7 tech products you shouldn't skimp on

Some tech products just aren't worth the big money, like HDMI cables and RGB lighting for your computer case. But there are some products where the extra expense can dramatically improve your experience or give you extra peace of mind.

Mains adapters

It's not worth messing with cheap power adapters that could put your devices at risk. We're not talking about the freebies that once came with your iPhone or Android smartphone, but rather the wall adapters bought in bulk from manufacturers who have questionable quality assurance practices.

Not only are these adapters potentially dangerous, but they often lack features that many current devices can now take advantage of. Most new smartphones and many new laptops now support fast charging and the ability to pump out more power for more thirsty devices like laptops or Valve's Steam Deck like the Anker USB-C Nano II 65W.

Then there are gallium nitride (GaN) chargers that offer a modern alternative to silicon. Not only are they more efficient (converting less power to heat), but they can also be much smaller than chargers that use silicon circuitry. Spending a little more can get you a smaller, more efficient, and better-built power adapter.

Surge Protectors & Power Banks

Cheap power banks and surge protectors carry the same risks as cheap power adapters. Poorly designed power banks can be dangerous, not only for your gadgets but also for you. But that's not the only reason to spend a little more on a quality power bank or surge protector.

It is not recommended to plug one surge protector into another. You should also be careful not to plug power banks into other power banks, as devices that consume a lot of power (like heaters or kettles) can cause the total charge capacity to be exceeded. .

Spending a little more on a quality power bank or surge protected power bank should get you more power outlets and better charging capacity. Some surge protectors even include an insurance policy, where any damage to plugged-in devices is covered by the manufacturer.

Finally, spending a few hundred dollars on a whole-house surge protector (like the Siemens FS100) that plugs into your main circuit board provides the best protection, at a premium price. Anything connected to a power outlet in your home will be surge protected, so you won't have to worry about using portable surge protectors or surge protected power banks.

Graphics Cards

When it comes to building a PC, the bulk of your budget should be spent on a few select components. These components are the ones that will really affect what you can do with your computer, especially if gaming is your primary concern. This is why buying the right graphics card (GPU) is so important.

You should match your choice of GPU to your budget and expectations. For example, you can spend less on a graphics card if you're aiming for 1440p resolution. On the other hand, if you want full 4K HDR gaming at frame rates of 60fps or better, you'll have to spend a lot more.

The monitor you have is also worth considering. There's no point spending big bucks on a GPU just to run games at a lower resolution. If you're looking for the edge in multiplayer titles, a 240Hz high refresh rate monitor might make sense if you can hit those frame rates.

If you want to upgrade your monitor later, buying a more capable GPU makes sense. Understanding which components are causing your bottleneck can help you choose a good upgrade route. Use a tool like the Bottleneck Calculator for PC to better understand the best path to take.

A "Daily Driver" Notebook

Laptops aren't particularly good for upgrades, especially MacBooks and Chromebooks. This is why it is important to anticipate the choice of a laptop that you will use every day for several years. It should not be good enough for now, but also for the future.

Storage capacity and RAM can be upgraded on some laptops, but not most. Think about the space you'll need over the life of your laptop, especially if you don't have another computer. Think about your workloads and how memory requirements may change as operating systems and software such as web browsers become more demanding.

You should also think about other components, like the CPU and GPU. These types of components are very rarely upgradable, so it's worth buying the best you can afford right now to 'future-proof' yourself if you want your chosen machine to last. It's usually more expensive to buy a new laptop in two years than it is to spend a few hundred dollars more right now to get something that will last for years to come.

This advice may not ring true if you're someone who also uses a desktop computer that has tons of storage and isn't limited by laptop power requirements, while your laptop is only used for "wireless web" activities like office work and Zoom calls. .

PC power supplies

Spending more money on a PC power supply (PSU) will not improve computer performance since the power supply is only responsible for one thing: providing enough juice for the rest of your components to work properly. But that doesn't mean you should skimp on the PSU.

Look for an 80 Plus (80+) rating, which means that 80% of the total power consumption is used to power your computer and the rest is wasted as heat. There are different levels of 80+ ratings, with 80+ Titanium being the highest rating (with Platinum and Gold just below). The higher the rating, the more efficient the power supply.

If you want to upgrade in the future (and let's face it, you should), choose a power supply with more overhead. Use a power consumption calculator like the PC built power calculator to determine how much power you need right now, then buy one that exceeds that rating.

This will come in handy if future upgrades require more power. A next-gen graphics card may need more juice than your old one and may produce more heat, which means you'll need more fans or better coolers. Expanding your available storage with more drives or improving the aesthetics of your case with RGB lighting will take out your total power budget.

Game controllers

Proprietary game controllers from Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo aren't cheap, but they're generally well made. If you're going to be holding something for several hours a day (or even a week), it's important to make sure it's comfortable and does the job well. That's why we recommend you settle for nothing less than the controller that comes with your console of choice.

PC gamers looking to use a controller should follow the same advice. Buy an Xbox Wireless Controller, Sony DualSense or something a bit cheaper from 8BitDo (like a retro SNES-themed 8BitDo SN30 Pro+). Many of these controllers also work with your iPhone or iPad and Android devices.

There's nothing wrong with buying a cheap spare controller for impromptu couch multiplayer. If your friends are avid gamers, tell them to bring their favorite controllers the next time you plan a session.

Helmets and helmets

Not everyone can afford a set of AirPods or high-end Sony active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones. While premium headphones and earbuds are unmatched in comfort and functionality, there are plenty of slightly cheaper alternatives that strike a balance between empty pockets and empty promises.

Take for example the Jabra Elite 45h wireless headphones and the Anker Soundcore wireless in-ear headphones which were featured in our best budget headphones and best wireless headphones. Both cost under $100 and offer great value, the convenience of a wireless Bluetooth connection, and comfortable designs.

Not only can the cheapest headphones or headphones sound bad, they can also be uncomfortable, prone to sound leaking, and have poor build quality. The same goes for gaming headsets, which can be worn for hours a day if you're an avid gamer.

Save money where it's wise to do so

Spend less money on PC cases, high-speed memory cards you can't take full advantage of, and rechargeable power banks. Check out our full list of things you box skimp for more budget advice!