My Favorite Products That I Purchased In 2023 Ranked
Last year was filled with upgrades for me, and it's difficult to surpass the amazing products I purchased. This year, there weren't many tech upgrades, except for my smartphone, which was due for an upgrade. However, most of the products I bought this year addressed the question: how can I improve my quality of life? I made careful purchases of items that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Naturally, these products also adhered to my minimal aesthetic preferences.
Here are my top 10 favorite products that I purchased in 2023 ranked:
10. Govee RGBICWW Floor Lamp
I'm starting this list off with the RGBICWW floor lamp from Govee. I own many Govee products, so adding this lamp to my collection was an easy decision. I've always wanted RGBIC lights, in addition to strip lights, to enhance the atmosphere of my room. When Govee released the floor lamp, I immediately got one. I love its slim profile and futuristic design. This lamp offers 64 lighting effects that are sure to entertain anyone.
9. Starfield Xbox Controller
I love collecting limited-edition products, so when I discovered that Xbox had released a Starfield controller, I was in awe of its beauty. This controller's attention to detail is impressive, from the text next to the buttons that represent the actual controls in the game to the tagline of the game on the back of the battery door. The constellation logo on the front adds a vibrant touch of color against the white, and the metallic bronze d-pad fits perfectly with the space theme. Personally, I love the transparent triggers that allow you to see the motors spinning when you press them during gameplay. Unfortunately, this controller is currently sold out, except for a few online stores like Walmart, and it comes with a hefty price tag. This just goes to show how highly sought-after this gaming controller is!
8. PACEIRO Ergonomic Foot Rest
I discovered this ergonomic foot rest through a YouTuber's desk setup video, and I'm glad that I made this purchase. I appreciate the velvet finish and the memory foam interior. It feels incredibly soft and comfortable whenever I rest my feet on it. Not only has it improved my comfort, but it has also increased my productivity by allowing me to sit more comfortably and work for longer periods. The angled design of the foot rest promotes better posture and reduces body aches. I've become so reliant on this foot rest that I can't imagine working at my desk without it. It is truly one of the best desk accessories I've bought in the past year.
7. MOUNTUP Single Monitor Desk Mount
A few months ago, I decided to purchase a new monitor arm because my previous one kept slanting to one side and left a small dent on my desk. I opted for the white monitor arm from MOUNTUP, which has been able to securely hold my 27-inch LG monitor. The only drawback is that it requires some effort to adjust the height of the monitor. However, the monitor remains at eye level even when I move it left or right. Unlike my previous arm, this one is sturdy and eliminates any concerns of my monitor tipping over. I am extremely satisfied with this monitor arm and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a clean white addition to their desk setup.
6. New Balance Unisex-Adult 574 V2 Familiar Ground Sneaker
I have been curious about these sneakers ever since a travel blogger I follow on Instagram recommended them for anyone who walks a lot during their travels. After doing further research, I discovered that many people online were raving about these sneakers. After wearing them on my recent trip to Japan, it became clear why! These shoes are incredibly comfortable, and even after walking over 10,000 steps, my feet didn't get blistered or sore. As someone who travels frequently, having a good pair of walking shoes is essential, and I have finally found the perfect pair. Additionally, they are white, stylish, and minimalistic, making them versatile enough to match any outfit.
5. Osume 3-Tier Keyboard Shelf
I had been searching for a 3-tier keyboard shelf for a long time, but all the shelves I found online looked cheap and plasticky. It was a challenge to find a shelf that had a great and minimalist design. However, I stumbled upon the Osume Discord group and learned that they were planning to release a 3-tier keyboard shelf sometime this year. It reminded me of what IKEA would create if they ventured into the mechanical keyboard hobby. I decided to hold off on buying a shelf from Etsy, and I'm so glad I did. When the first round of batches became available, they sold out within 2 minutes! Luckily, I managed to secure one during the second round. There are both white and black versions available, but I chose the white one with natural wood. Additionally, the shelf comes with rail guards to protect keyboards from scrapes and damage. Its minimal and thoughtful design is why I believe Osume is one of the best brands in the mechanical keyboard hobby.
