I tried $1000s worth of Amazon products in 2024 — these are the ones I would actually recommend

Among my favourite life hack items is the Perilogics Universal Airplane in Flight Phone Mount. I travel quite a bit and among my many grievances with airlines is the lack of TVs on domestic flights. While it's not a TV, this phone mount attaches to the seat in front of you so that you can mount your phone and watch whatever you have saved without holding it or balancing it haphazardly.

It takes a few minutes to figure out how to use, but once you get the hang of it, it's a game-changer. I have had several flight seatmates ask me about the phone mount, so I'll go ahead and tell you what I told them: it's worth it!

I thought that no water bottle could possibly be better than my YETI until I tried the Ninja Thirsti. The Ninja Thirsti is designed for carbonated beverages, but it's perfect for any drink: still, sparkling, hot or cold. Its leak-proof lid doesn't leak, drip or spill (even after many hours bouncing in a backpack!), and when it says it will keep cold beverages cold for 24 hours, it means it. This thing keeps your liquids cold for 24 hours, ice for two days and hot for 12 hours. It's not a cheap water bottle, but honestly, it's worth every penny for the temperature regulation alone.

This micro power bank is similar in size to a tube of lipstick, which makes it perfect for small bags, travel carry-ons and your work bag. It only has enough juice to charge your iPhone around one time, so it might not be the best for long trips, but it's handy for quick battery top-ups for day trips.

A phone stand is one of those things that — even though you don't necessarily need one — make life a little bit easier. Personally, I find myself unfolding my phone stand — the Moft Invisible Tripod — whenever I'm cooking from an online recipe, FaceTiming a loved one or streaming a show mid-flight. This compact and durable origami-style accessory became one of my favourite gadgets of 2024.

I live in a tiny apartment with very little storage. I have one closet that houses not only my washer/dryer but also my linens, suitcases, clothing and cleaning supplies — which, as you can imagine, means I have to put a lot of thought into how I store things.

Because I don't have room in my closet, I store items like patio cushions, out-of-season clothing and winter jackets under my bed and couch. This is only made possible because of these Amazon Basics Vacuum Storage Bags.

The vacuum seal bags save space by compressing bulky textiles by as much as 80 per cent. They're durable and reusable, and they help protect whatever's inside from moisture, dirt, mould and odours. The set includes an easy-to-use hand pump to remove the air, but the bags can also be attached to a vacuum cleaner hose for faster deflation.

Overall, I love and would recommend them, but there are a few tips to note: first, you don't want to fill them to the brim. The bags I have over-stuffed don't hold their seal, so the air will re-inflate over time. Second (and maybe obviously), they only really work with textiles. I tried to store away my Camino de Santiago travel backpack, but it re-inflated almost instantly. However, if you follow the packing limits and stick with textiles, these vacuum storage bags are a lifesaver for small spaces.

I had my eye on the Technivorm Moccamaster for close to a year before I got it, and truly, I am so glad that I did. It's not a cheap coffee maker (keep a lookout for Black Friday and Boxing Day deals!), but boy, is it ever stylish. 

I prefer to steer clear of pod coffee makers because I find that while they're cheaper in the short run, the expense of pods is exorbitant over time. Additionally, single-use coffee pods are super wasteful. The Technivorm Moccamaster is an upgraded drip coffee machine, so all you need is ground coffee and paper filters to use it. 

It makes up to 10 cups of coffee, is incredibly easy to use (honestly, it's as easy as a Keurig or Nespresso), and beyond that, it looks gorgeous on your kitchen counter. I have it in black, but if I were more daring, I would have chosen one of its more lively colours, like pink, red or teal. If you care about coffee but don't want the fuss of an espresso machine or the waste of a pod coffee machine, the Technivorm Moccamaster is a wonderful choice.

This razor-sharp 8" chef's knife is forged from high-carbon German steel at 56+ Rockwell hardness. It's a full-tang knife, meaning the blade's steel extends to the end of the handle. It also has an ergonomic handle that's rust and stain-resistant for added durability.

The Cutluxe chef's knife is exceptionally sharp — almost dangerously so. To compare, I own the MASTER Chef Edgekeeper Stainless Steel Chef's Knife, which, while sharp, doesn't hold a candle to the Cutluxe knife. It's a phenomenal knife, cuts through the toughest veggies like butter and is a staple in my kitchen.

