The Gadgeteer team talks about products that we're still using 10 years later

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ARTICLE – Have you ever wondered which gadgets actually stand the test of time? As product reviewers, my team and I have tested thousands of products over the years, but only a handful have earned a permanent spot in our daily routines for a decade or more. In this article, the Gadgeteer team is sharing the rare tech and gear that’s still going strong after 10 years (or close to it). These aren’t just old favorites, they’re proof that some products really do deliver on their promises, year after year.

Julie Strietelmeier (Gadgeteer writer/owner/founder/editor since 1997)

I thought it would be easy, but this team challenge proved to be a tough one for me. I guess I don’t keep things as long as I thought I did, or after reviewing 1000s of reviews in the past 28 years, I’m drawing a blank. But I dug in and looked around my home, and I found two review items that are still going strong and are used every single day. The first one is the Snap Power SnapRays Guidelight. I still have this light in my bathroom. It’s a night light that doesn’t need its own outlet, battery, etc. It’s fantastic and works great with Snap Power’s later product, the ConnectLight, which links together multiple lights. When motion is detected, all the connected night lights come on and then go off again in a few seconds.

Snap Power SnapRays Guidelight review

The second product, still in use after almost 10 years, is the BenQ WiT e-Reading LED desk lamp. It’s in the corner of my office and gets frequent, if not daily, use. I’ve always liked the weird design/style of this lamp. The only thing I haven’t enjoyed about it is that if the power cycles after a storm or other event, the lamp automatically powers on.

BenQ WiT e-Reading LED desk lamp review

I kept trying to think of more products, and then it occurred to me that I’ve given some reviewed products to my wife, Jeanne. One notable reviewed item that she still uses is the Waterfield Designs Sling bag, which I reviewed back in 2007.

She still uses this bag as her carry-on when we travel, even though the coating on the exterior is starting to deteriorate and flake off. I wish WaterField still made this particular bag because I’d buy her a new one.

Waterfield Design Sling

Ryan Chapman (Gadgeteer writer since 2013)

It’s amazing what we no longer use. I had two things from around 9-10 years ago that are still ‘active’ in a sense, but I was shocked to find out this one was as old as it was, because I use it all the time.

I’ve been using the Abby iPhone purse by Peralta Bags for over nine years now as a daily use item, and I will dread the day this little purse gives out on me. About a year ago, I had to replace the crossbody strap as I had stretched / ripped the leather strap years before, and that’s when I found out the company no longer exists. So when this purse is done for, replacing it will be hard!

The thing that keeps me going back to using this purse is the size, the safety pocket for my phone, and the ‘squishability factor’. I carry very little in my purse, so minimal is best. I just need my car key, my phone, and my wallet to fit. The safety pocket that I use for my phone or any items I purchase that need to come home safely is a blessing. Lastly, the way the leather squishes and folds works so well for stuffing anywhere, especially in backpacks while on plane rides.

Honestly, I think it’s held up extremely well and will easily make it to ten years of use. The only reason the strap needed replacing was due to my own error. Does it look a little worn? Yeah, maybe, but you’d never guess from the picture that you’re looking at a purse going on ten years old.

Peralta Bags Abby iPhone purse case review

Andy Chen (Gadgeteer writer since 2009)

For many years, I have used the Black and Decker Gyro Screwdriver for everything! Eventually, I got more powerful tools and the Gyro became a home office screwdriver for those times I need something nearby. It’s still going strong, and the battery life lasts an impressively long time with occasional use.

Black and Decker 4v MAX Gyro Screwdriver review

Steve Holt (Gadgeteer writer since 2009)

I have portable batteries all over the place. Many of them flame out after a few years, with the battery simply not being able to hold a charge anymore. But this battery pack from Lenmar has lasted me almost 12 years. I still use it regularly. This one stays in the garage in my tool chest, ready to charge miscellaneous tools when needed. I have used it for the past four or five years to charge my two Bluetooth bike helmets. It has seen better days (as you can tell from the picture), but it still serves its purpose. A really solid battery pack!

Lenmar Helix Power Pack review

My next closest item was posted 4 months after the Lenmar battery, in February 2014. It is my backpack of choice for travel when I need to take a lot of stuff with me. It is the Booq Boa Shift bag, and it has held up remarkably well after over 11 years, with only one spot that is starting to fray.