4. QK75 Mechanical Keyboard
Ever since I built this keyboard, it has become my daily driver. Prior to this, I exclusively used 60% and 65% keyboards. After using this keyboard for a few months, I realized that the additional row of function keys significantly improved my workflow. I primarily use these function keys to adjust brightness, switch modes, and control media playback. I also appreciate the knob on this keyboard, which I use to adjust the volume of my music.
For my build, I chose a spray coated ice white colorway with a mirror-polished PVD dusk finish on the back. I opted for a silver feather knob and badge, a hotswap tri-mode ANSI PCB, an FR4 plate, Banana Split switches lubricated with Krytox 205g0 and filmed with Deskeys, TX Stabilizers V3 lubricated with Krytox XHT-BDZ, plate foam, case foam, and GMK Shashin keycaps.
3. Sonos Era 100
I've always wanted speakers in my room, but I didn't want to go for those big chunky speakers that take up space on my desk. When Sonos released the Sonos Era 100 earlier this year, I knew it was the speaker to get! I wanted a single speaker setup with fantastic clarity and great bass. I bought the Beam Gen 2 last year and included it in my Top 10 because of how amazing its soundbar sounds. The Sonos Era 100 is no exception, as it features dual tweeters for stereo sound, a larger woofer with more bass than the previous Sonos One, new touch controls, and support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth wireless. Although this speaker doesn't support Dolby Atmos, it still delivers a powerful performance for its price. Overall, it's a great smart speaker that's perfect for playing music and games.
2. Nikkor Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Lens
Before my trip to Japan earlier this year, I decided to invest in an ultrawide angle lens for capturing landscape shots. After going on numerous trips throughout the year, I realized that I use this lens around 60% of the time. While I had been using the 14-24mm f2.8 for the F-mount for a long time, the weight and the need for a mount adapter prompted me to purchase a native, compact lens instead. This lens offers fast focusing and produces crisp and sharp photos. Although distortion is a bit noticeable on wider focal lengths, it is still easily correctable in post. I also find it useful for capturing wedding moments, particularly for room shots, group shots, and reception photos. Overall, it is a versatile lens that provides excellent performance at a reasonable price.
1. iPhone 15 Pro Natural Titanium
I've been using my iPhone 12 Pro for 3 years, and it was time for an upgrade. One of the reasons I decided to upgrade was the switch to USB-C. Previously, transferring files through Dropbox was a time-consuming process. Now, all I need to do is connect a portable SSD to my phone via USB-C, and I can transfer my photos and videos in seconds. This has significantly improved my workflow and made it much faster. Additionally, I can now record 4K 60 log footage directly to an external SSD. The new action button is also a welcome addition. It allows me to quickly open the camera app, record videos, or even set it to open a specific app or launch a shortcut. Lastly, I love the new portrait feature, which allows me to toggle the portrait effect on or off when taking a photo of a subject. It does a pretty good job of blurring the background from the subject. Since I use my iPhone every day and it plays an essential role in my content creation process, it is definitely my favorite product that I have purchased this year.
Honorable Mention: Hansshow Interior Ambient Lighting Kit upgrade for Tesla Model 3
Although I purchased this interior lighting kit last year, I finally had the chance to install it this year. Finding an auto shop that could install these lights was a bit challenging, so it took me a few months to find the right place. Tes Studio in Irvine helped me install these laser carving lights for my interior, and I couldn't be happier! Since I drive a lot at night, having a fun and lively interior cabin was important to me, so I decided to spruce things up with these lights.
The lights are installed in the dash, the driver's and passenger's doors, as well as the backseats and the doors in the back. The footwell is also illuminated. The great thing is that I can change the color using the touch-controlled color picker on the center console. It offers 128 RGB color adjustments and 6 different lighting effects to choose from. These interior lights have made my night drives so much more enjoyable.
I hope you guys enjoyed my top 10 favorite products that I bought this year. If you want to check out my favorite products that I purchased in 2022, click here.
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