I bought a battery powered yellow light table lamp. Turning off the main room lamps in the night and using this a few hours before my bedtime, allows me to get asleep faster, while still being able to do minor tasks like reading books, office work etc.
Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
31–40 of 530 posts
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#32More cables to load various devices at different places without carrying the cable: Work, home, car.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#33Tesla Model 3. 'Measurably' is subjective, but I graduated from a BMW 328i, which I loved dearly. The Model 3 is more fun in almost every way, and costs far, far less in maintenance. No gas stations, diamond lane, cost to operate is far less.
> The M3 ...
this confused me because I thought you meant the 328i is the BMW M3...
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#34Noise-canceling headphones. I recommend Bose QC35 IIs. You don’t realize how loud the world normally is until you take them off.
Could I use them to cut off external noise that keeps me awake when I am trying to sleep?
Yup I sometimes accidentally fall asleep with mine on. The noise cancelling works even while not playing anything. Just make sure you don’t sleep on side and crush them but you should be fine as they’re pretty resilient to damage (except water).
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#35A split keyboard. Way, way better ergonomics. I got the Ergodox EZ one but just about any should do the trick. Made my back pain go away.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#36Apple Airpod Pros -- long battery life, near instant bluetooth tethering. Even other expensive headphones/earbuds (Bose) for instance could not compete with the ease of use, noise cancellation, and comfort. I don't think about headphones anymore, they just work the way they're supposed to.
I do love them, but the noise cancellation does bad things to bass and for my real low end stuff, produces a rattle? I turn it off when i want it full volume
The rattle is a defect. Apple will replace them.
I got a pair months ago, after using gen-1 AirPods for a couple years. Soon the left AirPod Pro started rattling at certain frequencies. It got worse. I complained to Apple and they sent me a new left ‘Pod.
Soon the right one exhibited the same behavior. This time, I could hear the rattle if I tapped gently on it. Clearly something was physically loose inside it. Apple replace that one, too.
I had to argue a little, but less than with most tech support. Now I have two AirPod Pros that work perfectly.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#37ifixit screwdriver kit. Never stuck without the right bit ever again.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#38Noise-canceling headphones. I recommend Bose QC35 IIs. You don’t realize how loud the world normally is until you take them off.
So true. Most bang for the buck i know.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#39Noise-canceling headphones. I recommend Bose QC35 IIs. You don’t realize how loud the world normally is until you take them off.
Could I use them to cut off external noise that keeps me awake when I am trying to sleep?
Yes. Probably depends on the exact noise. I've used them to good effect on planes and when sleeping beside a snoring person.
Re: Ask HN: What did you purchase that measurably improved your quality of life?
#40Home powercage + Olympic weights. Having it myself basically removed all friction between me and exercise; no gym hour restriction, no need to share. It's there whenever I want it.
A good Bluetooth collar, or earbuds. I did find the collar an upgrade, quality matters (battery, and how much ambient noise it picks up), and they're so much easier to not lose than wired earbuds. (haven't tried wireless earbuds)