My 2023 Home Gear List

 


I originally wrote this for my friend Nick Gray’s blog, but now I’m sharing it here so you can check out my favorite gear on my own site.

As a product designer who’s worked at Snapchat and founded Timehop, I’m always hunting for the best stuff to make my home smarter, easier, and more enjoyable.

Here’s my handpicked list of 23 must-have items that have become staples in my Los Angeles home.

What’s Inside This Guide?

  • Tech gadgets that actually make life easier

  • Bathroom upgrades that seriously improve your routine

  • Kitchen tools that deliver great results

  • Smart home gear to automate your space

Table of Contents

Full Gear List

Here’s a quick snapshot of everything, with details below:

  1. MacBook Blockhead Right Angle Charger

  2. CloudValley Magnetic Laptop Phone Holder

  3. Popsocket Phone Wallet with Expanding Grip

  4. SUPMEGA AirTag Hidden Bicycle Mount

  5. PAUTIX COB MicroLED Strip + Goldwin Alexa Controller

  6. AURAGLOW Uplight Wall Sconce + Philips Hue White Ambiance Bulb

  7. Broadlink IR/RF Smart Home Hub (Alexa & Google Assistant)

  8. Fisher Bullet Space Pen

  9. Sleek Socket Ultra-Thin Outlet

  10. Twelve South BookArc for MacBook

  11. TOTO Electronic Washlet Toilet

  12. EVRON Squat Toilet

  13. Zenna Curved Aluminum Shower Curtain Rod

  14. Listerine Ultraclean Snap-On Flosser

  15. Cafhelp Tongue Scraper (2-Pack)

  16. Hearos Ear Plugs (28 Pair)

  17. OXO Good Grips 12” Silicone Tongs

  18. ThermoPro Meat Thermometer (Instant & Wireless)

  19. Mercer Culinary Chef’s Knife

  20. Estilo Bamboo Salt Container + Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

  21. Dill Pickle Popcorn Seasoning

  22. Amish Country Popcorn

  23. Trader Joe’s Rice Medley

Tech Essentials

Laptop Accessories
The MacBook Blockhead Right Angle Charger is great for saving space — it plugs in flush with the wall, perfect for tight spots. Add the CloudValley Magnetic Phone Holder to easily use your phone as a Continuity Camera.

Smart Home Gear
Here’s my favorite setup:

  • PAUTIX COB MicroLED Strip with Alexa control

  • AURAGLOW Uplight Wall Sconce

  • Broadlink IR/RF Hub to connect older devices

Pro tip: The Broadlink Hub lets me run complex automations — say “Alexa, turn on the projector,” and my whole entertainment system fires up in order.

Bathroom Upgrades

Toilet Tech
The TOTO Electronic Washlet changed my bathroom game completely. The EVRON Squat Toilet might sound unusual, but it’s surprisingly comfortable and effective.

Daily Bathroom Essentials
Can’t live without:

  • Curved shower rod for more space

  • Listerine Snap-On Flosser

  • Cafhelp Tongue Scraper

  • Hearos Ear Plugs

Kitchen Must-Haves

Cooking Tools
If you love cooking, these are essentials:

  • OXO 12” silicone tongs

  • ThermoPro Meat Thermometer (both instant and wireless)

  • Mercer Culinary Chef’s Knife

Popcorn Perfection
My go-to combo:

  • Amish Country popcorn

  • Dill Pickle seasoning

  • Coconut oil for stovetop popping

Pro tip: Skip microwave popcorn — stovetop tastes way better.

Quick Meals
Trader Joe’s Rice Medley makes perfectly cooked rice in just 3 minutes — almost like having a rice cooker.

Final Thoughts

Here’s what I’ve learned from testing all these products at home:

  • Smart home tech can really simplify your day

  • Bathroom upgrades make a big difference in comfort

  • Good kitchen tools make cooking enjoyable

  • Sometimes small changes, like a curved shower rod, have a big impact

Everything on this list is tried, tested, and loved in my home.

For a deeper dive on each item, check out the full article over on Nick’s blog.


Jonathan Wegener

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