2021 may have been the year of the never-ending pandemic, but it's also the year of working from home and the assortment of gadgets that come with that. To narrow a year's worth of reviews down to just a handful was, frankly, quite difficult, but we've made our choices of the top 5 gadgets of 2021 based on the products that have impressed us the most.
While there's still a month left before the year ends, and some product reviews we've yet to publish, fret not, we'll feature those next year when we have the chance again. Or maybe we'll pick them up for a mid-year look back instead!
Dyson V12 Detect Slim
There's just something magical about using lasers to reveal almost invisible dust. But it's no wonder why the Dyson V12 easily impresses. The laser-equipped Fluffy cleaner head makes cleaning fun, and shows you just how dirty your floors are. Besides the laser Fluffy head, the V12 also comes with an anti-tangle screw, and a crevice pipe with lights. It's all you need to keep your home dust-free, really.
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)
The new Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) is even better than before with a new design, Spatial Audio, and better battery life. The sound is great, and is clear even in noisy spots. I like the addition of Spatial Audio, which really expands the soundstage of any audio source, making it feel more immersive. If you haven't yet tried out Apple's AirPods, the new version is a great way to start.
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
How do you improve a chair that already makes sitting long hours really comfortable? You add magnets, of course. The latest version of the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 does away with straps, letting you swap out arm rests and attach a neck pillow through the power of Magneto. The Titan Evo also improves upon its built-in lumbar support with more options. There are now just three sizes, and it takes over the position formerly filled by the Omega line. Honestly, once you get used to the chair, it's really hard to go back to the older Secretlab chairs, or your standard boring office chair.
Asus ZenWiFi XD6
Of all the routers and networking products I have tried this year, the Asus ZenWiFi XD6 is easily my favourite. Which is a bit surprising as it is only a mid-range model. But the XD6 is easy to set up, has four Gigabit LAN ports (rare for a mesh router), and more importantly, produces the best Wi-Fi speeds ever recorded in my distant bedroom. At around S$500, it outperforms more expensive routers and is excellent value for money.
Sony Bravia XR A80J
The Sony Bravia XR A80J is not the top TV of the year. It's not even the best model from Sony. But I have a soft spot for it. Perhaps because Sony sent me a huge 77-inch model to test, which coupled with its impeccable display, transformed my home into a something close to a cinema theatre. I also really liked the new Google TV interface, which I prefer over the proprietary ones from LG or Samsung. However, the A80J is also relatively expensive, especially compared to rivals like the LG C1 OLED. If you have the budget, I would say go for the Sony A80J or even the higher-end A90J. Otherwise, it makes more sense to pick the LG C1, which is actually better for gaming, and cheaper, too.
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