Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022 • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#841

Post by rrrrrrrrrrrryan » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:18 PM UTC

cdjk wrote: post #265

pharmakom wrote: post #11

- all matching socks. No more time spent pairing. - clothes drying racks that hook onto radiators. Reduces drying time and clothes crumpling - wired mechanical keyboard. Wired is simpler than wireless. Quality ones have n-key support - bicycle fenders - digital wrist watch so that I check my phone less.

The all matching socks strategy breaks down over time. Eventually you need to buy more socks, and the new ones aren't as worn as the old ones, so you end up having to match them anyway. My solution to this is to buy a large batch of identical socks. Then when you need new ones, buy another large batch that are slightly different - e.g. grey hiking socks instead of black, or wool hiking socks that have a slightly diff…

Relevant xkcd: https://m.xkcd.com/1982/

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#842

Post by digianarchist » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:23 PM UTC

dabernathy89 wrote: post #542

- Waterpik - i have 2 implants (molars) and i'm disgusted at how long I went without the waterpik. It gets stuff out that brushing & floss just can't. - Baratza Virtuoso (bought used). Our Encore was starting to be inconsistent after a few years, and the Virtuoso was a noticeable upgrade.

A lot of dentists will tell you that a Waterpik doesn't replace flossing.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#843

Post by insane_dreamer » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:25 PM UTC

pharmakom wrote: post #11

- all matching socks. No more time spent pairing. - clothes drying racks that hook onto radiators. Reduces drying time and clothes crumpling - wired mechanical keyboard. Wired is simpler than wireless. Quality ones have n-key support - bicycle fenders - digital wrist watch so that I check my phone less.

> - all matching socks. No more time spent pairing.

after my son started wearing unmatching socks (and refuses to wear matching socks), I started doing the same and I'm now hooked. Granted these are unmatching socks of the same style (i.e., I have 5 pairs of Nordic socks) and I like just throwing them all in the box after laundry and pulling out 2 at random. Probably not going back to matching socks unless it's required :)

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#844

Post by thedougd » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:33 PM UTC

amalcon wrote: post #660

A Japanese-style ryoba hand saw. I'm a hobbyist woodworker, and I didn't believe the hype until I tried one myself. I just have a $30-ish one, and it's like night and day compared to any other hand saw I've used. Having ripping teeth on one side, and crosscut teeth on the other, alone is worth it. Then, you get into how much less force they require and how rarely they bind.

I replaced my staircase and handrails during Covid. My Japanese saw and angle finder were the heroes of the job.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#845

Post by nazgulnarsil » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:33 PM UTC

Womier low profile brown switch keyboard. Does wired, 2.4ghz, and 3 bluetooth modes at the press of a button. Was the winner after trying lots of mechanical keyboards. Tape mod and o-rings (about 20 minutes of work) and it feels and sounds incredible.

Privacy film so that I can leave more window blinds open on the windows facing the street.

Elastic laces for some of my shoes to make them slip on.

A silicone face scrubber for gentle exfoliation on a regular basis.

Honeycomb style seat cushion. Used for meditation, car, floor sitting, etc.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#846

Post by thedougd » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:36 PM UTC

winrid wrote: post #735

A vacuum canister for oil changes. Just sucks the oil out of the dipstick tube. Great for environment and my back. Best $50 spent this year.

Very exited when I got one but one of my cars won’t allow the tube through. A transmission fluid change was ridiculously easy.

Also great for small engines.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#847

Post by braingenious » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:36 PM UTC

<$1 wedding bands off Aliexpress

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#848

Post by insane_dreamer » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:37 PM UTC

It was given to us as a gift, but I would say our Breville Bambino espresso machine. We were already making morning cappuccinos or lattes ourselves with an Italian "moka" stovetop, but this is considerably better, especially when coupled with a decision to buy better quality beans from local roasters (we're lucky to be in a city with good quality roasters and coffee shops). We're getting as good or better as we could get in a good local coffee shop (and I don't mean Starbucks) for a fraction of the price, plus the convenience.

Also, to defray the higher cost, and for health reasons, my wife and I cut our afternoon coffee. Less is more.

(Update: After writing this I checked online and it turns out the Bambino costs $350, so not sub-$200, oops.)

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#849

Post by l33tbro » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:41 PM UTC

jonfw wrote: post #155

We set up a motorized curtain in our bedroom. It's been really nice to black everything out at night while sleeping (some of our neighbors leave outdoor lights on) but in the morning, wake up with natural light

I bought the Manta sleep mask this year instead of going the curtains motorised route. Far cheaper and it has been just as effective in getting a great night sleep. It is really well designed. Very-breathable material with soft foam near the eyes and doesn't ever feel too tight.

A little pricey for what it is, but it is really a no-brainer when you think of how crucial restful sleep is.

Re: Ask HN: What sub $200 product improved your 2022

#850

Post by obelos » Fri, Jan 06, 2023, 11:42 PM UTC

BbzzbB wrote: post #759

A wheatbuck pillow. Like 50 bucks, keeps it's shape, keeps it's chills (regular pillows come stoves to me), keeps my head straight without folding a pillow in 4, keeps some support of my head why I tuck my arm under so I don't put much pressure on my shoulder. Been travelling for 3 months and carrying it, makes every bed a good bed.

I got one of these recently, and it's worked out even better than I'd hoped. The way I can nestle my head into it and it just holds it in place is unmatched by any other material I've slept on. The one thing I don't like is that it is loud while I'm nestling my head into place, and that can be a little shocking to my sleepy ears. Once I'm settled, though, it's very quiet and wholly comfortable.