This week has been full of exciting updates in technology. You can now reserve Apple’s latest iPhones, Watches, and AirPods, which will be available for you by the end of this month. The IFA event, the largest consumer electronics show in the world, just concluded in Berlin, showcasing everything from advanced vacuums to smart kitchens.

Autumn is a prime time for tech companies to promote their latest all-in-one devices as they aim to attract your attention — and your budget — just in time for the holiday season.

However, we have been inundated with numerous shiny, flashy, and smart gadgets over the years. Which ones truly deserve your attention, time, and investment?

During my appearance on “The Today Show” this week for the segment titled “Gearing Up For Fall Tech,” I showcased some of the latest gadgets designed to solve everyday challenges and enhance our lives without putting a strain on your wallet.

To clarify, I do not earn any compensation from these brands or recommendations. Most of these devices are part of my EDC (short for “everyday carry,” for those unfamiliar with this popular Reddit topic).

Say goodbye to sleeping with your smartphone

By now, we are well aware that our smartphones can disrupt our sleep. It’s not just the blue light emitted by these devices that tricks our brains into thinking it’s still daytime. It’s also the incessant notifications and the nagging urge of FOMO that leads us to check social media in the middle of the night, leaving us tired and grumpy. It’s time for a change.

The new Amazon Echo Spot 2024 serves as a perfect smart alarm clock that gently wakes you up, keeps you connected in a more subtle way, and helps start or end your day positively.

Designed to be placed on your nightstand, it features a display that makes it easy to set alarms, check the time, weather, or music titles at a glance. You can customize the clock faces and colors, and even ask Alexa to play your “Go to Bed” or “Rise and Shine” playlists. Plus, you can check the weather and schedule routines, such as “turn off all the lights” at bedtime or “activate the coffee maker” before you even get out of bed.

This gadget comes in three different colors and is priced just under $80.

Keep your gadgets clean

Let’s face it — our gadgets can get pretty dirty. Research shows that smartphones harbor ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat, while earbuds can accumulate 2,700 times more bacteria than a kitchen cutting board. Keyboards and remote controls are no exceptions; it’s all quite unpleasant.

I try to clean my devices weekly using household items. But how often do I take a toothbrush, toothpick, cotton swabs, and cleaning solution with me? Not very often.

For on-the-go cleaning, the VICHYIE 20-in-1 multifunctional cleaning kit from Amazon is a lifesaver for dealing with dirty gadgets in a pinch.

It’s affordable, compact, and features a variety of tools, making it easy to carry in a purse or backpack.

This kit is budget-friendly at just $13, although it does feel a bit basic. Among its tools are an AirPods cleaning pen, a soft brush, a lens brush, a camera brush, screen cleaning spray, and even a lid that doubles as a cloth. While it might not give off professional cleaner vibes, it gets the job done when needed, especially if your keyboard gets sticky while traveling, like mine did last week.

A laptop that resists scratches and smudges

Struggling with cleaning your laptop often? The newly launched ASUS Zenbook S 16 (starting price: $1,400) is a high-end laptop crafted with a blend of ceramic and aluminum, materials typically found in the aerospace sector and luxury watches. This unique construction makes it both scratch-proof and smudge-resistant. It’s incredibly lightweight and sturdy, featuring a stunning 3K display, six high-quality speakers, and powerful hardware to handle work, studies, entertainment, and gaming seamlessly.

Additionally, it includes a quick-access Copilot AI Assistant key, bringing helpful AI tools right to your keyboard to simplify your tasks and improve productivity.

A groundbreaking portable backup solution

Introducing the WD My Passport Drive (starting at $70), a revolutionary and essential device that prevents loss of your valuable memories and files. This is the first 2.5-inch portable hard drive that can store up to six terabytes (TB) of data—enough to keep roughly 1.5 million photos, 600 hours of full HD films, or around 1.8 million eBooks. Despite its vast storage capacity, it is compact enough to fit in your hand, making it the perfect companion for all your adventures.

A compact tire inflator for your car

The AstroAI L7 Tire Inflator ($21 at the time of writing) is a portable tire pump ideal for emergencies. It can refill up to eight car tires and is lightweight, weighing just about one pound, so it fits easily into most car cupholders.

This device is also excellent for inflating bike tires, basketballs, or anything else that may require air without the hassle of manual pumping. Featuring a bright display that refreshes tire pressure data every 200 milliseconds, it ensures you don’t overinflate your tires. Plus, it has an emergency flashlight with three modes (flashlight, SOS, strobe) and USB ports for charging other devices.

Affordable earbuds with a unique twist

The stylish CFM Buds Pro 2 ($60) from British brand Nothing come with a distinct feature—an innovative Smart Dial on the case, allowing you to control volume, play/pause, skip tracks, and more effortlessly. This provides a more convenient alternative to fiddling with touch controls or pulling out your phone for adjustments.

You can also utilize the Smart Dial to modify noise cancellation settings, activate voice assistants, switch to low lag mode, or mute your microphone during calls, with customizable options available.

These buds offer an impressive 11 hours of usage on a single charge and deliver powerful bass thanks to their 11mm drivers.

A carbonation water bottle for on-the-go

One of my top picks this fall is the Aer1, a nifty portable water bottle that carbonates your favorite drink whenever you want—just by pressing a button. Hailing from a Brooklyn startup called Aerflo, this 16-ounce water bottle uses small capsules filled with CO2 suitable for beverages.

To use, insert a carbonation capsule into the holder beneath the lid, screw it on, and then press the top to add fizz. You can choose to add a milder fizz with two or three taps.

Whether you prefer a light sparkle or a more intense fizz, you can enjoy a tiny bubble burst with each sip.

I was genuinely impressed by how effectively this system worked and how easy it was to set up. By scanning a QR code, you gain access to a detailed guide and professional tips. For instance, the colder the water you use, the more bubbles you get instantly. I also discovered that juice doesn’t carbonate as well because its molecules interfere with the CO2, so it’s best to add flavorings after carbonating.

This system is wonderfully straightforward and addresses a significant issue for sparkling water lovers like me, who are tired of constantly using up cans and bottles to satisfy their bubbly cravings.

The package includes 13 reusable CO2 capsules. Each one can carbonate the equivalent of four 16 oz water bottles. When a capsule is depleted, you simply replace it with a new one from the included set and send the used capsule back in a prepaid, pre-addressed mailer. The company claims this method can save you up to 70% compared to purchasing single-use bottles or cans. The total price for the bottle and 13 capsules is $99.