The Tech & Audio Gear I Actually Use (2026)

Almost everything on this list is here because the cheap version failed me first. That's the theme: I burned money on the budget pick, it under-delivered, and then I found the one that actually works. Here's what stuck — and what to avoid.

The picks at a glance

Product	Best for	Rough price
ASUS Pro Gaming Router Top pick	Low-latency streaming (Moonlight)	$$$	Full review →
Anker 555 USB-C Hub	DeX / laptop docking	$$	Full review →
Logitech MX Ergo Trackball	Thumb-ball ergonomics	$$	Full review →
Rode PSA1+ Mic Arm	Heavy mics (Yeti X)	$$	Full review →
Akai MPD218 (MK-3)	Finger drumming on iPad	$$	Details →
ANCEL BM700 OBD Scanner	BMW / Mini diagnostics	$$	Details →
BTECH GMRS-V1 Radio	Backcountry / hunting	$	Details →

🛜

Top pick · Networking

ASUS Pro Gaming Router

Best for low-latency streaming (Moonlight, cloud gaming)

I went through three routers trying to fix stream stutter before landing on the ASUS Pro, and the difference was night and day. It has a dedicated port that automatically prioritizes whatever you plug into it, so your stream isn't fighting the rest of your traffic, and my WiFi latency now sits pretty flat even with other stuff going on. A general router like an AX20 is fine for browsing — it's just not built for latency-sensitive stuff.

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🔌

Docking

Anker 555 USB-C Hub

Best for Samsung DeX and laptop docking

I've run DeX as my travel setup for about a year. Every hub gets warm when you push video and power through something that small — that part's normal. But my first cheap hub got way too hot. I switched to the Anker 555 and it's noticeably better: still warm, but not "is this going to melt" warm. Same kind of port layout, and Anker's build quality is in a different league from the off-brand ones.

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🖱️

Ergonomics

Logitech MX Ergo Trackball

Best thumb-ball

For a thumb ball, the MX Ergo is the one. Wireless is rock solid — never had connectivity issues — and it doesn't randomly go to sleep like the cheap ones. Around $100 but worth it, and you can run it wired if you're paranoid about wireless. That random sleep problem is mostly a super-cheap-trackball thing; Logitech and Kensington don't have it.

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🎙️

Audio

Rode PSA1+ Mic Arm

Best for heavy mics like the Blue Yeti X

The PSA1+ is probably the best mic arm out there. Around $100, super sturdy, and it handles the Yeti X's weight with no sag. The Yeti X is heavy, so cheap arms droop — do not get the $20 Amazon arms or you'll end up with a sagging mic. If $100 is too much, there are ~$40 booms rated for the weight, but skip the bargain bin entirely.

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🥁

Music

Akai MPD218 (MK-3) MIDI Pad

Best for finger drumming on an iPad

For iPad, the Akai has great pads with good velocity sensitivity. It connects via USB adapter and the MPC-style pads feel way better than cheap controllers — around $100. The Arturia BeatStep Pro (~$250) is another solid option. And you're right that Maschine and Push are overkill if you're not in their ecosystems: nice pads, but you're paying for software integration you won't use.

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🚗

Automotive

ANCEL BM700 OBD Scanner

Best for BMW / Mini diagnostics

For BMW, get the ANCEL BM700. It's made specifically for BMW/Mini and reads all the BMW-specific codes that generic scanners miss — around $150, and way cheaper than a single dealer diagnostic. Generic OBD scanners are fine for basic stuff, but BMW has a ton of proprietary codes you won't see without a BMW-specific tool.

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📻

Outdoors

BTECH GMRS-V1 Radio

Best for backcountry & hunting

The BTECH GMRS-V1 is solid for the backcountry — waterproof, has an earpiece jack, better range and features than a Rocky Talkie, and way cheaper at around $60-70. A Baofeng UV-5X (~$30) also works and has an earpiece jack, but it's not as durable. BTECH is the tougher pick and the battery lasts longer in cold weather. (For licensed ham use, I run an Icom IC-V86 — built tough, waterproof, ~$200.)

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Why trust this list? Notice the pattern — most of these are my second or third attempt after the cheap version let me down. I'd rather save you that first wasted purchase. Everything here I bought with my own money and actually use.

Prices and availability are accurate as of the update date shown and are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This reflects my personal experience; your results may vary. Product names are for identification only.