Shopping for a new tech product is exciting. It can be easy to be seduced by ads and advanced features that seem enticing, but not everything on the market is worth the hype (or even your hard-earned money). However, some technology purchases are not as necessary as they seem and not every device justifies its price or meets your needs.
Before you decide to spend money on a new product, it's important to know which devices are truly essential and which are just a waste of money. We'll go over some devices that may seem useful but in reality aren't worth the cost. Check out how my smartphone affected my life and what I fixed to get rid of the associated issues.
Smartphone upgrades every year
There's no doubt that it's tempting to upgrade your smartphone every time a new model is released. The sleek design, the promise of faster performance, and a camera that claims to make you look like a professional photographer overnight — it's hard to resist. But the important thing is that many of these annual upgrades boil down to small improvements that you probably won't notice in your daily life. For example, what can the iPhone 16 do that the iPhone 15 can't? In my opinion, there is not much.
So, what's the smart move here? Keep your phone for at least two to three years before upgrading. Most phones receive software updates for several years, which means you'll still get the latest features and security patches without purchasing new hardware. When you finally upgrade, take the time to think about what you need from your next device. Is it the latest and greatest, or just something that fits your lifestyle and budget? Check out Want to upgrade your smartphone? Questions to ask before you do so.
Guarantees and insurance
You just bought a new gadget that probably costs more than your monthly rent, and the seller is offering you “peace of mind” in the name of an extended warranty or insurance for an extra $100 or so. Is it worth it?
Most tech products, especially expensive ones like laptops, phones, and televisions, already have a manufacturer's warranty. This warranty usually covers defects and malfunctions for the first year. In fact, if something is going to break, it will likely happen within that first year. after that? Well, technology is evolving so quickly that by the time your device is in real danger of breaking, you'll probably be looking to the next upgrade anyway.
Custom e-readers
I know this may upset some people, but do you really need a dedicated e-reader? Sure, they're stylish, lightweight, and give you the feeling that you'll be reading more books this year. And thanks to their e-ink displays, they're also great for reducing eye strain and are perfect for long reading sessions without being distracted by notifications.
But in an age where your smartphone or tablet can do literally everything, investing in a read-only tool seems a bit overkill to me. If you're an avid reader who can devour a 700-page novel in one sitting, an e-reader might be for you. But for the rest of you, regular readers, wouldn't it be easier — and less expensive — to download the Kindle app or one of its alternatives to a device you already own?
Smart watches
Smart watches are great. They have heart rate monitors, pedometers, and can tell you how well (or poorly) you're sleeping. Most people I know buy a smartwatch, fiddle with it for a few months, and then it becomes just a notification device or, worse, a really expensive pedometer. If you're only concerned with your daily step count, your phone already does that (although it may not be as accurate as a smartwatch). Otherwise, get a fitness band.
Battery life isn't great either. While some people don't mind charging their watches every night, it's just another device to plug in at the end of the day. Meanwhile, traditional watches can operate for years without needing to change the battery. I often find it more elegant too. Check out Are luxury smartwatches worth the cost?
So, unless you're training for a marathon, need detailed heart stats, or have a medical need to constantly monitor your health, I think a smartwatch is an unnecessary tech purchase.
Curved TVs
I'll admit that when curved TVs first hit the market, I was intrigued by them. The idea behind it is that the curved design is supposed to create a more “immersive” viewing experience by wrapping the screen around your field of vision, as if you were in a small theater. In theory, this sounds great, but in practice, not so much.
To feel any immersive effects of a curved TV, you need to sit right in the middle, at the perfect point, and at the perfect distance from the screen. If you sit even slightly to the side, all you get is a distorted image that is far from cinematic. And honestly, how often do you sit right in the middle in front of your TV? If you're like me, you're relaxing on the couch, maybe not directly in front of the screen, or have a group of people over for movie night. In such situations, curved monitors offer nothing.
You're better off investing in a high-quality flat panel monitor that offers better overall image quality at all angles without any hassle.
Virtual reality glasses
Most people I've talked to (and I've witnessed this myself) tend to use their VR headsets for a few weeks or maybe a few months, and then they just sit there on the top shelf. It's like buying a treadmill, thinking you'll use it every day, then realizing it can double as a great clothes rack. Your enthusiasm quickly fades: “I will use it all the time!” When you have to actually put it up, adjust the settings, and find a place in your house where you won't accidentally drop a lamp while waving your arms.
There are still a lot of drawbacks to using VR headsets, which is why they don't interest me. You have everything from motion sickness to uncomfortable controls to a limited library of games and apps that make the technology actually worth your time. Not to mention, less expensive VR headsets don't provide the best images, so you may find yourself staring at pixelated dragons instead of feeling like you're truly in another world.
Blu-ray Disc players
Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have made it extremely easy to access a huge library of content. You can watch entire seasons, rent or buy the latest releases, and even stream in 4K — all without having to get up from the couch to switch discs. Convenience is king, and Blu-ray can't compete with that.
Besides, do you want to dedicate an entire shelf (or more) to plastic cases when you can store thousands of movies in the cloud or on a hard drive the size of your wallet? I can't be impressed when I walk into your living room and see a stack of discs next to your TV. It's not a nice or polite look.
I'm not saying Blu-ray doesn't have its place. If you're a movie buff who needs uncompressed video quality and Dolby Atmos audio, definitely enjoy your collection. But I don't think Blu-ray players are worth the investment for the average person anymore.
Many smart home devices
Now, I'm not saying that all gadgets are a waste of time, but many of them seem to be innovations for the sake of attention. They promise convenience but often add unnecessary complexity to simple tasks.
Take the smart refrigerator for example. Aside from looking attractive in the kitchen, what exactly does it do to justify the extra cost? Sure, it can tell you when the milk is low or tell you what's in it without even opening the door. But really, how hard can it be to open the fridge and take a quick look for yourself? Plus, with all the technology involved, repairs are sure to be more complicated and expensive.
Then there is the smart water bottle. While I appreciate the sentiment behind encouraging healthy habits, I can't help but wonder if we've gone too far here. Do you need a $50 bottle to remind you to drink water? Your body does this for free. It's called thirst, and it's a very good reminder that you need to drink water. But if you're worried about drinking enough water, you can just set a reminder on your phone.
I can't ignore the infamous smart toilet. Admit it, there's something undeniably luxurious about a high-tech toilet that can warm your seat, play music, or even analyze your “excrement.” But I don't think I want to upload my bathroom breaks to a cloud somewhere. Furthermore, if electronics break down (which is possible), you're suddenly dealing with an expensive, high-tech mess in a place where things are supposed to be simple. I'd rather stick to the classic porcelain throne and perhaps invest in a cute toilet seat cover.
Ultimately, it's important to ask yourself when shopping: Does this tool solve a real problem in my life, or does it add unnecessary complexity? Now you can see the types of unnecessary smart home devices I try to avoid.
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