Booq Boa Shift Laptop Backpack review

Dave Moore (Gadgeteer writer since 2017)

I’ve been writing for The Gadgeteer since April 2017 and have been using the Clearstream 4MAX Digital Television antenna since its installation. After determining the optimal direction to point it, the number of free digital channels has increased to over 50, adding to its value. There are a few duplicate channels, but I remain impressed nonetheless, even watching the Super Bowl over crystal clear free air. The antenna has never required maintenance or adjustment, even after the surrounding roof was replaced. Maintenance-free and not requiring expensive cable makes it a strong winner, even after eight years.

Antennas Direct Clearstream 4Max digital television antenna review

Likewise, from 2017, the WeMo Smart Dimmer Light switch continues going strong, but I’m not sure for how much longer. This was the gadget that made me fall in love with home automation, as it connected the Chamberlain MyQ Wi-Fi Hub with IFTTT to turn on home lights when the garage door opens. It’s still great to walk into the house without tripping over the cat. I’m disappointed that WeMo’s days appear to be numbered, as the skill has been removed from Amazon and will eventually need to be replaced by the 26 WeMo smart devices scattered throughout my domicile.

Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Dimmer Light Switch review

Smythe Richbourg (Gadgeteer writer since 2009)

Ten years in the tech world is akin to a geological age in geology, or a few hundred years in human societal evolution. Julie asked us to find things we are still using that we reviewed ten years ago. I was able to find two. There were quite a few that were *just* replaced as I moved to a new location and rearranged my workspace. But the phone I was using in 2015 changed from an iPhone 5s to a 6s Plus – my first big screen phone! So the cases I used were all geared toward those devices which have been replaced by oh, so many newer models.

I had moved up to the original iPad Pro (with the wiiiiiiide bezels!) from the iPad Air 2, so bags were sized for that beast. But I had to squeeze it into the bags without a case. Now, my 13” iPad pros fit in with their Magic keyboards easily.

I stayed with the original Series 0 Apple Watch until the Series 4 in 2018, but it was brand new in 2015! I’m still using the

Nomad Pod for Apple Watch review

It still holds a charge, and still travels in my bag regularly when I’m carrying a large bag, but smaller ones have started to replace it in my EDC.

Although I don’t use it all the time, I’ve had an Apple Pencil for my iPads (well, until the newest M-4 series iPad Pros introduced the Pencil Pro.) I still can use the second gen model on my iPad mini and my M1 iPad Pro, and it sits on the desk or travels around inside the

Lucrin Apple Pencil case review

AVEX FreeFlow and ReCharge thermal bottle review

This has been on my bedside table since I reviewed it. Being able to get a drink while lying flat on your back cannot be underestimated. It still looks brand new.

Pad and Quill Luxury Travel Kit for Apple Watch

Next to the Avex water bottle is my oldest Apple Watch charging stand. It still has the original USB watch charger, so I don’t use it every day, but some nights, I get into bed, and get that warning that my watch is at 10%. I’ll toss it on this charging stand for 20-30 minutes while I do my last bit of doomscrolling before sleep, and then put the watch back on to track my sleep.

Gadgeteer team EDC updates – Smythe Richbourg

The bag I was using for my EDC carry kit is still my winter bag of choice. I just switched it out a few short months ago and moved back to my summer EDC bag of choice, the

Brenthaven Medina vertical messenger laptop bag review

…another nine-year stalwart. It’s sitting beside me on the chair at my coffee shop office as I type this. As proof of the importance of the haul loop, I keep chiding bag makers for omitting it; the only sign of wear on this bag is the worn-out faux leather padding on the haul loop!

Matilda Thorne (Gadgeteer writer since 2008)

I’ve held onto my Epson RX595 printer since I reviewed it in 2008. I hardly ever used the printer, but the scanner has remained solid over the years, and the old 64-bit Windows driver still works in Windows 10, as does the scanner software. Last year, I invested about $100 in a CISS (continuous ink supply system) and sublimation ink, and dove into the world of dye sublimation to make custom products. It’s been a huge learning experience, but I’m finally getting regular use out of this excellent photo printer! As consumer printing has fallen out of favor, affordable modern inkjet printers just aren’t as high quality as they used to be, so I’m really glad I still have my RX595. I expect to continue to get lots of use out of it…at least until I upgrade to a large format printer!

