The Verge’s favorite non-tech gadgets

Let’s admit — most, if not all, of the people who work here The Barge I am a gadget lover. But while most of these gadgets are under the heading Headphones, Smartphones, Laptops, Speakers and all the other electronic gadgets we love to play with, there are also some really interesting, fun and useful gadgets I have. Don’t generally think of it as a technology per se.

So for this article, we asked our staff to come up with their favorite non-tech gadgets that don’t feature Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or apps. Located at the edge of technology. For example, where does the espresso machine belong? Discover the kitchen gadgets, home tools and personal items we love the most.

For years I’ve been telling myself not to buy a home espresso machine, but a few years ago I finally got one. I love my espresso machine. That’s fine with me. My model has a built in grinder and I have it on my Olympia coffee big truck. It’s simple, reliable, easy to clean, and makes consistently delicious espresso. I’ve been using it almost every day for 3 years and it’s still going strong. My latte art skills are sketchy, but that’s up to me, not Barista Express. — Allison Johnson, reviewer

Hario V60 drip coffee decanter

Over the past year, I’ve fallen in love with the Hario line of V60 drip coffee makers. But it wasn’t until last Christmas that she got a carafe big enough to brew two (or three for her with a push) coffee at a time. Place the paper filter in the plastic funnel on top, pour in the water, lift the funnel and pour the delicious beer from the glass decanter.

I’m not going to claim that it’s as easy as using a standalone coffee machine or an aeropress.If you want to get the coffee to water ratio right, you’ll need to be prepared to use a scale. If you like the ceremonies that get you going and want something a little more affordable than Chemex, the V60 is for you. — John Porter, Reporter

KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder Attachment

KitchenAid stand mixers are renowned for their reliability and classic aesthetics, but for me personally, their greatest utility is the attachment system. And there’s no attachment I love more than the Fresh Prep shredder. This makes it quick and easy to turn a 2-pound block of cheese into simple toppings like nachos or casseroles. If you’re using a Box Shredder, do your arm a favor and pick up this attachment — if you have a KitchenAid, that one.

The only drawback of this gadget is the price. In fact, for Fresh Prep kits, it makes a lot of sense. I put mine on sale for about $40 (it comes with a small and large shredder and a slicer that I’m sure I’ve never used). you can’t get around the fact that it’s connected to your mixer. However, if you already have one, the shredder is worth adding to your arsenal. You need to avoid being bitten by the grater.) — Mitchell Clark, news writer

Zojirushi microcomputer rice cooker

Turn over the Zojirushi microcomputer rice cooker. Forget soaking the rice for 30 minutes before cooking, and scraping the burnt rice bits from the bottom of the pan. do you know what i like to do Wash the rice the night before, hit this zojirushi schedule button, and wake up to a pot of perfectly cooked rice that’s kept warm until you’re ready to eat. , Also ideal for making fried rice the next day. It can handle different types of rice such as brown rice, white rice, long grain rice and short grain rice. Also suitable for making oatmeal and porridge. Hell, it can basically do anything a pressure cooker can do. You can hard-boil eggs, bake cakes, make soups and steam vegetables with this baby.I bought a fancy pants zojirushi with multiple settings, but there are plenty of affordable options that take up less space than the Instant Pot. glitter to me when you’re done cooking. What can’t you love? — Victoria Song, reviewer

MegaPro 13-in-1 Ratcheting Driver

yes it’s a screwdriver. Yes, I am aware that screwdrivers (even multi-bit ratcheting screwdrivers) can be purchased from many different brands. I have 5 different ones in my workbench! But after meeting MegaPro, I knew I wouldn’t have to buy a sixth.

Light and strong, grippy yet comfortable, easy to change ratchet direction with one hand, long, thin shaft that reliably reaches farther than other drivers, and a satisfying opening bit under the spinning cup The end of the stash. A double-sided bit that doesn’t require gripping or pinching to release from the handle, and a shaft with a bit cavity long enough to fit impact driver extensions or right angle attachments. I’ve never touched a square bit, but it’s a nice mix of Phillips, Torx and flats. oh look at that They also sell an “automotive” version that holds 12 of his 1 inch single sided bits and has magnetic ends to hold screws. It seems to replace other inferior drivers with that driver next. — Sean Hollister, Senior Report Editor

