My Favorite Products of 2024
A Curated List of Life-Enhancing Products
You can’t trust online reviews anymore. Every product on Amazon seems to have five stars. To cut through the noise and find the signal, I turn to three trusted methods.
Use Reddit
Stick to credible review sites like Wirecutter, The Verge, etc.
Get recommendations from friends/family/coworkers and trusted strangers on the internet.
In this post, I’m here to be your #3.
The beauty of a small newsletter is that there’s no funny business—no sponsorships, no affiliate links. Everything I share is simply what I love, buy, and use frequently.
Fitness & Health
1. NutriBullet Pro 1000 Single-Serve Blender – $82
My blender broke earlier this year, and I found this one. A blender that doubles as the drinking glass makes cleanup easy. It also comes with two cups, so you’ve got a second if one is dirty. I've been drinking more protein shakes since, and this model's ability to crush ice is a nice bonus.
2. Resistance band – $7
I went to see a PT last year to figure out some stretches for my trap/neck area. The PT gave me a bunch of resistance band exercises. I used to do these at the end of a gym session but now bought this band and do it while watching TV.
3. Vitamin D Gummies – $12
Research shows that medicine adherence is higher when it is in gummy form. The evidence on vitamins is meh so only take something you are deficient in.
4. Polar H10 Chest Strap Monitor – $80
A little annoying to put on but chest strap monitors are far more reliable than wrist-worn HR monitors like the Apple Watch. If you are into staying in zone 2 during runs this is a must.
5. Dexa Scan – $60-80
If you want to be motivated to get in better shape. Start with a Dexa Scan to get a baseline of your body composition. Once I got mine, I went on a journey to get lean then re-tested and saw true progress. Locations are everywhere. Check Groupon.
6. Macrofactor App Subscription – 11.99 per month
Tracking macros isn't sustainable in the long run but an amazing short-term trick. Paying for an app to track your nutrition increases your commitment compared to a free app. Just don't pay for an annual subscription. I only track 4 days a week for a few months a year to fine-tune my nutrition, then rely on intuition.
Tech & Productivity
6. Kindle Paperwhite - $129
This is my second Kindle. This one is designed for bedtime and reading on the sofa. This frees up my old paperwhite as my beater that I take on the go. I now read on the train to work and can easily toss it in my jacket pocket. It's a great way to replace mindless phone scrolling in those in-between moments. Even if you don’t read books, you can send articles or newsletters to your Kindle to read later.
7. Smartish Phone Wallet Case - $18-24
I bought a new iPhone and decided to ditch my standalone wallet. This case can hold 3 cards and is slim, high quality, and keeps my cards safe and not exposed.
8. AirPod Pros 2 - $154-170
I upgraded from version 1 and these are 2x better for noise cancellation. Drowns out noise on my city commute and working in an open office. My only wish was that it could easily pair with a Windows laptop.
Travel & Lifestyle
9. Peak Design Wash Pouch - $47
This fancy dopp kit has 8 different compartments so you can stay organized. It folds open and has a hook to hang over a towel rack to see everything inside. Perfect for traveling.
10. Weego Jumper Cable Battery Pack - $55
This is a boring product but one that will save you. My car battery died twice this year, and this tiny lifesaver can easily fit in your glove compartment. It charges via USB-C too.
Food & Drink
10. Fever Tree Ginger Beer - $6 (pack of 4)
This stuff is spicy and tickles the throat. I love sipping these slowly. The regular version comes in at 80 calories, while the lighter version is a mere 35. My new favorite drink.
11. Quest Protein Chips - $2.25 per bag
I called these my cheat code to get lean. And now Quest is using the same phrase in their marketing campaign. 18g of protein and only 150 calories. And they taste like real chips! BBQ and nacho cheese are my favorite. I get a box of these every month.
Thanks for reading!
Irfan
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