10 useful gadgets ZDNET readers are buying the most this year (including my pocket picks)

While are the perfect choice for iPhone users, Bluetooth tracker options for Android users have been somewhat limited over the years. But a few companies have stepped up to the plate to fill that void, and one of those is Chipolo. 

The Chipolo One Point key fob is very much like an AirTag, powered by a battery that lasts about a year. It's also water-resistant to IPX5 standard (which means it's splashproof). It's a great tag, and goes a long way to end the frustration (and arguments) that come from things like lost keys!

Also: Finally, Bluetooth trackers for Android users that work better than AirTags (and are cheaper)

This might be one of the best USB-C accessories I've ever purchased. It's a magnetic breakaway USB-C connector similar to Apple's MagSafe connector, compatible with all your devices, from smartphones and tablets to power banks, docks, and laptops, including MacBooks that lack MagSafe. 

A magnetic breakaway USB-C connector consists of two parts: the first part is the USB-C port that plugs into the device you want to protect -- be that a laptop, smartphone, charger, power bank, or other device -- and the other part goes on the end of the cable you're going to use.

I've got a good handful of these connectors, and I use them daily.

Also: My favorite USB-C accessory of all time got a magnetic upgrade - it's spoiled me ever since

There's one tool that I carry with me everywhere. It lives on my keychain and is simple yet incredibly versatile, capable of handling all sorts of tasks. This tool is an absolute workhorse, from opening letters to popping open random electronic gadgets.

It's the DotterPod Mini iSesamo Spudger. Whether I'm dealing with seams glued shut, ultrasonically welded, or just clipped shut, the Mini iSesamo Spudger can sneak into even the tiniest cracks. Once it's in, it's only a matter of time before the gadget pops open. 

I've used and abused my Mini iSesamo for over two years now. I bought the tool in March 2023, and it's still going strong. No bends, no significant chips, no signs of quitting. The gadget is tough as nails, yet gentle enough to avoid damaging delicate components. 

Also: This $12 gadget tool is a permanent accessory on my keychain - here's why

I like my EDC (everyday carry) gadgets, but when I travel by air, I almost always end up having to empty my pockets of a lot of useful stuff. I find it handy and convenient to have a screwdriver, scissors, and a pair of pliers close at hand, but most multitools are a no-go at airports and on commercial aircraft, often confiscated. 

But Nextool has a TSA-friendly multitool called the Mini Sailor Pliers Lite, and I've taken this with me on several flights with no issues whatsoever.

NexTool's mini multitool fits the bill perfectly. It has no blade and features needle-nose pliers with wire cutters, tiny scissors, a bottle opener, a SIM extractor, and Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers. There's also a handy keyring for attaching it to your keys. 

Also: They said I could bring this TSA-approved multitool on a plane - here's how that went

Multitools can cost upwards of $100, but I found a decent one that ticks all the boxes that's only $10 at the time of this writing -- a 15-in-1 multitool from the Amazon Basics line. 

It has all the usual tools, such as knife, scissors, two screwdrivers, bottle opener, saw, can opener, and corkscrew, ad even more obscure things like an ice breaker and fish scaler.

It's robust and well-made, and a perfect multitool to keep in the car or take camping. 

Also: I tested the $17 multitool that everyone's buying on Amazon - here's my verdict after a week

I love thermal cameras, and I use them for all sorts of things, from identifying overheating electrical components (faulty components usually run hotter) to finding radiator pipes underneath floorboards and in walls to spotting a dangerously overheating cable behind a couch. 

The InfiRay P2 Pro consists of a tiny thermal camera and a magnetic snap-on macro lens that allows the camera to be brought super close to the item being examined. That macro lens is great for getting in really close to circuit boards to find what's going on. The InfiRay P2 Pro comes in a version for Android and iOS (Lightning).

Also: I gave my Android phone thermal vision superpowers with this accessory

I've been a big fan of multitools and pocket tools for decades, from big names like Leatherman, Gerber, and Victorinox. But these are premium tools, often priced over $100. I understand that not everyone wants or needs a $100+ multitool. 

I did a lot of testing on budget multitools, and one I found was the NexTool E1 pocket tool. This is a multitool that combines 10 different functions into a compact, pocket-friendly package. The feature that I fell in love with was the bit holder, because I could get a  and get all my bases covered in a single tool. 

For under $30, it's a brilliant multitool. 

Also: I found a high-quality pocket multitool for less than $30 that isn't a joke

There are a lot of charging stations aimed at Apple users, but ones for Android users are thinner on the ground. But the Phelinta 3-in-1 charging station offers excellent value with a compact, all-in-one design, and is perfect for Android users.

This is the perfect way to declutter your nightstand, and it's compatible with a wide range of wireless charging-enabled phones and earbuds, including the Google Pixel 9/8/7 and 6 series, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2/Pro.

Perfect no-frills, no-nonsense wireless charging station.

Also: Finally, I found a reliable 3-in-1 charger that works with all my Pixel devices

My grandfather had a saying -- a place for everything, and everything in its place. Yeah, well, I'm not as tidy as he was, and for me, finder tags have saved me a lot of headaches and tearing out of my hair. And because didn't fit so great in my wallet, I even modified one to work better.

Well, now that third parties are making finder tags and cards, there's quite a choice out there, and a good choice for wallets is the SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card. At only 2.5mm thick, this card has a three-year battery life and a speaker so loud that you can hear it in a different room. It's also IP67 rated, so it's dust- and water-resistant.

Also: Finally, a wallet tracker as effective as an AirTag (and you won't believe the price)

Looking for a reliable, easy-to-use, and cheap (well, $65) device? Look no further than the AAWireless Two Android Auto adapter. It's one of those gadgets that just works. The integrated multifunctional button allows you to easily switch between phones and even pair new phones.

Just plug it in, pair your phone, and away you go -- entertainment on the move.

The adapter also comes with an app that is used to update the adapter and enable/disable advanced features and carry out troubleshooting, which is a nice touch. 

Also: Finally, an Android Auto adapter that's functional, easy to pair with, and priced well