Epson Stylus Photo RX595 Printer

Howard Sneider (Gadgeteer writer since 2016)

Way back in 2016, when one might have associated “pan” with “cake” instead of “-demic”, I was working in an office as a knowledge worker and spent more time than I should have sitting at my desk. When Julie offered a review of the Cubii Smart under-desk elliptical, I jumped at the opportunity. The item arrived, and I immediately installed it under my desk at work. I found that the Cubii allowed me to incorporate a little activity even while I was hard at work. If I felt like getting up, I could just pedal instead of losing focus on what I was working on. Some of my office colleagues, many of whom are younger than I, did not all see the value of the Cubii. Others appreciated that it allowed me to multitask work and exercise.

A couple of years ago, I became a remote worker. Now the Cubii sits under my desk at home. I sometimes have back-to-back meetings for 8 hours. In these situations, it is helpful that I can move my legs and still participate in the teleconferences.

It does not appear that Cubii still sells under-desk ellipticals that have Bluetooth connectivity. Cubii still supports the app that allows the pedal strokes to be counted and uploaded to Fitbit. The app doesn’t have an odometer or any other way to track total distance, but the Fitbit app does indicate that I’ve traveled more than 26 miles. I’m happy to report that this device has lasted so long and I hope to continue to use it for as long as I can.

Cubii Smart under desk elliptical machine review

Kathleen Chapman (Gadgeteer writer since March 2014)

I started with the Gadgeteer in March 2014. After investigating all my past reviews, I discovered that my longest-running gadget that I currently still use is the Revolve+ Surge Protector with 4 Rotating Outlets + 2 USB that I reviewed in July 2014. It’s been going strong for 11 years now.

I absolutely love the rotating outlets, which allow me to accommodate most sizes of AC adapters from my other gadgets, as you can see from the above current photo. It’s also handy having the USB-A ports to charge things like earbuds. Another benefit to using this is that you only have to remove the screw from the outlet cover (you can leave the cover in place) and install the Revolve+ by plugging it into the outlet and screwing it in.

I’ve loved using it so much that I’ve purchased three others and have not had any issues with any of them. The only thing to consider when using it is that it sticks out from the wall about 1.5″ and with AC adapters plugged in, it can extend 3.5″ or more, so you won’t be using this behind furniture.

You might find it interesting to know that the above photo also shows two other long-term-use gadgets that I’ve reviewed and am currently using:

Denon Heos 3 wireless [WiFi only] speaker (reviewed in October 2014) – Although setup is pretty difficult and finicky, the speaker sounds awesome. When setting up this WiFi-only speaker, be patient and try several times using different methods, like using an audio cable, Ethernet cable, or resetting it and using a different phone or tablet to set it up successfully.
- - We purchased a Bluetooth version of this speaker and linked it together with the WiFi speaker in the Heos app to use as a stereo pair. Because one is a WiFi-only speaker paired with a Bluetooth speaker, streaming directly to them via Bluetooth from your device results in the WiFi speaker dropping out frequently. But when using WiFi via the Heos app to stream services like Pandora, there are no problems.
Nixplay Edge 13″ WiFi Cloud Frame (reviewed in December 2014) – This frame still works well, and we use it all the time, especially since I’ve scanned in my 5000+ physical photos with the Epson FastFoto FF-680W High-speed Photo Scanning System. I placed all the scanned photos on a flash drive (you can also use an SD card) and inserted it into the Nixplay frame to display them. Now we can view photos we haven’t seen in years!
- - Nixplay has changed the terms of service, so you need to watch how many photos you store on their cloud (to create photo albums) to stream to your frame. If you want more than 500MB of space and want to stream to more than five frames, you’ll have to subscribe.

Final thoughts

Looking back, it’s clear that most gadgets come and go, but a select few become part of our everyday lives. Whether it’s a trusty lamp, a well-loved bag, or a battery pack that just won’t quit, these products have survived years of use, travel, and even a few accidents. They might show a little wear, but their reliability and usefulness have kept them in rotation long after the review period ended. If you’re searching for gear that lasts, these stories show it’s possible to find products that really go the distance. I’d love to hear about your own experience with products that are still going strong long after you purchased them. Please share your stories in the comments below.