Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4
pioneer dj
Contrary to popular belief, I think more people should be DJs — especially queers (we already have great taste in music). What started as me giggling to myself in my bedroom over chaotic song mixes progressed to DJing house parties and beach days, and even a professional gig or two. This two-deck DDJ-FLX4 controller is a sleek and stylish beginner-friendly board. Its tools easily scale up if you ever progress to professional club settings, but it’s small enough to fit in a Trader Joe’s bag. Yes, I know that from experience. ($329) pioneerdj.com —Taylor Henderson
Bose Ultra Open Air Earbuds
bose
My Bose Ultra Open Air Earbuds are so comfortable and unobtrusive that it’s easy to forget I’m wearing them while blasting Lady Gaga’s Mayhem on a walk around my West Los Angeles neighborhood or listening to mood music in the massage chair while getting a mani/pedi. The flexible cuff-like design on my sandstone-hued (very sleek) wireless buds makes listening a breeze (as opposed to competitor products that feel like hard plastic earplugs). The open-air design allows me to vanish into Mother Monster while remaining aware of vehicles and runners whooshing past me during rush hour. The buds afford seven hours of playtime and are equipped with a matching charging case. Buttons on the top of the buds allow me to start, stop, and switch from stereo to immersive mode with the touch of a finger. If sandstone is not your look, there are 10 lush colors to choose from. ($299) bose.com —Tracy E. Gilchrist
Blueair InvisibleMist Humidifier H35i
blueair
I’m about to move to a larger apartment with my wife, and we’re looking for a new humidifier. This may be the model of our dreams! This mist-free evaporative humidifier has a top-fill 3.5-liter tank, which can keep a large room comfortable for 48 hours. It also features app control and tracking, making it even easier to use from any room in the place. One of my favorite features is that the tank is dishwasher-safe. To clean it, you pop it in for a cycle, wash it, and wipe it dry before putting it back in! ($150) blueair.com —Mey Rude
Ivation Electric Wine Gift Set
ivation
Let’s raise a glass to electric wine openers — the ultimate sidekick for wine lovers everywhere! This little gadget has transformed my wine-opening experience from a wrestling match into a smooth, effortless affair. With the Ivation Electric Wine Gift Set, I’ve found my go-to, last-minute gift that never fails to impress. It comes with a foil cutter — goodbye, nail injuries! Just a simple push of a button, and voilà, the cork is off, and the good times are flowing in seconds. This set also includes a preserver and stoppers, perfect for those rare occasions when you don’t finish the bottle (though let’s be real, that’s a challenge!). It all sits on a charming charging platform that keeps everything powered up. In short, it’s a 10/10 across the board. There’s a plethora of electric wine openers available online, but this one has truly served me well. More wine, please! ($60) ivationproducts.com —Jade Delgado
Magdigiteh Magnetic Phone Holder for Laptop; MagSafe for iPhone
Magdigiteh
This magnetic phone holder is a MacBook accessory, which can attach an iPhone to a laptop using the device’s MagSafe technology. It’s especially convenient for someone like me who works from home and needs to keep an eye on my phone to monitor notifications. There are many versions of this type of gadget, but I purchased this one from the brand Magdigiteh, which works well. The iPhone can be rotated 180 degrees while it is mounted on the laptop. ($15.99) amazon.com —Bernardo Sim
Aura Carver HD Digital Picture Frame
aura
I’ve never taken so many photographs of my life — and simultaneously, so many of my favorite photos get lost in my phone’s ever-expanding camera roll. Enter the Aura Carver. With a simple upload from an app, this 10-inch digital frame rescues my favorite moments from the cloud and beams them into my living room onto a crisp, high-definition display. It’s a lovely way to keep my cherished memories top of mind. The frame also provides a conversation starter for guests, who are treated to a rotating roster of life milestones (birthdays! graduation!) and trips to Africa and Puerto Vallarta throughout a visit. The app works with both iOS and Android, and it’s easy to use; I gave a frame to my parents, who love it and had no problem setting it up. The Aura Carver even allowed me to upload family pictures in advance of the delivery, making this a nice personalized gift for loved ones (as well as oneself!). ($149) auraframes.com —Daniel Reynolds
This article is part of Out's Sept-Oct issue, now on newsstands. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.
