When you have reviewed over 1000 products since 2017, for a product to be memorable, it must be something we would integrate into our everyday lives, something we would use regularly, and something that could seamlessly add functionality to our daily workflow. One of the most common questions we get asked from our readers is – What products do you highly recommend and use? While each product we cover has its merits, only a very few find their way into our backpacks, bags, and pockets. Here is our team’s favorite everyday carry for 2023.
Bellroy Hide and Seek Wallet
We are big fans of the folks at Bellroy. They make premium leather accessories from bags to wallets to phone cases and one thing that I could not live without is the beautiful and functional Hide and Seek wallet.
For a wallet to make its way into my pocket it needs to have ample card storage, have some kind of RFID protection, and be durable enough to be thrown into bags, carryalls, and even dropped on the floor and keep on kicking.
The Hide and Seek wallet from Bellroy is made from premium eco-tanned leather and is backed by a very reassuring 3-year warranty. One thing I love about the wallet is that it is slim and can fit into pretty much any pocket, even on my nonexistent skinny jeans. However, it can also carry a lot of cards – up to 12 in fact, including 4 quick access pockets and even has a coin pouch and space for cash.
You can even squeeze some business cards into a convenient protective pocket and the wallet can protect you from your information getting digitally stolen with its inbuilt RFID protection. This technology can protect you from a specific type of theft called RFID skimming. This is where information from high-frequency (13.56MHz) RFID-based credit cards, passports, and transport passes are read and duplicated.
The Hide and Seek wallet remains a critical part of my EDC with no plans on changing anytime soon.
Withings Scanwatch Horizon
A few years ago, I decided that I was no longer going to wear a smartwatch as I tried to digitally detox myself from the craziness of a thousand notifications and health reminders. However, I did still want to wear a watch for time purposes and if possible, to track some health metrics like my heart rate. The catch was, I didn’t want it to look like a smartwatch. That is where the Withings Scanwatch Horizon came in.
With a beautiful stainless-steel casing, rotating bezel with laser engraved markings, and watch face covered with scratch-resistant sapphire glass it checked all the right boxes. A tiny circular screen sits near the top of the watch face, surrounded by a dial with hands for hours and minutes. This so-called hybrid smartwatch had analog aesthetics and digital smarts to give me exactly what I needed from something worn on my wrist.
The icing on the cake was the watches’ health-tracking functionality embedded within. With the ability to track heart rate, take an ECG, determine my Sp02, and even track sleep it provided me with all the necessary data and nothing more. Sure, incoming call and message notifications were possible, but I quickly turned them off in favor of using the very clever Withings app to accumulate all my data.
With a reported 30-day battery life (closer to about 17 days in my use) and a relatively affordable $500 price tag I was sold and it hasn’t left my wrist since.
Google Pixel 7A
A smartphone does not have to cost $2000 to be great anymore and this is evident with Google’s own A series of affordable smartphones. This year, in particular, the Pixel 7a has not left our pocket since launch.
With a refined design that strikes the perfect balance between elegance and durability, the device features a seamless combination of Gorilla glass and aluminum, exuding a premium feel that is pleasant to hold. With a brilliant ergonomic and compact design, clocking in at just 6.1 inches, the bezels and improved vibrant 90 Hz OLED display further enhance the visual experience, offering sharp and vibrant colors. The phone is also IP67 certified against dust and water resistance and runs on Google’s intuitive and user-friendly Android 13 operating system, delivering a seamless and fluid user experience.
Powered by Google’s own Tensor G2 processor and 8GB of RAM, this device offers impressive performance that effortlessly handles multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. The upgraded Wi-Fi 6e compatibility along with sub-6Ghz 5G connectivity ensures faster downloads and smoother streaming, keeping you connected to the digital world in real-time. Speaking of remaining connected, it also comes with a respectable 4,300mAh battery delivering in our testing exceptional battery life, easily lasting through a full day of heavy usage and then some.
Last, of all, the camera continues to impress with its 64 MP Quad PD Quad Bayer wide camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide, and a matching 13-megapixel front-facing camera, this smartphone takes mobile photography to new heights. The improved Night Sight feature allows for stunning low-light photography, capturing rich details and accurate colors even in challenging conditions. Also, with features like Super Res Zoom, Portrait Mode, and even Live HDR+ which shows a real-time preview of what the final HDR+ photo will look like, you can effortlessly achieve professional-looking shots, regardless of your photography skills.
This is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for an affordable handset to last you the next few years.
Jovian Organic Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese
Last but certainly not least, doing what we do and constantly running from event to event means we rarely get to sit down and have a home-cooked meal but when we are on the go and want something filling and healthy, Jovial’s Mac and Cheese has become our new favorite.
Small enough to whip into a backpack and simple enough to make in a hotel room, Jovial pasta is made with wholesome organic brown rice pasta, while the very taste cheese mix is completely organic and made from organic cheddar cheese (organic milk, salt, cheese cultures, and enzymes) plus some organic buttermilk and a sprinkle of salt and boy does it taste great.
Best of all, the entire package makes 2 and a half servings and clocks in at just under 300 calories, so you don’t feel guilty after eating it as you do with some of their more well-known competitors. Jovial has become a bit of a lifesaver after some red-eye flights and sometimes you need the satisfaction of home with some tasty mac. and this will get the job done!
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