I like to do photography and timelapse videos, so my favorite gadget is a collapsible tripod I can use with my phone. It doubles as a selfie stick and includes a carrying bag and an optional bluetooth remote.
A dual USB C/USB A drive is always nice.
It makes transferring files from phone to phone or from phone to PC significantly nicer.
Shoutout to LocalSend if a purely software approach is applicable. Fills the same role very nicely, and is free.
Microwave Splatter cover
book holder opener
A pi zero w. Need a wireless Android Auto adapter? Flash the right image. Need a Klipper controller for a 3D printer, flash the right image. Need to add a wireless thumb drive to any device that you can drop files to over the network? Flash the right image and run a few commands. They are very cheap and insanely versatile. I originally got a handful for $5 each and am still finding uses for them.
I keep an extremely small 64GB USB-A/USB-C flash drive on my Keychain so I can move files between phones, phone to computer, or load movies and TV shows from a computer or phone and plug into a TV to play.
It's only $10 and sometimes it's very convenient to always have on hand the ability to move files around without the use of a network or the cloud or whatever. The size of it is extremely small.
Verbatim 64GB Store ‘n’ Go Dual OTG USB 3.2 Gen 1 Flash Drive for USB-C Devices – 2 in 1 Type C Thumb Drive https://a.co/d/40uW3fE
My Glucusent book light, I use it every night when I read before bed. It is the best book light I've ever had and I absolutely love it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09PR1BTM7
Thinkpad T440p docking station, I get everything these days is USB C but I love having a docking station thats sturdy and has tons of ports vs a dongle that hangs off the side of my laptop and has maybe six ports.
Get into locksport!
USB hand warmers. I am very sensitive to the cold and its so nice to hold while walking around or keeping in your pockets
Bought a Rovyvon keychain flashlight I believe was around $20 that's amazing. It's Iike 650 lumens or something and it's tiny so I just have it on my keychain and turn it on at night if I need it in a jiffy.
Victorinox Nail Clippers:
https://www.victorinox.com/en-US/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Personal-Care/Nail-Clipper/p/8.2050.B1
Slider style EDC utility knife. Small, lightweight, and because the blades are cheap and easily replaced you can abuse them - cut on concrete, pry stuff, if it breaks the blade, not a big deal.
https://a.co/d/gouJDKV typical example but there's lots of different ones.
Bonus - these blades are more expensive than most, but still cheap and last a lot longer than standard blades do https://a.co/d/bQj77Qz
Don't know if you'll get something for as low as $20, but a small thermal printer. Functions as a label maker on steroids, there is no ink, or proprietary* paper. Some thermal paper rolls have built in stickers, some are transparent, some have special shapes and colors, etc.
I've used it to label plants, tools, cables, boxes, so-so-many gridfinity boxes. It takes 1-2 seconds from hitting print to having it ready.
* not entirely the case, in that some have set sizes, or markings to automatically feed and count. However, these are low tech, and there are third party vendors.
Arduino? you can get like 3 or the mini ones for $15 and depending on the amount of effort you are willing to put in it can control almost anything.
Small fold up table. It's a little bigger than a TV tray. It's out and used almost 24/7.
I guess I should rephrase.
I label a lot of boxes and spice containers but nothing unhinged lol
Heatit
