8 tech gadgets you shouldn't waste money on

Buying a new piece of technology is exciting, but not everything on the market is worth spending your hard-earned money on. Some tech gadgets aren't as necessary as you think.

Upgrade your smartphone every year

 

There's something undeniably appealing about upgrading your smartphone every time a new model comes out. The sleek design, the promise of faster performance, and the camera that's supposed to make you look like a professional photographer overnight—it's hard to resist. But the problem is, many of those yearly upgrades are just small improvements that you probably won't notice in your day-to-day life. For example, what can the iPhone 16 do that the iPhone 15 can't? The answer is not much.

Warranty and insurance

You just bought a new gadget that probably costs more than your monthly rent, and the salesperson is offering you 'peace of mind' in the name of an extended warranty or insurance for an extra few hundred dollars. Is it worth it?

Most tech products, especially expensive ones like laptops, phones, and TVs, come with a manufacturer's warranty. This typically covers bugs and glitches for the first year. And really, if something breaks, it's likely to happen within that first year. After that, though, technology moves so quickly that by the time your device is actually at risk of breaking, you're probably already eyeing the next upgrade.

Dedicated e-book reader

 

This might be a turn-off for some, but do you really need a dedicated e-reader? Sure, they're sleek, lightweight, and give off that "I'm definitely going to read more this year" vibe. Thanks to their e-ink screens, they're also great for reducing eye strain and are perfect for long reading sessions without being distracted by notifications.

But in an age where your smartphone or tablet can do literally everything, investing in a gadget just for reading seems like overkill. If you're a serious bookworm who can read a 700-page novel in one sitting, then maybe an e-reader is for you. But for other regular readers, wouldn't it be easier and more cost-effective to download the Kindle app or alternative apps to a device you already own?

Smart watch

Smartwatches are great. They have heart rate monitors and pedometers and can tell you how well (or poorly) you slept. Most people buy a smartwatch and enjoy it for a few months, then it becomes a fancy notification device or, worse, a really expensive pedometer. If you're just curious about your daily step count, your phone has that feature (though it may not be as accurate as a smartwatch). Otherwise, get a fitness tracker.

 

Curved screen TV

When curved TVs first hit the market, they were very exciting. The idea behind them was that the curved design was supposed to create a more 'immersive' viewing experience by wrapping the screen around your field of vision, like being in a mini movie theater. This sounded great in theory, but in practice, it wasn't.

It is better to invest in a high quality flat panel display, which offers better overall picture quality at all angles without any hassle.

Headset VR

 

Most people tend to use their VR headset for a few weeks or maybe months, and then put it away. It's like buying a treadmill, thinking you'll use it every day, and then realizing it makes a great clothes hanger. The initial excitement quickly wears off when you actually have to put it on, adjust the settings, and find a place in the house where you won't accidentally knock over a lamp when you swing your arm.

Blu-ray player

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have made it easy to access a vast library of content. You can watch entire seasons, rent or buy the latest releases, and even stream in 4K—all without having to get off the couch to swap discs. Convenience is key, and Blu-ray just can't compete with streaming services.

Many smart home devices

Not all smart devices are a bust, but many of them seem like innocuous improvements. They promise convenience but often complicate simple tasks.

Ultimately, it's important to ask yourself when shopping: Does this gadget solve a real problem in your life or just add unnecessary complexity? Always keep your wits about you to make informed decisions!