and hobby use. When I want to edit images on the go, I often use Lightroom CC since it handily syncs across all devices.
Lightroom (1TB) costs $9.99/mo on its own, and you can get Lightroom and Photoshop with 20GB storage for the same price. The 1TB Photography Plan is $19.99/mo, which is also very affordable. I highly doubt I’ll choose another photo editing tool for my professional photos.
8 4th Gen iPod Touch
My first-ever iPod was the trusty iPod Shuffle, which I liked because it would let me discreetly listen to music and podcasts in class (sorry if any of my school teachers are reading this). However, the lack of a screen was a big drawback. The 4th Gen iPod Touch was my first Apple device with a screen, and I happily used it for seven years.
My iPod Touch was the gateway to later getting an iPhone; it was how I first found FaceTime, iMessage, and many native Apple programs that I still use today.
Eventually, I moved everything to my iPhone because having two devices seemed pointless. Nonetheless, I always had it with me when I owned one.
9 Xbox 360
I practically never play video games these days, but I have fond memories of playing FIFA as a youngster (all of the unreal songs on FIFA 06-15 undoubtedly play a role in that). My biggest gaming console upgrade was when I first got an Xbox 360 in 2009.
Besides playing my favorite games with better graphics, I also loved Xbox Live. Everything else, such as how the controller felt in my hands, also felt high-level. Even when the Xbox One was released, I still played the 360 for multiple years.
Having spent significant money on technology over the years, some purchases stand out more than others. Upgrading my computer and buying higher-quality headphones are definitely up there with my favorites, but forgetting my first prime lens and the Xbox 360 would be foolish. I’m more of an essentialist these days, largely due to my early experimentation.