Cartman Aluminum Sport Shovel

A small folding utility shovel isn’t very useful until you have a small two-seater vehicle that gets stuck in the mud with shocking regularity. After trying to dig my car out of the parking lot on a snowy morning with what was on hand, I decided it was time to explore my options. Selling my car on a more affordable vehicle better suited for Midwest winters was out of the question. is a good compromise. — Kaitlin Hatton, eCommerce Social Media Manager

Bahco Laplander Folding Saw

Five years ago, I had to purchase a folding saw as a prerequisite for volunteering in a search and rescue team. Before that, I always thought of the humble hatchet as a versatile tool for the outdoors. It was something I could use to pound firewood until my arm inevitably got tired, and I nearly capsized it with less swing than I would admit. That all changed when I got my hands on Bahco’s affordable folding saw.

Since then, I’ve fallen in love with this little device. The 7-inch serrated blade conveniently folds into the handle and pops out instantly, so you can enthusiastically tear through everything from hardwood to plastic without having to select additional tools. I have found it to be faster and more efficient than an axe. It doesn’t swing around, so you don’t have to worry about less-than-ideal accuracy. The handle has a handy safety lock so you can toss it in your backpack and keep gloves, expensive rain jackets, and other SAR (Search and Rescue ) Don’t worry about shredding your gear. It’s an elegant tool for a more civilized age, and I’m here for it. — Brandon Widder, Commerce Senior Editor

I’m neither a tool person nor a knife person, but I love my Leatherman Wave Plus multi-tool. I have used it almost every day since my wife gave it to me as a birthday present a few years ago.

It comes with more tools than you need (18 in total), but a locking straight knife (great for opening cardboard boxes), radio radio pliers, and a mini screwdriver are the ones I always use. Whether you’re tearing down your weekly box from Amazon, Target, or Walmart, or installing your new Smart He Light his switch on the wall, the Leatherman is the first tool you grab to get the job done.

It’s also a great fidget tool when you’re sitting at your desk. Repeatedly unfolding and closing is really satisfying. Be careful not to pinch your fingers when doing so. — Dan Seifert, Associate Editor

Thinoptics Keychain Reader

If you live long enough, it’s very likely that you’ll need reading glasses at some point. I reached that point a few years ago, very reluctantly. When I realized I was squinting more than was healthy for me, I accepted my fate and bought reading glasses. I kept forgetting it in my bag and leaving it in the cab until I got the ThinOptics reader.

Because they are made of plastic, they technically cannot be called glasses. Also, no earphones. They sit on your nose like Ben Franklin’s specs, but when folded they’re a small, flat case with a little keychain he loop that you can hang from your backpack. So whether you left your glasses at home, accidentally put them on, or (like you used to) left them on the subway, there’s always a way to read your Pixel phone or Mac Pro screen without spending the day I know that I squinted my eyes desperately. — Barbara Krasnoff, Reviews Editor

Kiya black steel nail clippers

Listen, you cut your nails every few days. Would you like to have the best nail clipping experience ever? Steel clippers from the renowned Japanese brand Kiya cut cleanly and the plastic shell catches most of the trimmings. Clean those fingertips! — Kevin Nguyen, Feature Editor

There are few items that I love as much as non-tech gadgets and watches. My small collection is mostly modest and devoid of luxuries, but I can’t help but think, read, and write about watches. A traditional watch is an almost unnecessary tool these days, but it’s one of my favorite ways to accessorize what I’m wearing and how I feel. I admire the craftsmanship and design of all kinds of watches and the way they tell interesting stories or draw something out of me.

My gold G-Shock? When he’s sitting by his desk and not ringing the hour, he’s glamorous with his black denim jacket and Dr. Martens boots. My other 2.5 G-Shocks (I sometimes wear my wife’s Pikachu Anniversary Baby-G)? I admire their ruggedness and streetwear looks. My Seiko SKX013? It’s my first “real” automatic mechanical diver that’s not too big on my dainty wrist and has as many styles as there are NATO straps I throw at it (I’m mostly I’m sticking with black). My $15 Casio F-91W? It’s plain, but it has a shallow history. His hand-wound 1960s Timex Marlin reissue? Digging into the mid-century numbers reminds me of some of the classic Timex watches my dad owned and left behind.

I may not need the watch anymore, but it’s an illogical purchase that will continue to bring me joy and emotional value over the years. — Antonio G. Di Benedetto, Commerce Writer