There's a lot I like about this 2-in-1 mop and bucket system. Firstly, it is straightforward to set up (and dismantle). Secondly, it works! If you find a traditional wringer mop to be a pain in the you-know-what, the scraper addition to the JOYMOOP mop is thoughtful and practical. I find it removes water far more efficiently than a wringer mop, and if you scrape it a few times, it won't drip or leave behind an excessive amount of water on your floor.

If, like me, you are guilty of fingerprint-ridden devices, the WHOOSH! Glasses Cleaner Spray is a game-changer. The screen cleaner spray and microfiber cloth duo is designed to tackle smudges, fingerprints and grime on your laptop, phone, tablet, TV and more.

The travel-sized bottle is the perfect size for keeping in your work bag or desk. Plus, the microfiber cloths are machine washable, so you don't have to rely on paper towels for a clean screen.

It's a little expensive for what it is, but overall, well worth the cost for anyone wanting to keep their tech clean.

This fabric shaver is a game-changer for those of us who own a lot of sweaters. It removes lint, fluff, fuzz balls and bobbles from your garments (plus blankets, bed sheets and fabric furniture), which helps keep your items looking brand new. 

I'm a big fan of the shaver for sweaters, but it doesn't make a world of difference for thicker fabrics, like blankets. You also need to be cautious not to use it on delicate fabrics because it might tear the material. That said, it's super handy for sweaters, cardigans and some jackets. 

I am not the first person to tout the beauty of Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick, and I won't be the last. If you want a lip product that's universally flattering and moisturizing with a fool-proof application, this is it. The lipstick-adjacent formula looks amazing (and different) on everyone and among the myriad of lip products I own, it's by far the one I reach for the most.

I have so much love for Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. Unlike other exfoliators, it's a dry rice-based powder that you mix with water, so you can really customize your experience. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin yet minimizes the appearance of blackheads, uneven texture, and hyperpigmentation.

The Microfoliant is designed for daily use; however, I usually use it 3-4 times a week. If you love a physical exfoliator that sloughs off dead skin, this may not be for you, but if you're looking for something gentle to smooth and brighten your skin, this is a winner.

Anytime someone asks me what my favourite beauty products are, Living Proof dry shampoo always tops the list. I don't know how they do it, but this dry shampoo actually cleans your hair instead of just masking any smells or excess oil. It gives you that fresh-out-of-the-shower look and feel and a few extra days between hair washes. I love it; I will always re-buy it; it's a holy grail.

If we're talking about products worth the hype, I would be remiss not to mention the Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector. I truly love this product. If you're lazy like me, it's mildly annoying to use because you need to apply it for at least 10 minutes to damp hair before shampooing/conditioning, but if you're willing to stick your neck under the tub child-style before you jump in the shower, it's worth the hassle.

The bond-building formula tackles damage, split ends and breakage and waves adios to frizz and dryness. It's a forever-buy, in my opinion.

I have been a longtime AirPods user, but I wanted to try the Beats Fit Pro, especially considering how much I love the over-ear Beats Studio Pro headphones.

Sound-wise, I'd say they're better than my AirPods. To be fair, I still own the second-generation AirPods, so they are not the latest or greatest, but from my experience, the Beats Fit Pro outperform them. I also prefer — and by prefer, I mean by a landslide — taking calls on the Beats Fit Pro over my AirPods. My AirPods have always been super finicky to me for phone calls, but the Beats Fit Pro deliver crystal clear audio for both myself and the person on the other end.

The only thing I don't love about the Beats Fit Pro is the fit. I definitely prefer AirPods for how they fit and feel. I find the Beats often slip out of my ear, and I don't find them as comfortable in general. That said, I have friends who say the exact opposite, so it very well could be an ear-shape issue!

I love having physical photos in my home, but, like many, I do not own a full-size printer. My love for physical printed photos is why this pint-sized HP Sprocket Studio Plus has become one of my favourite little gadgets. It connects to your smartphone, where, with the HP app, users can customize, print and share photos with friends. It's small and portable, can be easily put together or dismantled and prints dry-to-the-touch 4x6" photos instantly. 

Over the years, I have become a bit of a headphones snob. I walk several hours a day and, as a bonafide chatterbox, I talk on the phone while walking those many hours. To me, good quality headphones mean the person on the other end of the call can hear clearly and without background noise — of which the Beats Studio Pro excels. My dad is hard of hearing and all of our phone calls, through construction zones, on windy beaches and walking down busy city streets, he can hear me perfectly.

Between the Beats Studio Pro and the Beats Studio3, the Studio Pro wins hands-down for call quality. I have tested both pairs and the comparison is not even fair — the Studio Pro is the Olympics while the Studio3 is beer league baseball.