Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?

About a year ago I finally allowed myself to get into photography as a hobby by buying a Nikon Z50 two lens kit. I've had so much fun with it while trying to get better at composition that it's well worth the price. It's given me a creative hobby that I can practice away from the screen and away from my house.

A bed that has multi positions, like a hospital bed, raise the feet, raise the head. I objected when my wife said it would be good for us. I have sinus issues so I could not argue too much. We purchased 2 twins since I knew we would never want the same setting, at the same time. OMG I change the setting at least once a day, usually twice. We use the kind with a motor. When I get a sinus issue, it is so easy to prop my chest and head up. Expensive but well worth it.

Breville BOV800XL toaster oven. The apartment I had didn't come with any kind of oven. That was 10 years ago. I still use it everyday and it's almost flawless. I use it over any oven I get with rentals I live in now. It keeps temperature way better and heats up incredibly fast compared to any gas or electric oven I've used. I don't even have to wait for it to warm up, I just throw stuff in and it works out.

Double-walled cups/glasses/containers. I really like Bodum's double walled glasses and so does my partner. They really transform the way you drink things - allowing you to go much slower. I also use double-walled cups that have a top to them like those 30oz RTIC Tumblers and with a straw. This allows for carbonated beverages to last way longer than in an open container and they stay cool for a really long time. It's not uncommon for me to come back after 8+ hours and there still be a lot of ice in the cup. We also have other double-walled containers like Hydroflasks and what not too.

High performance cordless drills/impacts. I know it seems a bit obvious but get the best set you can and it'll do you wonders for speed. I use powered ratchets and everything and jobs just go so much quicker now. I used to only use hand tools for everything and now everything is a joke. Rusted old exhaust bolts don't need penetrating oil or anything - everything just flies off. It's just incredible. They're not a full replacement for hand tools but a great supplement.

High(er) quality headphones. I started with Sennheiser HD555s some years back and they were great. In fact, I'd say that level of jump is all you really need. Everything after has incredible diminishing returns. Comfort is really key - as I had headphones that physically would hurt after 30 minutes to an hour. So, get ones that fit you well or you can put different earpads on that will help. Whatever you need.

Better fitting and looking clothes. I used a resource like Ashley Weston for guidance. You'll have to figure out who has guidance that best fits your own taste but she worked for me a bit.

I've got second Soundcore Motion+ and going to sell my bookshelf (Kef Q15) speakers. The sound is amazingly good and I don't have much space for bookshelves ATM.

AirPods Pro work way better for sleep due to low profile (mostly just using single one tho), but I've used big cans too. They do get damaged rather quickly (pads compress, drivers crackly all the time) and not comfy.